The Promises Of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary for Souls devoted to His Heart
The Promises Of and Prayer To The Sacred Heart
- I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their homes.
- I will comfort them in their afflictions.
- I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death.
- I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
- I will bless every place in which an image of my heart shall be exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart, never to be effaced.
- I promise thee in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who
communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die
in my disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments.
Heart of Jesus Embrace US
Oh Jesus, Let your warm love Enliven our hearts as the spring rain renews the earth and brings forth new life to our wounded nation.
Let your nourishing love Birth within us a desire for justice and peace to serve you and the nations of the world.
We humbly thank you for giving us your Blessing of love so that we may find hope and courage as a people.
We are your servant willing to find the Strength to persevere in finding the solutions for a peaceful earth.
In you, Sacred Heart of Jesus, we put our trust.
My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
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Apostleship Of Prayer
"2002 Apostleship of Prayer 170"
THEME: "The Eucharist: source and summit of the life and mission of the Church."
'I am pleased to announce a special Year of the Eucharist'
"As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Cor H;26).
“With these words St. Paul reminds the Christians of Corinth that the "Lord's Supper" is not only a convivial meeting but also, and above all, the memorial of the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. Those who take part in it, the Apostle explains, arc united with the mystery of the death of the Lord, and indeed, "proclaim" Him.
Thus, there is a very close relationship between "building the Eucharist" and proclaiming Christ. At the same time, entering into communion with Him in the memorial of Easter also means becoming missionaries of the event which that rite actualizes; in a certain sense, it means making it contemporary with every epoch, until the Lord comes again
Dear brothers and sisters, we are reliving this wonderful reality in today's Solemnity of Corpus Christi, during which the Church docs not only celebrate the Eucharist but solemnly bears it in procession, publicly proclaiming that the Sacrifice of Christ is for the salvation of the whole world.
Grateful for this immense gift, her members gather round the Blessed Sacrament, for that is the source and summit of her being and action.
Ecclesia de Eucharistia vivit! The Church draws her life from the Eucharist and knows that this truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith, but recapitulates the heart of the mystery in which she consists (cf. Encyclical Fetter Ecclesia de Eucaristia, n. 1).
Ever since Pentecost, when the Church, the People of the New Covenant, "began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, the Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days, filling them with confident hope" (ibid.). Thinking precisely of this, I wanted to dedicate the first Encyclical of the new millennium to the Eucharist and I am now pleased to announce a special Year of the Eucharist.
It will begin with the World Eucharistic Congress, from 10 to 17 October 2004 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and will end with the next Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, that will be held in the Vatican from 2 to 29 October 2005 and whose theme will be: “The Eucharist: source and summit of the life and mission of the Church”.
Through the Eucharist, the Ecclesial Community is built up as a new Jerusalem, a principle of unity in Christ among different persons and peoples.
“You give them something to eat” (Lk 9:13). This Gospel passage offers us a vivid image of the close bond that exists between the Eucharist and this universal mission of the Church. Christ, “the living bread which came down from heaven” (Jn 6:51; cf. Gospel Acclamation), is the only one who can appease the hunger of human beings of every time and in every corner of the earth.
However, He does not want to do this on his own, so He involves the disciples, as He did in the multiplication of the loaves: “Taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd” (Lk 9:16).
This miraculous sign is the symbol of the greatest mystery of love which is renewed every day at Holy Mass: through the ordained ministers, Christ gives His Body and His Blood for the life of humanity. And all those who partake of His Banquet with dignity become living instruments of His presence of love, mercy and peace.
“Lauda, Sion, Salvatorem!... - Sion, praise the Saviour / your guide, your pastor / with hymns and canticles”.
With untold emotion, we hear this invitation to praise and joy echoing in our hearts. At the end of Holy Mass we will carry the Divine Sacrament in procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Looking at Mary, we will understand better the transforming power that the Eucharist possesses. Listening to her, we will find in the Eucharistic mystery the courage and energy to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd, and to serve Him in the brethren.”
Reflections on the movie "The Passion of the Christ"
“It is likely that more has been said and written about the movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” than any other movie ever. The professional movie critics and other writers and pundits mostly gave unfavorable critiques of this movie. As one local writer expressed it, “Passion bashin' is in fashion.”
Not only were many of these critics opposed to the presentation, but they were violently opposed. One could be led to believe that this movie should be banned forever if these particular critics had their way.
