SELFISHNESS
by VP
Posted on Sunday August 18, 2024 at 01:00AM in Sermons
"Where are the nine ?"-LUKE Xvii. 17.
1. Our petitions very different from our thanks: selfishness the cause.
2. The miracle proves that nine out of ten were selfish and ungrateful.
3. How our Blessed Lord suffered from ingratitude.
4. Let us learn unselfishness from our Savior, and unite our thanks with His in the Holy Eucharist.
"ALL prayer is not simply a prayer of petition, of asking, however much we may need mercy and grace and forgiveness. Praise and thanksgiving are due to the almighty and loving God. The angels and blessed in heaven sing without ceasing the glory and praise of God, and their grateful thanks will last throughout eternity. But on earth how different are nine out of every ten of mankind! We are earnest when we want anything; in fear and misery and pain we make our petitions to God repeatedly and earnestly. The favor granted; the fear removed; the pain alleviated; oh, how poor our gratitude! The old saying is true, "Eaten bread is soon forgotten."
We cannot help but think thus with the example of the lepers fresh in our minds to-day. Anxious, earnest, imploring were those lepers in their misery. The voice of the Savior filled them with hope, they obeyed; they were cleansed, to their utter joy and amazement; but only one returned, giving thanks to his divine benefactor. Selfish in their prayer, to get rid of their loathsome disease; selfish even when miraculously cured, they went on their way selfishly rejoicing!
“Where are the nine ?" It is a humiliating avowal to own that we too have been selfish; that we find ourselves amongst the nine. Our conscience can recall anxiety, fear, tears in the past, when we humbly begged of God for forgiveness of some grave sin; in dread of a calamity or the expectation of death. Yes, and conscience is ashamed to own the brief, halfhearted, or perhaps forgotten gratitude with which we repaid our loving Lord. Selfishness led us to beseech and pray; selfishness led us to forget the grateful thanks that were due.
How, then, can we overcome this love of self, which is the cause of our want of thankfulness? Gratitude is due to God, and He loves us to be grateful. gratitude hurt the Sacred Heart of our divine Lord, not now indeed, but in His lifetime. Continually, all through those thirty-three years of His days on earth, our Lord had present in His mind the ingratitude of men, and it grieved Him. He knew all that He would do and suffer for sinners, and infinite love could do no more and He knew all the neglect, the forgetfulness, the ingratitude of those whom He had loved so much. We are told that the sufferings of His soul were greater far than the sufferings of His sacred Body in His Passion. The scourging, the crown of thorns, the nails through His hands and feet were less agonizing than the stabs of ingratitude through His tender, loving Heart. The bodily sufferings of the Passion, from His Betrayal to His Death, were over on Good Friday, but in His Heart He had suffered all His life. It was not merely the ingratitude with which He was treated whilst on earth, but all the ingratitude that would be shown Him, the Prisoner of love in the Holy Eucharist. He foreknew how He would be treated, even by those who believe in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar-all their neglect, forgetfulness, disdaining to visit Him, to receive Him. They know that Mass and Holy Communion are the supreme acts of love and thanksgiving to Almighty God. Alas! "where are the nine?" Some few are faithful and loving, but where are the nine? By most men, He is often and carelessly forgotten.
What a model of unselfishness is our dear Lord! Though He knew all this and suffered it, yet did He give Himself not only to the Cross; but to continue His Redemption, He renews it in each Holy Mass, and dwells continually with us in the tabernacle: “I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world" (Matt. xxviii. 20). If we would only study His unselfishness and make the memory of it live within our hearts, it would shame us; it would make us annihilate the self-love within us. Let us, then, learn unselfishness from our Lord in the tabernacle. He is there longing for us to visit Him, to pray to Him, to love Him and receive Him. Look back at our own lives. For days, weeks, months perhaps, we have forgotten Him. How cold and distracted we are even in His sacred Presence! During how many a Mass of obligation it has been merely by our bodily presence that we have been before Him, and our hearts far from Him. Selfishness again! Distractions born of worldly desires, of uncharitableness, because self had been slighted or hurt, of memories of self-gratification, of memories of our sinful past perhaps, have occupied our minds. And all the time, He, our Divine Benefactor, Whom we were pretending to worship, was waiting for a loving word of thanks.
