It’s an understatement to say that these are trying times. The following prayer. is a great help. For me, it is the “grown-up” counterpart of the little treasure bag I used to carry in my pocket as a child. When unhappy, I liked to take out a small bag that held a Miraculous Medal, a small but perfect sea shell with a rainbow side, a pretty, smooth stone, among other things. The Miraculous Medal of course, was the image of my true “Mama” who never failed to love me, and the other “treasures” reminded me of our Good God, our Father and His glorious Heaven. In the following prayer, in addition to giving praise to God and His Angels and Saints, we also remind ourselves how blessed we are to have such friends “in high places”.
†. †. †
The following is a personal prayer that I call the Blessed Be’s. Although based on the Divine Praises, it has grown over time to include additional praises and petitions. The Divine Praises, or in this case, the Blessed Be’s, are an excellent way to give glory to God and invigorate our resolve to offer all for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Oh, and it also drives the devil away!
This prayer can be personalized to include particular family members or other petitions.
Blessed Be God Forever!
Blessed be God
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be Jesus, my Lord, my God and my All.
Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the Most Holy Trinity, Father Son and Holy Ghost.
Blessed be God forever.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Mary, most glorious Queen of Heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
be Queen of my heart, be Queen of our family!
Blessed be St. Joseph, Our Lady’s most chaste Spouse.
Blessed be St. Joseph, Foster Father of Our Lord,
be Foster Father of our family!
Blessed be St. Joseph, protector of the Church, protect our priests,
seminarians and altar boys.
Blessed be St. Joseph, terror of demons, drive satan from our midst, every single one of us!
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.
Blessed be St. Michael the Archangel.
Blessed be St. John the Baptist.
Blessed be the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, protect our Church, protect our Pope, confound the evildoers!
Blessed be our Guardian Angels.
Blessed be Sister Lúcia of Fatima.
Blessed be Francisco, Jacinta and all the saints of Fatima.
Pray for me to the Lord our God, that He have mercy on me,
forgive me my sins, and bring me to life everlasting.
Blessed be God forever!
May the Heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection in all the tabernacles of the world, even unto the end of time.
Blessed be God Forever!
Sister Josefa Menendez was accustomed to praying the Divine Praises in order to drive satan away, and it stands to reason that hearing us fervently praise God would be unbearable to that most hateful of creatures!
Previously posted on May 24, 2020 and on
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live our Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Open your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only: and He will free you from the hands of your enemies.With all your heart return to Him, and take away from your midst any strange gods”(I Kings 7:3)
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin, give me strength against thine enemies.
A thoughtful reader remarked recently that it seemed that there has been an “agenda” in everything I have republished lately, and he is correct. I was pleasantly surprised that anyone noticed! A few years back we had our Reflections Newsletter and I composed the articles in order to lead readers to think about the meaning behind events. But I don’t believe many understood. Looking at one issue of Reflections, from May of 2020, I noticed:
In the first article, the interview Sister Lucia gave to Father Augustin Fuentes in December, 1957, she explains that “the devil does everything to overcome souls consecrated to God, because in this way the devil will succeed in leaving the souls of the faithful abandoned by their leaders, thereby the more easily will he seize them.” Also, “The devil wishes to take possession of consecrated souls…”
In that, I was hammering again on the need to support our priests with prayer and sacrifice/penance. A favorite theme of mine.
But here is another important quote I’d like you to take to heart:
“Each person must not only save his own soul but also all the souls that God has placed on our path… The devil does all in his power to distract us and to take away from us the love for prayer; we shall be saved together or we shall be damned together.”
This, of course is where we are now. Our few faithful priests often have all the powers of hell arrayed against them and insufficient support from their own leaders, who should be leading and assisting them, but often work against them. It is only our priests who offer the Holy Sacrifice and provide us with our soul-sustaining sacraments in this time of trial. If we value the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, if we value the sacraments, we must pray and sacrifice for our priests.
