The Day After the Darkness: A Double Marian Feast!

[Note this was written in 2017, on the day after the first “X” eclipse.]

In His great mercy, Our Blessed Lord gives us His Mother today in a glorious double Marian feast....it is the feast of the Heavenly Queenship of Our Lady in the new calendar and the feast of her Immaculate Heart in the old.  He struck a sword through our heart just yesterday, but today reminds us that we always have recourse to the one who knows this sword well.  Her own heart was stricken seven times with the sword and she knows just how many babies were slaughtered in their mother's wombs across that very path of darkness through our country yesterday....how many impure acts, blasphemies, lies, drug overdoses, suicides...she sees it all.  The Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the United States of America, comes today to us with her graces, the Mediatrix, in her Queenly crown, with her bleeding heart....to show us the way out.

As darkness descended in the Northwest yesterday, the musical piece "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," began to play on the Pandora channel in my kitchen.  When I noticed this, I was amazed, shut the music off in obedience, went to the live-cam, and saw the eclipse approaching total blackness.  Following are the words to this beautiful hymn, from the 4th Century Liturgy of Saint James.  They seem frighteningly appropriate:

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand,
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand....

Rank on rank the host of Heaven,
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of Light descendeth,
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of Hell may vanish,
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

And ponder the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, from his "Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon:"

"Praised be Thee my Lord with all Thy creatures
Especially Sir Brother Sun
Who is the day through whom Thou givest us light
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor
Of Thee Most High, he bears the Likeness"

If we follow Saint Francis' theology, then it is God who has been eclipsed.  Look around.  It would seem so.

As the journey of the Total Eclipse across our land was reaching completion, I was inspired to write the following poem on the Long Island Railroad, on my way to Forest Hills...traveling the same path as those who were massacred on the train 24 year ago (though they were heading the other direction):

O Brother Sun!

O Brother Sun!  O Sister Moon!
What dost thou do?
In thy marriage, we are convicted
In this darkness, our blindness dispelled
As it once was, so long ago
When Our Savior hung upon the Cross
How Father orders the cosmos
To speak to His children!
Even from the beginning of time
He orders it according to our sins
O Brother Sun!  O Sister Moon!
What dost thou do?
May all mortal flesh keep silence
In this hour
And as thou shinest once again, Brother Sun,
May we in turn, shine brilliant, resurrected
Returning to innocence, O may it be so!
By Mother Immaculate, our Patroness
Showering her graces, like a storm
O Brother Sun, see and rejoice!

We are not to forget this great sign given us at a most critical hour in human history.  The rest of the world, with its short attention span, will forget even this....and many have seen the Total Eclipse of the Sun, but have not seen at all.  But we, cherish these things and keep them in our hearts.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Forest Hills, NY

The eclipse was very subtle in New York, but there was a feeling, a slight darkening, like an impending storm.  My niece in Pennsylvania said it was subtle there also, difficult to describe, and "eerily still."  Above, you see Our Lady, triumphant, in total brightness later in the day, her feet trampling the serpent, with blue roses to honor her. 

"In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph!"

Solar Eclipse Today: A Warning for America?

[Note this was written in 2017, on the day of the first “X” eclipse.]

The solar eclipse across the United States today is being called, "The Great American Eclipse."  From the Northwest to the Southeast, it will cut a strike right through the heart of the Home of the Brave.  If we were looking for some kind of sign, we might look for something....just like this? 

We know that God uses celestial events to give signs.  The Star of Bethlehem is the best-known such event, but Holy Scripture speaks of others, particularly at the End of Time.  And we know that the Fatima apparitions culminated in a celestial phenomenon-some say this was merely a depiction of a future event.  As we celebrate the centennial of these extraordinary visions, the most powerful nation in the world is darkened through its very heart....perhaps an illustration of what has happened to many hearts these days.  Just look around you.  Need I elaborate?

On this date in 1879, the complex and unusual apparition of Our Lady of Knock appeared in Ireland.  What was the significance of this event and does it still have relevance today?  Could it be related to our solar eclipse today? Our Lady of Knock, pray for us!

Pray for an end to the darkness of hearts!  Pray for mercy!

Fourth Fatima Family Holy Hour for World Peace

     image courtesy http://imgarcade.com

Nomen Christi Apostolate Presents

4th Fatima Family Holy Hour for World Peace

Centennial of the Fourth Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

At Fatima, Portugal

August 13th, 1917 ~ August 13th, 2017

Thank you for joining our Fatima Family Holy Hour!  Please read the introduction on our Home Page.  If you are participating or if you have prayer intentions, please add your voice to our comments.  TO MAKE A COMMENT, CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE POST & SCROLL DOWN.  Following is today's Holy Hour Format.  May God bless you and may Our Lady shower graces upon you on this glorious 100th Anniversary of the Fatima Apparitions!

