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Friday 21 November 2014

Power to The People-YOU!


For years now, I have heard the litany of the sins of priests and bishops as the reason why so many Catholics have left the Church or have had bad teaching. Yes, the laity were led astray and let down.

But....

I am having a huge rant on this subject today.

STOP blaming others for ignorance which can be remedied.

Any adult Catholic can read the catechism, find the millions of books on Catholic doctrine and spirituality, watch superb videos by Voris, or the Lighthouse Catholic Media CDs, which are mostly excellent. EWTN has teachings daily on most subjects as well.

Catholic adults can find books and multi-media on any subject concerning our Faith, prayer, the sacraments, the Mass and so on.

STOP blaming priests who have bad sermons. STOP blaming priests who are heretics. I hear bad sermons and heresy frequently. But, after Mass, I pray, and find out what I need to know to get to heaven.

We all can find the Truth if we want to do so. If one is poor, one can read the Bible or ask for a CCC for a Christmas present.

God does not hide the Truth.

I have spent hours this past week trying to teach Catholics about grace, sin, and conversion. I am available daily when people want to learn. Some do not want to know Catholic teaching because then they will have to change.

I have prayed for those who are living in sin. I know many women who pray daily for others to convert. These women are fantastic prayer warriors and committed.

They pray for heretical priests daily.

Find what you need.

There are multiple retreats this very weekend on this island.

At some point, all of these complaining people must take responsibility for their own salvation.

STOP blaming parents, nuns, monks, cardinals, even the Pope.

Find someone who knows orthodoxy, and listen to that person. Be humble. Learn. If you do not know anyone, I do, and can share good sources.

I am astonished at the number of adults who never use the Internet for Catholic information.

There is a veritable feast of information on the Net for all of us. Classics by the great saints are available more now than ever before.

STOP saying the Internet is evil and use it while you can.

A sign of maturity occurs when a person stops blaming others for their own shortcomings and begins to make up for lost education or training. We can all do this. 

God and His grace are not hindered by time or place or personal histories.

He waits for us to ask for knowledge, and then gives it in abundance, if we really want it.








Choosing To Hate

John 15:18-25Douay-Rheims 

18 If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated me before you.
19 If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him who sent me.
22 If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 He that hateth me, hateth my Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25 But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law: They hated me without cause.

Awaiting The Command


Many of my friends have expressed to me the growing sense of hatred in the cities, towns, places where they live and work.

This sense of hatred seems to be felt more in families as well, as divisions seem to be growing larger, more obvious.

A wise man told me yesterday that Malta was going to regret allowing so many non-Christians into this small country, as these people simply do not have the same standard of loving one's neighbor or mannerly behavior. Healthy men sit while white aged women with canes stand. Men do not move out of the way on the sidewalks making white women move. Men stare at white women in outward lust and hatred.

To be among the unbaptized is daily a different experience than living among the baptized.

Aggressive behavior among the youth has caused some tourists to tell me they are no longer feeling safe here, and may not come back again.

Two "Arabs" sexually attacked two women and a boy, doing the worst to all three. No one wants to admit that Malta is changing because of hatred.

Hatred has also reared its hydra-head among Catholics, who want to persist in the fantasy that they are saved just by being Catholics. They resist grace, and, thereby, fall into disdain for the truth and hatred for the truth. The few, the remnant, are learning how to share love among those who outwardly hate them and hate the truth.

Why is this happening so quickly?

God in His Divine Providence has willed a time when satan is allowed a free hand. This time is for the creation of saints and the punishment of the unrepentant. This time is now.

That truth, that God from all eternity knew these times would come, and is in charge, should give us comfort.

What I see is the attacking of any type of goodness and saintliness.

Hatred of the Truth marks those who refuse to leave sinful lifestyles, and want to rationalize their own behaviors. Hatred of Truth is direct hatred of Christ.

It is very lonely trying to love, living among those who are choosing hate.

Some people simply do not believe that others choose evil, but they do.

One of my dear friends in the army told me he has met many men who choose hatred, who choose violence, who choose evil over good. He said the enemy hates all who are not exactly like they are.

God gives mankind free will and allows us to use this gift daily. God will not overcome our free wills. God see our free wills as sacred, as free will is one way we are made in the image and likeness of God.

He does not force someone to love Him or to love others. He allows them the freedom to hate or to love.

Denial of Sin=Denial of Christ


Recently, it has occurred to me that the separation of the sheep and the goats is not only in the future at the final judgment, but now.

More and more I am seeing people simply walking away from the Truth. I have met too many people who deny that sin is sin, that the Church has the fullness of Truth, and that the only way to heaven is through Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

It may be that some people are more open about discussing the fact that they are Catholics and have departed from even believing in the Ten Commandments.

