let me never forget You

"To encounter but once the Heart of the Lord Jesus is to never forget Him, and to be forevermore taken by love of this sweet Redeemer. Yet many will not allow their hearts to be conquered by the good Jesus because they fear the cost of being in love with Him; they fear the sacrifices that it would entail. For this reason it is necessary to have a pure heart...a heart detached from pride and from the world, so that nothing might keep one from surrendering to the love of Jesus. For it does hold one captive--this love--, yet whoever surrenders to it would never wish to be freed from its chains."~St. Faustina

Maxims for the Direction of a Soul that Desires to Obtain Perfection in the Love of Jesus Christ

by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

1. To desire ardently to increase in the love of Jesus Christ.

2. Often to make acts of love towards Jesus Christ. Immediately on waking, and before going to sleep, to make an act of love, seeking always to unite your own will to the will of Jesus Christ.

3. Often to meditate on his Passion.

4. Always to ask Jesus Christ for his love.

5. To communicate often, and many times in the day to make spiritual Communions.

6. Often to visit the Most Holy Sacrament.

7. Every morning to receive from the hands of Jesus Christ himself your own cross.

8. To desire Paradise and death, in order to be able to love Jesus Christ perfectly and for all eternity.

9. Often to speak of the love of Jesus Christ.

10. To accept contradictions for the sake of Jesus Christ.

11. To rejoice in the happiness of God.

12. To do that which is most pleasing to Jesus Christ, and not to refuse him anything that is agreeable to him.

13. To desire and to endeavor that all should love Jesus Christ.

14. To pray always for sinners and for the souls in purgatory.

15. To drive from your heart every affection that does not belong to Jesus Christ.

16. Always to have recourse to the most holy Mary, that she may obtain for us the love of Jesus Christ.

17. To honor Mary in order to please Jesus Christ.

18. To seek to please Jesus Christ in all your actions.

19. To offer yourself to Jesus Christ to suffer any pain for his love.

20 To be always determined to die rather than commit a willful venial sin.

21. To suffer crosses patiently, saying, "Thus it pleases Jesus Christ."

22. To renounce your own pleasures for the love of Jesus Christ.

23. To pray as much as possible.

24. To practice all the mortifications that obedience permits.

25. To do all your spiritual exercises as if it were for the last time.

26. To persevere in good works in the time of aridity.

27. Not to do nor yet to leave undone anything through human respect.

28. Not to complain in sickness.

29. To love solitude, to be able to converse alone with Jesus Christ.

30. To drive away melancholy.

37. Often to recommend yourself to those persons who love Jesus Christ.

32. In temptation, to have recourse to Jesus crucified, and to Mary in her sorrows.

33. To trust entirely in the Passion of Jesus Christ.

34. After committing a fault, not to be discouraged, but to repent and resolve to amend.

35. To do good to those who do evil.

36. To speak well of all, and to excuse the intention when you cannot defend the action.

37. To help your neighbor as much as you can.

38. Neither to say nor to do anything that might vex him. And if you have been wanting in charity, to ask his pardon and speak kindly to him.

39. Always to speak with mildness and in a low tone.

40. To offer to Jesus Christ all the contempt and persecution that you meet with.

41. To look upon [religious] Superiors as the representatives of Jesus Christ.

42. To obey without answering and without repugnance, and not to seek your own satisfaction in anything.

43. To like the lowest employments.

44. To like the poorest things.

45. Not to speak either good or evil of yourself.

46. To humble yourself even towards inferiors.

47. Not to excuse yourself when you are reproved.

48. Not to defend yourself when found fault with.

49. To be silent when you are disquieted.

50. Always to renew your determination of becoming a saint, saying, "My Jesus, I desire to be all Yours, and You must be all mine."

the value of suffering

One day, I saw two roads. One was broad, covered with sand and flowers, full of joy, music and all sorts of pleasures. People walked along it, dancing and enjoying themselves. They reached the end without realising it. And at the end of the roads there was a horrible precipice; that is the abyss of hell. The souls fell blindly into it; as they walked, so they fell. And their number was so great that it was impossible to count them. And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness, and all these souls entered there. At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings.
(Divine Mercy in My Soul, St Faustina)

some good quotes from 'the Imitation of Christ'

He who finds Jesus finds a rare treasure, indeed, a good above every good, whereas he who loses Him loses more than the whole world. The man who lives without Jesus is the poorest of the poor, whereas no one is so rich as the man who lives in His grace.

Choose the opposition of the whole world rather than offend Jesus. Of all those who are dear to you, let Him be your special love. Let all things be loved for the sake of Jesus, but Jesus for His own sake.

You must bring to God a clean and open heart if you wish to attend and see how sweet the Lord is.

When the grace of God comes to a man he can do all things, but when it leaves him he becomes poor and weak, abandoned, as it were, to affliction. Yet, in this condition he should not become dejected or despair. On the contrary, he should calmly await the will of God and bear whatever befalls him in praise of Jesus Christ, for after winter comes summer, after night, the day, and after the storm, a great calm.

someone shared this with me..

The most beautiful heart

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heartin the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or flaw in it. Yes. they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart

Suddenly,an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said,"Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine."The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly,but full of scars,it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in,but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact,in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.The people stared--how can he say his heart is more beautiful,they thought?

The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed."You must be joking,"he said."Compare your heart with mine,mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."Yes," said the old man,"yours is perfect looking but i would never trade with you.You see,every scar represents a person to whom i have given my love,I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them,and often they give me a piece of theirheart which fits into the empty place in my heart,but because the pieces aren't exact,I have some rough edges, which i cherish,because they remind me of the love we shared.Sometimes i have given pieces of my heart away,and the other person hasn't returned apiece of his heart to me.

These are the empty gouges--giving love is taking a chance.Although these gouges are painful,they stay open,reminding me of the love i have for thesepeople too,and i hope someday they may return and fill the space i have waiting.So now do you see what true beauty is?"The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks.He walked up to the old man,reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart,and ripped a piece out.He offered it to the old man with trembling hands.

The old man took his offering,placed it in his heart and then took a piece from hisold scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart.It fit, but not perfectly,as there were some jagged edges.The young man looked at his heart,not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever,since love from the old man's heart flowed into his.They embraced and walked away side by side.


