​Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – composed by Blessed Miguel Pro “Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with afflictions? Blessed be he a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. Love without egotism, without relying on self, but en-kindling in the depth of the heart an ardent thirst to love and suffer for all those around us: a thirst that neither misfortune nor contempt can extinguish. I believe, O Lord; but strengthen my Faith. Heart of Jesus, I love you; but increase my Love. Heart of Jesus, I trust in you; but give greater vigor to my confidence. Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to you; but so enclose it in you that it may never be separated from you. Heart of Jesus, I am all yours; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.” Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro (Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro († 1927) was a Mexican Jesuit priest who was martyred at the age of thirty-six. / From Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th-Century Mexican Martyr. © 1996 by TAN Books, Charlotte, NC.)

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Universal Prayer for Holiness – attributed to Pope Clement XI (b. 1649 - d. 1721)

I believe, O Lord, but may I believe more firmly; I hope, but may I hope more securely; I love, but may I love more ardently; I sorrow, but may I sorrow more deeply. I adore You as my first beginning; I long for You as my last end; I praise You as my constant benefactor; I invoke You as my gracious defender. By Your Wisdom direct me, by Your righteousness restrain me, by Your clemency console me, by Your Power protect me. I offer You, Lord, my thoughts as toward You, my words, as about You, my deeds, as following You, my trials, as for Your sake. I will whatever You Will, I will it because You Will, I will it in the way You Will, I will it so long as You Will. I pray, Lord, enlighten my Understanding, inflame my will, cleanse my heart, sanctify my soul. May I weep for sins past, repel temptations to come, correct evil lean-ings, nurture fit virtues. Give me, good God, Love for You, hatred for myself, zeal for my neighbor, contempt for the world. May I strive to obey those above me, to aid those dependent on me, to have care for my friends, to have forgiveness for my enemies. May I conquer sensuality by austerity, avarice by generosity, anger by gentleness, lukewarmness by fervor. Render me prudent in planning, steadfast in dangers, patient in adver-sity, humble in prosperity. Make me, O Lord, attentive at prayer, moderate at meals, diligent at work, firm in purpose. May I be careful to maintain inward innocence, outward modesty, exemplary behavior, a well-governed life. May I be always watchful in subduing nature, fostering Grace, ob-serving Your Law, winning salvation. May I learn from you how precarious is the earthly, how great the Divine, how fleeting is time, how lasting the Eternal. Grant that I may prepare for death, fear judgment, flee hell, gain Paradise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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No one can be saved without Divine Light. Divine Light causes us to begin and to make progress, and it leads us to the summit of perfection. Therefore if you want to begin and to receive this Divine Light, pray. If you have begun to make progress and want this Light to be intensified within you, pray. And if you have reached the summit of perfection, and want to be illumined so as to remain in that state, pray. If you want Faith, pray. If you want Hope, pray. If you want Charity, pray. If you want poverty, pray. If you want obedience, pray. If you want chastity, pray. If you want humility, pray. If you want meekness, pray. If you want fortitude, pray. If you want some virtue, pray. And pray in this fashion, namely, always reading the Book of Life, that is, the life of the God-man Jesus Christ, whose life consisted of poverty, pain, contempt, and true obedience. A soul thus exercised in cleansing itself goes with greater confidence to Confession to have its sins washed away. And so that nothing impure may remain, it puts itself to a kind of scrutiny. It enters into prayer and examines the good and evil it has done. As a result, you begin to feel the presence of God more fully than usual because your palate is more disposed to savor God’s presence than before. It is through prayer, then, that one will be given the most powerful Light to see God and self.” St. Angela of Foligno (†1309) St. Angela was a wife and mother who later became a Franciscan tertiary and an esteemed mystical writer. From Angela of Foligno: Complete Works (CWS), translated with an introduction by Paul Lachance, o.f.m. © 1993 by Paul Lachance, o.f.m. Paulist Press, Inc., New York/Mahwah, NJ.

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The Interior Experience of God

Now I am going to tell you how I experience God, His Divine Presence and the effects It produces in me. I experience God at all times and in all places - when I am working, when I am eating, and even when I am in bed - but not always in the same manner nor with the same intensity. Thus, when I am alone in my cell and not distracted by physical occupations, I feel drawn by an infinite sweetness and power. My soul enjoys a complete and serene peacefulness, like a sky without any clouds. At other times it seems as if God is carrying me in His arms and He hugs me as a mother does her child. Then I say to Him - no, I don’t say any-thing, I feel - “My God, why are you so good and why do you love this unworthy creature so much?” And I hear Him say to me, alt-hough rather than hear I understand: “I do the same to all... My desires are to unite Myself with souls.” In order that you may understand, I am going to refer to an incident. The Lord let me know that I had committed four or five faults in a few moments: infidelity to Grace to do all things peace-fully and calmly, impatience, lack of respect in the way I answered our Mother Superior, bad example to the others who saw me. What was I to do after committing these faults? Humble myself, trust in the Lord, and remain tranquil. And so I said: “My Jesus, I have been evil; have mercy on me.” And it seemed that Jesus said to me: “I do not change. Your faults are not able to change My Heart in any way. Because I am good, I have loved you, I still love you, and I shall love you.” Then He made me experience the sweetness of His Love. In such cases I feel very humiliated. I would like to reduce myself to nothingness. But God, on the contrary, presses me closer to Himself. Jesus does not interrupt His expressions of Love. He loves me always, even when I am bad. He counsels me sweetly and draws me to Himself. Venerable Mother Mary Magdalen of Jesus in the Eucharist, C.P. (Mother Mary Magdalen († 1960) was a Passionist nun from Spain). From Toward the Heights of Union with God, Fr. John G. Eucharist Arintero, o.p., and Mother Mary Magdalen, c.p., Jordan Aumann, o.p., Tr. © 1972, Passionist Nuns Monastery, Erlanger, KY.

