Infinite Mercy

Infinite Mercy
Taken from, “Divine Intimacy,” by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., pp. 706-707

PRESENCE OF GOD – Teach me, O Lord, the secrets of Your mercy that I may finally profit by them.


MEDITATION

1. God’s love for us assumes a very special character, one that is adapted to our nature as frail, weak creatures: the character of mercy. Mercy is love bending over misery to relieve it, to redeem it, to raise it up to itself. It almost seems that God, in loving us, is attracted by our weakness, not because it is lovable, but because being infinite goodness, His compassion stoops to compensate for it by His mercy. He wants to heal our imperfection by His infinite perfection, our impurity by His purity, our ignorance by His wisdom, our selfishness by His goodness, our weakness by His strength. God, the supreme, eternal good, wants to be the remedy for all our ills, “for He knoweth our frame, He remembered that we are dust” (Ps 102, 14).

Since our greatest evil-rather, the only real evil-is sin, infinite mercy would be the remedy. Assuredly, God hates sin, but, although He is forced to withdraw His friendship, that is, His grace, from the soul of the sinner because of the offense, His mercy still finds a way of continuing to love him. If He can no longer love him as a friend, He loves him as a creature, as the work of His hands; He loves him for the good that is still in him and which gives hope of his conversion. God’s mercy is so immense that no misery, however great, can exhaust it; not even the most infamous sin, provided it is repented of, can halt it. This sad power is reserved to one thing only: the proud will of man by which he disdainfully shuts himself up in his wickedness, not wishing to admit how great is his need of God’s infinite mercy. In such a case, in spite of the immensity of divine mercy, the solemn words of the Gospel are fulfilled: “God hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart, He hath put down the mighty from their seats…the rich He hath sent empty away” (cf. Lk 1, 51-53).

2. There is no limit to God’s mercy. He never rejects us because of our sins, He never grows weary of the infidelities, He never refuses to forgive us, He is always ready to forget all of our offenses and to repay our in gratitude with graces. He never reproaches us for our offenses, even when we fall again immediately after being forgiven. He is never angered by our repeated failures or weakness in the practice of virtue, but always stretches out His hand to us, wanting to help us. Even when men condemn us, God shows His mercy to us; He absolves us and sends us away justified, as Jesus did the woman taken in adultery. “Go, and now sin no more” (Jn 8, 11). By His words and example, Jesus has shown us the inexhaustible depths of God’s mercy: let us think of the prodigal son, the lost sheep, Magdalen, and the good thief. But He has also said to us: “Be ye therefore merciful, as Your Father also is merciful” (Lk 6, 36). How far does our mercy go? How much compassion do we have for the faults of others? The measure of our mercy toward our neighbor will be the measure of God’s mercy toward us, for Jesus has said, “With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Mt 7, 2).

God does not require us to be sinless that He may shower upon us the fullness of His mercy, but He does require us to be merciful to our neighbor, and moreover, to be humble. In fact, to be sinners is not enough to attract divine mercy; we must also humbly acknowledge our sins and turn to God with complete confidence. “What pleases God,” said St. Therese of Lisieux, “is to see me love my littleness and poverty; it is the blind hope I have in His mercy. This is my sole treasure” (L, 176). This is the treasure which supplies for all our miseries, weaknesses, relapses and infidelities, because by means of this humility and confidence we shall obtain the divine mercy. And with this at our disposal, how can our wretchedness discourage us?

Miscarriage Blankets

A friend from my church found this website I thought it was pretty neat for miscarried, stillborn and premature babies. I would not have thought about all these little fancy things for the baby's burial and things to remember them by. The lady's story about her miscarriage is beautiful but will bring tears to anyone's eyes.

http://miscarriageblankets.blogspot.com/

Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Litany of Our Lady of Prompt Succor (For private recitation only)

Pray to Our Lady of Prompt Succor in times of bad weather. Hang or set her picture in your home and she will protect you (don't forget to pray to her though in your time of need).

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 Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who invoke you with confidence, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of all who are devout toward the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining a lively faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for sustaining the hope of Christians, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining and persevering in charity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing the law of God, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for observing perseverance in virtue and good works, pray for us. Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every spiritual necessity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the revolt of self-will, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in the occasion of sin, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temptation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the evil spirit, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for obtaining contrition, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those wishing to re-enter the path of salvation, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the conversion of sinners, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every temporal necessity, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every affliction, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of afflicted families, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the sick and the poor, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against contagious diseases and epidemics, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in every accident, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by fire, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against lightning and tempest, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against destruction by flood, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of travelers, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of navigators, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of the shipwrecked, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of our country, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor in time of war, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of those aspiring to the Holy Priesthood and the religious life, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of laborers in the Lord's vineyard, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of missionaries who spread the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor of our Holy Father the Pope, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for those searching for the faith, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor against the enemies of the Church, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor at the hour of death, pray for us.
Our Lady of Prompt Succor for the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.



V. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.


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



LET US PRAY


O Almighty and Eternal God! Who sees us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Your infinite goodness that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Divine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit and protect us against all adversities, that always, and with PROMPT SUCCOR, she may deliver us from every evil of soul and body, and safely guide us to the kingdom of heaven, through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.



Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (3 Times) (partial indulgence)



PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR


O, Mary, Mother of God, who, amidst the tribulations of the world, watches over us and over the Church of your Son, be to us and to the Church truly OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR, make haste to help us in all our necessities, that in this fleeting life you may be our succor, and obtain for us (here ask the particular favor you desire). Help us to gain life everlasting through the merits of Jesus, your Son, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen. (partial indulgence)



Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. (Three times)



O Queen of the Universe, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, sovereign full of kindness, you are the advocate of sinners, a haven of safety to the shipwrecked; you are the resource of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the infirm, the consolation of the afflicted, the refuge and salvation of all on earth. We beseech you to grant us the help of your prayers, which incline our Heavenly Father to forgive our sins and grant our petitions in all the necessities of this miserable life, prayers which obtain for us an abundance of graces to receive the pardon of our faults and arrive at the practice of virtue, prayers which stop our enemies, confound their designs, and triumph over their efforts. Amen. (partial indulgence)

The Blessed Eucharist

The Blessed Eucharist

Our Greatest Treasure

by

Fr. Michale Muller, C.S.S.R.

https://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage_gr/product_id/410/

In "The Blessed Eucharist," Father Michael Muller describes how Christ's love for us moved Him to create this most beautiful Sacrament. He explains why Our Lord veils Himself in the appearance of bread - a garment so humble He is little known, little loved even neglected and insulted. Fr. Muller helps the reader discover what a treasure the Sacrament is, sharing countless compelling accounts of miracles involving the Eucharist, quotations from Scripture and the Saints reflecting the virtues that can be obtained from Communion worthily received and the consequences of an unworthy reception of Our Lord. He instructs the reader on how to best prepare for receiving the Sacrament, and how to properly offer thanksgiving afterwards. "The Blessed Eucharist" awakens a deeper awareness of the incredible gift that God has given us in His Presence in the Eucharist, allowing us to embrace all the wondrous fruits this Sacrament has to offer.

Note from The Saint's Administrator:

This book is so beautiful! This is such a wonderful work that I recommend it to all who wish to increase their devotion to Our Blessed Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar and who wish to know Him better in the Most Blessed Eucharist! This book made me realize how much lack of devotion there is in myself and in the world towards our Savior as He is in the Eucharist. Fr. Muller really helps us to see Our Lord therein and to increase our love for Him in this Holy Sacrament. We forget how much is in the tiny piece of consecrated Host. We forget that it is Our Lord-Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity-and that it isn't just a piece of bread. Think of what we have, we receive Our Lord Jesus Christ, the real gold, the real food on earth for our souls. The only Article (before the Rosary) that can release souls from Purgatory and Who can give us all that we ask for (as long as it is good for our souls). This Sacrament was the sanctification of the Saints and conversion of many souls.

So, I highly recommend this book!

God bless!

Rita, The Saint's Administrator

SHJ31990@yahoo.com

St. Sylvester

St. Sylvester – December 31st

In her liturgy the Church reproduces every phase of the life of her divine Founder.

Scarcely was He born than the Infant-God was persecuted by Herod; the Church while still in her cradle sent to heaven her first martyr in the person of the deacon Stephen, and her first twenty-five Popes met their death as martyrs. On his return from Egypt Jesus grew in age and wisdom at Nazareth where he spent some years in peace; during the pontificate of Sylvester I (314-35), after three hundred years of persecution the Church began to enjoy that freedom which is her greatest boon. She spread throughout the Roman empire and the Council of Nicea (325), under Sylvester’s presidency, which pervades the whole Christmas liturgy. “At the first Council of Nicea”, the Breviary tells us, “the Catholic faith concerning the divinity of Christ was expounded by three hundred and eighteen bishops; Arius and his sect were condemned. At the request of the Fathers of the Council Sylvester again confirmed this Council at a Synod held in Rome at which Arius was condemned afresh.”