Author unknown.

feast of the Immaculate Conception

Mary, I love you. Mary, make me live in God, with God, and for God. Draw me after you, holy mother. O Mary, may your children persevere in loving you Mary, Mother of God and mother of mercy, pray for me and for the departed. Mary, holy Mother of God, be our helper. In every difficulty and distress, come to our aid, O Mary. O Queen of Heaven, lead us to eternal life with God. Mother of God, remember me, and ahelp me always to remember you. O Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to you.Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.
(St Philip Neri)

Most Holy Mary Virgin Mother of God, I am unworthy to be your servant. Yet moved by your motherly care for me and longing to serve you, I choose you this day to be my Queen, my Advocate, and my Mother. I firmly resolve ever to be devoted to you and to do what I can to encourage others to be devoted to you.My loving Mother, through the Precious Blood of your Son shed for me, I beg you to receive me as your servant forever. Aid me in my actions and beg for me the grace never by thought, word, or deed to be displesing in your sight and that of your most holy Son. Remember me, dearest Mother, and do not abandon me at the hour of death.
(St Francis de Sales)

My powerful Queen, you are all mine through your mercy,and I am all yours. Take away from me all that may displease God and cultivate in me all that is pleasing to him. May the light of your faith dispel the darkness of my mind, your deep humilitytake the place of my pride, your continual sight of God fill my memory with his presence. May the first of the love of your heart inflame the lukewarmness of my own heart. May your virtues take the place of my sins. May your merits be my enrichment and make up for all that is wanting in me before God. My beloved Mother, grant that I may have no other spirit but your spirit, to know Jesus Christ and his divine will and to praise and glorify the Lord,that I may love God with burning love like yours. Amen.
(St Louis de Montfort)

Virgin full of grace, I know that at Nazareth you lived modestly,without requesting anything more. Neither ecstasies, nor miracles, nor other extra ordinary deeds enhanced your life, O Queen of the elect. The number of the lowly, “the little ones,” is very great on earth. They can raise their eyes to your without any fear. You are the incomparable Mother who walks with them along the common way to guide them to heaven. Beloved Mother, in this harsh exile, I want to live always with youand follow you every day. I am enraptured by the contemplation of you and I discover the depths of the love of your heart. All my fears vanish under your motherly gaze, which teaches me to weep and to rejoice! Amen.
(St Therese of Lisieux)

Grant me, O Mary, that I may get to know the cross; not only Jesus’ cross, but whatever cross fits me best. (St Gemma Galgani)

Give us a heart as beautiful, pure, and spotless as yours. A heart like yours, so full of love and humility. May we be able to receive Jesus as the Bread of Life, to love him as you loved him, to serve him under the mistreated face of the poor. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Mother Teresa)

May the life of Blessed Mary be ever present to our awareness. In her, as in a mirror, the form of virtue and beauty of chastity shrine forth. She was virgin, not only in body, but in mind and spirit. She never sullied the pure affection of her heart by unworthy feelings. She was humble of heart. She was serious in her conversations. She was prudent in her counsels. She was preferred to pray rather than to speak. She united in her heart the prayers of the poor And avoided the uncertainty of worldly riches. She was ever faithful to hr daily duties, Reserved in her conversations, and always accustomed to recognize God as the Witness of her thoughts. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Amen (St Ambrose)

We honor you, O Mary, Mother of God, treasure of the universe, inextinguishable flame, crown of virginity, scepter of the true faith, indestructible temple, Tabernacle of the one whom the world cannot contain, and Mother and Virgin. ...In your virginal wombyou enclosed the immense andincomprehensible One. Through you the Trinity is glorifiedand the cross is celebrated and adoredeverywhere on earth. Through youthe heavens exult with joy,the angels and archangels are glad, demons are put to flight, the demon tempter is cast out of heaven, and our fallen nature has againbeen assumed into heaven. ...It is through you that the only-begotten Son of God, who is the Light, shone amid the nationswho were seated in darkness and the shadow of death. What human voice can ever worthily celebrate the ineffable greatness of Mary? She is Mother and Virginat the same time. Through herpeace has been restored to the world.What peace?Our Lord Jesus Christ,whom Mary has brought forth! (St Cyril of Alexandria)

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

St Therese, Story of a Soul, Chapter 2

"that same evening, when the sun appeared to be sinking into the vast stretch of the waters beyond a golden path of light, I went with you to sit upon a lonely rock. I gazed for ages on this path of light, and you said it was an image of the path to Heaven when grace lights up the way.
Then I thought of my heart as a tiny ship with white and graceful sails gliding down the middle of a path of gold, and I resolved that I would never sail it out of sight of Jesus, so that it might voyage switfly and in peace toward the shores of Heaven".

a beautiful Christmas hymn

When blossoms flower e'er 'mid the snow,
Upon a winter night,
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose,
The King of Love and Light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang,
The grateful earth rejoiced;
And at His blessed birth the stars
Their exultation voiced.
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord.

"Tuus totus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt"

Recently i've been thinking a lot about this.. i think maybe i'll read that book by St Louis de Montfort. i'm still figuring out the theology.. i know it's approved by the Church, and - St Louis de Montfort is even being considered for Doctor of the Church!! :) so from the Catholic perspective, there is nothing wrong with this. the old Protestant in me is of course...much more skeptical.. but in my heart it somehow feels right, because i'm beginning to understand more the role that Mary has in my relationship with God... it is a beautiful idea to make this consecration and ask my Mother to present me to Jesus. i'll definitely be praying about all this..

i'd only do this once i'm officially in the Church and can receive the Eucharist, because i'd want to be more spiritually prepared and it is a big deal. i realize the gravity of it. it's essentially totally giving yourself up to God even to the point of being like a 'slave', being ready to do anything He asks. it even includes welcoming trials and suffering. it's not something to be taken lightly.. i feel very weak, unworthy, i don't think i could EVER be ready or strong enough for something like this.. yet i believe that God uses weakness, that if i rely on Him, He will give me strength to bear anything, and the grace to live entirely for Him. a part of me is afraid, because i really am very sinful and fearful and weak. But - on another hand, i rejoice in that, because that just makes it easier to surrender to God.. :) for the longest time i've been praying that He would help me love Him with all my heart, and i know that love isn't just a feeling, it involves sacrifice and is difficult.. and i believe that Mary, who loves God more than anyone, can teach me a lot about this. that's why i'm drawn to this whole idea.. i want to be more selfless, to TRULY put God first..

and i almost can't believe i'm even thinking about something like this, it seems like such a bold thing to do, because my sins are so great. but no matter what i want to trust in God's mercy. i trust that He will help me, even if i won't feel like He's helping me. so i hope that i am not being proud by thinking that i'm able to make a consecration like this, but - i am not relying on myself... i want to live entirely for God even if that means difficulty. but sometimes i'm afraid! i need Him so much.. nothing else matters, but Him.. He gave Himself entirely to me.. i want to do the same, because this is love..

maybe this would teach me to trust God like i never have before..
and i want that, i don't want to be lukewarm - if i'm going to follow Christ i want to follow all the way..

St. Stanislaus Kostka

St. Stanislaus Kostka Biography of a Saint
“Come let us go into the church and pray before the Blessed Sacrament.”