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Universal Prayer for Holiness – attributed to Pope Clement XI (b. 1649 - d. 1721)

I believe, O Lord, but may I believe more firmly; I hope, but may I hope more securely; I love, but may I love more ardently; I sorrow, but may I sorrow more deeply. I adore You as my first beginning; I long for You as my last end; I praise You as my constant benefactor; I invoke You as my gracious defender. By Your Wisdom direct me, by Your righteousness restrain me, by Your clemency console me, by Your Power protect me. I offer You, Lord, my thoughts as toward You, my words, as about You, my deeds, as following You, my trials, as for Your sake. I will whatever You Will, I will it because You Will, I will it in the way You Will, I will it so long as You Will. I pray, Lord, enlighten my Understanding, inflame my will, cleanse my heart, sanctify my soul. May I weep for sins past, repel temptations to come, correct evil leanings, nurture fit virtues. Give me, good God, Love for You, hatred for myself, zeal for my neighbor, contempt for the world. May I strive to obey those above me, to aid those dependent on me, to have care for my friends, to have forgiveness for my enemies. May I conquer sensuality by austerity, avarice by generosity, anger by gentleness, lukewarmness by fervor. Render me prudent in planning, steadfast in dangers, patient in ad-versity, humble in prosperity. Make me, O Lord, attentive at prayer, moderate at meals, diligent at work, firm in purpose. May I be careful to maintain inward innocence, outward modesty, exemplary behavior, a well-governed life. May I be always watchful in subduing nature, fostering Grace, ob-serving Your Law, winning salvation. May I learn from you how precarious is the earthly, how great the Divine, how fleeting is time, how lasting the Eternal. Grant that I may prepare for death, fear judgment, flee hell, gain Paradise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Union with Jesus “It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For love of Him I have forfeited everything. I have accounted all else rubbish that I may gain Christ. What I want is to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death. I pursue my course striving to attain what He has destined for me by taking hold of me. My whole concern is to forget what is behind and to strain forward constantly to what is ahead. I run straight to the goal, to the vocation to which God has called me in Christ Jesus (cf. Phil 3:8-14). That is: I want only to be identified with Him: To me life is Christ (Phil 1:21). All the intensity of Saint Paul is poured out in these lines. [May we become] more like our adored Master, and even more, to become so one with Him that we may say: I live, no longer I, but He lives in me. And the life that I now live in this body of death, I live by Faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal 2:20). Let us study this Divine Model. His knowledge, the Apostle tells us, is so excelling. And when He first came into the world, what did He say? You no longer delight in holocausts; so I have assumed a body and I come, O God, to do Your Will (Heb 10:5-7). During the thirty-three years of His life this will became so completely His daily bread that at the moment of handing over His Soul into His Father’s Hands, He could say to Him: “All is accomplished, yes, all Your desires, all have been realized, that is why I have glorified You on earth.” When Jesus Christ spoke to His Apostles of the food that they did not know, He explained to them that it was to do the Will of Him who sent Me. All He could say: I am never alone. He who sent Me is always with Me because I always do the things that are pleas-ing to Him. Let us lovingly eat this bread of the Will of God. If sometimes His Will is more crucifying, we can doubtless say with our adored Master: Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by, but we will add immediately: Yet not as I will, but as You Will. And in strength and serenity, with the Divine Crucified, we will also climb our Calvary singing in the depths of our hearts and raising a hymn of thanksgiving to the Father. For those who march on this way of sorrow are those whom He foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the Image of His Divine Son (Rom 8:29), the One crucified by love!” St. Elizabeth of the Trinity († 1906) was a French Carmelite nun whose writings focused on the indwelling of the Trinity.

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PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION OF HOLY FAMILY Dear Heavenly Father, Through the powerful intercession of the Holy Family, grant to this local Church the many graces we need to foster, strengthen, and support faith-filled, holy marriages and families. May the vocation of married life, a true calling to share in your own divine and creative life, be recognized by all believers as a source of blessing and joy - a revelation of your own Divine Goodness. Grant to us the gift of courage to proclaim and defend your plan for marriage, which is the union of one man and one woman in a lifelong, exclusive relationship of loving trust, compassion, and generosity, open to the conception of children. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Virgin Mary: 
My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