In that newsletter from 2020, I also remarked on the then current Voris/SSPX controversy. My reply to questions about the “priest abuse crisis” in the Society, was, “How many rosaries have you prayed for their priests? How many Novenas? How much penance, reparation have you made? These men are under diabolical attack – do we join the attack or do we offer spiritual support?”
Saved together or damned together
Please dear readers – when you choose who to spend your time with online, consider what Sister Lucia said – do not waste time on those who sow controversy in order to hike up their page views. We must spend the limited time we have left supporting our priests and all our weak brothers and sisters in Christ with prayer and sacrifice, or we will be held accountable. “We shall be saved together or we shall be damned together.”
The second article included in that old Reflections newsletter was the one about St. Hildegard’s Vision – The Figure of a Woman. My reason for including it is to remind us all where this is going. The path of Pope Francis can only lead to catastrophe and his attempts to abuse the power he has usurped can have but one end, vividly foretold by St. Hildegard’s vision. I do hope that it is in some way clear that what she refers to as “filth” refers not only to perversity in sexuality, but also to perversity of doctrine and practice, which is actually even greater an offense. The latter makes one the more susceptible to the former. And in both types of perversity, deceit and conflict abound.
Divide and Conquer
The devil wants most of all to get us attacking each other. Let’s refuse to follow the devil. In this dark time, we cannot withstand his power without the assistance of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts. These loving hearts are our salvation; we must accept our weakness with humility and turn to them in childlike trust. Not relying on ever more “news” to feed our insatiable curiosity; nor on sensational controversies, nor on senseless chattering on social media. Of course, you already know this or you would not be here!
Dross into Gold
Now, that brings me to the last of the articles included in that Newsletter, “Dross into Gold”, which relies on Sister Josefa’s beautiful “The Way of Divine Love”. One point of that article was that today, satan destroys so many by way of their self love. There is an aspect of this in every false devotion. As we read of Our Lord’s words to Sister Josefa and to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque as well, we are struck by the care that Our Lord takes never to tempt their natural (original sin) tendency to love being flattered. On the contrary, Christ makes certain to target our misery and wretchedness. Had either saint resisted His words, they would have proved themselves unworthy. In the false devotions, we see otherwise.
Now, when we apply that lesson, we see how necessary our little penances are. We cannot advance except by heart-felt penance. We must learn to “go against the grain” so to speak.
There is a very real ebbing of grace from this world, and we are terribly weakened. As if that weren’t frightening enough, look around and notice how many others are even worse off. They are deliriously drunk on the swill of modern “science” and “entertainment” and cannot help themselves. And we are responsible for them! We cannot help ourselves, much less others without Our Lady of the Rosary and her instructions to us through the message of Fatima.
Sister Agnes Sasagawa
And now, one last thing. I’ve been tangled up in several attempts to discuss the latest purported message received by Sister Agnes Sasagawa. (Note – this was three years ago.) The reports I have read are inconclusive. No information is given regarding her mental status and it is not clear that it was truly a message from Our Lady.
I do know that (name deleted) is using the Message of Akita to promote his false devotion to “The Lady of Nations who used to be called Mary” which is pernicious nonsense. If we believe in the true apparitions of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima, we cannot trot after these endless false devotions. Compare the false devotions to the Message of Fatima. The Immaculata calls us to devotion to her Immaculate Heart in order to lead us to Jesus, our only salvation. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the sure path to Jesus because of her purity, humility and obedience; she is impervious to the wiles of the devil. When we are united to her by way of our rosaries, scapulars and total consecrations, we too will be able to resist satan’s power. But only with her. Only. with. her.
Do not go astray after other devotions. Stay with true devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Yes, Mary is mediatrix; that is already well established. But why would Our Blessed Mother distract us from her urgent and already approved message at Fatima – which has not been obeyed yet – to go running around after some proclamation of her as Mediatrix? That is a distraction.
Our Lady of the Rosary demands something quite different. “Do not offend Our Lord any more.” Penance. Reparation. Make of everything a sacrifice. Devotion to her Immaculate Heart does not include pious sounding diversions to lead astray the gullible faithful.