"The name Stanislaus means glory and honor. This young saint had to suffer many trials and difficulties in his short life, some due to family problems, especially problems with his brother. Many of us can relate to this saint in having pains that come from within our own family. Stanislaus was human like us, as were all of the saints. They cried and felt lonely and sad at times with the pain of not being loved. The saints help us to overcome our problems and difficulties with their testimonies of faith and love of God and with their intercessions for us, which are their prayers in heaven.

Our Lord, knowing St. Stanislaus would need special help in his life to fulfill his plan on earth, gave him a holy godfather. This godfather was a priest, and this priest baptized Stanislaus himself. The baptism took place on October 28, 1550 in Rostkow, Poland. Stanislaus, this day, became a child of God. On this holy day, Stanislaus was doubly blessed because after the Baptism, the priest, who was his godfather, took the child, Stanislaus, and laid him on the ground in front of the altar of the Blessed Sacrament and dedicated him to our Lord hidden in the Eucharist. This act of faith and prayer given to the Lord had a great effect on Stanislaus’ life as we soon shall see.

From his earliest years, Stanislaus had a tender love for the most holy Blessed Sacrament, this love was so great that it was said of him that his face would seem all on fire at the moment he would come in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.Sometimes Stanislaus’s friends saw him praying in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in ecstasy floating in air. He was often in ecstasy at Mass after receiving Holy Communion. The whole day after receiving Jesus, he could hardly bring himself to speak of anything else but the great love of Jesus in the Eucharist, and he spoke with such great joy and happiness that those who heard him delighted in his words of love.Stanislaus’ biggest trials were soon to begin as he entered his teen years. At the age of fourteen, he and his brother, Paul, were sent to Vienna to college. This older brother, Paul, was very cruel to him. Stanislaus was young and gentle and many times Paul would come home drunk, beat and kick him and make fun of his devotion to God. He would yell, “Why do you pray so much?” Then he told him that he should go to bars like other young men his age.

Stanislaus prayed for his brother’s conversion, and he received strength and love not only not to hate him, but to love him. This love came from heaven through Jesus in the Eucharist. One day, because of the abuse from his brother, Stanislaus had been unable to eat and eventually fell ill with a high fever and was near death.He called on help from Heaven. He prayed to St. Barbara to bring him Jesus for he loved Jesus and longed for Him in the Holy Eucharist. He suddenly saw a bright light and within this light was St. Barbara, accompanied by two angels. Bilinski, a friend who had been taking care of Stanislaus saw this vision, too. Stanislaus said, “Kneel down, adore the blessed Sacrament. Two angels of the Lord are with Him and the virgin martyr, St. Barbara.” Bilinski witnessed this miracle with his own eyes. He saw St. Barbara who was holding a gold chalice, give Holy Communion to Stanislaus.

After receiving Holy Communion, Stanislaus waited for Our Lord to come to take him to Heaven, but Our Lord had other plans. Suddenly, Mary appeared, holding the Baby Jesus. Our Lady placed her infant Son in his arms. Stanislaus thought he was dreaming, but no, this moment was real and true for he was holding in his arms and to his bosom, the Lord of Life. Mary told Stanislaus that he would get better as she took her Baby back in her arms. She told him to continue to follow Jesus and she encouraged him to try to become a Jesuit priest.Stanislaus lived for three more years, but his health began to decline. He truly wanted to be a priest, a Jesuit priest, but heaven willed him to go to God. He lived for ten more months as a saintly novice. He loved Our Lord in the Eucharist as an angel does, he loved Our Blessed Mother and always told everyone that she was his mother. He prayed to die on her feast day, and on the Feast of the Assumption, 1568, at the age of seventeen, Mary answered his prayers.

For on this day, August 15, as he laid in bed, worn out from his illness, he said, with eyes of joy “I see the Blessed Virgin Mary and she is surrounded by beautiful angels.”Through God’s grace and Stanislaus’ holiness, his brother converted. After his death, Paul wept greatly for abusing his brother. Grace opened his soul to change his life and he even entered a seminary. After Stanislaus’ death, people were shocked to hear the story, told by Paul, about how he so viciously mistreated his brother and was jealous of him. They had never heard Stanislaus complain. They soon realized that this young man was truly a saint who had suffered and loved all, especially those who treated him so badly, just like Jesus Himself had done.St. Stanislaus always longed to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and in Heaven. No matter how hard it was for him, he remained close to Jesus and Mary in prayer and would not let hate or bitterness enter into his heart. We can pray to Stanislaus to help us to love Jesus deeply in the Holy Eucharist and for help in our family difficulties so that we might have wisdom and strength to love those who do not love us or even those who may hate us. This love is divine, supernatural love, offered in the Holy Eucharist."

jealousy

i believe it is a great blessing to rejoice with those who rejoice. it is more difficult than weeping with those who weep. it is easy to feel jealous of someone's good fortune, and for Christians, it can be easy to feel envious of another's devotion to God or the gifts/graces they received from Him.

yet i think in Heaven, we will rejoice looking at the great Saints.. because we will only care about God's glory and not our own, and we'll see how the Virgin Mary, and the Apostles, and all the Saints, glorify Him. i so hope that God would help me have this perspective here on earth too.

some great quotes:

"No envious glances will be seen; the happiness of every one of the elect will be the happiness of all. With the Martyrs we shall be like to the Martyrs; with the Doctors we shall be as the Doctors; with the Virgins, as the Virgins; and just as the members of a family are proud of one another, so shall we be of our brethren, without the least jealousy.

Who knows even if the joy we shall experience in beholding the glory of the great Saints, and knowing that by a secret disposition of Providence we have contributed thereunto, who knows if this joy will not be as intense and sweeter perhaps, than the happiness they will themselves possess.

And do you not think that on their side the great Saints, seeing what they owe to quite little souls, will love them with an incomparable love? Delightful and surprising will be the friendships found there - I am sure of it. The favored companion of an Apostle or a great Doctor of the Church, will perhaps be a young shepherd lad; and a simple little child may be the intimate friend of a Patriarch. Oh! how I long to dwell in that Kingdom of Love... "

it's beautiful..
speaking of the last quote, i'd love to be friends with St Therese ;) who wrote this, not knowing that she'd be a Doctor of the Church herself. :)

Tantum Ergo

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.
Amen.

i'm thankful for..

Lord i'm thankful for Your unfailing love
for the way You gave me hope when i had none left
for how You never turn away from me
for being my best Friend
for being more than i had ever dared to hope or dream

i'm also thankful for..
humilitations
loneliness
sharing in Your suffering as You look upon the world
being sometimes misunderstood, because You were misunderstood

i love this verse

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Phil. 4:4-7

quote about Mother Teresa

"To love the poor for the love of Christ does not mean to love him "through a third party," but to love in person. This is the mystery that was impressed in the life of Mother Teresa and of which she prophetically reminded the Church.