All For the Glory of God! As soon as a good Christian awakens in the morning, he should…profess the Most Holy Trinity, three Persons in one sole God, which Christians alone truthfully and faithfully profess when they bless themselves with the words: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. [Then he should] profess Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, by reciting the Creed and by firmly and faithfully believing without any doubt that which contains all our Catholic Faith... True God! I freely and from my heart, as a good and faithful Christian, profess the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Persons in one God. I firmly believe, without doubting, all that our Holy Mother the Church of Rome believes and teaches. I promise to live and die as a true Christian in the holy Catholic Faith of my Lord Jesus Christ. And if I should not be able to speak at the hour of my death, I now, for when I shall die, acknowledge with all my heart my Lord Jesus Christ as the only Son of God... I ask you, my Lord Jesus Christ, to give me the grace to keep the Ten Commandments today, during this day, and during all the time of my life. I ask you, my Lady Saint Mary, that you intercede for me with your blessed Son Jesus Christ, so that He may give me the grace today, during this day, and during all the time of my life, to keep these Ten Commandments. I ask you, my Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive me the sins which I have committed today, during this day, and during all the time of my life... I ask you my Lady Saint Mary, Queen of Angels, to obtain pardon for me from your blessed Son Jesus Christ for the sins which I have committed today, during this day, and during all the time of my life. St. Francis Xavier (St. Francis Xavier (+1552) was a great Spanish Jesuit missionary to Asia.)

Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within theshelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touchthem. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which dailytouch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips,daily purpled with Your Precious Blood. Keep pure andunearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark ofthe Priesthood. Let Your holy Love surround them andshield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors withabundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be theirjoy and consolation here and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen

Forgiveness Prayer In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I willingly forgive anyone who has hurt or harmed me (including N., N., N., etc.). I forgive them with my whole heart and I ask God to bless them. (3 times) I choose to let go of the lack of love I experienced in the actions of (N., N., N., etc.). In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I ask that my heart be filled with the Light and Love of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Universal Prayer for the New Year – attributed to Pope Clement XI (b. 1649 - d. 1721)

I believe, O Lord, but may I believe more firmly; I hope, but may I hope more securely; I love, but may I love more ardently; I sorrow, but may I sorrow more deeply. I adore You as my first beginning; I long for You as my last end; I praise You as my constant benefactor; I invoke You as my gra-cious defender. By Your Wisdom direct me, by Your righteousness restrain me, by Your clemency console me, by Your Power protect me. I offer You, Lord, my thoughts as toward You, my words, as about You, my deeds, as following You, my trials, as for Your sake. I will whatever You Will, I will it because You Will, I will it in the way You Will, I will it so long as You Will. I pray, Lord, enlighten my Understanding, inflame my will, cleanse my heart, sanctify my soul. May I weep for sins past, repel temptations to come, correct evil leanings, nurture fit virtues. Give me, good God, Love for You, hatred for myself, zeal for my neighbor, contempt for the world. May I strive to obey those above me, to aid those dependent on me, to have care for my friends, to have forgiveness for my enemies. May I conquer sensuality by austerity, avarice by generosity, an-ger by gentleness, lukewarmness by fervor. Render me prudent in planning, steadfast in dangers, patient in adversity, humble in prosperity. Make me, O Lord, attentive at prayer, moderate at meals, diligent at work, firm in purpose. May I be careful to maintain inward innocence, outward modesty, exemplary behavior, a well-governed life. May I be always watchful in subduing nature, fostering Grace, observing Your Law, winning salvation. May I learn from you how precarious is the earthly, how great the Divine, how fleeting is time, how lasting the Eternal. Grant that I may prepare for death, fear judgment, flee hell, gain Paradise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary: My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

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God is Love

“All that we have so far described, all that is necessary for salvation, can find in Love alone its highest, completest, most beneficent perfection. Love supplies all that is wanting for our salvation; it contains abundantly every good thing and lacks not even the presence of the Supreme Object of our desires. It is by Love alone that we turn to God, are transformed into His likeness, and are united to Him, so that we become one spirit with Him and receive by and from Him all our happiness: here [on earth] in Grace, hereafter in glory. Love can find no rest until it reposes in the full and perfect possession of the Beloved. It is by the path of Love, which is Charity, that God draws closer to man, and man to God. But where Love is not found God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess Love we possess God, for God is Love (1 Jn 4:8). There is nothing keener than Love, nothing more subtle, nothing more penetrating. Love cannot rest until it has sounded all the depths and learned the perfections of its Beloved. It desires to be one with him and, if it could, would form but one being with the Beloved. It is for this reason that it cannot suffer anything to intervene between it and the Object Loved, which is God, but springs forward towards Him, and finds no Peace until it has overcome every obstacle, and reached even unto the Beloved... Upon Love are based the law, the prophets, and the precepts of the Lord (Mt 22:40). Hence the Apostle wrote tothe Romans: Love is therefore the fulfilling of the law, and in the first letter to Timothy: The aim of this instruction is Love.” St. Albert the Great (†1280) From On Union with God, P. J. Berthier, o.p., Tr. Published by Continuum Publishing, Inc., 2000.

