December 22, 2024

catholic

Use this prayer if you’re widowed and feeling lonely

Mother & Refuge03 mins

By Aleteia Did Jesus not say, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt 5:4)? This promise gives those who have lost a loved one the right to hope. They can hope for a new encounter with God, hope that Christ will come to live and fill their hearts, hope to live in communion with their deceased loved ones, hope to find new meaning and purpose… Vatican II, in Gaudium et Spes, notes that widowhood is part of the vocation to marriage: Widowhood, accepted bravely as a continuation of the marriage vocation, should be esteemed by all.(8) There are many different paths that can lead to joy and consolation for those who remain in this life after the loss of a spouse or any loved one. Here’s one example of a prayer a widowed person can pray when they feel lonely and need to encounter the risen Jesus: Lord Jesus, You know the sorrow and pain I endured when my spouse went to our Father’s house.I beg you to give me the support and comfort I need so much today.Fill my loneliness with joy and hope and ease my fears for the future. Like the Virgin Mary who was widowed when Joseph died,keep my heart pure and give me a clear vision of God’s plan for me. If it is not good for me to be alone (see Gen 2:18),grant me the grace of finding again those who will be my helpers here below,while living in communion with my deceased spouse in the hope of being reunited in eternity. You, who were compassionate to the widow of Naim (Lk 7:11-16),have mercy on me and intercede with God the Fatherthat joy may spring up again in my wounded heart. Amen.

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Why witches hate the St. Benedict Medal?

Mother & Refuge13 mins

By Aleteia The exact origin of the St. Benedict Medal is hard to pinpoint, but it is believed that the various symbols on it can be traced to a Benedictine monastery in the 17th century. According to Dom Prosper Guéranger in his short book The Medal or Cross of St. Benedict, a Benedictine monastery thwarted the plans of witches in the area. In the year 1647 at Nattremberg in Bavaria, certain witches who were accused of having exercised their spells to the injury of the people of the neighborhood were put into prison by the authorities … they confessed that their superstitious practices had never been able to produce any effect … over the monastery at Metten and this circumstance had made them feel sure that the house was protected by the cross. It was later discovered that there were “several representations of the holy cross painted on the walls and together with the cross were found the letters [now on the St. Benedict medal].” There was also a manuscript that had “drawings that represented St. Benedict in a monk’s cowl and holding in his right hand a staff, the end of which was formed into a cross.” Nearly everything that is now on the St. Benedict Medal was found at the Benedictine monastery at Metten. The medal itself was only first introduced in the 18th century and given full approval in the 19th century. Ever since, wearers of the medal have invoked the intercession of St. Benedict in the expulsion of evil influences. This is partially due to various exorcism prayers that were written on the medal. Starting from the top, in a clockwise direction, and around the edge appear the initials of the prayers: V. R. S. (Vade Retro Satan): “Get away, Satan”N. S. M. V. (Not Suade Mihi Vana): “Never tempt me with your vanities!”S. M. Q. L. (Sunt Mala Quae Libas): “What you offer me is evil.”I. V. B. (Ipse Venena Bibas): “Drink the poison yourself!” Read more…

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Be careful of Satan when he’s sweet and polite, warns pope.

Mother & Refuge03 mins

By Aleteia The devil is out to seduce us, and he comes into our lives “so sweetly and politely” to take possession of our attitudes, Pope Francis warned. The pope said this today in his morning homily, drawing from today’s Gospel reading about the unclean spirit who goes out of a person but then decides to return, and brings with him seven other spirits “more wicked than itself.” Vatican Radio reported Pope Francis’ emphasis that the passage reflects how demons enter quietly, progressively becoming more and more part of a person’s life. The devil slowly changes our attitudes, camouflaging himself to lead us to what’s called worldliness, Francis explained. This attitude brings us to look at things in ways contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. When the devil enters “so sweetly, politely and takes possession of our attitudes,” the pope said, our values pass from the service of God to worldliness. Thus we become “lukewarm Christians, worldly Christians.” Francis described this as being like a fruit salad — a bit of the spirit of the world and a bit of God’s spirit. PreventionNevertheless, the Holy Father also said there is a method for preventing this progressive progression of the devil’s seduction: “stopping for a while to examine my life, whether I am a Christian, whether I educate my children, whether my life is Christian or worldly.” The daily examination of conscience is one of the spiritual practices most promoted by the Society of Jesus, the religious order to which the pope belongs. It involves taking a few minutes at the end of the day to look over one’s day — to see the graces that God offered, and to thank him for them, and to see the moments when we refused his grace and chose to act in a way contrary to the Gospel. The examen concludes with a specific resolution to work on the next day. Read more…

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Maker of All, Eternal King |from the Roman Breviary, by St. Ambrose

