STATIONS OF THE CROSS-IX-X

NINTH STATION

Jesus Falls the Third Time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move.

Ah, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

Stations Of The Cross

TENTH STATION

Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them.

My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment which Thou hast felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, Who art so worthy of my love. I love Thee, O Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

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WAITING FOR YOUR HEALING

The nights become so long, Father,

as I await your gift of healing.

No matter the form in which it takes,

I accept it as from Your divine heart.

I suppose the most difficult part of this task

is waiting, Father.

I am broken, and need You to mend my physical state.

Help me have purpose while I wait;

to fill the long hours with long prayer

that I otherwise would have neglected,

if health had been mine.

Let me use this time as a tool, Father,

as I offer up what You have asked of me.

Let me recognize that You consider me capable of accepting this

as well as growing with it,

or You would never have brought it into my life.

Let me be quiet and still;

aware of the sounds of day and night,

all filled with Your life.

For the time being, I must observe life;

for tomorrow, I shall live the lessons

I have learned this day,

and in this painful night.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Prayer for Priests

Eternal God, please bless our priests, who represent you on this earth.

Make them more greatly aware of the grace that you pour out

through them when they minister the sacraments, and help them to fall more

deeply in love with You after each and every Mass that they celebrate.

Please strengthen our priests, who shepherd your flock,

when they are in doubt of their faith, that they may be examples

of your Truth and guide us always on the path to you.

We ask these things of You our Eternal Priest.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Perfect Trust

Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust,

My loving God, in thee;

Unwavering faith that never doubts

Thou chooses best for me!

Best, though my plans be all upset;

Best, though the way be rough;

Best, though my earthly store be scant;

In Thee I have enough.

Best, though my health and strength be gone,

Though weary days be mine,

Shut out from much that others have;

Not my will, Lord, but Thine!

And even though disappointments come,

They, too, are best for me,

To wean me from this changing world,

And lead me nearer Thee.

Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust

That looks away from all;

That sees thy hand in everything,

In great events or small.

That hears Thy voice - A Father's voice -

Directing for the best.

Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust,

A heart with Thee at rest.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

March 25

This feast is so called from the announcement to the Blessed Virgin, by the archangel Gabriel, that she was to be the mother of the Messias. In the Introit of the Mass the Church refers to this high dignity of Mary's: "All the rich shall entreat thy countenance; after her shall virgins be brought to the King; her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my works to the King."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Prayer

O God, Who didst please that Thy Word should take flesh, at the message of an angel, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliants that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be blessed by her intercession with Thee. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Epistle: Isaias 7:10-15

In those days the Lord spoke to Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that He may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good.

Instruction on the "Angelic Salutation" or "Hail Mary"

Why is this prayer called the "Hail Mary" or "Angelic Salutation"?
Because it begins with the words which the archangel Gabriel addressed to the Blessed Virgin when he announced to her that she should be the Mother of God.

Of what does the Angelic Salutation consist?
1. Of the words of the archangel Gabriel.
2. Of the words of Saint Elizabeth.
3. Of words which have been added thereto by the Catholic Church.

Which are the words of the archangel Gabriel?
"Hail [Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women."

What is the meaning of these words?
The words "Hail Mary" indicate that profound veneration for the Blessed Virgin which was felt by the archangel Gabriel, and which we, in imitation of his example, ought also to cherish.

The words "full of grace" remind us that God bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin greater graces than upon all men and angels together, and that not for herself alone, but for us also; they therefore encourage us to pray to Mary with fervor and confidence, that by her powerful intercession she will obtain for us the graces necessary for our salvation.

"The Lord is with thee" - these words express the peculiar complacency with which God has regarded her, on account of which He wrought in her special miracles of wisdom, omnipotence, and benignity. Let us rejoice with Mary over these prerogatives, and implore her to intercede for us, that God may be with us also, to sustain us by His almightiness, to govern us by His wisdom, to incite us to all that is good by the fire of His infinite love.

