Please Pray- How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Please pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross daily for:
The Intentions of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
Peace
The Salvation of Souls
The Ending of Abortion
The Intentions of the Holy Father Pope Benedict
The needs and intentions of at least 10 others
For God's Mercy on His Church and Your nation

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy said on a common set of Rosary Beads:



The Lord said to Blessed Faustina:

"You will recite this chaplet on the beads of the Rosary in the following manner:"
First of all, you will say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the I Believe In God (Apostle's Creed)

Then: On the Our Father Beads you will say the following words:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.


On the Hail Mary Beads you will say the following words: for all five decades.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.


In conclusion ThreeTimes you will recite these words:


Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Diary, 476)

Our Lord said to Blessed Faustine:

Unceasingly recite this chaplet that I have taught you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death ... Priest will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this chaplet even once, will receive grace from My infinite mercy (687) ... Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who will recite this chaplet (848) ... Through the chaplet you will obtain anything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will (1731) ... I want the whole world to know My infinite mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My mercy (687).

Speak, Lord . . . Your Servant Listens +++

Prayer is, in the strictest sense, a humble religious petition of man to God to seek divine benevolence and benefits he needs for life, both temporal and eternal. It is a conversation with God, either by accepted prayer forms, or from the heart. Here, then, in conversational verse, is a hypothetical talk the Lord might have with us, His children..........

It is not necessary my child, to know much in order to please me much; it is enough that you love me fervently. Speak here to me then, as you would speak to your most intimate friend, to your mother, to your brother.

So, you want to ask me to do something for someone? Tell me his name. Is it your parents, your brothers, your friends? Tell me what you want me to do for them now. Ask much, very much: do not hesitate to ask. I love generous hearts who somehow can come to forget themselves to look after the needs of others. Speak sincerely to me then, of the poor you would console, of the sick you see suffering, of the strayed you yearn to see return to the right path, of those absent friends you want at your side again. Say at least one word for each, the ardent word of a friend. Remind me that I have promised to listen to every petition that arises from the heart, and is not a prayer for those whom your heart especially loves such a pray?

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Faustina and followed by a closing prayer.

________________________________________


1. Make the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


2. Optional Opening Prayers


You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.


O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!


3. Our Father


Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.


4. Hail Mary


Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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 our death, Amen.


5. The Apostle's Creed


I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.


6. The Eternal Father


Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.


7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade


For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades


Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.


9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)


Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.


10. Optional Closing Prayer


Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Please pray- How to pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Please pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross daily for:
The Intentions of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
Peace
The Salvation of Souls
The Ending of Abortion
The Intentions of the Holy Father Pope Benedict
The needs and intentions of at least 10 others
For God's Mercy on His Church and Your nation

How to pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, "The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description."

.How To Pray the Rosary:

While the rosary and the indulgences attached to it by the Church essentially concerns the decades and the meditation upon the mysteries only, the following is a customary way of preparing for the rosary and concluding it.

1. Preparation

Start by making the sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then recite the Apostle's Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ,

His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;

He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Sprit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Then say 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity) and then 1 Glory Be:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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.

GLORY BE to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

2. The Rosary Proper

The Rosary is essentially the decades and their associated mysteries, and only these must be prayed to "pray the rosary", either in satisfaction of Our Lady's requests, or, to gain the indulgences attached to praying the rosary.

The traditional Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries: Glorious, Joyful and Sorrowful. In his apostolic letter The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, Pope John Paul II proposed a new set of mysteries, which he called the Luminous, and which concern the period of the public life of Our Lord. For those who wish to say all 20 decades at once during the course of a day, they may be said in the following order: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious.

For those who wish to say only 5 decades per day, the Holy Father proposed the following schedule:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Joyful Sorrowful Glorious

Luminous Sorrowful Joyful

Glorious

For those who prefer to follow the traditional order of the days it is:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Joyful Sorrowful Glorious

Joyful Sorrowful Glorious

Glorious

While meditating on the Mysteries, recite:

One Our Father (large beads), 10 Hail Marys (small beads) and 1 Glory Be (before the next large bead) to make a complete decade of the rosary.