The love of Jesus drove Mother Teresa, as it did other saints before her, to do things that no other motive in the world -- political, economic, humanitarian -- would have been able to make her do. Once, someone watching what Mother Teresa was doing with a poor man exclaimed: "I wouldn't do it for all the gold in the world!" Mother Teresa answered: "Neither would I!" Which meant: for all the gold in the world no, but for Jesus yes.

Mother Teresa was able to give to the poor not only bread, clothes and medicine, but that of which they have greater need: love, human warmth, dignity. It shocked her to recall the episode of a man found half-eaten by maggots in a rubbish dump who, after being taken home and looked after, said: "Sister, I have lived like an animal on the street, but I am going to die like an angel, loved and cared for," and he died shortly after saying with a big smile: "Sister, I am going to God's house." Mother Teresa with an abandoned child in her arms, or bending over someone dying is, I believe, the very icon of the tenderness of God."

the daily practice of adopting an unknown dying soul

"God’s mercy is so abundant that He wants to shower it upon earth. He sent His only Son, Our Lord to redeem sinners at the cost of Calvary. Christ would have died on that Cross to redeem but one soul, yet the One Sacrifice was sufficient for all. Redemption, however, does not suffice for salvation, as St. Paul warns us to work out our salvation “in fear and trembling.”

With the great Apostasy predicted by the Apostle to the Gentiles come upon us in these last days many souls are going to Hell: they either do not know how, or cannot pray for themselves. But Jesus Christ is waiting and now is the acceptable time, if only we, who do believe and do pray would only make it a daily habit of unfathomable charity and mercy, to spiritually adopt an unknown dying sinner, asking God for the grace for that person to repent or ask for mercy in his last moments. As a pledge of our fidelity and trust in Christ’s mercy, all we have to do is ask through our prayer offering, perhaps, if so moved, to offer the intention of our entire day, or to forego one small pleasure that is licit in exchange [not necessary but a gracious little work]; at the very least we should make the intention of bearing one inconvenience that day with more patience than is our usual wont, for the repentance of that soul.

Any formula of prayer can be used, but for those who prefer an assist, here is a short invocation that can be said for that soul:

A PRAYER FOR THE DYING AND A SPECIAL SOUL

O MOST MERCIFUL JESUS, lover of souls,
I beseech Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother,
wash clean in the Thy Blood the sinners of the whole world
who are to die this day.

Remember most especially the soul I spiritually adopt
with the intention of entrusting him or her to Thy Shepherd’s care:
I beseech Thee for the grace to move this sinner, who is in
danger of going to Hell, to repent. I ask this because of my
trust in Thy great mercy.

If it should please Thy Majesty to send me a suffering this day
in exchange for the grace I ask for this soul, then, it, too,
shall please me very much, and I thank Thee, Most Sweet Jesus,
Shepherd and Lover of Souls; I thank Thee for this
opportunity to give mercy in thanksgiving for all the mercies
Thou hast shown me. Amen.

Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying."

http://www.catholictradition.org/prayers1.htm
http://halfthekingdom.org/wordpress/2008/10/08/the-daily-practice-of-adopting-an-unknown-dying-soul/

"God is merciful to the good fighter"

God is Merciful to the Good Fighter
George Kalpouzos

A monk, as Saint Amphilochios relates, fell into fornication. From then on, he committed the same sin every day. Each time after the sin, he prayed with tears in his eyes for Jesus Christ to have mercy on him. Blinded by this bad habit, he committed the sin repeatedly. Immediately he rushed to the church, knelt in front of the icon of Christ and said with tears in his eyes, “Have mercy on me, oh Lord, and take away from me this temptation that makes me suffer and wounds my soul. I can’t see your face so that my soul can find peace.” After he said these words and left the church, he committed the same sin again. He didn’t lose hope for his salvation and he came back to the church praying the same way to the merciful God: “You are my witness, oh Lord, that from now on I will never commit this sin again. Oh loving God, forgive me for my past up to this moment for I have hurt You.” He committed “his lovely” sin again. His spiritual struggle lasted ten years.

Behold, the endless mercy of our Master and Lord Jesus Christ!

Finally, one day this monk committed the same sin. He rushed to the church weeping, crying and praying with tears in his eyes to the merciful God.

When the devil saw the persistent repentance of the monk, he appeared bodily in front of the monk and with wrath questioned God saying:

“Why do You accept this licentious and prodigal man who lies to You every day? Why don’t You cast him into fire? You are merciful to put up with him. You are not a righteous judge, but a one-sided one. You threw me down from heaven for just one sin of arrogance, but You forgive this perpetual lying, licentious and prodigal man because he cries before You. Where is Your righteousness?”

Then the voice of the Lord was heard from the altar saying:

“Evil and unclean spirit, aren’t you yet satisfied to lead the world into perdition? Do you want to grasp also him who bows before My mercy? Can you hold so many sins against him that they counter My Holy Blood that I have shed on the Cross for him? When he commits a sin, you don’t send him away but accept him happily. And you don’t discourage him for YOU wish to gain him. As I am merciful and have befriended man, how can you expect Me not to show mercy on him who draws near Me in repentance? I will never reject him until he becomes My heir. I was crucified for sinners and to save everyone who comes to Me.”

As soon as the devil heard the voice of the Lord, he started trembling, unable to move or say a word.

“Listen carefully, devilish spirit, who calls Me unjust. I am all righteous. I will judge each one under the circumstances he is in. Behold, I will save his soul and accept him who recently returned to me in repentance and contrition because he didn’t despair, but rather struggled for his salvation.”

At that time, the monk gave up his soul.

My beloved readers, do you understand how ineffable is God’s love and immeasurable is His mercy? Let us not neglect our salvation. Watch out not to fall into despair.

A Call for a Rosary Novena

by Fr. John Corapi

"Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception.

This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from thisbarbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.

May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well‐formed Catholic conscience.Please copy, email, link and distribute this article freely.
God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi


*Though our brothers and sisters in Christ who live outside of the United States are unable to vote in this upcoming election, we ask them to with us and for us.

i want to pray the Rosary for abortion in general both in the US and here in Canada... presently in Canada there is no abortion law at all. i wonder if all the things that are happening around the world today are chastisements for the world partly because of abortion?? (there are many other evils present too, but abortion is a big one, and unrecognized by most of society!) Maybe God is trying to wake us all up. i believe He is very saddened by abortion....i also believe that the Rosary is a powerful spiritual weapon and can help save many lives of unborn children.

Seven Disguises In Which God Frequently Sends His Graces

"In the disguise of ingratitude from friends.
In the disguise of being misunderstood.
In the disguise of failure.
In the disguise of being dishonored.
In the disguise of sickness.
In the disguise of poverty.
In the disguise of our daily work.
Our Lord isn’t anxious for us to suffer so let’s not complain to Him any more than is necessary! He sees us in our misery and looks forward to our final victory. If we could only appreciate the great work He’s doing in preparing these crosses for us." - St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Aspiration of love to Jesus Christ

"I. My Jesus, Thou alone art sufficient for me. My love, do not permit me to separate myself from Thee. When shall I be able to say, "My God, I cannot lose Thee any more?"

