1. First Book - Part 1
2. First Book - Part 2
3. First Book - Part 3
4. First Book - Part 4
5. First Book - Part 5
6. First Book - Part 6 - Tuesday, July 31st, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
Come, O Creator Spirit Blest
1. First Book - Part 1
2. First Book - Part 2
3. First Book - Part 3
4. First Book - Part 4
5. First Book - Part 5
6. First Book - Part 6 - Tuesday, July 31st, 2018
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Ave Maria - Correct Pitch!
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| Yehudi Menuhin (1916 - 1999)
Yehudi Menuhin was an American-born violinist and conductor who spent most of his performing career in Britain. He is widely considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century.
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Evening Sigh - 29th Day
I desire, O Lord Jesus, that as often as I draw in my breath I may beathe Thee into me with heartfelt devotion, so that all my thoughts, words, and works may be united with Thy thoughts, words, and works, and thus may be offered to God the Father to His greater glory.
(Ascensiones in Corde, Mowbray & Co., - 1912)
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Evening Sigh - 28th Day
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Our Lady of Littlemore, Scottsdale, Arizona
You are kind and lovable in your splendor, holy Mother of God! Show me your face. Let your words sound in my ears, for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.
Hail Mary . . .
Please click the play button below to listen to Mary's Patronage Prayer now.
Prayers for All Day
1. First Book - Part 1 - 07/10/18
2. First Book - Part 2 - 07/11/18
3. First Book - Part 3 - 07/25/18
4. First Book - Part 4 - 07/27/18
Friday, July 27, 2018
Evening Sigh - July 27th
HAIL MARY, OUR HOPE
O Lady—Our Lady—You are of all the most lovely, the entire Church calls you and greets you, "Our Hope." You therefore who are the Hope of All, be my Hope too. It is St. Bernard who calls you, "The whole reason of my hope;" and he says of you, "Even the one whose need is desperate can hope in you." In like manner I too can say: O Mary, you are mine—you can save those who are in desperate need. In you I put all my hope.
Evening Sigh: Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.
PATRONAGE PRAYER
To be Said Each Day to Obtain Mary's Powerful Patronage
O Virgin Immaculate and Most Holy, my Mother Mary—the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the World, the Advocate, the Hope, the Refuge of Sinners,—to you I come to seek your help today—I, who am the most in need of all.
I bow in reverence before you, O Great Queen, and I thank you for the great graces you have given me until now, but especially because you have saved me from the punishments of hell which I have deserved so many times.
I love you, Most Lovely Lady, and because I love you so much I promise to be your faithful servant always, and to do all I can to make you loved by others, In you I place all my hopes, all my salvation.
O Mother of Mercy, accept me for your servant and shield me under your mantle; because you are great and powerful with God deliver me from all temptations, or better still get me the grace to conquer them even until death.
From you I ask for the true love of Jesus Christ; through you I hope to die a good death. O My Mother, I pray you by the love you have for God to give me your help at all times, but most of all at the last moment of my life; do not leave me until you see me safe in Heaven blessing you and singing your mercies for ever. Amen. This is my hope. So let it be.
From you I ask for the true love of Jesus Christ; through you I hope to die a good death. O My Mother, I pray you by the love you have for God to give me your help at all times, but most of all at the last moment of my life; do not leave me until you see me safe in Heaven blessing you and singing your mercies for ever. Amen. This is my hope. So let it be.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
The Tower of David
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| O, Mary, take our flowers and our hearts to offer them to Jesus your Divine Son. |
In the Sacred Canticles the Holy Spirit speaks of the Tower of David in these words, "It is built with bulwarks. A thousand shields hang from its walls—the complete armour of the strong." Mary is the Tower of David. It is built with mighty strength; its powerful defences are beyond number; so are the arms and the supplies it affords to all who seek protection within.
Most holy Mary, St. Ignatius the Martyr tells me that you are a "most powerful fortress for all those engaged in war"—a bastion of mighty strength for all those who are fighting in the battle. I am facing the assaults of my enemies; their attacks never cease; they are trying to wrest from me the grace of God and to deprive me of your protection, O My dearest Lady. But you are my fortress. You do not think it unworthy of you to come to the help of those who trust you in the combat. St. Ephrem tells me that you are "she who battles for those who trust in her." Do battle for me then and defend me for in you I put all my hope, all my trust.
