Come Holy Ghost

DETROIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL, 1959

Index 

Will the Holy Ghost abide with the Church forever?

The Holy Ghost will abide with the Church forever, and guide it in the way of holiness and truth.

Is not the Holy Ghost everywhere?

As God, the Holy Ghost is everywhere; but, as the Spirit of Truth and the Sanctifier of souls, He is especially in the Church and its members.
 

What should we practice devotion to the Holy Ghost?

We should practice devotion to the Holy Ghost, because He is the Sanctifier of souls, and with His divine aid we can do all that is necessary for eternal life.


Is the Holy Ghost equal to the Father and the Son?
The Holy Ghost is equal to the Father and the Son, being the same Lord and God as they are. 

Prayer to God's Mother

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith, 1922 (Page 47).

Women in The Church by Bishop Robert Barron

America magazine recently published a fascinating survey regarding the attitudes of women in the Church. They were kind enough to publish a few of my reactions to the study, but I would like, in this video, to offer a fuller response to their findings.

Put Yourself on Mary's Map

Look down, O Mother Mary, From thy bright throne above, Cast down upon thy children One only glance of love; And if a heart so tender With pity flows not o'er, Then turn away, O Mother, And look on us no more.

Father Brown

The Gate of Mercy

O Queen of heaven and earth! Thou art the gate of mercy ever open, never closed. The universe must perish before he who invokes thee from his heart is refused assistance.―Blessed Henry Suso.

But Only God Can Make a Tree

Alligator Juniper Silhouette - Mogollon Rim, Arizona 

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest;

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

a nest of robins in her hair,

Upon whose bosom snow has lain,

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me

But only God can make a tree. 

                              

Read More:  Poet, Soldier, Knight

Her Eyes - A Study or Ave Mary by Celine Dion

Mother of God! thy starry smile

Still bless us from above!

Keep pure our souls from passion's guile.

Our hearts from earthly love!

My Mother's Radio - Today's Homily

John the Baptist is one of the most important figures in Christianity, and provides a window into the tradition of the Jewish priesthood and the historical context of the day. John chose the river Jordan to baptize, a conscious move to display the forgiveness of sins against the backdrop of the Jewish history of Exodus and liberation. Yet while he was baptizing in the desert, likely an exercise in protest of the corruption in the Temple in Jerusalem, he was heralding the coming of Christ, one who will "baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Mass Readings

Reading 1 - Isaiah 49:1-6 
Psalm - Psalm 139:1B-15
Reading 2 - Acts 13:22-26
Gospel - Luke 1:57-66, 80

Holy Commun Prayers

BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION

Prayer for Help

O my God help me to make a good Communion. Mary, my dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me. My dear Angel Guardian, lead me to the Altar of God.

Act of Faith

O God, because Thou hast said it, I believe that I shall receive the Sacred Body of Jesus to eat, and His precious Blood to drink. My God, I believe that with all my heart.

Act of Humility

My God, I confess that I am a poor sinner; I am not worthy to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus on account of my sins. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Sorrow

My God, I detest all the sins of my life. I am sorry for them, because they have offended Thee, my God who art so good. I resolve never to commit sin any more. My good God, pity me, have mercy on me, forgive me. Amen.

Act of Adoration

O Jesus great God, present on the Altar, I bow down before Thee, I adore Thee.

Act of Love and Desire

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee. I desire with all my heart to receive Thee. Most sweet Jesus, come into my poor soul, and give me Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink. Give me Thy whole self, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, that I may live forever with Thee.

O most sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, lend me, I beseech thee, thy Immaculate Heart to receive my Jesus: that so I may receive Him by thee, by  whom the world received Him.

O Jesus, I offer Thee Thy sinless Mother's Heart, with its perfect dispositions at the moment of Thy Incarnation and all her communions. Come to me now by her, as I came to Thee by her. With her heart let me receive Thee.

AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

O my Queen, thou hast given me Jesus in thy heart, therefore, now, with the same true heart, entertain Him for me. Adore Him, thank Him, and implore Him for the graces thou knows me to need-in particular . . . . .

