Saint Anthony Feast Day Prayer, June 13, 2024

Let us pray to our dear friend in heaven, Saint Anthony, who works many miracles. Yes, he is the finder of lost objects, but he guides souls to Jesus's tender Mercy. Ask Saint Anthony today to guide us to our beloved Jesus, Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.

Prayer: O gentle Saint Anthony, by your holy and apostolic life, you led countless souls to the love of our Divine Lord. I implore you to obtain for me and my loved ones, His guidance, you who have the power to lead straying sheep back to the fold of Christ and to find articles that are lost. On earth, your heart was filled with compassion for those in distress or sorrow. Please bring my request before the Child Jesus, Who loved to rest in your arms, and I believe that you will help me to remain always close to our Divine Lord. O miraculous friend and Wonder Worker, in this hour of need please obtain what I ask of you. Amen.

'My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph!'

   

"In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph!" The Blessed Virgin Mary spoke these words to the shepherd children of Fatima, Portugal more than 100 years ago to give Earth the glorious hope of Heaven. 

Today is the holy feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who is our Mother as well as Jesus's. Her Fatima apparitions to the children give us courage to continue in this life until we receive our eternal rest. We ask her to intercede for us in all of our difficulties.

We must hope in Mary, even as we suffer and face discouragement in our earthly ways, that she will resolve all of our challenges and bring us close to the Heart of her Son in one Holy Trinity. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is the day after the Sacred Heart of Jesus's feast day. 

Saint Faustina wrote in her Diary, Divine Mercy of My Soul, about Immaculate Virgin Mary: "You are my strength, O secure anchor, You are a shield and protection for a weak heart."

"Your beauty enthralled the Thrice-Holy One's eye,
That He came down from heaven, forsaking th'eternal
See's throne,
And assumed from Your Heart Body and Blood,
Hiding for nine months in the Virgin's Heart."

Read more from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception about Mary on her feast day and our dear Saint Faustina. 

Prayer of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Most Holy Virgin and our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of your Immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. 

Moved by the ardent desire of loving you as Our Mother and of promoting a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart, we prostrate ourselves at your feet to prove the sorrow we feel for the grievance that men cause you, and to atone, by means of our prayers and sacrifices, for the offenses with which men return your tender love.

Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. A word from you will obtain grace and amendment for us all.

Hasten, O Lady, the conversion of sinners, that they may love Jesus and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended, and will not fall into hell. Turn your eyes of mercy toward us, that henceforth we may love God with all our heart while on earth and enjoy Him forever in heaven.  Amen.  

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Oh my Jesus, You said, "verily I say to you, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," behold I knock, I seek and I ask for the grace of _____. 

Pray Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all of my trust in You. 

Oh my Jesus, You said, "verily I say to you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you," behold in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of _____. 

Pray Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all of my trust in You.

Oh my Jesus, You said, "verily I say to you, Heaven and earth shall pass away but My words shall not pass away," behold I encouraged by Your infallible words, now ask for the grace of _____. 

Pray Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all of my trust in You.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom one thing alone is impossible, namely, not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of Thee through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your and our tender Mother. Amen. 

Pray the Salve Regina. Add Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus, please pray for us.

--Saint Padre Pio prayed this novena every day for those who recommended themselves for his prayers.

The Feast of the Divine Mercy -- How to Prepare 2023

To prepare for this wonderful feast of Divine Mercy, do the following on Good Friday, April 7:

• Start a Novena to the Divine Mercy, using the Chaplet, in preparation for the feast on Sunday, April 16.
  
  
• Ask Jesus to help you place all of your trust in the Divine Mercy of His Most Sacred Heart.
  
  
• By faithful prayer, open your heart to receive God's Grace, Mercy, Goodness and Kindness. 
  
  

On Sunday, April 16, the Feast of the Divine Mercy:

• Make a good, holy confession. It is acceptable to do it seven days before or after the feast. If the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a priest is unavailable due to restrictions or illness, say an Act of Contrition, with the desire never to sin again. Be contrite and humble as you pray. 
  
  
• Go to Mass and receive Holy Communion. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, watch the Vatican's video stream of the Mass or via EWTN. Make a Spiritual Communion with this prayer.
  