Evening Sigh—Mary, Mary, your name is my defense.
Most holy Mary, St. Ignatius the Martyr tells me that you are a "most powerful fortress for all those engaged in war"—a bastion of mighty strength for all those who are fighting in the battle. I am facing the assaults of my enemies; their attacks never cease; they are trying to wrest from me the grace of God and to deprive me of your protection, O My dearest Lady. But you are my fortress. You do not think it unworthy of you to come to the help of those who trust you in the combat. St. Ephrem tells me that you are "she who battles for those who trust in her." Do battle for me then and defend me for in you I put all my hope, all my trust.
Evening Sigh—Mary, Mary, your name is my defense.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
The Bridge of God
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| I am the mother of fair love, and of fear and knowledge, and of holy hope. |
Mary, my Mother most holy, St. Germanus calls you "The power that supports our weakness." In you we will find the remedy for all our sickness; in you our weakness will find strength.
St. Bonaventure calls you "The gate of Liberty"—In you we have the door through which we go forth from the slavery of sin. He also calls you "The safe resting place of men"—so in you too we find peace and security. St. Lawrence Justinian calls you "The comforter of our pilgrimage"—you bring relief to us in our sufferings. St Bonaventure calls you "The Throne of the Grace of God:" so to sum up all, in you we find God's grace and God Himself. St. Proclus tells us you are "The bridge by which God comes down to man"—our sins have separated us from God but happily for us, Mary is the bridge by which He passes when He comes to dwell in our souls by His grace.
Evening Sigh—Mary, you are my strength, my liberty, my peace; and my salvation.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
The Heavenly Ark
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Yes, I see! It is the star of Mary, who wants to be my light and lead me to heaven.
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The Ark in which Noe escaped the universal Deluge is a figure of Mary. St. Bernardine calls her "The Ark in which we escape shipwreck." She is the heavenly ark in which we find shelter while on earth and so escape the shipwreck of everlasting loss. But Esecius says that Mary gives shelter which is superior to that of the Ark of Noe because it is more universal, has greater strength, and is more kindly. With Noe only a few men and beasts found shelter: Mary receives all who seek protection under her mantle and she saves them all. How unhappy our lot would be if we had not Mary! And yet, with all this many still are lost. Why is this? O Mother, it is because they do not go to you: nobody could be lost ever if he asked your help.
Evening Sigh—Most Holy Mary, may we all have recourse to you, and always!
Mary's Little Prayer Index
Evening Sigh
THE SEA OF GRACE
My most gentle Lady, in the midst of the fears I sometimes experience about my eternal salvation, I feel a great sense of confidence when I appeal to you and when I think of you. On the one hand, my Mother, you have a wealth of graces at your disposal—"A sea of graces" is what St. John Damascene calls you. St. Ephram tells me you are 'The spring from which grace and consolation flow'."
My most gentle Lady, in the midst of the fears I sometimes experience about my eternal salvation, I feel a great sense of confidence when I appeal to you and when I think of you. On the one hand, my Mother, you have a wealth of graces at your disposal—"A sea of graces" is what St. John Damascene calls you. St. Ephram tells me you are 'The spring from which grace and consolation flow'."
On the other hand, St. Bonaventure tells me that your eagerness to help me is so great that I cause you pain when I do not ask you for what I need. My Mother and my Queen, you are rich, you are wise, you are gentle; I understand that you know my soul's wants better than I know them myself; you love me better than I love myself. This is the grace I ask today—the grace you know my soul needs most. I will be happy if you ask this grace from God for me.
Evening Sigh—My God, give me the graces which Mary asks of you for me.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Looking for a Shepherd by Bishop Robert Barron
Details
In today's first reading, God announces that he himself will shepherd his people. Yet a few sentences later, he suggests that he will raise up a righteous human king to reign and govern wisely. So which is it—will God become king or will he establish a human king? The answer, which the Gospel reading unfolds, is both. In the person of Jesus, the divine shepherd, the scattered people of God find their way home.
