Prayer for the Homeless

Let us pray for the Homeless regardless why they are in that position, they are our brothers and sisters and need our prayers. Especially those facing winter, floods, heat wave, storms and other calamity, woe and affliction. Let us be thankful to God for we have a warm home by His grace.

Prayer for the Homeless

Bless the homeless, this day and everyday,

keep them from physical and emotional harm,

fill their hearts with hope for the future and for today,

comfort the homeless as they walk their difficult paths.

May I know that anyone, even me, can be homeless.

Bless the homeless with enough food to sustain them,

with enough warmth to shield them from the elements,

with the power to wrestle personal demons and win,

with the will to go on, and build their lives again.

May hope touch each homeless heart, spirit and life,

let the kindness of others bring lasting benefits,

bring freedom from addiction, illness and misery,

open their humanity to include and embrace themselves.

Bless the homeless with self acceptance and love, 

spark their imaginations with belief in the future,

bringing the possibility of a better life,

a safer life and a more secure life.

Not a hair of your head will perish

If the Gospel message is good news, then why do so many people treat Christians with contempt and hostility for their beliefs and practices?

Jesus warns his followers that they will be confronted with wickedness, false teaching, persecution, as well as the temptation to renounce their faith when it is put to the test. 

Satan destroys and kills - God restores and gives life

The real enemy of the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ - is Satan (also called Lucifer), the powerful leader of the fallen angels who rebelled against God and who were cast out of heaven. Satan opposes God and all who follow his rule of peace and righteousness (moral goodness) on the earth. Jesus calls Satan a "murderer" who turns brother against brother and the "father of lies" who twists the truth and speaks falsehood (John 8:44). Satan not only opposes God's rule, he seeks to destroy all who would obey God. Satan will use any means possible to turn people away from God. He tempts people through envy, deception, hatred, and fear to provoke hostility towards those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is Jesus' response to hostility and persecution? Love, forbearance, and forgiveness. Only love - the love which is rooted in God's great compassion and faithfulness - can overcome prejudice, hatred, and envy. God's love purifies our heart and mind of all that would divide and tear people apart. Knowing God as our compassionate Father and loving God's word of truth and righteousness (moral goodness) is essential for overcoming evil. Jesus tells us that we do not need to fear those who would oppose us or treat us harshly for following the Lord Jesus. He promises to give us supernatural strength, wisdom, and courage as we take a stand for our faith and witness to the truth and love of Christ. 

The Gospel is good news for the whole world because it is God's eternal word of truth, love, pardon, and salvation (being set free from sin and evil) through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus has won the victory for us through his atoning death on the cross for our sins and his rising from the grave - his resurrection power that brings abundant life and restoration for us. That is why the Gospel has power to set people free from sin, fear and death, and bring peace, pardon, and new life. 

Endurance never gives up hope in God 

Jesus tells his disciples that if they endure to the end they will gain their lives - they will inherit abundant life and lasting happiness with God. Endurance is an essential strength which God gives to those who put their trust in him. Endurance is the patience which never gives up hope, never yields to despair or hatred. Patience is long-suffering because it looks beyond the present difficulties and trials and sees the reward which comes to those who persevere with hope and trust in God. That is why godly endurance is more than human effort. It is first and foremost a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit which enables us to bear up under any trial or temptation. 

Endurance is linked with godly hope - the supernatural assurance that we will see God face to face and inherit all the promises he has made. Jesus is our supreme model and pioneer who endured the cross for our sake (Hebrews 12:2). "God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus willingly shed his blood for us - to win for us pardon and peace with God. Our joy and privilege is to take up our cross each day to follow the Lord Jesus. 

True martyrs live and die as witnesses of Christ and the Gospel of peace

The word "martyr" in the New Testament Greek means "witness". The Book of Revelation says that "Jesus was the faithful witness ...who freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelation 1:5). Tertullian, a second century lawyer who converted when he saw Christians singing as they went out to die by the hands of their persecutors, exclaimed: "The blood of the martyrs is seed." Their blood is the seed of new Christians, the seed of the church. 

The third century bishop, Cyprian said: "When persecution comes, God's soldiers are put to the test, and heaven is open to martyrs. We have not enlisted in an army to think of peace and to decline battle, for we see that the Lord has taken first place in the conflict." True martyrs live and die as witnesses of the Gospel. They overcome their enemies through persevering hope and courage, undying love and forbearance, kindness, goodness, and compassion.