ACT OF FAITH

O Jesus, I believe that I have received Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink, because Thou hast said it, and Thy word is true.

ACT OF ADORATION

O Jesus, my God, my Creator, I adore Thee, because from Thy Hands I came and with Thee I am to be happy forever.

ACT OF HUMILITY

O Jesus, I am but dust and ashes, and yet Thou hast come to me, and my poor heart may speak to Thee.

ACT OF LOVE

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee; I love Thee with all my heart. Thou knows that I love Thee, and wish to love Thee daily more and more.

ACT OF THANKSGIVING

My good Jesus, I thank Thee with all my heart. How good, how kind Thou art to me, sweet Jesus. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

ACT OF OFFERING

O Jesus, receive my poor offering. Jesus Thou hast given Thyself to me, and let me give myself to Thee:

I give Thee my body, that it may be chaste and pure.

I give Thee my soul, that it may be free from sin.

I give Thee my heart, that it may always love Thee.

I give Thee every breath that I shall breathe. and especially my last; I give Thee myself in life and in death, that I may be Thine for ever and ever.

O Jesus, wash away my sins with Thy precious Blood.

O Jesus, the struggle against temptation is not yet finished. My Jesus, when temptation comes near me, make me strong against it. In the moment of temptation may I always say, "Jesus, mercy! Mary, help!"

O Jesus, may I lead a good life; may I die a happy death. May I receive Thee before I die. May I say when I am dying, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul."

Listen now for a moment to Jesus Christ; perhaps He has something to say to you. There may be some promise you have made and broken, which He wishes you to make again and keep. Answer Jesus in your heart, and tell Him all your troubles. Then pray for others.

O Jesus, have mercy on Thy Holy Church; take care of it.

O Jesus, have pity on poor sinners, and save them from hell.

O Jesus, bless my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, and all I ought to pray for, as Thy Heart knows how to bless them.

O Jesus, have pity on the poor souls in Purgatory, and give them eternal rest.

Sweet Jesus, I am going away for a time, but trust not without Thee. Thou are with me by Thy grace. I will never leave Thee by mortal sin. I do not fear to do so, though I am so weak, because I have such hope in Thee. Give me grace to persevere. Amen.

    

A Book and a Song

John Henry Newman never revealed to the world the secret of his own conversion into the Catholic faith.  Perhaps the answer can be found in this little book that he wrote while still an Anglican.  

The words were set to music and became a popular hymn which is cherished by Protestants and Catholics alike. Click on the sound bar below the book to listen to the music.  To read the book use the tools provided to enlarge and to turn the pages. 

All Hail to Thee Dear Mother Mary

All hail to thee, dear and ever-blessed Mother!  We honor thee for God honors thee;  we love thee, for God loves thee;  we obey thee, for thou ever commandest the will of thy Lord.  The passers-by may jeer thee; . . . earth and hell rise up in wrath against thee . . . but all the more dear art thou to our hearts;  all the more deep and sincere is the homage we pay thee;  and all the more earnestly do we pray thee to receive our humble offerings, and to own us for thy children, and watch over us that we never forfeit the right to call thee our Mother.  

(Orestes Brownson 19th century)

The Angelus or Inside the Front Door

Twelve o'clock - six o'clock! The Church bell rings out its deep, clear tones, to recall our minds to Mary. The Angelus! What a sweet and necessary reminder of Heaven.

Our Lady's Story - See bottom of this page.

Recorded at the Kitchen Table - Scottsdale Arizona.

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;  blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.    Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:  Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;  blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.    Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen. And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;  blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.    Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,  that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Years ago I was browsing through a Religious Goods store in Boston when an old cement statue of Our Lady standing behind the front door caught my eye.  I was entirely captivated by her aged beauty.  I was told by the salesman that Our Lady had stood in a nearby convent yard for 80 years and was in need of a new home.  That is how the Lady's peeling paint figure and I met.  From Boston she traveled to Littlemore Farm in Iowa and stood in a shrine that I built with a thousand brick and a summer's labor.  When my wife and I left the farm Our Lady came with us and now stands in her niche to greet all who visit our home.  