Finally, the words "Blessed art thou among women" are as much as to say: Thou art the happiest of all women, since thou alone of them all hast no stain of sin on thee; thou art chosen to be the Mother of God; thou shalt conceive Him by the Holy Ghost, and shalt bring Him forth without losing thy virginity. Thus it was that the angel saluted the most blessed Virgin, and yet there are men who are ashamed thus to salute Mary, and to give praise for the graces which God conferred upon her.

Which are the words of Elizabeth, and what do they mean?
"And blessed is the fruit of thy womb" - the word blessed is equivalent to praised. In saying these words, therefore, we desire that the fruit of Mary's womb, Jesus, may be worshipped and praised by all men.

Which are the words which the Catholic Church has added?
To the words "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb" she has added "Jesus," in order thereby to explain them, and to indicate that this prayer is to be offered in the name of Jesus. Thereupon follow the words, "Holy Mary, Mother of God" pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen."

What do these words mean?
With the words, "Holy Mary," we apply to her who is full of grace as our intercessor, and thereby are reminded to strive to imitate her holiness, if we would be sure of her intercession, and of being heard before God. We call her" Mother of God," because she brought forth Jesus, the Son-of God. Thereby we at the same time remind her that she is our mother also, and pray her to care for us as a mother, not as though we believed she could of herself help us, but with the design that she should offer to God her all-prevailing prayers for us, hence we say, " Pray for us, adding, "sinners." By these words we remind Mary of our misery, and ourselves of our powerlessness for good, and of our guiltiness in the sight of God, praying her to procure for us the grace of God to do true penance, to acquire virtues, and to gain true peace, and that" now," inasmuch as at every moment, and throughout our whole life, we have so many dangers to meet, so many virtues to gain; "and at the hour of our death," that we may overcome the temptations of the last decisive hour, and stand complete victors before the throne of the eternal Judge. "Amen," so may it be, is, as it were, to repeat and make stronger the whole prayer.

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

At that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.

Salutation to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace! I rejoice, and give joy to thee, that thou hast been chosen the Mother of the Most High, and the queen of heaven and earth. With thee is the Father Who begot, from all eternity, Him Whom thou didst bring forth as God-man in time; with thee is the Son, Whom thou didst bear, in thy virginal womb; with thee is the Holy Ghost, overshadowed by Whose power thou didst become the Mother of the Redeemer of the world. Praised, therefore, be thou blessed among women; thou daughter of the Most High; thou bride of the Holy Ghost; thou joy of heaven; thou ornament of the Church of God; thou honor of Christians. Oh, pray to God for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.


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STATIONS OF THE CROSS-VII-VIII

SEVENTH STATION

Jesus Falls the Second Time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider the second fall of Jesus under the cross—a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord.

My most gentle Jesus, how many times Thou hast pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend Thee! Oh, by the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assail me I may always commend myself to Thee. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

EIGHTH STATION

Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in so pitiable a state, streaming with blood, as He walked along. But Jesus said to them, "Weep not for Me but for your children."

My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses that I have committed against Thee, because of the pains which they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure which they have caused Thee, Who hast loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Traveler's Prayer

May it be Your will, Lord, My God and God of my ancestors,

to lead me, to direct my steps, and to support me in peace.

Lead me in life, tranquil and serene, until I arrive at where I am going.

Deliver me from every enemy, ambush and hurt that I might encounter

on the way and from all afflictions that visit and trouble the world.

Bless the work of my hands. Let me receive divine grace and those loving acts

of kindness and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all those I encounter.

Listen to the voice of my appeal,

for you are a God who responds to prayerful supplication.

Praised are you, Lord, who responds to prayer.

Amen.