Our poor thanks - are they worth offering? Are they worthy of His acceptance? Yes, indeed; for in His mercy He has made Himself our own thank offering! Jesus, in the Holy Eucharist, is the thank offering. At Holy Mass, at Holy Communion, we are united to Him; and our poor thanks are borne up to heaven with His, and accepted before the throne of God." Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year By Fr. Francis Paulinus Hickey OSB (13th Sunday after Pentecost)
St. Hyacinth, Dominican CONFESSOR, A.D. 1257.
by VP
Posted on Saturday August 17, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
PRAYER TO ST. HYACINTH, CONFESSOR.
ANT. O, Hyacinth,
most fair flower of the order of preachers, who among the white lilies
of virgins, and the fragrant violets of doctors shinest refulgent with
thy double crown; whilst with glad voices we greet thee, do thou, we
beseech thee, imbue us with the sweetness of thy odor. LET US PRAY. O God, who hast made blessed Hyacinth thy confessor, renowned amongst nations by the sanctity of his works, and by the glory of his miracles, grant in prosperity we may be reformed by his example, and in adversity we may be protected by his aid, through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Methode of Saying the Holy Rosary, 1848
"ST. HYACINTH was born in Poland; and his parents diligently cultivated his natural disposition to virtue. He preserved an unspotted innocence of manners through the dangerous paths of youth. Being employed by his bishop as his assistant in the administration of his diocese, he shewed great prudence, capacity, and zeal. After some time, he was admitted into the Order of the Dominicans by the holy founder himself; where his sole occupation was the study and practice of humility,
patience, abstinence, and piety. His austerity was great, in giving
little rest to his body. His prayer was what St. Paul advises, without
ceasing. His charity was extraordinary, in endeavoring to reclaim all
from vice, both by word and example. Having lived in this method nearly
forty years, he made a happy end in the year 1257.
Pray for some degrees of his
holy spirit. Examine into your present method, as to eating, sleeping,
and praying. Consider your excesses, and beg pardon. Pray for the gift of temperance and moderation. If you cannot approve of rigors,
yet see that you flatter not yourself in all your inclinations. Endeavor to be easily pleased, and avoid niceness, for it is the effect of self love, and self-love has no title to heaven. If your temper be,to be out of humor and displeased, if every thing be not according to your will, see that you be as exact in doing the will of God, as you expect others should be in doing yours: otherwise, the exactness you demand from others, will be the condemnation of your neglects in regard of God. Give good example to all. It is a kind of spiritual alms, of which
all are capable. For this, it is not enough not to scandalize your neighbor by what is sinful, but you are to suppress all your passions
and ill-humors. For these being contagious, are so far from edifying,
that they may easily injure those, who are witnesses of them. Pray that you may be exact in all duties, and endeavor to be so. Such a life is the best preparation for a happy death." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin, Confessor
by VP
Posted on Friday August 16, 2024 at 01:25AM in Saints
Saint Joachim at the Altar of the Holy Kinship (right side altar) of the parish church St. Cyriak in Pfarrwerfen, federal state of Salzburg, Austria. Anonymous master, around 1520.