On the other hand. Catholic and Christian published reviews were mostly highly laudatory and almost ecstatic at times. Moreover, ticket sales quickly moved this movie into the category of one of the best sellers of all times, even before it had been shown outside of North America and Australia. For example, Italy was not scheduled for showing until June. Perhaps by now it is “the biggest hit in movie history” as the writer quoted above conjectured.
That same writer analyzed the widely divergent reaction to the movie as follows: “The real rift over The Passion is not between the Christians and the Jews. It's between certain devout Christians and all the rest of us, especially those of little or no faith. Virtually everyone who mongers opinions in the mainstream media, including me, belong to the latter category.”
Would it not be right to conclude that if the opinion-makers could be so wrong and even biased about this movie, why should we have any confidence that their opinions on other matters are worthwhile? In other words, have they not lost their credibility?
I lowever, we can hope that our overwhelming vote of confidence in the movie will result in good. As our writer put it in her conclusion: “Something's happening here, and we ought to find out what it is.”
In reflecting on the sufferings of Christ, especially as portrayed in the movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” it can be helpful to know what St. Claude La Colombiere understood about the inner sufferings of Christ. Father Colombiere was the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary when he was stationed at Paray-le-Monial. She recorded what Christ said about St. Claude in one of His revelations to her: “Father Claude is my faithful servant and perfect friend.”
This is what St. Claude wrote in his annual retreat notes for 1674: “The love of Our Lord's Heart was in no way diminished by the treason of Judas, the flight of the apostles, and the persecution of His enemies. Jesus was only grieved at the harm they did themselves; His sufferings helped to assuage His grief because He saw in them a remedy for the sins committed by His enemies. The Sacred Heart was full of most tender love; there was no bitterness in it; no cruelty and injustice that He received moved it to feelings other than those of compassion and affection.””
–Taken from the Editor's Newsletter in the July/August Issue of the Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart.–
POPE BENEDICT XVI'S MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR 2012
JANUARY
* Victims of Natural Disasters. That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort
they need to rebuild their lives.
* Dedication to Peace. That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will.
FEBRUARY
* Access to Water. That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.
* Health Workers. That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world’s poorest regions.
MARCH
* Contribution of Women. That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society.
* Persecuted Christians. That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination,
persecution, or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia.
APRIL
* Vocations. That many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life.
* Christ, Hope for Africans. That the risen Christ may be a sign of certain hope for the men and women of the African continent.
MAY
* The Family. That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society.
* Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization,
may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus.
JUNE
* Christ, Present in the Eucharist. That believers may recognize in the Eucharist
the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life.
* European Christians. That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and
participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of the Gospel.
JULY
* Work Security. That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions.
* Christian Volunteers. That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ.
AUGUST
* Prisoners. That prisoners may be treated with justice and respect for their human dignity.
* Youth Witness to Christ. That young people, called to follow Christ,
may be willing to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
SEPTEMBER
* Politicians. That politicians may always act with honesty, integrity, and love for the truth.
* Help for the Poorest Churches. That Christian communities
may have a growing willingness to send missionaries, priests, and lay people, along with concrete resources, to the poorest Churches.
OCTOBER
* New Evangelization. That the New Evangelization may progress in the oldest Christian countries.
* World Mission Day. That the celebration of World Mission Day may result in a renewed commitment to evangelization.
NOVEMBER
* Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel
may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord.
* Pilgrim Church. That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.
DECEMBER
* Migrants. That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities.
* Christ, light for all humanity. That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity
with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church.
From the Vatican, December 31, 2011
(Signed) BENEDICT XVI
[Contents of the above may be freely distributed]
APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER 3211 South Lake Dr., Ste. 216, Milwaukee, WI 53235
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Apostleship Of Prayer
Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and
urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. These reflections seek
to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.
Access to Water
That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.
“An estimated two-thirds of the earth's surface is water. For most of us all we need to do is turn on a tap for clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Water seems so cheap and available that we tend to take it for granted and waste it. Yet lack of access to water kills more children annually than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. The United Nations declared 2005 to 2015 as the "International Decade for Action: Water for Life."
This month Pope Benedict draws our attention the need to take care of this precious resource so that all people will have the water they need to live. The Holy Father maintains that access to water is part of every person's right to life. In a message for the 2007 World Water Day he wrote: "Water, a common good of the human family, constitutes an essential element for life...Access to water is in fact one of the inalienable rights of every human being." He repeated this message a year later saying that water is not "an economic commodity" and the right to water "is founded on the dignity of the human person."
Water also has a profound religious significance. The Sacred Scriptures use water as a symbol of purification and of life. God, the Creator, uses water to sustain and clean all that lives. In Baptism water purifies from sin and gives new life.