May our Lord protect all those who are travelling to far off lands or closer to home. May their Guardian Angels remain attentive and alert to any dangers and protect our friends and loved one's to return home to us, safely.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

All Souls Rosary (Chaplet For All Souls)

For the poor souls in Purgatory

To be said on ordinary Rosary beads, by repeating Psalm 130
at the cross; the Our Father on the larger beads; the
following invocation on the smaller beads( instead of the
"Hail Mary" ):

"O good Jesus, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory
(or the soul of N., or the souls of N.), and grant
them eternal rest"

and at the end of each decade ( instead of the "Glory be...."

"Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen"


Psalm 130: "Out of the depths I have cried unto thee,
O Lord - Lord hear my voice !
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities,
O Lord, who can abide it ?
For with Thee there is mercy,
and by reason of Thy law
I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath waited on His word;
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night,
let Israel hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy,
and with Him is plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.


Let Us Pray

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the
faithful, grant to the souls of Thy departed
servants the full remission of all their sins,
that through our pious supplications they may
obtain that pardon which they have always
desired, Thou who livest and reignest world
without end. Amen.


FIRST DECADE:

I offer you, my Savior, this first decade for the souls
of all my relations, through the Precious Blood which you
shed for them in your Agony in the Garden of Olives.

Oh good Jesus! Have mercy on them.

Our Father once; invocation ten times; eternal rest etc.
once.


SECOND DECADE:

I offer you, my Savior, this second decade for the souls
of all those who have shown me kindness, through the
Precious Blood which you shed for them in your Scourging.

Oh good Jesus! Have mercy on them.

Our Father once; invocation ten times; eternal rest etc.
once.


THIRD DECADE:

I offer you, my Savior, this third decade for the souls
that are most destitute, through the Precious Blood
which you shed for them in carrying your Cross to Calvary.

Oh good Jesus! Have mercy on them.

Our Father once; invocation ten times; eternal rest etc.
once.


FOURTH DECADE:

I offer you, my Savior, this fourth decade for the souls
that were most devout to the Blessed Virgin, through the
Precious Blood which you poured forth upon the Cross, and
through the sorrows which Mary, our tender Mother, endured
at the foot of the cross.

Oh good Jesus! Have mercy on them.

Our Father once; invocation ten times; eternal rest etc.
once.


FIFTH DECADE:

I offer you, my Savior, this fifth decade for the soul of
( my father, or my mother, or N. ). I offer you, for this
soul so dear to me, the Precious Blood and the Sacred Water
from your Heart, pierced by the lance.

Oh good Jesus! Open to this soul the gate of Heaven, and
grant me the grace to be reunited with it forever in the
bosom of your goodness.

Our Father once; invocation ten times; eternal rest etc.
once.


CONCLUDING PRAYERS:

O most loving Jesus, I humbly beseech Thee that Thou wouldst
Thyself offer to Thine eternal Father, on behalf of the Holy
Souls in Purgatory, Thy Most Precious Blood, which
poured forth from the Sacred Wounds of Thine Adorable
Body, together with Thine Agony and Death. And do thou
likewise, O Sorrowful Virgin Mary, present unto the Heavenly
Father, together with the dolorous passion of thy dear son,
thine own sighs and tears,and all the sorrows thou didst suffer
in His suffering, in order that, through the merits of the
same, refreshment may be granted to the souls now suffering in
the fiery torments of Purgatory, so that, being delivered from
that painful prison, they may be clothed with glory in Heaven, there to
sing the mercies of God forever and ever. Amen.

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. From the gates of Hell,
R. Deliver their souls, O Lord.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.


Let Us Pray

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant
unto the souls of Thy servants and handmaids the remission
of all their sins, that through our devout supplications
they may obtain the pardon they have always desired, Thou
Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen



My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in the Thine
Agony in the garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with
thorns, on thy way to Calvary, and in thy crucifixion and
death, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory, and especially
on those that are most forsaken; do Thou deliver them from
the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to
Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.


V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May thy divine assistance remain always with us.
R. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through
the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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A Grandfathers Prayer

O Heavenly Father, I commend my children and grandchildren to Thy care.

