May is the Month of Our Lady!

Each month in the Catholic calendar is dedicated to a particular intention and this month, it is Our Lady. It is sad Catholics have gotten away from this unifying theme each month. We have largely forgotten that we are the Body of Christ on earth, all as one. Many are focused on their own parishes, not even having any knowledge of what is going on in the parishes around them, nevermind the larger picture. Each month, I will be discussing the focus for that month (I’m not known for being perfectly timely, as I have many domestic responsibilities, family in need and my own health issues-my hubby and I are empty nesters, but I still have lots on my plate-please be patient with me when I am flaky).

So how can we honor the Mother of God this month? I never claim to have all the answers and I always encourage others to be self-empowered and use their own creativity. What I would suggest, as I’ve been saying a lot these days, is to re-commit ourselves to daily Rosary and devotion to the Immaculate Heart in all the requests of Fatima (which we will be discussing in the coming days in detail). Please think of how you can devote yourself to her this month with your family. God will certainly look upon the world with greater mercy if He sees there is love for His Beloved Mother!

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday in the new. Let us never feel abandoned by God, even in dark moments. If you are feeling depressed, just say “I give myself to Thee” and commend it all to Him. Our priest gave a wonderful homily this morning over the internet (where they can see everything-hmmmmm). He said you should never let anything take your joy away. We have Christ and the Good News of the New Covenant-anything less than joy is an insult to Him. He explained that when we are caught up in the cares of the world, our joy can be taken away, but we must keep our eyes on the Eternal. What a great and consoling message at this time.

Following are some notable feasts this month (some old, some new). If you have been following me for several years, you know I have a particular interest in the Doctors of the Church. I always say, if you wish to read one book of each Doctor, it will take 35 years! This month, we have 5 Doctors of the Church. My husband and I read about one of them per month in the book, The 35 Doctors of the Church: https://www.tanbooks.com/thirty-five-doctors-of-the-church.html?___SID=U This month, we are focusing on Saint Robert Bellarmine, whose feast is May 13th. I once read his “Hell and Its Torments” and was forever changed. Have a blessed month of May!

May 3-Good Shepherd Sunday (new), Sts. Philip & James the Less

May 9-St. Gregory Nazianzen, Doctor

May 10-St. John of Avila, Doctor

May 13-OUR LADY OF FATIMA* (take a look at the World Apostolate of Fatima site https://www.bluearmy.com/ for prayers and info), St. Robert Bellarmine

May 15-St. Isidore the Farmer (Nomen Christi Apostolate counts him among our patrons), St. Dymphna, patron of mental disorders (many are experiencing anxiety right now)

May 16-St. Simon Stock, seer of the Brown Scapular, another of Our Lady’s requests (good time to be wearing it!)

May 18-20-Minor Rogation Days-trad custom-prayer and penance

May 21-ASCENSION OF THE LORD-check your diocese if this is a Holy Day of Obligation

May 24-ASCENSION OF THE LORD (new)

May 25-St. Bede the Venerable, Doctor (new)

May 27-St. Bede the Venerable, Doctor (old)

May 30-Vigil of Pentecost

May 31-PENTECOST, The Visitation, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (what a wonderful triple feast!)

*Nomen Christi Apostolate is dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima

Picture above is from my own yard-I believe our home has protection!

Are You Having Trouble Getting Dental Treatment At This Time?

Saint Apollonia was a virgin martyr and is the patron saint of dental disease. She died in the year 250 and her feast is February 12th. Many are having difficulty obtaining dental treatment during this time. If you have a dental problem and your dentist refuses to treat you, consider praying Saint Apollonia’s novena below. The whole world is suffering a very great chastisement. O God, have mercy on us all!

Novena To Saint Apollonia

O Glorious Apollonia, Patron Saint of dentistry and refuge to all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to you, beseeching you to number me among your clients.
Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with Him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart be like yours, inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord.
O My God, bring me safely through temptation and strengthen me as Thou didst our own Patron Saint Apollonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint Apollonia, pray for my intention, (mention intention). Saint Apollonia, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

(Repeat the above for 9 consecutive days)

From https://catholicsaints.info/ :

We know that she lived in Alexandria, and that on February 9th of the year 250, during the persecution of the Christians ordered by the Emperor Decius [Apollonia was tortured and put to death]…one of the chief authorities for the history of the early Christian Church is the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in the fourth century. If we turn to book VI, chapter 41, of this work, we shall find there a letter from Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, written to Fabius, Bishop of Antioch, which gives an account of the Decian persecution at Alexandria, and also tells us all we really know of Saint Apollonia….

