St. Louis De Montfort quote

"The more the Holy Ghost finds Mary, His dear and inseparable spouse, in any soul, the more active and mighty He becomes in producing Jesus Christ in that soul, and that soul in Jesus Christ." -St. Louis De Montfort (1673-1716)

2 Corinthians 5:17

We will soon begin a new year, 2011. A new year and a new start to grow even more spiritually and to become even stronger in our faith.
"So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Present

Today is a gift from God, that's why we call it the "present".
Jesus wants us to live in the present, not to dwell in the past or worry about the future.

Luke 2:15-18

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.Luke 2:15-18

Feast of the Holy Family

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Let us follow the example of the Holy Family and live our lives according the will of God. Let our lives become a good example for others and help to lead them to God.

Have a Blessed Christmas

Have a Blessed Christmas! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, please join us in prayer as we meditate especially on the third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Nativity . In the Nativity, the Birth of Jesus, we find the true meaning of Christmas and we find Peace, Hope and Strength for our lives.

Luke 2:8-11

...there were shephards out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night...And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

Luke 2:4-5

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:4-5

Matthew 2:9-11

...the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11

Matthew 2:1-2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2

John 1:14

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1:14

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14

1 John 5:4-5

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5

1 Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16

Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11

Psalm 106:1

Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 106:1

Psalm 51 :1-2

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1-2

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. She is the Patroness of the Americas and the Patroness of the Unborn.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray for us.

St. Juan Diego

Today is the Feast Day of St. Juan Diego, a humble man to whom Our Blessed Mother appeared as Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. He lived from 1474 to 1548. He was canonized a Saint by Pope John Paul ll in 2002.

Sirach 34:16-17

The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him, a mighty protection and strong support, a shelter from the hot wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a defense against falling. He lifts up the soul and gives light to the eyes; he grants healing, life, and blessing. Sirach 34:16-17

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today we honor Our Blessed Mother with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
"O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Psalm 66:20

Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! Psalm 66:20

Romans 12:19-21

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Romans 8:28

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

December Feast Days

The month of December has 3 very important Feast Days. December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and December 25th is Christmas. Let us continue to pray the Rosary every day in December and experience the peace, hope and strength that we receive from praying the Rosary.

Luke 1:39-40

In those days Mary arose and went in haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.Luke 1:39-40
The 2nd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, The Visitation.

Advent

Today is the 1st day of Advent, as we prepare for the Feast of Christmas. Let us try to pray at least 5 decades of the Rosary every day during Advent in preparation for a truly Blessed Christmas.
In the 6th month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you!" Luke 1:26-28

Luke 1:30-31

And the angel said to her,"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." Luke 1:30-31

John 18:4-6

Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he."....When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:4-6

Thanksgiving

A day of Thanksgiving for all of the many graces we have received from God. Thanksgiving for the love and peace He has given us, for the hope and strength we have received to help us with the challenges in life. As we pray the Rosary today and meditate on the lives of Jesus and Mary, we are thankful and we try to show thanks in our prayers and also in the way we live our lives. Let our lives be lived in harmony with the lives of Jesus and Mary, as found in the Bible. Let the words of the Bible be alive in our lives. Today we humbly pray our prayer of Thanksgiving.

John 16:33

"In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

John 14:15-17

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you." John 14:15-17

John 11:25-27

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who is coming into the world." John 11:25-27

Matthew 25:34-40

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was in prison and you came to me.....Truly, I say to you , as you did it to one of the least of my brethern, you did it to me." Matthew 25:34-40

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

John 10:14-15

"I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15

John 8:31-32

"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

John 1:14,16

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us , full of grace and truth: we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. And from His fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. John 1:14,16

Rosary Quote

"Those who say the Rosary frequently and fervently will gradually grow in grace and holiness and will enjoy the special protection of Our Lady and the abiding friendship of God." Bishop Hugh Boyle

Psalms 9:9-10

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know thy name put their trust in Thee, for thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek thee. Psalms 9:9-10

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

John 1:4-5

"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:4-5

Luke 9:48

"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me ; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great." Luke 9:48

Luke 6:37-38

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:37-38

Luke 12:8-9

"And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:8-9

Proverbs 16:20

He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.
Proverbs 16:20

Matthew 28:5-6

But the angel said to the woman "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has risen, as He said."
Matthew 28:5-6

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 5: 15-16

"Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand , and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5: 15-16

Matthew 16:24-26

Then Jesus told His disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?" Matthew 16:24-26

All Souls Day

Today November 2nd is All Souls Day, when we pray for the souls of all of the faithful departed.

