Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
St. Clare
Feastday: August 11
Patron of sore eyes
St. Clare
Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not.
Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters.
"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.
Feastday: August 11
Patron of sore eyes
St. Clare
Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not.
Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters.
"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
FEAST DAY
The Litany of St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars
For Private Use Only.
Lord, have mercy on us,
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us,
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us.
Saint John-Mary Vianney,
Pray for us.
St. John Vianney, endowed with grace from thine infancy, etc.
St. John Vianney, model of filial piety,
St. John Vianney, devoted servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
St. John Vianney, spotless lily of purity,
St. John Vianney, faithful imitator of the sufferings of Christ,
St. John Vianney, abyss of humility,
St. John Vianney, seraph of prayer,
St. John Vianney, faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
St. John Vianney, ardent lover of holy poverty,
St. John Vianney, true son of St. Francis of Assisi,
St. John Vianney, exemplary Franciscan tertiary,
St. John Vianney, tender friend of the poor,
St. John Vianney, penetrated with the fear of God's judgment,
St. John Vianney, fortified by divine visions,
St. John Vianney, who was tormented by the evil spirit,
St. John Vianney, perfect model of sacerdotal virtue,
St. John Vianney, firm and prudent pastor,
St. John Vianney, inflamed with zeal,
St. John Vianney, faithful attendant on the sick,
St. John Vianney, indefatigable catechist,
St. John Vianney, who didst preach in words of fire,
St. John Vianney, wise director of souls,
St. John Vianney, specially gifted with the spirit of counsel,
St. John Vianney, enlightened by light from Heaven,
St. John Vianney, formidable to Satan,
St. John Vianney, compassionate with every misery,
St. John Vianney, providence of the orphans,
St. John Vianney, favored with the gift of miracles,
St. John Vianney, who didst reconcile so many sinners to God,
St. John Vianney, who didst confirm so many of the just in the way of virtue,
St. John Vianney, who didst taste the sweetness of death,
St. John Vianney, who dost now rejoice in the glory of Heaven,
St. John Vianney, who givest joy to those who invoke thee,
St. John Vianney, heavenly patron of parish priests,
St. John Vianney, model and patron of directors of souls,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Pray for us, blessed Jean-Marie Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Almighty and merciful God, Who didst bestow upon blessed
John Mary Vianney wonderful pastoral zeal and a great fervor for
prayer and penance, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his example and
intercession we may be able to gain the souls of our brethren for
Christ, and with them attain to everlasting glory, through the same
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
and the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. R. Amen.
St. John Vianney, The Cure of Ars, is the Patron of Parish Priests. Born in 1786, St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney became a priest and was assigned to the parish in Ars, France, where he heard confessions for 13-17 hours daily. People from far and wide flocked to Ars, and St. John Vianney converted thousands in his lifetime. He had the gift of reading hearts. For five years he lived on one meal per day of boiled potatoes. The devil physically assailed him off and on over a period of 30 years. St. John Vianney died in 1859.
The Litany of St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars
For Private Use Only.
Lord, have mercy on us,
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us,
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us.
Saint John-Mary Vianney,
Pray for us.
St. John Vianney, endowed with grace from thine infancy, etc.