God may call some of us to be martyrs who shed their blood for bearing witness to Jesus Christ. But for most of us, our call is to be 'dry' martyrs who bear testimony to the joy and power of the Gospel in the midst of daily challenges, contradictions, temptations and adversities which come our way as we follow the Lord Jesus. 

We do not need to fear our adversaries

What will attract others to the truth and power of the Gospel? When they see Christians loving their enemies, being joyful in suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries, and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and the helpless. Jesus tells us that we do not need to fear our adversaries. God will give us sufficient grace, strength, and wisdom to face any trial and to answer any challenge to our faith. Are you ready to lay down your life for Christ and to bear witness to the joy and freedom of the Gospel?

Lord Jesus Christ, by your atoning death on the cross you have redeemed the world. Fill me with joyful hope, courage, and boldness to witness the truth of your love for sinners and your victory over the powers of sin, Satan, and death.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Jesus, my God, l adore You

Jesus, my God, l adore You,

here present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar,

where You wait day and night to be our comfort 

while we await Your unveiled presence in heaven.

Jesus, my God,

I adore You in all places 

where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved 

and where sins are committed 

against this Sacrament of Love.

Jesus, my God,

I adore You for all time,

past, present and future,

for every soul that ever was,

is or shall be created.

Jesus, my God,

who for us has endured hunger and cold,

labour and fatigue,

I adore You.

Jesus, my God, who for my sake

has deigned to subject Yourself

to the humiliation of temptation,

to the perfidy and defection of friends,

to the scorn of Your enemies,

I ADORE YOU..... Amen!

To Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit

Daughter of the Most High, Mother of God, faithful Spouse of the Holy Spirit ­yet also Mary of Nazareth, Joseph’s wife, my mother- hear my prayer for grace, O Full of Grace.

Pray your Spouse, the Holy Spirit, to come upon me, to shelter me from all ill, to strengthen me to do what is right, to teach me all truth. Pray Him come to me and abide with me, and be within me a fountain springing up unto eternal life. May he sustain me in sorrow, sanctify me in life, and receive me at the hour of my death. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me. 

Our Lady of the Holy Spirit: Hear our prayer!

Through the Holy Spirit you became the Mother of Jesus; from the Holy Spirit may I too have Jesus. 

Through the Holy Spirit your flesh conceived Jesus; through the same Spirit may my soul receive Jesus. 

Through the Holy Spirit you were able to know Jesus, to possess Jesus, and bring him into the world; through the Holy Spirit may I too come to know your Jesus. 

Imbued with the Spirit, Mary, you could say: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word”; in the Holy Spirit, lowly as I am, let me proclaim the great truths about Jesus. 

In the Spirit you now adore Jesus as Lord and look on him as Son; in the same Spirit, Mary, let me love your Jesus. 

AMEN.

Elevation of the Mass is Sacred

The story is that this is from a real miraculous photo taken from a priest saying his first Mass. I don't know but I do know the theology of this image is perfect in showing the blood our our Savior running down His precious body and falling into the cup of our Salvation. The Elevation of the Mass is Sacred. See the alter boy adore Jesus! I love this!

For this reason I kneel at every Communion and I receive on my tongue. the reality of Catholic Communion is that Jesus's passion and death is renewed on the cross at every Mass and its consequence - the renewal of all Salvific Graces for mankind.

All these graces are then given to me as a gift! Jesus Himself is the gift of Divine Mercy!

I, with all other who receive, are then called to take this gift of the Perpetual Sacrifice and offer Him back to God the Father in reparation for our sins, the sins of the whole world, and all other petitions and acts of gratitude and worship.

A Miracle Prayer ~ Heart of JESUS

Dear Heart of Jesus,

in the past I have asked many favours,

This time I ask You,

this special one

(mention favour).

Take it dear Heart of Jesus,

and place it within Your Heart,

where Your Father sees it.

Then in His merciful eyes,

it will become Your own

favour not mine.

Amen.

*** Say this prayer 3 times for 3 days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer.

Something funny ....but it is what happen

An atheist once said to me,

"Why doesn't your God come and 

physically show Himself to us?"

I replied, 

"He did and they nailed Him on a cross."

