Black Friday Blues

By Thomas Mulcahy

"Their minds are set on worldly things." Phil. 3:19

I'm wondering to myself if black Friday is more relevant to our culture than Good Friday?

Jesus purchased an infinite amount of "goods" for us on Good Friday, and I wonder to what extent black Friday, in Jesus' foresight of our love for Him, grieved Him on Good Friday. Not to say that the love of shopping is sinful, but rather that we seem to be so thoroughly distracted from the love of God. No wonder why De Montfort, in his list of external practices for the consecration to that Mother of unworldliness, includes an ongoing contempt for the world.

We are pigging out on things that have very little to do with the true goal of our lives.

See # 7 below. I think the key thing here is not to make black Friday a ritual..something that becomes an indoctrinated practice in our kids' minds.

The Seven Special Exterior Practices of True Devotion to Mary per Saint Louis
De Montfort

This is a very short summary of the seven exterior practices that Saint Louis writes about in detail.

1. The Consecration itself, with yearly renewal and daily short-form renewal.

Daily short-form renewal: Say : "I am all thine, and all that I have is thine, O my loving Jesus through Mary, Thy Holy Mother."

2. Recitation of the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

See http://www.catholictradition.org/Two-Hearts/crown.htm

Highly recommended as a daily practice by De Montfort.

3. The wearing of a chain as an external sign of our slavery to Jesus and Mary.

Note: De Montfort recommends an iron chain, but I use my Miraculous Medal chain. Practice: touch the chain and say, "I am truly your slave, Mother Mary, and all that I have is yours, for my loving Jesus." This chain of slavery is a powerful reminder of your complete dependence on Mary, and of your baptismal promises to Jesus. Not essential but De Montfort highly recommends it.

4. Special devotion to the mystery of the Incarnation.

In this mystery God chose to become dependent on Mary by choosing her to be His mother. This mystery shows the intimate union between Jesus and Mary that God willed. The Feast of the Annunciation on March 25 demands our special devotion.

5. A great devotion to the Hail Mary and the Rosary.

A prayer of incredible efficacy. We need to spread devotion to it.

6. The Recitation of the Magnificat prayer (Mary's song of praise).

Luke 1:46-55 We should memorize this prayer and say it often with great devotion.

7. Contempt for the world.

We have no idea how much the world has shaped our values. De Montfort says the "faithful slave of Mary must greatly despise, hate and shun this corrupt world and make use of the practices of contempt of the world" so that we can "[rid ourselves] of the spirit of the world." The spirit of the world is contrary to the spirit of the Gospels.

These are the seven special exterior practices specifically mentioned by Saint Louis De Montfort for those who have made the "True Devotion" consecration to Mary. I hope to comment on the interior practices he mentions later, but all devotions are interior if done with love and proper recollection.

Thank you, Tom, for sharing this with us.
God is at work in you!!

Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop

November 2010

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters of Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop,

In late November 2002, the first Free Minds Book Club session was held in a drab cinderblock classroom that doubles as the chapel inside of the DC Jail. On that first day, two very green volunteers—myself and co-founder Kelli Taylor—had no idea what to expect when more than twenty teenage boys wearing orange jumpsuits filed into the room and picked up a book, and neither did the young men. What we all discovered that day, and over the last eight years, is that books and creative writing have the incredible power to teach, build community, inspire individuals and change lives. Since then, Free Minds has served more than 400 youths ages 16 and 17 who have been charged and incarcerated as adults at the DC Jail. We use books and creative writing to ignite a desire for learning and empower these young men to pursue education instead of crime. By mentoring and connecting them to supportive services throughout their incarceration and into reentry, Free Minds inspires them to see their potential and transform their own futures.

I am writing to ask you for your support. Too many of our young people in DC are still coming through the gates of the DC Jail. Free Minds wants to expose each and every one of them to the power of literature, but we can only continue to do so with your help!

In 2005, we met a hard 17 year-old boy named Darnell. Both of Darnell’s parents died when he was a child, and when we asked, he told us he was raised by the streets. Early on, Darnell said he did not like books and did not plan on reading anything that we brought to him. He acted out often and disrupted our sessions. However, one of the few poems he did write was revealing:

Why did my mother and father have to lose their lives?
Why did they die and leave me with no one?
No one except my heart and loving myself
No one else

One day, while talking with Darnell about growing up without any role models or guidance, I suggested he might like Hill Harper’s Letters to a Young Brother, a book of advice and encouragement for young African American males. He had never before read a book from cover to cover. After completing it, Darnell was hooked! He thanked us excitedly and said he was ready for more. That was several years ago, and recently, Darnell wrote to us from federal prison after receiving the latest delivery of new titles:

I used to think that if I read books, people would think I was a nerd. But now I know they are a meditation and a relief. Reading is so important to me now! Through a book, I can witness another person’s point of view about life. Books make me feel like I can do anything with the right tools: knowledge, encouragement, and wisdom.