*** PRINTABLE VERSION OF 4TH HOLY HOUR FORMAT ***

Candle-Lighting for Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

+   Sign of the Cross   +

O Jesus, we thank Thee for this beautiful 100th Anniversary of Our Lady's fourth appearance to the three holy children at Fatima, Portugal.  We thank Thee for our togetherness today all over the world in this joyful celebration.  We light this candle for the intention of reparation to Thy Mother's Immaculate Heart, which we celebrate during this month of August, which so grieves over the sins of the world at this present hour.  We especially wish to console her for the terrible injustice to unborn children, for she is Mother to all.  May these little lights of ours ascend to her Queenly throne in Heaven and show her that indeed, there is still love for her on earth.  Love for Thy Mother always directs us to Thee, O Jesus, our Savior, Whom she holds up to the world in her loving arms.  Forgive us our sins and let us enter into this Holy Hour in a spirit of contrition and spiritual communion with Thee.  We pray for peace in all the world and protection of all the innocent.  We offer as well, all the intentions of those participating.  We honor as well, Our Lady's glorious Assumption into Heaven, which we celebrate this coming week.  Amen. 

Saint Joseph, Pray for Us!

Lucia, Jacinta & Francisco, Pray for Us!

All Ye Holy Angels & Saints, Rejoice!

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Hymn:  "Immaculate Mary"

(Brian Foley, Jeremiah Cummings)

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing
You reign now in Heaven with Jesus our King

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!  Ave, Ave, Maria!

In Heaven the blessed your glory proclaim
On earth we your children invoke your sweet name

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!  Ave, Ave, Maria!

We pray for the Church our true mother on earth
And bless Holy Mary, the land of our birth

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!  Ave, Ave, Maria!

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Fatima Reading & Prayer

The Fourth Apparitions ~ August 13th & 19th, 1917

As August 13th approached, the story of the apparitions had reached the anti-religious secular press, and while this ensured that the whole country knew about Fatima, it also meant that many biased and negative reports were circulating. The children were apprehended on the morning of August 13th, before the apparition could take place, by the Mayor of Vila Nova de Ourem, Arturo Santos. They were interrogated about the Blessed Mother's Secret she had given them, but despite threats and promises of money, they refused to cooperate. They were moved to the local prison and threatened with a horrible death, but determined that they would die rather than reveal the Secret.

At Cova da Iria, thunder, followed by lightning, was heard at the usual time.  The spectators noticed a small white cloud that hovered over the oak for a few minutes. Phenomena of coloration were observed on the faces of the people, the clothing, the trees, and the ground.

On August 19th, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta were together at a place called Valinhos, near Fatima, when they again saw Mary, who spoke to Lucia: “Go again to the Cova on the 13th of next month and continue to say the Rosary every day.” Mary also said she would soon perform a miracle, so all would believe. Looking very sad, Mary then said: “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to Hell because there are none to sacrifice themselves and pray for them.” With that, she rose into the air and moved towards the east before disappearing.

By now, the children had thoroughly absorbed Mary’s plea for prayer and penance, and did everything they could to answer it. They prayed for hours while lying prostrate on the ground and went as long as they could without drinking in the burning heat of the Portuguese summer. They also went without food as a sacrifice for sinners to save them from Hell, the vision of which had so profoundly effected them. They even knotted some pieces of old rope around their waists as a form of mortification, not removing them day or night.

Text courtesy World Apostolate of Fatima, USA and America Needs Fatima, slightly edited.

The apparitions of Our Lady to the children was not their first encounter with Heaven.  An angel appeared to them previously, three times, and gave them two prayers, as follows:

"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee!  I beg pardon of Thee for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee!"

"Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly.  I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He is offended.  By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners."