We must focus and turn to our Blessed Mother as her children and beg her to teach us and strengthen us through her Holy Rosary. Unite our Rosaries to devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Until the First Saturdays and the Consecration of Russia are complied with, we will not have peace and the chastisement will only intensify until those who survive will envy the dead. No false devotion will save you. Nor will it save your loved ones. Think. Focus.
Money, Power and Worldly Acclaim
Just as in the controversy between Voris and SSPX, money and power are at play, so with these false devotions. Tell me please, what profit Sister Lucia or Sister Josefa made. They were always humble and obedient and poor. And they never, never promoted themselves. Then, note the tax exempt status and the self-promotion of those who profit from false devotions. Then, think on what Our Lord says about the world hating us if we follow Him.
If the world pays you well for your work, chances are you may be serving the wrong Master.
We don’t really have time or energy to spend on anything but the saving truth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In these times, that is devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Heart of His most Blessed Mother. Nothing else avails.
Remember – Our Lady needs us to obey: First Saturdays of Reparation, daily rosary, at least 5 mysteries, wear her brown scapular and live your Total Consecration to her Immaculate Heart, offering daily duties in reparation and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Open your hearts to the Lord and serve Him only: and He will free you from the hands of your enemies.With all your heart return to Him, and take away from your midst any strange gods” (I Kings 7:3)
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff.
† Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come! Viva Cristo Rey!
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am, you also may be.” (John, 14, 2, 3)
Forty days after His Resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ, attended by Angels, ascended into Heaven, in the sight of His most holy Mother, His Apostles and Disciples, to their great awe. But He left them with a promise:
O Jesus, my treasure, Thou art ascended to Heaven and taken my heart with Thee!
“You shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and even unto the utmost parts of the earth.”And when He had said these things, while they looked on, He was raised up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they were beholding Him going up into Heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments, who said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking up to Heaven? This Jesus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come as you have seen Him going into Heaven.” (Acts 1, 8-11)
Now, that same reading mentions that Jesus commanded His Apostles, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, ‘which you have heard (saith He) by My mouth. For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.(Acts 1, 4-5)
Our Lord’s command to His Apostles that they not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the Holy Ghost might profitably apply to us in these times as well. Jerusalem signifies the Church. And we are here commanded not to leave the Church, but by our constancy, help make her holy, persevering in prayer and penance, awaiting the Holy Ghost. The Apostles and Disciples, and with them Our Blessed Mother herself, remained in Jerusalem and awaited the coming of the Holy Ghost in constant prayer.
The time between Ascension Thursday and the Eve of Pentecost is nine days, and so this period of waiting for the Holy Ghost was the first Novena to the Holy Ghost. Let’s join Our Blessed Mother and the Apostles (those true priests and prelates loyal to the Church) in awaiting the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost with this Novena prayed for the Gifts of the Holy Ghost for all the faithful Remnant, especially our priests and prelates.
NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST
Day 1:
O Holy Spirit! Lord of light!
From Thy clear celestial height,
Thy pure and beaming radiance give!
Colloquy: The Holy Ghost
Only one thing is important – eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared – sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and especially indifference. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.” Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from Heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself body and soul to Thee, eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice and the might of Thy love. Thou art the strength and light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and have my being. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Make me faithful in every thought, and grant that I may always listen to Thy voice, watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee, and I ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus, beholding His five wounds, trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee, adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee.
Grant to me the grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant hears.” Amen.
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Lord Jesus Christ, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Ghost to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me:
† the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; † the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; † the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; † the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; † the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; † the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; † the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.
Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
Day 2
Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou light of all that live!
Colloquy: The Gift of Fear
The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of Hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls.”
Prayer
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set Thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in Heaven, where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, one God, world without end. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation (as above)
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost (as above)
Day 3
Thou of all Consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.
Colloquy: The Gift of Piety
The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Day 4
Thou in toil art Comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.
Colloquy: The Gift of Fortitude
By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.”
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Day 5
Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill.
Colloquy: The Gift of Knowledge
The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth—–in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it.”