After each decade the Fátima Prayer may also be said (Pope Pius XII).

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

3. Concluding Prayers
After the completion of five mysteries (5 decades), or 15 or 20, the following is customarily said:

Hail Holy Queen (or Salve Regina may be sung)

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

(Verse) Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

(Response) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rosary Prayer

(Verse) Let us pray,

(Response) O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

4. For the Intentions of the Holy Father

Catholics who say the rosary in a group, or, individually before the Blessed Sacrament,

may gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, which includes prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

For the intentions of the Holy Father.

Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/rosary/how_to.htm#ixzz1I0kx2ceL

These videos help to understand how we should pray the Rosary. Each one is the first of up to three parts, at the end of the first video is a link to the next part click it and continue the Rosary. I love this prayer and hope all who read this pray it daily and share it with others to pray it daily. Todd

Joyful mysteries:

Luminous Mysteries:

Sorrowful Mysteries:

Glorious Mysteries:

Why it is so important to pray intercessory prayers.

Please pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross daily for:
The Intentions of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
Peace
The Salvation of Souls
The Ending of Abortion
The Intentions of the Holy Father Pope Benedict
The needs and intentions of at least 10 others
For God's Mercy on His Church and Your nation

Why it is so important to pray intercessory prayers.

Pope Leo XIII's Vision

Exactly 33 years to the day prior to the great Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, that is, on October 13, 1884, Pope Leo XIII had a remarkable vision. When the aged Pontiff had finished celebrating Mass in his private Vatican Chapel, attended by a few Cardinals and members of the Vatican staff, he suddenly stopped at the foot of the altar. He stood there for about 10 minutes, as if in a trance, his face ashen white. Then, going immediately from the Chapel to his office, he composed the prayer to St. Michael, with instructions it be said after all Low Masses everywhere. When asked what had happened, he explained that, as he was about to leave the foot of the altar, he suddenly heard voices - two voices, one kind and gentle, the other guttural and harsh. They seemed to come from near the tabernacle. As he listened, he heard the following conversation:

The guttural voice, the voice of Satan in his pride, boasted to Our Lord:

"I can destroy your Church."

The gentle voice of Our Lord:

"You can? Then go ahead and do so."

Satan:

"To do so, I need more time and more power."

Our Lord:

"How much time? How much power?"

Satan:

"75 to 100 years, and a greater power over those

who will give themselves over to my service."

Our Lord:

"You have the time, you will have the power.

Do with them what you will."

(Note: In another version I read Our Lord

also said:"And I will back my followers."

After the vision, Pope Leo XIII immediately wrote the Prayer to St. Michael to help us overcome the devil in his quest. He instructed that it be said after every low Mass.

Here is the original version of the prayer to St. Michael, written by Pope Leo XIII in 1884.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel


Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in “our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places” (Ephes., VI, 12). Come to the assistance of men whom God has created to His likeness and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Holy Church venerates thee as her guardian and protector; to thee, the Lord has entrusted the souls of the redeemed to be led into heaven. Pray therefore the God of Peace to crush Satan beneath our feet, that he may no longer retain men captive and do injury to the Church. Offer our prayers to the Most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon us; take hold of the dragon, “the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan,” bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit “so that he may no longer seduce the nations” (Apoc. XX.2).

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil.

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God. " (Ps. 67)

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies.

