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DEDICATION TO JESUS AND MARY

O INCARNATE WORD,

Thou hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life

to confer on our prayers that power by which,

according to Thy promise,

they obtain for us all that we ask.

 

And we, O God, are so careless of our salvation,

that we will not even ask Thee for the graces

that we must have if we should be saved!

In prayer Thou hast given us the key

of all Thy Divine treasures;

and we, rather than pray,

choose to remain in our misery.

Alas! O Lord, enlighten us,

and make us know the value of prayers,

offered in Thy name and by Thy merits,

in the eyes of Thy Eternal Father.

 

I consecrate to Thee this my book;

bless it, and grant that

all those into whose hands

it falls may have the will to pray always,

and may exert themselves to stir up others

also to avail themselves

of this great means of salvation.

 

To thee also do I recommend my little work, O Mary,

great Mother of God:

patronize it,

and obtain for all who read it the spirit of prayer,

and of continual recourse

in all their necessities to thy Son,

and to thee, who art the Dispenser of graces,

the Mother of mercy,

and who never leavest unsatisfied him

who recommends himself to thee, O mighty Virgin,

but obtainest from God

for thy servants whatever thou askest.

Unite your heart with the heart of Jesus with these short prayers

If there is any heart that we should try to be like, it should be heart of Jesus. Letting our hearts with the most sacred heart of Jesus should be the goal of every Christian, and finding in his heart the key to a true Gospel living.

The best way to remind us of the various qualities of the heart of Jesus is to pray to Jesus for specific attributes. And this will help us overcome particular weaknesses in our own lives and it will set us on the right path to union with Jesus.

Below is a litany of short prayers which can be memorized or written down and prayed throughout the day, especially when we feel deficient and the most unlike Jesus.

 

My dear Jesus! Grant me a heart so conformable to thy own sacred heart.

Grant me a humble heart, loving an abject and a hidden life.

Grant me a meek heart, ready to bear all in silence—to pardon and forget the greatest injuries.

Grant me a patient heart, tranquil in the severest trials.

Grant me a heart filled with the love of poverty, and with contempt for all earthly things.

Grant me a pure heart, desiring only to please you in my thoughts and deeds.

Grant me an obedient heart, having no will but that of God.

Grant me a heart delighting in prayer, and making this heavenly exercise its chief occupation.

Grant me a heart having no joy but that of seeing God known, loved, served and honored

Say this prayer of St. Theresa Lisieux for future priests

During the end of the 19th century, a Carmelite nun known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux felt a particular vocation to pray for priests.

Firstly, this was a strange idea for her, as she thought priests didn’t need prayers.

Theresa had the following thoughts “Praying for sinners attracted me, but praying for the souls of priests, whom I thought were more purer than crystal, looked strange to me! … During one pilgrimage to Italy, I lived with many holy priests for one month and I came to understand that, if their majestic dignity lifts them above the angels, this does not really mean that they are not weak and fragile.

As time goes on, she attested many priests who needed her prayers, and after she got into a Carmelite monastery, she formed it as her mission in life to pray for priests.

And this turns out to become the vocation of Carmel, because the main purpose of our prayers and our sacrifices is to become an apostle of the apostles, to pray for them as they evangelize souls by words and above all by example.

As Theresa was in the monastery, she was eventually assigned a type of “pen pal,” exchanging letters with a seminarian who was later ordained a priest.

Not so surprisingly, she prayed for this priest regularly, lifting him up with her prayers.

Particularly, she prayed the following prayer for him, which can easily be used as a prayer for all seminarians trying to become priests, and asking God to maintain them in holiness and protect them from all temptation.

 

O Divine Jesus, listen to the prayer which I am turning to you for he who wishes to be your missionary: protect him in the amidst dangers in the world; make him feel more and more the emptiness and vanity of fleeting things and let him feel the happiness in knowing how to despise them for the sake your love. Your majestic apostolate is already exerted over those who surround him: may this your servant be an apostle, worthy of your Sacred Heart.