But, I think there is a new boldness, a new arrogance of sin which is held even by some Catholics.

I cannot understand people lying about sin when it is clearly shown to them. Some people are grateful when something serious is pointed out in loving concern. But, to outright deny natural law is a new boldness I have seen in the past few weeks.

People do not want to know Church teaching. They do not want to hear about tough decisions of repentance.

They want cheap grace, and false hopes of salvation without repentance.

Denial of sin in one's self leads to the denial of sin in others. Grandparents who now are supportive of ssm just because one of their grandchildren is living a gay lifestyle is one example of the denial of sin I have met in the States and in several European countries. These Catholics do not see that by ignoring or cooperating with evil they are endangering their own souls.

Christ did not have a middle group of animals in the separation of the sheep and the goats. There are no lamas in between, those who may have had the Truth once but decided it was too hard, too inconvenient.

Sadly, salvation does come down to our own decisions as to whether we follow Christ and His Church, not man-made "religions". To ignore the Truth is a sin in and of itself.

To deny sin is to deny the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Indeed, to deny sin is to deny the Incarnation.


Important Article on Kenya Situation

http://rationalcatholicblog.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/does-the-kenyan-unicef-tetanus-vaccine-contain-hcg-and-make-women-infertile/

Oh No... Guess Who Did The New Introduction to This Edition?

http://www.ignatius.com/Products/DWH2-P/dare-we-hope-2nd-edition.aspx

Robert Barron has done the Introduction to the Second Edition of von Balthasar's Dare We Hope....

Arrghgh!


Good Catholic Readers-Request for Prayer

Like Fr. Z and Spencer and others who are in the public arena, I get hate mail. I ask your prayers that this would stop as it has increased in the past four weeks.

Trolls who hate and want to interfere with good causes are not on the side of Christ.

Pray for all Catholic bloggers. If you saw the comments, you would be appalled.

Most of those who send hateful comments are liberals, or belong to non-Christian groups.


STM

No longer a republic

http://www.wnd.com/2014/11/caesar-obama/

Tyranny-the people of the US did not want this. There is no screening for criminals, none. Gang members have already said they have entered illegally.

Our ancestors had to learn English and pass tests to get into the US, plus pledge loyalty to the US Constitution.

No longer the case and divided loyalites are not accepted.

Sad day for the US plus the president crossed a line.

The founding fathers never dreamed of an executive branch with this much power.

Just wait....We are no longer a Republic. Buchanan gets it.

Thus does our constitutional law professor-president “faithfully execute” the laws of the United States he has twice swore to uphold?
Our rogue president has crossed an historic line, and so has the republic. Future presidents will cite the “Obama precedent” when they declare they will henceforth not enforce this or that law, because of a prior commitment to some noisy constituency.
We have just taken a monumental step away from republicanism toward Caesarism. For this is rule by diktat, the rejection of which sparked the American Revolution.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/11/caesar-obama/#xjoIOkrCTxsSiIpE.99

More for Mary Day on The Blog-Mystical Rose

Saturday, 19 May 2012


Rose of the World, Mystical Rose


words to this song are the second hymn below...



I am in a meditative mood. I have been thinking of Mary Our Mother and her name, popular in Medieval Times, as the Mystical Rose. The title above is from the first of the two carols posted today. 

I meditate on the lovely words of two ancient carols--- pondering her innocence and beauty on this cold, wet Saturday-- the day of Mary. Earlier this week, I wrote that the Medievals in the East knew of the blue rose. Here are some roses for Mary. One poem, (and both are sung at Christmas), refers to the red rose, but I am sure Mary likes the color blue. Some of you will know the music. She, the Theotokos, brings beauty into our lives.





Of a Rose Synge We 1450


 Of a rose synge we:
    Misterium mirabile.

This rose is railed on a rys;
He hath bought the prince of prys,
And in this tyme soth hit ys,
Viri sine semine.


This rose is reed of colour bryght,
Throw whom oure joye gan alyght,
Uppon a Cristys masse nyght,
Claro David germine.


Of this rose was Cryst y-bore,
To save mankynde that was forlore;
And us alle from synnes sore,
Prophetarum carmine.


This rose, of flourys she is flour,
She ne wole fade for no shour,
To synful men she sent socour,
Mira plenitudine.


This rose is so faire of hywe,
In maide Mary that is so trywe,
Y-borne was lorde of virtue,
Salvator sine crimine.






There is No Rose of Such Virtue  1420

There is no rose of such virtue

As is the rose that bare Jesu;
    Alleluia.

For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in little space;
    Res miranda.

By that rose we may well see
That he is God in persons three,
    Pari forma.

The angels sungen the shepherds to:
Gloria in excelsis deo:
    Gaudeamus.

Leave we all this worldly mirth,
And follow we this joyful birth;
    Transeamus.