The farm shrine stands empty.  The video was taken at Littlemore Farm.

One Line Prayers

Ejaculations to the Blessed Virgin

Mary. 
(Ind. of 25 days, each time.―Clement XIII. Sept. 5, 1750.)

Mary, Virgin Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me. 
(Ind. of 50 days, once each day.―Leo XIII. March  29, 1894.)

Mary our hope, have pity on us. 
(Ind. of 300 days, each time.―Pius X. Jan 8, 1906.) 

My Mother, my trust. 
(Ind. of 300 days, each time.―Benedict XV. Sept. 6, 1915.)

Our Lady of the most Holy Sacrament, pray for us. 
(Ind. of 300 days, each time, before the Blessed Sacrament exposed.―Pius X.  Jan 10, 1906.)

The Man of God

Fr.  Callan & McHugh
Authors of "Blessed Be God."

P. J. Kennedy & Sons, 1928

A Short Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

O Queen of heaven and earth! Thou art the gate of mercy ever open, never closed. The universe must perish before he who invokes thee from his heart is refused assistance.―Blessed Henry Suso.

Time Travel - What is a Mystery

PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, DANBURY, CONNECTICUT - 1950

What is a Mystery?

A mystery is a truth which we cannot fully understand. 

Why must we believe the mysteries of religion?

We must believe the mysteries of religion because God, who can neither deceive nor be deceived, has deigned to make these truths known in part to us. 
"Blessed are thy that have not seen, and have believed." John 20: 29.

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

Today's Homily by Bishop Robert Barron

                      CLICK ⬆︎

In all the literature of the world, I don’t know of a richer account of who we are, what we’re called to be, and what goes wrong with us than the first chapters of Genesis—especially the third chapter, from which our first reading comes. And we see in our Gospel for today that what happens to us in the immediate wake of original sin—alienation, shame, self-centeredness, scapegoating—helps us immensely to understand Jesus and his work.

Mass Readings

Reading 1 - Genesis 3:9-15
Psalm - Psalm 130:1-8
Reading 2 - 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1
Gospel - Mark 3:20-35

Holy Communion Prayers

1. Say these Prayers slowly, a few words at a time.
2. It is well to stop after every few words that they may sink into the heart.
3. Each prayer may be said several times.

BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION

Prayer for Help

O my God help me to make a good Communion. Mary, my dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for me. My dear Angel Guardian, lead me to the Altar of God.

Act of Faith

O God, because Thou hast said it, I believe that I shall receive the Sacred Body of Jesus to eat, and His precious Blood to drink. My God, I believe that with all my heart.

Act of Humility

My God, I confess that I am a poor sinner; I am not worthy to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus on account of my sins. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Sorrow

My God, I detest all the sins of my life. I am sorry for them, because they have offended Thee, my God who art so good. I resolve never to commit sin any more. My good God, pity me, have mercy on me, forgive me. Amen.

Act of Adoration

O Jesus great God, present on the Altar, I bow down before Thee, I adore Thee.

Act of Love and Desire

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee. I desire with all my heart to receive Thee. Most sweet Jesus, come into my poor soul, and give me Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink. Give me Thy whole self, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, that I may live forever with Thee.

O most sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, lend me, I beseech thee, thy Immaculate Heart to receive my Jesus: that so I may receive Him by thee, by  whom the world received Him.

O Jesus, I offer Thee Thy sinless Mother's Heart, with its perfect dispositions at the moment of Thy Incarnation and all her communions. Come to me now by her, as I came to Thee by her. With her heart let me receive Thee.

AFTER HOLY COMMUNION

O my Queen, thou hast given me Jesus in thy heart, therefore, now, with the same true heart, entertain Him for me. Adore Him, thank Him, and implore Him for the graces thou knows me to need-in particular . . . . .

ACT OF FAITH

O Jesus, I believe that I have received Thy Flesh to eat and Thy Blood to drink, because Thou hast said it, and Thy word is true.

