I am running behind in getting the 2018 blog up and running but am still taking requests. Please email me, with first names only, at mare54n@gmail.com. May your New Year be full of blessings!!

What are YOU being handpicked for?

You are the Potter, we are the clay ...

The Story of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This is a fairly late feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century. It was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969, in order to follow the Annunciation of the Lord and precede the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

Like most feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and his saving work. The more visible actors in the visitation drama (see Luke 1:39-45) are Mary and Elizabeth. However, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy—the joy of messianic salvation. Elizabeth, in turn, is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary—words that echo down through the ages.

It is helpful to recall that we do not have a journalist’s account of this meeting. Rather Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a prayerful poet’s rendition of the scene. Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as “the mother of my Lord” can be viewed as the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth’s (the Church’s) words first praise God for what God has done to Mary. Only secondly does she praise Mary for trusting God’s words.

Then comes the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Here, Mary herself–like the Church–traces all her greatness to God.

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Reflection

One of the invocations in Mary’s litany is “Ark of the Covenant.” Like the Ark of the Covenant of old, Mary brings God’s presence into the lives of other people. As David danced before the Ark, John the Baptist leaps for joy. As the Ark helped to unite the 12 tribes of Israel by being placed in David’s capital, so Mary has the power to unite all Christians in her son. At times, devotion to Mary may have occasioned some divisiveness, but we can hope that authentic devotion will lead all to Christ and therefore, to one another.

Our Diocese ... we celebrated yesterday at Mass and will again on Sunday ...

Lord, may I never be deficit when it comes to You.

I always feel a little sad on Ascension Thursday ... I know I shouldn't but it helped going to Mass this morning and Father telling us that it's time for us to become responsible, that Jesus is still with us at all times but now it is time for us to step up to the plate. So, I guess I will be stepping from now on ...

I love St. Anthony!! He has NEVER failed me!!

All I can say is WOW!  Thank you sooooo much St. Joseph!!!

I have a dear friend who has a black cloud over her entire life, if something is going to happen, it is going to happen to her. Most recently, she lost her job. Employment has been really hit and miss lately since all that she has been able to procure are temporary positions. She is the only bread winner and has no one else to help support her. Things were looking really bleak for her and then I found this Novena to St. Joseph. On the fifth day of prayer, she received an offer of a full time job with benefits and started this morning! I am continuing the Novena to bring her back to the church. God is good! Don't ever forget that! St. Joseph was chosen out of all the people in the whole world for a specific reason. Be forever thankful that you are Catholic and that we have so many resources and so many who are willing to pray for us!

Saint Joseph, foster-father and protector of Jesus Christ, spouse of the blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God, powerful protector of the Holy Church, to you do I raise my heart and hands to implore your powerful intercession. You searched nothing else in this world but the glory of God and the good of others. You gave yourself completely to the Savior, it was cause for joy to pray, to work, to sacrifice yourself, to suffer, to die for him. You were unknown in this world even though Jesus knew you very well, he would look at your simple and hidden life with complacency. Saint Joseph, you have helped so many people so far I come to you with great trust. In the light of God you can see what misses me, you know my worries, my difficulties, my sorrow. I commend to your fatherly sollicitude this specific task... (find employment for example). I am placing it in your hands that saved child-Jesus. Ask for the grace to never separate me from Jesus by the mortal sin, to know him ant love him even more and his blessed Mother, to always live in the presence of God, to do anything for his glory and the good of other souls, and one day to reach the beatific vision of God to praise him eternally with you. Amen.

This novena is very powerful to find employment (it has worked several times).You can say this novena anytime and it would be very surprising if at the end of a novena Saint Joseph would not find a contract for you!

This novena is an extract from the book The Glories of Saint Joseph

Wishing everyone a Happy and blessed Mother's Day!

The Miracle of the Sun at Fatima

Let's keep all the moms in prayer today who are dreading this weekend for some reason or another.

Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you. St. Francis de Sales

THE THREE HAIL MARY NOVENA

ONE

Oh, Immaculate Mary, Virgin most powerful, I beseech thee, through that immense power which thou hast received from the Eternal Father, obtain for me purity of heart, strength to overcome all the enemies of my soul, and the special favor I implore in my present necessity.

[Name your request]

Mother most pure! Forsake me not, despise not my prayer, graciously hear me for God’s glory, thy honor, and the welfare of my soul.

To obtain this favor I honor thy power by reciting:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.  Amen.

TWO

Oh Virgin Mary, my Mother, through that ineffable wisdom bestowed upon thee by the Incarnate Word of God, I humbly beseech thee, obtain for me meekness and humility of heart, a perfect knowledge of the Divine Will, and strength to accomplish it always.

Oh Mary, Seat of Wisdom; as a tender Mother lead me in the path of Christian virtue and perfection; enlighten and enable me to do what is most pleasing to thy beloved Son, and obtain my petition.

To obtain this grace I honor thy wisdom by reciting:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.  Amen.

THREE

Oh, Mother of Mercy, Mother of penitent sinners, I stand before thee sinful and sorrowful, beseeching thee through the immense Love given to thee by the Holy Spirit for us poor sinners, obtain for me true and perfect contrition for my sins, which I hate and detest with all my heart, because I love God.

Mother most merciful, help me in my present necessity. Turn, then those eyes of mercy toward us, oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary!

To obtain this precious gift, I honor thy loving mercy by reciting:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.  Amen.

This week's feast ...

I have been out of town for a family wedding ... will return on Wednesday. Keeping everyone in prayer, as always. God bless your day !!!

Litany of Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church,
I trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery,
I trust in You. 

Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy,
I trust in You. 

Prayer for the Grace to be Merciful to Others

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors' souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors' needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbors.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

(Diary of St. Faustina, p. 163)