Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Commemoration)

“Neither can I call myself by any other name 

than what I am — a Christian.”

~ Perpetua ~

Saints. Perpetua and Felicity were two young North African woman who chose to die as martyrs under the Roman empire for their Christian faith in the third century on on 7 March, 203. Their names are familiar to Catholics because Perpetua and Felicity are mentioned in the Eucharistic prayer of the Mass (Roman Canon of the Mass). Both women were mothers and highly respected members of their Christian community. Perpetua and Felicity bravely chose to separate themselves from their families in order to pursue what they saw as their destiny of martyrdom. Perpetua’s last words were to her brothers in the faith: “Stand fast in the faith and love one another.”

God will not leave us bereft, 

either of the Divine presence or 

of beloved ones to walk 

the difficult path with us. 

Prayer

God, Perpetua and Felicity faced fear with love, met cruelty with kindness, and encountered the unknown with arms wide open. As I struggle in life, help me to live each day as Perpetua and Felicity did: fearlessly and with knowledge that I am a child of God. AMEN. 

O God, at the urging of whose love the Martyrs Saints Perpetua and Felicity defied their persecutors and overcame the torment of earth, grant, we ask, by their prayers, that we may ever grow in your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Friday, 7 March, 2014
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Commemoration)

Reading 1

Isaiah 58:1-9A
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Cry out full-throated and unsparingly,
lift up your voice like a trumpet blast;
Tell my people their wickedness,
and the house of Jacob their sins.
They seek me day after day,
and desire to know my ways,
Like a nation that has done what is just
and not abandoned the law of their God;
They ask me to declare what is due them,
pleased to gain access to God.
“Why do we fast, and you do not see it?
afflict ourselves, and you take no note of it?”

Lo, on your fast day you carry out your own pursuits,
and drive all your laborers.
Yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting,
striking with wicked claw.
Would that today you might fast
so as to make your voice heard on high!
Is this the manner of fasting I wish,
of keeping a day of penance:
That a man bow his head like a reed
and lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Do you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!


Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19
R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.


Gospel 

Matthew 9:14-15
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast.”

Ash Wednesday ~ 2014

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, the first day of Lent and 46 (40 days - not including Sundays) days to Easter Sunday, the final week of Lent is known as Holy Week. It is a time of penance, reflection, and fasting, we seek God's Divine mercy. God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. Our foreheads are marked with ashes (imposition of ashes) to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We recall this as when the priest says "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19) as he marks our foreheads with ashes. This reminds us of our sinfulness and imperfections, which calls us to prepare to receive the forgiveness in Christ, an opportunity for repentance and spiritual renewal by confession and absolution. Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. Ash Wednesday is the beginning for us to prepare during the season of lent in anticipation for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed/encouraged on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays (most important to be observed on Good Friday) during Lent. Fasting is encourage/applicable to all Christians between the age of 13 to 60, older than may also fast if they are capable of doing so. The Catholic liturgical colour for Lent is violet/purple, all vestments and hangings in the altar/church will observed the colour. During Lent, no Alleluia or Gloria is sung/recited, Alleluia or Gloria is only resumed on Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday Prayer

O Jesus, you place on my forehead

the sign of your saving Cross:

“Turn from sin and be faithful

to the gospel.”

How can I turn from sin

unless I turn to you? 

You speak, you raise your hand,

you touch my mind and call my name,

“Turn to the Lord your God again.” 

These days of your favor

leave a blessing as you pass

on me and all your people.

Turn to us, Lord God,

and we shall turn to you.

AMEN.

Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Wednesday, 5 March, 2014
Ash Wednesday

Reading 1

Joel 2:12-18
Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.

Responsorial Psalm 

PS 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Reading 2 

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:

In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel 

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

God can do all things, we are humbled and satisfied

Then Job answered the Lord:

“I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

‘Hear, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you declare to me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees you;

therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

~*~ Job 42:1-6 ~*~

Lord by Your steadfast love, save me.

Help me, O Lord my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love.

Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O Lord, have done it.

Graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me ~ Psalm 30:2

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

~* ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ * ~

Pray with

* TRUST * BELIEVE * HOPE * FAITH *

in the Lord, GOD Almighty 

who works wonders 

through JESUS CHRIST His Son

and the Holy Spirit 

as ONE ever

* POWERFUL * MIGHTY * HOLY * LOVING * 

* MERCIFUL * GLORIOUS * IMMORTAL *

True GOD, Our Creator and King.

Do not worry about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication 

with thanksgiving let your requests 

be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts 

and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ * ~ Philippians 4:6-7 ~ * ~

Seek His face, draw near to Him 

and He will hear your cries!

  Alleluia, 

Praise the Lord.

AMEN.

All GLORY, HONOUR, POWER, WISDOM, 

PRAISE, AND THANKSGIVING 

belong to only You, O Lord.

Father in Heaven,

I Trust in Thee.