Be Thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is lacking in me

through frailty or negligence. Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of

the world, whether from within or without; and deliver them from the secret

snares of the enemy. Pour Thy grace into their hearts, and strengthen and multiply

in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace

and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving Thee

here, may come to rejoice in Thy presence hereafter.

May their fathers follow the example of that great Saint Joachim

who with the aid of St. Anne raised their daughter Mary

who would be called Blessed among women.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Feast of Saint Joseph

Given that the usual March 19 observance of St. Joseph's feast coincided with the third Sunday of Lent, the solemnity will be celebrated liturgically on Monday.

Feast of Saint Joseph

March 19

SAINT JOSEPH was descended from the kingly line of David, and was a kinsman of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Matthew 1:1-16) The Gospel gives him the praise of being just (Matthew 1:19), that is, a man distinguished for all virtues. And surely, as he was chosen from all other men by God to be the foster-father of His Son, he undoubtedly excelled, in virtues and sanctity, all saints then living. Of his youth nothing certain is known to us, and of his later life we know only what the Gospel relates. He was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), and lived at Nazareth, in Galilee (Luke 2:4). Being espoused to Mary, he was inclined, upon learning that she was with child, to put her away privately, not wishing to expose her to public reproach; but being instructed by an angel, he took her to himself, in obedience to the command of God, went with her to Bethlehem, and afterwards, with Mary and the new-born child, fled, without timidity, to Egypt. (Matthew 2:13) At the command of the angel he returned thence, and again dwelt in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). From this place they went every year to the feast at Jerusalem, where it happened that Jesus, then twelve years old, remained behind them in the temple, and was anxiously sought for by them. More than this is not told us. At the time of the marriage at Cana it would seem that he was no longer living, since there is no mention made of him. Though little is said of him, that little is rich in profitable instruction. How worthy to be admired and imitated is his example, his chastity, his tenderness towards Mary, his forbearing to pronounce a judgment in regard to her condition when he could not explain it, his quick and unreserved obedience towards God and the commands of authority, his love for Jesus, and his care for both the mother and the child. On account of his sanctity God has specially distinguished him by miracles, and the Church honors him in a particular manner. In the Litany of the Saints he is named among the patriarchs, and the feast of his patronage is celebrated on the third Sunday after Easter. Venerate, therefore, Saint Joseph; choose him for your protector in life and in death, and make yourself worthy of his protection by following his example.

The Introit of the Mass is as follows:

"The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus, planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Thy name, O Most High."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Prayer

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of ourselves we are unable to obtain may be given to us by his intercession. Who livest and reignest with You and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever, Amen.

Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6

He was beloved of God and men: whose memory is in benediction. He made him 1ike the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And He gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-21

When Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put per away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost; and she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Instruction

To encourage us to veneration for Saint Joseph, Saint Teresa wrote:

"I do not remember to have asked Saint Joseph for anything which he did not grant me. The great favors which God has granted me through him, and the many dangers of soul and body from which he has freed me, truly deserve admiration. It seems that God has granted to other saints the grace of assisting, in particular needs, those who invoke their intercession; but this glorious saint assists in all needs. The Lord seems thereby to indicate that, as He was subject to Joseph on earth, so now He grants him whatever he asks for. The same thing has been experienced by persons whom I have advised to recommend themselves to him."

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"I would gladly advise everyone," says Saint Alphonsus, "to have a great devotion towards this saint, since I have experienced what graces he can obtain from God. For several years I have asked him, on his feast, for some par ticular grace, and every time my petition has been granted. As we all have to die, we should have a particular devotion towards Saint Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death; for all Catholic Christians consider him to be an intercessor for the dying, and that he assists, at the hour of death, those who venerate him; and this for three reasons:

1. Because Jesus loves him, not only as a friend, but as a father, on which account his intercession is more powerful than that of any other saint.