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Glorious Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary

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Litany of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for our dear country.
Our Lady of Fatima, sanctify our clergy.
Our Lady of Fatima, make our Catholics more fervent.
Our Lady of Fatima, guide and inspire those who govern us.
Our Lady of Fatima, cure the sick who confide in you.
Our Lady of Fatima, console the sorrowful who trust in you.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who invoke your aid.
Our Lady of Fatima, deliver us from all dangers.
Our Lady of Fatima, help us to resist temptation.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of you.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who are dear to us.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring back to the right road our erring brothers.
Our Lady of Fatima, give us back our ancient fervor.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring all men to the feet of your Divine Child.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain peace for the world.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let Us Pray:  O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in Thy dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary and our Lady of Fatima, and grant us by her powerful intercession, all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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Nomen Christi Apostolate Prayer for World Peace

O Most Holy Trinity, look upon the work of Thy Hands with mercy and give us the peace we so desperately need.  Shower Thy graces upon us like the rain, like a great flood engulfing us and end these many sorrows.  Sorrow from disrespect for human life, terrorism, unrest, fear, disaster, impurity, blasphemy, occult activities, persecution of the holy, leading the innocent astray, drug addiction, people thinking they can re-order the perfect creation Thou hast made.  We live in unprecedented times, uncertain times.  Deliver us from all evil, visible and invisible and from all fear.  Help us to prepare for the days to come and to extricate ourselves from this inauthentic culture.  We pray for the triumphalism of Holy Mother Church and the salvation of all souls.  Give us peace in our hearts and courage to face the future and win our Heavenly reward.  Jesus Our Lord & Our Lady of Fatima, we love Thee!  In the Holy Name of Christ, Nomen Christi.  Amen.

+   Sign of the Cross   +

Closing Hymn:  "Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above"

(Contractus Hermannus)

Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria.
Hail, Queen of mercy and of love, O Maria.
Triumph, all ye Cherubim,
Sing with us, ye Seraphim,
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn,
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina.

The cause of joy to all below, O Maria.
The spring through which all graces flow, O Maria.
Angels, all your praises bring,
Earth and heaven, with us sing,
All creation echoing,
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina.

O gentle, loving, holy one, O Maria.
The God of light became your Son, O Maria.
Triumph, all ye Cherubim,
Sing with us, ye Seraphim.
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn,
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina.

Thank you for joining us!  See you in September!  Let us show Our Lady how much we love her!

Another Thought....

The goal of life:  Attachment to nothing.

Thought for the Day

When you take care of yourself,

the world is instantly a better place!

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Today is the feast of St. Alphonsus de Ligouri, who died in 1787 and is a Doctor of the Church. 

The 2nd is the trad feast of St. Alphonsus and the "historical" feast of Our Lady of the Angels-many wonderful Marian feasts to come this month!  Think about how we may honor her Immaculate Heart this coming month.  The feast of her Immaculate Heart is the 22nd, along with her Queenship-what a glorious day!  Of course we also have the Assumption.....the Seven Joys and several other feasts in honor of Our Lady.

It is interesting to note that during this Marian month, we also have....St. Dominic, who gave us the Holy Rosary, St. Maximilian Kolbe, so devoted to Our Heavenly Mother, St. Joachim, her dear father and St. Monica, another famous mother.  We also celebrate 3 Doctors of the Church, 2 saints killed at Auschwitz, one year apart, 2 patrons of gardening (we like them at Nomen Christi!) and the luminous Transfiguration of Our Lord.  Wishing you all summer blessings and don't forget about our Fatima Family Holy Hour, which falls on a Sunday this month!  Here is a sampling of upcoming feasts....

8/4-First Friday/St. John Vianney (The Cure of Ars), 1859 (I saw his heart once!)/St. Dominic, Seer of the Holy Rosary, 1221

8/5-First Saturday/Our Lady of the Snows

8/6-Transfiguration of Our Lord

8/8-St. John Vianney (trad)/St. Dominic (new)

8/9-St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), 1942

8/11-St. Clare (Chiara), Foundress of Poor Clares, Companion of St. Francis of Assisi, 1253/St. Philomena, 304

8/12-St. Clare (trad)

8/13-Centennial of the Fourth Apparition at Fatima

8/14-St. Maximilian Kolbe, Martyr of Charity during Hitler regime, 1941/Vigil of the Assumption

8/15-THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, Holy Day of Obligation (please pray for my son's safe trip back to school today-ty!)

8/16-St. Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8/20-St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church, 1153

8/21-Our Lady of Knock, 1879/Pope St. Pius X, 1914

8/22-Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Immaculate Heart of Mary

8/23-St. Rose of Lima, Patroness of South America, 1617

8/24-Our Lady, Health of the Sick/St. Bartholomew, Apostle

8/26-Our Lady of Czestochowa

8/27-Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary/St. Monica, Mother of St. Augustine, 387

8/28-St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, 430

8/29-The Passion of St. John the Baptist

8/30-St. Fiacre of Brie, Patron of gardeners, 670/St. Rose of Lima, Patroness of gardeners....also! (trad)

Thought for the Day

A Rainbow Upside-Down is a Smile.