 Alleluia, res miranda,
Pares forma, gaudeamus,
    Transeamus.


What Is Freely Given

Anyone may reprint and use the Litany of the Rosary, but if anyone prints it for a fee, I would ask for recompense. However, as God inspires me freely, so please copy and use the Litany freely.

God is Good in His angels and in His saints.

Litany of Loreto Rosary Glorious Mysteries

The Litany of Loreto Rosary-Part 12-The Glorious Mysteries-The First Glorious Mystery, The Resurrection

The Litany of Loreto Rosary The First Glorious Mystery The Resurrection John 20:1-18

Our Father

Virgin Mother Mary,  as you died with Christ by enduring Calvary, so have you been raised by Him into glory. Pray that we may be always willing to die and then to rise with Christ.

Hail Mary one

Mark 14:24
This is my blood of the new covenant, which is being shed for many.

Hail Mary two

Comfort of the Afflicted
Simone Weil, the Jewish philosopher and mystic, wrote that affliction by definition is physical, emotional and mental pain inflicted on the innocent. It is in the nature of affliction that it attacks the pure of heart. Mary was afflicted with Christ and is the most afflicted woman in history. Mary experienced spiritually, emotionally, mentally all her Son's agony, which was the entire, whole agony of the human race. Weil's idea of malheur fits Mary perfectly. All women who  have suffered, the woman who has lost her husband in war, the mother who has seen her child die because of the concentration camp horrors, the woman whose lover has been mocked by enemies, all are the Mater Dolorosa. Yet, in Mary alone is our comfort, for in her is found endurance, faith, hope, peace and the way to the empty tomb, to the victory of Christ's Resurrection, which is Mary's victory and ours.

Hail Mary three

Comfort us, Mother, with the hope of new life, won by your Son, through affliction.

Hail Mary four

Mark 16:2-3
And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb, when the sun had just risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll the stone back from the entrance of the tomb for us?"

Hail Mary five

Help of Christians
The women at the tomb questioned who would help them remove the barrier to their Beloved Jesus. How often do we perceive barriers, keeping us from Christ, from love? Mary is our help to remove the wall keeping love and Christ away. Her name, Help of Christians, resounds like a battle-cry. The spiritual journey is a personal battle, a war against confusion, laziness, sin, despair.

Hail Mary six

Mary, the Lord, Victor, is with you. Help of Christians, aid us in facing our inner darkness of sin and imperfections, that we may be raised to new life in Christ.  Amen.

Hail Mary seven

Mark 16:5
But on entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were amazed.

Hail Mary eight

Queen of Angels
Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord, left a messenger in the tomb. The concepts of angels and queens are lost to many modern minds. And yet, we have eye-witness accounts as to the presence of this angel in the tomb. The Lord employed His servant-spirits to bear the news of His Incarnation and His Resurrection-the two events so tied in history. Mary is the leader, the sovereign, over all these spiritual beings who praise and serve God constantly. She, who said "yes" readily to the Will of God for just this moment in history, the Resurrection of Christ, the victory over Death and damnation, is now Queen of Angels. Like the angels, the Queen is worthy of reigning over those whose entire existence is saying yes constantly in joy to God. The family of God includes a variety of creatures who serve and love God, angels and men. Mary is Queen of all.

Hail Mary nine

Pray for us, Queen of Angels, that someday we may each join the angels in heaven praising the Risen Lord.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

The Litany of Loreto Rosary- Part 13-The Glorious Mysteries-The Second Glorious Mystery, The Ascension

The Litany of Loreto-The Second Glorious Mystery The Ascension  Acts 1:1-14

Our Father

Mary Mother, pray that we may be bold and zealous for the sake of the Kingdom.

Hail Mary one

Deuteronomy 30:14
But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth and in they heart, that thou mayest do it.

Hail Mary two

Queen of Confessors
Many saints are named "Confessor": St Edward, King of England, St. Maximus the Confessor, and others. A confessor is one who is willing to publicly witness to the truth of the Gospel. At the Ascension, Christ commissioned His followers to witness to Himself. Mary, the Queen of Confessors, receives honor for witnessing, and gives honor to those who "go public" for Jesus Christ, her Son.

Hail Mary three

St. Mary, you gave witness to Christ your entire life. Pray that we may have courage to confess the Lord's rule over all the earth.

Hail Mary four

Deuteronomy 1:8
Behold, said he, I have delivered it to you: go in and posses it, concerning which the Lord swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that he would give it to them, and their seed after them.