2. Because Saint Joseph obtained special power against the evil spirits who tempt us at the hour of death.

3. The assistance which Jesus and Mary gave to Joseph at the hour of his own death procured for him the right to obtain a holy and easy death for his dependants. If in their dying hour they invoke his aid, not only will he assist them, but he will obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary."

Ought not these words of a great saint encourage you to venerate Saint Joseph every day? Should not the hope of dying one day under the protection of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, move you to devotion to the foster-father of Jesus?

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O most chaste Joseph, who, by thy purity and other exalted virtues, wast worthy to be chosen for the spouse of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus, I beseech thee, by the great graces of which thou wast made partaker, that thou wouldst, by thy intercession, obtain for all parents grace to rear their children piously; for all married persons who are distressed and afflicted through poverty and tribulations consolation and encouragement; for all unmarried persons who have devoted tbeir chastity to God the grace of perseverance; and, finally, for all the dyjng the grace to come, after a happy death, to thy foster- child, Jesus Christ, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.

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A Grandmother's Prayer

Dearest Saint Anne, grandmother of Christ, I wish to pray to you for my grandchildren. I know how much you loved your grandchild Jesus. You also know how much my own grandchildren's physical and spiritual well-being means to me.

Keep them in good health, or--should they be sick or crippled--bring them back to an early and full recovery. May I remind you, dearest Saint Anne, of the special fondness that filled Christ's heart for all the children he met while on earth, and of the many cures and other blessings he showered upon them.

By your own Grandson's amazing tenderness for all children, I beg you, Saint Anne, to ask God to keep my grandchildren in his loving care. May he shield them from all evil, either natural or spiritual. Sow into their hearts the seeds of the Christian habits of self-control and of self-dedication to the good and happiness of others. Plant deep in them the basic virtues of faith, hope and true love for their Lord and neighbor.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

STATIONS OF THE CROSS-V-VI

FIFTH STATION

Simon Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross behind Our Lord.

My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou has died for love of me, I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

SIXTH STATION

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance.

My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy Passion, O Jesus. I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen

Peace of Christ to ALL

Evening Prayer to the Holy Spirit

O Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter: You proceed from the

Father in a manner beyond our understanding. Come, I beseech

You, and take up your abode in my heart. Purify and cleanse me

from all sin, and sanctify my soul. Cleanse it from every impurity,

water its dryness, melt its coldness, and save it from its sinful ways.

Make me truly humble and resigned, that I may be pleasing to You,

and that You might abide with me forever. Most Blessed Light,

most Amiable Light, enlighten me. O Rapturous Joy of Paradise,

Fount of Purest Delight, My God, give yourself to me and kindle in

my innermost soul the fire of Your love. My Lord, instruct, direct,

and defend me in all things. Give me strength against all immoderate

fears and against despondency. Bestow upon me a true faith, a firm

hope, and a sincere and a perfect love. Grant that I always do Thy

Most Gracious Will.

Amen.

By Saint Antiochus

Peace of Christ to ALL

Prayer in Praise of Christ

Prayer in Praise of Christ

Born as a son,
led forth as a lamb,
sacrificed as a sheep,
buried as a man,
he rose from the dead as a God,
for he was by nature God and man.

He is all things:
he judges, and so he is Law;
he teaches, and so he is Wisdom;
he saves, and so he is Grace;
he begets, and so he is Father;
he is begotten, and so he is Son;
he suffers, and so he is Sacrifice;
he is buried, and so he is man;
he rises again, and so he is God.
This is Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs glory for all ages.

--Amen--

--Saint Melito of Sardis

Catholic Church

Because of Your Mercy

Lord God, omnipotent Father, creator of all things, you gave me a

body and a soul, and created me in your image before time was.

O Lord, my God, I confess my offences to you; I have sinned before

you and before your angels, and my sins are as numerous as the

sands on the seashore. Yet for your love have mercy on me, God,

let me not perish. Do not turn your face from me since I do not seek

your forgiveness because I think I deserve it, but because of your

mercy. Look down on me, Lord, from the holy seat of your

majesty, and illumine the shadows of my heart with the radiance of

your splendor. Protect me, Lord, with the shield of your truth and

faith, so that the glowing darts of the devil may not pierce me.