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

All Saints Day

Today November 1st is All Saints Day. Many saints were devoted to praying the Rosary and found the Rosary to be an excellent way of obtaining grace and finding peace, hope and strength during their life.
"Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labors." St. Therese of Lisieux

Matthew 6:34

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day." Matthew 6:34

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Jeremiah 17:7-8

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,... He is like a tree planted by water, that spreads its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

1 Timothy 6:12

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
1 Timothy 6:12

Psalm 103:8,11,12

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love... For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:8,11,12

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

but He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Quote St. Pius X

“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.”
Pope Saint Pius X

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them; for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Matthew 23:12

"whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12

Matthew 7:24-25

"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25

Colossians 3:12-14

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved; compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:12-14

Colossians 1:17-20

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in everything He might be pre-eminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:17-20

Colossians 1:11-12

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." Colossians 1:11-12

Acts 10:34-35

And Peter opened his mouth and said; "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him." Acts 10:34-35

1 John 2:5-6

"..but whoever keeps His word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in Him: he who says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." 1 John 2:5-6

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

John 1:12-14

"But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." John 1:12-14

1 Chronicles 16:10-11

"Glory in His Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His presence continually!"
1 Chronicles 16:10-11

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

John 15:3,5

"You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you."
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:3,5

Colossians 2:6-7

"As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Colossians 2:6-7

Pope Pius IX Quote

"Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the most Holy Rosary. " Pope Pius IX

Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary

Today, October 7th is the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary. We honor Our Blessed Mother today, as people in many countries all over the world, pray the Rosary. We share the strength, the peace, and the hope that we receive from praying the Rosary.
Let us continue to pray the Rosary every day in October, the month of the Most Holy Rosary, and let us pray the Rosary every day throughout the year.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
"We adore you and we bless you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all the churches which are in the whole world, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world" St. Francis of Assisi

Quote - Pope John Paul II

"From Mary we learn to surrender to God's will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust when all hope is gone. From Mary we learn to trust her Son and Christ the Son of God." Pope John Paul II

St. Louis de Montfort Quote

"When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer." St. Louis de Montfort

"There is no surer means of calling down God's blessing upon the family than the daily recitation of the Rosary."
Pope Pius XII

Sister Lucia Quote

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”
Sister Lucia

October is the month of the Rosary

The month of October is dedicated as the "Month of the Rosary." October 7 is the feast of the Holy Rosary. Let us try to say at least 5 decades of the Rosary every day of the year and especially during October. We honor Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ during the month of October.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," 1 Corinthians 2:9

James 5:19-20

"My brethern, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:19-20

James 1:2-4

"Count it all joy, my brethern, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

2 Corinthians 8:9

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9

Quote from St. Therese of Lisieux - 2

“What a joy to remember that she is our Mother! Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?”
- Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church

St. Therese Quote

“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”
-Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Father Patrick Peyton Quote

"The family that prays together stays together." "If families give Our Lady fifteen minutes a day by reciting the Rosary, I assure them that their homes will become, by God's grace, peaceful places." Father Patrick Peyton

Quote from St. Louis de Montfort

“Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.”
Saint Louis de Montfort

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

On Solid Ground

"I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."
Psalm 40:1-3

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.Luke 16:13

Revelations 3:20

‎"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20

Our Lady of Sorrows

Today, September 15th is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The 7 Sorrows of our Blessed Mother are:

1.The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)

2.The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)

3.Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)

4.Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)

5.The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)

6.The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)

7.The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

Reference: catholicculture.org

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me , all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Philippians 4:6-7

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Meditation on the Annunciation

The 1st Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, the Annunciation. The angel Gabriel was sent from God to our Blessed Mother. She was chosen by God the Father to be the Mother of God the Son and the Spouse of God the Holy Spirit. We humbly pray.