St. John Vianney, model of filial piety,
St. John Vianney, devoted servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
St. John Vianney, spotless lily of purity,
St. John Vianney, faithful imitator of the sufferings of Christ,
St. John Vianney, abyss of humility,
St. John Vianney, seraph of prayer,
St. John Vianney, faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
St. John Vianney, ardent lover of holy poverty,
St. John Vianney, true son of St. Francis of Assisi,
St. John Vianney, exemplary Franciscan tertiary,
St. John Vianney, tender friend of the poor,
St. John Vianney, penetrated with the fear of God's judgment,
St. John Vianney, fortified by divine visions,
St. John Vianney, who was tormented by the evil spirit,
St. John Vianney, perfect model of sacerdotal virtue,
St. John Vianney, firm and prudent pastor,
St. John Vianney, inflamed with zeal,
St. John Vianney, faithful attendant on the sick,
St. John Vianney, indefatigable catechist,
St. John Vianney, who didst preach in words of fire,
St. John Vianney, wise director of souls,
St. John Vianney, specially gifted with the spirit of counsel,
St. John Vianney, enlightened by light from Heaven,
St. John Vianney, formidable to Satan,
St. John Vianney, compassionate with every misery,
St. John Vianney, providence of the orphans,
St. John Vianney, favored with the gift of miracles,
St. John Vianney, who didst reconcile so many sinners to God,
St. John Vianney, who didst confirm so many of the just in the way of virtue,
St. John Vianney, who didst taste the sweetness of death,
St. John Vianney, who dost now rejoice in the glory of Heaven,
St. John Vianney, who givest joy to those who invoke thee,
St. John Vianney, heavenly patron of parish priests,
St. John Vianney, model and patron of directors of souls,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Pray for us, blessed Jean-Marie Vianney,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Almighty and merciful God, Who didst bestow upon blessed
John Mary Vianney wonderful pastoral zeal and a great fervor for
prayer and penance, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his example and
intercession we may be able to gain the souls of our brethren for
Christ, and with them attain to everlasting glory, through the same
Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee
and the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. R. Amen.
St. John Vianney, The Cure of Ars, is the Patron of Parish Priests. Born in 1786, St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney became a priest and was assigned to the parish in Ars, France, where he heard confessions for 13-17 hours daily. People from far and wide flocked to Ars, and St. John Vianney converted thousands in his lifetime. He had the gift of reading hearts. For five years he lived on one meal per day of boiled potatoes. The devil physically assailed him off and on over a period of 30 years. St. John Vianney died in 1859.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Message to Mirjana - August 2, 2009
Thousands of people were present near the Blue Cross, at the base of Apparition Hill, for the monthly apparition to visionary Mirjana Soldo. After the apparition, Mirjana relayed the following message from Our Lady:
"Dear children, I am coming, with my motherly love, to point out the way by which you are to set out, in order that you may be all the more like my Son; and by that, closer to and more pleasing to God. Do not refuse my love. Do not renounce salvation and eternal life for the sake of the transience and frivolity of this life. I am among you to lead you and, as a mother, to caution you. Come with me."
Mirjana reported that Our Lady appeared with the sun shining behind her during the entire apparition. At the same time, thousands of onlookers also reported seeing what is commonly called the miracle of the sun, where a person can look directly at the sun without any discomfort.
Thousands of people were present near the Blue Cross, at the base of Apparition Hill, for the monthly apparition to visionary Mirjana Soldo. After the apparition, Mirjana relayed the following message from Our Lady:
"Dear children, I am coming, with my motherly love, to point out the way by which you are to set out, in order that you may be all the more like my Son; and by that, closer to and more pleasing to God. Do not refuse my love. Do not renounce salvation and eternal life for the sake of the transience and frivolity of this life. I am among you to lead you and, as a mother, to caution you. Come with me."
Mirjana reported that Our Lady appeared with the sun shining behind her during the entire apparition. At the same time, thousands of onlookers also reported seeing what is commonly called the miracle of the sun, where a person can look directly at the sun without any discomfort.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
WE ALL HAVE A 'DESTINY' AND IT'S WRITTEN IN HEARTS AND SOULS IN GOD'S SECRET IMPRINT
You are a person of destiny. You are destined for Heaven. You are destined to be the best you can be.
You are also unique. Period. Your greatness is not worldly greatness.
And so your soul bears God's secret imprint.
You could also call it a road map. Let's talk about destiny, which also means destination. Everyone has one. We are not talking about being a great Hollywood star or a famous athlete. We are talking about accomplishing God's Plan in the ordinary walk of life. To God, this is true greatness!