Jesus Christ,

I Trust in Thee.

Holy Spirit,

I Trust in Thee.

Prayer to the Father for Healing

Heavenly Father, I call on You 
right now in a special way.
It is through Your power 
that I was created.
Every breath I take, 
every morning I wake and
every moment of every hour,
I live under Your power.

Father, I ask You now 

to touch me with that same power 

For if You created me from nothing,

You can certainly recreate me.

Fill me with the healing power 

of Your Spirit.

Cast out anything that

should not be in me.

Mend what is broken.

Root out any unproductive cells.

Open any blocked arteries or veins

and rebuild any damaged areas.

Remove all inflammation

and cleanse any infection.

Let the warmth 
of Your healing love 
pass through my body
to make new any unhealthy areas
so that my body will function 
the way You created it to function.

And Father, restore me 

to full health in mind and body

so that I may serve you 

the rest of my life.

With the prayer of Mary,
Mediatrix of All Grace,
I raise up all these petitions
through JESUS her son, 
and our Lord,
forever and ever.  AMEN.

~ * ~ Ramon C. Arguelles D.D ~ * ~

Archbishop of Lipa

12 November 2009

GOD's hands ....

You may be down today,

but GOD's hand's are beneath you. 

Keep your faith in GOD, 

even if you deliverance is not immediate.

Where the seems no way,

GOD will make a way for you.

GOD heals you, and 

binds up all your wounds.

GOD words are the medicine 

for your soul.

GOD will fight for you,

you only need to be still,

put all your faith and trust in Him,

and let go all to Him.

Do not doubt, 

GOD loves you.

Turning away from sin, 

results in the ultimate healing,

which is Eternal Life.

TRUST, HOPE and BELIEVE

in GOD,

your FAITH in HIM will make the difference.

Prayer for Strength and Faith

In the name of JESUS CHRIST, 

I pray, Dear Lord,

see me through these hard times. 

In these troubling times,

I am filled with unspeakable fears.

I reach out my hand to You now.

And ask You to walk beside me.

I cannot carry all my burdens,

but I know You can,

as there is nothing impossible for You.

Please come and be with me, and guide me.

Give me the strength and courage 

in these stormy times of trials.

Let me hold on to my faith,

in times of darkness, shine Your light, 

give me a clear my path in Your ways.

Grant me the wisdom 

that I need to get through 

the obstacles and problems I face.

Stay with me Lord,

and show me Your ways.

JESUS in You, I trust.

JESUS I love You.

In You Name JESUS, 

and in Your union 

with our Holy Father in heaven 

and the Holy Spirit 

who lives and reign 

as One God forever and ever, 

I surrender all my prayers, and needs. 

I truly have faith and trust, 

that You, Lord JESUS 

by Your word and touch, 

have healed me.

AMEN.

Pray for one another

When you pray for each other and share one another's burden, it is a great blessing. Prayer brings victory. And intercessory prayer brings blessings to you from God.

Loving Heavenly Father,

Grant me a heart filled 

with love and compassion. 

Teach me to pray 

for those who are suffering 

and those who are in need of prayer. 

Heed my earnest prayer 

and grant them Your grace. 

Wipe away their tears. 

Turn their tears to joy. 

Bless all those who pray 

for me, my near and dear ones. 

In Jesus' mighty name, 

I pray. 

Amen.

The Chair of St. Peter, Apostle (Feast) ~ 2014

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter commemorates the papacy and St. Peter as the first bishop of Rome. Peter was chosen by Jesus Christ to sit in His place as the servant-authority of the whole His Church. Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.". The psalm (below) is fitting for the feast, it focuses on the relationship between God as the shepherd of our souls and we as the individual members of his flock. St. Peter was chosen and given the authority to shepherd all of God's people and His Church.

"The Feast of the Chair of St Peter. This is a very ancient tradition, proven to have existed in Rome since the fourth century. On it we give thanks to God for the mission he entrusted to the Apostle Peter and his Successors. ...... Celebrating the "Chair" of Peter, therefore, as we are doing today, means attributing a strong spiritual significance to it and recognizing it as a privileged sign of the love of God, the eternal Good Shepherd, who wanted to gather his whole Church and lead her on the path of salvation. ...... In the apse of St Peter's Basilica, as you know, is the monument to the Chair of the Apostle, a mature work of Bernini. It is in the form of a great bronze throne supported by the statues of four Doctors of the Church: two from the West, St Augustine and St Ambrose, and two from the East: St John Chrysostom and St Athanasius. ......"

~ * ~ Pope Benedict XVI ~ * ~

Geheral Audience, 22 Feb, 2006

"I decided to consult the Chair of Peter, where that faith is found exalted by the lips of an Apostle; I now come to ask for nourishment for my soul there, where once I received the garment of Christ. I follow no leader save Christ, so I enter into communion with your beatitude, that is, with the Chair of Peter, for this I know is the rock upon which the Church is built" 

~ * ~ St. Jerome ~* ~

Grant, we pray, almighty God, 

that no tempests may disturb us, 

for you have set us fast on the rock 

of the Apostle Peter's confession of faith. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity

 of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

AMEN.