Have mercy, Savior of the world, who live and reign for ever.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Roman Catholic

A Meditation by Cardinal Newman

God has created me to do Him

some definate service,

He has committed some work to me

which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission-

I may never know it in this life,

but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in a chain,

a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.

I shall do good, I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of peace,

a preacher of truth in my own place

while not intending it-

if I do but keep His Commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him.

Whatever, whereever I am,

I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness,

my sickness may serve Him;

in perplexity my perplexity may serve Him;

if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

He does nothing in vain.

He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends,

He may throw me to strangers.

He may make me feel desolate,

make my spirits sink,

hide my future from me-still

He knows what He is about.

Cardinal Newman

Peace of Christ to ALL

Take O Lord.....

Take my lips, O Lord, I pray,
Show me clearly what to say.
Take my ears and let me hear,
Only those things that You make clear.
Take my eyes and let me see
Those beautiful sights you have for me.
Take my hands and let me touch
What will help the others so much.
Take my feet and let me go
To those places that You will show.
Take my mind so every thought
Will remind me of all You've wrought.
Take my heart and let it beat
In tune with Yours at the mercy seat.
Take my life to do Your perfect will
And assure me that You love me still.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Stations Three and Four

THIRD STATION

Jesus Falls the First Time Under His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider, this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey.

My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross, but of my sins, which has made Thee suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

FOURTH STATION

Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider, the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly.

My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

I Always Love You!

The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord appeared to us in the past,
saying: “I have loved you
with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you
with loving-kindness.”

Jeremiah 31:3

And God Said No!

I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No". He said it

was not for him to take away, but for me to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said

"No". He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. And God said "No". He said

patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No". He said he

gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No". He said

suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No". He said I

must grow on my own. But he will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No". He

said I will give you life, that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me. And

God said, Ah, finally you have the idea.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Take My Hands

Take my hands and make them as Your own
And use then for Your kingdom here on earth
Consecrate them to Your care
Anoint them for Your service where
You may need Your Gospel to be sown.

Take my hands, they speak now for my heart
And by their actions they will show their love
Guard them on their daily course
Be their strength and guiding force
To ever serve the Trinity above.

Take my hands, I give them to You Lord
Prepare them for the service of Your name
Open them to human need
And by their love they’ll sow Your seed
So all may know the love and hope You give.

Isaiah 58

Shout the message! Don't hold back.
Say to my people Israel:
You've sinned! You've turned against the LORD.
Day after day, you worship him
and seem eager to learn his teachings.
You act like a nation that wants to do right
by obeying his laws.
You ask him about justice,
and say you enjoy worshiping the LORD.

You wonder why the LORD pays no attention
when you go without eating and act humble.
But on those same days that you give up eating,
you think only of yourselves
and abuse your workers.
You even get angry and ready to fight.
No wonder God won't listen to your prayers!

Do you think the LORD wants you to give up eating
and to act as humble as a bent-over bush?
Or to dress in sackcloth and sit in ashes?
Is this really what he wants on a day of worship?

I'll tell you what it really means to worship the
LORD.
Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly.
Free those who are abused!
Share your food with everyone who is hungry;
share your home with the poor and homeless.
Give clothes to those in need;
don't turn away your relatives.


Then your light will shine like the dawning sun,
and you will quickly be healed.
Your honesty will protect you as you advance,
and the glory of the LORD
will defend you from behind.
When you beg the LORD for help,
he will answer, "Here I am!"

Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them
or say something cruel.
Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless.
Then your light will shine in the dark;
your darkest hour will be like the noonday sun.

The LORD will always guide you
and provide good things to eat
when you are in the desert.
He will make you healthy.
You will be like a garden that has plenty of water
or like a stream that never runs dry.