"Saint Joachim, spouse of Anne, Father of the Blessed Virgin, aid thy clients here on the way to salvation." With God: A Book of Prayers and Reflections By Father Francis Xavier Lasance, 1911
O Great Saint, who was chosen by God among all the Saints, to be the Father of the Mother of God, the most Holy Virgin, and by that singular privilege art become powerful with the Mother and Son, vouchsafe to employ your credit in favor of me your client, who, in this valley of tears, implore your protection. Vouchsafe, great model of the interior life, and of all virtues, to obtain for me interior recollection, humility, purity, charity, which made up your character; obtain for me a true disengagement from all created goods, and a christian patience in the adversities of this life; obtain for me an ardent and persevering love of Jesus and Mary, and final perseverance at my death. Amen. A manual of instructions and Prayers useful to a Christian, 1752
"ST. JOACHIM was father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A day for all parents to offer up their prayers to Almighty God, that they may be faithful in the discharge of their duties towards their children, in giving them good
instruction, good example, and due correction. God requires these at
their hands; and to be wanting in any one part is not consistent with a
good conscience, but may easily come to be the loss of their children's souls. Failing in these duties, is one of the great occasions of so general a corruption of youth; whilst parents, whose care ought to be to cultivate their yet tender souls, train them up in the corrupt maxims of the world, put them forward in those things which promote liberty, vanity, pride, and sensuality, and give them an early knowledge of what they must either unlearn, or else perish in practising, This unhappy method St. John Chrysostom long ago lamented; and after having considered the solicitude of parents
in procuring for their children what is superfluous and unprofitable,
and neglecting what is necessary, condemns such parents as the greatest enemies of their children, and contrivers, not only of their
temporal, but eternal misfortunes. If you have any part in this guilt,
seek timely remedies, if it be yet in your power. Let not weak nature be
now your rule, but solid reason and religion: and ever force
inclination to bend to these. Study not to gain your children's love by
what is likely to make them miserable, and be one day the punishment of your own indiscretion. Their inclinations and desires are naturally corrupt, and they apprehend not the mischievous effects of them. Therefore are parents put over them, prudently to moderate and overrule them. If you do not this, you pervert the order which God has established; instead of governing, permitting yourself to be governed by them; and in this depriving them of all the benefits designed them in their parent's care; and exposing them to the ill consequences of their
own weakness, follies, and passions. Pray for remedy against this
crying evil; and if you have no part in it, pray at least for those who
have; for it is a point that deserves universal charity." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
by VP
Posted on Thursday August 15, 2024 at 01:00AM in Tradition
Palma Vecchio: Assumption of Mary
Munificentissimus Deus: Defining the Dogma of the Assumption, Pope Pius XII,
"Queen of heaven, thy immense love for God maketh thee likewise love His Church. We pray thee, come to its help amidst the ills under which it is now suffering, rent asunder as she is by her own children. Thy prayers, being a mother’s, can obtain all from that God Who loveth Thee so well. Pray then, pray for the Church; ask for enlightenment for so many unbelievers who are persecuting it, and obtain for faithful souls the necessary strength to resist being caught in the snares of the unbelievers who would drag them down into their own ruin." Source: St. Alphonsusʼ Prayer Book (Father Edward Saint Omer, Redemptorist.1888)
The Assumption of the B. V Mary.
"THIS solemnity is in memory of the happy passage of the Blessed Virgin out of this life into the kingdom of her Son. Pray for a happy death; prepare for it, and be assured that the best preparation for it is a holy life.
It is to celebrate that happy privilege, which by a pious tradition we have received, of her being assumed into heaven, and glorified both in body and soul. Adore the wonderful goodness of God, and bless Him for all the privileges of grace and glory bestowed on the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her soul magnified our Lord: join with her in giving praise to Him, who is the author of every good gift.
Though the general resurrection is the time appointed for our souls to be again united to our bodies, yet it is in the power of God to exempt some from this general decree. This power He has certainly manifested in those, who at Christ's resurrection took up their bodies, and appeared to their friends in Jerusalem. He dispensed with Enoch and Elias, as to the general sentence of death at the usual time; and these He dispensed with in the anticipation of the general resurrection. For it is easy for that power, which makes a decree, to privilege some with an exemption, and to do to some only, from particular motives, what He could have done to all, if He had so pleased. The power admits of no dispute; and that the Blessed Virgin had a part in this privilege may be easily allowed. For this is not so particular as those other privileges, which were granted to her, in being Mother of God, in being both mother and virgin. And this more especially since we know how great was her humility, who being raised to the highest dignity, considered herself the meanest of God's servants. We need not doubt that God has exalted her in proportion to her humility: and that as she reputed herself the lowest of all, so he, who regarded her humility, has raised her above all. This none of the faithful can question: but whether this has been as to her soul only, or both in body and soul, the Church has not positively declared. It is plain, however, that she inclines to the pious belief that the Blessed Virgin was assumed both body and soul; and will not the faithful do well to believe the same? But however this maybe, the joy of this festival is still the same. For as we honor world, so we have the departure of other saints out of this reason to honor and rejoice on this day, when the Blessed Virgin, who had been chosen Mother of Christ, left this world, and entered into the possession of those joys, which her divine son had prepared for her. It was a day of joy and glory to her; it ought to be a day of joy and thanksgiving to us. In these holy transports our souls ought to pour themselves forth before God; and then turning back our thoughts upon ourselves, we are to consider whether, as we are created for the same happiness, we are in so holy a disposition, as to hope that the day of our departure will be to us a day of joy, in opening us a passage into bliss.