Oh sweet Mary, Queen of Carmel, I put in your trust the soul of this future priest. Teach him from hence with how much love you touched the Divine Child Jesus and how you wrapped him in swaddling clothes so that he may one day go up the Holy Altar and carry the King of Heaven in his hands.

I beseech you again to always protect him in the shade of your virginal mantle until when the happy moment comes, and on leaving this valley of tears, he will be able to contemplate your magnificent and enjoy the fruit of his glorious apostolate for the whole eternity!

Here’s how you can enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in your Home or in your Heart

Traditionally, the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, principally on account of the basis that the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart which comes up (on the Friday after the second Sunday following Pentecost) is celebrated in June.

In accordance with the Directory on Popular Piety, which is a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is “one of the most widespread and popular [devotions] in the Catholic Church.”

This solemnity is a deeply Christo-centric practice that has been promoted by numerous saints over the centuries.

And when viewed, “in the light of the Scriptures, the phrase ‘Sacred Heart of Jesus’ denotes the entire mystery of Christ, that is, the totality of his being, and his person considered in its most intimate essential: Son of God, uncreated wisdom; infinite charity, principal of the salvation and sanctification of mankind.

In other words, the ‘Sacred Heart’ is Christ, the Word Incarnate, Saviour, inseparably containing, in the Spirit, an infinite divine-human love for the Father and for his brothers.”

However, among the many pious customs that involves the Sacred Heart is a traditional “enthronement,” or “consecration” of your house (and heart) to Jesus. Particularly, Jesus made a promise to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque saying that, “I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.”

Meanwhile, over the years the Church has developed different types of enthronements which make the placing of an image of the Sacred Heart a more formal and spiritual event.

For instance, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network popularly known as the “Apostleship of Prayer” has its own family consecration prayer service which can be found in Father James Kubicki’s book, A Heart on Fire: One that rediscovers the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Aside from the prayer service, Father Kubicki provides an engaging history on the devotion to the Sacred Heart and why it is still relevant till date.

And over the past several years Father Michael Gaitley has joined the cause and developed his own program called the “Consoling the Heart of Jesus”, which is very popular in parish settings.

This program features an extensive retreat which is aimed at uniting one’s heart closer to that of Jesus and ends in a consecration to the Sacred Heart.

Cardinal Raymond Burke is another chief promoter of the Sacred Heart. It is he, who compiled a liturgical celebration of the enthronement in his book titled, “the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”. He went further to include a basic introduction to the ancient custom and he provides a detailed instruction on how to prepare spiritually.

In addition to that, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote a personal prayer of consecration which could be used when devoting ourselves or our families to the Sacred Heart.

The prayer is as thus:

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to you I consecrate and offer up my person, my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may now on, only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irreversible will, to belong wholly to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I take Thee for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death.

O Most Merciful Heart, be thou my justification before God Thy Father, and take me away from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my sole confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope that from all Thine infinite Goodness. Remove in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Implant Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I ask Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be rooted upon Thy Heart, for in this I put all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen.

Anyways, whatever method you use to dedicate your home or your heart o the Sacred Heart, the emphasis should be rightly placed on spiritual preparation.

Because this is not just an activity where you place an image of Jesus in a prominent place in your home.

Just in the same way of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it is focused on bringing together your heart to the heart of Jesus so that you are one with him in all things.

Not tomorrow, but right now: A procrastinator’s prayer to the Holy Spirit

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I have heard your voice, and I don’t want to harden myself and resist, saying “Later …”

St. Josemaria Escriva’s mission in the Church was to emphasize the importance of the present moment and current circumstances — this is what we have to offer to God. Nothing else.
This prayer of his to the Holy Spirit is perfect for those of us who need help remembering that the time to choose love is now:

Come, O Holy Spirit!
Enlighten my mind to know your commands;
strengthen my heart against the snares of the enemy;
inflame my will…
I have heard your voice, and I don’t want to harden myself and resist, saying “Later…, tomorrow.”
Nunc coepi! Now I begin! In case there is no tomorrow for me.