II. Lord, who am I, that Thou shouldst desire so much to be loved by me? And whom shall I love, if I love not Thee, my Jesus? Here I am, Lord; dispose of me as Thou pleasest. Give me Thy love; I ask nothing more. Make me all Thine before I die.

Ill. Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ have pity on me. My God, I wish for Thee alone, and nothing more.

IV. O my Jesus! would that I could be entirely spent for Thee, as Thou didst spend Thyself entirely for me! If I had died while I was in sin, I could no more have loved Thee; now that I can love Thee, I will love Thee as much as I can. To Thee do I consecrate all the remainder of my life. I wish only, and I wish in all things, that which Thou dost desire. When I see Thee for the first time, my Jesus, may it be with a look of mercy. May I die rather than ever offend Thee again. Thou wilt not leave me, I will not leave Thee; so shall our love endure in this world and in the next.

VI. I should be too ungrateful, O my Jesus, if I loved Thee but little, after so many graces. Thou didst give Thyself all to me; I give myself all to Thee. Thou lovest those that love Thee. I love Thee; do Thou also love me. If I love Thee but little, give Thou me the love Thou requirest of me. What hast Thou not done to oblige me to love Thee? Make me conquer all things to please Thee.

VII. Accept the love of a soul which has offended Thee so deeply. Show me the immense good Thou art, that I may love Thee exceedingly. I desire to love Thee exceedingly in this life, that I may love Thee exceedingly in the next.

VIII. I hope to love Thee for all eternity. O Eternal God! Oh that I had always loved Thee! Oh that I had died rather than have offended Thee! I give Thee my will, my liberty; dispose of me as Thou pleasest. May my only happiness be to please Thee, O Infinite Goodness. O my God! I rejoice in that Thou art infinitely happy.

IX.Thou art omnipotent; make me a Saint. Thou hast sought me while I was fleeing from Thee; Thou didst love me when I despised Thy love; abandon me not, now that I seek Thee and love Thee. May I this day give myself wholly to Thee.

X. Send me any chastisement, but deprive me not of the power of loving Thee. I thank Thee that Thou givest me time to love Thee. I love Thee, my Jesus, I love Thee; and I hope to die repeating, "I love Thee, I love Thee."

XI. I desire to love Thee without reserve, and to do all that I know to be pleasing to Thee. I love Thy good pleasure more than all the pleasures of the world. I accept all the troubles that may happen to me, provided I love Thee, O my God. O my Jesus! that I could die for Thee, as Thou didst die for me!

XII. Oh that I could make all men love Thee as Thou deservest! O will of God, thou art my love. O God of love, give me love."

(i don't know who wrote this)

Litany of the Passion

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven,have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, the eternal Wisdom, have mercy on us.
Jesus, conversing with men, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hated by the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, sold for thirty pieces of silver, have mercy on us.
Jesus, prostrate in prayer, have mercy on us.
Jesus, strengthened by an angel, have mercy on us.
Jesus, agonizing in a bloody sweat, have mercy on us.
Jesus, betrayed by Judas with a kiss, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bound by the soldiers, have mercy on us.
Jesus, forsaken by your disciples, have mercy on us.
Jesus, before Annas and Caiaphas, have mercy on us.
Jesus, struck by a servant on the face, have mercy on us.
Jesus, accused by false witnesses, have mercy on us.
Jesus, declared worthy of death, have mercy on us.
Jesus, spit upon in the face, have mercy on us.
Jesus, blindfolded, have mercy on us.
Jesus, smitten on the cheek, have mercy on us.
Jesus, thrice denied by Peter, have mercy on us.
Jesus, delivered up to Pilate, have mercy on us.
Jesus, despised and mocked by Herod, have mercy on us.
Jesus, clothed in a white garment, have mercy on us.
Jesus, rejected for Barabbas, have mercy on us.
Jesus, torn by sources, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bruised for our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, regarded as a leper, have mercy on us.
Jesus, covered with a purple robe, have mercy on us.
Jesus, crowned with thorns, have mercy on us.
Jesus, struck with a reed, have mercy on us.
Jesus, demanded for crucifixion, have mercy on us.
Jesus, condemned to death, have mercy on us.
Jesus, given up to your enemies, have mercy on us.
Jesus, laden with the Cross, have mercy on us.
Jesus, led as a lamb to the slaughter, have mercy on us.
Jesus, stripped of your garmenets, have mercy on us.
Jesus, fastened with nails to the Cross, have mercy on us.
Jesus, wounded for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Jesus, praying for your murderers, have mercy on us.
Jesus, reputed with the wicked, have mercy on us.
Jesus, blasphemed on the Cross, have mercy on us.
Jesus, reviled by the malefactor, have mercy on us.
Jesus, giving Paradise to the thief, have mercy on us.
Jesus, commending Saint John to your Mother as her son, have mercy on us.
Jesus, forsaken by your Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, given gall and vinegar to drink, have mercy on us.
Jesus, testifying that all things written concerning you were accomplished, have mercy on us.
Jesus, commending your spirit into the hands of your Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, obedient even unto death, have mercy on us.
Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Jesus, made a propiation for us, have mercy on us.
Jesus, taken down from the Cross, have mercy on us.
Jesus, laid in a sepulcher, have mercy on us.
Jesus, rising gloriously from the dead, have mercy on us.
Jesus, ascending into heaven, have mercy on us.
Jesus, our Advocate with the Father, have mercy on us.
Jesus, sending down the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Jesus, exalting your Mother, have mercy on us.
Jesus, who shall come to judge the living and the dead, have mercy on us.

Be merciful,
spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful,
graciously hear us, O Lord.

From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From anger, hatred, and every evil will,deliver us, O Jesus.
From war, famine, and pestilence, deliver us, O Jesus.
From all dangers of mind and body, deliver us, O Jesus.
From everlasting death,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your most pure conception,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your miraculous nativity,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your humble circumcision,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your baptism and fasting,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your labors and watchings,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your cruel scourging and crowning,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your thirst, and tears, and nakedness,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your precious death and Cross,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your glorious resurrection and ascension,deliver us, O Jesus.
Through your sending forth the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,deliver us, O Jesus.