Darnell will be coming home soon. He has obtained his GED in prison, and is excited to attend college. With your support, Free Minds will continue to be in a position to assist him, finding placement in a job readiness or vocational training program when he is released so that he can find sustainable employment, a home, and hopefully enroll in school. Perhaps most importantly, we can provide him with a supportive community of friends, mentors and other young men like himself who have successfully navigated coming home.

If you are planning your end-of-the-year charitable giving, please consider a gift to Free Minds. Your support will allow us to continue providing books, journals and dictionaries for the teens currently at the DC Jail. It will pay for shipping to order new books for our members serving time in federal prison. It will cover the postage for hundreds of encouraging letters sent to youth in prison each year urging them to remain strong and true to their new goals. It will buy metro cards so that young men recently home from prison can get to and from school and new jobs. In short, your gift will provide hope.

How to donate:

You may donate online at Network for Good, or you can send a check directly to our office at: 2201 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. Check with your employer about matching funds, as many companies have matching programs that essentially double your investment in our organization. Finally, if you or someone you know is a government employee you can designate Free Minds for your CFC donation using # 75998 or United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) # 9633.

If you would like more information about Free Minds, volunteer opportunities, or other ways to support our mission, please contact us directly at (202) 758-0829 or visit www.freemindsbookclub.org.

Thank you so very much for considering a donation. Most of all, thank you for your belief in the work and in the young men of Free Minds.

Sincerely,

Tara Libert
Executive Director

"Free Minds taught me a lot about concentration, staying focused, and thinking positive. Before I joined Free Minds my mind wasn't free, I always thought I was made for the streets and nothing else, until they got me to write my first poems, read books, and things of that nature. They helped me open my eyes to bigger dreams and long term goals, they also helped me get into programs that prepare me for the working world and the future.

Thank you, Free Minds, for everything."

D.H. Age 21

*I also encourage my publisher and author colleagues to donate their books to this exceptional program. Please contact Free Minds first and ask them to consider your book(s).
-Michele Bondi Bottesi

Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop
2201 P St NW | Washington, DC 20037 US

Serve God By Blogging

What a fun and creative way to encourage, inspire, inform, and lead souls to Christ.

Blogging is a very powerful tool for evangelizing, teaching, and witnessing our phenomenal Catholic faith.

Since I started writing “God is at Work in You” in early 2009, people from all over the world have arrived on this site, almost twenty thousand times. The blog was created to encourage, inspire, and continue the faith formation of the more than one billion Catholics around the world, and to lead precious souls to Christ.

There are so many ways we are called to bring Christ to others through every minute of every day. Our living in imitation of Christ matters not only for our own eternal soul but also for the souls of our brothers and sisters.


Blogging is one means to that end. Through these various blog postings, readers are encouraged to love and live heroically. They are encouraged to always try to see things from God’s perspective while trusting in Him through all circumstances. Hopefully visitors leave the blog encouraged with the knowledge that they are loved and valued beyond measure, and realize more fully that their lives have great purpose. May visitors be encouraged because none of our efforts on behalf of God are ever in vain, no expression of love is ever lost, and no money ever spent in His name is ever wasted.

If you feel that you are being called to serve God by blogging, do it! Reject any false notions that you need this or that in order to proceed. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide, love much, learn, and have much fun along the way.



To pique your interest, here are just some of the categories followed by exact search terms used by individuals who have landed on “God is at Work in You” from all over the globe:

On why we should go to Holy Mass

The question of why we should go to Holy Mass comes up often from people in every geographic region. Perhaps the quest was for more information, or even affirmation as they respond to God’s loving invitation. Perhaps the goal was to find information to share with someone else.


Search terms have included:

Why should I go to Mass?
Why should I attend Mass?
How often do Catholics in other countries go to Mass?
Why should you go to Mass?
I go to Mass because…
Why children should go to Mass
What should I do when I can't go to Mass
Save someone's life with a Mass
Does God love people who don’t go to Mass?
When God calls you to communion
Stories about people who go to Mass
People going to church and praying inside the church
Pictures of people attending the Holy Mass

Many have landed on the blog post written by my 16 year old son Andre, “Why Should I Go to Mass?!!”

http://godisatworkinyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-should-i-go-to-mass.html

The video “Will God Still Love Me if I Don’t Go to Holy Mass?” has also had many viewers.

Prayer

Many, many people arrive on "God is at Work in You!" looking for specific prayers. People search for effective prayers for certain situations and prayers that request specific things. Many have arrived searching for novenas and prayers to specific saints.