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The Sacred Humanity of Jesus

“God is man’s glory. Man is the vessel which receives God’s action and all His Wisdom and Power. Just as a doctor is judged in His care for the sick, so God is revealed in Hisconduct with men. That is Paul’s reason for saying: God has made the whole world prisoner of unbelief that He may have Mercy on all. He was speaking of man, who was disobedient to God, and cast off from immortality, and then found Mercy, receiving through the Son of God the adoption He brings. If man, without being puffed up or boastful, has a right belief regarding created things and their Divine Creator, who, having given them being, holds them all in His Power, and if man perseveres in God’s Love, and in obedience and gratitude to Him, he will receive greater glory from Him. It will be a glory which will grow ever brighter until he takes on the likeness of the One who died for him. He it was who took on the likeness of sinful flesh, to condemn sin and rid the flesh of sin, as now condemned. He wanted to invite man to take on His likeness, appointing man an imitator of God, establishing man in a way of life in obedience to the Father that would lead to the Vision of God, and endowing man with Power to receive the Father. He is the Word of God who dwelt with man and became the Son of Man to open the way for man to receive God, for God to dwell with man, according to the Will of the Father. For this reason the Lord Himself gave as the sign of our salvation, the One who was born of the Virgin, Emmanuel. It was the Lord Himself who saved them, for of themselves they had no power to be saved. For this reason Paul speaks of the weakness of man, and says: I know that no good dwells in my flesh, meaning that the blessing of our salvation comes not from us but from God. Again, he says: I am a wretched man; who will free me from this body doomed to die? Then he speaks of a Liberator, thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord. Isaiah says the same: Hands that are feeble, grow strong! Knees that are weak, take courage! Hearts that are faint, grow strong! Fear not; see - our God is judgment and He will repay. He Himself will come and save us. He means that we could not be saved of ourselves but only with God’s help.” (From a treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr)

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Forgiveness Prayer

In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I willingly forgive anyone who has hurt or harmed me (including N., N., N., etc.). I forgive them with my whole heart and I ask God to bless them. (3 times) I choose to let go of the lack of love I experienced in the actions of (N., N., N., etc.). In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I ask that my heart be filled with the Light and Love of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite

O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Your Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the Priesthood. Let Your holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary: My Queen, my Mother, 
I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

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On the Value of Patience by Saint Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr

“Patience is a precept for salvation given us by our Lord, our teacher: Whoever endures to the end will be saved. And again: If you persevere in My Word, you will truly be My disciples; you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. Dear brethren, we must endure and persevere if we are to attain the Truth and Freedom we have been allowed to Hope for; Faith and Hope are the very meaning of our being Christians, but if Faith and Hope are to bear their fruit, patience is necessary. We do not seek glory now, in the present, but we look for future glory, as Saint Paul instructs us when he says: By Hope we were saved. Now Hope which is seen is not Hope; how can a man Hope for what he sees? But if we Hope for what we do not see, we wait for it in patience. Patient waiting is necessary if we are to be perfected in what we have begun to be, and if we are to receive from God what we Hope for and believe. In another place the same Apostle instructs and teaches the just, and those active in good works, and those who store up for themselves treasures in Heaven through the reward God gives them. They are to be patient also, for he says: Therefore while we have time, let us do good to all, but especially to those who are of the household of the Faith. But let us not grow weary in doing good, for we shall reap our reward in due season. 
Paul warns us not to grow weary in good works through impatience, not to be distracted or overcome by temptations and so give up in the midst of our pilgrimage of praise and glory, and allow our past good deeds to count for nothing because what was begun falls short of completion. Finally, the Apostle, speaking of Charity, unites it with endurance and patience. Charity, he says, is always patient and kind; it is not jealous, is not boastful, is not given to anger, does not think evil, loves all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. He shows that Charity can be steadfast and persevering because it has learned how to endure all things. And in another place he says: Bear with one another lovingly, striving to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. He shows that neither unity nor peace can be maintained unless the brethren cherish each other with mutual forbearance and preserve the bond of harmony by means of patience.”

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Our Lady of Guadalupe: by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century

“At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of December, an Indian named Juan Diego was going from the village where he lived to Tlatelolco in order to take part in divine worship and listen to God’s commandments. When he came near the hill called Tepeyac, dawn had already come, and Juan Diego heard someone calling him from the very top of the hill: “Juanito, Juan Dieguito.” He went up the hill and caught sight of a lady of unearthly grandeur whose clothing was as radiant as the sun. She said to him in words both gentle and courteous: “Juanito, the humblest of my children, know and understand that I am the ever Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God through Whom all things live. It is my ardent desire that a church be erected here so that in it I can show and bestow my love, compassion, help, and protection to all who inhabit this land and to those others who love me, that they might call upon and confide in me. Go to the Bishop of Mexico to make known to him what I greatly desire. Go and put all your efforts into this.” When Juan Diego arrived in the presence of the Bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, a Franciscan, the latter did not seem to believe Juan Diego and answered: “Come another time, and I will listen at leisure.” Juan Diego returned to the hilltop where the Heavenly Lady was waiting, and he said to her: “My Lady, my maiden, I presented your message to the Bishop, but it seemed that he did not think it was the truth. For this reason I beg you to entrust your message to someone more illustrious who might convey it in order that they may believe it, for I am only an insignificant man.” She answered him: “Humblest of my sons, I ask that tomorrow you again go to see the Bishop and tell him that I, the ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, am the one who personally sent you.” But on the following day, Sunday, the Bishop again did not believe Juan Diego and told him that some sign was necessary so that he could believe that it was the Heavenly Lady herself who sent him. And then he dismissed Juan Diego. On Monday Juan Diego did not return. His uncle, Juan Bernardino, became very ill, and at night asked Juan to go to Tlatelolco at daybreak to call a priest to hear his confession. Juan Diego set out on Tuesday, but he went around the hill and passed on the other side, toward the east, so as to arrive quickly in Mexico City and to avoid being detained by the Heavenly Lady. But she came out to meet him on that side of the hill and said to him: “Listen and understand, my humblest son. There is nothing to frighten and distress you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let nothing upset you. Is it not I, your Mother, who is here? Are you not under my protection? Are you not, fortunately, in my care? Do not let your uncle’s illness distress you. It is certain that he has already been cured. Go up to the hilltop, my son, where you will find flowers of various kinds. Cut them, and bring them into my presence.” When Juan Diego reached the peak, he was astonished that so many Castilian roses had burst forth at a time when the frost was severe. He carried the roses in the folds of his tilma (mantle) to the Heavenly Lady. She said to him: “My son, this is the proof and the sign which you will bring to the Bishop so that he will see my will in it. You are my ambassador, very worthy of trust.” Juan Diego set out on his way, now content and sure of succeeding. On arriving in the Bishop’s presence, he told him: “My Lord, I did what you asked. The Heavenly Lady complied with your request and fulfilled it. She sent me to the hilltop to cut some Castilian roses and told me to bring them to you in person. And this I am doing, so that you can see in them the sign you seek in order to carry out her will. Here they are; receive them.” He immediately opened up his white mantle, and as all the different Castilian roses scattered to the ground, there was drawn on the cloak and suddenly appeared the precious image of the ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the same manner as it is today and is kept in her shrine of Tepeyac. The whole city was stirred and came to see and admire her venerable image and to offer prayers to her; and following the command which the same Heavenly Lady gave to Juan Bernardino when she restored him to health, they called her by the name that she herself had used: “the ever Virgin Holy Mary of Guadalupe.” (Nican Moppohua, 12th ed., 3-19, 21)