Philippians 2:8-11

"And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Philippians 2:8-11

1 John 3:23-24

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us. 1 John 3:23-24

Psalm 59:16-17

For thou hast been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee, for thou, O God, art my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Psalm 59:16-17

Psalm 145: 8-9

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all and His compassion is over all that He has made.Psalm 145:8-9

Be not Afraid

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field,keeping watch over their flock by night.And an angel of the Lord appeared to them,and the glory of the Lord shone around them,and they were filled with fear.And the angel said to them,"Be not afraid;for behold,I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; ...for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

"After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions; and all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers." Luke 2:46-47(5th Joyful Mystery)

Even in the Joyful Mysteries there is a mixture of sorrow and joy,sorrow of searching for Jesus and joy of finding Him.Let us continue to pray as we face the sorrows and joys in our own lives

Rosary prayer for strength

Dear Blessed Mother, as we pray the Rosary each day: Please strengthen our hands to do the will of God in our daily lives. Please strengthen our hearts ♥ to love God and our neighbor, more each day. Please strengthen our minds to understand God's plan for our lives. Please strengthen our souls to grow in grace. We humbly pray.

John 19:17-18

So they took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with him two others, one on either side; and Jesus between them. John 19: 17-18

Meditation on the Crowning with Thorns

I humbly pray.O most sorrowful Mother Mary, meditating on the Mystery of the Crowning of Our Lord with thorns, when, the soldiers, binding about His head a crown of sharp thorns, showered blows upon it, driving the thorns deeply into His head; then, in mock adoration, knelt before Him, crying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
(Charles V. Lacey 1926)

Enter by the narrow gate

The Sorrowful Mysteries: Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16th is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Many of us wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of devotion to Our Blessed Mother and as a sign of concentration to her Immaculate Heart.
"For a very long time I too have worn the Carmelite Scapular! Because of the love which I have for Our Heavenly Mother, whose protection I experience constantly." Pope John Paul II

The 2nd Luminous Mystery- The Wedding at Cana

The 2nd Luminous Mystery- The Wedding at Cana
"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.'" John 2:5

Dear Jesus, help us to follow the charitable example of you and your mother in helping others in their time of need.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery - The Crowning with Thorns

The 3rd Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary - The Crowning with Thorns
"Plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him , saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' And they spat upon him , and took the reed and struck him in the head." Matt.27:29-30

Dear Jesus, with one glance You could have defeated the soldiers who mocked you; but with self-control, forgiveness and humility, you defeated sin.

Who will roll away the stone?

The 1st Glorious Mystery- The Resurrection.And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb...Mark 16:2-5
Today through faith, as we seek Jesus, the stones and obstacles in our lives will be rolled away.

The Institution of the Eucharist

The 5th Luminous Mystery of the Rosary:The Institution of the Eucharist

And He took bread,and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them,saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after supper,saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." Luke 14:19-20

The 3rd Glorious Mystery

The 3rd Glorious Mystery of the Rosary - Pentecost,The Descent of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostles were fearful behind the locked door of the Upper Room until the Holy Spirit enlightened them with the fire of His love.

Holy Spirit please replace our fears, our doubts, weakness and uncertainties with a stronger faith, trust, confidence and love.Guide us through the darkness with your light.

Jesus Freely Accepted His Sufferings for Us

The Sorrowful Mysteries: Jesus freely accepted the terrible sufferings, that He endured for us.
"Then Jesus knowing all that was to befall Him, came forward and said to them,'Whom do you seek?' They answered Him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am He'..When He said to them,'I am He,'they drew back and fell to the ground." John 18:4-6

Reflections on the Visitation-Rev. Msgr. Vaghi

"After Mary's 'fiat', moved by inner promptings of the Holy Spirit, she traveled to the hill country 'in haste'(Lk 1:39). It was the 1st thing Mary did after the Annunciation. There is a sense of urgency in the air as this young girl, our Blessed Mother, hastens with child into the Judean hills, a journey of some 130 miles from Nazareth, to visit her elder cousin, who was also with child in her time of need. It is a mission of love.
- Rev. Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi

Light of the World

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

We have been called to walk in the Light of Christ. Jesus has summoned us to follow the path of Light, which is the path to life. The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, the Mysteries of Light.

The Holy Ghost, Spouse of Mary

"The more the Holy Ghost finds Mary, His dear and inseparable spouse, in any soul, the more active and mighty He becomes in producing Jesus Christ in that soul, and that soul in Jesus Christ." St. Louis De Montfort (1673-1716)

The Rosary Gives Us Hope

The Rosary gives us so much hope, so much grace, so much strength. It puts our whole life in harmony with the lives of Jesus and Mary.