Some of those search terms:

Novena to remove hatred of a person
Novenas that work
Prayer for jobless youth
Novenas
Miraculous medal, etc.: does it work?
Pray to the saint that helps you get things done
St. Anthony prayer to obtain favors
Has a prayer ever saved someone’s life?
Novena prayer to St. Anthony to find a spouse
Novena prayer to change a person’s life
Does the (name of novena here) work?
Prayers to find work
Powerful novenas for the unemployed
The most powerful prayer to get favors
Devotion for preteens who don't know Jesus


Most effective prayer request to the Blessed Mother Mary
Novena prayers
Saints for urgent prayers for money
Urgent needs for money
What saint to pray for when you love someone
Rosary
I want to pray to St. Anthony
Prayer for safe rescue (miners)
St. Andrew Novena testimonials
How to pray for favors from God

Every November and December, many people arrive looking for the powerful St. Andrew Novena to Obtain Favors. People also search for information on preparing our hearts for Advent, preparing children for Advent, and other Advent and Christmas related topics, for instance “Feast of St. Nicholas activities.”

God at work in our lives

This is another popular search topic. Specific searches from all over the world have included:

God moments life changing
Ways to demonstrate before others how God is at work
How do you know you love God?
What ways does God work in someone’s life
How does God work in someone’s life
God at work
Teaching teens the Catholic faith
When God calls you
How God has been at work in you
God is at work
How God is working in my life
God at work in my life
Trusting God for a miracle no matter how bleak it appears
How can I love God more?
In what ways is God at work among us?
God is at work even when we don’t see it
The Eucharist is our treasure
God works at midnight
How does love save someone?
God works in pain
God can resurrect your dreams
Love God more
When God works behind the scenes
Find God in the workplace and happiness
What do you do when GOD CALLS YOU
God, I appreciate Your work
Catholic coaching with Christ
Love God more how
To speak a word in someone's life
Be wise to spend our time.
Making good use of God’s time
Feeling like God is at work

Many people arrive looking for something significant to say or do for a wide variety of special occasions for adults and also for children, such as a child's milestone or tenth, eleventh, twelfth, etc. birthday, or for a child's First Communion or Confirmation. Others have searched "Happy Father's Day to my confession Father" and "Happy Father's Day our priest."

People arrived searching for information on the rosary, brown scapular, saints on their feast days, and on teaching children about faith and morality.

Many people arrived looking for information about St. Anthony and the Infant of Prague.

One day I read a very powerful article in a newsletter from Heartbeat International, and obtained permission to include it in a blog. Within hours, an individual in Europe came upon that blog posting after doing an internet search for where to obtain an abortion in their town. Perhaps a life was saved.

Surfers continue to land on “God is at Work in You!” looking for information about the pro-life movement. A favorite blog posting of mine is the short, informative, inspiring, and life-changing videos of Fr. Frank Pavone, the National Director of Priests for Life.


Not long ago, someone arrived on this blog after searching for “What will you do when you are 23, unemployed, divorced and had abortion.”


One day, I received this message from a woman: I just couldn't believe what I was seeing and had to share it with you! Today I wrote a blog about a question I have. I am wondering if God is asking me a question. Then this evening I came across your blog from today? The blog asked, "What is God asking you;" this seemed unreal! Was it God working?? The blog helped with some of my own thoughts! THANKS for sharing.

Blogs reach out to those who need and/or seek Truth, and to those who are in need of love and healing (aren't we all?).

Blogs also provide us with the opportunity to help others with their mission. Postings can include book, music, and movie reviews of others' work. They can also inform people about what is happening in the world. Blogs can be very influential!

Consider blogging! Blogs do not just involve one’s own writing, but can include video, audio, others' work used with permission, quotes from books, interviews, and/or pictures.


What a creative, dynamic, and fun way to serve God and one another.

Serve God by blogging.

God is at work in you!

Joseph Karl Publishing Welcomes Paul A. Ray

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Paul, a life-changing writer and speaker, to JKP's Dream Team.


Paul A. Ray was instantly healed of an addiction to alcohol by Jesus Christ on June 9, 2002, and has since that moment dedicated his life to knowing, loving and serving Jesus within His Church, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Paul is a dynamic writer and public speaker. His life-changing book, A New Voice For a Broken Soul, will be published in 2011. He is the editor of and a contributor to the sequel to "God Moments" which will be published spring, 2011. Paul also teaches high school Catechism at his parish.

Joseph Karl Publishing calls Paul "an incredibly inspired Catholic writer and speaker." Visit his blog, "Tongues as of Fire!" at: http://www.tonguesasoffire.blogspot.com.

Welcome, Paul! God is at work in you.

Looking for life-changing reading? You will find it here.

http://www.josephkarlpublishing.com

God's Love Transcends Every Circumstance

Wishing You and Yours a Holy, Joyful, and Peaceful Thanksgiving.

God is at work in you.

Joseph Karl Publishing is Thrilled to Announce "Our Treasure"

A keepsake picture book for children about the Eucharist, our Treasure.

Available December, 2010

at
josephkarlpublishing.com.

Looking for life-changing reading?
You will find it here.