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The Truth about Confessing One’s Sins

“The Holy Spirit says in the Psalms: Your eyes have seen my imperfection and in Your book are all things written. Again, man looks on the face, God on the heart (1 Sm 16:7). The Lord Himself also warns beforehand and forearms us, saying: Let all the church-es know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds (Rv 2:23). He sees the hidden things, He contemplates what is concealed and unseen, nor is anyone able to escape the eyes of God who says: I am a God who is near and not a God from afar off. If a man be hidden in hidden places, will I not therefore see him? (Jer 23:23-24). He sees the minds and hearts of individuals and, destined to judge not only regarding deeds but also regarding our words and thoughts, He inspects the minds and wills of us all.

Let each of you confess, I beg you, brothers, his own sin while still in the world, while you can still be allowed Confession, while there is the possibility of making amends, and forgiveness, granted through the priests, is still efficacious with God. Let us turn to God with our whole heart and expressing penitence for our sin with true sorrowing, let us plead with God for His Mercy. Let us prostrate our soul before Him, let us repay our debt with mourning, and let all our Hope rest on His support. God Himself tells us in what condition we must entreat: Return to Me with all your heart and at the same time with fasting and weeping and lamentation, and rend your hearts and not your gar-ments (Jl 2:12-13). Let us turn again to the Lord with our whole heart.” St. Cyprian († 258 - Bishop of Carthage (modern Tunisia) and a martyr)

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St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer to Obtain Special Graces

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ and of His Blessed Mother. Amen. It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30) until Christmas (December 25) will obtain what is asked. You may also see the St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer as the bulletin insert.

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The incomparable blessing of God's Gifts (from a letter by St. Clement I to the Corinthians) “Beloved, how blessed and wonderful are God’s gifts! There is life everlasting, joy in righteousness, Truth in freedom, Faith, confidence, and self-control in holiness. And these are the gifts that we can comprehend; what of all the others that are being prepared for those who look to Him? Only the Creator, the Father of the ages, the All-Holy, knows their grandeur and their loveliness. And so we should strive to be found among those who wait for Him so that we may share in these promised gifts. And how is this to be, beloved brothers? It will come about if by our Faith our minds remain fixed on God; if we aim at what is pleasing and acceptable to Him, if we accomplish what is in harmony with His faultless Will and follow the path of Truth, rejecting all injustice, viciousness, covetousness, quarrels, malice and deceit. This is the path, beloved, by which we find our salvation, Jesus Christ, the High Priest of our sacrifices, the defender and ally in our helplessness. It is through Him that we gaze on the highest Heaven, through Him we can see the reflection of God’s pure and sublime countenance, through Him the eyes of our hearts have been opened, through Him our foolish and darkened understanding opens towards the light, and through Him the Lord has willed that we should taste everlasting knowledge. He reflects God’s majesty and is as much superior to Angels as the Name He has obtained is more excellent than theirs. Let us then serve in His army, brothers, following His blameless commands with all our might. The great cannot exist without the small, nor the small without the great; they blend together to their mutual advantage. Take the body, for example. The head is nothingwithout the feet, just as the feet are nothing without the head. The smallest parts of our body are necessary and valuable to the whole. All work together and are mutually subject for the preservation of the whole body. Our entire body, then, will be preserved in Christ Jesus, and each of us should be subject to His neighbor in accordance with the Grace given to each. The stronger should care for the weak, and the weak should respect the stronger. The wealthy should give to the poor, and the poor man should thank God that He has sent him someone to supply his needs. The wise should manifest their wisdom not in words but in good deeds, and the humble should not talk about their own humility but allow others to bear witness to it. Since, therefore, we have all this from Him, we ought to thank Him for it all. Glory to Him forever. Amen.”