R. He has conquered, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the offspring of David.

V. May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us.

R. As great as our hope in Thee. (at the "+" make the sign of the Cross)

We drive you from us, whoever you may be, every unclean spirit, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects; in the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, + may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. + Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God’s elect and sift them as wheat. + The Most High God commands you. + He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal, “He who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim., 11.4). God the Father commands you. + God the Son commands you. + God the Holy Ghost commands you. + Christ, God’s Word made flesh, commands you. + He who to save our race outdone through your envy, humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death” (Phil, 11,8); He who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her, because He will dwell with Her “all days even to the end of the world” (St. Mat., XXVIII,20). The sacred Sign of the Cross commands you, + as does also the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith. + The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you. + She who by her humility and from the first moment of her immaculate Conception, crushed your proud head. The faith of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of the other Apostles commands you. + The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command you. +

Thus, cursed dragon, and you, diabolical legions, we adjure you by the living God, + by the true God, + by the holy God, + by the God “who so loved the world that He gave up His only Son, that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life everlasting” (St. John, III); stop deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; stop harming the Church and hindering her liberty. Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man’s salvation. Give place to Christ in whom you have found none of your works; give place to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of God; tremble and flee when we invoke the Holy and terrible Name of Jesus, this Name which causes hell to tremble, this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of Heaven are humbly submissive, this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of Armies.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. May the Lord be with thee.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us Pray

God of Heaven, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins, God who has power to give life after death and rest after work, because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of whose reign there shall be no end, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty and we beseech Thee to deliver us by Thy power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies and their furious wickedness; deign, O Lord, to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.

That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty, we beseech Thee to hear us.

That Thou may crush down all enemies of Thy Church, we beseech Thee to hear us.

(Holy water is sprinkled in the place where we may be.)

The Shorter Version

(Said after Low Mass)
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
http://www.wjpbr.com/leoxiii.html

EWTN Family Prayer For Those Who Are Addicted

Prayers of Praise in a day of trouble

Prayers Of Praise

Divine Praises

Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy. Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her Glorious Assumption. Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

Golden Arrow

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar.

This prayer was revealed by Our Lord to a Carmelite Nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy. "This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully," He said, "and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy." Imprimatur: T. J. Toolen, Archbishop of Mobile-Birm.

Prayer of Praise

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Gloria

Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to men of good will. We praise You. We bless You. We adore you. We glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: you Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are holy. You alone are the Lord. You alone, O Jesus Christ, are most high. Together with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII - Superiore Anno - On the Recitation of the Rosary

Please pray the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Stations of the Cross today for God's mercy on us, our families, our Parishes, our Diocese, the whole Church and the whole World. God bless, Todd

Pope Leo XIII - Superiore Anno - On the Recitation of the Rosary - 30 August 1884

To All Our Venerable Brethren the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, and Bishops of the Catholic World in the Grace and Communion of the Apostolic See. Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction.

1. Last year, as each of you is aware, We decreed by an Encyclical Letter that, to win the help of Heaven for the Church in her trials, the great Mother of God should be honored by the means of the most holy Rosary during the whole of the month of October. In this We followed both Our own impulse and the example of Our predecessors, who in times of difficulty were wont to have recourse with increased fervor to the Blessed Virgin, and to seek her aid with special prayers. That wish of Ours has been complied with, with such a willingness and unanimity that it is more than ever apparent how real is the religion and how great is the fervor of the Christian peoples, and how great is the trust everywhere placed in the heavenly patronage of the Virgin Mary. For Us, weighed down with the burden of such and so great trials and evils, We confess that the sight of such intensity of open piety and faith has been a great consolation, and even gives Us new courage for the facing, if that be the wish of God, of still greater trials. Indeed, from the spirit of prayer which is poured out over the house of David and the dwellers in Jerusalem, we have a confident hope that God will at length let Himself be touched and have pity upon the state of His Church, and give ear to the prayers coming to Him through her whom He has chosen to be the dispenser of all heavenly graces.

