December 25, 2024

Devotions

Prayer for Rosa Mystica | To be said Daily with Petitions and Compulsory for the 13th of Every Month

Mother & Refuge04 mins

This prayer is very efficacious if said daily with petitions and compulsory for the 13th of every month for the hour of Graces veneration of Maria Rosa Mystica.  Three Hail Marys followed by: Mystical Rose, be Thou blessed, Mother of Divine Grace. Thou has given to the whole mankind Thy Divine Son, Jesus Christ, the Author of Grace. Mystical Rose, be Thou ever blessed! Thy Divine Son, when dying upon the cross, obtained grace for us, and Thou didst cooperate with Him in this, when the sword pierced Thy Soul. Mystical Rose, be Thou ever blessed! Thou wert chosen by the Heavenly Father to be the Mistress of His Treasures, stewardess and distributor of all His graces. Mystical Rose, our Mother! Turn your loving eyes upon the millions of human kind. We beg Thee, we implore Thee, we beseech Thee, let all obtain the grace of God through holy baptism, the sacrament of reconciliation and all other sacraments. Mystical Rose, Mother of Divine Grace, let us attain to the house of the Heavenly Father, for we are all Thy children and the children of God. Look upon my soul, which through sin is so poor and unworthy. Mystical Rose, Thou givest to whom Thou willest. I trust in Thee; I open my heart to Thee. Let Thy light irradiate my soul. Make Thy Motherly love, with its measureless and pitiful power; cause my indifferent heart to glow. Fill me with Thy joy, Thy humility and Thy peace! Mystical Rose, Thou acceptest that Thou art a mother with a special care for all those children who most require Thy help. And so I seek Thy help in all my bodily and spiritual needs. Very particularly, I beg Thee for the following graces (here mention your requests). Mystical Rose, Thou art the Mother of Jesus Christ and the Mother of Divine Grace. Thou art the Mother of Mercy and the Mother of Life. Thou art our kind Mother and our hope. Enclose me in Thy Immaculate Heart and hear my prayer.Amen #Miracles #catholic #CatholicSeers #MessagesFromHeaven #ourlady #OurLadyApparitions #Miracles #catholic #CatholicSeers #MessagesFromHeaven #ourlady #OurLadyApparitions

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Prayer to Save Souls During the Warning

Mother & Refuge01 mins

“O God the Almighty Father on behalf of your beloved Son Jesus Christ, and in commemoration of His death on the cross to save us from our sins, I beg you to save souls who cannot save themselves and who may die in mortal sin during The Warning. In atonement for the sufferings of your beloved Son, I urge you to forgive those who are unable to seek redemption because they will not live long enough to ask Jesus Your Son for mercy to free them from sin. Amen. ”

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How To Do Epiphany House Blessing| Chalking of the Doors

Mother & Refuge05 mins

he traditional date of Epiphany is January 6, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.  It is a long-held Catholic tradition to bless one’s home on (or near) the celebration of the Epiphany by using chalk to write a special inscription above the home’s entrance. This weekend, we are blessing chalk at Mass for you to take home and participate in this tradition. If you are unable to attend Mass at Our Lady this weekend, you can bless chalk at home yourself! You can find the blessing to do so below. The inscription written over the door changes every year. For this year, you should write: “20 + C + M + B + 23.” The Letters C, M, and B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also the first letters of the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The + signs represent the cross, and 2023 is the year.  Below we have included a very family-friendly Epiphany home blessing. Here is a different one, from the USCCB. Both are perfectly valid! Blessing the Chalk Priest/Adult: Our help is the name of the Lord:All: The maker of heaven and earth. Priest/Adult: The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:All: From this time forth for evermore. Priest/Adult: The Lord be with you.All: And also with you. Priest/Adult: Let us pray.All: Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name all who use it in faith to write upon the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit their home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (You may sprinkle the chalk with holy water.) Instructions for Blessing the Home Optional Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-16.  Also optional, you can sprinkle holy water in each room of your house while singing hymns or praying the rosary. Then gather at the front door to your home. Using the blessed chalk, mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step, or a wall within your home) as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 23  saying: The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and twenty-three years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen. Then say the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen. Read more…

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Did You know the Oldest Marian Apparition?