We pray this month that the nations, communities, and people of the world will value God's gift of water and use it in a way that makes it accessible to every one of our brothers and sisters in the human family. We join St. Francis of Assisi in his prayer: Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.”
Reflection: In what ways do I value and conserve the water that I consume each day?
Reading:
Ezekiel 47:12 Wherever the river flows every sort of living creature shall live.
Links
Message of Pope Benedict on the Occasion of World Water Day 2007
July 10, 2008 Letter from Pope Benedict
Rights to Water and Sanitation
Water Footprint Network
Sixth World Water Forum, March 12-17, 2012
Health Workers
That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions.
“Every year on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, we celebrate the World Day of the Sick. On this day we pray for our brothers and sisters who are carrying the cross of illness.
With that in mind, this month Pope Benedict asks us to join him in praying also for health workers, especially those in the poorest regions of the world. Health workers in poor countries are truly missionaries as they offer people the Gospel not so much with words as with their actions of love.
Caring for the sick is extremely challenging. The work is hard, especially without adequate medicine and equipment. The work is also dangerous, as health workers are continuously exposed to infectious diseases. Even diseases that are easily prevented and treated are rampant in many of the poor areas of the world. Health workers in these areas are often exhausted and tempted to hopelessness. We join Pope Benedict in praying that God may sustain them.
Blessed John Paul II called the work of health workers "the apostolate of God’s mercy." Health care is, in Pope Benedict’s words, "central to the mission of the Church." In some areas of the world, the only health care available is provided by the Church. The Church as the Body of Christ carries on Jesus' healing ministry for the benefit of all, without discrimination.
Jesus commanded us to care for the sick when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan and said: "Go and do likewise." We pray that the Lord may strengthen health workers to continue to serve God's poorest children throughout the world.”
Reflection: What are some of the qualities that you have appreciated in health care workers
who have cared for you or a loved one?
Reading:
Luke 10:25-37 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Links
Pope Benedict's 2012 Message for World Day of the Sick
Pope Benedict's 2010 Message for World Day of the Sick
Blessed John Paul II's 1985 Apostolic Letter establishing the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers
Pope Benedict's Message to the 25th Conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers
Prayer of the Month
“God our Father, you sent your Son Jesus to reveal the great love you have for each one. Look upon the world’s
health care workers—doctors, nurses, administrators, and all who serve our brothers and sisters who are sick. They
share in your Son’s ministry of healing. May they continue his work with respect for the sacredness of life and with
the compassion that filled the Heart of Jesus when he met anyone who was sick.” Amen.
Editor's Note:
Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from
Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions.
These reflections seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.
For a printer-friendly PDF version of this month's reflections. You will need Adobe Reader to view.
If you don't have Adobe Reader on your computer, you can download it at www.adobe.com/downloads.
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Of Prayer ©: Apostleship of Prayer
It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that should be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between
the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future that is not our own. Amen.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero
Prayer is my personal response to God.
In prayer, I can see God in images, through Sacred Scriptures (S.S.), hear Him speak through daily events and people, and ways to see, hear and answer Our Lord.
Take a pen, write with feeling, let it flow out of me. Reflect, mull over, ponder. The moving pen unites my depths. My subconscious opens up, I speak from the spiritual, psychological soles of my feet. I am now my deepest, truest self. I deal with raw feelings: tender love and affection, inner rage, bitterness,....
I get ready to spend time with God, 10-20 minutes.
- The evening before, reflect on next day's S.S. verse such as the gospel reading, ask for grace (petition).
- Recall the verse before falling asleep, let it simmer during the night
Actually pray
- Be quite inside and out, relax, breathe gently in and out four times. I am totally given to God: please give me my needs.
- Use type of prayer method that's best for me.
- Listen to, talk with Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit.
- Pause, reflect.
- End with an Our Father or Glory Be.
Afterwards, understand how I listen and talk. Why? To sharpen my hearing and speaking prayer abilities.
- Was I aware of God's presence? How did I act?
- Was I happy, contented, sad, desolated?
- Was God answering my requests, insights, feelings?
What did I ask for? (Uncertain ? Let Him answer, now or later).
- Write down my reflections so they stay.
- How can I improve my next prayer period?
Adapted from Take and Receive by J. Bergan and S.M. Schwann, pp. 1-10, St. Mary's Press. Used with permission.
There are different ways to pray, depending on Sacred Scripture (S.S.) and what I need and desire. A good way to focus: remember the "5 Ps": Passage, Presence of God, Petition, Place and Posture.