_____________
Images copyright 2010 JKP.

The Leonetti in the Evening Radio Show

Yours truly will be a guest of Jon Leonetti

on the
Leonetti in the Evening Radio Show.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST

AM 1150 KWKY

Please join us as we discuss healing
and the unfathomable and immeasurable love of God
available to every single one of us
when we are willing to accept it.

Thank you, Jon!
Your passion for our faith is very contageous.

Watch Jon as a keynote presenter
at the Fort Wayne, Indiana Catholic Mens' Conference
by clicking on the following link.
He shares how his journey across America came to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcwXDkmdIeg


To learn more about Jon's work as a
National Speaker, Mission Leader, and Radio Host,
please visit:

http://www.jdleonetti.com

God is at work, in each one of us.

__________________
Sources:
Picture of Jon copyright http://www.jdleonetti.com
All other pictures copyright Joseph Karl Publishing

More Stories That Inspire, and Moments to Remember

From the new book God Moments.

In Humble Service, We Learn Simplicity. In Simplicity, We Know God.
By Nancy Carabio Belanger

"Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love."
~St. Therese of Lisieux

As a preteen fiction author, I enjoy speaking to Catholic schools about Olivia and the Little Way and how St. Therese inspires me to write. Truly my spiritual sister, she prays for me all of the time. As many times as I’ve done interviews and presentations, I still get a bit nervous right before it’s time for me to go on. During this time, I always send up prayers to the Little Flower, asking her to intercede on my behalf and to help me to spread the message of her Little Way of serving God to youths.

In the beginning of my presentation, I always talk about the life of St. Therese, including her childhood. Therese was a bit of a loner in school, and didn't really fit in with the rest of the girls. They teased her and called her names because they thought she was too smart for her own good, and they were tired of her always knowing the answers when the nuns would call on her. So she spent her recess time by herself while the other girls played sports. Therese would wander off by herself and spend time alone with nature. In my speech, I mentioned that Therese was a sensitive child, that she had a big heart for all of God's creatures, and so when she'd find little birds that had died, she'd give them a Christian burial. Hearing this for the first time made me smile, because in our house, we do the same thing when our pet goldfish die, burying them out in the back yard with a little prayer. This is what Therese did when she found dead birds.

One afternoon, after talking about St. Therese and Olivia and the Little Way for about 45 minutes, I opened the presentation up to questions from the audience. I had covered a lot of material by this time: her childhood, her spirituality, her entrance into Carmelite convent, her Little Way of serving God, and her influence on me and illustrator Sandy Casali LewAllen when working on the book.

All of the children’s questions were well thought out and interesting, but one question stood out for me. A shy little girl raised her hand tentatively. I called on her. "Um...when Therese buried the birds...did she...um...bury any other dead animals too?" I had to stifle a giggle. It was just so cute! After all of the factual information I had given the students during that presentation, the one thing that stood out in this girl's mind was the fact that sweet Therese used to care for dead creatures she had found at recess. It must have really struck a chord with her. But I admit I did not know how to answer her.

Then I remembered that St. Therese had written: “The nearer one gets to God, the simpler one becomes." Little Therese, even at a very young age, was very close to God. In her simplicity and trust in God, she taught us in her Little Way of serving God that it doesn’t have to be something big or fancy; simply doing what you do out of love pleases God most. He doesn’t expect flawless perfection or grand acts of charity. Here this Doctor of the Church, who preferred people to call her “Little Therese,” is teaching us not complicated, complex theology, but loving God in all that you do, right down to the simplest thing: caring for God’s creatures anonymously.

I held my microphone for a moment and looked out into a sea of young, questioning faces. But my beloved St. Therese, who is with me all of the time, was not going to lead me this far without her heavenly assistance. As always, she pulled me through. "Well, I am not sure, but judging by what we know about Therese, and how thoughtful and kind she was, I would venture to say that she probably would have, had she found them. In her littleness, she loved all of God’s creation and I think she would have had compassion for all of His animals."

The girl smiled, satisfied, and I moved on to other questions. But all evening long, I couldn't get that little girl's question out of my head. She had recognized an act of kindness and love. And, of course, we know that Therese was all about love, wasn't she? After all, she once wrote excitedly, "I understood that love comprised all vocations, that love was everything, that it embraced all times and places...in a word, that it was eternal! My vocation, at last I have found it...My vocation is LOVE!"

If that is what this little girl takes away from my presentation, the vision of an act of love from the saint who personifies love, then I am one happy author!

-Nancy Carabio Belanger is the award-winning author of Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia's Gift. She is a wife and the mother of two sons. Nancy enjoys sharing her great love for St. Therese of Lisieux and believes Therese’s Little Way is a reminder that we can all make little sacrifices to please God. Visit her blog at http://www.nancybelanger.blogspot.com. Harvey House Publishing's website is http://www.littleflowerbook.com.