This hope cannot be reasonable, except we discover in ourselves some proportion at least of those graces and virtues by which the soul of the Blessed Virgin was prepared for the happiness of this day. It is the love of God, humility, purity, patience, the spirit of adoration, praise and thanksgiving, that must be the ground of these hopes; these being the necessary dispositions, by which our souls must be prepared for the state of bliss. For that being a state, wherein the souls of the blessed are for ever magnifying and adoring our Lord, how can a Christian be prepared for this, but by the spirit of adoration here? That being a state of perfect union with God in love and submission, how can a Christian be prepared for this, but by loving Him here, and by perpetual endeavors to approve and embrace His will in all things? That being a state of infinite holiness and purity; what other preparation can there be for it, but by daily disengaging our souls from sin and impurity, and ever laboring to obtain clean hearts. It is certainly a great delusion to think of being translated to that life of infinite perfection, from a worldly and sinful life. There must be nuptial robes for as many as are to be admitted to the marriage of the Lamb. And if all others are to be cast forth into utter darkness, who come not thus vested, what hopes can they have, who in this life, when they should be making preparation, have their souls covered with no other garments but those of slaves, of the enemies of God, and of sin? The life of the just in heaven, and on earth, is the same, consisting in the knowledge and love of God; and the difference of one life from the other, is only in the different degrees of this knowledge and love. So that the qualifications which make up the justice of this life, being the same with those of the life eternal, there is nothing more necessary for the just on earth to become eternally blessed, but only the augmenting those very gifts, with which their souls are found enriched at the hour of their death; God then perfecting His work by glory, which was begun and carried on here by His grace. How then can those Christians, in reason, hope to have any part in this happiness, who have none of those graces in them, which are to be perfected by glory? Can the knowledge and love of God be perfected in those souls, which have neither the knowledge nor love of God in them? They have more reason to apprehend that those very affections and passions, with which their souls are disordered at the hour of their deaths, will then be augmented, their ingratitude, disobedience, aversion to God's law and will, their pride, self-love, and sensuality. Heaven being not accessible to these abominations, whither must they go, but to the place of eternal confusion, where being incapable of change, their souls will for all eternity lie under those very disorders, in which death found them?
Have not then all Christians great reason to be preparing their souls all their lives, and not to put off this work to the last
hour? For who knows if they shall then have that time, which they now
promise themselves? Who knows if their sickness will be such, as to give
them opportunity of then undertaking this work? And if they do undertake it, how very little hopes can they have of finishing it? Will the divine grace be then at their command, which they have neglected all their lives? Christ said to the Jews,
that they would seek Him, and yet die in their sins. These seek Christ
then, but not seeking Him as they ought, may not find Him, who has been
so often rejected by them. And though they come to confession, and find
their hearts then oppressed with grief, yet who can say that this may
not be more a natural trouble, than contrition for their sins? Who can
give hopes that this works now in a moment that effectual change in
their souls, of which they had so long before thought, but without any effect? This can be the effect of nothing
less than a miraculous grace: and are miracles to be expected by those
who have so long been obstinate against all ordinary helps? Truly there
appear so many difficulties in this case, that they must be
presumptuously mad, who expose their salvation to this hazard. This is
not the method of the saints whom we honor: it is not the lesson which we learn from our Master, who knowing the danger of the last
hour, commands us to be prepared against it: Be you also ready. Teach
us, O Jesus, this lesson, that when Thou callest, we may be found
watching. Deliver us from all the effects of sloth
and presumption; and since what we desire is to enjoy Thy presence, may
we never permit any disorder in our souls, which would exclude us from
this happiness." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
#3 Acts of Adoration Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for all the offenses committed against Him by mankind
by VP
Posted on Thursday August 15, 2024 at 01:00AM in Thursday Reparation
3. We adore Thee, O eternal Wisdom! And to repair the gross ignorance which has caused us to offend Thee, we offer up to Thee all the knowledge of those most enlightened Spirits, the Cherubim. Eternal praise and thanksgiving be to the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament.
