Jesus is our Hope

God, My hope is in You.Hope is a true gift from God that brings peace and joy, even in the midst of life’s storms. God is calling us to hope in Him! Live this Christian life in fellowship with God, Jesus must be your only hope everyday of your life. If we need peace, joy, love, contentment, understanding, finances, help with relationships, employment, Salvation or even a calm spirit, Jesus is the answer! Give God thanks for assurance of His presence with us in any and all situations of life.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

Jesus my Strength my Hope 

On Thee I cast my care 

With humble confidence look up 

And know You hear my prayer 

To Thee and Thy great Name 

But let me still abide 

Nor from my hope remove 

Till Thou my patient spirit guide 

Into Thy perfect love 

John 14:6

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Psalm 39:7, 12

But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.

Hear my prayer, Lord,

listen to my cry for help.

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

1 Timothy 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.

Colossians 1:27

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

My Hope is in Jesus Christ

Through life I’ve sang Salvation’s song

I’ve had my ups and downs

I’ve tried my best to do no wrong

But still I’ve raised some frowns

I love my God with heart and soul

Though still I feel some pain

Christ washed me clean He made me whole

I’m free and born again

By grace, I’m in Salvation‘s hand

In Christ my life is new

Through faith I’ve learned to understand

That Jesus’ love is true

Within my Lord I’m more than glad

We talk both night and day

I seek His joy when feeling sad

And for His peace I pray 

I’m growing old my hair is white

My blood is running thin

But praise the Lord for giving Light

And freeing me of sin

The world may say my life is through

Now soon I’ll see my grave

Yet while I’m here I’ll share with you

That Christ is here to save

Although of aged flesh and bone

Of death I’ve no more fear

For Jesus changed this heart of stone

And came to dwell in here

Upon the Lord we can depend

Through Him we learn to cope

I’ll stay in Christ until the end

In Him! I’ve placed my hope. 

by Michael P. Johnson

Prayer for Healing

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;

Save me and I will be saved,

For You are my praise.

Jeremiah 17:14

But the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Luke 9:11

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:15

Lord, You invite all who are burdened 

to come to you. 

Allow Your healing Hand to heal me. 

Touch my soul 

with Your compassion for others; 

touch my heart 

with Your courage 

and infinite Love for all; 

touch my mind 

with Your Wisdom, 

and may my mouth 

always proclaim Your praise. 

Teach me to reach out to You 

in all my needs, 

and help me to lead others 

to You by my example. 

Most loving Heart of Jesus, 

bring me health in body and spirit 

that I may serve You 

with all my strength. 

Touch gently this life 

which you have created, 

now and forever.

Amen.

Lord my God, I called to you for help,

and you healed me.

Psalm 30:2

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

“Blessed is the one whom God corrects;

so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

For he wounds, but he also binds up;

he injures, but his hands also heal.

Job 5:17-18 

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,

and he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair,

out of the mud and the mire. 

He set my feet on solid ground 

and steadied me as I walked along. 

He has given me a new song to sing, 

a hymn of praise to our God. 

Many will see what he has done and be amazed. 

They will put their trust in the Lord. 

Psalm 40:1-3 

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;

He saved them out of their distresses.

He sent His word and healed them, 

And delivered them from their destructions. 

Psalm 107:19-20

Our Lady, Health of the Sick Heal my Mum

Our Lady, Health of the Sick, 

I look to you for the comfort of a mother's love,

I pray to you for my Mother 

who whose is needs your healing.

Mary, I have faith your love will strengthens 

and brings peace for my Mother.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick, 

embrace all who are emotionally and physically ill

that they may return to good health 

under your tender care.

And please intercede for my very special needs 

for my Mother healing 

in the ailment that she has been diagnose, 

I believe You will know what healing that she needs.

I have full confidence in You, Mary

that you will answer my prayer.

Mary, your motherly love strengthens us 

and brings us peace. 

Amen.