Mother & Refuge25 mins

Our Lady of the Pillar (officially in Spanish, Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza,) is recognized as the first Marian apparition in the history of Christianity and is the only one that happened while the Virgin Mary was still alive. Although it was technically a bilocation of Our Lady, because she was living with John the Apostle in Jerusalem, it is still regarded as an apparition by the tradition of the Church. According to tradition, James the Greater, brother of Saint John the Evangelist, traveled with great effort to Roman Hispania (modern-day Spain) to evangelize the local tribes.   He not only confronted great difficulties but he also saw very little apostolic fruits of conversion. Tradition says that when he was at his lowest point of discouragement, in A.D. 40, while he was sitting by the banks of the Ebro river in Zaragoza (back then known as Caesaraugusta) Mary appeared to him accompanied by thousands of angels, to console and encourage him. The Virgin Mary, with the Child Jesus in her arms and standing on a pillar, asked Saint James and his eight disciples to build a church on the site, promising that “it will stand from that moment until the end of time in order that God may work miracles and wonders through my intercession for all those who place themselves under my patronage.” The church of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, is the first church dedicated to Mary in history and it remains standing to this day, having survived invasions and wars.  During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the Communists dropped three bombs on the church from an airplane, the bombs tore through the roof and hit the floor, but none of them exploded. The three now deactivated bombs are currently on display in one of the Basilica’s walls.  Our Lady is also said to have given the small wooden statue of the apparition to Saint James, which now stands on the pillar she arrived on. The wooden statue is a relatively simple image 15 inches high, standing on a jasper pillar 5.9 feet tall. But the crown adorning her head is a masterpiece. It was made in 44 days by 33 workmen. The sun-like crown is made of 2,836 diamonds cut triangularly, 2725 roses, 145 pearls, 74 emeralds, 62 rubies and 46 sapphires. The crown of the baby Jesus is identical in shape although not in size. The Basilica was redesigned and expanded several times during its history. The current structure was completed in the 17th century, includes 11 brightly colored tiled domes, and is the second biggest church in Spain. Nuestra Señora del Pilar is not only the patroness of Spain, but also of all Hispanic peoples since it was on Oct. 12, 1492, the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, that Christopher Columbus arrived at American land and the first Mass in the Americas was celebrated. Read more…

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Need a Miracle? Here’s St. Jude’s Powerful Prayer for Desperate & Hopeless Cases

Mother & Refuge13 mins

Prayer to St. Jude, Patron of Impossible, Desperate, & Hopeless Cases Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus,the Church honors and invokes you universally,as the patron of difficult cases,of things almost despaired of.Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for methat He bring visible and speedy helpwhere help is almost despaired of.Come to my assistance in this great needthat I may receive the consolation and help of heavenin all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly…(make your request here) …and that I may praise God with youand all the saints forever.I promise, O Blessed St. Jude,to be ever mindful of this great favorgranted me by Godand to always honor youas my special and powerful patron,and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.Amen. Prayer May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen. May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen St. Jude, pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen. Blessed be the Sacred Heart of JesusBlessed be the Immaculate Heart of MaryBlessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity. (say this prayer, followed by the Our Father and the Hail Mary) Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ,you left us an Epistle in the New Testament.With good reason many invoke youwhen illness is at a desperate stage.We now recommend to your kindness (name of patient), who is in a critical condition.May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life,for the glory of our merciful God.Amen. Source: EWTN

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Official prayer requesting the intercession of future Saint Carlo Acutis

Mother & Refuge41 mins

Oh God, our Father, thank you for giving us Carlo,a model of life for young peopleand a message of love for all.You have made him fall in lovewith your son Jesus,making the Eucharisthis “highway to heaven.” You have given him Maryas a very beloved Mother,and you have made him,with her Rosary,become a singer of her tenderness.She welcomes his intercession for us.He looks above all at the poor,whom he loved and helped. [Grant me also, through his intercession, the grace I need…] And make our joy full,leading Carlo among the saintsof the universal Church,so that his smile continuesto shine for us and for the glory of your name. Amen Pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be. Imprimatur + Domenico Sorrentino Bishop of Assisi Nocera Umbra Gualdo Tadino Foligno

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Padre Pio vs. the Devils: Unseen Battles