On the day of judgment, we sinners, we beseech you, hear us.
That you would spare us,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would pardon us, we beseech you, hear us.
That you would bring us to true penance,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would pour into our hearts the grace of the Holy Spirit,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would defend and propagate your Church,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would preserve and increase all societies assembled in your holy Name,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would bestow upon us true peace, humility, and charity,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would give us perseverance in grace and in your holy service,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would deliver us from unclean thoughts, the temptations of the devil, and everlasting damnation,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would unite us to the company of your Saints,we beseech you, hear us.
That you would graciously hear us,we beseech you, hear us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world;have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

all my hope is in the Lord

i feel like such a sinner right now.. it seems that i am not doing anything right, and all my attempts at loving God are so insignificant and tainted by my sinfulness. i feel like the weakest most in need sinner who ever lived. i read somewhere that the closer we are to God, the simpler and more humble and more childlike we are.. but i don't think i'm any of these things, i'm ..proud and i don't have a pure heart. i don't have enough of anything..not enough love, not enough virtue, not enough humility....i really hope that God, who is infinite in goodness, would grant me some grace so that i can follow Him. i don't have anything of my own. oh i hope He would forgive me!!! i believe He never turns away anyone with a contrite heart!

yes, maybe the only correct thing to do right now is to trust in God's mercy and be content with being so small and weak.? St Therese wrote a lot about this and this is her "little way".. and is God not most glorified in weakness?

i want to love God with all my heart and be fully obedient to His will, and to surrender myself to Him.. like the saints did.. but i wonder if i could even do this, i trust in God's mercy but i fear that i won't be able to accept His grace the way i should. what if i'm resisting every one of His attempts to help me grow?

i don't even know. i feel like God is keeping me in some sort of darkness where i can't see what is happening. maybe even this is a grace. i'll just keep on trusting Him.. maybe this is meant to humble me.
i want to be the type of person who has forgotten self and who only cares about pleasing God, even at great cost. and someone whose only reward is Jesus Himself.

Lord i give You myself as i am..
let me be consumed by Your love.. i don't ask for consolations, but to give consolation to You.

"I desire no sensible consolation in loving; provided Jesus feel my love that is enough for me. Oh! to love Him and to make Him loved... how sweet it is..." St Therese

i think this is why i was created.. to console Jesus' Sacred Heart - especially in the Eucharist - and offer myself to Him in reparation ..even if this means suffering or trial.. to give myself as He has given Himself to me... and to do this not wanting anything in return except loving and knowing Him always. i am an in-need sinner but the Lord's mercy is endless, and i will praise His mercy forever!
Lord i know that You will never leave me..so all that i ask for is to love You forever, to let my life be an outpouring of love for You... i want to make You smile with everything i do

Lord i have no confidence in myself, but i have confidence in You.. I DO NOT KNOW how to make myself love You more, so what i will do is i will pray for this...even if it would take me many years to learn how to love You, i will keep on asking this of You Lord! i want to love You with everything i have! Jesus permit me to never be separated from You.. guard me from mortal sin.. Jesus make me Yours forever, and there is nothing else i want in the whole world.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise"

"yes, i feel it; even though i had on my conscience all the sins that can be committed, i would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into the arms of Jesus, for i know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him" (st Therese)

Jesus I trust in You!

quotes - St Padre Pio - part 1

short biography:
http://www.padrepiodevotions.org/index.asp?pagename=biography
amazing.

quotes:

Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You. . .

Don't allow any sadness to dwell in your soul, for sadness prevents the Holy Spirit from acting freely.

The more you are afflicted, the more you ought to rejoice, because in the fire of tribulation the soul will become pure gold, worthy to be placed and to shine in the heavenly palace.

You must not be discouraged or let yourself become dejected if your actions have not succeeded as perfectly as you intended. What do you expect? We are made of clay and not every soil yields the fruits expected by the one who tills it. But let us always humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are nothing if we lack the Divine assistance.

Keep your eyes fixed on Him who is your guide to the heavenly country, where He is leading you. What does it matter to you whether Jesus wishes to guide you to Heaven by way of the desert or by the meadow, so long as He is always with you and you arrive at the possession of a blessed eternity?

You must concentrate on pleasing God alone, and if He is pleased, you must be pleased.

In the first place, I want you to know that Jesus needs someone to mourn with Him for human wickedness. This is why he leads me along the sorrowful paths. But blessed be His charity forever. He knows how to combine the bitter with the sweet and convert the fleeting pains of this life into eternal happiness.

In all the events of life, you must recognize the Divine will. Adore and bless it, especially in the things which are the hardest for you.

You must always humble yourself lovingly before God and before men, because God speaks only to those who are truly humble and He enriches them with His gifts.

Hold on tightly to the Rosary. Be very grateful to the Madonna because it was she who gave us Jesus.

Charity is the measure by which Our Lord judges all things.

It would be well to remember that the graces and consolations of prayer are not waters of this earth but of Heaven. Therefore, all our efforts are not sufficient to make them fall, even though it be necessary to prepare oneself with great diligence.

The earth could exist more easily without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass.

As long as you receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament every morning, you must consider yourself extremely fortunate.

As regards mortification of the flesh, St. Paul warns us that those who belong to "Christ Jesus, have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" - Galatians 5:24. From this holy apostle's teaching it is apparent that anyone who wants to be a true Christian, that is to say, who lives according to the true spirit of Jesus Christ, must mortify his flesh for no other reason than devotion to Jesus, who for love of us, mortified His entire body on the cross. The mortification must be constant and steady, not intermittent, and it must last for one's whole life.

Let us keep before our minds that which makes up real holiness. Holiness means getting above ourselves; it means perfect mastery of all our passions. It means having real and continual contempt for ourselves and for the things of the world to the point of preferring poverty rather than wealth, humiliation rather than glory, suffering rather than pleasure. Holiness means loving our neighbor as ourself for love of God. In this connection holiness means loving those who curse us, who hate and persecute us and even doing good to them. Holiness means living humbly, being disinterested, prudent, just, patient, kind, chaste, meek, diligent, carrying out one's duties for no other reason than that of pleasing God and receiving from Him alone the reward one deserves

Take care of your spirit, flee idleness and all immoral conversation. . .always remembering the words of the apostle, that our virtue is preserved in very fragile vessels.

Bless Him in all that He makes you suffer on this earth and rejoice in it, for each victory gained has a corresponding crown in paradise.

Do not let the persecution of worldlings and of all those who live without the Spirit of Jesus Christ deter you from following the road trodden by the saints.

Jesus permits the spiritual combat as a purification, not as a punishment. The trial is not unto death but unto salvation.

Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes. In your mind's eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption.

There are moments when I think of the severity of Jesus and I start to worry; then I begin to think of His tenderness and I am consoled. It would be impossible for me not to abandon myself to this sweetness, this happiness.

God commands us to love Him, not as much as He deserves, because He knows our capabilities and therefore He does not ask us to do what we cannot do. But He asks us to love Him according to our strength, with all our soul, all our mind, and all our heart.

Give yourself up into the arms of your Heavenly Mother. She will take good care of your soul.