God Moments: Stories That Inspire, Moments to Remember, written and compiled by Michele Elena Bondi (190 pp.), is available at: http://www.godisatworkinyou.com and amazon.com.
________________
Sources:
Michele Elena Bondi, written and compled by, God Moments: Stories that Inspire, Moments to Remember (Rochester, MI: Joseph Karl Publishing, 2010), pp. 7-9
Photos: God Moments cover copyright JKP. Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia's Gift covers copyright Harvey House Publishing.

Keep Your Focus on Eternity

God’s love for each of us is very personal.

One evening almost ten years ago I was resting in the spare bedroom of our former home and suddenly a huge book appeared before me. The book was open to a section that described the Sacrament of Marriage as designed by God for humanity. Words were visible on the two pages before me as in any book, but I understood what was written without having to read the words, and was deeply moved by the intelligence and great beauty of what was written. Then I was instructed to keep my focus on eternity.

God loves each one of us immensely. His love for you and me is deeply personal. Oh that we would spend our lives adoring Him with a love that is deeply personal in return! How great is His mercy, His compassion! How caught up we get in things that are of no value to our souls and have no value for the souls of our brothers and sisters. We are to keep focused on that which is eternal.

At the time I saw the book, received information on the Sacrament of Marriage, and was instructed to focus on eternity, my marriage was ending. I did not even know it, but God knew. The Sacrament of Marriage is vital to God’s plan for humanity. Pray that the Author of Marriage be invited to every wedding! Pray that all those called to the vocation of Holy Matrimony realize the value of their vow and go to God often for the strength and love needed to honor that promise.

I still reflect back on the moment when God offered me crucial information in advance of my divorce. He consoled me and guided me into the next phase of my evolving apostolate with His instruction to keep my focus on that which is eternal. As vital as marriage is to God’s plan for humanity, some marriages end. Circumstances change throughout our lifetimes, and God’s love transcends every one of them. Be comforted with the knowledge that eternal joy in the Presence of God awaits the just in heaven.

Each one of us has been given a role to play in God’s plan of salvation. Each one of us encounters suffering and loss on our way to eternity. God is always present to love us, guide us, teach us, strengthen us, and help us through every circumstance. God values us so much that He willed us into being so that we could spend eternity in His most loving Presence.

About nine years after seeing the book, I walked into the chapel of a church in a neighboring city to visit with Jesus present in the Eucharist. I gasped out loud and had to look away after seeing a life-sized statue of Jesus scourged. If you ever doubt how much God loves you, meditate on the image of our beloved Jesus during His Passion and remember that He agreed to accept that which was ours to endure. Jesus loves us that much! Do not allow yourself to be tempted to think otherwise, and keep your focus on sharing that love with Him now and forever. Through every circumstance, in all that you do, keep your focus on eternity.

We shall reap what we sow.

Catholic TV Everywhere

Greetings!

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I want to sincerely thank you for your support of the CatholicTV®Network.

Before the holiday is upon us, could you do me the favor of asking a few people to sign up for "CatholicTVeverywhere?" We are so grateful to the many individuals and families from around the country who have advocated for a new national Catholic television network. We need only to double that number in order to really make a statement to the cable and satellite providers around the nation. So, if everyone could write a short, personal note to perhaps 5-10 contacts and ask them to visit and sign up at http://www.CatholicTVeverywhere.com, we would be so grateful!

You have my sincere and personal thanks for sending a quick note to a few people today. The more you send, the greater our chances will be of reaching the goal. Just tell them to visit and sign-up at http://wwww.CatholicTVeverywhere.com.

Most importantly, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday of the year and I believe it's because I am so grateful for many good things, among these: CatholicTV!

Sincerely and gratefully in Christ,

Father Reed

Unifying One's Will With the Will of God

The decision is vital for us to live in imitation of Christ.

"Many people waste a great deal of time and effort doing what they want on the spiritual road instead of letting the Holy Spirit lead; they must do this, they must be there, they must learn some other things. This is not really following Christ; it is walking beside Him and making suggestions."

-Fr. Benedict Groeschel


"Ever since the days of Adam, man has been hiding from God and saying 'God is hard to find.'"

-Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen


Ask God, moment by moment if necessary, to lead you and allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide. You will find yourself walking with Jesus, and then ultimately united with Him, as one.

God is at work in you!
_______________________
Sources:
1, 2. Quiet Moments with Benedict Groeschel (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 2000), back flap.
Photos copyright 2010 Joseph Karl Publishing.

The Holy Rosary, in Latin

Here it is!

Thanks to my dear friend and colleague Paul Ray for sending this.

Each Latin word is separated according to syllable
to help with the pronunciation.
Paul advises us to take it slowly and repeat it over and over,
and assures us
"you WILL fall in love with it!"