Hail Mary five

Queen of Patriarchs
What a magnificent title to be given to the Little Maid of Nazareth. Queen of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Mary is elevated above the men who carried on the covenant and who waited for the promise of that covenant faithfully. Mary has initiated the New Covenant with her fiat. Now, she sees it ratified with the Blood of the Lamb daily on the altars of the world at Mass. She reigns as a sign of this new era, the covenant of the New Law, the New Contract between God and Man, which resides in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. So, the patriarchs praise her.

Hail Mary six

Thank you, Queen of Patriarchs, for your fidelity. Continue to bless our patriarchal Church established by your Son before He ascended into heaven.

Hail Mary seven

Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but that thou fear the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways, and love Him, and serve the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul...

Hail Mary eight

Queen of Prophets
To be a Catholic in the modern world is to be a prophet. Mary, Queen of Moses, David, Daniel, Isaias, Jeremias, and John the Baptist is our Queen. She brought the Word of God into the world, the fulfillment of all prophecies. She is a prophet to us today and understands our need for the graces of courage and commitment.

Hail Mary nine

Queen of Prophets, intercede that we may always speak life-giving, true words to all people, including our own families. Help us to fulfill the mission given by Christ at His Ascension to preach the Gospel to all people and baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

To be continued....

The Litany of Loreto Rosary Part 14-The Glorious Mysteries-The Third Glorious Mystery, The Descent of The Holy Spirit

The Litany of Loreto Rosary The Third Glorious Mystery The Descent of The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-3

Our Father

Come, Holy Spirit Come

Hail Mary one

Philippians 1:14
And the greater number of the brethren in the Lord, gaining courage from my chains, have dared to speak the word of God more freely and without fear.

Hail Mary two

Queen of Martyrs
Mary, in the fullness of grace, demonstrated the great courage of the martyrs at the foot of the Cross. She was filled with the Indwelling of the Holy Trinity, and the Holy Spirit worked through her to give courage to others. The Queen of Martyrs leads us to victory, through Christ, over all difficulties. She witnessed to Christ at the foot of the Cross. She, as witness and sharer in the Passion, is the Queen of Martyrs.  She leads the company of martyrs in glory.

Hail Mary three

Queen Mary, intercede that the Holy Spirit may stir up the gifts we have received in Confirmation, mostly fortitude and courage. Let us be ready, like you, to give our entire lives for the sake of Jesus Christ, you Son, by laying down our lives daily in little ways.

Hail Mary four

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.

Hail Mary five

Queen of Apostles
St. Paul wrote the words we have just prayed. He, also, called an “Apostle”, knew discouragement, trials, even shipwreck. He knew that the Holy Spirit brings to the fore the gifts received in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Mary, holy from the moment of her existence, brings us all to Christ, with love, fortitude, courage. She was an apostle, ending the chain of death and sin from her first being in her mother’s womb. She brought Christ toElizabeth, the work of an apostle. She brought Christ into the world at Bethlehem, the work of an apostle. She brought Christ into the public eye at Cana, the work of an apostle.  Mary is Queen of those today who are followers of the apostles, the disciples of Christ, who go into the world to preach the Good News.

Hail Mary six

Virgin Mary, Queen, pray that we may always respond to the movement of the Holy Spirit within us to spread the Gospel to all nations.

Hail Mary seven

Philippians 3:7-8
But the things that were gain to me, the same I have counted loss for Christ.
Furthermore I count all things to be but loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as dung, that I may gain Christ... 

Hail Mary eight

Queen of Virgins
Virginity is both a physical fact and an interior disposition. One’s heart, mind and soul must be centered on Christ to be virginal. Purity and detachment, as well as purity of the body, are marks of the virgin. Paul’s words indicate that he, through the Spirit, achieved purity of heart, mind and soul he lost through sin, but gained through grace. But, there is one person who is all pure, always virginal and that is Mary. No other creature has the perfection of virginity, in mind, heart, soul, and body than does Mary. She is the clearest vessel of purity and love. She was pure from the first moment of her existence, as a tiny creature in her mother’s womb, free from an concupiscence, from all impurities, from Original Sin. Indeed, she is the pure Bride, the Queen of Virgins.

Hail Mary nine

St. Mary, through the Holy Spirit, may we regain a simplicity and purity of heart lost through sin. May we become detached from the many threads of impurity which pull us away from God. May we become pure so that we may witness Christ in a world trapped in confusion, complexity and sin.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

The Litany of Loreto Rosary Part 15-The Glorious Mysteries-The Fourth Glorious Mystery, The Assumption

The Litany of Loreto Rosary  The Fourth Glorious Mystery  The Assumption

Our Father

Glorious Virgin, stir up the virtue of faith in us, that we may see beyond the decay and dust of the grave to life in Christ forever and ever.

Hail Mary one

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord; And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all.

