The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

The Visitation of Mary

Gospel Reading
Lk 1:39-56

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Assuming that the Annunciation and the Incarnation took place about the vernal equinox, Mary left Nazareth at the end of March and went over the mountains to Hebron, south of Jerusalem, to wait upon her cousin Elizabeth, because her presence and much more the presence of the Divine Child in her womb, according to the will of God, was to be the source of very great graces to the Blessed John, Christ's Forerunner.

The event is related in Luke 1:39-57. Feeling the presence of his Divine Saviour, John, upon the arrival of Mary, leaped in the womb of his mother; he was then cleansed from original sin and filled with the grace of God. Our Lady now for the first time exercised the office which belonged to the Mother of God made man, that He might by her mediation sanctify and glorify us. St. Joseph probably accompanied Mary, returned to Nazareth, and when, after three months, he came again to Hebron to take his wife home, the apparition of the angel, mentioned in Matthew 1:19-25, may have taken place to end the tormenting doubts of Joseph regarding Mary's maternity. (Cf. also MAGNIFICAT.)

The feast of the Visitation of Mary

The Gift of Obedience, A Gift Or A Curse?

You know during my reconversion process I read constantly. My favorite books were easily the detailed lives of the saints. You just wanted to know why they were Saints and what made them holy. I could not believe how obedient these Saints were, even to the point of thinking it was ridiculousness. I asked the Lord an honest question. "Why, are they so obedient? What's the big deal?"

He answered with scripture!

The Gift of Obedience, A Gift Or A Curse?

Dt 7: 9-11
Understand, then, that the LORD, your God, is God indeed,
the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenant
down to the thousandth generation
toward those who love him and keep his commandments,
but who repays with destruction a person who hates him;
he does not dally with such a one,
but makes them personally pay for it.
You shall therefore carefully observe the commandments,
the statutes and the decrees that I enjoin on you today."

God indeed answered with scripture. Have you ever read the Psalms while looking for examples of the importance of obedience? Ultimately, He told me disobedience is a sin resulting in severe punishment and obedience is rewarded to 1000th degree. Duh! I already knew the answer, God just showed me how serious He is about this beautiful gift of obedience.

Here is your little secret to grow in love with the gift of obedience. Remember your thesaurus when reading scripture! Simple enough? Look for words like listen, do, command, follow, obey, submit, yield, surrender, mind, observe, attend, heed, watch, abide, regard, etc...

Did you know the number of times the following words are in scripture?

obey, 178
obedience, 17
follow, 357
abide, 62
command, 1194
commandments, 193
listen, 223
submit, 9
heed, 163
observe, 103
surrender, 19
regard, 108
yield, 75

Go forth my friend, to love and obey the Lord, our God!
Amen.

St. Ignatius Prayer - Living The Life of Jesus

Let's Take A Minute To Pray

St. Ignatius Prayer - Thanks to Joseph at Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit for the post.


That I May Be Received Under the Standard of Our Divine King


O Lord, behold me a suppliant praying before Thee.
I come to implore of Thee a grace which is repugnant to my nature and which I dread to obtain.
Alas, my heart is not indifferent: on the contrary,
it rebels at the thought of voluntary poverty, and the contempt of men.


It is to master my natural inclinations,
to vanquish self, and to conquer my heart,
to extinguish in it every spark of that self-love which
is not in accordance with the rule these exercises place before me,
that I entreat Thee to receive me under Thy standard.


May Thy Divine Majesty deign to shelter me beneath the folds of this Thy holy standard,
to give me the spirit of poverty and detachment,
and to call me even to the practice of actual and perfect poverty,
if such is Thy good pleasure.


Lord Jesus, in order that I may resemble Thee more closely,
grant me a share, I beseech Thee, in Thy humiliations,
and in the injustices that Thou didst meet with,
provided that I can bear them without committing any sin,
without ever displeasing, in any way,
Thy Divine Majesty.


O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my God, obtain for me from
Thy Divine Son the grace to be received and to march under His standard.


Hail Mary...


O Eternal Word, for the love Thou bearest our Lady,
Thy Blessed Mother, obtain for me from the Father the grace to be received
and to march under Thy standard.


Anima Christi…


O Father, for the love Thou bearest the most holy Virgin Mary,
for the sake of Thy Son, our Lord,
I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to be received
and to march under the standard of Jesus Christ.


Our Father...