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Day 6
If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.
Colloquy: The Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Ghost, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them, It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and,through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son, Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Day 7
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness, pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Colloquy: The Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Catholic citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth.”
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy Commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Day 8
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
Colloquy: The Gift of Wisdom
Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things Divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a Divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: “Take up thy cross and follow Me, for My yoke is sweet and My burden light.”
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Day 9
Thou, on those, who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold Gifts descend.
Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.
Colloquy: The Fruits of the Holy Ghost
The gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to Divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Ghost. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.
Prayer
Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary once each.
Glory be to the Father seven times.
Act of Oblation
Prayer for Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost
In this tragic time of unprecedented crisis in the Church, may the coming of the Holy Ghost at this Pentecost enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, and inflame our hearts that we may preserve our souls in this time of trial, for very few will be the remnant who survive this calamitous time.
Immaculate Mother, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, intercede for us, restore the faith, save our families, save our priests!
~ by evensong, for love of the Immaculata.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
previously posted on : september 15, 2021 by : evensong
Thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts,
thoughts may be revealed.
Today, March 31, 2023, is a Lenten Friday and the eve of the First Saturday of April; we are blessed to Commemorate the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Although Our Lord’s own chosen Apostles fled His Passion, no one could keep the Woman away. Unlike the sentimental pictures which sometimes show Mary fainting at the foot of the Cross, Mary stood there, intent on sharing every excruciating detail of the ignominy her beloved Son suffered. Just as she had freely chosen to become His Mother, she chose to behold Him tortured from head to foot and torn from her by the cruelest of deaths. She not only accepted this, she offered this; this sharing in His Passion, sharing even in His death, uniting Their hearts forever for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity and in loving reparation for the sins of men, that is, for our sins, for my sins.
Mary’s heart, like Christ’s whole crushed and bruised being , was transformed with anguish by the sins of mankind … Mary became the Queen of martyrs because, after Jesus, she has endured the greatest martyrdom of heart … her sufferings are fruitful for us in a way that we can scarcely suspect…(from Father Garrigou-Lagrange, “Mary, the Model of Reparation”). Continue reading “The Seven Sorrows of Mary, 2023”→
This year the Church bumped the feast day of St. Joseph due to its falling on a Lenten Sunday, That being the case, I had recommended all who were doing their Consecrations to St. Joseph to complete them on Sunday, when they had the opportunity to make their confessions and offer Mass and receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.
And so it is lovely to have this second day for Saint Joseph as well! For he is the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary , Mother of God and the foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.. Now, when traditional Catholic families are under attack not only from the anti-christian governments and anti-life cultures, but also from the papacy and church leaders, we need to call on St. Joseph, strong defender of the family.
St. Teresa of Avila, the great Carmelite reformer, mystic and doctor of the Church was especially devoted to St. Joseph. From her Autobiography we read of St. Joseph, “I know by long experience what blessings he can obtain for us from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him by particular services who did not advance greatly in virtue: for he helps in a special way those souls who commend themselves to him.” Continue reading “St. Joseph, Protect Our Families!”→
The following simple and short Novena should have begun yesterday, March 16, 2023, but I overlooked it. I apologise for the lateness! But this Novena is a very easy one to add to our daily prayers and I hope many will make use of it!
On March 25, a Saturday this year, we will honor the Feast of Annunciation. To prepare, we offer this Novena. If you start it today, you will finish on the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are praying it for the repentance and re-conversion of those who have fallen from the faith. But we will also be praying for all others who are participating in this Novena. May our Most Merciful Mother hear our supplications and offer them to her Son in the chalice of her Immaculate Heart. Continue reading “Novena for the Annunciation”→
“Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am not worthy to be called thy son.” ( Luke 15, 21)
Today we recall the importance of penance and prayer in the message of Our Lady of Fatima. Without sufficient reparation, this chastisement will only worsen until hell reigns on earth. It is too late to stop this chastisement which has been unleashed while our religious and lay leaders were distracting us with the usual secular solutions to the deeply spiritual war that is raging.