Hail Mary two

Queen of all saints
The Blessed Mother reveals all the varieties of the gifts of the Spirit. A saint, such as Joan of Arc or Elizabeth Ann Seton, may be famous for a particular, outstanding virtue or charism. The poet, Dante, places Mary at the center of the celestial dance of all the saints, as she is the perfection of all virtues, all charisms.  She is the firstborn of the Church of all the saints. She is their Queen.

Hail Mary three

St. Mary, Queen of all saints, give us the single-mindedness necessary to become saints, that someday, with you, we may praise God for all eternity, in our bodies with our souls.

Hail Mary four

1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

Hail Mary five

Queen conceived without Original Sin
Wonderful interference, wonderful prevenient grace. God, through one female embryo, halted the chain of sin and death which we all inherit from our mothers and fathers. Mary, the Immaculate Conception, was born free of all fault, either physical, psychological, or spiritual, so that she would be the perfect Mother for the perfect Son of God. Free from death's corruption, a result of the Original Sin she did not have, Mary "naturally" was assumed into heaven.

Hail Mary six

The New Eve, Immaculate Mary, Queen without sin, pray for us, the children of Eve.

Hail Mary seven

1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed.

Hail Mary eight

Queen assumed into heaven
Mary's fate is a prophecy of our fate. With our physical bodies, we shall be with God. We cannot deny the animal part of ourselves. Body and soul, we are saved, purified, perfected through grace.

Hail Mary nine

Lady assumed into heaven, we gratefully thank God for the Incarnational event of your assumption into heaven body and soul. With hope, we celebrate this honoring of your flesh as well as your spirit. With joy, we celebrate this recognition of your position in heaven.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

To be continued...

The Litany of Loreto Rosary Part 16-The Glorious Mysteries-The Fifth Glorious Mystery, The Coronation of The Virgin Mary

The Litany of Loreto Rosary  The Fifth Glorious Mystery  The Coronation of The Virgin Mary

Our Father

Virgin, Mother, Queen, accept this rosary, as it comes to an end, as a finite gift to you.

Hail Mary one

Sirach 1:8-9
There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

Hail Mary two

Queen of the Holy Rosary
This title indicates that this exercise of prayer bears honor and praise to Our Lady. That such a simple devotion pleases the Queen of the Universe reveals her humility and greatness. Let us never scorn the small ways to become closer to God, for in simple things we learn our true place before God.

Hail Mary three

Mother Mary, accept this humble, imperfectly said prayer of ours. Intercede, gracious Queen, that we all may grow in simplicity of faith even as we grow in knowledge of God.

Hail Mary four

Sirach 1:22-24
The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:  And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God. Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.

Hail Mary five

Queen of Peace
Perhaps at this time in history, this title of Mary is most close to our hearts. In order to dispense peace, one must be peaceful. Creative peace has not yet been seen on the earth. By meditating on this title of Mary, may we come to learn how to become truly peaceful, so that we may give peace to others

Hail Mary six

Mary, Queen of Peace, soften our hard hearts, teach us how to forgive, that we may forgive in meekness and, therefore, delight in brotherly love.

Hail Mary seven

Ecclesiasticus 24:3-5
And in the midst of her own people she shall be exalted, and shall be admired in the holy assembly.  And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying: I came out of the mouth of the most High, the firstborn before all creatures...

Hail Mary eight

Queen of Heaven
This title has been one of the most common names for Mary. The author of Ecclesiasticus personifies Wisdom as a great Lady. The Queen of Heaven has been identified with Holy Wisdom. As Queen of Heaven, as Holy Wisdom, Mary receives the highest praise a mortal woman has ever received. She, indeed, is blessed among women.

Hail Mary nine

Queen of Heaven, teach us to act like the sons and daughter of the great King which we are through baptism. Help us to be wise, holy, prudent, temperate, just, full of courage. Teach us to treat each other with dignity and respect, as future inhabitants of heaven. 

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

Hail Holy Queen

Rosary Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

(Note: as I wrote this between 1979 and 1984, giving it to my mother in 1984, I did not write meditations on the Luminous Mysteries, as these did not then exist. I may write thoughts on these later, if readers want me to so so. I am surprised myself as to how "contemporary" the words of this text, at the latest, a full 30 years old and at the earliest, 35 years old. God is good and He never changes in His words to us.)

The end for now.

Litany of Loreto Rosary Repost Sorrowful Mysteries

Wednesday, 15 January 2014


The Litany of Loreto Rosary Part Seven-The Sorrowful Mysteries-The First Sorrowful Mystery, The Agony in The Garden

The Litany of Loreto Rosary The First Sorrowful Mystery Matthew 26: 36-46

Our Father

Mary, pray for us that we may be watchful at all times, for the coming of the Lord, even if watchfulness brings suffering.

Hail Mary one

Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all you labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you find rest for yours souls.