SIGN OF THE CROSS
In no-mi-ne Patris, et fi-lii, et Spiri-tus Sanc-ti AMEN
(The the name of) (the Father) (and of the Son) (and of the Holy Spirit)

APOSTLES CREED
Credo in De-um Pat-rem omni-po-ten-tem,
(I believe in God the Father almighty,)

Cre-a-to-rem caeli et ter-rae,
(Creator of heaven and earth,)

Et in Ies-um Christ-um,
(And I believe in Jesus Christ,

Fili-um Eius uni-cum, Do-mi-num nost-rum,
(His only Son, our Lord,)

qui con-cep-tus est de Spiri-tu Sanc-to, nat-us ex Mari-a Vir-gin-e,
(who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,)

pas-sus sub Pon-t-io Pi-la-to, cru-ci-fix--us, mor-tu-us, et sep-ul-tus,
(he suffered under Pontus Pilot, was crucified, died and was buried,)

des-cen-dit ad ín-fer-os, ter-t-ia die res-ur-rex-it a mor-tu-is,
(He descended into hell, on the third day He rose again,)

as-cen-dit ad cae-los, se-det ad dex-ter-am Pa-tris omni-po-ten-tis,
(He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father,)

in-de ven-tu-rus est iu-dic-ar-e vi-vos et mor-tu-os.
(He will come again to judge the living and the dead,)

Cre-do in Spiri-tum Sanc-tum,
(I believe in the Holy Spirit,)

sanc-tam Ecc-lesi-am cath-o-li-cam, sanc-tor-um comm-unio-nem,
(the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints,)

re-miss-ion-em pecca-tor-um,
(the forgiveness of sins,)

car-nis res-ur-rec-ti-o-nem,
(and the resurrection of the dead)

AMEN

OUR FATHER
Pa-ter nos-ter, qui es in cae-lis:
(Our Father, who art in heaven,)

sanc-ti-fi-ce-tur No-men Tu-um;
(Hollowed by thy Name,)

ad-ven-i-at Reg-num Tu-um;
(Thy kingdom come:)

fi-at vol-un-tas Tu-a,
(Thy will be done,)

si-cut in cae-lo, et in ter-ra.
(on earth as it is in heaven.)

Pan-em nost-rum co-ti-di-a-num da no-bis ho-d-ie;
(Give us this day our daily bread:)

et di-mit-te no-bis de-bi-t-a nost-ra,
(and forgive us our trespasses,)

Si-cut et nos di-mit-ti-mus de-bit-o-ri-bus nost-ris;
(as we forgive those who trespass against us:)

et ne nos in-duc-as in ten-tat-io-nem;
(and lead us not into temptation:)

sed li-ber-a nos a Ma-lo.
(and deliver us from evil.)

AMEN

HAIL MARY
Av-e Mar-i-a, gra-ti-a plen-a,
(Hail Mary, full of grace,)

Do-mi-nus tec-um.
(the Lord is with thee.)

Ben-e-dic-ta tu in mul-ier-i-bus,
(Blessed art thou among women,)

et ben-e-dic-tus fruc-tus ven-tris tu-i, Ie-sus.
(and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.)

San-ta Mar-ia, Ma-ter De-i,
(Holy Mary, Mother of God,)

or-a pro no-bis pec-ca-tor-i-bus, nunc,
(Pray for us sinners, now,)

et in hora mor-tis nost-rae.)
(and at the hour of our death.)

AMEN

GLORY BE
Glor-i-a Pa-tri, et Fi-lio, et Spiri-tu-i Sanc-to.
(Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit)

Si-cut e-rat in prin-cip-i-o, et nunc,
(As it was in the beginning, is now,)

et sem-per, et in sae-cu-la sae-cu-lo-rum.
(and ever shall be, world without end.)

AMEN

OH MY JESUS
Dom-i-ne Ie-su, dim-it-te no-bis de-bi-ta nos-tra,
(Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins,)

sal-va nos ab ig-ne in-fer-i-ori,
(save us from the fires of hell.)

per-du-e in cae-lum om-nes an-i-mas,
(lead all souls to heaven,)

prae-ser-tim e-as, quae mis-er-i-cord-i-ae tuae max-i-me ind-i-gent.
(especially those in the greatest need of thy mercy.)

AMEN

HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Sal-ve, Re-gi-na, Mat-er mis-er-i-cor-d-i-ae,
(Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,)

vi-ta, dul-ce-do, et spes nos-tra, salv-e.
(Our life, our sweetness and our hope,)

ad te cla-ma-mus ex-sul-es fi-lii He-vae,
(to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve,)

ad te sus-pi-ra-mus, gem-en-tes et flen-tes
(to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping,)

in hac lac-ri-ma-rum vall-e.
(in this valley of tears.)