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Forgiveness Prayer

In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I willingly forgive anyone who has hurt or harmed me (including N., N., N., etc.). I forgive them with my whole heart and I ask God to bless them. (3 times) I choose to let go of the lack of love I experienced in the actions of (N., N., N., etc.). In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, I ask that my heart be filled with the Light and Love of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary:

My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

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Teach Us Good Lord

Teach us, good Lord, to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, except that of knowing that we are doing Your will. Amen. By St. Ignatius of Loyola

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Feast day October 4)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, 
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

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A sweet exchange between Heaven and earth! “The Holy Souls, unable to help themselves, rely on the prayers of the Church - our prayers and sufferings - to shorten their time of purification or their journey to Eternal Beatitude. St Thomas Aquinas wrote that, “the prayers for the dead are most acceptable to God because the dead have need of them and cannot help themselves as the living can.” On the one hand there is the dependence of the Holy Souls on our prayers. This builds up the Kingdom of God in Heaven as greater numbers of souls enter Eternal Beatitude. The ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ are in the hands of the faithful members of the Church who can open Paradise by praying for these souls. We should continue to pray for them even though we do not know if they are still in Purgatory or have ascended into Heaven knowing that, in the economy of Salvation, the Lord will distribute the benefits of our prayers. On the other hand, St Thomas teaches us that the Holy Souls can pray for their loved ones on earth whilst, unless God permits it, not knowing their concrete needs. (cfr. St Thomas, Summa Theologiae, 1, q.89) In fact, the souls in Purgatory are very effective in assisting us in our needs and intentions. St Teresa of Avila said, “I never asked Graces from the Souls in Purgatory without being heard. In fact, the Graces I could not gain from other heavenly Spirits, I obtained from the Souls in Purgatory.” There is a sweet exchange of Charity between Heaven and earth with each part helping the other to attain Salvation! Indeed, thought of in this way, we can see that the members of the Church are called to participate in Christ’s mission of Salvation and to take on His sentiments towards these Holy Souls.” (Taken from www.mdrevelation.org/the-saints-teach-us-to-pray-for-the-holy-souls/)

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary: 
My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

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Our Lord’s Passion – From a letter by St. Paul of the Cross “It is very good and holy to consider the Passion of our Lord and to meditate on it, for by this sacred path we reach union with God. In this most holy school we learn true Wisdom, for it was there that all the saints learned it. Indeed when the Cross of our dear Jesus has planted its roots more deeply in your hearts, then will you rejoice: “To suffer and not to die,” or, “Either to suffer or to die,” or better: “Neither to suffer, nor to die, but only to turn perfectly to the Will of God.” Love is a unifying Virtue which takes upon itself the torments of its beloved Lord. It is a Fire reaching through to the inmost soul. It transforms the lover into the one loved. More deeply, love intermingles with grief, and grief with love, and a certain blending of love and grief occurs. They become so united that we can no longer distinguish love from grief nor grief from love. Thus the loving heart rejoices in its sorrow and exults in its grieving love. Therefore, be constant in practicing every virtue, and especially in imitating the patience of our dear Jesus, for this is the summit of pure Love. Live in such a way that all may know that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and Mercy. For if a man is united inwardly with the Son of the living God, he also bears His likeness outwardly by his continual practice of heroic goodness, and especially through a patience reinforced by courage, which does not complain either secretly or in public. Conceal yourselves in Jesus crucified, and hope for nothing except that all men be thoroughly converted to His Will. When you become true lovers of the Crucified, you will always celebrate the feast of the Cross in the inner temple of the soul, bearing all in silence and not relying on any creature. Since festivals ought to be celebrated joyfully, those who love the Crucified should honor the feast of the Cross by enduring in silence with a serene and joyful countenance, so that their suffering remains hidden from men and is observed by God alone. For in this feast there is always a solemn banquet, and the food presented is the Will of God, exemplified by the Love of our crucified Christ.”

Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Your Precious . Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the Priesthood. Let Your holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary: My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Your Precious . Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the Priesthood. Let Your holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

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Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace) Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow Love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, Faith; where there is despair, Hope; where there is darkness, Light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to Love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary:

My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Feast day October 4)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

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Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite

O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Your Precious . Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the Priesthood. Let Your holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.
 

Suffering and Grace Physical weakness was for me a school of patience. Only Jesus knows how many efforts of the will I had to make to fulfill my duty. In order to purify a soul, Jesus uses whatever instruments he likes... The Grace of God pursued me at every step, and God spoke to me when I least expected it… I have experienced an increasing devotion to the Mother of God. She has taught me how to love God interiorly and also how to carry out His Holy Will in all things. O Mary, you are joy, because through you God descended to earth and into my heart… I often felt the Passion of the Lord Jesus in my body, although this was imperceptible to others, and I rejoiced in it because Jesus wanted it so. But this lasted for only a short time. These sufferings set my soul afire with love for God and for immortal souls. Love endures everything, love is stronger than death, love fears nothing… Suffering is a great Grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love… O life so monotonous, how many treasures you contain! When I look at everything with the eyes of Faith, no two hours are alike, and the dullness and monotony disappear. St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (b.1903 – d.1939) Jesus appeared to St. Faustina to share with her, and through her, His message of Divine Mercy for our time in human history. The messages are recorded in the Diary of St. Faustina.