No dust on our Bibles

Let there be no dust on our Bibles, may they be well worn from use instead. A Bible that has not been read, just sits there gathering dust. A well worn Bible is what we want to have, one that is in daily use.

The Word of God must become part of our daily lives if we want to live life to the fullest. We are always trying to do a little better and to move forward in our prayer life. The Word of God is not a history book that sits on a shelf. The Word of God is alive in us, when it becomes part of our daily life.

Have you ever seen the heavy punching bags that boxers use in their training. For a boxer to become good, his punching bag should not look like new for very long. After a certain amount of training, the bag starts to become worn and at that point the boxer will take a roll of duct tape and circle the bag with it covering the areas that are the most worn, so the bag can still be used and it wil not fall apart.

Our Bibles should become worn with use, just like a boxer's heavy punching bag. Our Bibles, the ones used on a daily basis, may need a little tape to keep them together but that is a good sign.

Mary's Presence

"It is as if Our Lady were praying along with me each of the decades of the Rosary. Our faith teaches us that Mary intercedes for us as do all the saints. And Mary is Queen of the Saints. She has a place of preeminence among those holy men and women who have gone before us. In each of the mysteries, the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and now the Luminous Mysteries, her wonderful and powerful presence can be felt."
Rev. Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi

"Blessed Mother"

Our favorite title for Our Lady is "Blessed Mother." In Luke 1:48 we read "For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." Many titles have been given to our Blessed Mother including: Immaculate Conception, Comforter of the Afflicted, Our Lady of the Rosary and many, many more. What are some of your favorite titles for our Blessed Mother?

The Rosary can be prayed almost anywhere

The Rosary can be prayed almost anywhere and at any time. It can be prayed alone or with family and friends. It can be prayed at home, at church, while traveling or while walking. It can be prayed during Eucharistic Adoration. It can be prayed in the morning,when starting your day, throughout the day and evening and at night before going to bed. Where do you pray the Rosary?

The 5 First Saturdays

Our Blessed Mother appeared to Sister Lucia on Dec.10,1925 and said,"Announce in my name that I promise to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation,all those who,on the first Saturday of 5 consecutive months,go to Confession and receive Holy Communion,recite the Rosary,and keep me company for a quarter of an hour while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary with the intention of making reparation to me."

Forgiveness

In the "Apostle's Creed" we believe in the "forgiveness of sins", in the "Our Father" we pray "forgive us our trespasses" and in the "Hail Mary" we say "pray for us sinners". We all make mistakes, but as we meditate today especially on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, we look to the image of Jesus nailed to the cross with His arms open wide to love us.

Pope John Paul II - Had no sedatives for His pain

18-May-2010 -- Catholic News Agency


Physician: Pope John Paul Never Asked For Sedatives, Even In Most Intense Pain
APRIL 18 (Catholic World News) -- In an interview that appeared in the May 17-18 edition L’Osservatore Romano, Dr. Renato Buzzonetti reflected on his years as Pope John Paul II’s personal physician. “The physical pain, in the last periods, was intense, but for him there was above all the moral and spiritual suffering of a man on the cross, who accepted all with courage and patience: he never requested sedatives, not even in the final phase.”

The Month of May

"For this is the month during which Christians, both in Church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the gifts of God's mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance." Pope Paul VI

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, we can pray for our Mothers and Grandmothers as we offer a special Rosary to Our Blessed Mother. She is the Mother of Jesus, Queen of Heaven and Our Mother.

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 7

"Today we are facing new challenges. Why should we not once more have recourse to the Rosary, with the same faith as those who have gone before us? The Rosary retains all its power and continues to be a valuable pastoral resource for every good evangelizer." John Paul II

Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker

O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.