Devotion and Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace!

the Lord is with thee;

blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!

Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!

To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;

to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us;

and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Amen.

Memorare

to the 

Blessed Virgin Mary

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. 

Amen.

The Magnificat (Canticle of Mary)

A prayer from the Annunciation and the Visitation

My soul doth magnify the Lord:

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour

Because He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His Name.

And His mercy is from generation until generations, to them that fear Him.

He hath showed might with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the lowly.

He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:

As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

48 for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

The Angelus

Prayer celebrating the Angel Gabriel's annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Recited at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m., marked by the ringing of church bells (Angelus bells)

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary,....

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord,

R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary,....

V. And the Word was made flesh,

R. And dwelt amongst us.

Hail Mary,....

V. Pray for us, O most holy Mother of God,

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

Let us pray.

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son by the message of an Angel, so by His Passion and Cross we may be brought to the glory of the Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer Commending Oneself to Mary

where we pledge ourselves to Mary, that she may intercede for us so that our will may be aligned with the will of her Son.

O holy Mary, my Mistress, into thy blessed trust and special blessing, into the bosom of thy tender mercy, this day, every day of my life and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body; to thee I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that through thy most holy intercession and thy merits, all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

For the Help of the Blessed Virgin Mary

May we be assisted, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the worshipful intercession of Thy glorious Mother, the ever-Virgin Mary; that we, who have been enriched by her perpetual blessings, may be delivered from all dangers, and through her loving kindness made to be one heart and mind: who livest and reignest world without end.

Amen.

Blessed Be Your Purity

Blessed be your purity,

May it be blessed forever,

For no less than God takes delight,

In such exalted beauty.

To you, heavenly Princess,

Holy Virgin Mary,

I offer on this day

My whole heart, life and soul.

Look upon me with compassion,

Do not leave me, my Mother.

Amen.

Regina Coeli 

for Easter time

Queen of heaven, rejoice!. Alleluia.

For he whom you did merit to bear. Alleluia.

Has risen, as he said. Alleluia.

Pray for us to God. Alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.

For the Lord is truly risen. Alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection

of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech you, that through

the intercession of the virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys

of everlasting life, through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary

My Queen and my Mother, I give myself entirely to you and in proof of my affection, I give you my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Since I am your own, keep me and guard me as your property and possession. 

Amen.

Mary, Mother of Grace

Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, shield me from the enemy and receive me at the hour of my death. 

Amen.

Dedication of the Month of May for the Blessed Virgin Mary

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!

The whole month of May is dedicated by Catholics to Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ and she is honoured in a special way. On each day of this month, special devotions to Mary are organized like the daily recitation of the Rosary. The faithful also honour statue of Mary is with a wreath of blossoms to indicate Mary's virtues and crowning of Our Lady's statue with flowers. The faithful in their churches, community and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration, and during this month greater abundance of God's merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother's throne.

There are several Marian feast days in May, including Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady, Help of Christians, Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Also called the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Rosary is one of the most excellent prayers to the Mother of God.

May is considered the season of the beginning of new life which led to a realization that May is very much the month of motherhood – this may be the reason why Mother’s Day is celebrated during May.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing.

You reign now in heaven with Jesus our King. 

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Maria!

In heaven the blessed your glory proclaim;

On earth we your children invoke your fair name. 

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Maria!

We pray for our mother, the Church upon earth, 

And bless, Holy Mary, the land of our birth.

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Maria!

Let us pray

My Queen, my Mother, I give myself entirely to you, and to show my devotion to you, I consecrate to you this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire self without reserve. As I am your own, my good Mother, guard me and defend me as your property and possession. Amen.

The Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 

that never was it known 

that anyone who fled to your protection, 

implored your help or sought your intercession, 

was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, 

I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, 

but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. 

Amen.

An Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Holy Mary, Mother of God and Virgin, I choose thee this day for my queen, patron, and advocate, and firmly resolve and purpose never to abandon thee, never to say or do anything against thee, nor to permit that aught be done by others to dishonour thee. Receive me, then, I conjure thee, as thy perpetual servant; assist me in all my actions, and do not abandon me at the hour of my death. Amen. 

St. John Berchmans

The Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, 

and holy is His name. 

And His mercy is on those who fear Him 

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm:

He has scattered the proud 

in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and exalted those of low degree.

He has filled the hungry with good things;

and the rich He has sent empty away.

He has helped His servant Israel, 

in remembrance of His mercy;

As He spoke to our fathers, 

to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

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

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

V. Lord, have mercy on us.

R. Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us.

R. Christ, graciously hear us.

Have mercy on us. (repeat at end of each phrase.)

God, the Father of Heaven,

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,

God, the Holy Spirit,

Holy Trinity, One God,

Pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.)

Holy Mary, 

Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of virgins,

Mother of Christ,

Mother of divine grace,

Mother most pure,

Mother most chaste,

Mother inviolate,

Mother undefiled,

Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,

Mother of good counsel,

Mother of our Creator,

Mother of our Savior,

Virgin most prudent,

Virgin most venerable,

Virgin most renowned,

Virgin most powerful,

Virgin most merciful,

Virgin most faithful,

Mirror of justice,

Seat of wisdom,

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

Vessel of honor,

Singular vessel of devotion,

Mystical rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of Heaven,

Morning star,

Health of the sick,

Refuge of sinners,

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of Angels,

Queen of Patriarchs,

Queen of Prophets,

Queen of Apostles,

Queen of Martyrs,

Queen of Confessors,

Queen of Virgins,

Queen of all Saints,

Queen conceived without Original Sin,

Queen assumed into Heaven,

Queen of the most holy rosary,

Queen of Peace.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

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

Let us pray:

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Mahatma Gandhi by his observance to the devotion to Mary

said

“The feeling has since then been growing on me, that all this kneeling and prayer could not be mere superstition; the devout souls kneeling before the Virgin could not be worshipping mere marble. I had the impression that I felt then that by this worship they were not detracting from, but adding to, the glory of God.”

Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast)

The Apostle Philip was one of Christ's first disciples, called after Jesus baptism by John the Baptist as in John 1:43, The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” At the Last Supper, Philip asked Jesus, show us the Father and Jesus was shocked by Philip’s request and replied, whoever has seen me has seen the Father as in John 14:8-9, Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? .Philip’s question and Jesus’ answer help us to understand that we are called to continue growing in our faith daily.

Saint Philip is the patron for hatters, Luxembourg, pastry chefs and Uruguay.

Saint James the Less of Cana, Galilee is the brother of the Apostle Jude.. Author of one of the Catholic Epistles in the New Testament. Saint James was favoured by an appearance of the Risen Christ as in 1 Corinthians 15:7, Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 

Saint James is the patron for apothecaries, druggists, dying people, fullers, hatmakers, hatters, milliners, pharmacists, Uruguay.

Both Saint Philip and Saint James were with Jesus throughout His ministry, that they were there at His death and resurrection, and that they were in the upper room at the first Christian Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down upon them.

Saint James relics now rest next to those of St. Philip in the church of the Holy Apostles in Rome, and their names are mentioned in the first list in the Canon of the Mass and this is the reason their feast day is on the same day.

Pray for your own bishop, 

and for our universal bishop, 

His Holiness Pope Francis, 

called to preside over the Church in charity.

Prayer

Almighty God, who gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Friday, May 03, 2013
Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast)

Reading

1 Corinthians 15: 1 - 8
1	Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand,
2	by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain.
3	For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,
4	that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,
5	and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6	Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
7	Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8	Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Psalm

Psalms 19: 2 - 5
2	Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
3	There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
4	yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5	which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Gospel

John 14: 6 - 14
6	Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
7	If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."
8	Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied."
9	Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?
10	Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11	Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
12	"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.
13	Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;
14	if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.