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Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux, Carmelite O Jesus, eternal Priest, keep Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart, where none may touch them. Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Your Precious . Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the Priesthood. Let Your holy Love surround them and shield them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen.

Love of God Jesus points out to me the only way which leads to Love’s furnace - that way is self-surrender - it is the confidence of the little child who sleeps without fear in its father’s arms. How shall I show my love is proved by deeds? Well - the little child will strew flowers…she will embalm the Divine Throne with their fragrance, will sing with silvery voice the canticle of love. The Divine Heart’s Goodness and Merciful Love are little known! It is true that to enjoy these Treasures we must humble ourselves, must confess our nothingness - and here is where many a soul draws back. You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them. Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love. Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that the Church being a Body composed of different members, the most essential, the most noble of all the organs would not be wanting to her; I understood that the Church has a heart and that this heart is burning with Love; that it is Love alone which makes the members work, that if Love were to die away apostles would no longer preach the Gospel, martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. I understood that Love comprises all voca-tions, that Love is everything, that it embraces all times and all places because it is eternal! Love alone have I ever given to the good God; with Love He will re-pay me. When one Loves, one does not calculate. How sweet is the way of Love! True, one may fall, one may not be always faithful, but Love, knowing how to draw profit from all, very quickly consumes whatsoever may displease Jesus, leaving naught but humble and pro-found Peace in the innermost soul. Jesus, it seems to me You could not have overwhelmed a soul with more Love than You have poured out on mine. Do not imagine that Love can be found without suffering, for we carry with us our human nature; and yet, what a source of merit it is! We who run in the way of Love shouldn’t be thinking of sufferings that can take place in the fu-ture: it’s a lack of confidence, it’s like meddling in the work of creation. It is true that Love knows no such word as “impossible,” for it deems “all things possible, all things allowed.” I Love you, Jesus, and bear in mind the words of St. John of the Cross: ‘The least act of pure Love is of more value than all the other works put together.’ (From Story of a Soul by St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face)

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Longing for Love, Longing for God “The greatest longing in the spirit of man is the hunger for love. A wife looks for love from her husband, a child from its father, a servant from his master, the poor from the rich. All people hope for the favor and love of the great ones of this world and the whole world rejoices and delights in their good will. And so every spirit must rejoice and every heart exult and be im-mersed in infinite joy when we hear: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. If we desire the love of important people and take delight in their good Graces, God is the Supreme Lord of all, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the King of Infinite Power, Wisdom, Good-ness, and Generosity. Christ, moreover, the Infallible Truth, assures us that this Supreme Lord loves us with a Love so great that it cannot be put into words. The Cherubim of Glory in the Holy of Holies in God’s temple gaze as if lost in wonder. It is a sign that, even to the minds of Angels, the Divine Nature is worthy of -admiration. God is an astounding sub-stance, for He is not dependent on anything else for existence, and is Eternal and Infinite; and as God’s essence is, so also is His every at-tribute: Power, Wisdom, Goodness. God’s Power, Wisdom, and Goodness are truly remarkable and beyond comprehension. But it seems to me the most incomprehensible of all God’s attributes is His Love: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. It comes as no surprise that God Loves. For God Love is a necessity, so that it is impossible for God not to Love, as impossible as it is for Him not to be, for God is Love. As impossible as it would be for the sun not to be filled with light and for fire not to be hot, so impossible it would be for God to be without Love. God is Light, and a consuming Fire, the Light of Intelligence and the Fire of Love. It is as necessary to find Love in God as it is to find Power, Wisdom, and Goodness. In the most brilliant sun we discover every degree of light and in the hot-test fire every degree of heat. So in God, most perfect by Nature, is found every degree of perfection that can be found here and there in creatures. Love, moreover, is the most desirable perfection and, con-sequently, all things aspire to Love and hunger for Love.” St. Lawrence of Brindisi († 1619) was minister general of the Capuchin Franciscans and a prolific preacher throughout Europe. He is a Doctor of the Church.

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On the Holy Name of Mary Let us now say a few words about this Name, which means ‘star of the sea’, and is so becoming to the Virgin Mother. Surely, she is very fittingly likened to a star. The star sends forth its rays without harm to itself. In the same way the Virgin brought forth her Son with no injury to herself. The ray no more diminishes the star’s brightness than does the Son His Mother’s integrity. She indeed is that noble star risen out of Jacob whose beam enlightens the earthly globe. She it is whose brightness both twinkles in the highest Heaven and pierces the pit of hell, and is shed upon the earth, warming our hearts far more than our bodies, fostering virtue and cauterizing vice. She, I tell you, is that splendid and wondrous star suspended as by necessity over this great wide sea, radiant with merit and brilliant in example. O you, whoever you are, who feel that in the tidal wave of this world you are nearer to being tossed about among the squalls and gales than treading on dry land, if you do not want to founder in the tempest, do not avert your eyes from the brightness of this star. When the wind of temptation blows up within you, when you strike upon the rock of tribulation, gaze up at this star, call out to Mary. Whether you are being tossed about by the waves of pride or ambition or slander or jealousy, call out to Mary. When rage or greed or fleshly desires are battering the skiff of your soul, gaze up at Mary. When the immensity of your sins weighs you down and you are bewildered by the loathsomeness of your conscience, when the terrifying thought of judgement appalls you and you begin to founder in the gulf of sadness and despair, think of Mary. In dangers, in hardships, in every doubt, think of Mary, call out to Mary. Keep her in your mouth, keep her in your heart. Follow the example of her life and you will obtain the favor of her prayer. Following her you will never go astray. Asking her help, you will never despair. Keeping her in your thoughts, you will never wander away. With your hand in hers, you will never stumble. With her protecting you, you will not be afraid. With her leading you, you will never tire. Her kindness will see you through to the end. Then you will know by your own experience how true it is that ‘the Virgin’s Name was Mary’. (A reflection by St. Bernard of Clairvaux 1090 - 1153)