2. For these reasons, therefore, with the same causes in existence which impelled Us last year, as We have said, to rouse the piety of all, We have deemed it Our duty to exhort again this year the people of Christendom to persevere in that method and formula of prayer known as the Rosary of Mary, and thereby to merit the powerful patronage of the great Mother of God. In as much as the enemies of Christianity are so stubborn in their aims, its defenders must be equally staunch, especially as the heavenly help and the benefits which are bestowed on us by God are the more usually the fruits of our perseverance. It is good to recall to memory the example of that illustrious widow, Judith - a type of the Blessed Virgin - who curbed the ill-judged impatience of the Jews when they attempted to fix, according to their own judgment, the day appointed by God for the deliverance of His city. The example should also be borne in mind of the Apostles, who awaited the supreme gift promised unto them of the Paraclete, and persevered unanimously in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus. For it is indeed, an arduous and exceeding weighty matter that is now in hand: it is to humiliate an old and most subtle enemy in the spread-out array of his power; to win back the freedom of the Church and of her Head; to preserve and secure the fortifications within which should rest in peace the safety and weal of human society. Care must be taken, therefore, that, in these times of mourning for the Church, the most holy devotion of the Rosary of Mary be assiduously and piously observed, the more so that this method of prayer being so arranged as to recall in turn all the mysteries of our salvation, is eminently fitted to foster the spirit of piety.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/pope0256ax.htm

at the end of this video are links to the rest of the luminous mysteries.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet

                                                               

The Stations of the Cross

The Memorare

.

Prayer to St. Michael

Prayer of Father Rookey

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the peace of the Church

Please pray for Isreal and the Church as things start to become oppressive. Remember the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Stations of the Cross. Gob bless, Todd
Ethiopia: 10,000 Christians Flee Homes After 69 Churches Burned Down

Mexico: Death Threats Against 162 Priests

Pope Benedict Prays For Peace In Libya

Deadly Jerusalem Bus Bomb Possibly Remote Controlled 

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

by the Divine Power of God,

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits

who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

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

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/Memorare.htm#ixzz1HS11m8jh

The ever growing need for mercy

As I gave thought to what I should write about today it occurred to me that all I have heard from Jesus the last few months was "Pray for my Mercy". At first, I thought this was a personal message. Then a message for family members. Then a message for our nation. Then a message for my parish. You get the drift.
In an ever expanding message Jesus is saying "Bring the whole world to me. All of its people, problems, necessities, and intentions bring them to the abyss of my Mercy"
I am finding that the Mercy of God is really not measurable by human terms. The size of the universe is not enough to hold the abundance of mercy that God wants to give to this world. It is so easy to forget just what He went through to purchase our redemption. It is right there in the Stations of the Cross, the cost was the life of the Son! An amazing price to pay for a creation that is non responsive to the desires of the creator.
Without the Holy Spirit most of us would not even give the Father a thought. Our creator is wanting us to participate in life with Him. It really is beyond what I can think or imagine. It is too much. There it is, He wants us to be a part of His life. Wow!!!
So as you pray today bring before Jesus all of the needs and hopes of those who you know and love, those who you know and don't love, those who you don't know and may or may not care for. Bring them all to Jesus and imerse them in the abyss of the Mercy of God. There is room for all and grace beyond what we could ask or think for all of the necessities and intentions of mankind everywhere. May God truly have mercy on us all in abundance. God Bless, Todd

Saint of the day: St. Nicholas Owen

If this site is a blessing to you please share it with 10 of you friends and let them see what we are doing.
Please remember to pray the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Stations of the Cross today.

March 22


St. Nicholas Owen

(d. 1606)
Nicholas, familiarly known as "Little John," was small in stature but big in the esteem of his fellow Jesuits.

Born at Oxford, this humble artisan saved the lives of many priests and laypersons in England during the penal times (1559-1829), when a series of statutes punished Catholics for the practice of their faith. Over a period of about 20 years he used his skills to build secret hiding places for priests throughout the country. His work, which he did completely by himself as both architect and builder, was so good that time and time again priests in hiding were undetected by raiding parties. He was a genius at finding, and creating, places of safety: subterranean passages, small spaces between walls, impenetrable recesses. At one point he was even able to mastermind the escape of two Jesuits from the Tower of London. Whenever Nicholas set out to design such hiding places, he began by receiving the Holy Eucharist, and he would turn to God in prayer throughout the long, dangerous construction process.

After many years at his unusual task, he entered the Society of Jesus and served as a lay brother, although—for very good reasons—his connection with the Jesuits was kept secret.

