Lenten Meditation~ 2015

My friend Julia recently sent me this meditation. It fit me perfectly and I will be reflecting upon it quite often this Lent...It's so good that I had to share!  I pray it might be just what you need as well:)

 

In His Hands

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not to worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, for we have perfect trust in him, have abandoned ourselves to him, and are so busy doing our duty that we forget ourselves and all our needs.  The more closely we devote ourselves to our little task, which is so simple, so secret and so hidden and apparently so paltry, the more does God enrich and adorn it: "God works wonders for those he loves." (Psalm 4:3)

 

It is true that a canvas simply and blindly offered to the brush feels at each moment only the stroke of the brush.  It is the same with a lump of stone.  Each blow from the hammering of the sculptor's chisel makes it feel--if it could-- as if it were being destroyed.  After blow after blow descends, the stone knows nothing of how the sculptor is shaping it.  All it feels is a chisel chopping away at it, cutting it and mutilating it.  For example, let's take a piece of stone destined to be carved into a crucifix or statue.  We might ask it: "What do you think is happening to you?" And it might answer: "Don't ask me.  All I know is that I must stay immovable in the hands of the sculptor, and I must love him and endure all he inflicts on me to produce the figure he has in mind.  He knows how to do it.  As for me, I have no idea what he is doing, nor do I know what he will make of me.  But what I do know is that his work is the best possible.  It is perfect.  I welcome each blow of his chisel as the best thing that could happen to me, although, if I'm to be truthful, I feel that every one of these blows is ruining me, destroying me and disfiguring me.  But I remain unconcerned.  I concentrate on the present moment, think only of my duty, and suffer all that this master sculptor inflicts on me without knowing his purpose or fretting about it."

~Father Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.

 

 

A New Prayer For The Me In The Mirror

I just heard that we are about half way through our Year of Faith.  I've enjoyed reading the extra reflections from the Magnificat Year of Faith Companion these last few months.  Something that I have needed to hear, always seems to pop up.  This afternoon I was reading today's reflection and peeked forward to tomorrow's...Lo and behold, a beautiful prayer! 

I'm typing it out for my bathroom "bulletin board," right above the sink! I just love these kinds of discoveries and reminders to that Me in the mirror:)

+Just thought I'd share+

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all events of life: in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Let me put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer them.  Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path.  Let me so use it that it may mellow me, not harden nor embitter me; that it may make me patient, not irritable, that it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow, haughty and overbearing.  May no one be less good for having come within my influence.  No one less pure, less noble for having been a fellow traveler in our journey toward eternal life.  As I go my rounds from one distraction to another, let me whisper, from time to time, a word of love to you.  May our life be lived in the supernatural, full of power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity.  

~From Manual of Prayers,

Pontifical North American College

Litany For The New Year

This is the Nativity that sits near the altar in our parish.  I love that it's just the right size for little ones to peer in and say hello to baby Jesus!  

It's still up and we enjoy stopping by there as much as possible...Christmas isn't over yet:)

As we enter the final week of the Christmas Season, before going back to Ordinary time next week, many of us are heading back to our school routines.  I was reflecting upon all of my hopes for getting back on track when I ran across this beautiful Litany in a little book treasure of Blessing Prayers.  It summed up many things that were on my heart so I just had to share!

Litany For The New Year

R. Father give us this day our daily bread

• For the grace to live in the present moment: R
• For the ability to recognize divine providence in what appears to be coincidence: R
• On all new resolutions to live by faith in the pursuit of happiness: R
•  For the strength to honor all my promises and commitments: R
• For a rectified use of my time: R
• For wisdom to set proper priorities and schedules: R
• On all new projects: R
• For the virtue to be determined and deliberate in all my dealings: R
• For thankfulness when offered a second chance: R
• For the will not to procrastinate: R
• For the insight to make new plans well and to follow through with them faithfully: R
• For constancy in consecrating time to God each day: R
• For the discipline not to waste time or to dawdle or trifle: R
• For the courage to have hope in facing the future: R
• For the ability to be on time: R
• For the freedom from rushing and franticness: R
• For the grace to savor the gift of time: R
• For the right respect of deadlines and due dates: R
• For devotion only to what really matters: R
• That God will be the Lord of my mornings: R
• That God will be the Lord of my afternoons: R
• That God will be the Lord of my evenings and nights: R
• For blessings on all new beginnings: R

Closing Prayer

Most merciful Father, with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.  Throughout every moment of this New Year, keep me united with the Lord Jesus Christ so that I might live fully alive in the power of the Eternal Day of your Son's Resurrection.  I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Patriotic Rosary

Sometimes we forget that prayer is such a wondrous gift.  It's something that we can give, a light we can shine and love we can share. Even when we feel like it's not much to offer, it's everything we have to give.  Offering ourselves up for the good of others is a little action that packs a big punch!  Only in giving do we really receive...