O Spirit of truth and wisdom, Spirit of understanding and counsel, Spirit of joy and peace! I want whatever you want. I want because you want, I want however you want, I want whenever you want.

MORNING PRAYER (with the Morning Offering of Reparation)

MORNING PRAYER 

(with the Morning Offering of Reparation)

In the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray to Christ, who has revealed to us the knowledge of everlasting life.

– Lord, may your resurrection enrich us with your grace.

Eternal Shepherd, strengthen us for the coming day with the bread of your word; nourish us with the bread of the Eucharist.

– Lord, may your resurrection enrich us with your grace.

May your voice find a response in our hearts; do not let your word be silenced by rejection or indifference.

– Lord, may your resurrection enrich us with your grace.

You are at work in those who spread the gospel, confirming the truth of their message; help us to manifest your resurrection by our way of living.

– Lord, may your resurrection enrich us with your grace.

You yourself are the joy that can never be taken away; may we leave behind the sadness of sin and experience eternal life.

– Lord, may your resurrection enrich us with your grace.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

All-powerful, ever-living God, keep the mystery of Easter alive in us always. You gave us a new birth in holy baptism: give us grace to bear much fruit, and bring us to the joys of eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

 

THE MORNING OFFERING OF REPARATION

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, (here kiss your brown scapular) and in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being offered throughout the world, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for my sins and the sins of the whole world.

Mary, Our Lady of Surprises, Take Over! Prayer to Our Lady of Surprises, Mother of God

When things don’t go well, try letting go and Invoking ‘Our Lady of Surprises.’

There are a lot of names for the Blessed Mother of God but how about “Our Lady of Surprises”? There’s actually a prayer invoking her help under this title (see below), and why not? God often works most powerfully through surprises.

 

[mary-undoer-of-knots.jpg]
Mary, undoer of knots (Our Lady of Surprises)

Haven’t you experienced this? You want something and you want something and you want it — you pray endlessly — and nothing occurs. When you let go, a bunch of surprises fall upon you.

Look at the surprise of Jesus multiplying the loaves or cleansing men of disease or the surprise of the first disciples at Lake Gennesaret. After a hard night of fishing, Jesus was suddenly there out of the blue to tell them where they should cast their nets. (They listened to what He said, leading to an astonishing catch.)

He does this with us all. He sheds grace when we least expect it. When we’re faithful and don’t complain and don’t try to tell God the way everything in our lives should go, He often responds with a flurry of the unexpected!

In meteorology there’s a phenomenon of lightning known as the “blue giant.” This is when a bolt travels dozens of miles, often striking a place even when there doesn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky. It’s literally a bolt from the blue. God’s gifts can be like that when we allow Him.

Letting go lets God

It’s another of those spiritual laws, that letting go lets God. We can actually inhibit the answer to a prayer by wanting something too much. That can tend toward lust, and God doesn’t respect that. Or, it can signal a lack of faith. When we pray and then watch everything that transpires with a microscope — waiting and biting our nails, doubting it will come — the prayer often goes unanswered (or at least is delayed). It’s like watching for the water to boil. It takes forever.

Instead we’re called to pray from the heart and then believe that the prayer will work if it’s in God’s greater plan for us. Be patient. When something isn’t happening, let go of it. If it is not in God’s Will, the yearning for it — the obsession — will soon fade, granting us peace. If it is in God’s Will, He now has the room to operate.

A Christian author once said that in the afterlife we will see all the presents God had in store for us and how many never came because we didn’t know how to ask for them!

The key word is “release.” Release your desires to the Lord. Release all that is causing you anxiety. In prayer, go through everything that may be causing you angst — and hand it over to Christ. Release your desire. Release all your fears. This is very powerful in communicating with the Almighty One. Invite God to surprise you every day and no day will bore you!