You See, It Can't Be Destroyed.

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

There's still time to recite this beautiful litany during the Month of the Most Precious Blood.  The ruby is the birthstone of July, a precious stone which seems to honor the Precious Blood with its bright red color.  Summer, heat.  The Blood, like drops of sweat during Our Lord's Agony.  So much to meditate upon.  And so much to be grateful for.  Our sufferings are so little compared to His.  O Lord Jesus, thank you!

Lord, have mercy on us.  Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.  Christ, hear us.  Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Blood of Christ, Only-Begotten Son of the Eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, etc.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation,
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic Drink and Refreshment of souls,
Blood of Christ, River of mercy,
Blood of Christ, Victor over demons,
Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs,
Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors,
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins,
Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril,
Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened,
Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow,
Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent,
Blood of Christ, Consolation of the dying,
Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts,
Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life,
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory,
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.  And made of us, a kingdom for our God.

Let us pray:  Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine Only-Begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by His Blood.  Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may worthily adore this Price of our salvation and through Its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in Its fruits forever in Heaven.  Through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.

"This Litany in honor of Jesus in His Most Precious Blood, was drawn up by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and promulgated by Pope John XXIII on February 24, 1960.  The devotion to Jesus in His most Precious Blood was first popularized by Saint Gaspar del Bufalo (1786-1837, feast Dec. 28), who founded the Missioners of the Most Precious Blood.  A partial Indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite this litany."  (Courtesy Catholic Online, Litany text from "A Prayerbook of Favorite Litanies.")

What's Left of July?

The Month of the Most Precious Blood

For a variety of reasons, I was not able to get the first half of the month posted-sorry 'bout that....but there is still half of July left!  (It just so happens I turn 50 during this particular time, which I have been emotionally preparing for, for a long time.  We'll see how well I prepared-I'll tell you how depressed I am in a few weeks!  But seriously, please pray for me during this life transition-I am using it as an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective and make more progress toward my goals, including those relating to this ministry.  TY!) 

So what did we miss?  July commenced with the Feast of the Most Precious Blood followed by the Visitation.  During the past 2 weeks, Holy Church has also honored the Apostle Thomas, the Holy Popes, Our Lady of Refuge, St. Maria Goretti (martyr for purity), Sts. Cyril & Methodius, St. John Fisher & St. Thomas More, St. Veronica, St. Kateri (my great-neice is named for her!) and St. Bonaventure, a Doctor of the Church.  All Ye Holy Saints, pray for us!  Thank you for your most blessed lives!

How can we honor the Precious Blood of Christ this month?  That is a very interesting question because it forces us to consider how His Blood may be distinct from His Body.  I do not pretend to be a theologian, so I will encourage you to pursue this question yourself with prayer.  We will be posting the Litany of the Most Precious Blood during the next 2 weeks, so please come back and pray this beautiful prayer with your family!  Litanies are such a wonderful Church tradition that have been largely lost.  Here are some notable feasts coming up-let us never forget all the great saints who have given their lives for our benefit.....

7/16-Our Lady of Mount Carmel (we will see in our coming Fatima Holy Hours how important the Mount Carmel message is to Our Lady)

7/19-St. Vincent de Paul, 1660

7/20-St. Jerome Emiliani, 1537

7/21-St. Lawrence of Brindisi, 1619-Doctor of the Church

7/22-St. Mary Magdalen

7/23-St. Bridget of Sweden, 1373

7/24-Vigil of St. James the Greater

7/25-St. James the Greater/St. Christopher, c. 250

7/26-Sts. Joachim & Anne

7/29-St. Martha, Companion of Christ

7/30-St. Peter Chrysologus, 450-Doctor of the Church

7/31-St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1556

This blog provides both old and new feasts.

Recap of Fatima Holy Hour

Hi Friends!  Three down, three to go!  Our Holy Hour was a little bit of a bust this time because due to issues, it didn't get up on time and then I had a big problem with getting the printable version up.  I know having that printable can make it a lot easier for people with large families or groups.  The printable this time took up 4 pages-2 people can easily share, so this can cut down on the amount of paper you use.  Also, you can hang on to these sheets and do the whole thing again every year!  I think I will do this every year from now on because I am really enjoying it and I think its important not to forget Fatima!  Contrary to what some say, I believe it still has great relevance. 

I do hope we get more participation next time!  Put it on your calendar or sign up for email reminders.  And...you and your family will be privy to our ongoing prayers for all our readers.  See....WIN WIN!