They did not want me to reign over them

How does God establish his kingdom here on the earth?

The Jews in Jesus' time had a heightened sense that the Messiah would appear soon to usher in the kingdom of God's justice, love, and peace on the earth (Isaiah 11:1-9). Jesus, in fact, spoke in messianic terms of the coming reign of God. Perhaps his entry into Jerusalem would bring about such a change and overthrow of Roman domination. 

Parable of the talents

Jesus speaks to their longing for a new kingdom in the parable of a nobleman who went away to receive a kingdom. The parable reveals something important about how God works his plan and purpose with his people. The parable speaks first of the king's trust in his subjects. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the Master's workers would be industrious and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. The master rewards those who are industrious and faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money. 

The essence of the parable seems to lie in the servants' conception of responsibility. Each servant entrusted with the master's money was faithful up to a certain point. The servant who buried the master's money was irresponsible. One can bury seeds in the ground and expect them to become productive because they obey natural laws. Coins, however, do not obey natural laws. They obey economic laws and become productive in circulation. The master expected his servants to be productive in the use of his money. 

The Lord rewards those who faithfully use their gifts and talents for doing good by giving them more 

What do coins and the law of economics have to do with the kingdom of God? The Lord entrusts the subjects of his kingdom with gifts and graces and he gives his subjects the freedom to use them as they think best. With each gift and talent, God gives sufficient means (grace and wisdom) for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. 

The Lord expects us to be good stewards of the gifts and graces he gives us

There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you seek to serve God with the gifts, talents, and graces he has given to you?

The Lord Jesus offers us a kingdom of justice, love, and peace and he calls us to live as citizens of this kingdom where he rules as Lord and Master. Through his atoning death on the cross and through his resurrection victory, Jesus frees us from a kingdom of darkness where sin and Satan reign. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the Lord gives us freedom to live as his servants and to lay down our lives in loving service of our neighbors (Galatians 5:1,13). Do you trust in God's grace to make good use of the gifts and talents he has given you?

Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and mind and the master of my home and goods. Fill me with a generous and wise spirit that I may use the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

What is the significance for Catholics in signing our forehead, mouth (lips) and heart (breast) before the Gospel

During the Liturgy of the Word during Mass, prior to the holding the Holy Gospel the priest will silently prays with the following prayer, "Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel", or if it is a deacon to proclaim the Gospel, then the priest will bless him the following words, "May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips, that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". Next when priest/deacon opens the Holy Gospel and says "The Lord be with you", and the congregation respond, "And with Your Spirit". 

Then the priest/deacon says, "A reading from the Holy Gospel according to ....", and the congregation acclaim saying, "Glory to you, O Lord" whilst making the sign of the cross with his thumb on the Holy Gospel and on his forehead, mouth (lips), and heart (breast), which everyone in the congregation does at the same time. While signing of the three cross, the congregation should silently in the pray these words. "May the Word of the Lord be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart". On feast days or solemnities, the priest/deacon will then incenses the Holy Gospel before he starts reading. All this is done just before the proclamation of the Holy Gospel at Mass.

After reading of the Gospel ends, the priest pronounces the acclamation, "The Gospel of the Lord", and the congregation replies, "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ". The Priest kisses the Holy Gospel, silently saying "Through the words of the Gospel". 

Next is the homily where we sit and listen as the priest explains what message of the Gospel, what Jesus was trying to share with us and how we can live this out in our lives.

Jesus is knocking at the door of our heart, waiting to get in each and every time we hear or listen to the Gospel.

The signing of three crosses before the proclamation of the Gospel signifies as follows:

• The signing of cross on the forehead that we understand the Gospel.
• The signing of cross on the mouth that we will proclaim Gospel.
• The signing of cross on the heart that we will take and keep the Gospel to heart, and put it into practice, and in with charity.

Novena in Honor of Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence

Prayer to the Mother of Divine Providence

Mary, Immaculate Virgin and Mother of Divine Providence, keep my soul with the fullness of thy grace: do thou govern my life and direct it in the way of virtue to the fulfillment of the divine will. Obtain for me the pardon and remission of all my sins; be thou my refuge, my protection, my defense and my guide in my pilgrimage through the world; comfort me in the midst of tribulation; bring me safe through every danger; in the storms of adversity afford me thy sure protection. Obtain for me, O Mary, the renewal of my heart within me, that it may become a holy dwelling place for thy divine Son Jesus; keep far from me, who am so weak and miserable, every kind of sin, negligence, lukewarmness, cowardice and human respect; free me wholly from pride, vainglory, self-love and all earthly affections that hinder the saving effects of thy patronage.