O Queen of heaven and earth, hope of mankind, who adores thy Divine
Son incessantly! We entreat thee, that, since we have the honor to be of
the number of thy children, thou would interest thyself in our behalf
and make satisfaction for us, and in our name, to our Eternal Judge, by
rendering to Him the duties which we ourselves are incapable of
performing. Amen
St. Maximiliam Kolbe, Priest
by VP
Posted on Wednesday August 14, 2024 at 01:36AM in Saints
“God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.”
“He remains among us until the end of the world. He dwells on so many altars, though so often offended and profaned.”
“Be a Catholic: When you kneel before an altar, do it in such a way that others may be able to recognize that you know before whom you kneel.”
"Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
Official Act of Consecration to Mary Written by St. Maximilian Kolbe
O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.
If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.
Saint Maximus the Confessor, A.D. 662
by VP
Posted on Tuesday August 13, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"A man of discernment, meditating on the healing Divine Providence, bears with thanksgiving the misfortunes that come to him. He sees their causes in his own sins, and not in anyone else. But a mindless man, when he sins and receives the punishment for it, considers the cause of his misfortune to be God, or people, not understanding God's care for him."
"In all our actions, God considers the intention: whether we act for Him or for some other motive."
FAITH ADMITS OF NO WEAK PRETENSE.-Maximus, after having discharged important functions at the court of Heraclius, withdrew to a monastery at Chrysopolis, in order to escape from the taint of monotheism which had begun to prevail at the court. For fear of being persecuted, he quitted the monastery and proceeded to Africa, his great reputation for sanctity, learning, and thorough orthodoxy, having drawn all eyes towards him. Constans, the successor of Heraclius, an ardent upholder of monotheism, accounted the many supporters of the doctrine as naught gained if he could not win over Maximus, who had already distinguished himself by his labors and successful efforts against this heresy. Maximus having been brought to Constantinople and treated like a malefactor, had to encounter the most violent temptations and undergo the most cruel tortures; but all was in vain. He was urged, however, to allow it to be believed, out of respect and complaisance to the emperor, that he had given in his adherence. He firmly declined, and was sentenced to be beaten with clubs, to have his tongue cut out, and his hand struck off, and to linger out his days in prison. This happened in 662. He is thought to have died the same year, at the age of eighty-two.
MORAL REFLECTION.- "For it doth not become our age to dissemble," said the holy old man Simeon, "lest through my dissimulation many should be deceived."-(2 Mach. vi. 24.)
Saint Clare, Virgin and Abbess, A.D. 1253.
by VP
Posted on Monday August 12, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
Sainte Claire, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Raleigh
"ST. CLARE was born at Assisium in Italy, and moved by the example of St. Francis, gave all that she had to the poor.Before the altar of the Blessed Virgin she
put off her fine clothes, and St. Francis cut off her hair, and gave
her his penitential habit, which was no other than a piece of sackcloth tied round with a cord. She afterwards instituted a religious Order of nuns,
called from her, poor Clares; obliging them to great austerity, in
perpetual abstinence from flesh meat, using no soft beds, nor linen, and
going barefoot. Her esteem of holy poverty was admirable. She looked upon it as the retrenchment of the most dangerous objects of the passions, and as the great school of patience
and mortification, Frayer was her spiritual comfort and strength, and
she seemed scarcely ever to interrupt that holy exercise. Having lived
with her religious above forty years, being at length exhausted with
fasting, prayer, and watching, she surrendered her soul to God, in 1253.