The three little shepherds of Fatima represented the three calls to respond to the message of Our Lady of Fatima, that is, Francisco, the mystic, responded with his vocation to console Our Lord and Our Lady in penance and prayer, Jacinta’s calling was to save souls by her sacrifices, penances and prayers, while Lucia’s vocation was to obedience, chastity and poverty and the constant struggle to spread the truth about the message of Our Lady of the Rosary and devotion to her Immaculate Heart. The scarlet thread that runs throughout these three calls and unites them is penance and prayer.
an earlier version of this post appeared in december, 2016 and in subsequent years in various versions.
In this twilight of our Christian era, the darkness gathers. Eventually it will bring a purifying chastisement and a rebirth of the Faith.
“Time ill spent is lost forever and what degree of love we have achieved at the time of our death is what we shall have throughout eternity.” (Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit, O.C.S.)
My daily readings are from “Divine Intimacy“, by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. In his reading titled, ”Let Us Make Good Use of Time.” Father Gabriel reminds us that time ill spent is lost forever and that what degree of love we have achieved at the time of our death is what we shall have throughout eternity.
He then quotes Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit, O.C.D. , who was under his spiritual direction, “We must give every moment its full amount of love, and make each passing moment eternal, by giving it value for eternity.” We do that by love, by doing every smallest task entrusted to us, with all the love of which we are capable. Friends, this is the way of spiritual childhood, the way forward for us in this challenging new year, 2017 that awaits us. Let us read Father Gabriel’s writing now through the eyes of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Continue reading “From evensong with love, 2023”→
“Adorn thy bridal-chamber O Sion, and welcome Christ the King. With loving embrace greet Mary, the very gate of heaven, for she brought to thee the glorious King of new light. Ever Virgin she remaineth, yet in her arms doth bear the Son begotten before the day-star; that Child Whom Simeon did take into his arms and proclaim to the nations as Lord of life and Savior of the world.”
Today, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary marks the end of the Christmastide cycle of the liturgy. it is perhaps the oldest Marian feast and commemorates our Blessed Mother’s humility and obedience to the Mosaic Law by going to the Temple in Jerusalem and making the prescribed purification offerings forty days after the birth of her Divine Child. Obviously, the Immaculata had no need for purification but nevertheless performed this duty for the sake of obedience, thus continuing to teach us the lessons she has imparted since the “Fiat voluntas tua” of the Annunciation. Continue reading “The Feast of the Purification of Mary, Candlemas”→
We offer this Novena today to begin it tomorrow, January 24 and finish on the Vigil of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for those of us who would like to renew our Consecrations on Our Lady’s Feast day.
Please note that each day’s prayers conclude with the God the Shepherd Prayer for the Pope. This is because we really do need to put aside our own opinions and pray for this benighted man. Saint Jacinta of Fatima stressed the need for us to pray for the Pope and I believe that when we pray for this poor man, it pleases Our Lady so much. I hope you will consider it. In this regard, recall St. John of the Cross’s admonition: “In the evening of your life, you will be judged on love. Put away your own way (of loving) and learn to love as God wills.” For more on this subject, please see our earlier post, “Prayer and Penance for the Pope“.
Everything about this diabolical combat demonstrates for those who pay attention that this is all about love; for we were created in love, redeemed in love and are sustained in love – and satan is never happier than when he has instigated hatred, bitterness and the desire to wreak revenge. For Love’s sweet sake, return to Love! Put away the hate, it does no good, simply love and allow God’s grace to begin healing the Church through Her – She who is the Immaculate Mother of God.
Each day, we begin with:
Come, Holy Ghost
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may always be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. R.Amen.
First Day (Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost (as above)
Most holy Mary, bright Mirror of all virtues, the forty days after thy delivery were no sooner past than thou, though the purest of all virgins, didst will to be presented in the Temple to be purified according to the Law; Grant that we by imitating thee, may keep our hearts unstained by sin, that so we too may be made worthy one day to be presented to our God in Heaven.
Ave Maria
Litany of Loreto
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us.