Mother & Refuge04 mins

Maker of all, eternal King, who day and night about dost bring: who weary mortals to relieve, dost in their times the seasons give: Now the shrill cock proclaims the day, and calls the sun’s awakening ray, the wandering pilgrim’ guiding light, that marks the watches night by night. Roused at the note, the morning star heaven’s dusky veil uplifts afar: night’s vagrant bands no longer roam, but from their dark ways hie them home. The encouraged sailor’s fears are o’er, the foaming billows rage no more: Lo! e’en the very Church’s Rock melts at the crowing of the cock. O let us then like men arise; the cock rebukes our slumbering eyes, bestirs who still in sleep would lie, and shames who would their Lord deny. New hope his clarion note awakes, sickness the feeble frame forsakes, the robber sheathes his lawless sword, faith to fallen is restored. Look in us, Jesu, when we fall, and with Thy look our souls recall: if Thou but look, our sins are gone, and with due tears our pardon won. Shed through our hearts Thy piercing ray, our soul’s dull slumber drive away: Thy Name be first on every tongue, to Thee our earliest praises sung. All laud to God the Father be; all praise, Eternal Son, to Thee; all glory, as is ever meet, to God the Holy Paraclete. Amen. Aeterne rerum conditor, noctem diemque qui regis, et temporum das tempora, ut alleves fastidium; Praeco diei iam sonat, noctis profundae pervigil, nocturna lux viantibus a nocte noctem segregans. Hoc excitatus lucifer solvit polum caligine, hoc omnis erronum chorus vias nocendi deserit. Hoc nauta vires colligit pontique mitescunt freta, hoc ipsa petra ecclesiae canente culpam diluit. Surgamus ergo strenue! Gallus iacentes excitat, et somnolentos increpat, Gallus negantes arguit. Gallo canente spes redit, aegris salus refunditur, mucro latronis conditur, lapsis fides revertitur. Iesu, labantes respice, et nos videndo corrige, si respicis, lapsus cadunt, fletuque culpa solvitur. Tu lux refulge sensibus, mentisque somnum discute, te nostra vox primum sonet et ore psallamus tibi. Sit, Christe, Rex piissime, tibi Patrique gloria cum Spiritu Paraclito, in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

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New Catholic Children’s Book Released!

Mother & Refuge03 mins

“Apparitions of Holy Mother Mary: Five Heavenly Calls to Children!” Embark on a breathtaking journey through time and faith in “Apparitions of Holy Mother Mary.” In this captivating children’s book, the heavenly voice of Holy Mother Mary reaches out to young hearts across the globe. Through chosen messengers, she conveys messages of repentance, prayer, and peace, resonating with the modern world more than ever before. Within the pages of this delightful book, beautifully illustrated stories unfold, capturing the essence of five extraordinary apparitions. Delve into the miraculous events of Our Lady of Fatima, where three shepherd children witnessed the graceful presence of Holy Mother Mary. Travel to Rwanda and discover the profound significance of Our Lady of Kibeho, an apparition that brought hope to a war-torn land. Journey onward to the radiant hills of Medjugorje, where the eternal message of Holy Mother Mary continues to touch countless lives. Then, venture to the charming village of Garabandal in Spain, where the presence of Our Lady unfolds in mesmerizing ways. Finally, find solace in the mystic revelations of Our Lady of Akita, an apparition that unfolded in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. Through captivating storytelling and stunning illustrations, “Apparitions of Holy Mother Mary” ignites devotion and inspires purpose within the hearts of readers, young and old alike. As you explore the lives of these remarkable characters and witness the unfolding of sacred messages, you’ll be transported to a realm where faith and wonder intertwine. Discover the power of prayer, the joy of repentance, and the everlasting pursuit of peace through the tender guidance of Holy Mother Mary. Immerse yourself in the transformative pages of this cherished book, as you join a global community of believers, united by love and a shared devotion to the Most Holy Trinity.   Buy Your Copy Here!

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Powerful Prayer to the Holy Magi (to be said with faith three times. For spiritual and financial intercession.)

Mother & Refuge03 mins

O Almighty God, we raise our voices to You, that You may hear and have pity on us. You can assist us in a wonderful manner. God of sanctity, God of strength, immortal God, have pity on us. We implore You through the merits of Jesus Christ, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, of the Holy Magi Kings, Kasper, Melchior, and Baltassar, and all Your Angels and Saints, to grant us here below, temporal blessings, and above, the blessings of eternal life. Amen    Below is one another prayer, part of a longer novena to the Magi that is often said in preparation for the feast of Epiphany. O Holy Magi, you were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Son of justice; obtain for me an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding, one day, the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy.(Share your request …)Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AmenPrayer to the Infant Jesus:Infant Jesus, meek and mild,look on me a little child.Pity mine and pity me,suffer me to come to Thee.Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee.Heart of Mary, I implore Thee.Heart of Joseph, pure and just.In these three hearts, I put my trust.Help us Joseph in our early strife,ever to lead a pure and blameless life.O, Holy Magi, Pray for Us (Source:Aleteia)

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