Pray for all the religious of this Order; and praise God for that wonderful spirit of sanctity, which is still preserved among them. Wonder at the zeal of so many tender virgins, who renouncing all the softness, superfluity, and vanity of their education, engage and persevere in a life of so much hardship and severity. Let this be a reproach to you of all
your contrary methods. Learn from them how little is sufficient for
nature; and see how much you have wasted. You may pity them for being
deprived of so many satisfactions which you enjoy: but consider whether they are unhappy in the want, or you in the enjoyment of them. They deprive themselves of that only which is superfluous and dangerous; and by thus seeking yourself, put your salvation to the hazard. Which then has chosen the better part?" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
"Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal."
"Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow."
"Do not let false delights of a deceptive world deceive you."
"O CLARE, the reflection of the Spouse which adorns the Church in this world no longer suffices you. You now behold the light with open face. The brightness of the Lord plays with delight in the pure crystal of your soul, increasing the happiness of Heaven and giving joy this day to our valley of exile. Heavenly beacon, with your gentle shining enlighten our darkness.
May we, like you, by purity of heart, by uprightness of thought, by simplicity of gaze, fix on ourselves the divine ray which flickers in a wavering soul, is dimmed by our waywardness, is interrupted or put out by a double life divided between God and the world. Your life, O Virgin, was never thus divided. The most high poverty which was your mistress and guide preserved your mind from that bewitching of vanity which takes off the bloom of all true goods for us mortals. Detachment from all passing things kept your eye fixed on eternal realities. It opened your soul to that seraphic ardor in which you emulated your father Francis. Like the Seraphim, whose gaze is ever fixed on God, you had immense influence over the Earth, and Saint Damian’s, during your lifetime, was a source of strength to the world. Deign to continue giving us your aid. Multiply your daughters. Keep them faithful in following their Mother’s example, so as to be a strong support to the Church. May the various branches of the Franciscan family be ever fostered by your rays, and may all Religious Orders be enlightened by your gentle brightness. Shine on us all, O Clare, and show us the worth of this transitory life and of that which never ends. Abbot Dom Gueranger
- Poor Clares: Cloistered life
- Our Lady of the Angels, Alabama
- Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (PCPA), Our Lady of Solitude Monastery in Tonopah, AZ
- Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, Sancta Clara Monastery, Canton, Ohio
When about to receive the Body of the Lord, Clare shed
burning tears and approached with awe, for she feared Him not less
hidden in the Sacrament than ruling heaven and earth."
Source: The life of Saint Clare; ascribed to Fr. Thomas of Celano, 1910.
Prayer to St. Clare:
O blessed saint, who didst give thyself so early to Jesus, grant that I may imitate thy blessed example, as far as my state in life will permit, and that I may never prove a hindrance, either in word or deed, to any who desire to consecrate themselves to God, as you did. Oh! dear saint, whose very name is light, and whose heart was ever full of such tender love to Jesus crucified, obtain for me the grace of Divine light and guidance in all my undertakings, and of such ardent love of my adorable Savior that I may be willing, nay rather that I may prefer to endure any suffering sooner than offend Him, even by a wilful imperfection. And as thou wast conducted to heaven by the Blessed and Immaculate Mother of God, oh! intercede with her for me that I may SO love and serve her in life as to be worthy to be received into her maternal arms in the hour of my death, and to be presented by her to Jesus. Amen.