Dear Mother of divine Providence, turn thy motherly gaze upon me, and, if through weakness or malice, I have provoked the threats of the eternal Judge and saddened the Sacred Heart of my dear Jesus, do thou cover me with the mantle of thy protection and I shall be safe.

Thou art the Mother of divine Providence; thou art the Virgin of pardon; thou art my hope on earth. Grant that I may have thee as my Mother in the glory of Heaven.

Amen

* Hail Mary three times

**  Mention Intentions

After each daily intention , pray the Novena Prayer:

Novena Prayer

Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence,

that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother.

We entrust to you our labors; bless them.

We commend to you our needs; supply them.

Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana,

for we trust that whatever you ask of your Son will be done.

Pray for us on our pilgrimage that we may share

the faith and hope that marked your life.

Full of confidence in your power before God,

we place ourselves, our loved ones and all our petitions

in your providential care. Amen.

Litany of Our Lady of Providence

God the Creator of heaven and earth, have mercy on us.

God the son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Most Holy Trinity, Divine Providence, have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Providence, mother of grace and mercy, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, help of the sick, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, hope of the oppressed, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, star of the sea, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, tower of David, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, queen of the home, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, model of disciples, pray for us.

Our Lady of Providence, mother of the Church, 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, hear us O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, Our lady of Providence, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God, whose ever-watchful Providence rules all things, we humbly implore you through the prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your son, to remove from us whatever is harmful and to bestow on us only that which will be helpful. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Charbel Makhlouf

Lord, infinitely Holy and Glorified in Your Saints, 

You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, 

to lead the perfect life of a hermit. 

We thank You for granting him the blessing

and the strength to detach himself from the world 

so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty, 

obedience, and chastity, 

could triumph in his hermitage. 

We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You, 

following his example. 

Almighty God, Who has manifested 

the power of St. Charbel's intercession 

through his countless miracles and favours, 

grant us...

(Mention intention / request here)

through his intercession.

Amen. 

Our Father....

Hail Mary....

Glory Be....

Saved from Hell by the Stabat Mater Prayer

In his book Glories of Mary, Saint Alphonsus Liguori relates an impressive story about the power of one of the most beautiful prayers ever written, the Stabat Mater, a prayer to the Sorrowful Mother.

In the city of Cesena, in beautiful Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy, there were two men who were great friends. They were also great sinners, leading a life far from the precepts of the Gospel and the Ten Commandments.

One of them, Bartholomew, despite his wickedness, had acquired (probably when younger), the habit of daily reciting the Stabat Mater in honor of Mary’s sorrows.

One day, as he recited this prayer, he suddenly had a vision in which he and his friend were immersed in a lake of fire. Then, he saw the Blessed Mother, who, taking him by the hand, pulled him out of the fiery pit saying: “Because of the prayer you said daily to me, I have prayed to my Son for you. He is ready to forgive you, if you are ready to ask pardon of Him.”

Then the vision vanished.

Soon after, Bartholomew received the dire news that his friend had been shot and killed. He now had no doubt that what he had seen was true.

Leaving the world and all its temptations behind, Bartholomew entered the order of Capuchins, led a life of austerity and virtue and died a saint.

The Stabat Mater

At the cross Her station keeping 

stood the mournful Mother weeping, 

close to Jesus to the last.

Through Her Heart, His sorrow sharing, 

all His bitter anguish bearing 

now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed 

was that Mother highly blessed, 

of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs, 

She beneath beholds the pangs 

of Her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,

whelmed in miseries so deep, 

Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain 

from partaking in Her pain, 

in that Mother's pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, 

She beheld Her tender Child 

all with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation, 

saw Him hang in desolation, 

till His spirit forth He sent.

O sweet Mother! fount of love! 

Touch my spirit from above, 

make my heart with Thine accord.

Make me feel as Thou hast felt; 

make my soul to glow and melt 

with the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through, 

in my heart each wound renew 

of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with Thee His pain, 

who for all our sins was slain, 

who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with Thee, 

mourning Him who mourned for me, 

all the days that I may live.