You will rebuild those houses left in ruins for years;
you will be known as a builder and repairer
of city walls and streets.

But first, you must start respecting the Sabbath
as a joyful day of worship.
You must stop doing and saying whatever you please
on this special day.
Then you will truly enjoy knowing the LORD.
He will let you rule from the highest mountains
and bless you with the land of your ancestor Jacob.
The LORD has spoken!

A Lenten Prayer

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from complaining;

feast on affirmation. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from boredom; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Psalm 6

A Prayer in Time of Trouble

Don't punish me, LORD, or even correct me
when you are angry!
Have pity on me and heal my feeble body.
My bones tremble with fear,
and I am in deep distress.
How long will it be?

Turn and come to my rescue.
Show your wonderful love and save me, LORD.
If I die, I cannot praise you or even remember you.
My groaning has worn me out.
At night my bed and pillow are soaked with tears.
Sorrow has made my eyes dim, and my sight has failed
because of my enemies.

You, LORD, heard my crying,
and those hateful people had better leave me alone.
You have answered my prayer and my plea for mercy.
My enemies will be ashamed and terrified,
as they quickly run away in complete disgrace.

Psalm 121

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

God will not allow your foot to slip; your guardian does not sleep.

Truly, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps.

The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade at your righthand.

By day the sun cannot harm you, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will guard you from all evil, will always guard your life.

The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forever.

God's mercy is new every morning

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Because of the Lord’s great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:23

Satisfy us in the morning
with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy
and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Lord I Am Blind

Lord I am blind,
The road I cannot find
Help me to know the way

To my singing give an ear
Help me know the way
Kingly God so very near
Help me know the way
I will sing from June to May
You must listen everyday
When I sing my troubles fly away
Help me know the way

Let me shun the wicked plan
Help me know the way
Come and help this fallen man
Help me know the way
I have tried to right the wrong
I have labored very long
Listen to my hopeful song
Help me know the way

I have tried to lead my life
Help me know the way
Free from endless strife
Help me know the way
Listening to what You say
Help me know the way
Looking for You everyday
At Your side now let me stay
Help me know the way

Prayer For Forgiveness

LORD JESUS CHRIST, I ask today to forgive everyone in my life.
I know that You will give me the strength to forgive and I thank
You that You love me more than I love myself and want my
happiness more than I desire it for myself.

Father, I forgive You for the times death has come into my family,
hard times, financial difficulties, or what I thought were
punishments sent by You and people said it's God's will,
and I became bitter and resentful towards You.
Purify my heart and mind today.

Lord, I forgive MYSELF for my sins, faults and failings,
and for all that is bad in myself or that I think is bad.
For any delvings in superstition, using ouija boards,
horoscopes, going to seances, using fortune telling or
wearing lucky charms, I reject all that superstition and
choose You alone as my Lord and Savior.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.
I further forgive myself for taking
Your name in vain, not worshipping You
by attending church, for hurting my parents,
getting drunk, fornication, adultery, homosexuality.
You have forgiven me, today I forgive myself.
Also, for stealing, lying, defrauding,
hurting peoples' reputation, I forgive myself.

I forgive my MOTHER.
I forgive her for all the times
she hurt me, she resented me, she was angry with me and
for all the times she punished me. I forgive her for the
times she preferred my brothers and sisters to me.
I forgive her for the times she told me I was dumb,
ugly,stupid, the worst of the children
or that I cost the family a lot of money.
For the times she told me I was unwanted,an accident,
a mistake or not what she expected,
I forgive her.

I forgive my FATHER.
I forgive him for any non-support,
any lack of love, affection, or attention.
I forgive him for any lack of time,
for not giving me his companionship,
for his drinking, arguing and fighting with my mother
or the other children.
For his severe punishments, for desertion,
for being away from home, for divorcing my mother
or for any running around,
I do forgive him.

