One heart of prayer

“Only after the Last Judgment will Mary get any rest; from now until then,

she is much too busy with her children.” – St John Vianney

"When we pray the rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament, we love Jesus with the heart of Mary. ... We unite our love for Jesus to the perfect love and praise of Mary. Jesus receives our Holy Hour as if Mary herself were making it ... ... The Immaculate Heart of Mary repairs and makes up for what is lacking in our own heart."

 

Fr Martin Lucia, S.S. C.C.

 

 

 

 

"Eucharistic Adoration Rosaries" have “Our Father” beads in the shape of drops of the Precious Blood of Jesus and “Hail Mary” beads that are in the shape of the Sacred Host. The center piece of the Rosary is a Chalice with elevated Consecrated Host, and the Crucifix is in the form of a monstrance.

This is a tremendous reminder that the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of Our Lord and God Jesus Christ, and thus she is the Mother of the Blessed Sacrament. It is hoped that this Rosary will promote Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.  All sales benefit the Seminarians of the Fathers of Mercy.  In addition to the Rosary you can opt to receive a booklet of Meditations written by Fr Louis Guardiola, C.P.M.

Order from www.fathersofmercy.com ~Click here: The Fathers of Mercy

 

October - the month of the Rosary

It's a choice: your choice!

 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God... - John 1:12

"Our Divine Savior is ready to bestow innumerable graces through this Sacrament, which are lost in consequence of the ignorance and indifference of men. 

When the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar is not revered and loved, scandals will abound, faith will languish and the Church will mourn.  On the other hand, if this sacrament be worthily frequented, peace will reign in Christian hearts, the devil will lose power, and souls will be sanctified."

 

Fr Michael Muller, C.S.S.R.

The Blessed Sacrament, Our Greatest Treasure (1867)

Fortified!

(Jesus said) ... For the bread of God is he who comes down

from heaven and gives life to the world. "Sir," they said,

"from now on give us this bread." - John 6:33-34

 

Never Alone ~ Ron DiCianni

 

 

“The day’s food for the day’s march…

that is what Holy Communion is meant to be.”

Msgr Ronald Knox

Fidelity to the mission!

After the Last Supper it was Jude who asked Our Lord why he chose to reveal

Himself only to the disciples and not the world. He received the reply:

 

(Jesus replied) "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. 

My Father will love him, and we will come to him and

make our home with him." - John 14: 23 (Today's Communion Antiphon)

 

 

 

"The more lively the Eucharistic

faith of the people of God,

the deeper is its sharing in ecclesial life

in steadfast commitment to the mission

entrusted by Christ to His disciples."

 

Sacramentum Caritatis, 6

 

 

Sts Simon and Jude

Apostles, Martyrs (approx 65 AD)

St. Jude: patron saint of hospital workers,

desperate situations, and impossible causes.

Click here: St. Jude Novena

St. Simon: patron saint of sawyers and tanners.

FEAST DAY - October 28

 

 

"Just as Christ was sent by the Father, so also He sent the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit. This He did so that, by preaching the gospel to every creature (cf. Mark 16:15), they might proclaim that the Son of God, by His death and resurrection, had freed us from the power of Satan (cf. Acts 26:18) and from death, and brought us into the kingdom of His Father" ~ Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

 

Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the Apostles. As they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so may we with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Sts. Simon and Jude, pray for us!

the little way ...

 

You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.  Praise be to God!" - Psalm 68:35

 

 

 

“I want to shine

like a little candle

before His altar.”

 St. Therese of Lisieux

Nurturing a reality

 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being,

praise his holy name. - Psalm 103:1

 

 

 

"Without constant union with our Lord there cannot be any real holiness, one reason being that without recollection the inspirations of the Holy Spirit are missed and with them a host of opportunities of little sacrifices and a shower of graces.

As a means of gaining greater recollection, each morning at Holy Communion invite Jesus to dwell in your heart during the day as in a Tabernacle. Try all day to imagine even His bodily presence within you and often turn your thoughts inwards and adore Him as He nestles next your heart in a very real manner, quite different from His presence in all creation.