Prayer in Honor of the Five Wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ, Composed by St. Clare:
TO THE WOUND OF THE RIGHT HAND.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O Lord Jesus, for the most sacred wound of Thy right hand. By this most holy wound pardon me, I beseech Thee, the sins which I have committed against Thee, in thought, word, or deed; and the sensualities of which sleeping or waking I may have been guilty. Grant that I may ever have before me a pious remembrance of Thy wounds, and that I may testify my gratitude to Thee for having received them, by imprinting them on my own body through a continual mortification. Deign to grant this, O Lord, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE LEFT HAND.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O sweetest Jesus, for the most holy wound of Thy left hand. By this sacred wound show mercy unto me, and take from my
heart all that is displeasing to Thee. Make me victorious over the enemies that cease not to war against me; grant me Thy strength and power that I may trample them beneath my feet. By Thy holy death deliver me from all the dangers to which my life and salvation are exposed, and render me worthy to partake of Thy glory in Thy heavenly kingdom, world without end. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE RIGHT FOOT.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O good Savior Jesus, for the sacred wound of Thy right foot. By this most holy wound grant me to merit forgiveness from Thee, by a penance proportioned to the enormity of my sins; oh! by Thy most holy Passion, grant that my will may be ever united to Thine, and defend my body and soul from all adversity. When the day of awful judgment shall be at hand, deign mercifully to receive my soul, and make it a possessor of Thy eternal joys, O Thou who livest for ever and ever. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE LEFT FOOT.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O most merciful Jesus, for the sacred wound of Thy left foot. By this most holy wound I beg of Thee to grant me the full and entire remission of all my sins, that I may escape the rigors of Thy dread judgment. O most merciful Jesus, I implore, by your holy death, that before mine I may worthily receive the sacrament of Thy Body and Blood, that I may be able to confess all my sins, with perfect contrition and great purity of body and soul; and that I may receive the sacrament of Extreme Unction to my eternal salvation. Grant this I beseech Thee, O Lord, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE SIDE.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O loving Jesus, for the sacred wound of Thy side. I beg of Thee, by this most holy wound, and by the charity Thou didst show in allowing Thy most Sacred Heart to be laid open to us by the lance of the soldier Longinus, that Thou wouldest deign not only to purify me from original sin by baptism, but also to deliver me from all evils, past, present, and to come, by the merits of Thy Precious Blood, which is at this moment offered and received throughout the world. Through Thy bitter death grant me a lively faith, a firm hope, and a perfect contrition, that I may love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength. Confirm me in good works, that I may persevere with courage in Thy holy service, so that I may be found pleasing in Thy divine sight, now and evermore. Amen. Pater Ave.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
R. Because by Thy death and by Thy blood, Thou hast redeemed the world.
PRAYER: Almighty and eternal God, who hast redeemed the world by the five wounds of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that we who daily honor those wounds, may be delivered from sudden and eternal death. This we implore through the same Lord Jesus, who liveth and reigneth with Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Novenas, hymns, and litanies, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare, 1863
St. Philomena
by VP
Posted on Sunday August 11, 2024 at 01:55AM in Saints
“I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my Little Saint without having been answered.” -- St. John Vianney
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
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 Ghost, Have Mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God, Have Mercy on us
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, Pray for us
St. Philomena, filled with most abundant graces from thy very birth, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Faithful imitator of Mary, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Model of virgins, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Temple of the most perfect humility, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Victim of the love of Jesus, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Example of strength and perseverance, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Invincible champion of chastity, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Mirror of the most heroic virtues, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Firm and intrepid in the face of torments, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Scourged like thy Divine Spouse, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Pierced by a shower or arrows, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Consoled by the Mother of God, when in chains, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Cured miraculously in prison, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Comforted by angels in thy torments, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who converted the witnesses of thy martyrdom, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who wore out the fury of thy executioners, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Protectress of the innocent, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Patron of youth, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Refuge of the unfortunate, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Health of the sick and the weak, Pray for us
St. Philomena, New light of the Church militant, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who confounds the impiety of the world, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in hell, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Made illustrious by the most striking miracles, Pray for us
St. Philomena All powerful with God, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who reigns in glory, 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.
Pray for us, O great St. Philomena, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. We implore thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr,
who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all virtues,
pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need. (Mention your intention)
Amen.
KINDLINESS ONE TO ANOTHER
by VP
Posted on Sunday August 11, 2024 at 01:00AM in Sermons
"He that showed mercy to him . . . and Jesus said to him: Go and do thou in like manner."-LUKE X. 37.