Hail Mary two

Mirror of Justice
To be a mirror, Mary faces Christ in His suffering and reflects Him. Christ is Justice, the only Man Who can truly judge right and wrong. All of our actions, or decisions have consequences which follow naturally, as one season yields to another, and as lie yields to death. Mary reflects not only suffering, but the feminine nature of Creation God created before the Fall, as beautiful and virtuous. She reminds us of a world we ignore, or consciously attempt to destroy in the fury of "progress" and sin. Mary reflects Christ's hierarchy of goodness over all of creation. She reminds us of the natural processes of our lives, which leads to eternal life or death.
The Just One endured an illegal and unjust trial. Justice endured injustice and Mary did as well, enduring this suffering with her Son. We are freed from the supernatural consequences of our sins-eternal death. Mary, as the Mirror of Justice, reveals Truth to the world.

Hail Mary three

Have pity on us, Mirror of Justice, and lead us to righteousness, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Hail Mary four

Matthew 11:16-19
But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the market place, who call to their companions, and say "We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have sung dirges, and you have not mourned."  For John came neither eating and drinking, and they say "He has a devil!" The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Behold a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children.

Hail Mary five

Seat of Wisdom
Christ referred to Wisdom in His address to the unbelieving crowd. He meant, among other things, that those who are wise reveal themselves by their actions. A wise person responds to the advice of spiritual persons, and responds to the grace of God. Mary, Sedes Sapientia, is the place where Wisdom rests. In her, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifested as perfect. Her name Seat of Wisdom indicates a position of simplicity, humility, reason and peace. He Son lacked her comfort in the Garden of Gethsemane. We gain her presence and the comfort of Wisdom through His loss in this mystery.

Hail Mary six

Seat of Wisdom, who held the Divine Child in your lap, and who held the dead Christ, pray that we may become Children of Wisdom in this foolish generation.

Hail Mary seven

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and, speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for my sake. Rejoice and exult, because your reward is great in heaven; for so did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Hail Mary eight

Cause of our Joy
Did Christ recall His own words in the Garden of Gethsemane? He knew the long history of the rejection of the prophets of Israel. Yet, He told His disciples to rejoice. Anguish, at first, drives away promises of hope; all one can affirm in suffering is "The will be done." Mary's fiat let the Passion occur, Beyond the Garden of Gethsemane lies the empty tomb, unseen, yet hoped for in the promises of the prophets. Our joy, through Mary, is Christ's victory. But, He allowed Himself to take our anguish, our sorrows for that Cause. Mary's yes is Christ's yes.

Hail Mary nine

Cause of our Joy, intercede for us, that we may have grateful hearts. Pray for us, that we may be as generous in suffering as Jesus Christ was in the surrender of our wills, bodies, and spirits to the Father,

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

(I cannot believe I wrote this in 1979-1984, but I did. This could have been written yesterday.)

To be continued...

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

The Litany of Loreto Part Eight-The Sorrowful Mysteries-The Second Sorrowful Mystery, The Scourging at The Pillar

The Litany of Loreto The Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar  John 19:1-5

Our Father

Virgin Mary, have mercy on us. Pray that we may be humble in the face of unjust criticisms and rejection.

Hail Mary one

Lamentations 1:12
O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow: for he hath made a vintage of me, as the Lord spoke in the day of His fierce anger

Hail Mary two

Spiritual Vessel
A vessel may be a cup, or a ship, or any carved-out thing capable of holding something. Sorrow hollows out our hearts so that we may be filled with love. Christ was a strong Man. He knew He was the Son of God, and was always in the Presence of the Trinity. He knew His "rights" as the Son of the Most High, as the Messiah, the Promised One. The scourging was an experience of the withdrawal of the Father's loving protection for our sake. Christ did not cry out for His Godhead, His "rights" to be recognized. Mary, too, experienced pain with her Son. She, too was made empty--a vessel read to be filled in a few days with new love and joy at the salvation of all mankind. The vessel was emptied and filled, the Cup of Salvation, now filled with Christ's Blood, through the spirituality of His Mother Mary, through her yes, which she said over and over and over during the Passion.

Hail Mary three

Spiritual Vessel, only that which is emptied may be filled. Pray for us that we may be freed of all self-will in order to be overflowing with the wine of new life.

Hail Mary four

Lamentations 3: 15 and 30
He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath inebriated me with wormwood.

He shall give his cheek to him that striketh him, he shall be filled with reproaches.

Hail Mary five

Vessel of Honor
Do we not honor someone who has undergone great suffering and triumphed over pain? The wine of pain becomes the wine of honor. Mary's sainthood was dearly bought. Let us not take for granted her sacrifice, her holiness. Let us honor her who is most honorable and holds the honor of God more than any other human.

Hail Mary six

Lamentations 3:21
These things I shall think over in my heart, therefore will I hope.