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A Prayer for Trust and Confidence in God’s Mercy by St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Feast: Sept. 23) O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your Divine Mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church. Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your Cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our Cross that leads to Heavenly Glory. May we receive You with great Faith and Love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us as You desire for your greater Glory. O Jesus, most adorable Heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your Heavenly Father. Amen.

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The Victory of the Holy Cross –September 14- Feast day ofthe Exaltation of the Holy Cross

“Have you seen the wonderful Victory? Have you seen the splendid deeds of the Holy Cross? Shall I tell you something still more marvelous? Learn in what way the Victory was gained, and you will be even more astonished. For by the very means by which the devil had conquered, by these Christ conquered him; and taking up the weapons with which he had fought, He defeated him. Listen to how it was done. A virgin, a tree and a death were the symbols of our defeat. The virgin was Eve: she had not yet known man; the tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; the death was Adam’s penalty. But behold again a Virgin and a tree and a death, those symbols of defeat, become the symbols of His Victory. For in place of Eve there is Mary; in place of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the tree of the Holy Cross; in place of the death of Adam, the death of Christ. Do you see him defeated by the very things through which he had conquered? At the foot of the tree the devil overcame Adam; at the foot of the tree Christ vanquished the devil. And that first tree sent men to Hades; this second one calls back even those who had already gone down there. Again, the former tree concealed man already despoiled and stripped; the second tree shows a naked Victor on high for all to see. And that earlier death condemned those who were born after it; this second death gives life again to those who were born before it. Who can tell the Lord’s mighty deeds? By death we were made immortal: these are the glorious deeds of the Holy Cross. Have you understood the Victory? Have you grasped how it was wrought? Learn now, how this Victory was gained without any sweat or toil of ours. No weapons of ours were stained with blood; our feet did not stand in the front line of battle; we suffered no wounds; witnessed no tumults; and yet we obtained the Victory. The battle was the Lord’s, the crown is ours. Since then Victory is ours, let us imitate the soldiers, ®and with joyful voices sing the songs of Victory. Let us praise the Lord and say, Death is swallowed up in Victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The Holy Cross did all these wonderful things for us: the Holy Cross is a war memorial erected against the demons, a sword against sin, the sword with which Christ slew the serpent. The Holy Cross is the Father’s Will, the glory of the Only-begotten, the Spirit’s exultation, the beauty of the angels, the guardian of the Church. Paul glories in the Holy Cross; it is the rampart of the saints, it is the light of the whole world.” Sermon by St. John Chrysostom

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Mary, Mother and Queen of all Hearts

“Observe how fitting it was that even before her Assumption the Name of Mary shone forth wondrously throughout the world. Her fame spread everywhere even before she was raised above the heavens in her magnificence. Because of the honor due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon earth and then be raised up to Heaven in glory. It was fitting that her fame be spread in this world below, so that she might enter the heights of Heaven in overwhelming blessedness. Just as she was borne from virtue to virtue by the Spirit of the Lord, she was transported from earthly renown to heavenly brightness. So it was that she began to taste the fruits of her future reign while still in the flesh. At one moment she withdrew to God in ecstasy; at the next she would bend down to her neighbors with indescribable Love. In Heaven Angels served her, while here on earth she was venerated by the service of men. Gabriel and the Angels waited upon her in Heaven. The virgin John, rejoicing that the Virgin Mother was entrusted to him at the Cross, cared for her with the other Apostles here below. The Angels rejoiced to see their Queen; the Apostles rejoiced to see their Lady, and both obeyed her with loving devotion. Dwelling in the loftiest citadel of virtue, like a sea of Divine Grace or an unfathomable source of Love that has everywhere overflowed its banks, she poured forth her bountiful waters on trusting and thirsting souls. Able to preserve both flesh and spirit from death she bestowed health-giving salve on bodies and souls. Has anyone ever come away from her troubled or saddened or ignorant of the heavenly mysteries? Who has not returned to everyday life gladdened and joyful because his request had been granted by the Mother of God? She is a Bride, so gentle and affectionate, and the Mother of the only true Bridegroom. In her abundant goodness she has channeled the spring of reason’s garden, the well of living and lifegiving waters that pour forth in a rushing stream from Divine Lebanon and flow down from Mount Zion until they surround the shores of every far-flung nation. With Divine Assistance she has redirected these waters and made them into streams of Peace and pools of Grace. Therefore, when the Virgin of virgins was led forth by God and her Son, the King of kings, amid the company of exulting Angels and rejoicing Archangels, with the heavens ringing with praise, the prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled, in which he said to the Lord: At Your right hand stands the Queen, clothed in gold of Ophir. (From a homily by St. Amadeus of Lausanne, Bishop)