St. Sylvester was buried at the cemetery of Priscilla on the via Salaira under a small basilica which he himself had caused to be built.

St. Melania

St. Melania – December 31st

This Saint was the daughter of one of the richest men of Rome. She and her family were Christians, but her father was not willing to let Melania follow her vocation to become a religious. He engaged her to Pinian, the son of the ruler of Rome, and when she was only fourteen, they were married. Melania told her young husband that she would be happy if they could give themselves completely to Jesus. Pinian, however, was like Melania’s father-a good man but very much concerned about pleasing important people and being admired.

After a couple of years, Melania became gravely ill, and her husband promised God that if He would spare her life, he would let her live in the holy way she desired. She got better, but her father made her keep on dressing and behaving like the other great ladies of Rome. Then, he too, fell ill, and as he lay dying, he asked her forgiveness. “Fearing the ridicule of evil tongues,” he said, “I have made you sad by opposing your heavenly vocation.”

Melania’s mother and husband joined her in giving up worldly pleasures. They moved to a country village and made it a center of charity to travelers, poor people, slaves, and even whole families. St. Melania had huge estates all over the empire, left her by her father. Now she sold them and gave the money to churches, monasteries, captives, sick people, pilgrims and everyone who needed help. In two years, she set eight thousand slaves free.

Melania’s husband, too, became so holy and good that wherever they visited people recognized the virtues of this blessed couple. After living in Africa and practicing great mortifications, St. Melania went with her dear ones to the Holy Land. There her beloved husband and mother died. The Saint built a cell for herself near their graves and many disciples came to share her holy life. It was there, in the land of Jesus, that she died peacefully, surrounded by her religious, and saying over and over: “As the Lord willed, so it is done.”

We should obey our parents in all things. But should God call us to be His, and should our parents oppose it, first we must obey God.

St. Anysia

St. Anysia - December 30th

Anysia lived in Thessalonica, an ancient city to which St. Paul himself had first brought the faith of Jesus. Anysia was a Christian and after her parents' death, she used her great fortune to help the poor.

In her day, there was a cruel persecution of Christians in Thessalonica. The Governor Dulcitius was especially determined to stop all Christians from meeting together for Holy Mass. But Anysia started out one day to try to go to a Christian meeting. As she passed a certain gate, called Cassandra, a guard took notice of her. Stepping out in front of her, he demanded to know where she was going. Frightened, Anysia stepped backwards, making the sign of the cross on her forehead.

At that, the soldier grabbed her and shook her roughly. "Who are you?" he shouted. "And where are you going?" Anysia took a deep breath and replied, "I am a servant of Jesus Christ," she said. "And I am going to the Lord's assembly."

"Oh yes?!" sneered the guard. "I will stop that. I will take you to sacrifice to the gods. Today we worship the sun." At the same time, he snatched off the veil that hung over her face. Anysia put up a good struggle, and the pagan grew more and more furious. Finally in a rage, he drew his sword and ran it through her. The Saint fell dead at his feet.

When the persecution ended, the Christians of Thessalonica built a church over the spot where St. Anysia had given her life for Christ.

I will take this Saint's resolution for my own-"Death, but not sin!"

St. Thomas Becket

St. Thomas Becket – December 29th

Thomas was born in London and after his parents died, he went to work in an office. As a young man, he loved hunting and other sports, and nearly lost his life in a roaring mill stream. When Thomas was about twenty-four, he found a position in the household of the Archbishop of Canterbury and began to study to become a priest. He was handsome, very intelligent and so pleasant to talk with that before long, he had become a great favorite of the King himself. People said that the King and Thomas had only one heart and one mind-such close friends were they. When Thomas was thirty-six, King Henry made him his Chancellor.

As Chancellor of England, Thomas had a great household and lived in splendor. Yet he was also very good to the poor, and although he was proud and quick-tempered, he made many mortifications and prayed even during the night. When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, the King wanted the Pope to give Thomas this position, after he had been ordained a priest. But Thomas told him plainly that he did not want to be Archbishop of Canterbury because he knew that at times the King would want him to give him what belongs to the Church. And Thomas realized that since he would have to defend the Church, there would be trouble. “Your affection for me would turn into trouble. “Your affection for me would turn into hatred,” he warned King Henry. The King paid no attention, and Thomas as was made Archbishop.

