She is She is She is!

Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic Art Studio, Chicago (19th century)

She is our life, our sweetness, our hope, and we must suffer no sneers of those without, no profane babbling to move us, or in the least deter us from giving our hearts to Mary. We must fly to her protection as the child flies to its mother, and seek our safety and our consolation in her love, in her maternal embrace. 

Our help is thee sweet mother. Oh, protect us, thy children, and save us from the evil communications of this world, lost to virtue, and enslaved to the enemy of our souls!

Orestes A. Brownson (19th century)

It's That Easy - To Pray

It's That Easy - To Pray

Morning Prayer at Saas Fee

It's raining in Sass-Fee

Come, my lips, and wide proclaim 

The blessed Virgin's spotless fame.  

V. O Lady, make speed to befriend me. 

R. From the hands of the enemy mightily defend me. 

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.—Amen.

Alleluia. 

Hymn  

Hail, Queen of the heaven, 

     Hail, mistress of earth! 

Hail, Virgin most pure, 

     Of immaculate birth!  

Clear star of the morning, 

     In beauty enshrin'd, 

O Lady, make speed 

     To the help of mankind.

Thee God in the depth 

     Of eternity chose; 

And form'd thee all fair 

     As His glorious spouse; 

And call'd thee His Word's 

     Own Mother to be, 

By whom He created 

     The earth, sky, and sea.—Amen. 

V. God elected her, and pre-elected her. 

R. He made her to dwell in His tabernacle. 

V. O Lady, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come unto thee. 

Let Us Pray. 

O Holy Mary, Queen of heaven, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mistress of the world, who forsakest no one, and despises no one; look upon me, O Lady, with an eye of pity, and entreat for me, of thy beloved Son, the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate with devout affection Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, so hereafter, I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom thou, in virginity, didst bring forth, Jesus Christ our Lord; who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, in perfect unity, God, world without end.  Amen. 

V.  O Lady, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come unto thee. 

V.  Let us bless the Lord. 

R. Thanks be to God. 

V.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

R. Amen. 

Matins Explained

I opened my window to the gentle rain

 and said my prayers there.  

Prayers at Dawn

Our Thanks to LG at FreeSound for this beautiful recording of the gentle rain at Saas-Fee Switzerland.

Prayer at Dawn or Matins

Matins Explained

Come, my lips, and wide proclaim 

The blessed Virgin's spotless fame.  

V. O Lady, make speed to befriend me. 

R. From the hands of the enemy mightily defend me. 

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.—Amen.

Alleluia. 

Hymn  

Hail, Queen of the heaven, 

     Hail, mistress of earth! 

Hail, Virgin most pure, 

     Of immaculate birth!  

Clear star of the morning, 

     In beauty enshrin'd, 

O Lady, make speed 

     To the help of mankind.

Thee God in the depth 

     Of eternity chose; 

And form'd thee all fair 

     As His glorious spouse; 

And call'd thee His Word's 

     Own Mother to be, 

By whom He created 

     The earth, sky, and sea.—Amen. 

V. God elected her, and pre-elected her. 

R. He made her to dwell in His tabernacle. 

V. O Lady, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come unto thee. 

Let Us Pray. 

O Holy Mary, Queen of heaven, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mistress of the world, who forsakest no one, and despises no one; look upon me, O Lady, with an eye of pity, and entreat for me, of thy beloved Son, the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate with devout affection Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, so hereafter, I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom thou, in virginity, didst bring forth, Jesus Christ our Lord; who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, in perfect unity, God, world without end.  Amen. 

V.  O Lady, hear my prayer. 

R. And let my cry come unto thee. 

V.  Let us bless the Lord. 

R. Thanks be to God. 

V.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

R. Amen. 

Continue to Morning Prayer

I opened my window to the gentle rain

 and said my prayers there.  

Mother of Sorrows Pray for Mexico

Our Lady of Sorrows

Hand Painted French Holy Card, 18th century

Lourdes Museum,  2016
  

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
Click on Soundbar :) :)

O Most holy and afflicted Virgin! Queen of martyrs! thou who didst stand beneath the Cross, witnessing the agony of thy expiring Son―through the unceasing sufferings of thy life of sorrow, and the bliss which now more than amply repays thee for thy past trials, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity on me, who kneel before thee to venerate thy Dolors, and place my requests with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of thy wounded heart; present them, I beseech thee, on my behalf to Jesus Christ, through the merits of His own most sacred Passion and Death, together with thy sufferings at the foot of the Cross, and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the grant of my present petition. To whom shall I recur my wants and miseries if not to thee, O Mother of mercy, who, having so deeply drunk of the chalice of thy Son, canst compassionate the woes of those who still sigh in the land of exile.  Amen.

Borrowed from - Mary's Seven Sorrows

Publisher - Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration

Clyde, Missouri, 1955

Show Thyself a Mother

Children of Mary

19th century French Holy Card

I put my trust forever,

O Mary, pure, in thee.

Then show thyself a mother,

And daily succour me.

And when death's hand shall touch me,

Thy pity I implore;

Oh, lead me, dearest Mother,

To God―for evermore!

Payers of an Irish Mother

Brian O'Higgins, Dublin, 1934

Today's Readings and Homily

Today's Holy Mass Readings

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  Today's Homily by Bishop Barron

THE PRIVILEGE OF THE MISSION

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Today's Gospel reading is one of the most confounding. Many people struggle with this parable about the landowner and the workers, but as the old saying goes, where you stumble, that's where you should dig for treasure. The parable offers a powerful reminder to focus on the mission of God's kingdom, not who gets credit for it.