By the Cross with Thee to stay, 

there with Thee to weep and pray, 

is all I ask of Thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!, 

Listen to my fond request: 

let me share Thy grief divine;

Let me, to my latest breath, 

in my body bear the death 

of that dying Son of Thine.

Wounded with His every wound, 

steep my soul till it hath swooned, 

in His very Blood away;

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, 

lest in flames I burn and die, 

in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence, 

be Thy Mother my defense, 

be Thy Cross my victory;

While my body here decays, 

may my soul Thy goodness praise, 

safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.

Need a miracle ~ Pray to Saint Charbel

Need a miracle? Pray to Saint Charbel as highly recommended by Aleteia a Catholic webpage.

His printed picture could heal any illness. This is a great help nowadays as medicines are now very costly.

https://aleteia.org/2018/07/24/need-a-miracle-pray-to-st-charbel/

Many hundred thousand people around the world are healed by praying before his picture taken from a newspaper.

http://saintcharbel.net.au/miracles/st-charbel-heals-thousands-of-orthodox-christians-in-russia/

View this video clip of a healed blind.

.

https://youtu.be/IAK59x9P6AM

Baby boy's saved after parents prayed to Saint Charbel

https://grandinmedia.ca/baby-charbels-life-miracle-say-parents/

Completely blind being healed

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yBhj70vlANQ

source: FB share

The Weight of the Holy Mass ~ True Life Story

A True Life Story

You will never want to miss attending Mass after reading this👇

One day many years ago, in a little town in Luxembourg , a Captain of the Forest Guards was in deep conversation with the butcher when an elderly woman entered the shop. The butcher broke off the conversation to ask the old woman what she wanted . She had come to beg for a little meat but had no money. The Captain was amused at the woman and the butcher. “Only a little meat, but how much are you going to give her?”, he wondered. “I am sorry I have no money, but I’ll hear Mass for you”, the woman told the butcher. Both the butcher and the Captain were indifferent about religion, so they at once began to scoff at the old woman’s idea. 

“All right then”, said the butcher. “You go and hear Mass for me and when you come back I’ll give you as much as the Mass is worth”.

The woman left the shop and returned later. She approached the counter and the butcher said. “All right then we’ll see.” 

He took a slip of paper and wrote on it ‘I heard a Mass for you.’

He placed the paper on the scales and a tiny bone on the other side, but nothing happened.

Next he placed a piece of meat instead of the bone, but still the paper proved heavier. 

Both men were beginning to feel ashamed of their mockery but continued their game. A large piece of meat was placed on the balance, but still the paper held its own. The butcher, exasperated , examined the scales but found they were alright. 

“What do you want my good woman? Must I give you a whole leg of mutton?” At this he placed the leg of mutton on the balance, but the paper outweighed the meat. A larger piece of meat was put on, but again the weight remained on the side of the paper. This so impressed the butcher that he was converted and promised to give the woman her daily ration of meat. 

As for the Captain, he left the shop a changed man and became an ardent lover of daily Mass. Two of his sons became priests, one a Jesuit and the other a Father of the Sacred Heart. 

Father Stanislaus finished the story by saying, “I am from the Religious of the Sacred Heart and the Captain was my father.” 

From this incident the Captain became a daily Mass attendant and his children were trained to follow his example. 

Later, when his sons became priests, he advised them to say Mass well every day and never miss the Sacrifice of the Mass through any fault of their own. 

by: Fr Collins Udu (Priest)

Miraculous Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, 

You who makes me see everything, 

and shows me the way to reach my ideal. 

You, who gives me the Divine gift, 

to forgive, and forget, 

all the wrong that is done to me, 

and You, who are in all instances 

of my life with me. 

I, in this short dialogue, 

want to thank You, for everything, 

and affirm once more, 

that I never want to be separated from You, 

no matter how great 

the material desires may be, 

I want to be with You, 

and my loved ones, 

in Your Perpetual Glory. 

To that end and submitting 

to God's Holy Will, 

I ask from You.... 

(mention your favour). 

Amen. 

**** This prayer should be prayed for three consecutive days. After the third day, your sincere desire shall be granted no matter how difficult it may be. Promise to offer thanksgiving by sharing and expressing it on granting of your favour. This idea is to spread the wonders of the Holy Spirit.