But let us take heart. . .Let us glance at the Divine Master who prayed in the Garden and we will discover the true ladder which unites the earth to Heaven. We will discover that humility, contrition and prayer make the distance between man and God disappear, and act in such a way that God descends to man, and man ascends to God, so that they end up understanding, loving and possessing one another.

In darkness, at times of tribulation and distress of the spirit, Jesus is with you. In such a state you see nothing but darkness, but I can assure you on God's behalf that the light of the Lord is all around you and pervades your spirit. . .You see yourself forsaken and I assure you that Jesus is holding you tighter than ever to His divine Heart.

O Jesus, how many generous souls. . .have kept Thee company in the Garden, sharing Thy bitterness and Thy mortal anguish. . .How many hearts in the course of the centuries have responded generously to Thy invitation. . .May this multitude of souls, then, in this supreme hour, be a comfort to Thee, who, better than the disciples, share with Thee the distress of Thy heart, and cooperate with Thee for their own salvation and that of others. And grant that I also may be of their number, that I also may offer Thee some relief.

Don't lose heart if it is your lot to work alot and gather little. If you considered what one soul alone costs Jesus, you would never complain.

Let us remember that the Heart of Jesus has called us not only for our own sanctification, but also for that of other souls. He wants to be helped in the salvation of souls.

When disturbed by passions and misfortunes, may the sweet hope of His inexhaustible mercy sustain us. Let us hasten confidently to the tribunal of penance where He awaits us at every instant with the anxiety of a father; and even though we are aware of our inability to repay Him, let us have no doubts about the solemn pardon pronounced over our errors. Let us place a tombstone over them, just as the Lord has done.

Don't worry about tomorrow because the very same Heavenly Father who takes care of you today will have the same thought tomorrow and always. . . What does a child in the arms of such a Father have to fear? Be as children, who hardly ever think about their future as they have someone to think for them. They are sufficiently strong just by being with their father.

My only regret is that I have no adequate means with which to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary, through whose intercession I have undoubtedly received so much strength from the Lord, to bear with sincere resignation the many humiliations to which I am subjected day after day. . . And I do not believe this strength comes to me from the world.

You ought to ask our Lord for just one thing, to love Him. All the rest should be thanksgiving.

I confess in the first place that for me it is a great misfortune to be unable to express and pour out this ever-active volcano which burns me up and which Jesus has placed in this very small heart of mine. It can all be summed up as follows - I am consumed by love for God and love for my neighbor.

We must humble ourselves on seeing how little self-control we have and how much we love comfort and rest. Always keep Jesus before your gaze; He did not come to rest nor to be comfortable either in spiritual or temporal matters, but to fight, to mortify Himself and to die.

I have never trusted in myself; I can state before my conscience that I never took a step without the advice of another, and as for the steps already taken I always reconsidered, always asked for new insight from as many people as I happened upon.

We must keep the eye of faith fixed on Jesus Christ who climbs the hill of Calvary loaded with his Cross, and as he toils painfully up the steep slope of Golgotha we should see him followed by an immense throng of souls carrying their own crosses and treading the same path. Oh, what a beautiful sight this is. Let us fix our mental gaze firmly on it. We see close behind Jesus our most holy Mother, who follows him perfectly, loaded with her own cross. Then comes the Apostles, Martyrs, Doctors, Virgins and Confessors. . .Jesus himself, despite all our unworthiness, has associated us with this beautiful company. We must make every effort to merge ourselves increasingly in these ranks and hasten with them along the road to Calvary. We should look to the end of the journey and not separate ourselves from this fine company; we must refuse to follow any other way than the one they tread.

My usual manner of praying is this: I no sooner begin to pray than my soul becomes enveloped in a peace and tranquility that words cannot describe. . .All I can say about this prayer is that my soul seems to be completely lost in God and that in those moments it gains more than it could in many years of intensive spiritual exercises.

Serene in our faith and tranquil in our soul, let us pray and continue to pray, because intense and fervent prayer pierces the heavens and is backed up by a Divine guarantee.

I do not know what will happen to me; I only know one thing for certain, that the Lord will never fall short of His promises. "Do not fear, I will make you suffer, but I will also give you the strength to suffer," Jesus tells me continually. "I want your soul to be purified and tried by a daily hidden martyrdom". . ."How many times," Jesus said to me a little while ago, "would you have abandoned me, my son, if I had not crucified you."

In order to attract us the Lord gives us many graces and we imagine we are almost in Heaven. We do not know, however, that to grow we need hard bread - crosses, humiliations, trials and contradictions.

quotes - St. Padre Pio - Part 2

You are mistaken, greatly mistaken, when you want to measure the soul's love for its Creator by the delightful feelings it experiences in loving God. This kind of love belongs to those who are still spiritually immature. . .On the other hand, the love of those who have left this spiritual infancy behind them is a love which experiences neither taste nor delight in what is called the sensitive part of the soul. We have a sure sign that these people really love God when we observe their readiness to keep God's holy law; their constant watchfulness so that they may not fall into sin; their habitual desire to see the heavenly Father glorified, while losing no chance to spread the kingdom of God as far as lies in their power; when we see them praying continually to God the Father in the same words of our divine Master, Our Father. . .Thy kingdom come.

Place your heart gently in Our Lord's wounds. Have great confidence in His mercy for He will never abandon you.

In this life Jesus does not ask you to carry the heavy cross with Him, but a small piece of His cross, a piece that consists of human suffering.

If there wasn't anything else in a soul but the desire to love God, this would be sufficient because God Himself is there. He is not present where there is no desire to love Him.

All our life, all our actions and all our aspirations must be directed in reparation for the offences that our ungrateful brothers continually commit.

The Mass is infinite like Jesus. . .Ask an angel what the Mass is, and he will reply to you in truth,"I understand what it is and why it is offered, but I do not, however, understand how much value it has." One angel, a thousand angels, all of Heaven know this and think like this.

Our imperfections will accompany us to the grave; we cannot walk without touching the ground. It is true that we must not lie on the ground nor turn our face to it, but neither should we attempt to fly, for in the ways of the spirit, we are like young birds that have not yet grown wings.

My heart is filled with a fire of love....It is a delicate and very gentle flame which consumes without causing any pain....this is a wonderful thing for me, something I will perhaps never understand until I get to Heaven.

In our thoughts and in confession, we must not dwell on sins that were previously confessed. Because of our contrition, Jesus forgave them at the tribunal of penitence. It was there that He faced us and our destitution, like a creditor standing before an insolvent debtor. With a gesture of infinite generosity, He tore up and destroyed the promissory notes which we signed with our sins, and which we would certainly not have been able to pay without the help of His Divine clemency.

Remember, our suffering is brief but our reward is eternal. You must remain calm, or at least resigned, but always convinced in the voice of authority. You must confide in it, without fearing the rages of the storm, because the vessel of your soul will never be submerged. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the Word of God, that assures the one who obeys it will find victory, will never pass away and will always remain fixed in indelible script in the Book of Life: I will exist forever.