Mother & Refuge08 mins

St. Padre Pio, one of the most beloved and mystic saints of the 20th century, was known for his profound spiritual experiences and battles with demonic forces. His life and struggles have been documented in numerous books, providing a detailed account of his encounters with the supernatural. The Reality of Demonic Attacks In his biography, “Padre Pio: The True Story” by C. Bernard Ruffin, it is detailed how Padre Pio experienced frequent attacks from demonic entities. These assaults were both physical and spiritual, manifesting as sounds, visions, and physical harm. Ruffin recounts how Padre Pio would often be found bruised and battered, evidence of the nightly battles he endured. Personal Accounts Padre Pio himself spoke of these experiences, as documented in “The Agony of Jesus” by Padre Pio. He described the devils as relentless, stating, “These devils don’t stop striking me.” He detailed how they would disturb his sleep, appearing as hideous creatures and causing him great physical pain. In “Secrets of a Soul: Padre Pio’s Letters to His Spiritual Directors,” his letters reveal a personal glimpse into these spiritual battles. He wrote to his spiritual directors about the intense struggles, asking for their prayers and support as he faced these supernatural trials. Witness Testimonies In “Padre Pio: Man of Hope” by Renzo Allegri, testimonies from those close to Padre Pio provide additional insight into his battles. Friars and laypeople who lived alongside him recounted hearing strange noises coming from his cell, sounds of struggles, and seeing inexplicable injuries on his body. These witnesses affirmed the reality of the demonic attacks he described. Spiritual Resilience Despite the ferocity of these attacks, Padre Pio’s faith remained unshaken. In “Padre Pio: The Stigmatist” by Rev. Charles Mortimer Carty, it is highlighted how his deep prayer life and unwavering trust in God’s protection served as his main defense. Padre Pio’s reliance on the Eucharist and the intercession of the Virgin Mary were crucial elements in his spiritual arsenal against these dark forces. A Legacy of Strength Padre Pio’s enduring faith and resilience in the face of demonic onslaughts are further chronicled in “Saint Padre Pio: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis” by G. A. Caridi. His legacy is one of immense spiritual strength, offering inspiration to those who face their own spiritual battles. Caridi emphasizes how Padre Pio’s life demonstrates the power of prayer, the sacraments, and unwavering faith in overcoming the forces of evil. The accounts from these books paint a vivid picture of St. Padre Pio’s unseen battles with demonic forces. His experiences and the testimonies of those around him underscore the profound truth that through steadfast faith and spiritual resilience, even the most formidable adversities can be overcome.   According to Fr. Gabriele Amorth, a leading Vatican exorcist, “Padre Pio’s real enemies were the demons who besieged him. […] The great and constant struggle of Padre Pio’s life was with those enemies of God and human souls, the devils who tried to capture his soul.” Even in his youth, St. Padre Pio would enjoy incredible celestial visions, but also suffer demonic attacks. Fr. Amorth explains: “The devil would appear to him as an ugly black cat, or in the shape of a truly repugnant animal. The obvious intent was to fill him with terror. Other times demons came as young girls, nude and provocative, performing obscene dances, to test the young priest’s chastity. But Padre Pio sensed his greatest danger when the devil tried to deceive him by taking on the form of one of his superiors (his provincial superior or his spiritual director) or in a sacred form (the Lord, the Virgin, or St. Francis).” This last tactic – of the devil appearing as someone good and holy – was a particular problem. Here’s how St. Padre Pio would discern a vision: “He noticed a certain timidity when the Virgin or the Lord first appeared, followed by a sense of peace when the vision departed. On the other hand, a devil in sacred form provoked an immediate feeling of joy and attraction, replaced afterwards by remorse and sadness.” Satan would even sometimes attack St. Padre Pio physically. He describes this in one letter he wrote to a priest confidant: “These devils don’t stop striking me, even making me fall down from the bed. They even tear off my shirt to beat me! But now they do not frighten me anymore. Jesus loves me, He often lifts me and places me back on the bed.” Indeed, if we are close to the Lord, we should have no fear of demons.

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43rd Anniversary Novena – A Gift for Our Lady |A Novena to the Queen of Peace