“Then with one accord, all rushed upon the houses of the pious, and whomsoever of their neighbors they knew, they drove thither in all haste, and despoiled and plundered them, setting apart the more valuable of the articles for themselves; but the more common and wooden furniture they threw about and burnt in the roads, presenting a sight like a city taken by the enemy. They also seized that admirable virgin Apollonia, then in advanced age, and beating her jaws, they broke out all her teeth, and kindling a fire before the city, threatened to burn her alive, unless she would repeat their impious expressions. She appeared at first to shrink a little, but when suffered to go, she suddenly sprang into the fire and was consumed.”

Image courtesy flickr.com

Prayer, slightly edited, courtesy: https://novenaprayer.com/

Sat the 25th is a Rogation Day

This is the Major Rogation Day, traditionally celebrated in the Church. The Rogation Days are similar in spirit to the Ember Days, seeking mercy and blessings upon the coming season. These were the celebrations that made people love the Church and feel connected to her. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to bring all these beautiful practices back? This Rogation Day, as the world and the Church continues to suffer, how appropriate a time to observe this ancient tradition! From “Catholic Answers Encyclopedia:”

“Rogation Days, days of prayer, and formerly also of fasting, instituted by the Church to appease God’s anger at man’s transgressions, to ask protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest…The Rogation Days are the 25th of April, called Major, and the three days before the feast of the Ascension, called Minor.” For full text: https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/rogation-days

The “Litany of the Saints” was normally recited on the Rogation Days. Pray it with your family! https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-the-saints-250

Also, if you did not have the chance to perform the Divine Mercy devotion last Sunday, wouldn’t this Rogation Day be a great time to do that? Please see our previous post for our “at home” program. It doesn’t take long! My husband and I prayed it and it was quite a blessing and consolation at this time, especially the closing prayer:

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

This Rogation Day is also the feast of Saint Mark. Saint Mark, pray for us at this hour!

Divine Mercy Sunday At Home

I was disappointed to see, when viewing the sites of my local parishes, not only no live-streamed Divine Mercy devotions, but not even any suggestions of how to perform this devotion at home. So, I came up with my own home program. The contemplation of the image is an idea I got from our Bishop’s (Bishop Barres) letter to the diocese of Rockville Centre, New York. The “Act of Contrition” just seems appropriate when seeking mercy. I included the “Prayer of Petition” to give Saint Faustina some recognition. And of course, her wonderful Chaplet!

If you do not have time for this today, please consider performing this devotion some time this coming week, with your family. EWTN does broadcast the Chaplet. Please see their schedule for this week: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/chaplet-of-divine-mercy In addition, also on their site, here is everything you ever wanted to know about the Divine Mercy devotion: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/divine-mercy-12705

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, that there has never been a more important time for this! Blessings to you and your families on this wonderful feast!

+++

Contemplation of Divine Mercy Image of Christ

This is the image above, given to us in Saint Faustina’s vision. A red stream and a white stream emanating from the Sacred Heart of Christ, representing the Blood and Water which flowed when His Heart was pierced on the Cross. If you have this image in your home, place it in front of you as you say the following prayers.

+++

Act of Contrition

Oh, my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen. I also resolve to avoid all occasion of sin.

+++

Prayer of Petition

O Jesus, who filled Thy handmaid Saint Faustina with profound veneration for Thy boundless Mercy, grant me, through her intercession, the grace for which I fervently pray: (mention request). My sins render me unworthy of Thy mercy, but be mindful of Saint Faustina’s spirit of sacrifice and self-denial and reward her virtue by granting the petition which, with childlike confidence, I present to Thee. Amen.

+++

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

With your Rosary beads, recite the following prayers: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet

+++

Prayer of Petition (slightly edited) courtesy https://www.daily-prayers.org/

Image courtesy http://stviator.azurewebsites.net/?s=%3Fpage+id%3D1829&search_404=1

Easter Saturday

From today’s Mass:

The Lord brought forth His people with joy, alleluia: and His chosen ones with gladness, alleluia, alleluia!

Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His Name: declare His deeds among the Gentiles.

Alleluia, alleluia! This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia!

Praise the Lord, O ye His servants, praise the Name of the Lord!

Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. the Lord is God, and He hath shone upon us, alleluia, alleluia!

All ye who have been baptised in Christ, have put on Christ, alleluia!

+++

What joyful words we have in the masses of this Easter week! The “Alleluia” resounds. And how much we need right now, to be reminded of the joy of the Good News of Christ. Tomorrow is the feast of Divine Mercy. Let us participate in any video or home devotions. Let our prayers rise to God on high and secure mercy for this world, as we experience the just punishments for sin.