(Composed by Pope St. Pius X)

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 6

"In the spiritual journey of the Rosary, based on the constant contemplation – in Mary's company – of the face of Christ, this demanding ideal of being conformed to him is pursued through an association which could be described in terms of friendship. We are thereby enabled to enter naturally into Christ's life and as it were to share his deepest feelings." John Paul II

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 5

"When prayed well in a truly meditative way, the Rosary leads to an encounter with Christ in his mysteries and so cannot fail to draw attention to the face of Christ in others, especially in the most afflicted." John Paul II

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 4

"Mary constantly sets before the faithful the “mysteries” of her Son, with the desire that the contemplation of those mysteries will release all their saving power. In the recitation of the Rosary, the Christian community enters into contact with the memories and the contemplative gaze of Mary." John Paul II

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 3

"With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer." John Paul II

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 2

"I myself have often encouraged the frequent recitation of the Rosary. From my youthful years this prayer has held an important place in my spiritual life. The Rosary has accompanied me in moments of joy and in moments of difficulty. To it I have entrusted any number of concerns; in it I have always found comfort."
John Paul II

Rosarium Virginis Mariae - Part 1

Mary lived with her eyes fixed on Christ, treasuring his every word: “She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19; cf. 2:51). The memories of Jesus, impressed upon her heart, were always with her, leading her to reflect on the various moments of her life at her Son's side. In a way those memories were to be the “rosary” which she recited uninterruptedly throughout her earthly life.
John Paul II

The Hail Mary - Blessings

By each Hail Mary we give Our Lady the same honor that God gave her when He sent the Archangel Gabriel to greet her for Him. - St.Louis De Montfort

And he came to her and said, "Hail , full of grace, the Lord is with you!" Luke 1:28

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Today we meditate on the 1st glorious Mystery of the Rosary, the Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ..."He has risen"...Mt.28:6, Mk16:6, Lk24:5. "The Light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it."Jn 1:15

Rosary Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Meditation for Lent- Isaiah 53:5

"He was wounded for our transgressions , he was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5

Palm Sunday

Today, Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. Try to pray the Rosary every day of the year and especially during Holy Week. Encourage others to pray the Rosary. Tell friends, family members, neighbors, and people at work or school about the Rosary. Parents teach your children to pray and pray with them.

The Feast of the Annunciation

Today March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And he came to her and said, "Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end."

And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be , since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38

The Way Of The Cross

The Stations Of The Cross

1st Station- Jesus is condemned to Death
2nd Station- Jesus is made to carry His Cross
3rd Station- Jesus falls the First Time
4th Station- Jesus meets His Sorrowful Mother
5th Station- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His Cross
6th Station- Veronica wipes the Face of Jesus
7th Station- Jesus falls the Second Time
8th Station- The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus
9th Station- Jesus falls the Third Time
10th Station- Jesus is stripped of His Garments
11th Station- Jesus is nailed to the Cross
12th Station- Jesus is raised upon the Cross and Dies
13th Station- Jesus is taken down from the Cross
and placed in the arms of His Mother
14th Station- Jesus is placed in the Sepulchre

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee,
Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Prayer for our Nation (USA)

God our Father,
Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving
care.

You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to
life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your
people.

Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s
leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in
seeking
and doing Your will.

Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
Patroness of our land,
grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death."
Lead us into a new millennium of life.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

St. Patrick's Breastplate

ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgement of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In prediction of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me.
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation

The Caregiver and the Person receiving care.

The Caregiver and the Person receiving care see the image of Jesus in each other.

The Caregiver sees the "suffering" Jesus, in the Person receiving care and the Person receiving care sees the "saving" Jesus, in the Caregiver.

The Caregiver provides food and drink, medicine, bathing, clothing, confidence, Love and protection to the Person receiving care; to help them in their journey through this world.

The Person receiving care gives Love in return and helps the Caregiver on their journey toward eternal life with Jesus.

Immaculate Heart of Mary- Prayer

Father,
You prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary
to be a fitting home for Your Holy Spirit.
By her prayers,
may we become more worthy temples of Your glory.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Magnificat (Canticle of Mary)

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts,
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."

Love

"Love is patient and kind;
love is not jealous or boastful;
it is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrong,
but rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things."

1 Cor 13:4-7

Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ

O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I miserable sinner,
salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy
Shoulder on which Thou didst bear thy heavy Cross,
which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to
inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound
of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most
sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks
for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee
by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of
Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me
all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven
along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen

Nourish the soul during Lent

During Lent many of us will fast from certain foods or perform other acts of penance. While we are fasting on some things that the world has to offer, we can still feast on Sacred Scripture found in the Bible. All of the mysteries of the Rosary and the prayers "Our Father" and "Hail Mary" are found in the Bible. By praying the Rosary and reading the Bible we can feast and nourish the soul.

