Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

If anyone understands the value of suffering, it's Mother Mary. She suffered for the love of her Son and the Father. 

A byproduct of love is suffering because we care so deeply for someone else and share in sadnesses, trials and sorrows. In sorrow and suffering comes an abundance of grace. So understand that good can come from sorrow if we trust in Jesus.

Prayer

Our Mother of Sorrows, with strength from above you stood by the cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore him in your arms, mourning and weeping. 

We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you. 

We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you. 

We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of his passion. 

Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love. 

Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

See more prayers to Our Lady at the website for the Association of the Miraculous Medal. 

Add a Rosary for the Holy Father's intentions.

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.

Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, Pray for Us

There is a saint who isn't widely known as she doesn't appear on the Church's holy-day calendar, but she is extremely loving and powerful. It's a holy martyr named Saint Philomena. Today is her feast day.

Philomena was a beautiful Grecian princess who lived in during a time of great persecution for Christians in the early 300s A.D. She was martyred in Rome because she refused to renounce Jesus Christ and marry the terrible emperor. She was 13 years old and suffered extreme and prolonged torture for her love of Jesus; she consecrated her virginity to Him.

For some 1,500 years, no one knew of her existence until excavation of Saint Priscilla's catacombs in Rome.

Then the miracles began to happen, enough that she was designated Wonder Worker of the Church.

“Whatever you ask from her, She will obtain for you.” -Pope Gregory XVI

Trust in Jesus, Mary, and Virgin and Martyr, Saint Philomena.

Composed by Saint John Vianney. For private recital only. 

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, filled with the most abundant graces from the cradle, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of Virgins, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, example of strength and perseverance, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, invincible champion of chastity, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, scourged like thy Divine Spouse, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God when in chains, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, comforted by Angels in thy torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who converted the witnesses of thy Martyrdom, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of thy executioners, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, patron of youth, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, health of the sick and the weak, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, new light of the Church Militant, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in Hell, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, all powerful with God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who reigns in glory, 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.

V. Pray for us, Great Saint Philomena,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thine eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all the virtues, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need [name any special grace you may require]. Amen.

Read more about Saint Philomena ad the Universal Living Rosary Association at http://www.philomena.org/

'Do Not Fear': Words to Live By

Looking at a passage from Saint Faustina's diary written more than 80 years ago today, we see her close relationship with Jesus and how He revealed information and inspiration to her. We also see how Faustina assumes that God's Will has been accomplished in her. Jesus lovingly corrects the holy sister and says not to be afraid, He is with her. "Do not fear," says Our Lord.


+ August 7, 1936. When I received the article about Divine Mercy with the image [on the cover], God's presence filled me in an extraordinary way. When I steeped myself in a prayer of thanksgiving, I suddenly saw the Lord Jesus in a great brightness, just as He is painted, and at His feet I saw Father Andrasz and Father Sopocko. Both were holding pens in their hands, and flashes of light and fire, like lightning, were coming from the tips of their pens and striking a great crowd of people who were hurrying I know not where. Whoever was touched by the ray of light immediately turned his back on the crowd and held out his hands to Jesus. Some returned with great joy, others with great pain and compunction. Jesus was looking at both priests with great kindness. After a while, I was left alone with Jesus, and I said, "Jesus, take me now, for Your will has already been accomplished." And Jesus answered, My will has not yet been completely accomplished in you; you will still suffer much, but I am with you; do not fear.

(Diary entry 675)

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Pray for Us

Today is the feast day of a holy, humble woman, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, known as “Lily of the Mohawks.” She endured much persecution but was steadfast in her penance, charity and devotion.

She put her love of God and His Son first place in her life despite objections of her family and community. Kateri risked health, home and peace to fulfill her desire to be a Christian.

Likened to Saint Therese of Lisieux for her purity and holy insight, Kateri died at age 24 in holiness in 1680 and was canonized in 2012.

Also like Little Therese, Kateri is powerful on earth and is a dedicated intercessor on our behalf. Pray this litany for her intercession before God's throne in Heaven.

Litany of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Lord, have mercy on us.
Response: Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
R: Christ, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
R: Christ, graciously hear us.

God, our Creator in Heaven,
R: have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,
R: have mercy on us.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pure lily among her Mohawk people,
R: Pray for us

Saint Kateri, bright light for the Indigenous people, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, lover of the Cross of Jesus, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, fortitude in persecution to keep your virginity, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, full of patience in suffering, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, lover of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, you left your homeland to practice your faith, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, faithful to prayer, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, you loved to pray the rosary, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, model to your people by your love for Mary, our Blessed Mother, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, your holy death gave strength to people of many cultures to love Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
Saint Kateri, your scarred face in life became radiant and beautiful after death, pray for us.

Prayer:

O Saint Kateri, Lily of the Mohawks, your love for Jesus, so strong, so steadfast, pray that we may become like you.

Your short and painful life showed us your strength and humility. Pray that we may become forever humble like you.

Like the bright and shining stars at night, we pray that your light may forever shine down upon us, giving light, hope, peacefulness and serenity in our darkest moments.

Fill our hearts, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, with your same love for Jesus and pray that we may have the strength and courage to become one like you in Heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Walk With Us

Trust in God, First

In this excerpt from Saint Faustina's diary in the summer of 1936, we learn more about her relationship with her spiritual director, Father Andrasz, whom the Lord had given her to help in her mission of revealing the mysteries of God's Divine Mercy. We see here how we can also ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and help to know God's Will for our work.

Sister Maria Faustina

We also learn from these passages that Our Lord wants us very much to depend on Him, not our own endeavors.

So how do we do it? It may feel hard, though it's not. Start by praying, "Jesus, I trust in You."

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day at 3 p.m. for sinners, poor souls and to deepen your trust in God.


June, 1936. Conversation with Father A. [Andrasz]

"Know that these are hard and difficult things. Your principal spiritual director is the Holy Spirit. We can only give direction to these inspirations, but your real director is the Holy Spirit. If you yourself have decided to leave, Sister, I neither prohibit nor order you to do so. You take the responsibility for yourself. I say this to you, Sister: you can begin to take action. You are capable of doing so, and therefore you can do so. These things are indeed probable; all you have told me up to now [before perpetual vows in Cracow in 1933] speaks in favor of taking action. Still, you have to be very careful in all this. Pray much and ask that I be given light."

During Holy Mass, offered by Father Andrasz, I saw the little Infant Jesus, who told me that I was to depend on him for everything; no action undertaken on your own, even though you put much effort into it, pleases Me. I understood this [need of] dependence.

O my Jesus, on the day of the last judgment, You will demand from me an account of this work of mercy. O just Judge, but my Spouse as well, help me to do Your holy will. O mercy, O divine virtue!

O most merciful Heart of Jesus, my Betrothed, make my heart like unto Yours.

(Diary entries 658-660)