  
• Venerate the image of Divine Mercy.
  
  
• Pray the Chaplet at 3 p.m. starting today and try to do it each day in the Hour of Mercy for the dying and poor souls. 
  
  

Then...

• Practice works of selfless love and mercy by helping others in trouble and offering prayers to save souls.
  
  
• Watch the live stream of the chapel in Poland housing the image of Divine Mercy and Saint Faustina's shrine so you can pray before the Holy Image of the Divine Mercy.

* * *

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary on Good Friday 1937:

Jesus is commanding me to make a novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today I am to begin it for the conversion of the whole world and for the recognition of The Divine Mercy...so that every soul will praise My goodness. I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy.  (Diary entry 1059)

* * *

My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. (Diary entry 1688)

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

It's the solemn feast day of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here's a daily prayer that's easy to pray.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude, pierced by my sins, yet loving me still; accept the consecration that I make to You of all that I am and all that I have. Take every faculty of my soul and body and draw me, day by day, nearer and nearer to Your Sacred Heart and there, as I can understand the lesson, teach me Your blessed ways. Amen.

Happy New Year in Prayer

Let's look at passages from Saint Faustina's diary that she wrote 84 years ago today. She knew that prayer would sustain her through all of her difficulties and trials. She clearly was fearful of what was unknown in the new year, but she uses two powerful words of faith: boldly and courageously.

Let us in 2021 adopt her spirit of praying and living boldly and courageously. Persevere by praying for God's Goodness, Kindness and Mercy by your side.

J.M.J. Cracow, Pradnik, January 1, 1937.

Jesus, I trust in You.

+ Today, at midnight, I big good-bye to the old year 1936, and welcomed the year 1937. It was with fear and trembling that, in this first hour of the year, I faced this new period of time. Merciful Jesus, with You I go boldly and courageously into conflicts and battles. In your Name, I will accomplish everything and overcome everything. My God, Infinite Goodness, I beg of You, let Your infinite mercy accompany me always and in all things.

As I enter this year, fear of life overwhelms me, but Jesus brings me out of this fear and lets me know what great glory this work of mercy will bring Him.

There are times in life when the soul finds comfort only in profound prayer. Would that souls knew how to persevere in prayer at such times. This is very important.

(Diary entries 859 and 860) 

Novena for Christ the King. Jesus, You Are a King of Mercy.

This November 22 is the holy feast of Christ the King, which means the advent season starts a week later. A good preparation for Christ the King's feast and advent is a daily prayer with a novena. 

From EWTN

Almighty and merciful God, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

One Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be per day followed by the novena prayer.

O Lord our God, You alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations. 
We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You, O Divine King, mercy, peace, justice and all good things.
Protect, O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth.
Guard us we pray Most Faithful One.
Protect us from our enemies and from Your Just Judgment
Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against you.
Jesus, You are a King of Mercy.
We have deserved Your Just Judgment
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us.
We trust in Your Great Mercy.
O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray;
May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth.
Amen.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Pray this beautiful prayer with full trust in God's Great Mercy. Pray for your needs. It's also a wonderful day to start a new practice of praying daily the Stations of the Cross. Jesus is very close to a soul who meditates on his agony and death.

Jesus, Who because of Your burning love for us willed to be crucified and to shed Your Most Precious Blood for the redemption and salvation of our souls, look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for this intention.

We trust completely in Your Mercy.

Cleanse us from sin by Your Grace, sanctify our work, give us and all those who are dear to us our daily bread, lighten the burden of our sufferings, bless our families, and grant to the nations, so sorely afflicted.

Your Peace, which is the only true peace, so that by obeying Your Commandments we may come at last to the glory of Heaven. Amen.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Pope Francis has added three new invocations to the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to the Vatican's news website. The change was timed for the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on June 20.

According to directions, the invocation, "Mother of mercy" is to be inserted after "Mother of the Church," "Mother of hope" after "Mother of Divine Grace" and "Solace of migrants" after "Refuge of sinners."

The title of the prayer is the Litany of Loreto, and it takes its name from the Marian shrine of Loreto in Italy, where it is believed to have been used as far back as 1531.The Litany of Loreto is the only approved Marian litany. It is commonly prayed after the holy Rosary.



Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of hope, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Solace of migrants, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace. pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God,
that we, your servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Litany

Pope Leo XIII approved this Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for public use in 1899. There are 33 invocations, one for each year of life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father Croiset composed a litany in 1691 from which 17 invocations were used by Venerable Anne Madeleine Remuzat when she composed her litany in 1718 at Marseille. She joined an additional 10 invocations to those of Father Croiset, for a total of 27 invocations. Six more invocations written by Sister Madeleine Joly of Dijon in 1686 were added by the Sacred Congregation for Rites when it was approved for public use in 1899.

A partial indulgence is attached to this litany.

Pray it daily, for sinners.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.

R. Make our hearts like to Thine.

Let us pray;

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Journey to God's Will

Our Saint Faustina perfectly understood that God's Will for us is a deep mystery. We can't discern God's Will on our own. We need Him to reveal it to us.

You may ask Jesus in your prayers to know God's Will, but there's something else you need to do.

The only way to know His Will is to first surrender our will to God. That means we say, "Not my will, Lord. Let your Holy Will be done unto me." 

Give your will first to God and pray to know what to do next. Read these beautiful poems of Saint Faustina written in spring 1938. (Diary entries 1652-1654)

+ J.M.J.

Adore, my soul, the mercy of the Lord,
O my heart, rejoice wholly in Him,
Because for this you have been chosen by Him,
To spread the glory of His mercy.

His goodness no one has fathomed, no one can measure,
His compassion is untold.
Every soul that approaches Him experiences this.
He will shield her and clasp her to His merciful bosom.

Happy the soul that has trusted in Your goodness
And has abandoned herself completely to Your mercy.
Her soul is filled with the peace of love.
You defend her everywhere as Your own child.

O soul, whoever you may be in this world,
Even if your sins were as black as night,
Do not fear God, weak child that you are,
For great is the power of God's mercy.

+ J.M.J.

1653

The light above, where my God reigns,
This it is that my soul yearns for,
This it is for which my heart longs,
And my whole being bounds towards You.

I hasten on to the other world, to God alone,
Into the incomprehensible light, the very fire of love,
For my soul and my heart are created for Him,
And my heart has loved Him from my tender youth.

There, in the resplendent light of Your countenance
My languishing love will rest.
For Your virgin agonizes for You in her exile,
For she lives only when united with You.

+ J. M. J.

My day is drawing to a close,
Even now I glimpse the refulgence of Your light, O my God.
No one shall learn of what my heart is feeling;
My lips shall fall silent in great humility.

Even now, I draw nigh to the eternal nuptials,
To heaven unending, to spaces without limit.
I long for no repose or reward;
The pure love of God draws me to heaven.

Even now, I go to meet You, eternal Love
With a heart languishing in its desire for You.
I feel that Your pure love, Lord, dwells in my heart,
And I sense my eternal destiny in heaven.

Even now, I go to my Father, in heaven eternal,
From the land of exile, from this vale of tears,
The earth can no longer hold back my pure heart,
And the heights of heaven have drawn me close.

I go, O my Bridegroom, I go to see Your glory,
Which even now fills my soul with joy
There where all heaven is plunged in Your adoration,
I feel that my worship is pleasing to You, nothingness though I am.

In eternal happiness, I will not forget those on earth,
I will obtain God's mercy for all,
And I will remember especially those who were dear to my heart,
And the deepest absorption in God will not allow me to forget them.

In these last moments I know not how to converse with others.
In silence I await only You, O Lord.
I know the time will come when all will understand the work of God in my soul.
I know that such is Your will.-So be it.

Trust in God in Times of Temptation: "Jesus, I love you, I trust in You"

As we attempt to increase our trust in God's Mercy, we likely will encounter temptations to fall into despair when life sends us difficulties, lose hope in the future and also pull away from Our Lord. In these times repeat, "Jesus, I love you, I trust in You." Say a Hail Mary prayer and ask the saints in heaven for their prayers.

In February 1938, Saint Faustina wrote this passage in her diary and gives us the words of Jesus that we may not be afraid in darkness, but hurry to Him in prayer with great openness, admitting our struggle and asking for peace of mind.