Anima Christi, The Catholic Prayer

Anima Christi Catholic Prayer

The Anima Christi is a prayer from around the 14th century. It is still widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord,Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me;
Blood of Christ, inebriate me;
Water from the side of Christ, wash me;
Passion of Christ, strengthen me;
0 good Jesus, hear me;
Within Thy wounds, hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from 'Thee;
From the evil enemy defend me;
In the hour of my death call me,
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints I may praise Thee
For all eternity.

Amen.

Anima Christi Catholic Prayer

The Anima Christi In Latin

Anima Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Jesu, exaudi me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me.
Ne permittas me separari a te.
Ab hoste maligno defende me.
In hora mortis meae voca me.
Et iube me venire ad te,
Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te.
In saecula saeculorum.

Amen.

The Anima Christi Catholic Prayer Simply Means The Soul of Christ

Little Dakota Needs Your Prayers! ! !

Dakota, A 4 Year Old, Has A Brain Tumor On The Stem

Dakota has been diagnosed with a tumor on the stem of his brain. It's 2-3 inches long. He is only 4 years old. This is the shocking news we received from a friend of my wife's this afternoon.

Dakota (the little boy) has been on allergy medication for most of his life. His old pediatrician kept telling the mom he had allergies. The mom finally talked to my friend's daughter about everything and got in to a new pediatrician. She took him off of all of his medications because she felt he was way over-medicated and wanted to get his system clear of everything. After a few (maybe six) weeks, the mom took Dakota back and he wasn't any better. So, the pediatrician ordered a CT scan, which shows this tumor on his brain stem.

My friend told me that Dakota is to have surgery this coming Thursday at Children's Hospital. The doctors have told the mom and dad that he may not survive the surgery. Please pray for Dakota and his family. He is their only child and they haven't yet told him about what is happening.

For obvious reasons, everyone is taking this rather hard. Please feel free to share with your prayer groups, put on your adoration chapel prayer lists.

Let's us pray:

Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi.

Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!


Thanks, Paul Hargadon, for the following prayer.

O Lord, the giver of all good gifts, you have shown the power of your grace in the life and virtues of your servant, Venerable Felix de Andreis. Draw others to your service by the influence of his example; and, if such be your holy will glorify him here on earth by manifesting the power of his intercession through the favor we now implore--grant healing to your child, Dakota and the grace of perseverance for his family through this time of trial.

Hasten, dear Lord, the day when Felix de Andreis will be declared Blessed by Holy Mother Church. This we ask of you through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, the Queen of Saints.

Amen.

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Corpus Christi Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Corpus Christi Sunday

My Dear People,

Corpus Christi Sunday

Corpus Christi Sunday is our faith statement about the Most Holy Eucharist. As Roman Catholics, we adhere to John chapter 6 literally. We believe truly, the Eucharistic species is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Gospel this Sunday states Jesus saying, "I am the living bread come down from heaven. Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will live forever." From this point forward, many left Jesus, because they could not accept this new teaching.

This holds true even today. We are divided as Christians because of Jesus' divine teaching on the Most Holy Eucharist. Many still reject Jesus' teaching on the Eucharist. It follows that these same people will reject His teaching on Holy Confession. If you do not really believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Holy Mass, then frequent Confession need not precede frequent Communion. Even many Catholics reject this teaching on Holy Confession. Pray for a return to the TRUE teaching of Jesus Christ on the Eucharist and Confession. Set an example for your own children and grandchildren, by going to Holy Confession often if you receive Holy Communion often. May we trust in the Lord-knowing that, just as He fed the Israelites with Bread from Heaven, He will always provide us with all that we need.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

Miraculous Pictures? ? ?

Miraculous Images ? ? ?

Do you see how the sun shines forth from Jesus? The way I see it, the light is below the horizon.





The pictures comes from the Passion Play performed by the Pauline Fathers. Can you imagine how much work was done to accomplish all of this?

What do you think?

Venerable Father Felix de Andreis, Vincentian Superior

Venerable Father Felix de Andreis, First Vincentian Superior in America

First superior of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists) in the United States and Vicar-General of upper Louisiana, b. at Demonte, in Piedmont, Italy, 13 December, 1778; d. at St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., 15 October, 1820. After making his preparatory studies in his native place he entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Mission, at Mondovì, 1 November, 1797, and was ordained priest at Piacenzia, 14 August, 1801.

Father de Adreis, Retreat Master for Fellow Priests

When only four years a priest, he conducted the retreats for those about to be ordained. His constitution was not robust and in 1806 he was sent to Monte Citorio, the house of the Congregation in Rome that seemed least likely to be affected by the rigorous religions persecutions of the time, which for while drove Pius VII from Rome. Here, Father De Andreis was constantly engaged from 1810 to 1815 in giving missions and retreats for the clergy or seminarians. He also gave many missions in the suburbs of the city.