"...man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord." Deut.8:3

The Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

When we simply repeat the names of Jesus and Mary with respect, we are praying. If we can do that, what a treasure we have. The very names of Jesus and Mary are a treasure beyond any worldly possession.

"In every danger of forfeiting divine grace, we should think of Mary, and invoke her name, together with that of Jesus; for these two names always go together. O, then, never let us permit these two most sweet names to leave our hearts, or be off our lips; for they will give us strength not only not to yield, but to conquer all our temptations." -St. Bernard

"The invocation of the sacred names of Jesus and Mary," says Thomas a Kempis, "is a short prayer which is sweet to the mind, and as powerful to protect those who use it against the enemies of their salvation, as it is easy to remember."

"With every beat of my heart and every breath that I take, may I proclaim the names of Jesus and Mary." -Rosary Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Quote from "True Devotion to Mary"

The more the Holy Ghost finds Mary,
His dear and inseparable spouse, in any
soul, the more active and mighty He
becomes in producing Jesus Christ in that
soul, and that soul in Jesus Christ.

-St. Louis De Montford (1673-1716)

The Way of the Cross or the way of the world ?

"Their roses are pleasures of the flesh, worldly honors and passing riches which will wilt and decay in no time, but ours, which are the Our Father and Hail Mary which we have said devoutly over and over again and to which we have added good penitential acts, will never wilt or die and they will be just as exquisite thousands of years from now as they are today."

St. Louis De Montfort (1673-1716)
The Secret of the Rosary, page 11

Today is a gift from God

Today is a gift from God, that's why we call it the "present". Jesus wants us to live in the present, not to dwell in the past or worry about the future.

Lenten Meditation- The 12th Station

"How must I regard the world and it's vanities, when I behold Thee hanging on the cross, covered with wounds?"

Meditating on this quote helps us to put things in perspective and helps us discover our real priorities. The quote is from the booklet "The Way of The Cross, According to the Method of St. Francis of Assisi", published by TAN books Rockford,Illinois 1987. The Twelfth Station "Jesus is raised upon the Cross and Dies" page 27.

Rosary broadcast on EWTN television

EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network)broadcasts the Rosary on television several times a day. At 7:30 am you can watch and pray along with, The Holy Land Rosary, which was filmed on location at each of the religious locations in the Holy Land, that correspond with each of the Mysteries of the Rosary. At 9:30 pm you can pray along with Mother Angelica, who founded EWTN.

The Rosary is also broad cast at least one other time each day. Check this site for the program schedule: http://www.ewtn.com

EWTN also broadcasts the Mass each day, as well as many other religious programs.

Bible quotes for each mystery of the Rosary

Here are the bible quotes that correspond with each Mystery of the Rosary. Also included are the suggested days of the week, for praying a single Mystery of the Rosary.

Joyful Mysteries(Monday, Saturday)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20)
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:22-39)
5. The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:42-52)

Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
1. His Baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17)
2. His Self Manifestation at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. His Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to Conversion (Mark 1:14-1, Mark 2:3-13, Luke 7:47-48, John 20:21-23)
4. His Transfiguration (Luke 9:35)
5. His Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20,John 13:1)

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)
1. The Agony in the Garden (Luke 22:39-44)
2. The Scourging (Matthew 27:26)
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:28-31)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Luke 23:26-32, Matthew 27:31)
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-50, Luke 23:33-46)

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday, Sunday)
1. The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-7, Mark 16:4-6)
2. The Ascension (luke 24:50-51, Mark 16:19)
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-4)
4. The Assumption (Jdt. 15:9)
5. The Coronation (Rev. 12:1)

The Rosary- The prayer of the Bible

The Rosary was given to us directly from the Bible. All of the mysteries, which we meditate upon have corresponding biblical quotes. We will list the quotes from the Bible in our next blog entry.

The prayer the "Our Father" was given to us by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-15. Two thirds of the Hail Mary are found in Luke 1:28, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" and Luke 1:42, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"

In the remaining one third of the Hail Mary we ask Mary, the Mother of God, to pray for us, just as we ask other people on earth to pray for us and we also can pray for them. So much more so should we ask the Mother of God, who is close to God in heaven, to pray for us.

(The above is a portion of our original pamphlet, first printed in the year 2000.)

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. During Lent we can renember the 40 days that Jesus was in the desert.