On this glorious Autumn day, it was such a blessing to offer up the gift of prayer for our nation as we prepare for the upcoming election.  Our American Heritage Girls Explorer Troop hosted a Patriotic Rosary as one of their special event requirements.  We highly recommend this beautiful prayer service!  It would also be fitting for the 4th of July, Patriot's Day, or Veteran's Day too. You may also visit the link and print out the prayers on your own. 

"Believe me, there is no more powerful means to obtain God's grace than to employ the intercession of the Holy Virgin."~St. Philip Neri

Not all of the girls were able to attend and we had a fairly small gathering at the church but the impact on our hearts was enormous!

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mt. 18:20

In addition to the Rosary prayers, we prayed for each of our 50 states by name, listened to some powerful reflections by 5 famous Americans, and sang some beautiful patriotic hymns. It turns out the gift we offered up came back to us ten-fold...our spirits were soaring:)

It was a special treat to capture a photo with nearly all members of our family in scouting uniforms...We are an official scouting family!(Though it does make me miss our college boy all the more :( The littlest one will be eligible to join American Heritage Girls in the Spring:)

Have I mentioned that the Boy Scouts of America have officially partnered with American Heritage Girls?  It's such a blessing to be able to take part in scouting as a whole family unit.

The girls hosted a small reception after the prayer service with goodies and drinks.  Here they are cleaning up!

It really was a special event.

Something that really struck me were the words to all of the extra verses of the traditional patriotic hymns that we never learned by heart.  Many of them have deep, spiritual, meaning that I never realized.  This third verse of America The Beautiful speaks volumes...

"O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine,

Till all success be nobleness, And ev'ry gain divine."

+AMEN+

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

~Happy Feast Day of St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests~

What a great reminder to pray for our beloved priests.  Our family will be dedicating the month of August to praying extra prayers on their behalf.  There are 100 beautiful prayers for priests at this website.  Many of these can also be found on the iPieta App if you have an iPhone or Android.  (This App is one of my favorites)!
I found this poem on the iPieta that I just love:


The Beautiful Hands of a Priest
We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life's woes.
At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;
And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us,
Not once, but again and again.
And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?
When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing
The beautiful hands of a priest.

We made these fun Priestly Brownies and posted at Catholic Cuisine!
I also wanted to share this great article from Cardinal Dolan on Priestly Assignments.
St. John Vianney, please pray for us and the beautiful hands of our priests.

Advent Novena

Our first candle is lit!

It's a week of Advent Hope as the first week's theme directs our path...

In honor of Advent Hope, I am offering my prayers through this Novena to the Immaculate Conception for all of my friends and the many precious bloggers out there who are expecting new babies, both natural and adopted.  (You know who you are:)  Babies bring hope and light to the world.  How can they not, if God sent His only Son to the world as a baby?


I am also offering up the intentions of a few friends who have special Crosses to bear at this time.  In addition, I am including military soldiers who are deployed and their families who are separated.
Why pray a novena?
A novena reminds me of our journey through Advent and through our spiritual life as well. 
"Whenever we undertake a novena of prayer, we are declaring that same supreme desire to wait for the promise, persevering with confidence until the end."


Be sure to visit Lena at JOYfilled Family to print the Christmas Novena that begins tomorrow (November 30), on the Feast of St. Andrew.  She is so graciously offering beautiful prayer cards to print freely.  Thank you, Lena!
May you receive many special Advent graces from novena prayers offered and received!


If you are looking for Advent ideas and traditions, see this previous post:)

An Understanding Heart

By the grace of God, we have a new pastor!  

His first reflection was one I wanted to write down, save, share, savor, seek, and pray to have...

An Understanding Heart

"How often we find ourselves quick to judge and to attribute motives to others, often without knowing the truth!  We convince ourselves that how we see things is the right way.  We might even find ourselves being confrontational and harsh with others because they do not see things as we do.  And even if we are right and others are wrong, this is anything but an understanding heart, indeed a heart that drives others away from the truth and from God.

An understanding heart is one that seeks to know the truth but is also patient and compassionate.  St. Francis de Sales reminds us that if there are several ways to interpret another's actions and only one is charitable, choose the charitable way.  Jesus teaches us to learn from him for he is gentle and humble of heart.  And St. Paul reminds us to speak truth in charity.  An understanding heart then is one that seeks the truth and speaks it in charity and gentleness.  Such a heart leads others to Christ.  Like Solomon in the Book of Kings, let us pray for such a heart!"