When the religious houses in Rome were suppressed, the Propaganda students attended his lectures on theology. It was no unusual thing for him to preach four times a day on different subjects. In view of later events, it is worthy of reflection that Father De Andreis received such a conviction that he was destined to a mission involving the need of English that he resolutely mastered that language. In 1815 Father Dubourg, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Louisiana (which then extended along both sides of the Mississippi from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Lakes) arrived in Rome to secure priests for that immense vineyard. As soon as he knew of Father De Andreis he applied to Father Sicardi, his superior, to let him go to Louisiana, and when the latter declared it impossible, as his place could not be filled, he exposed the situation to Pius VII, who appointed the young priest to this mission.

In company with five others, Father De Andreis embarked from France, 12 June, 1816, and reached Baltimore 26 July. They remained there at St. Mary's Seminary as guests of Father Bruté until 3 September, and then started on a tedious journey to the west, arriving at Louisville, 19 November, where at Bishop Flaget's suggestion they remained in his seminary of St. Thomas at Bardstown until Bishop Dubourg should arrive. Father De Andreis taught theology and labored at improving his English. Bishop Dubourg reached there with thirty priests, 29 December, 1817, and they went to St. Louis in 1818. There the Congregation had its first establishment.

Father De Andreis had charge of two schools, one for religious students, another for seculars, established by Bishop Dubourg. Land for a seminary was given at "The Barrens", a colony 80 miles south of St. Louis, in Perry County, and when the Bishop allowed his residence to be used for a novitiate, Father De Andreis became master of novices. Exhausted by the hardships of missionary word, he died after a short life of forty-two years, greatly esteemed for sanctity. The process of his canonization, begun in St. Louis in 1900, was completed in August, 1902, when the evidence was presented to the Congregation of Rites, at Rome.

Taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia

Prayer to Obtain the
Beatification of
Venerable Felix de Andreis

0 Lord Jesus Christ,
Who, by the working of miracles
hast deigned to honor Thy loving servants,
we beseech Thee to glorify,
through the intercession of Thy Immaculate Mother,
Thy servant Venerable Felix de Andreis,
by evident signs and wonders,
so that for the exaltation of Thy Name and the salvation of souls,
he may by Thy power be declared Blessed.
Amen.

Venerable Felix de Andreis, pray for us.

St. Robert Bellarmine - The Rosary And The Practical Catholic

St. Robert Bellarmine; "The Rosary, Are You A Friend Or Foe?"

Brethren, do we appreciate the full value of the Rosary? Are we its friends or are we its enemies? We are, you say, its friends, But alas! as many a man will say: "I am a Catholic, but I cannot say I practice my religion," so many of us will have to say: "I approve of the Rosary, but I cannot say I practice it." To each I say equally: "Stuff and nonsense; there is no Catholic but a practical Catholic, and there is no friend of the Rosary but he who practices it often and well." "He that is not with me is against me," is not less true of Christ than it is of the Church and the Rosary.

• St. Robert Bellarmine - The Yoke Of Jesus

• St. Robert Bellarmine Quote: The Role Of Mary

• More Saint Robert Bellarmine "How Suffering Results In Greater Charity"

Father John Corapi - As Your Own Spiritual Director

Father John Corapi's

Your Spiritual Director

Here is Fr. Corapi's letter to you with Spiritual Advice so you may grow in holiness. It's like having Fr. Corapi as your own Spiritual Director!

Greetings and God's Blessings,

One of the most important things we can do as individuals seeking to love God above all things, and love our neighbor as ourselves out of love for God is to make a daily examination of conscience and then take advantage of one of the greatest gifts God has given us--the ability to receive sanctifying grace in a healing and forgiving way through the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation (Confession). Repentance is not a one time thing. It is a daily requirement and an ongoing act of love of God and neighbor.

"If you love me you will obey my Commandments," Jesus tells us. If we stumble along the way and fail to obey His Commandments it is very encouraging to have the assurance that His forgiveness is waiting for us. We must seek it actively, however, especially when we are conscious of mortal sin. We, as Catholics, do this by going to Confession. When we make a daily examination of conscience, and then go to Confession regularly, we are showing our merciful and loving God that we are serious about our relationship with Him.

