"The field is the world" Comment by Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVISacramentum caritatis, 79 (© copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

"The field is the world" (Mt 13,38)
In Christ, Head of his Body, the Church, all Christians are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people he claims for his own, to declare his wonderful deeds" (1 Pet 2:9).
The Eucharist, as a mystery to be "lived", meets each of us as we are, and makes our concrete existence the place where we experience daily the radical newness of the Christian life. The eucharistic sacrifice nourishes and increases within us all that we have already received at Baptism, with its call to holiness, and this must be clearly evident from the way individual Christians live their lives. Day by day we become "a worship pleasing to God" by living our lives as a vocation. Beginning with the liturgical assembly, the sacrament of the Eucharist itself commits us, in our daily lives, to doing everything for God's glory.And because the world is "the field" (Mt 13:38) in which God plants his children as good seed, the Christian laity, by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, and strengthened by the Eucharist, are called to live out the radical newness brought by Christ wherever they find themselves. They should cultivate a desire that the Eucharist have an ever deeper effect on their daily lives, making them convincing witnesses in the workplace and in society at large.

I encourage families in particular to draw inspiration and strength from this sacrament. The love between man and woman, openness to life, and the raising of children are privileged spheres in which the Eucharist can reveal its power to transform life and give it its full meaning. The Church's pastors should unfailingly support, guide and encourage the lay faithful to live fully their vocation to holiness within this world which God so loved that he gave his Son to become its salvation (cf. Jn 3:16).

Feast of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - May 31

The Visitation of Mary

Visitation means "visit." The Archangel Gabriel told the Blessed Virgin Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby. Elizabeth was an older woman. Mary knew that she might appreciate some help. She started out at once on the journey. Mary's trip was long and dangerous. It was uncomfortable, too. But that could not stop her. She rode on a donkey. Mary reached her cousin's house. She was the first to greet Elizabeth. At that moment, God revealed to Elizabeth that Mary had become his mother. Elizabeth asked joyfully, "How have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary remained humble. She quickly gave all the credit to God. He had blessed her so richly.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior," she said. "For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid, and holy is his name."
What graces the Blessed Mother brought to the home of her cousin! St. John, while still hidden in his mother's womb, was cleansed of original sin. Zachary was able to speak again. St. Elizabeth was filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Mary stayed three months at her cousin's home. With great kindness and love, she helped Elizabeth.

Pentecost Sunday - May 27th

Come, Holy SpiritCome Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Pentecost SundayAlmighty and ever-living God, you fulfilled the Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit. May that Spirit unite the races and nations on earth to proclaim your glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever

Bible Quote on Pentecost Sunday
“And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”- Acts 2: 1-4

Quotable Quote on Pentecost Sunday
“ This is the mystery of Pentecost: The Holy Spirit illuminates the human spirit and, on revealing Christ crucified and risen, indicates the way to become more like him, that is, to be "expression and instrument of love that comes from him" ("Deus Caritas Est," No. 33). The Church, gathered with Mary, as at her birth, today implores: "Veni Sancte Spiritus!" -- "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of thy love!"- Pope Benedict VXI, Pentecost Mass, June 4, 2006

Ascension of the Lord, May 17th

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena Sunday

April 19th is "DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY"

JESUS, I TRUST YOU!
From the Diary of St. Faustina's At three o'clock , implore My Mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in my abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great Mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into my mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of me in virtue of My Passion.

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said: "These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."The Sign of the CrossUsing regular rosary beadsIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.

(3 times) Oh blood and water which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fountain of mercy for us I trust in you!
(One) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.(One) Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
(1) The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell, the third day he arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting, Amen.
On the five large beads: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.On the ten small beads: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.
At the end of the Divine Mercy Chaplet say three times:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen
A prayer for Divine Mercy
Oh greatly merciful God infinite goodness today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to your mercy to your compassion Oh God and it is with its mighty voice of misery it cries out Gracious God...do not reject the prayer of this earths exiles Oh Lord goodness beyond our understanding who are acquainted with our misery through and through and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to you. We implore you, anticipate us with your grace and keep on increasing your mercy in us that we may faithfully do your holy will all through our life and at deaths hour....let your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvations enemies that we may with confidence as your children await your final coming that day known to you alone...and we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our rigidness for Jesus is our hope through His merciful heart as through an open gate we pass through to heaven...Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.*Kissing the Crucifix at the end of the Rosary
You are showing your love to God and thanking Him.


1572 I remind you my daughter that as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My Mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment Mercy was opened wide for every soul.
Saint Faustina Pray for us.Resourceshttp://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm

http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/DivMercy/prepare.htm

Thank you St. John Bosco

Dear St. John Bosco,

Thank you for all you have done for children all over the world. I have to believe in my heart because of you, someone was inspired to build the home for children that I grew up in. I thank Jesus for placing the nuns and priest that surrounded and taught me in the home.

St. John Bosco, please pray very hard for our children today. They are up against a tremendous amount of temptation and violence, things I don't remember ever even knowing anything about until well over half my life in age.

I trust in your prayers, because of the love you showed when you were here on earth.

Thank you, precious St. Bosco, thank you...Amen

St. Thomas Acquinas

I had the blessing of using this picture from my friend Micky's blog


St Thomas Aquinas: Prayer for Guidance
O creator past all telling,
you have appointed from the treasures of your wisdom
the hierarchies of angels,
disposing them in wondrous order
above the bright heavens,
and have so beautifully set out all parts of the universe.

You we call the true fount of wisdom
and the noble origin of all things.
Be pleased to shed
on the darkness of mind in which I was born,
The twofold beam of your light
and warmth to dispel my ignorance and sin.

You make eloquent the tongues of children.
Then instruct my speech
and touch my lips with graciousness.
Make me keen to understand, quick to learn,
able to remember;
make me delicate to interpret and ready to speak.

Guide my going in and going forward,
lead home my going forth.
You are true God and true man,
and live for ever and ever.
--St Thomas Aquinas, 1225-74

This is a special feast day today for me...my dad passed away a year ago today. St. Thomas Acquinas please pray for him...may he rest in peace. Amen

Eternal rest give to him, Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon him. Offering it in the sight of the Most High. Amen

"Of all human evils death is the most grievous, by which human life is destroyed...". -- St. Thomas Aquinas, Compendium theologiae, lib. 1 cap. 227

"Come to their assistance, all you Saints of God: meet them, all you Angels of God: receiving their souls, offering it in the sight of the Most High. May Christ receive all those departed, who hath called you, and may the Angels conduct you to Abraham's bosom. Receiving their souls and offering it in the sight of the Most High.