~Father M.~
Praying for an understanding heart...Still doing laundry...Holy Name of Jesus 105 times and counting:)...

A Time To Pray...

It's been a time to pray this weekend... Around our house we are praying for a Father, who is also Father-in-law, Grandpa, and Husband.  Rudy is my husband's Dad who suffered a heart attack, followed by several "episodes" that are keeping him in the ICU for the weekend.  This isn't the first time he has had this type of scare but of course we never know if it will be the last.  Times like this call a family together to reflect.  What is really important in this life?  Ultimately it boils down to relationships and those we love, doesn't it?  

For Rudy, he isn't ready yet.  He told his son (my husband) that he wants more time...

His race with time is a reality check for the rest of us.

How are we using our time in the here and now? I once read that all the treasures of the earth cannot bring back one lost moment...Hmmm, I should know better.

Funny how time seems to slow down at these moments though, as if to give us a brief reminder that it does not keep it's rapid pace forever.  When it is our time to move out of this world and on to the next, the mystery of time shall be unveiled.  As Christians, we prepare our whole lives for this, crosses of time and all.  But what about those we love who might be unsure?  For that matter, even the most faithful Christians have moments of doubt at the time of death...

I am simply thankful for the opportunity to pray for Rudy's peace in this moment of time.  He knows God and talks to Him but he isn't a church-goer.  I pray that God will know his heart and offer His mercy and love to Rudy, despite the outcome of his situation.  There is still "time" for that and that is God's grace.  It is never too late to pray and I shall never underestimate its power.

Time is fast but there are slow moments to be savored, and life to look forward to, now and forever, lest we forget the reason for our existence: to know, love, and serve God.  This is my deepest prayer for all time.
"Make sure your life does not contradict your words.  
Sing with your voices, your hearts, your lips and your lives...
If you desire to praise Him, then live what you express.
Live good lives and you yourselves will be His praise."
~St. Augustine~

Many Faces of Mary for the Month of May

Here are some photos of our Home Altar/Prayer Table to celebrate Mary's Month!  We decided to display the many faces of Mary.  We may have to move it to a higher place if our sweet 2-year old angel baby decides to be curious!?

 "Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did." ~St. Maximilian Kolbe~

Home Altar/Prayer Table

"To decorate the houses with religious pictures is a custom as old as Christianity itself, for the true Christian has always considered his home as nothing less than a Temple of God, and the religious pictures as means to extend and preserve the spirit of Christianity in the home."

~St. John Vianney~

This is our Home Altar/Prayer Table within our domestic church.   It has been a work in progress but we have grown to love and cherish a peaceful place within our home to reflect on God's wonderful deeds and His Most Holy Mother, given to us at the foot of the cross.  Our family is consecrated to Mary and pray for her intercession to guide our daily lives, leading us ever closer to Her Son and His will for us. This has transformed into a great place to keep our family bible and rosaries for easy access too!

One of the things I most enjoy is changing the table colors and pictures to depict the liturgical season.  The rhythm of our lives is such a reflection of our faith and family...It is a joy to express this outwardly within our home. (This is a photo during Lent...The plates were a Palm Sunday craft)

I love these words from St. Therese of Lisieux:

" For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus."

A prayer box has been a wonderful way to keep track of prayer intentions.  We place all of our prayer intentions on slips of paper and place them in the box.  At the beginning of each week, we read the intentions out loud.  (If there are private intentions, we just write the person's name and mark it as a private intention). Every day following, we lift up the box of intentions during our morning prayer.  Our prayer box is kept, primarily, in our School Room/Learning Place.  But we aren't afraid to move it around if we need to.  During the summer, we often bring it downstairs to our home altar so we can be sure to keep it an active part of our lives.

Our prayer box was easy to make! It's just a small shoe box, wrapped in paper that I found in our local Catholic bookstore. As mentioned, we found that this is the best way to keep track of all the prayers we have promised.  It's also an interactive tool for small children learning how to pray for others.  The charitable conversations that have emerged have been priceless!  I might also point out that our prayer box doesn't take away from other prayers promised. ie) Rosaries, etc.  It's simply a great way for us to be sure we actively and generously "do" as we have promised.

"The more we pray, the more we wish to pray.  Like a fish which at first swims on the surface of the water, and afterwards plunges down, and is always going deeper; the soul plunges, dives, and loses itself in the sweetness of conversing with God."

~St. John Vianney~
For more great ideas about setting up a Domestic Church, be sure to visit St. Peter's List, 7 Steps To Setting Up A Proper Catholic Home.

Praying the Rosary 101 | Rosary.com | Free Rosary Prayers and the World's Leading Rosaries Shop

Praying the Rosary 101 | Rosary.com | Free Rosary Prayers and the World's Leading Rosaries Shop