This habit is not easily acquired, especially in a busy life like yours, but much may be done by constant effort. At times you will have to leave Him alone entirely, but as soon as you can, get back to His presence again."

Fr William Doyle, SJ

Achieving the seeming impossible...

“We Christians are supposed to be different from those who don't know Christ, are supposed to function by the same passions that motivate the Heart of Christ.  But this is a tall order indeed for our poor human nature, so weak, so hesitant, so fearful. … On the healing strength of (the ) immortal Food, given us in Word and sacrament, and by it made one with the Incarnate Word, we will surely find all the vitality and joy we need to fully live out our genetic identity as ‘offspring of the Most High, who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.’

 

Dying Christ’s death with Him, we will rise with Christ and have His very Blood circulating in our veins.  Then, motivated by the same impulses that motivate Him, and as servants of Christ with Christ the servant of all, we shall be able to achieve the apparently impossible: 

Love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who abuse us, and give, expecting nothing in return.  In other words, we will stop living by the deadly logic of our unredeemed impulses and begin to live by the saving logic of God.  And God’s logic dictates that it would be a crime not to communicate to others – all others, whether friend or foe – the very life we have so generously and freely received from Him, while we were still His foes.”

Erasmo Leiva-Merikas (Father Simeon)

Cistercian monk, St Joseph’s Abbey, Spencer , MA

Parting's sweet sorrow

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth,

and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence. - I John 3:19

St Barnabas ~ Eastpointe, Michigan ~ USA.    Photo credit:  Diane Korzeniewski, OCDS

"The faith I have when I am in the presence

of the Blessed Sacrament is so strong

that I find it impossible to express what I feel….

When the time comes to leave

I must force myself to overcome the inclination

to prolong my stay with Jesus."

St Anthony Mary Claret 

Spain ~ 1807-1870

Missionary, Religious founder (Claretians),

Social reformer, Queen's (Spain) chaplain,

Writer and publisher, Excellent/renowned preacher

Survived 15 assassination attempts

Great devotion to Eucharist and Immaculate Heart of Mary

Said of him... "never without a rosary in his hands"

Archbishop of Cuba 1850-57

"The spiritual father of Cuba"

FEAST DAY - October 24

"When I see the need for Divine teaching and how hungry people are to hear it, I am atremble to be off and running throughout the world, preaching the word of God. I have no rest, my soul finds no other relief, than to rush about and preach." ~ St. Anthony Mary Claret     St Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!
More on St Anthony Mary Claret: Click here: A Very Special Patron: Saint Anthony Mary Claret | Catholicism.org  

Click here: St. Anthony Mary Claret - YouTube (2 mins)

Click here: Saint Anthony Mary Claret 10-24 - YouTube (1:20 mins)

Salt and Light for others

 

 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world

to be holy and blameless in his sight. - Eph 1:4

 

 

From the treatise Mirror of the Clergy by St John of Capistrano, but can also be fittingly applied to the priesthood of believers...

"Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice.

    Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others. ...

     They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord." ~ St John of Capistrano 

 

 St John of Capistrano

Italy ~ 1385-1456

Franciscan priest, preacher, theologian

Nickname - "soldier priest"*

*When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome, St. John, age 70, was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach and lead a crusade against the invading Turks. Marching at the head of 70,000 Christians, he gained victory in the great battle of Belgrade against the Turks in 1456.

FEAST DAY - October 23

 

 

 

On the St John's tomb in the Austrian town of Villach,

the governor had this message inscribed:

 

"This tomb holds John, by birth of Capistrano,

a man worthy of all praise, defender and promoter of the faith,

guardian of the Church, zealous protector of his Order,

an ornament to all the world, lover of truth and religious justice,

mirror of life, surest guide in doctrine;

praised by countless tongues, he reigns blessed in heaven."

 

St John of Capistrano, pray for us!