February 3, [1938]. Today after Holy Communion, Jesus again gave me a few directives: First, do not fight against a temptation by yourself, but disclose it to the confessor at once, and then the temptation will lose all its force. Second, during these ordeals do not lose your peace; live in My presence; ask My Mother and the Saints for help. Third, have the certitude that I am looking at you and supporting you. Fourth, do not fear either struggles of the soul or any temptations, because I am supporting you; if only you are willing to fight, know that the victory is always on your side. Fifth, know that by fighting bravely you give Me great glory and amass merits for yourself. Temptation gives you a chance to show Me your fidelity.

And now I am going to tell you something that is most important for you: Boundless sincerity with your spiritual director. If you do not take advantage of this great grace according to My instructions, I will take him away from you, and then you will be left to yourself; and all the torments, which you know very well, will return to you. It displeases Me that you do not take advantage of the opportunity when you are able to see him and talk with him. Know that it is a great grace on My part when I give a spiritual director to a soul. Many souls ask Me for this, but it is not to all that I grant this grace. From the moment when I gave you this priest as spiritual director, I endowed him with new light so that he might easily know and understand your soul…..

O my Jesus, my only mercy, allow me to see contentment in Your face as a sign of reconciliation with me, because my heart cannot bear Your seriousness; if this continues a moment longer my heart will burst with grief. You see that I am even now crushed to dust.

And at that very moment I saw myself in some kind of a palace; and Jesus gave me His hand, sat me at His side, and said with kindness, My bride, you always please Me by your humility. The greatest misery does not stop Me from uniting Myself to a soul, but where there is pride, I am not there. 

When I came to myself, I reflected on what had happened in my heart, thanking God for His love and for the mercy that He had shown me. (Diary entries 1560 to 1563)

Divine Mercy Feast Day Is Today. Jesus Lives; Jesus Saves Souls

Today is a most blessed day in the Roman Catholic Church. It is the solemn feast of Divine Mercy.

It is the day when God's unfathomable Mercy and Goodness enter our hearts if we TRUST in Him. The more we trust, the more graces we receive.

Be sure to go to make a good confession. When you do, you leave those sins in the past. You are freed. Attend Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion. Pray for God's Mercy on you, your family and for the world.

Watch live the events at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Cracow-Lagiewniki, where the image of The Divine Mercy and Saint Faustina's tomb reside.

https://livestream.com/accounts/11477776/events/3773195

From Saint Faustina's Diary:

November 5, 1934. One morning, when it was my duty to open the gate to let out our people who deliver baked goods, I entered the little chapel to visit Jesus for a minute and to renew the intentions of the day. Today, Jesus, I offer You all my sufferings, mortifications and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, so that he may approve the Feast of mercy. But, Jesus, I have one more word to say to You; I am very surprised that You bid me to talk about this Feast of mercy, for they tell me that there is already such a feast and so why should I talk about it? And Jesus said to me, And who knows anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming My mercy and teaching people about it often do not know about it themselves. That is why I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it.

Make a novena for the Holy Father's intention. It should consist of thirty-three acts; that is, repetition that many times of the short prayer  -- which I have taught you -- to The Divine Mercy. (Diary entry 341)

Spread the message of Mercy and pray daily the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy.

Saint Faustina's Desire for Us

Oh, how ardently I desire that every soul would praise Your mercy. Happy is the soul that calls upon the mercy of the Lord. It will see that the Lord will defend it as His glory, as He said. And who would dare fight against God? All you souls, praise the Lord‟s mercy by trusting in His mercy all your life and especially at the hour of your death. And fear nothing, dear soul, whoever you are; the greater
the sinner, the greater his right to Your mercy, O Lord. O, Incomprehensible Goodness! God is the first to stoop to the sinner. O Jesus, I wish to glorify Your mercy on behalf of thousand of souls. I know very well, O my Jesus, that I am to keep telling souls about Your goodness, about Your incomprehensible mercy. (Diary entry 598)

Divine Mercy Novena - Day 6

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. Let us pray for meekness and humility to be pleasing in the eyes of God.

Jesus asks: Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. 

Let us pray together.