Mother & Refuge055 mins

Powered By EmbedPress Powered By EmbedPress 43rd Anniversary Novena – A Gift for Our LadyA Novena to the Queen of Peace – Starts June 15 !!Medjugorje 1981 – 2024© Informativni Centar “Mir” -MedjugorjeWhat to offer to Our Lady for the 43rd Anniversary of Her apparitionsWhat could we offer to Our Lady for the anniversary of Her apparitions?This is the question many pilgrims ask, and we answer with another question:Wouldn’t the dearest gift be if we would really start to live Her messages?The main theme of Our Lady’s messages is the call to peace and reconciliation, but She underlines very often that we can obtain them only through prayer. This is why She calls us unceasingly to pray, to renew prayer until it becomes a joy for us, to pray with the heart….We have composed a simple novena with the deep desire to offer something special to Our Lady for this Anniversary, something that unites all Her children in the whole world, something that helps us to live Her messages.Why a Novena?The idea for the Novena comes from the New Testament, when Mary and the Apostles, 40 days after the Resurrection of Jesus, remained in prayer for nine consecutive days. They prayed with one heart and persevered in prayer, waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, that was promised them, and that filled them “when the time of Pentecost was fulfilled” (Ac 2,1). Since then, Novenas have become a frequent practice in the tradition of the Church. Also in Medjugorje, Our Lady calls us: “Dear children, offer novenas, making sacrifices wherein you feel the most bound.” (July 25, 1993)How to pray this Novena?One special intention is devoted to each day. We pray for this intention, meditating on the texts that are proposed, through the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. The first text is a passage from the Gospel, the second – a message of Our Lady from one of the previous anniversaries, and the third – a passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These have been chosen to give a threefold insight into the prayer intention: A Gospel, a Marian (through the messages of Medjugorje) and an Ecclesiastical insight, to help the person who is leading the prayer and introducing the Mysteries. The passages from the Catechism on prayer show us the richness, the depth and the immensity of the experience of Christian prayer, of which Our Lady reminds us here in Medjugorje. The concluding prayer unites all the intentions of prayer regarding the intention for the day.Together towards something newWe believe that this unity in prayer will bring a new experience of the love of God, which has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. This experience is always a new beginning, a passage to a new level of existence. Real wars, wars of our doubt and our incredulity can be stopped, and even natural laws can be changed through prayer. We sincerely hope that our common prayer, united in the Heart of Mary for the victory of Her Immaculate Heart, will obtain a conversion in our hearts and in our lives and bring forth the most pleasing and dearest gift to Our Lady.1st dayWe pray for the Visionaries1. Prayer to the Queen of Peace2. Veni Creator Spiritus3. Glorious Mysteries of the RosaryTexts for MeditationJesus said to his disciples: “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them: “thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high.” (Lk 24,44-49)“Dear children! Today I thank you for living and witnessing to my messages with your life. Little children, be strong and pray so that prayer may give you strength and joy. Only in this way will each of you be mine and I will lead you on the way of salvation. Little children, pray and with your life bear witness to my presence here. May each day be a joyful witness for you of God’s love. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (Message, June 25, 1999)“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or “out of the depths” of a humble and contrite heart? He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer, only when we humbly acknowledge that “we do not know how to pray as we ought,” are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. “Man is a beggar before God.” (CCC: 2559)4. The Litany of the Blessed VirginConcluding prayer: Lord, You call all Christians to be real witnesses of Your life and of Your love. Today, we thank You in a special way for the visionaries and for their mission in witnessing to the messages of theQueen of Peace. We present to You all of their needs. We pray for each one of them personally, that You may be near them, so that they may grow unceasingly in the experience of Your strength. We pray that You guide them to a deeper and more humble prayer in further witnessing to the presence of Our Lady in Medjugorje. Amen.2nd dayWe pray for all Priests who Minister at the Sanctuary1. Prayer to the Queen of Peace2. Veni Creator Spiritus3. Glorious Mysteries of the RosaryTexts for MeditationJesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen I say…

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Do Catholics worship saints?

Mother & Refuge06 mins

Often non-Catholics will claim that “Catholics worship saints.” This statement usually comes from the fact that Catholics often pray to saints, performing various devotions to them. While it may appear to some people that Catholics are worshiping saints, what they are doing is far from it. Catholics firmly believe that adoration and worship is due to God alone. Only God is divine and so only God can be the object of worship. Since the very beginning of the Church, Catholics have prayed to saints, honoring them and asking for their heavenly intercession. This arose from the belief that the Church is much larger than the physical buildings and people we see with our eyes on earth.   Catholics believe that there are three states of the Church, as explained by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. But at the present time some of [Jesus’] disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating “in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is.” (CCC 954) The Church has described these three states as a “communion,” meaning that members of the Church are united by a spiritual bond that is difficult to describe with words. This is expressed in several places in the New Testament. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) [S]o we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. (Romans 12:5) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1) Jesus himself confirms this reality when conversing with Elijah and Moses at his transfiguration (see Matthew 17:3-5). He shows us that death does not separate us and that we are able to speak with those who have died before us. With this in mind, Catholics then pray to the saints as one person asks for someone else’s prayers on earth. This is possible because of the communion which exists in the body of Christ. One of the reasons why Catholics ask saints for prayers is because the saints are united with God and are able to present our petitions in a way that is most fitting and acceptable to our heavenly Father. Just as we ask holy people on earth to pray for us, we seek the prayers of the saints, who clearly displayed their holiness on earth and are now residing with God in heaven. In the end, Catholics believe that the world is much more than the eye can see and the spiritual realm is real. We are connected to people who have gone before us in a spiritual way and are able to converse with them. While we may not always be able to hear their responses, the reality of this phenomenon is a basic tenet of the Catholic faith and is rooted in scripture and tradition. It requires faith and a belief that prayers have an ability to open us up to a spiritual world much larger than we could possibly imagine.   Read more…

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