After a number of narrow escapes, he himself was finally caught in 1594. Despite protracted torture, he refused to disclose the names of other Catholics. After being released following the payment of a ransom, "Little John" went back to his work. He was arrested again in 1606. This time he was subjected to horrible tortures, suffering an agonizing death. The jailers tried suggesting that he had confessed and committed suicide, but his heroism and sufferings soon were widely known.



He was canonized in 1970 as one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales.
Comment:
Nicholas was a clever builder and architect who used his skills to protect endangered priests. Without his help, hundreds of English Catholics would have been deprived of the sacraments. His gift for spotting unlikely places to hide priests was impressive, but more impressive was his habit of seeking support for his work in prayer and the Eucharist. If we follow his example, we may also discover surprising ways to put our skills to God’s service.

Today's Mass readings:Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 23:1-12

Please pray the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary today. The Sorrowful Mysteries for Peace, the Ending of Abortion, The Salvation of Souls, The Intentions of Pope Benedict, The Mercy of God on our families and our nations, especially those suffering from the disasters of war and natural disasters.

Please pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet today for the souls of all mankind especially the souls of sinners. May God have Mercy on all of us and deliver us from the evil one.

Please pray the Stations of the Cross today in memory and thanksgiving for all Jesus went through for us and our salvation.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomor'rah!


16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil,

17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."


Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me.


9 I will accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds.

16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips?

17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.

21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.

23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"


Matthew 23:1-12
1 Then said Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples,


2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat;

3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.

4 They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger.

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,

6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues,

7 and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men.

8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren.

9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.

11 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant;

12 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

A third path of repentance consists of prayer that is fervent, careful and comes from the heart. A fourth path of repentance is almsgiving, whose power is great and far-reaching. A fifth way, moreover, if a man lives a modest humble life, takes away sin.
-- St. John Chrysostom
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/inspiration.htm#3#ixzz1HLZjzKuA

Today's Homily

The Holy Eucharist

God bless, Todd

GOD COMES TO MEET MAN

GOD COMES TO MEET MAN
By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of his works. But there is another order of knowledge, which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers: the order of divine Revelation.1 Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man. This he does by revealing the mystery, his plan of loving goodness, formed from all eternity in Christ, for the benefit of all men. God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.



ARTICLE 1

THE REVELATION OF GOD

God Reveals His "Plan of Loving Goodness"
It pleased God, in his goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his will. His will was that men should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit, and thus become sharers in the divine nature."2


God, who "dwells in unapproachable light," wants to communicate his own divine life to the men he freely created, in order to adopt them as his sons in his only-begotten Son.3 By revealing himself God wishes to make them capable of responding to him, and of knowing him, and of loving him far beyond their own natural capacity.

The divine plan of Revelation is realized simultaneously "by deeds and words which are intrinsically bound up with each other"4 and shed light on each other. It involves a specific divine pedagogy: God communicates himself to man gradually. He prepares him to welcome by stages the supernatural Revelation that is to culminate in the person and mission of the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.


St. Irenaeus of Lyons repeatedly speaks of this divine pedagogy using the image of God and man becoming accustomed to one another: The Word of God dwelt in man and became the Son of man in order to accustom man to perceive God and to accustom God to dwell in man, according to the Father's pleasure.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.shtml

Prayer of St Francis - make me a channel of your peace

Today I did not feel the grace to write and yet these videos say more than I ever could. God bless, Todd

I Am the Bread of Life

Why I Am Catholic: One Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church

Dr. Scott Hahn Catholic Teaching Part 1/6

EWTN Family Prayer - In Reparation for Sin

Pope: to know God, contemplate Christ's visage

US leads 'Odyssey Dawn' initial attack on Libya, Radiation traces found in food and water,Hamas fires mortars at southern Israel

US leads 'Odyssey Dawn' initial attack on Libya


The first major attack of "Odyssey Dawn" came as 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles struck surface-to-air missiles, early warning sites, and key communication modes. It's the first step in enforcing a no-fly zone.