Eia, er-go, ad-vo-ca-ta nos-tra, ill-os tu-os
(Turn, then, most gracious advocate,)

mis-er-i-cord-es oc-u-los ad nos con-ver-te;nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
(thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile)

et Je-sum, bene-dic-tum fruc-tum vent-ris tu-i,
(Show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus)

O clem-ens, O pi-a, O dul-cis Vir-go Mar-i-a.
(Oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary,)

Ora pro no-bis sanc-ta De-i Gen-et-rix.
(Pray for us oh Holy Mother of God,)

Ut dig-ni eff-i-cia-mur pro-mis-si-oni-bus Christ-i.
(that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ)

AMEN

FINAL PRAYER
Dé-us, cú-j-us Uni-gén-i-tus
(God, who's only begotten Son,)

per ví-tam, mór-tem et res-ur-rect-ió-nem
(by His life, death and resurrection,)

sú-am nó-bis sal-ú-tis æ-tér-n-æ præ-mi-a com-par-á-vit
(has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life:)

con-cé-de, quæ-su-mus:
(Grant, we beseech thee,)

ut hæc mystér-i-a sac-ra-tíss-i-mo be-át-æ Marí-æ Vír-gin-is Ros-ár-io rec-o-lén-tes,
(that by meditating on the upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed virgin Mary)

et im-it-é-mur quod cón-tin-ent,
(we may imitate what they contain,)

et quod pro-mít-tunt, ass-e-quá-mur.
(and obtain what they promise.)

Per eún-dem Chríst-um Dóm-i-num nós-t-rum.
(This we ask through Christ our Lord.)

AMEN

I Felt Like I Was Dying

Then, He told me that I was.

It has happened to me only once before in my entire lifetime, and while it was somewhat the same, it was entirely different. Allow me to try and explain.

Roughly ten years ago I found myself in a state that was incomprehensible and at the time unexplainable. There was no one moment when I felt it all at once; rather, I became enveloped in it over time. I remember at the pinnacle going to my husband in great pain and confusion, desperate to be rescued. I said to him, "I feel like I am dying." The experience was absolutely horrible.

Live in imitation of Christ.

Although I did not know the reason for my suffering at that moment, my husband did. Not long after my terrifying experience, I received divorce papers in the mail. Fascinating how I had already experienced the supernatural ramifications of the severing of our union before cognitively knowing of the divorce.


The intense spiritual agony lasted for years. Often, I felt like I was walking behind Jesus as He carried the Cross on the way to His Crucifixion. Fortunately, there were also intermittent moments of peace that flooded my soul, a feeling that defies all human understanding. The peace was absolutely impenetrable. Those moments were very beautiful and merciful.

All the experiences of that time drew me into greater intimacy with God.

This year I experienced a similar phenomenon, and yet it was very different. What I had been feeling greatly perplexed me because once again, I did not understand what was happening at first. I would describe it as a spiritual agony that also resonated throughout my entire physical being. There are no words that can adequately describe it.

Once, the suffering came on suddenly and was very intense. In that instant, I found myself in the Presence of Jesus. He was carrying the Cross on the way to His Crucifixion. This time, I was not walking behind Him as I had experienced many years before. Instead, He and I traveled and suffered as one. I was united with Him completely as He headed to Calvary.

I didn't understand where all this was leading at the time, but was astounded with the experience of being united with our suffering Lord in that way. More suffering followed and I continued to feel terrible. I went for my annual physical and when my doctor proclaimed that I was healthy, I thought he was out of his mind. I left his office wondering how he could let me leave without doing anything to alleviate my suffering.

Not long after that, I looked in the mirror and as I stared at myself, I was able to see in me what I had been feeling, and said with great alarm, "I look like I'm dying!" Hadn't anyone else noticed this? Why wasn't anyone else alarmed but me?

The following week, I continued to feel something very profound that was beyond my comprehension. After tucking my three children into bed, I found myself again overcome by what I could not explain. I felt tremendous grief and begged God for an explanation. "God, please tell me what is happening. I feel like I am dying!"

God answered me. This is a rough translation of what He said, for His response was not in words but was rather an understanding. I was dying to myself. That sounded very reasonable, but I had more questions.

So I emailed my pastor and asked him for some information about what it means when the soul dies to itself. He responded that the terms for "dying" to self are abandonment and surrender. I was still suffering, and responded, "Are you talking voluntary? I'm not so sure that's the case." To me, those terms meant that I was volunteering for this suffering, and I knew for certain that I hadn't willingly consented to anything like that.

I also asked my friend Paul what dying to one's self means. He wrote to me and said (used with his permission):

"God's timing is everything, this we both know. The mere fact that you asked if I knew anything about dying to one's self is astonishing and possibly prophetic. YES! I have been studying this for years now! What's more is that you mentioned that Satan let you have it last night. Haha! I laugh because he knows what's coming! The two go hand-in-hand with one another.

"In brief.... Dying to one's self involves self mastery over disordered attachments. What does that mean? I'll let St. Ignatius of Loyola explain it for me..."

'Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. And the other things on the face of the earth are created for man and that they may help him in prosecuting the end for which he is created. From this it follows that man is to use them as much as they help him on to his end, and ought to rid himself of them so far as they hinder him as to it.