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward He was hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But He answered, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'

Then the devil took Him to the holy city, and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If you are the Son of god, throw yourself down; for it is written, He will give angels charge of you and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.' Jesus said to him, 'Again it is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.'

Again, the devil took him to avery high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them; and he said to him,'All these I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Begone, Satan! for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and only Him shall you serve.'

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
Matthew 4: 1-11

We can unite ourselves with Jesus, remembering the 40 days He spent in the desert, during these 40 days of Lent. Prayer, sacrifice, meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, reading the Bible, works of charity, and fasting are some of the ways we can grow in our faith during Lent.

Psalm 40: 1-4

I waited patiently for the Lord;
He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the lord.

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who fall astray after false gods!

Star of the Sea

One of the titles of Our Blessed Mother is The Star of the Sea(Stella Maris). In the twelfth-century St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote this prayer to the Blessed Mother, The Star of the Sea:


If the winds of temptation arise;
If you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary;
If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary


In today's world, we can still look to The Star of the Sea for help and guidance. A few years ago, I heard a song with a verse that is very meaningful. I will paraphrase the verse as follows: "Like a crippled ship that somehow managed to make it through the storm; I found a peaceful port, when The Star of the Sea, I called upon.

The value of suffering

Let all of us who suffer; who are sick, injured, afflicted, lonely, outcast, rejected, homeless,unemployed, betrayed, riddiculed and mocked; those who are experiencing weakness, anxiety and darkness; those of us who are tried and tested in various ways, know that they are called to be saints.

Let us understand that our sufferings are joined to the sufferings of Christ on the Cross for the salvation of souls. Let us offer our sufferings to God with all our hearts and understand that we are helping Jesus to carry His Cross, just as Simon of Cyrene did. We are willing to learn from our troubles, what God is asking of us, in our life.

God will strengthen us as we travel the rocky uphill road, if we trust in Him. With prayer and trust in God nothing can worry or frighten us. We are filled with the peace of Christ, with love and strength. As we grow deeper in our belief and continue to pray, we understand that God has given us our life for a purpose, a mission. We realize how much we need God and develop a stronger faith.

(Inspired by the readings, sermon and prayers during a Mass today on EWTN celebrated by Father Joseph Mary)

A question from someone

We would like to share with you a question we received from someone and our answer.

Could you speak words of hope and compassion from the Bible or from yourself into my darkness?

If God has created us for heaven , of what importance are the things of this world. While we are on this earth, we should try to live in a way to prepare ourselves to eventually live in heaven. The things and problems of this world will not be with us forever.We all will spend just a little time here, and all eternity in the place that God chooses for us. The most important thing is to live a good life regardless of obstacles and sufferings and to also try to lead others to heaven.
When we offer our sufferings up to God ,He always gives us the strength to handle them. Don't give up. God loves you ,so very much, and he has given you talents to help yourself and others. Keep active,constructive work and physical exercise help; but, the best help of all is prayer.

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" John 15:9-11

Prayer after each mystery of the Rosary

During the third apparition of Our Lady in Fatima, Portugal on July 13, 1917, Our Lady gave us a prayer to say after each mystery of the Rosary.

"When you recite the Rosary, after each mystery say: 'Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.' "

Prayer when offering up sufferings and sacrifices

During the third apparation of Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917, Our Lady gave us a prayer. The prayer is to be said when offering up the sufferings and sacrfices both large and small that we experience during our daily lives.

"Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say often, especially when you make a sacrifice: 'Oh Jesus, this is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.' "

Jesus loves you

It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was his love for us.

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down His life for his friends."
John 15:13

Prayer To Your Guardian Angel

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God's love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
to rule and guide.

Amen.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to
your protection, implored your help, or sought your
intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this
confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, our
Mother; to you do we come, before thee we stand, sinful and
sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise
not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer
us. Amen.

Morning Offering

This is the "Morning Offering" prayer that we say every morning. It is a good way to start the day. The scapular referred to is the brown scapular. There will be more information about the brown scapular soon, in this blog.

Morning Offering

O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary (here kiss your scapular as a sign of your consecration), I offer Thee theMost Precious Blood of Jesus, from all the altars throughout the world today, joining with It the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day.

O my Jesus, I desire today to gain every indulgence and merit I can and I offer them, together with myself , to Mary Immaculate, that she may best apply them to the interests of Thy most Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!