God bless you,

Fr. John Corapi

The Latest on Fr. Corapi

• No surgery and no Cancer for Fr. Father Corapi as revealed by his EWTN Life On The Rock Interview

• Father John Corapi has a parathyroid tumor! The first confirmation concerning his tumor.

• Original Fr. John Corapi post concerning his tumor here: This is the email by Fr. Corapi asking for prayers.

• One the lighter side: Father Corapi Top 10 One liners!

• Do you have the Free Father Corapi's Conversion Story?

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity


My Dear People,

The Holy Trinity; The Truth Revealed
Through Our Catholic Faith

The feast of the Holy Trinity is a truth of our Catholic faith. Nowhere do we find in the Bible, the doctrine defining the Most Holy Trinity. The dogma defining the Holy Trinity was a truth proclaimed by the early Apostolic Church. Every Holy Mass included the Apostle's Creed, until it was replaced with the Nicene Creed in the fourth century. In the Creed, we profess our faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each of the three persons are identified and embraced as a divine mystery.

In an age when people are looking to explore divine truths, we have the source and summit of our belief clearly identified in the Holy Nicene Creed. This is why we repeat this Creed at each and every Sunday Mass, lest we forget. What a great treasure we have in Holy Catholic Faith! Next time you pray the Nicene Creed, truly PRAY those faith filled words. Don't just SAY, but truly PRAY and PROFESS our Catholic belief. Live and share the Faith.

May we love God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, with all our HEART, MIND and SOUL.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

St. Robert Bellarmine Blog

No Surgery For Father

John Corapi

Update! Fr. Corapi called into the show "Life on The Rock" last night on EWTN and talked extensively about whats been happening with him..


He said he's been through every test they can think of at the mayo clinic and he does NOT have cancer, they have not found any kind of disease or infections but they are almost 100% positive it's a parathyroid tumor. Father said they ran all the tests they can for this and it's not showing up but that doesn't mean it's not there and most of his doctors believe it is there. So they are making him wait a few more months to see if it finally shows up and thats why surgery has been put off. You can't go after what you can't see..


Father also said he's feeling a little bit better than he has been but he's still pretty sick and is unable too travel for now and needs his rest. The host of the show said that everyone is and will continue too pray for him and Father Corapi was delighted at that and asked for it too continue and he spoke as he always does, optimistic and just as the holy priest that he is.


Please keep your prayers coming for Father Corapi.

Thank you Robyn for the update.

Let's us pray:

Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi.

Amen.

Father John Corapi has a parathyroid tumor! The first confirmation concerning his tumor.

Original Father John Corapi post concerning his tumor here: The email by Fr. Corapi asking for prayers.

One the lighter side: Father Corapi Top 10 One liners!

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Stay Up To Date On Father John Corapi!

Your Key to a Joyful Life

This comes from one of my favorite bloggers Marie at View From The Pews

God's Love is a Radical Love.

It is when we place our happiness in the hands of another that we are doomed to a life of inner unhappiness, in that it is beyond man's ability to provide the inner joy and peace that many seek. This inner peace and joy can only be found in Christ, and through the Holy Spirit our souls are illuminated to the fullness and meaningfulness of the essence of Divine Love which ignites the heart and sets itself aflame.

John 15: 9-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments,
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete."

Amen!

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Pentecost Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute Pentecost Sunday

My Dear People,

Pentecost Sunday - Come Holy Ghost

"Kommt Hieligen Gieste... Come Holy Ghost." This is the cry of the Universal Church in our readings this weekend. Pentecost marks the birthday of the Catholic Church. "When they were all together in the upper room, suddenly there came a noise like a driving wind and tongues of fire came to rest upon each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit." Each of the people in Jerusalem, from every nation, could understand the words that the Holy Apostles spoke. Thousands were converting to the faith of the Church. Jesus promised that He would send the Paraclete, our Advocate in Heaven. The Third Person of the Holy Trinity, pleads for us when we pray in Faith.

The Apostles were told by Jesus not be worried about what to say or do. The Holy Spirit will tell you what you are to say and what you are to do. The promise Jesus made to the Holy Apostles was that He would not leave them orphaned. Jesus said that He would send the Paraclete to lead and guide them. We have been given the Holy Spirit, first at our Baptism, and then at our Confirmation. Like the Apostles, we are the benefactors of His Grace. All that we need to get to Heaven, come from the hands of the Advocate. Pray to use wisely the seven gifts of the Most Holy Spirit.