For this it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created things in all that is allowed to the choice of our free will and is not prohibited to it; so that, on our part, we want not health rather than sickness, riches rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, long rather than short life, and so in all the rest; desiring and choosing only what is most conducive for us to the end for which we are created.'

"It's about not allowing the things of this world to get the better of you. It's about being content in all circumstances whether in times of prosperity or in times of adversity -thanks, St. Alphosus Liguiri- so that God is truly the center of your life and, therefore, all things revolve around Him and Him alone.

"It's like being as St. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)

"What is even more profound to me is that my new series I am going to be focusing on with my blog is on this very topic! Complete union with the will of God which can only be achieved by dying to ourselves."

I felt much better thanks to Paul, because I always like to know what I am up against (smile). I was still in the process of discovery, and look forward to reading Paul's series and learning more.

Paul's blog, "Tongues as of Fire!"

http://www.tonguesasoffire.blogspot.com/

One day I found myself in another state of discomfort just before retiring, still having so many unanswered questions. Again, I asked the good Lord to help me. It was then that I took notice of a nearby book and picked it up, opened it randomly, and read two passages from it. God was not giving me the full explanation yet, but provided me with great comfort and additional understanding in the two passages from Quiet Moments with Benedict Groeschel:

85. Take yourself to prayer.

In your life, when things begin to fall apart, apparently by happenstance, perhaps because of the ill will of others, or on the occasion or terminal illness or death or economic insecurity or the loss of a position - when things start to fall apart, for heaven's sake, take yourself to prayer. Not prayer that is going to tell God what to do. That's not very helpful prayer. God already knows what to do. But prayer that will reassure you that you are in the hands of God. 1

88. Kingdom Growth

Despite your destitution, your weakness, your distractions, your inner stresses and strains, do you feel the kingdom of God unfolding within you? You should, wherever you may be on your spiritual journey.

Not that this internal unfolding of the kingdom will necessarily feel like a beautiful rose opening in the morning sun, with each delicate petal touched by the dew. In reality, a great many Christians feel more like an untidy ball of yard unwinding bit by bit, as if it were being batted about by a mischievous kitten, or like a knitted sweater becoming unraveled.

The fortunate ones among us may detect something profoundly spiritual deep within, be it ever so faint. In any case, you will know what the kingdom of God is coming in your own soul because it calls you to grow in holiness. 2


I was astounded, because God was reassuring me that I was in His hands (as we always are) and that something significant was happening. The kingdom of God was unfolding within me. Why this was taking place was still a mystery, but I was greatly comforted and felt joyful.

God was happy, Satan was furious, and I was tired. ;>)

On my way to the Tridentine Mass last weekend, the good Lord decided in His most perfect timing to provide me with a very crucial piece of information about my experience. What God told me (again, my humble translation) was that I was experiencing the purification of my soul. I understood that my suffering was in proportion to and the direct result of the sinful choices that I have made, and if this was not resolved here, it would have to be later in purgatory.

I was being purged of my self and being purified. By going to Holy Mass regularly, receiving the Eucharist often, and by going to Reconciliation regularly, I had and was continuing to give my consent to this vital process.

Accept God's mercy!

At first, when the suffering was most intense, I found little comfort. As I progressed through this purification process, there were intermittent moments of peace that flooded my soul which defy all human understanding. Those moments were very beautiful and merciful, very similar to what I had experienced many years ago.

All the experiences of this second death drew me into greater intimacy with God.

Paul wrote to me again and said (used with his permission),

"I'm looking forward to hearing about your death. (chuckle). You see how bizarre that sounds? It's no wonder the world thinks we're all nuts! But I know EXACTLY what you mean! Praise Jesus Christ! There is SO much to learn, Michele! Every time a part of us dies to self God fills the now empty space with more of Himself! Then what? You receive, in turn, a deeper knowledge of Him! A deeper love. But this knowledge and love comes with a price. You will be held more accountable before Him because you have been given more. On the same token, the grace is all the more greater! Habits begin to drop and virtue begins to develop. Your mind get's transformed, little by little, to that of Christ's. And the world will hate you for it. "...but take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world!" (John 16:33) AMEN!"

The remarkable parallel between my earlier death experience and this most recent death experience are worth taking note of. The first death was the result of one person's refusal to love, and this recent death was the result of God always loving. That sounds like something Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would say!

He remains with us, always.

How have you experienced the kingdom of God
unfolding within you?

God is at work in each one of us.

_________________
Sources:
1, 2. Quiet Moments with Benedict Groeschel (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 2000), #s 85, 88.
Photos copyright 2010 Joseph Karl Publishing.

Short Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Once you master the prayer in English, learn it in Latin!

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio. Contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur. Tuque princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.

My thanks to Paul for sharing the information!

____________
Sources:
http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/b009rpMichael.htm
Photos copyright 2010 JKP.