ACT OF ADORATION

O Jesus, my God, my Creator, I adore Thee, because from Thy Hands I came and with Thee I am to be happy forever.

ACT OF HUMILITY

O Jesus, I am but dust and ashes, and yet Thou hast come to me, and my poor heart may speak to Thee.

ACT OF LOVE

Sweet Jesus, I love Thee; I love Thee with all my heart. Thou knows that I love Thee, and wish to love Thee daily more and more.

ACT OF THANKSGIVING

My good Jesus, I thank Thee with all my heart. How good, how kind Thou art to me, sweet Jesus. Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

ACT OF OFFERING

O Jesus, receive my poor offering. Jesus Thou hast given Thyself to me, and let me give myself to Thee:

I give Thee my body, that it may be chaste and pure.

I give Thee my soul, that it may be free from sin.

I give Thee my heart, that it may always love Thee.

I give Thee every breath that I shall breathe. and especially my last; I give Thee myself in life and in death, that I may be Thine for ever and ever.

O Jesus, wash away my sins with Thy precious Blood.

O Jesus, the struggle against temptation is not yet finished. My Jesus, when temptation comes near me, make me strong against it. In the moment of temptation may I always say, "Jesus, mercy! Mary, help!"

O Jesus, may I lead a good life; may I die a happy death. May I receive Thee before I die. May I say when I am dying, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul."

Listen now for a moment to Jesus Christ; perhaps He has something to say to you. There may be some promise you have made and broken, which He wishes you to make again and keep. Answer Jesus in your heart, and tell Him all your troubles. Then pray for others.

O Jesus, have mercy on Thy Holy Church; take care of it.

O Jesus, have pity on poor sinners, and save them from hell.

O Jesus, bless my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, and all I ought to pray for, as Thy Heart knows how to bless them.

O Jesus, have pity on the poor souls in Purgatory, and give them eternal rest.

Sweet Jesus, I am going away for a time, but trust not without Thee. Thou are with me by Thy grace. I will never leave Thee by mortal sin. I do not fear to do so, though I am so weak, because I have such hope in Thee. Give me grace to persevere. Amen.

    

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

MEMORIAL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY LUKE 2:41-51 By Bishop Robert barron Friends, today’s Gospel tells the familiar story of Mary and Joseph finding twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple. When they find him, they upbraid him with understandable exasperation: "Child, why have you treated us like this?" But Jesus responds, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?" The story conveys a truth that runs sharply counter to our sensibilities: even the most powerful familial emotions must, in the end, give way to mission. Though she felt an enormous pull in the opposite direction, Mary let her Son go, allowing him to find his vocation in the Temple. Legitimate sentiment devolves into sentimentality precisely when it comes to supersede the call of God.  On a biblical reading, the family is, above all, the forum in which both parents and children are able to discern their missions. It is perfectly good, of course, if deep bonds and rich emotions are cultivated within the family, but those relationships and passions must cede to something that is more fundamental, more enduring, more spiritually focused.  The paradox is this: precisely in the measure that everyone in the family focuses on God’s call for one another, the family becomes more loving and peaceful.

Time Travel - What is Mortal Sin

PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, DANBURY, CONNECTICUT - 1950

INDEX TO OTHER LESSONS

What is Mortal Sin?

Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God.
When does one commit a mortal sin?
One commits a mortal sin when he knowingly and willfully breaks the law of God in a serious matter.

We should look upon mortal sin as a most shameful insult to God, and the greatest evil that can befall man.  

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, 1922.

page 15

Time Travel - Who is The Holy Ghost?

PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, DANBURY, CONNECTICUT, 1950

Index 

Who is the Holy Ghost?

The Holy Ghost is the third person of the Blessed Trinity.

From whom does the Holy Ghost proceed?

The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son.
 

How are we to understand that the "Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son?"

The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son, as the Infinite Love between them, and has the same nature as they.

Is the Holy Ghost equal to the Father and the Son?
The Holy Ghost is equal to the Father and the Son, being the same Lord and God as they are. 

Prayer to God's Mother

Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith, 1922 (Page 47).