Mass Readings
Friday, July 20, 2018
Jesus, Mary and Good Saint Anne
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| Jesus, Mary and Good Saint Anne |
Hail Salvation of the World, Word of the Father, Sacred Host, True Life, Live Flesh, Whole Deity, True Man, Body of our Lord Jesus Christ: Thou, who made hast made me out of the slime of the earth, have mercy on me a sinner, now and in the hour of my death. Amen.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Impure Thoughts
Are impure thoughts and desires always sins?
Impure thoughts and desires are always sins, unless they displease us and we try to banish them.
What should one do when tempted by an impure thought or desire?
One should banish the impure temptation at once, implore God's assistance, and continue to fight with courage against the tempter. (James 1: 12)
What should one do when tempted by an impure thought or desire?
One should banish the impure temptation at once, implore God's assistance, and continue to fight with courage against the tempter. (James 1: 12)
Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith, 1922
A Voice to Botticelli's Angels
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| Detail of Angels from Botticelli's Magnificat |
In 2012 ten year old Jackie Evancho mustered up courage to walk onto the stage of America's Got Talent. If one could have put a voice to a Botticelli Angel - here it was.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Why Must You Believe?
10. Why must you believe whatever God has revealed?
I must believe whatever God has revealed, because God is the very Truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived.This, I think, you can easily understand' but a great difficulty will at once occur to you―viz.:
11. How are you to know what God has revealed?
I am to know what God has revealed by the testimony, teaching and authority of the Catholic Church.But why the Catholic Church? Where does the Catholic Church get the authority and the power to teach me? Show me that clearly, and I will at once submit my mind to it, and believe whatever it teaches me. If it is the Church founded by Jesus Christ, I must of course believe all it says.
This will be proved in lesson 84.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Our Lady of Wengen
Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
The Sunday Homily
For many people in the West, liberty seems to trump everything. We avatars of the egodrama, we worshippers at the altar of freedom, say that our choice is supreme. We don't want anyone to constrain our pursuit of money, success, power, influence, safety, or physical health. But what matters in the end is not to place our wills in the position of ultimate concern. Everything in nature, history, science, and our careers is, in the end, summed up in Christ.
Mass Readings
Sheltering the Divine Outcast
Over the great Road of Life the Divine Outcast of the world wanders day and night. Before each heart-door He begs for admittance. Watch Him as He walks up the lane and taps with infinite tenderness on the crimson casements of the throbbing pulses of the world. Before some, He stands and waits; moss-covered are the steps and moldy is the casement; there is no life within, no response to the loving pleadings of the Outcast. He turns sadly away. Through lordly mansion-gates He passes, and on the marble steps before the heavy oaken door He stands expectant. Music and song and laughter reach the Outcast's ear. He knocks but no one hears; so, heart-sore and weary, He moves away.
I'll shelter Thee when it's sunshine,
I'll shelter Thee when it's grey,
I'll shelter Thee through the night Lord,
I'll shelter Thee all the day.
No one will ever dislodge Thee
From this home within my soul,
Here I will turn, and love Thee
Till my heart beats the final toll.
Sheltering the Divine Outcast
Pellegrini & Co., 1932
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Tonight's Prayer
Hail Salvation of the World, Word of the Father, Sacred Host, True Life, Live Flesh, Whole Deity, True Man, Body of our Lord Jesus Christ: Thou, who made hast made me out of the slime of the earth, have mercy on me a sinner, now and in the hour of my death. Amen.
Bless Your House
BLESS, O Lord Almighty, this place so that in it may reign health, purity, victory, strength, humility, kindness, sweetness, observance of rule and continued acts of thanksgiving to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. May this blessing remain in this place with all who dwell in it and forever. Amen.
Prayers of an Irish Mother
Brian O'Higgins
38 UP, O'Connell Street, Dublin
1934
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Praying Before a Crucifix
Necedah, Wisconsin, 1950
Why do we pray before the Crucifix and the images and relics of the saints?
We pray before the Crucifix and the images and relics of the saints because they enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and desires, and by reminding us of Christ and of the saints, that we may imitate their virtues.
Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith, 1922
Monday, July 9, 2018
A Special Good Night Prayer!
Our Lady Composing The Magnificat - Sandro Botticelli
My Queen and my Mother, bless me with thy pure and holy hand―
That I may have a good night's rest,
That I may wake betimes in the morning, and have the grace and energy to rise promptly and continue the work thy divine and beloved Son has entrusted to my feeble hands.
Amen.
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