Most Merciful Jesus, Your yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

A truly gentle and humble soul

Already here on earth the air of paradise breathes,

And in the fragrance of her humble heart

The Creator Himself delights.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and upon the souls of little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Divine Mercy Novena - Day 4

Today's Novena to Divine Mercy continues with prayers for who do not believe in God. Pray for them, that they are open to and receive Divine Light.

Jesus asks: Today bring to Me the pagans and those who do not yet know Me. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.

Let us pray together.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of pagans who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

May the light of Your love
Enlighten the souls in darkness;
Grant that these souls will know You
And, together with us, praise Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of pagans and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Divine Mercy Sunday Is April 8

How to prepare and celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary on Good Friday 1937:

Jesus is commanding me to make a novena before the Feast of Mercy, and today I am to begin it for the conversion of the whole world and for the recognition of The Divine Mercy...so that every soul will praise My goodness. I desire trust from My creatures. Encourage souls to place great trust in My fathomless mercy. Let the weak, sinful soul have no fear to approach Me, for even if it had more sins than there are grains of sand in the world, all would be drowned in the unmeasurable depths of My mercy.  (Diary entry 1059)

To observe this wonderful feast on Sunday, April 8, and receive holy grace and full forgiveness, do the following:

• Ask Jesus to help you place all your trust in the Divine Mercy of His Most Sacred Heart.
• Start a Novena to the Divine Mercy, using the Chaplet, on Good Friday, March 30, in preparation for the feast.
• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance on Sunday, April 8, or seven days before or after, with the desire never to sin again. Be contrite and humble as you pray in front of the tabernacle.
• Receive Holy Communion on Sunday, April 8.
• Venerate the image of Divine Mercy.
• Practice works of selfless love and mercy, by helping others and offering prayers to save souls.

* * *

My daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own heart and in your deeds, so that you who proclaim My mercy to the world, may yourself be aflame with it. (Diary entry 1688)

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes for Healing

February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings.

Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy.

By appearing at the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, where you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.

Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that  I may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.

Mary on the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

From Saint Faustina's diary. This is an amazing line: Your Heart was for Jesus the first tabernacle on earth.

MARY, IMMACULATE VIRGIN

O Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
Pure crystal for my heart,
You are my strength, O secure anchor,
You are a shield and protection for a weak heart.
O Mary, you are pure and unparalleled,
Virgin and Mother at one and the same time;
You’re beautiful as the sun, by nothing defiled.
Nothing is worthy of comparison to the image of Your soul.
Your beauty enthralled the Thrice-Holy One’s eye,
That He came down from heaven, forsaking th’eternal See’s throne,
And assumed from Your Heart Body and Blood,
Hiding for nine months in the Virgin’s Heart.
O Mother, Virgin, this will no one comprehend,
That the infinite God is becoming a man;
It’s only love’s and His inscrutable mercy’s purpose.
Through You, Mother — it’s given us to live with Him forever.
O Mary, Virgin Mother and Heaven’s Gate,
Through You salvation came to us;
Every grace to us streams forth through Your hands,
And faithful imitation of You only will sanctify me.
O Mother, Virgin — most beautiful Lily.
Your Heart was for Jesus the first tabernacle on earth,
And that, because Your humility was the deepest,
Wherefore You were raised above Angel choirs and Saints.
O Mary, my sweet Mother,
To You I turn over my soul, my body and my poor heart.
Be the safeguard of my life,
Especially at death’s hour, in the final fight.
(Diary entry 161)

'Do Not Lose Your Peace'

Jesus wants us to be saints. How can we achieve it? We're not perfect -- at all. We have so many flaws and faults; we lose patience; we make bad choices; we miss chances to help others; we don't pray as we could. Jesus knows all this and still loves us. TRUST in HIM. If we trust, anything is possible. Read what Jesus told Saint Faustina.

This firm resolution to become a saint is extremely pleasing to Me. I bless your efforts and will give you opportunities to sanctify yourself. Be watchful that you lose no opportunity that My providence offers you for sanctification. If you do not succeed in taking advantage of an opportunity, do not lose your peace, but humble yourself profoundly before Me and, with great trust, immerse yourself completely in My mercy. In this way, you gain more than you have lost, because more favor is granted to a humble soul than the soul itself asks for... (Diary entry 1361)