And remember the Blessed Mother:

“O Mary, my mother and Our Lady of Surprises, what a happy joy you caused the wedding guests, when you asked your Divine Son to work the miracle of water into wine. What a happy surprise for them since they thought the wine had run dry.

I, too, Mary, love surprises and as your child, may I ask you to favour me with one today? I ask this only because you are my ever caring mother.

Thank You, Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother! I thank God for you every day!

Amen.”

Try it. Say that one from the heart. You may be amazed — surprised — at what she brings you.

Read More:

An Encounter With Jesus Through The Hand Of A Child

Who is Mary, Undoer of Knots?

100 years later – Do we still need Fatima? THIS answer may surprise you!

How this prayer to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, can set you free

Pray St. Gertrude the Great’s powerful prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

According to tradition, many souls would fly to heaven when this prayer is prayed with heartfelt devotion.

St. Gertrude the Great was a holy mystic of the 14th century, who began receiving heavenly visions at age 25 while living in a Benedictine community. Among her mystical visions was a glimpse into Purgatory.

There she saw a man she was praying for and his soul appeared as a toad, suffering from the sins he committed on earth. After reciting a short prayer for him, she asked Jesus if it had any effect. He replied by saying, “Certainly, the souls in Purgatory are lifted up by such supplications, but also brief prayers that are said with fervor are of even greater benefit for them.”

The Church has always taught that it is a Spiritual Work of Mercy to pray for the souls of the faithful departed, imploring God to purify the souls of the dead “by the fire of his charity” and to bring them at last to their Heavenly Home.

During one of these visions Gertrude was given a prayer by Jesus for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. It is piously believed that 1,000 souls are released from purgatory by praying this payer with the heart.

Below is this powerful prayer, one that trusts in the unfathomable mercy of God, poured out for us on Calvary.

Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for all sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

Worried about your children? Say this prayer to invoke their guardian angels

When we can’t protect them, our children’s guardian angels are a powerful aid against harm.

The world is a dangerous place. When you leave the comforts of your home there is no telling what may happen to you or your children. This has been the case since Adam and Eve and will continue to be so until Jesus comes again.

The good news is that we are not alone.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church declares, “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by [angels and] their watchful care and intercession” (CCC 336). God appoints to each one of us a guardian angel whose mission is to guide, guard and protect. We don’t always see them or sense their presence, but the truth is that they are there, ready and willing to come to our aid.

We just have to ask.

For parents, it is easy to forget that our children have guardian angels and that we can pray to them (through the mediation of our own guardian angel) and invoke their powerful protection over our children. When we can’t physically be there with our children to protect them, it is most appropriate to pray to their guardian angel.

Here is a short prayer that is usually entitled, “A Mother’s Prayer to the Guardian Angels of Her Children,” and is one way that we can quiet our heart and be at peace knowing who is protecting our little ones.

I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company. Amen.


Read more:

Cover your children with God’s protection with this prayer from the Bible

Cover your children with God’s protection with this prayer from the Bible

Whether they are going to school or simply walking out of the house, pray this prayer over them.

When our children walk out the front door and leave a parent’s watchful gaze, it can be difficult to trust that they will be in good hands. The world is a dangerous place and any number of things could happen that are out of our control.Yet, our heart can be at peace when we entrust their life to God, putting him in charge of protecting our children from any harm. If we can’t protect them, surely he can cover them with his powerful arm.

Below is a prayer from the book of Numbers, said by the priest over the people of Israel. It is a prayer that is well-known and is sometimes used by Catholic priests today during the liturgy. As a parent, you have the authority to bless your children using similar words, and your blessing can have a profound effect upon them. Don’t be afraid to use it and let your heart be at ease, knowing that whatever might happen, God is in control.

May the Lord bless you and keep you!
May the Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Numbers 6:24-26)

You can end this prayer with a blessing upon the forehead, making the sign of the cross and saying, “May God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”