 

 

Comments of Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira:

One could try to make a classification of the saints. Some were founders of nations, others were organizers of nations, still others were founders of religious orders. Then, there is a category of saints who were the defensive walls of the House of God. They constitute a kind of saint whose principal goal is to fight, to destroy the enemies of God. They have the capacity to put fire in souls to stimulate them to the defense of God, to lead them to combat. And in the combat they know how to sustain the courage of the good as well as how to attack the enemies. Doing this, they defend the walls of the House of God. Such is the mission of this category of saints. St. John of Capistrano was one of these saints.

 

Living as 'children of the light'

 

 "Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." - Pope Bl JP II 

"Visit the Lord in that 'heart to heart' contact that is Eucharistic Adoration.  Day after day, you will receive new energy to help you to bring comfort to the suffering and peace to the world. Many people are wounded by life: they are excluded from economic progress, and are without a home, a family, a job; there are people who are lost in a world of false illusions, or have abandoned all hope. 

By contemplating the light radiant on the face of the Risen Christ, you will learn to live as 'children of the light and children of the day' (1 Th 5:5), and in this way you will show that 'the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true' (Eph 5:9)." (13) ~ Pope Bl John Paul II ~ WYD, 2002

Pope Bl John Paul II*

1920-2005 (Nee Poland)

Ordination to Priesthood: 1946

Reign as Pope: 1978-2005

Apostle of the Eucharist and Youth

FEAST DAY - October 22

*Canonization date:  April 27,2014

A wheelchair was made for John Paul II so he could move around freely. The chair was level with the Tabernacle in his chapel. His secretary found the Pope embracing the Tabernacle. He asked the Pope why. The Pope replied: “I just don't know what else I can do to console Him.”

Pope Bl John Paul II, pray for us!

Par excellence

 

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

in you I trust, O my God. - Psalm 25;1, 2a

 

 

 

"I have the Lord Jesus Christ,

who is more precious than every gem,

more beautiful than every light,

more agreeable than every fragrance,

sweeter than every flavor,

greater than every treasure,

and higher than every power."

 

Bl John Pelingotto (+1304)

Your center!

For you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. - Psalm 9:10b

 

 

"The Eucharist! That is your center, your life, your death.

It is God with us in person;

you should therefore be His faithful companion....

 

Let your love of God be the test of duty, virtue, of charity;

especially, let it be the sacred scale of values

by which you regulate your judgments."

 

St. Peter Julian Eymard

 

 

October 20, 2013 - World Mission Sunday

"Be missionaries of God's love

and tenderness and mercy." - Pope Francis

Click here: Message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2013

They have drunk His cup...

 

"Who are the martyrs? They are Christians won by Christ,

disciples who learned well the meaning of “loving to the end” that took

Jesus to the Cross. There is no such thing as love in parts, in portions.

Love is total: and when one loves, one loves to the end." - Pope Francis

 

 

 

 

 

“Let us honor the martyrs of the Lord chosen

out of every class, as soldiers of Christ who

have drunk His cup and were then baptized

with the baptism of His life-bringing death,

to be partakers of His passion and glory…”

St John Damascus

Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, 4, 15

 

 

Sts. Isaac Jogues,

John de Brebeuf and Companions

Jesuit Martyrs ~ +1642-1649*

FEAST DAY - Oct. 19

 

 

 

 

Fr Isaac Jogues gave the original European name to New York's Lake George,

calling it Lac du Saint Sacrement, Lake of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

*The North American Martyrs and their entrance into eternal life:

 

St Rene Goupil - Sept 29, 1642

St Isaac Jogues - Oct 18, 1646

St John de Lalande - October 19, 1646

St Anthony Daniel - July 4, 1648

St John de Brebeuf - March 16, 1649

St Gabriel Lalemant - March 17, 1649

St Charles Garnier - December 7, 1649

St Noel Chabanel - December 8, 1649

 

Prayer to the Eight North American Martyrs

Let us Pray

Protect our land, O heavenly patrons, which you have bedewed with the rich treasure of your blood. Watch over our Catholic Faith which you helped to establish in this new land. Bring all our fellow citizens to a knowledge and love of the truth. Make us zealous in spreading abroad a knowledge of Catholic teachings, so that we may continue and perfect the work which you have begun with so much labor and suffering. Pray for our homes, our schools, our missions; for vocations, for the conversion of sinners, the return of those who have wandered from the fold, and the perseverance of all the faithful. Amen.