At first, things went along as well as ever, but all too soon, the King began to demand money which Thomas felt he could not rightly take from the Church. The King grew more and more angry with his former friend, and finally he began to treat him harshly. For a while, Thomas was tempted to give in a bit, but when he realized just how Henry hoped to control the Church, Thomas was very sorry that he had even thought of giving in to the King. He did penance for his weakness, and ever after held firm.

One day, the King, in a fit of anger, said, “Will no one rid me of this pesky archbishop?” Some of his knights took him seriously and went off to murder the Archbishop. They attacked him in his own Cathedral, and he died, saying, “For the name of Jesus and in defense of the Church, I am willing to die!”

All the people of Christendom were horrified at such a crime, and at once King Henry did penance for forty days and then again in public, and once more, after Thomas a Becket was canonized.

Who are my friends? I can recognize the good from the bad by what they say and what they do.

The Holy Innocents

The Holy Innocents – December 28th

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Wise Men came from the East to worship Him. They went to Herod, the King, to ask him where they might find the new-born King of the Jews, the Savior. Herod was a cruel, clever tyrant, and when he heard these Wise Men speak of a newborn King, he began to worry about losing his throne. But he did not let the Wise Men know what he was thinking. He called in the chief priests and asked them where the Bible says the Messias was to be born. They answered that the Messias was to be born in Bethlehem.

“Go and find out about this child,” the wicked King said to the Wise Men. “When you have found out where He is, come and tell me, that I, too, may go and worship Him.” The Wise Men went on their way, and they found Jesus, the Messias, with Mary and Joseph. When they had adored Him and given Him their gifts, they were warned in their sleep not to go back to Herod. And an angel came to tell St. Joseph to take Mary and Baby Jesus into Egypt. In this way, God spoiled the murderous plans of Herod concerning the Divine Child.

When Herod realized that the Wise Men had not come back to him, he became furious. Already, he was an evil, violent man, and now the fear of losing his throne made him worse. He sent his soldiers to kill the boy babies of Bethlehem, in the hope of killing the Messias, too! The soldiers carried out the bloody order, and there was great sorrow in the little town of Bethlehem, as mothers wept over their murdered babies.

These little children are honored today by the Church as martyrs. They are called the Holy Innocents.

Let us always respect little children. They are innocent and pleasing to God. Let us never do or say anything which could give bad example to them.

St. John the Evangelist

St. John the Evangelist - Patron of Asia Minor - December 27th

St. John was a fisherman in Galilee and was called to be an apostle with his brother, St. James the Greater. Jesus gave these sons of Zebedee the nickname, “sons of thunder.” St. John was the youngest of all the apostles and was dearly loved by our Lord. At the Last Supper, it was John who was permitted to lean his head on the breast of Jesus, and John was the only apostle who stood at the foot of the Cross. The dying Jesus gave the care of His Blessed Mother Mary to this beloved apostle. Turning to Our Lady, He said, “Behold your son.” And then to John, He said, “Behold your mother.” So for the rest of her holy life on earth, the Blessed Mother lived with St. John. He alone had the great privilege of honoring and assisting the all-pure Mother of God.

John wrote one of the four Gospels, in which he shows us that Jesus is truly God. He also wrote the last book in the holy Bible, called the Apocalypse, and three Letters to Christians, which we find in the Bible, too. All his long life, St. John taught Christians to love one another, and he himself practiced great charity. Once when he heard that a young Christian whom he knew and loved had become an outlaw and a robber, he set off at once to find him. Old as he was, the Saint rode into the outlaw territory alone, and was taken prisoner. As soon as the robber saw St. John, he turned away in shame.

“Son,” cried the apostle, “why are you running away from me, your father, an old man without weapons? There is time for repentance. I will answer for you to Jesus Christ. I am ready to lay down my life for you. I am sent by Christ!” The young robber stopped when he heard those words. Suddenly he began to weep. He was won over by the love of St. John. Before he left that city, the beloved Apostle made sure that the young man had become a good member of the Church once more.

When he had grown so old and weak that he had to be carried to church, St. John used to say to his people over and over again, “My little children, love one another.” The Christians once asked him why he said the same thing each time he spoke to them. St. John answered, “Because it is the word of the Lord, and if you keep it, you will be doing enough.”

Today I will try to resemble St. John at least in one of his three great virtues-purity of heart, charity toward all, and love for the Blessed Mother.