Saturday, 22 February, 2014
The Chair of St. Peter, Apostle (Feast)

Reading

1 Peter 5: 1 - 4
1	So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed.
2	Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly,
3	not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.
4	And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.

Psalm

Psalms 23: 1 - 6
1	The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2	he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
3	he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4	Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5	Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6	Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Gospel

Matthew 16: 13 - 19
13	Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?"
14	And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15	He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16	Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17	And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18	And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
19	I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

I place all my trust and hope in You, my Lord JESUS

Oh Lord JESUS in my desperateness and urgent need, I come to You my Saviour, Redeemer, Armour, Healer and Provider. In only You Lord JESUS, I trust and to You I confide my heart's intention. Help me Lord JESUS, in attaining my needs especially solving my financial debts and career, where my concentration in my work is affected by the worries in my financial situation. I surrender myself to Your mercy, do unto me Lord what Your love inspires and let Your heart decide in accordance to Your will. I truly believe, hope and trust in You JESUS, and I know You will never allow me to fail. Lord JESUS, I earnestly implore this favour I ask of You, intercede to our Father in Heaven, ask Him to open the heavenly gates sending His blazing spirit to fall upon me, touch me and heal me. I place all my trust and hope in You, my Lord JESUS. I Love You, JESUS and I Trust in You, JESUS. AMEN.

This prayer helps....in times of desperateness, urgent and impossible need

Trust and have faith that God will provide. Say this prayer fervently with full of faith, believe and trust.

Oh! Dear Mother of God, 

Our Lady of Conception Aparecida!

Oh! Saint Rita of Cassia 

and Saint Jude worker of miracles 

and helper of impossible causes 

pray for me.

Saint Expedite, Saint of urgent causes. 

Saint Edwiges the Saint of the needy,

you know how desperate I feel, 

please ask Jesus to help me.

(Here mention your request)

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

be adored and glorified for ever.

Pray 1 Our Father, Hail Mary,

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 

and to the Holy Spirit. 

As it was in the beginning, 

is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end. Amen.

Pray for 3 days. Publish on the 3rd day. 

See what will happen on the 4th day.

Chaplet to the Infant Jesus of Prague

The chaplet to the Infant Jesus of Prague has 15 beads. It consist of prayer 3 Our Father... in honour of the Holy Family and 12 Hail Mary... in memory of the 12 years of the Infancy of our Divine Saviour.

At the medal say this prayer:

"Divine Infant Jesus,

I adore Thy Cross

and I accept all the cross

Thou wilt be pleased to send me.

Adorable Trinity,

I offer Thee

for the glory of Thy Holy Name of God,

all the adorations of the Sacred Heart

of the Holy Infant Jesus."

Before each Our Father and Hail Mary, say the following prayer:

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us."

At the end of the Chaplet, say,

"Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us."

You may end the chaplet with one Glory be...

What a Friend we have in JESUS!

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never, never, never be discouraged, oh no

Take, take it to the Lord, to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who with all our sorrows share?

Jesus know our every weakness

Take, take it to the Lord, to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior still our refuge

Take, take it to the Lord in prayer

Do your friends despise or forsake you?

Take it to the Lord, take it to the Lord in prayer

In His arms He'll take you and shield you

You will find, you will find solace there

A special prayer for FrienDShiP

You have blessed us, O God

with the Gift of Friendship,

the bonding of persons 

in a circle of Love.

We thank You for such a blessing,

for friends who love us, 

who share our sorrows,

who laugh with us in celebration,

who bear our pain,

who need us as we need them,

who weep as we weep,

who hold us when words fail,

and who gives us the freedom to be ourselves.

Bless our friends with health,

wholeness, life, and love.

AMEN.

Prayers before God's altar and God answers

Revelation 8:3-5

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

JESUS loves us and He is our truest FRIEND

We are betraying and denying JESUS, 

every time we sin. 

We are crucifying JESUS, 

every time we have evil thoughts or actions 

which comes from our hearts, mind and soul.

Even by all that is done by us, 

JESUS continues loves us 

and He has never denied us or will ever deny us.

JESUS always intercedes for us to our heavenly Father, 

as in Luke 23:34; when JESUS says "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

God always comforts us in our pain and sorrows, 

His loves never changes, 

He gives us the strength to overcome all.

Therefore, obey His commandments, repent 

and try not to let the any evil or sin overcome us, 

in those moments always recall 

of how JESUS loves us and died for our salvation.

JESUS is our true Friend forever, 

as in John 15:13; "Greater love has no one than this: 

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

We ask JESUS to help us abide in Him 

so that we may always remain faithful 

to Him and our Heavenly Father.