Short Rosary Meditation: The Descent of The Holy Ghost

The Descent of The Holy Ghost

“Descent” is a dramatic word. What does dictionary.com say? Here is an excerpt:

descent: noun
-the act, process, or fact of moving from a higher to a lower position.
-a passage or stairway leading down.
-any passing from higher to lower in degree or state; decline.

Let’s go through this. “Higher to a lower position.” When we contemplated the Ascension, we spoke of Christ traversing from earth to Heaven. Now Heaven descends to earth. “Passage or stairway leading down.” This stairway, leading down from Heaven also helps us to ascend back up to Heaven, through the fruits and gifts of the Holy Ghost. “Passing from higher to lower in degree.” The Higher comes down to the lower, not to degrade Himself, but to uplift us to Himself. How extraordinary. And people think Catholics are negative?

So here we have the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity, taking His turn to come to earth, the final great Act in this Story of God’s revelation of Himself to mankind and ultimate redemption. First, the Father came to the Jews, then the Son came to die, then the Holy Ghost came as the “Giver of Life,” as we are told in the Nicene Creed. We received Him in our Sacrament of Confirmation, but how often do we think of this sacrament and its implications in our daily lives? We must study the fruits and gifts we received and make every effort to increase these virtues within ourselves.

Especially at this time, let us resolve to give God our very best, to not disappoint Him and to avail ourselves of all the graces given to us. Dear Holy Ghost, help me to love, know and understand Thee better with each passing day!

Easter Friday-A Solemnity!

Today is a solemnity-no penance required. From today’s Mass:

The Lord brought them out in hope, alleluia, and the sea overwhelmed their enemies, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Attend, O My people, to My law; incline your ears to the words of My mouth.

This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord; the Lord is God, and He hath shone upon us.

Alleluia, alleluia! Say ye among the gentiles: the Lord hath reigned from a tree.

All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth, alleluia: going teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, alleluia, alleluia!

+++

We have many wonderful sentiments in the above words today. First, we are reminded of the virtue of hope. God never forgets His children. The second line gives us the antidote to our current situation. Its not a vaccine. Its not a mask. Its not “social distancing.” Its not closing your business. Its living God’s Law, revealed first through the Jewish people and now, through Christ’s Church, built upon His great sacrifice, His own Blood. We also have “This is the day…,” each day this week, reminding us that no matter how difficult life gets, this is His world and He wills that it all goes on. Finally, we contemplate Our Lord’s power, knowing He’s got it all under control.

I hope you have been praying the Glorious Mysteries each day this Easter week. I know, if you are not used to praying the rosary every day, it may be hard to stay motivated. But whenever you push past that laziness and the temptation to put temporal concerns above the spiritual (“I don’t have time”), the rewards are ALWAYS extraordinary and you NEVER regret it! Last night, as my hubby and I prayed it, it was wonderful to meditate on these most beautiful of Mysteries. Visualizing Our Lord resurrected in great radiance, ascending in glory amidst the clouds and Our Lady crowned in Heaven among the angels, lifted me right out of the earthly sufferings of this hour and into a space of great wonder and joy. Its something the world does not comprehend. So let’s all try to turn over a new leaf and do as Our Lady of Fatima requested-daily rosary!

One more thought: many don’t pray the rosary because they are too perfectionistic and it overwhelms them. The answer: don’t try, just do it. 99% of the battle is getting started. Just start blurting out the Apostles Creed and you’re good to go! If your mind drifts, and it will, just gently pull it back and keep going. Its fine. Our Lady knows we are human. We NEED the rosary right now. Our Lady of Fatima foresaw these days and she told us to pray it. Its never been more important!

Easter Thursday

From today’s Mass:

They praised with one accord Thy victorious hand, O Lord, alleluia; for wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of infants eloquent, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, for He hath done wonderful things!

This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner; this is the work of the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Alleluia, alleluia! Christ is risen, who created all things, and who had compassion upon the human race.

In the day of your solemnity, saith the Lord, I will bring you into a land that floweth with milk and honey, alleluia!

Ye people whom God hath purchased, declare the virtues, alleluia, of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, alleluia!

+++

“I will bring you into a land that floweth with milk and honey, alleluia!” God is always with us and will never forsake His children. A beautiful new era awaits the Church after a time of chastisement. We may be entering that time now. But remember, Our Lady said, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph!” So never lose hope!

Easter Wednesday

From today’s Mass:

Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the Kingdom, alleluia, which was prepared for you from the foundation of the world, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord the whole earth!

This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it. The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength; the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me.

Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed; and hath appeared to Peter.