Mary, pray for us who hold sorrow in our hearts.

Hail Mary seven

Lamentations 4:1-2
How is the gold become dim, the finest color is changed, the stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the top of every street? The noble sons of Sion, and they that were clothed with the best gold: how they esteemed as

Hail Mary eight

Singular Vessel of Devotion
Mary is unusual in that she, a golden chalice of graceful shape, is reduced to a clay pot during the humiliation of her Son. As her Son was degraded, so was she. Mary experienced every wound inflicted on her only Child. Mary has, indeed, "earned" our devotion. Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother is a powerful love and when we love, we are devoted which means very, very loving.

Hail Mary nine

Mother of the Suffering Christ, pray for us that we may not be afraid of the sufferings of our lives, of our friends, of our relatives. Help us to not hide from the pain of others and help us be devoted to you, Sorrowful Mother.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

To be continued...
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Wednesday, 15 January 2014

The Litany of Loreto Rosary Part Nine-The Sorrowful Mysteries-The Third Mystery, The Crowning with Thorns

The Litany of Loreto Rosary The Third Sorrowful Mystery The Crowning of Thorns John 19:23

Our Father

Mother Mary, enlighten our minds that we may understand deeply the significance of Christ's Passion in our lives.

Hail Mary one

Isaias 53:5
But he was wounded for our iniquities: he was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.

Hail Mary two

Mystical Rose
At the Christmas Eve Mass of old, the Passion is recalled to remind us of the reason for the Incarnation. Mary's title, Rosa Mystica was particularly popular in the Middle Ages. A Medieval Poem provides us with a meditation: let us remember that when we crown Mary with roses, that her crown of glory was a crown with thorns.

There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bear Jesu:
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
Heaven and earth in a little space:
Res Miranda.
By that rose we may well see
There be one God in Persons Three:
Pares forma.
The angels sang, the shepherds too:
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Gaudeamus.
Leave we all this worldly mirth
And follow we this joyful birth:
Transeamus.

Let us follow the Son of God from Bethlehem to Calvary. Mary's fiat was a yes to both His Life and Death, to His Crown of Thorns and Crown of Glory.

Hail Mary three

Mary, in our sorrows, give us a glimpse of joy, and in our joys keep us mindful of our end. Let us hold both joy and sorrow, life and death, lightly in our hands.

Hail Mary four

Isaias 61:4
And they shall build the places that have been waste from of old, and shall raise up ancient ruins, and shall repair the desolate cities, that were destroyed for generation and generation.

Hail Mary five

Tower of David
A tower is used both for defense and decoration. Towers indicated the wealth and power of a lord in ancient times, and in all times up to the present day. These edifices demonstrate the pride of the owners. David, the beloved King, symbolizes the entire nation of the Jews. To name Mary a Tower emphasizes her strength as well as her beauty. To call her the Tower of David points to her status within the People of Israel-she is their defense and their glory. But, in suffering, Mary stood strong, bravely, like a tower holding the assaults of the enemy at bay. How ironic, that Christ, Israel's True King, would be crowned with thorns, and that His Mother would be considered the parent of an outcast, when instead, she is the Pride of Israel.

Hail Mary six

Tower of David, Hope of Israel, pray for all those who do not know your Son, the King of Kings wearing their Crown of Thorns.

Hail Mary seven

Isaias 49:22
Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and will set up my standard to the people...

Hail Mary eight

Tower of Ivory
Ivory, the lovely cream tusk of the elephant, was not indigenous to the Holy Land. That Mary is named Tower of Ivory indicates her position as Queen, defender, pride of the Gentiles. Her strength was tried in the Passion. As Christ was mocked, so was Mary. As Christ was assaulted, so was Mary. As Christ would be glorified, so would be Mary. A Tower of Ivory unscathed by suffering...

Hail Mary nine

Mary, Mother of all Nations, pray for all peoples, even those who persecute Christ today, that they may recognize in the sufferings of Christ the real source of new life.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

To be continued....

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

The Litany of Loreto-Part Ten-The Sorrowful Mysteries-The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery, The Carrying of The Cross

The Litany of Loreto  The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery The Carrying of the Cross John 20: 17

Our Father

Virgin, help us to do what St. Ireneaus suggested: "to accept the Cross as God sends it, not as we imagine it to be."

Hail Mary one

Hebrews 3:4-6
For every house is built by someone; but he who created all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful "in all his house" as a servant, to testify concerning those things that were to be spoken; but Christ is faithful as the Son over his own house. We are that house, if we hold fast to the confidence and the hope in which we glory unto the end.