Mother most Pure, pray for us.
Mother most Chaste, pray for us.
Mother Inviolate, pray for us.
Mother Undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most Amiable, pray for us.
Mother most Admirable, pray for us.
Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most Prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most Venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most Renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most Powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most Merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most Faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of Justice, pray for us.
Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our Joy, pray for us.
Spiritual Vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of Honor, pray for us.
Singular Vessel of Devotion, pray for us.
Mystical Rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of Ivory, pray for us.
House of Gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning Star, pray for us.
Health of the Sick, pray for us.
Refuge of Sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of the Family, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beg Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants, may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
V. Thou gavest birth without loss of thy virginity. R. Intercede for us, O holy Mother of God.
Let us pray.
O God, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, Thou hast bestowed upon the human race the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beg Thee, that we may know the effects of her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. R. Amen.
God the Shepherd
O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, graciously look down upon Thy servant Pope Francis, whom Thou hast chosen to be the pastor of Thy Church; and grant him, we beseech Thee, both by word and example, so to direct those over whom Thou hast placed him, that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may attain eternal life. O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all holiness, hear the prayers of Thy Church, and grant that what we ask in faith we may effectually obtain. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Second Day (Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most obedient, at thy Presentation in the Temple, thou didst willingly offer the customary sacrifice of women; enable us so to follow thine example, that we may become a living sacrifice to God, by practising every virtue. Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Third Day (Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most pure, thou didst despise the reproach of men whilst observing the precept of the Law; intercede for us that we may always to keep our hearts pure, despite what the world may think of us. Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Fourth Day (Friday, Jan. 27, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most holy, by offering thy Son, the Divine Word, to His Eternal Father, thou didst gladden the Court of Heaven; present our poor hearts to God, that by His grace they may always be kept free from mortal sin.
Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Fifth Day (Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most humble, by placing thy Son Jesus in the arms of holy old Simeon, thou didst fill His soul with heavenly joy; place our hearts in God’s loving care, that He may fill them with Holy Ghost.
Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Sixth Day (Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most diligent, in ransoming thy Son Jesus according the Law, thou didst cooperate in the salvation of the world; ransom now our poor hearts from the slavery of sin, that they may be ever pure before the sight of God.
Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Seventh Day (Monday, Jan. 30, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most meek, on hearing the prophecy of Simeon foretelling thy woes, thou didst humbly resign thyself to the good pleasure of God; make us always resigned to the dispositions of His Providence, and enable us to bear all troubles with patience.
Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Eighth Day (Tuesday Jan. 31, 2023) :
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most compassionate, when through thy divine Son thou didst fill the soul of Anna the prophetess with light, thou didst make her magnify the mercies of God by recognizing Jesus as the Redeemer of the world: enrich our souls with heavenly grace, that we may share the fruit of the divine redemption.
Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
Ninth Day (Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023):
Come, Holy Ghost
Virgin most resigned, although thou didst feel thine own soul transfixed with sorrow, foreseeing all the bitter Passion of thy Son, yet knowing the grief of Joseph thy Spouse for all thy sufferings, thou didst console him with holy words; pierce through and through our souls with true sorrow for our sins, that we may one day come to rejoice with thee in everlasting bliss.
Ave Maria.
Litany of Loreto
God, the Shepherd
V. Simeon received an answer from the Holy Spirit.
R. That he should not see death until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
Let us pray:
Almighty, everlasting God, we pray Thy majesty, that as Thine only begotten Son was presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so Thou wouldst enable us to present ourselves before Thee with clean hearts. Amen
NOTE: I you found anything of benefit in this post, please consider offering a Rosary or Seven Sorrows Chaplet for our priests who suffer greatly in this crisis of the faith. Thank you so much for reading. I pray for you all, always.
† Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of our hearts, Mother of the Church, do thou offer to the Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of poor sinners, especially our Pontiff. † Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come! Viva Cristo Rey!
~ by evensong for love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, King.
Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O Sacred Virgin! Give me strength against thine enemies!
Thank you for reading. Please continue to pray for our priests!