WRAPUP 3-Japan says makes progress in nuclear crisis
Some progress in race to stabilise reactors * Radiation traces found in food and water * Quake and tsunami give Japan vast rebuilding task * More than 7,600 dead, nearly 11,750 missing

Hamas fires mortars at southern Israel

Tonight's 'super perigee moon' will not cause a natural disaster, says NASA
http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn 

These are the headlines of today. Many Christians are saying it is a sign of Jesus coming again. Some are saying it is proof of the end of the world predicitions made by extinct civilizations. Others are saying this and that.
In the end it all points to mankinds need of the mercy of God. Please pray for His mercy upon us and the whole world! I have prayed much about what prayers were the most effective and suitable for this. The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Stations of the Cross are what I feel God has asked me to encourage people to pray.


The Rosary is by far the most common and powerful prayer used by the Church throughout the world. I encourage everyone including protestants to pray it daily. It is a very powerful prayer that includes the Apostle's creed, The Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be, and The Fatima prayer. Each is intercessory and also an act of mercy.
I have prayed much about what prayers were the most effective and suitable for this. The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Stations of the Cross are what I feel God has asked me to encourage people to pray.


The Rosary is by far the most common and powerful prayer used by the Church throughout the world. I encourage everyone including protestants to pray it daily. It is a very powerful prayer that includes the Apostle's creed, The Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be, and The Fatima prayer. Each is intercessory and also an act of mercy.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a very powerful prayer for forgiveness and mercy. Bringing to God the Father the memory of the sacrifice Jesus has made for us.

The Stations of the Cross show us the cost of our salvation. The passion of Christ is certainly a painful and sorrowful reminder of the cost of our sins.

I encourage everyone to pray the prayers the choose. These I know are inspired by God and have served His Church a very long time. The message of the Gospel is that Jesus died for us to allow us to become children of God.

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! It is the mystery of our faith and the Hope of our future.












.

open the eyes of my heart lord

The First & Second Joyful Mysteries

Homily 03-18-2011 - Fr. Anthony Mary, MFVA - Lenten Weekday

Yesterday's Homily

Todays Mass Readings:2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22,Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

Saturday, March 19, 2011

St. Joseph, Husband of the Virgin Mary (Solemnity)

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,


5 "Go and tell my servant David, `Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men;

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.'"

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.


3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:

4 `I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations.'" [Selah]

5 Let the heavens praise thy wonders, O LORD, thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

27 And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.

29 I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of the heavens.

Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
13 The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.


16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants -- not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all,

17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, "So shall your descendants be."

22 That is why his faith was "reckoned to him as righteousness."

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 or Luke 2:41-51
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.


18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;

19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;

21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife,


Salvation is shown to faith, it is prepared for hope, but it is given only to charity. Faith points out the way to the land of promise as a pillar of fire, hope feeds us with its manna of sweetness, but charity actually introduces us into the Promised Land.

-- St. Francis De Sales
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/inspiration.htm#19#ixzz1H4m1LYuc

St. Joseph, saint of the day

Saturday, March 19, 2011

St. Joseph
The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment: he was a “just” man. The quality meant a lot more than faithfulness in paying debts.

When the Bible speaks of God “justifying” someone, it means that God, the all-holy or “righteous” One, so transforms a person that the individual shares somehow in God’s own holiness, and hence it is really “right” for God to love him or her. In other words, God is not playing games, acting as if we were lovable when we are not.

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God.

The rest we can easily surmise. Think of the kind of love with which he wooed and won Mary, and the depth of the love they shared during their marriage.

It is no contradiction of Joseph’s manly holiness that he decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child. The important words of the Bible are that he planned to do this “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame” (Matthew 1:19).

The just man was simply, joyfully, wholeheartedly obedient to God—in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the precious pair to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, in the undetermined number of years of quiet faith and courage.