Hail Mary two

House of Gold
Mary is the House, the Temple of God. She is the Tabernacle of Gold-the Gold of the Eucharist. Remember Christ's statement referring to His Passion, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Temple is Christ's Body, Mary, the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ. Through the Calvary event, Mary and Christ call us to enter into their house. Mary, as the Bride of God, looks towards the Church as the Bride of Christ, and in the Passion, the Church is saved from eternal death with all mankind. Christ is the Gold, which God the Father allowed to be seen only as clay on the Via Dolorosa. The way for all of us to the House of God is the road of suffering, of carrying our cross.

Hail Mary three

Blessed Mary, help us to become solid gold bricks in the House of the Lord, through your intercession.

Hail Mary four

Hebrews 9:3-4
..but beyond the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden censor and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid on every side with gold. In the Ark was a golden pot containing the manna and the rod of Aaron which had budded, and the tablets of the covenant...

Hail Mary five

Ark of the Covenant
The simple maid of Nazareth became the New Ark of the New Covenant. Christ's suffering on the road to Calvary ratified the new agreement between God and man. Mary's willingness opened negotiations, as it were, which were sealed with the Blood of the Lamb, the Blood of Christ. The Body and Blood of Christ on the altar of sacrifice at Mass is the unbloody Sacrifice of Calvary.

Hail Mary six

Dear Sorrowful Mother, you watched your Son stumble through the crowded streets cramed with the ugly crowds in Jerusalem on His way to His death. He did not speak to you on this last journey, but met you in the deep silence of love. Pray for us in our Dark Nights, when we do not hear the voice of the Savior.

Hail Mary seven

Hebrews 9:24
For Jesus has not entered into a holies made by hands, a mere copy of the true, but into heaven itself, to appear now before the face of God on our behalf...

Hail Mary eight

Gate of Heaven
The Psalmist sang, "Open ye to me the gates of justice: I will go in to them, and give praise to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, the just shall enter it." But, Christ had to go outside the Gates for us to enter in.
Jesus had to pass outside the Gates of Jerusalem to be crucified as a criminal, outside the walls of the city. This mud-spattered, bloody and bruised Man hardly seemed a King or the Face of God. Mary, the Gate of Heaven, had to become an outsider as well, for the sake of her Son. The Gate of Heaven stood beyond the gates of Jerusalem, the Earthly City of Man, so that we may enter through her into the Celestial City of God.
We go through Mary to Christ.

Hail Mary nine

Dearest Mother, be a gate for each one of us to enter through the narrow way. You will help us with your grace and Mediation. If we come to you, you will not shut the gate on our petitions.

Hail Mary ten

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

To be continued....

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

The Litany of Loreto Part Eleven-The Sorrowful Mysteries-The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery, The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord

The Litany of Loreto  The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord  John 19:17-30

Our Father

Our Lady of Sorrows, Mater Dolorosa, pray for us.

Hail Mary one

John 1:5
And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness grasped it not.

Hail Mary two

Morning Star
The morning star in the sky is Venus. I saw Venus tonight, bright and bold. It glows most fiercely just before dawn. Venus reflects the sun's rays, raising the minds and hearts of all who see this planet. Mary radiated the Light which is her Son, Christ. On Calvary, Christ's Light was momentarily eclipsed by the night of evil, the darkness in each one of us, in the world, in satan. Mary is the Beacon of Hop for us even on Calvary. She is the star in the dim days of our lives.

Hail Mary three

Morning Star, direct our attention to the True Light, when we are lost in the darkness of sin and death. When we are in the Dark Night, intercede for us for courage and faith.

Hail Mary four

John 7: 37-38
Now on the last, the great day of  the festivity, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: "If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture saith, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

Hail Mary five

Health of the sick
She who could not stop the blood and water from flowing out of the side of Jesus her Son is now called Health of the Sick. The word "health" originates from the Anglo-Saxon word, "haelth", meaning "whole" or "hale". Health is not merely freedom from disease, but the well-being of mind, soul and body. In heath is integrity. The Virgin leads us to Calvary where we and the entire human race are healed. Christ gives us, from His side, the Living Water which is given to us in baptism, making us whole, taking away Original Sin.
Mary, conceived without Original Sin, is the only human worthy of bringing us to Christ.

Hail Mary six

Health of the sick, have mercy on us. Make us holy, through your wholeness, through the sufferings of Jesus on Calvary.

Hail Mary seven

John 19:26-27
When Jesus, therefore, saw His mother and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, they son." Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, they mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Hail Mary nine

Refuge of sinners.
Given to all of us by the dying Christ, Mary is the shelter, the secure place, the secret garden, the refuge, the protection for all the children of Eve. She is the new Garden of Eden. She is our Mother, taking care of us, as she did John in his house.

Hail Mary ten

Refuge of sinners, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Be our refuge against temptation and sin.

Glory be

Fatima Prayer

to be continued.....