That plan was written before you were born. It's etched into your deepest subconscious. Somewhere, deep down, you know what you are supposed to do; you know where you are supposed to go; you know the plan for your life. But it would defeat the "test" of life to know it consciously.
And so it is hidden but for snatches we obtain in prayer when our souls at a deep level gain contact with God.
The Lord has a right destiny in mind for each of us and the trick is to reach it with the innocence and purity and wonderment -- the love -- of a child. When we do that, our task has been completed.
If we can do that, we can gain direct heavenly entry!
Life is the road. There are turns. There are curves. There are ravines. There are confusing road signs. There is dirt. There are deserts. Also, there are mountains. We can make it over a mountain or fall off the summit (or never reach it).
There are creatures at roadside.
The key is to pray from the heart each day for God's Will with indifference to material things. This is what St. Ignatius of Loyola taught us! Wish not for wealth or poverty. Wish simply to be the best you can be. Don't judge yourself by the standards of the world!
Why so many twists and turns? As one writer noted, God created opposing pairs such as black and white, long and short, healthy and sick, so we can fully experience everything. Fire can cook our dinner for us or burn us or even destroy a home. Water can quench your thirst, give life to plants, or drown us and destroy fields.
It is not that fire and water are evil but how we approach them.
And so too the "curves" in the road of life, the script and design of our secret imprint. If we make it past the twists and turns we transcend sorrow (and avoid regret).
When we operate in accordance with God's "imprint," we have wisdom beyond our years; we accomplish more than we thought we would; things fall into place. When we exercise excellence and integrity in fulfilling the plan He has for us, we are suddenly "at the right place at the right time."
It's not by coincidence that good things happen but because God has seen that you are keeping to His course and has stepped in!
The natural is taken over by the supernatural. Think big and God will act big -- in the right way.
As a preacher put it, God doesn't match you to the size you think you are, but the size of your destiny -- and gives what you need to accomplish every dream He put into your heart. When you are fully in the walk of destiny, your voice will have the tone of an angel. If God is with you, who can be against you?
You are equipped and well able to overcome anything that is placed on the road. The trouble is when we go off onto side routes, when we try to map out every detail of our lives, when we seek shortcuts (usually to avoid pain), when we seek worldly greatness (instead of the greatness He has imprinted).
Then everything is uphill; the possible becomes impossible! We constantly fall into ravines (and blame God).
Just remember to seek His imprint and know that the size of problem is not as important as the size of person. If the greatest power of the universe is in you, where is there room for fear?
Always remember that no matter what has (or has not) happened in your life, you still have every seed of greatness that you were born with.
You can regain the correct path.
You can still make your destination.
When you spend the potential God has equipped you with -- when you release all gifts, when you fulfill your God-given destiny, when you seek to do His Will and His alone -- all potential is released back.
You'll be surprised at wisdom beyond your years and how you accomplish more than you even wanted to!
The goal in life is to align our plans for life with what God planned long ago (and stick to it). Do your best day in and day out. Think big and He will act big. Look for the ultimate destination. Do the right thing even when the "wrong" thing is happening.
You know how hard it can be to pull the cord on a lawn mower? But that's what life necessitates: a constant start up each day as we traverse the course God has set before us. Sometimes it starts with a lot lf noise!
Just pull the cord and never mind the "negatives."
It is all He asks. Perhaps He plans certain successes for you. Perhaps also certain failures. It is how we learn, said St. Ignatius. Just stick to it. Persist. Regain hope. Maintain the right dream. Live by His blueprint.
Be like Jesus; seek to complete your task. Reach the point He did, whereby He could look toward Heaven and at the end of His course say, "It is finished."
[resources: The God of Miracles and Michael H. Brown retreat, Minnesota and October retreat in New Jersey]
You are a person of destiny. You are destined for Heaven. You are destined to be the best you can be.
You are also unique. Period. Your greatness is not worldly greatness.
And so your soul bears God's secret imprint.