Comment:
The Bible tells us nothing of Joseph in the years after the return to Nazareth except the incident of finding Jesus in the Temple (see Luke 2:41–51). Perhaps this can be taken to mean that God wants us to realize that the holiest family was like every other family, that the circumstances of life for the holiest family were like those of every family, so that when Jesus’ mysterious nature began to appear, people couldn’t believe that he came from such humble beginnings: “Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary...?” (Matthew 13:55a). It was almost as indignant as “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46b).

Quote:
“He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: ‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord’” (St. Bernardine of Siena).

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH

III. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH


36 "Our holy mother, the Church, holds and teaches that God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason."11 Without this capacity, man would not be able to welcome God's revelation. Man has this capacity because he is created "in the image of God".12


37 In the historical conditions in which he finds himself, however, man experiences many difficulties in coming to know God by the light of reason alone:


Though human reason is, strictly speaking, truly capable by its own natural power and light of attaining to a true and certain knowledge of the one personal God, who watches over and controls the world by his providence, and of the natural law written in our hearts by the Creator; yet there are many obstacles which prevent reason from the effective and fruitful use of this inborn faculty. For the truths that concern the relations between God and man wholly transcend the visible order of things, and, if they are translated into human action and influence it, they call for self-surrender and abnegation. The human mind, in its turn, is hampered in the attaining of such truths, not only by the impact of the senses and the imagination, but also by disordered appetites which are the consequences of original sin. So it happens that men in such matters easily persuade themselves that what they would not like to be true is false or at least doubtful.13

38 This is why man stands in need of being enlightened by God's revelation, not only about those things that exceed his understanding, but also "about those religious and moral truths which of themselves are not beyond the grasp of human reason, so that even in the present condition of the human race, they can be known by all men with ease, with firm certainty and with no admixture of error". 14

IV. HOW CAN WE SPEAK ABOUT GOD?

39 In defending the ability of human reason to know God, the Church is expressing her confidence in the possibility of speaking about him to all men and with all men, and therefore of dialogue with other religions, with philosophy and science, as well as with unbelievers and atheists.

40 Since our knowledge of God is limited, our language about him is equally so. We can name God only by taking creatures as our starting point, and in accordance with our limited human ways of knowing and thinking.

41 All creatures bear a certain resemblance to God, most especially man, created in the image and likeness of God. The manifold perfections of creatures - their truth, their goodness, their beauty all reflect the infinite perfection of God. Consequently we can name God by taking his creatures" perfections as our starting point, "for from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator".15

42 God transcends all creatures. We must therefore continually purify our language of everything in it that is limited, image-bound or imperfect, if we are not to confuse our image of God--"the inexpressible, the incomprehensible, the invisible, the ungraspable"--with our human representations.16 Our human words always fall short of the mystery of God.

43 Admittedly, in speaking about God like this, our language is using human modes of expression; nevertheless it really does attain to God himself, though unable to express him in his infinite simplicity. Likewise, we must recall that "between Creator and creature no similitude can be expressed without implying an even greater dissimilitude";17 and that "concerning God, we cannot grasp what he is, but only what he is not, and how other beings stand in relation to him."18

IN BRIEF

44 Man is by nature and vocation a religious being. Coming from God, going toward God, man lives a fully human life only if he freely lives by his bond with God.

45 Man is made to live in communion with God in whom he finds happiness: When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrow or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete (St. Augustine, Conf. 10, 28, 39: PL 32, 795}.

46 When he listens to the message of creation and to the voice of conscience, man can arrive at certainty about the existence of God, the cause and the end of everything.

47 The Church teaches that the one true God, our Creator and Lord, can be known with certainty from his works, by the natural light of human reason (cf. Vatican Council I, can. 2 § 1: DS 3026),

48 We really can name God, starting from the manifold perfections of his creatures, which are likenesses of the infinitely perfect God, even if our limited language cannot exhaust the mystery.

49 Without the Creator, the creature vanishes (GS 36). This is the reason why believers know that the love of Christ urges them to bring the light of the living God to those who do not know him or who reject him.

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c1.htm#I