More on the North American Martyrs... ( a must read!)

CLICK HERE:  http://catholicism.org/eight-na-martyrs.html

Click here: A Forgotten Founding Father: St. Isaac Jogues | Crisis Magazine

 

 

Sts. Isaac Jogues,  John de Brebeuf and Companions,

pray for us!

Gifts: to sanctify, to strengthen

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation! - Isaiah 52:7  ~ Entrance Antiphon - Feast of St Luke

Prayer over the gifts (Liturgy – Oct 18, 2013)

Grant through your heavenly gifts that we may

serve you in freedom of heart, we pray, O Lord,

so that the offerings we make on the feast day of

Saint Luke may bring us healing and give us glory.

Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Communion Antiphon

The Lord sent out disciples to proclaim throughout

the towns:  The kingdom of God is at hand for you.

(Cf. Luke 10:1,9)

Prayer after Communion

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that what we have received from your holy altar

may sanctify us and make us strong in the faith

of the Gospel which Saint Luke proclaimed.

Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

St Luke

Evangelist, Martyr

Wrote Gospel and Acts of the Apostles

Greek, Physician, Painter

Convert then Fellow-worker of St Paul

Symbol: winged ox

Patron:  Artists, Physicians and Surgeons

Feast Day – October 18

 

 Saint Luke, in your gospel, you show us the beauty of holiness.

Help us to reflect the image of Christ in the way we live our lives.

Click here: St. Luke - YouTube (2 mins)

Saint Luke, pray for us!

Wheat of God

 "The death of martyrs blossoms in the FAITH of the living."

~ Pope St Gregory the Great

Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome.

Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to Churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.

The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.

"I am writing to all the Churches and I enjoin all, that I am dying willingly for God's sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness.   

The only thing I ask of you is to allow me

to offer the libation of my blood to God.

I am the wheat of the Lord;

may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts

to become the immaculate bread of Christ."

 

~ St Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Romans

St Ignatius of Antioch

Bishop and Martyr

Church Father

First Century - d. 107

Disciple of St John the Evangelist

FEAST DAY - October 17

 

"My desire is to belong to God." ~ St Ignatius of Antioch

Click here: Matthew Leonard On St. Ignatius of Antioch - YouTube (3:30 mins)

Click here: St. Ignatius of Antioch - YouTube (2 mins)

St Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us!

No greater happiness!

 

 "When the heart is pure, it cannot help loving, because it has found

the source of love, which is God Himself." ~ St John Vianney

St Mary-of- the -Woods Adoration Chapel ~ Terra Haute, Indiana ~ USA

“My greatest happiness is

to be before the Blessed Sacrament,

where my heart is, as it were,

in Its center.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque

France ~ 1647-1690

Saint of the Sacred Heart

Visitation Sister

FEAST DAY - October 16

 

 "I need nothing but God, and to lose myself

in the heart of Jesus."~ St Margaret Mary Alacoque

 

Enthronement and Consecration of the Sacred Heart as King of the Family

WHEN WE ENTHRONE JESUS IN OUR HOMES, WE PLACE A PICTURE OF HIS SACRED HEART IN A PROMINENT PLACE TO FOREVER REMIND US OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US AND HOW WE SHOULD GRATEFULLY LOVE HIM FOR HIS GOODNESS EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES. "I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart shall be exposed and honored…" Click here: Home Enthronement of Sacred & Immaculate Hearts Click here: Enthronement of Sacred Heart by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke

 

The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary

for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

 

Click here: St Margaret Mary Alacoque - YouTube (1:20 mins)

Click here: St. Margaret Mary - YouTube (2 mins)

 

 St Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us!