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Humility and the Father's Love
“Why did my Father give you power over me?
Because he wanted me to get very close to you
to show you the depths of his love for you;
not the distant love of a God
who sits on a throne in his heaven
and looks down on you on the earth,
but the love of a Father who longs to help you
to carry your burdens,
to comfort and heal you,
to give you every good gift.
He wants to come into your homes,
and to sit with you at your meals
as one of the family.
He wants to walk with you
as a beloved friend.
He could not do that himself
and so he sent me, his only Son,
to make his love known to you.
I could take on your weakness
and then act out my Father's name which is Love.
Can you truly imagine the love of God?
Can you understand the depth
of your Father's love for you?
The Father sent me to show you his love,
and to act it out among you
to give you an example to copy.
I am the image of your unseen Father;
in my life, and particularly in my passion,
I showed you the depths
to which love must be prepared to go.
There is no room for fear in love,
no room for shame,
no excuses,
no holidays.
Love offers everything
and expects no return.
You cannot bear the unveiled love of God.
It falls like a fire upon you
and you are consumed and burnt up in its heat.
You are not ready yet to be refined
and purified by the naked flame
of your Father's love for you,
and so it has to be filtered,
mediated to you through my flesh.”
—RICHARD HOBBS
Richard Hobbs (+ 1993) was a convert to Catholicism and the father of six sons.
My Serenity Prayer:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the people I can not change,
the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know ...it´s me."
Courtesy of Brother Maurus, O.S.B.
“The Winds of Grace always blow, it is up to us to raise
our sails!”
Heard at an Al-Anon meeting
Theology for a God-centered Life
The Pearl of Great Price: The Kingdom of God – The search for the will of our God who loves us.
This leads us to look always for the greatest possible good which is the will of God who loves us...
a life-long pursuit. The Kingdom of God is not the church which needs to lead us to the will of God...
to assist us in remembering God's presence in Christ and His Body and Blood in the Eucharist.
Gleaned from daily homilies during the week of July 25-29, 2005
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root
in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our
modern world and seem to block the paths toward the future.
From famine and war, deliver us.
From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.
From sins against human life from its very beginning, deliver us.
From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.
From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.
From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.
From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.
From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.
From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.
Accept, 0 Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings,
laden with the sufferings of whole societies. Help us with the power of the Holy Spirit conquer
all sin: individual sin and the "sin of the world," sin in all its manifestations. Let there be
revealed once more in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the redemption: the
power of merciful love. May it put a stop to evil. May it transform consciences.
May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope. Amen.”
Copyright © 2001,
United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Images Courtesy of Corbis, Inc. Used With Permission.
Text Courtesy Of L'Osservatore Romano.
Used With Permission USCCB Publishing.
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When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs,
not ours. Saint Gregory the Great
O God, you are the. Source of life and peace.
Praised be your name forever.
We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.
Hear our grayer in this time of war.
Your power changes hearts.
Muslims, Christians, and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm,
that they are followers of the one God,
children of Abraham, brothers and sisters;
enemies begin to speak to one another;
those who were estranged join hands in friendship;
nations seek the way of peace together.
Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these truths
by the way we live. Give to us:
Understanding that puts an end to strife;
Mercy that quenches hatred, and
Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.
Empower all people to live in your law of Love. Amen.”
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From the Document, Laity In The Church, Fromthe Second Vatican Council:
No matter what your condition of life,
no matter who you are
or what you do,
Christ is calling you to be holy.
In fact, the Spirit is even now
moving you interiorly
to love God more deeply
and serve God more fully.
We have been made sons and daughters of God
through baptism
and now we share in the divine life.
This means that we are truly made holy,
we are truly called to live accordingly.
We are among the saints,
God's chosen ones,
beloved of God,
called to be meek,
to be kind,
and to be loving.
God's mercy is upon us. Amen. (Article 40)
“In the comfort of your love,
I pour out to you, my Savior,
The memories that haunt me,
The anxieties that perplex me,
The fears that stifle me,
The sickness that prevails upon me,
And the frustration of all the pain that weaves about within me.
Lord, help me to see your peace in my turmoil,
your compassion in my sorrow,
your forgiveness in my weakness,
And, your love in my need.
Touch me, 0 Lord, with your healing power and strength.”
©-Prayer to Christ the Healer ALEXIAN BROTHERS HOSPITAL
The Missouri Secretary of State's web site
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Contact the Office of Secretary of State if you don't have
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MILLENNIUM III, Year XII, 2012
©1999-2012 Paul Byorth
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