You Are Not Your Own

BY BISHOP ROBERT BARRON  09/17/17
The Old Adobe Mission

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In today's brief selection from St. Paul's letter to the Romans, we learn, “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord.” This affirms that your life is not about you! It’s about God and God’s purpose for you. It’s about being drawn out of your comfort zone and into the adventurous space of divine mission. 

Mass Readings

Reading 1 - Sirach 27:30 - 28:7
Psalm - Psalm 103:1-12
Reading 2 - Romans 14:7-9
Gospel - Matthew 18:21-35

Holy Communion Sunday

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.

    

Evening Prayers

Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the end of the Procession to the 

Old Adobe Mission.

V. O Lady, make speed to befriend me. 

R. From the hands of the enemy powerfully defend me. 

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Alleluia. 

Hymn  

Hail, Dial of Achaz,

     On thee the true Sun

Told backward the course
     Which from old he had run.

And that man might be rais'd
     Submitting to shame,
A little more low
     Than the angels became.

Thou, wrapt in the blaze
     Of His infinite light
Dost shine as the morn
     On the confines of night.

As the moon on the lost
     Through obscurity dawns;
The serpent's destroyer;
     A lily mid thorns.

V. I made an unfailing light to arise in heaven.

R. And as a mist, I overspread the whole earth.

V. O Lady recommend my prayer,

R. And let my cry come unto thee. 

Let Us Pray. 

O Holy Mary, Queen of heaven, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mistress of the world, who forsakest no one, and despises no one; look upon me, O Lady, with an eye of pity, and entreat for me, of thy beloved Son, the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate with devout affection Thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, so hereafter, I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom thou, in virginity, didst bring forth, Jesus Christ our Lord; who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, in perfect unity, God, world without end.  Amen. 

Continue to Night Prayers.

If The Hand Brake Fails

     A nervous lady was riding in an electric trolley car. As the car was speeding along it came to a downgrade. She asked the conductor, "Will we be able to stop?" 
     "O yes," he replied. "We have an electric brake." But the lady was not satisfied. "Suppose that fails. Can you stop the car?"
     "Oh yes, " he replied. We have an emergency brake."
     She was still not satisfied. "And if that should fail, can you stop the car?"
     "Oh yes, We have a hand brake."
     The nervous lady was still not satisfied. "But suppose the handbrake should fail. What will happen to us then?"
     "If the handbrake should fail," said the conductor, "some of us will go to heaven and some of us will go to hell." 

     Today the Church wishes us to ask ourselves this question: Are we ready for the judgment? The coming of the Son of Man is like lightning out of the East. We should always be ready. People who say, "I have no time to take care of my soul; I have too many other things to do," will have all eternity to regret that they did not take the time.

It is better for us to be like the blacksmith of a little village who was asked, "Arent't you embarrassed to be seen in Church? A big strong man like you? What will people say if they see the blacksmith in Church?" To which he answered, 
     "What will people say if they see the blacksmith in hell?" 

     The judgment will go something like this: God asks Himself about each soul that comes before Him, "Do I see the image of Myself in you?" If the soul is in the state of grace then it shines forth in the image of God Who made it. If the soul is not in the state of grace, then God cannot see Himself and He says to the soul, "I do not know you."

     According to an old Chinese legend, a soul crept up to heaven, and knocked timidly at the gate. 
     When asked who was there, the soul replied, "It is I, Lord."
     "If you say, 'It is I,' " said a voice, "you are not ready yet for heaven" 
     Back to earth the poor soul went and lived a life of prayer and penance.
     During that time, the soul learned the lesson that at judgment God is going to ask, "Do I see the image of Myself in you?"
     Back to the gate of heaven crept the soul and when the voice asked, "Who is there?" he replied, "it is Thyself, Lord."
     The voice told him to enter: "Good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

     "It is appointed for men once to die and after that the judgment." Our whole lives lead up to this. Are we ready for the judgment? Is there anything in our souls which would make God say "I do not know you?" If there is something that stands between you and God, make up your minds to remove it this week by a good confession. Then you need not be worried like the nervous lady in the trolley car. You will be ready like the soul that crept to heaven's gate carrying within himself the likeness of God. God will look at you and ask, "Do I see the image of Myself in you?" If He does He will say to you, "Good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord."

Sunday Morning Storyland

Sermons for the Children's Mass

Bruce Publishing, 1946

208795

Daily Readings and Reflection

Today's Holy Mass Readings

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TODAY'S VIDEO REFLECTION

Feast Day - Our Lady of Sorrows

It was not because she was the Mother of God that Mary could bear all her sorrows, but because she saw things from His point of view and not from her own―or rather, she had made His point of view hers.  Try to do the same, and you will be amazed at the courage, and strength, and power of endurance that you will possess.  The Mother of Sorrows will be on hand to help you.

     Prayer:  Do not forsake me, sweet Mother of Sorrows, because you are my spiritual Mother.  If I confide my salvation to your loving care and faithfully imitate your virtues, I know you will keep me in your Immaculate Heart both now and at the hour of my death.  Amen.

A Sorrowful Journey

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The above information was borrowed from Our Lady in Catholic Life by Father Lawrence G. Lovasik, 1957—Macmillan Company