May we recognize and appreciate our different stewardship gifts and joyfully bring them together for the good of the church.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

Top 10 Father John Corapi One Liners

Father John Corapi

When Fr. John Corapi delivers his one liners it can be like the proverbial 2 by 4 hitting you in between the eyes! It's a good thing the power comes from the Holy Spirit. Isn't it? Following are some of my favorite Father Corapi Holy Spirit Inspired Sayings . . .

1. GOD created you without you, but He will not save you without you.
   
2. Love might be the most misused word in all of language.
3. What do you think the Rosary is? It is the Gospel.
4. It isn't bread, it is the Lord!
5. I asked the little boy how much of his time he gave to the Lord each day. He said, 'all of it'. I hope they make that kid a Bishop some day.
6. The thinking of the world is sick. If you don't believe that, just watch the six o'clock news.
7. The greatest moment in anyone's life is the first time they receive Holy Communion.
8. Don't listen to theologians if you want to know the truth. Listen to Peter instead. (The Pope)
9. The acid test of humility is obedience.
10. My Momma wears combat boots.

Do you have Father John Corapi's free conversion story? Father John Corapi Unplugged: His Remarkable Conversion Story

Did you hear? Father John Corapi is being treated for a Parathyroid Tumor and is requesting prayers. FYI one of his favorite prayers is the Memorare.

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Seventh Sunday of Easter

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

My Dear People,

Parents Prepare The Way Home

Forty days after Easter, Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father. He told His Disciples, "Go out, teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." We have heard this passage from scripture many times. It is a sobering passage. Unlike those who do not know Christ, we are responsible for leading each other into heaven. Once baptized, the soul is sanctified and readied for the journey HOME. As baptized Christian parents, it is your duty to show your children and grandchildren, the way HOME.

"Nothing Could Be Further From The TRUTH!"

Many parents are misled by the world, into believing that it is their job to make their children productive and successful in the eyes of everyone who sees them. Nothing could be further from the TRUTH. Fathers, it is your primary duty to "sanctify" your household. As head of the family, your duty is to teach your children about God's mercy and justice. Mothers, it is your duty to make holy your children, and husband as well. Both father and mother must point the way to Jesus Christ. Anything less is a waste of precious time. So parents, sanctify yourselves in Christ. Make holy your children and grandchildren. In doing so, you are preparing yourselves and you offspring to receive glory at God the Father's right hand.

May we, through our generous stewardship, help to bring the teachings of Jesus to all those who need to feel GOD in their lives..

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark

St. Robert Bellarmine - The Yoke Of Jesus

Saint Robert Bellarmine

The Yoke of Jesus

"Sweet Lord, you are meek and merciful." Who would not give himself wholeheartedly to your service, if he began to taste even a little of your fatherly rule? What command, Lord, do you give your servants? "Take my yoke upon you," you say. And what is this yoke of yours like? "My yoke," you say, "is easy and my burden light." Who would not be glad to bear a yoke that does no press hard but caresses? Who would not be glad for a burden that does not weigh heavy but refreshes? And so you were right to add: "And you will find rest for your souls." And what is this yoke of yours that does not weary, but gives rest? It is, of course, that first and greatest commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart." What is easier, sweeter, more pleasant, than to love goodness, beauty, and love, the fullness of which you are, O Lord, my God?"

Your Crown of Life, Greater Than
Wealth Sweeter Than Honey

Is it not true that you promise those who keep your commandments a reward more desirable than great wealth and sweeter than honey? You promise a most abundant reward, for as your apostle James says: "The Lord has prepared a crown of life for those who love him." What is this crown of life? It is surely a greater good than we can conceive of or desire, as Saint Paul says, quoting Isaiah: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him."


On the Ascent of the Mind to God by Saint Robert Bellarmine

Novena of the Seven Gifts

Here is a novena that I HIGHLY encourage you to pray. I am a little late in posting this. But, I am sure that God will allow you to make up a day.

Novena of the Seven Gifts

Here's what Fr. Euteneuer has to say:

Have you ever wondered when the first Novena was prayed? Look no farther than chapters 1 and 2 of the Acts of the Apostles to see that the disciples were gathered together in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost with Mary waiting and praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the promised Gift of the Lord. They had been there since Ascension Thursday praying the Church's very first novena! Despite the modern anomaly of moving Ascension to a Sunday, the Church repeats that original novena every year in preparation for the coming of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Sanctifier.

Let us make the nine days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday an extremely fruitful time of prayer.

By the way, you ought to try setting up this picture as your Desktop Background. My personal setting preference is "stretched." How about you?