1. How many neglect to do "in like manner."
2. Love one another in thought, word, and deed.
3. Even in small things, how blessed by peace of conscience and piety.
4. But the greatest blessing is, by practicing kindliness, we grow like our Lord.
"THE touching parable of this day's Gospel contains many lessons, and amongst others, it is an instruction how we should fulfill that command of our Blessed Savior, "Love one another as I have loved you" (John xiii. 34). And the necessity for us to study this lesson is impressed on us by the fact that so many neglect this duty. This we see from the parable, for our Lord tells us how the priest and the Levite, representing good people and those who should have known their duty, passed by the wounded man; and it was left to a poor Samaritan - an outcast, as the Jews considered him - to give us an example of brotherly love. The very lawyer who had cross-questioned our Blessed Lord sought to evade the command by asking, "Who is my neighbor?" But he brought on himself the rebuke which forced from him the answer that will teach mankind until the end of time. Jesus said to him, "Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbor to him that fell amongst robbers?" He was compelled to answer, " He that showed mercy to him."
Love for our neighbor is a duty by the command of God. To love God is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt. xxii. 39). And the practice of this duty is inculcated and explained in this parable. Anyone needing kindly assistance is our neighbor, and we are bound, according to our ability, to help him. Even by thought we can be charitable, and study how to comfort the afflicted and the dying. A pitying thought would lead us to pray, and with prayers we can follow even the dying, and rescue them from purgatory. By word, by comforting, consoling, advising those in trouble. By deed, by bestowing alms, taking trouble to assist them, by visiting the sick and the dying.
Alas! our neighborly love is often weak and attenuated for want of practice. We are so engrossed with ourselves, with our own comforts and well-being, that we forget others, and begrudge a little sacrifice for them. To some, perhaps, we are a little charitable: their misery appeals to us. Others we pass by: their poverty, disease, surroundings are repulsive to us. We cannot bring ourselves to the practice of kindly charity to them. We shudder at the remembrance of what so many saints and pious people have done-visiting the hospitals, seeking out the afflicted in their homes, and attending to them in their wretchedness.
But how many other ways are there of being charitable, that do not call for such heroism! Begin with humble little practices, but let them be daily ones. A daily practice soon becomes a habit, and little kindnesses will nourish our thoughtfulness, our generosity, and presently we shall find ourselves showing mercy and being blessed by it. The least thing done for Christ's sake is worthy of reward-even "a cup of cold water" given in His name. The rich man, who was buried in hell, cried out to Abraham for a drop of cold water to cool his tongue. He was past all mercy. But the souls in purgatory are longing for a little alleviation; and how many are totally forgotten by their friends, perhaps even by those to whom they had been so kind in life! Perhaps some fond mother suffering now for being too indulgent to us, and we heartlessly forget her. "Show mercy," by prayers, masses, and do not begrudge a Holy Communion offered for them. How blessed will be the reward of our charity, and how grateful we shall be for having practiced it, when our time comes to be judged and punished!
Amongst the rewards for kindliness to others, who can tell the peace of conscience and happiness that result from works of mercy, or even from words of consolation, with which we have comforted others? The hard-hearted, the selfish, the haughty cannot picture to themselves what they miss, and the comforting, holy joy of which they deprive their souls.
But the greatest blessing for being kindly one to another is this, that day by day we are growing more like our Blessed Lord, Who went about doing good to all. His spirit is filling our souls, and our hard and selfish hearts are being subdued and taking up the yoke of Christ. "Love one another as I have loved you." This is the motive that urges us to be kind and charitable; to grow like to Him should be our daily endeavor. Therefore a peace, that the world cannot understand, envelops our daily life, and by degrees this world and its love and its pleasures lose their fascination for us; and with joy we feel that it is heaven and the Lord of heaven to Whom we are seeking to attain.
Practicing kindliness, in little ways day after day, transforms our lives, and from being selfish and hard we grow prompt and generous, ready for some great occasion, which may arise, when we can prove ourselves imitators of our divine Master, and ready for His sake to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others.
"Go and do thou in like manner." This He bids us do. Unless we attempt it, force ourselves to do it, we are disobeying; we are cowards. Self is our master; our Blessed Lord is ignored. No wonder our prayers are unheard; our passions unsubdued; the practice of piety repugnant. Our religion is merely an outward show; the spirit of Christ is not in our hearts; we hear, but heed not, His words, "Love one another as I have loved you."
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year By Francis Paulinus Hickey