Lord, I extend forgiveness to my SISTERS AND BROTHERS.
I forgive those who rejected me, lied about me,
hated me,resented me, competed for my parents' love,
those who hurt me, who physically harmed me.
For those who were too severe on me,
punished me or made my life unpleasant in any way,
I do forgive them.

Lord, I forgive my SPOUSE
for lack of love, affection, consideration,
support, attention,communication;
for faults, failings, weaknesses and those other acts
or words that hurt or disturb me.

Jesus, I forgive my CHILDREN
for their lack of respect, obedience,
love,attention, support, warmth, understanding;
for their bad habits, falling away from the church,
any bad actions which disturb me.

My God, I forgive my IN-LAWS,
my mother-in-law,father-in-law, son/daughter-in-law
and other relatives by marriage,
who treat my family with a lack of love.
For all their words, thoughts, actions or omissions
which injure and cause pain, I forgive them.
Please help me to forgive my RELATIVES,
my grandmother and grandfather,aunts, uncles,
cousins who may have interfered in our family,
been possessive of my parents, who may have caused confusion
or turned one parent against another.

Jesus, help me to forgive my CO-WORKERS
who are disagreeable or make life miserable for me.
For those who push their work off on me,
gossip about me, won't cooperate with me,
try to take my job, I do forgive them.

My NEIGHBORS need to be forgiven, Lord.
For all their noise, letting their property run down,
not tying up their dogs, who run through my yard,
not taking in their trash barrels, being prejudiced
and running down the neighborhood, I do forgive them.

I now forgive all priests, ministers, nuns,
my parish,parish organizations, my pastor,
bishop, the Pope,and the church for their lack of support,
affirmation,bad sermons, pettiness, lack of friendliness,
not providing my family with the inspiration we needed,
for any hurts they have inflicted on me or my family,
even in the distant past, I forgive them today.

Lord, I forgive all those who are of different PERSUASIONS,
those of opposite political views who have attacked me,
ridiculed me, discriminated against me, made fun of me.
I forgive those of different religious DENOMINATIONS
who have tried to convert me, harassed me,
attacked me, argued with me, forced their views on me.

Those who have harmed me ETHNICALLY,
have discriminated against me, mocked me,
made jokes about my race or nationality,
hurt my family physically,emotionally or economically,
I do forgive them today.

Lord, I forgive all PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE
who have hurt me in any way:
doctors, nurses, lawyers, judges,
politicians and civil servants.
I forgive all service people:
policemen, firemen, bus drivers,
hospital workers and especially repairmen
who have taken advantage of me in their work.

Lord, I forgive my EMPLOYER
for not paying me enough money,
for not appreciating my work,
for being unkind and unreasonable with me,
for being angry and unfriendly,for not promoting me,
and for not complimenting me on my work.

Lord, I forgive my SCHOOLTEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS
of the past as well as the present.
For those who punished me, humiliated me,
insulted me,treated me unjustly, made fun of me,
called my dumb or stupid,
made me stay after school,
I truly forgive them.

Lord, I forgive my FRIENDS
who have let me down, lost contact with me,
do not support me, were not available
when I needed help, borrowed money
and did not return it, gossiped about me.

Lord Jesus, I especially pray for the grace of forgiveness
for that ONE PERSON in life who has
HURT ME THE MOST.
I ask to forgive anyone who I consider my greatest enemy,
the one who is the hardest to forgive,
the one I said I will never forgive.

Lord, I beg pardon of all these people
for the hurt I have inflicted on them.
I am especially sorryfor the greatest hurts
I have inflicted on them.

Thank you, Jesus, that I am being freed
of the evil of unforgiveness.
your Holy Spirit fill me with light
and let every dark area of my mind be enlightened.

AMEN.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Stations One and Two

FIRST STATION

Jesus is Condemned to Death

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider, that Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross.

My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins, that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity. I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

SECOND STATION

Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Consider that Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us, to His Father, the death that He was about to undergo.

My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations that Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father

Amen.

Peace of Christ to ALL