You could also call it a road map. Let's talk about destiny, which also means destination. Everyone has one. We are not talking about being a great Hollywood star or a famous athlete. We are talking about accomplishing God's Plan in the ordinary walk of life. To God, this is true greatness!
That plan was written before you were born. It's etched into your deepest subconscious. Somewhere, deep down, you know what you are supposed to do; you know where you are supposed to go; you know the plan for your life. But it would defeat the "test" of life to know it consciously.
And so it is hidden but for snatches we obtain in prayer when our souls at a deep level gain contact with God.
The Lord has a right destiny in mind for each of us and the trick is to reach it with the innocence and purity and wonderment -- the love -- of a child. When we do that, our task has been completed.
If we can do that, we can gain direct heavenly entry!
Life is the road. There are turns. There are curves. There are ravines. There are confusing road signs. There is dirt. There are deserts. Also, there are mountains. We can make it over a mountain or fall off the summit (or never reach it).
There are creatures at roadside.
The key is to pray from the heart each day for God's Will with indifference to material things. This is what St. Ignatius of Loyola taught us! Wish not for wealth or poverty. Wish simply to be the best you can be. Don't judge yourself by the standards of the world!
Why so many twists and turns? As one writer noted, God created opposing pairs such as black and white, long and short, healthy and sick, so we can fully experience everything. Fire can cook our dinner for us or burn us or even destroy a home. Water can quench your thirst, give life to plants, or drown us and destroy fields.
It is not that fire and water are evil but how we approach them.
And so too the "curves" in the road of life, the script and design of our secret imprint. If we make it past the twists and turns we transcend sorrow (and avoid regret).
When we operate in accordance with God's "imprint," we have wisdom beyond our years; we accomplish more than we thought we would; things fall into place. When we exercise excellence and integrity in fulfilling the plan He has for us, we are suddenly "at the right place at the right time."
It's not by coincidence that good things happen but because God has seen that you are keeping to His course and has stepped in!
The natural is taken over by the supernatural. Think big and God will act big -- in the right way.
As a preacher put it, God doesn't match you to the size you think you are, but the size of your destiny -- and gives what you need to accomplish every dream He put into your heart. When you are fully in the walk of destiny, your voice will have the tone of an angel. If God is with you, who can be against you?
You are equipped and well able to overcome anything that is placed on the road. The trouble is when we go off onto side routes, when we try to map out every detail of our lives, when we seek shortcuts (usually to avoid pain), when we seek worldly greatness (instead of the greatness He has imprinted).
Then everything is uphill; the possible becomes impossible! We constantly fall into ravines (and blame God).
Just remember to seek His imprint and know that the size of problem is not as important as the size of person. If the greatest power of the universe is in you, where is there room for fear?
Always remember that no matter what has (or has not) happened in your life, you still have every seed of greatness that you were born with.
You can regain the correct path.
You can still make your destination.
When you spend the potential God has equipped you with -- when you release all gifts, when you fulfill your God-given destiny, when you seek to do His Will and His alone -- all potential is released back.
You'll be surprised at wisdom beyond your years and how you accomplish more than you even wanted to!
The goal in life is to align our plans for life with what God planned long ago (and stick to it). Do your best day in and day out. Think big and He will act big. Look for the ultimate destination. Do the right thing even when the "wrong" thing is happening.
You know how hard it can be to pull the cord on a lawn mower? But that's what life necessitates: a constant start up each day as we traverse the course God has set before us. Sometimes it starts with a lot lf noise!
Just pull the cord and never mind the "negatives."
It is all He asks. Perhaps He plans certain successes for you. Perhaps also certain failures. It is how we learn, said St. Ignatius. Just stick to it. Persist. Regain hope. Maintain the right dream. Live by His blueprint.
Be like Jesus; seek to complete your task. Reach the point He did, whereby He could look toward Heaven and at the end of His course say, "It is finished."
[resources: The God of Miracles and Michael H. Brown retreat, Minnesota and October retreat in New Jersey]
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