The Lord opened the doors of heaven, and rained down manna upon them to eat: He gave them the bread of heaven: man ate the bread of Angels, alleluia!

Christ, risen again from the dead, dieth now no more, alleluia! Death shall no more have dominion over Him, alleluia, alleluia!

+++

What joyful words given us by Holy Church this day for our consolation! Trust in our loving Father!

Easter Tuesday Rosary Meditation: The Ascension

From today’s Mass:

He have them the water of wisdom to drink, alleluia; she shall be made strong in them, and shall not be moved, alleluia!

Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His Name: declare His deeds among the nations!

This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is risen from the sepulchre, who for us hung upon a tree.

The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High gave His voice; and the fountains of waters appeared, alleluia!

If you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, alleluia!

+++

The Ascension of Our Lord

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, has risen triumphantly from the dead, but the Story is not over yet.  He appeared to his Mother and the Apostles for forty days, preparing them to cross the threshold, the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth through the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.  When this task was sufficient, as the Apostles looked on, "He was raised up: and a cloud received Him out of their sight." (Acts 1:9)  The Ascension of Our Lord is paralleled only by His Coming at the End of Time, wholly unique events in human history, singular in glory, majesty and wonder.  In the Old Law, the Father condescends to come to earth, as when He speaks to Moses in the Burning Bush and the institution of the Ten Commandments.  Now the Son, establishing the New Law, rises up, showing us how real and attainable Heaven is.  Our Lord opened access to Heaven on the Holy Cross and in His Ascension, He makes the leap Himself.  He wants us to follow Him there-that was the whole purpose of His life on earth and the whole purpose of our own lives.  To ensure we get there, He creates the physical, visible bridge to Heaven, the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

A number of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary involve the meeting of Heaven and earth.  The Ascension, the Assumption and the Crucifixion each traverse the distance from earth to Heaven.  The Descent of the Holy Ghost, the Annunciation, the Baptism of Our Lord and the Transfiguration each involve Heaven coming down to earth.  Heaven also meets earth in the miracles and apparitions of the Church.  Lourdes is unique in that the miraculous water stays with us to this day and Fatima was unique in the witnessing of the "Miracle of the Sun" by thousands.  Our Holy Church calls down the powers of Heaven in every sacrament.  Our Lord's Ascension was His final sign that we are free to enter Heaven with Him, through the Church that could be built only upon His departure.

Heaven and earth are not just places.  They represent the relationship between God and His children.  As any parent/child relationship, it is bound to be difficult.  It’s difficult for the child to see the wisdom of the parent and it’s difficult for the parent to let the child go when it is time.  We can easily see the similarity here in how we perceive God.  But can we see how God perceives us?  As much as we love our own children and grieve over their absence, how much more does the Father love and grieve over us?  So much, that He sent His only Son to die for us.  The wrenching a parent feels when setting the child free, is only a faint hint of what the Father feels over one lost soul.  That is why He cannot leave us alone.  That is why He keeps interfering.  From the manna in the desert to the Bread of Life, He cannot bear to leave His children starving.  How much longer will He allow the innocent to spiritually starve in this corrupt culture?  The Ascension tells us there is another world He has prepared for us, that Heaven is our true home, sainthood our natural state.

Though our Blessed Lord rose away from earth on that day when the Apostles saw him lifted up to the sky, He remains with us always.  He has established His perennial Presence in the Holy Eucharist, residing in every tabernacle throughout the world.  He has built His Church, preserving all His precepts.  What more could He have done for us?  The Gospel of Saint Matthew ends with these words:  "...teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matt 28:18-20)  The angels say, "This Jesus who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come, as you have seen Him going into Heaven," foretelling the Second Coming at the End of Time. (Acts 1:11)  Dearest Jesus, Who ascended in glory to show me Heaven, may I always trust that Thou remain with me in this world, even in my most difficult moments.  Amen.

The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ is all about hope. Let us at this trying time, keep our eyes on these Mysteries and never become overwhelmed with fear or doubt. Let us awaken each day and say, “This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Let us pull ourselves out of our despondence and go love another person and make a difference to that person. In love there is strength, healing and joy.

+++

The above meditation, along with “The Resurrection,” was written 6 years ago. I wrote “The Ascension” right around the time my son was going off to college, so speaking of a parent’s difficulty letting a child go was very personal. I have edited both meditations in this re-publishing. I hope you find them uplifting and interesting. I admit I am not a theologian, just a Long Island housewife who likes to think about this stuff. What I am trying to do is to come upon some fundamental aspect of each Mystery, without any pre-conceived ideas. Each meditation is as much a surprise to me as it might be to you!