The thought of God's mercy is the only thing that sustains me.

Souls are not given as a gift; they are bought. Don't you know what they cost Jesus? They must be paid for with the same coin.

Remember that our soul is the temple of God, and as such, we must keep it pure and spotless before God and His angels.

Divine help will not be lacking. Don't desire this state to be removed but say to Jesus, "Lord, act in the way and to the extent You wish. If You are happy, I am happy."

How many time I have entrusted to this Mother (the Virgin Mary) the painful anxieties of my heart. And how many times she has consoled me.....With what great attention she accompanied me to the altar this morning. It seemed to me that she had nothing else to think about but me, filling my heart with holy sentiments. I felt a mysterious fire in my heart, which I could not understand. I felt the need to put ice on in in order to extinguish the fire that was consuming me.

Keep in good spirits, abandon yourself to the Divine Heart of Jesus, leaving all your anxieties to Him. Consider yourself always last among our Lord's lovers. . .clothe yourself with humility toward others, because He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. The more the graces and favors of Jesus increase in your soul the more you must humble yourself, always keeping in mind the humility of our celestial Mother, who the instant she became the Mother of God, declared herself servant and handmaid of God.

The Christian's motto is the cross. You will recognize God's love by this sign, by the sufferings He sends you.

The field of battle between God and Satan is the human soul. This is where it takes place every moment of our lives. The soul must give free access to our Lord and be completely fortified by Him with every kind of weapon. His light must illuminate it to fight the darkness of error. He must put on Jesus Christ, His truth and justice, the shield of faith, the word of God to overcome such powerful enemies. To put on Jesus Christ we must die to ourselves.

The Lord is willing to do great things, but on condition that we are truly humble.

Let us now consider what the soul must do to be certain of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is all a question of mortification of the flesh with its vices and concupiscence. . . . .On this subject the Apostle warns, "If we live for the Spirit we will walk in the Spirit," as if he wanted to tell us for our edification: Do we want to live spiritually, that is to say, to be moved and guided by the Holy Spirit? Then let us take care to mortify our spirit, which, when it is satisfied, makes us impetuous and weary. Let us take care to repress vainglory, wrath and envy. These are three evil spirits that enslave the majority of mankind. These three evil spirits are extremely opposed to the Spirit of the Lord.

The good we endeavor to do to others will always result in the sanctification of our own souls.

We have a double life; one is natural, that which we have from Adam through human generation and therefore an earthly life - corruptible, self-centered and full of passions. The other which we have from Jesus in baptism is supernatural and therefore a spiritual life - heavenly and with a capacity for virtue. Through baptism, a real transformation is made in us. We are brought to die to sin; we are grafted onto Jesus Christ in such a manner that we live His very same life.

Jesus continues to love me and to draw me closer to Himself. He has forgotten my sins, and I would say that He remembers only His own mercy. . .Each morning He comes into my heart and pours out all the effusions of His goodness.

The Spirit of God is a spirit of peace. Even in the most serious faults He makes us feel a sorrow that is tranquil, humble, and confident. This is precisely because of His mercy. The spirit of the devil, instead, excites, exasperates, and makes us feel, in that very sorrow, anger against ourselves. We should, on the contrary, be charitable with ourselves first and foremost. Therefore if any thought agitates you, this agitation never comes from God, who gives you peace, being the Spirit of Peace, but from the devil.

Endure tribulations, illness, and pain, for the love of God and for the conversion of poor sinners.

May the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother, obtain for us from her Son the grace to live a life according to the heart of God, a life that is entirely interior and hidden in Him.

Humility and charity are the main supports of the whole vast building and all the other virtues depend on them. One makes up the foundation; the other, the roof of the building, the sturdiness of which depends on both. If the heart constantly dedicates itself to the practice of these two virtues, it will have no difficulty with all the others.

Our Lord loves you and loves you tenderly; and if He does not let you feel the sweetness of His love, it is to make you more humble and abject in your own eyes.

Place all your trust in the heart of sweet Jesus......Never abandon your faith and renew it always. Faith has never abandoned any man, and far less so will it forsake a soul that yearns to love God.

Consider that we are always in the presence of God to whom we have to give account for our every action, both good and bad.

Let us try to serve the Lord with all our heart and will. He will always give us more than we deserve.

I am ready for anything as long as Jesus is happy and will save the souls of my brethren, especially those He has entrusted to my care.

He wants you entirely for Himself. He wants you to place all your trust and all your affection in Him alone.

The souls that suffer the most are favorites of the Sacred Heart; and you may rest assured that Jesus has chosen your soul to be the favorite of His adorable heart. You must hide yourself in this Heart; in this Heart you must give vent to your ardent desires, in this Heart you must live out the days that Providence will grant you; in this Heart you must die when the Lord so wishes.

Gethsemane

this is from a book called "the dolorous passion of our Lord Jesus Christ", which is a collection of visions that a nun (Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich) had about Christ's Passion. she had many visions during her life and also the stigmata. she was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II.
i believe that her visions are authentic, but i really DON'T KNOW for sure... they were recorded for her by a friend and we can't say for sure if everything was written down accurately. but they are inspiring me to love God more so for that i am thankful :) it's UNBELIEVEABLE how much He went through... WOW... :(

it is not meant to replace the Gospels in any way but just to lead people to a greater appreciation of what is written there.

"When our Redeemer, on Mount Olivet, was pleased to experience and overcome that violent repugnance of human nature to suffering and death which constitutes a portion of all sufferings, the tempter was permitted to do to him what he does to all men who desire to sacrifice themselves in a holy cause. In the first portion of the agony, Satan displayed before the eyes of our Lord the enormity of that debt of sin which he was going to pay, and was even bold and malicious enough to seek faults in the very works of our Saviour himself. In the second agony, Jesus beheld, to its fullest extent and in all its bitterness, the expiatory suffering which would be required to satisfy Divine Justice. This was displayed to him by angels; for it belongs not to Satan to show that expiation is possible, and the father of lies and despair never exhibits the works of Divine Mercy before men. Jesus having victoriously resisted all these assaults by his entire and absolute submission to the will of his Heavenly Father, a succession of new and terrifying visions were presented before his eyes, and that feeling of doubt and anxiety which a man on the point of making some great sacrifice always experiences, arose in the soul of our Lord, as he asked himself the tremendous question: ‘And what good will result from this sacrifice?’ Then a most awful picture of the future was displayed before his eyes and overwhelmed his tender heart with anguish.

When God had created the first Adam, he cast a deep sleep upon him, opened his side, and took one of his ribs, of which he made Eve, his wife and the mother of all the living. Then he brought her to Adam, who exclaimed: ‘This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. . . . Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh.’ That was the marriage of which it is written: ‘This is a great Sacrament. I speak in Christ and in the Church.’ Jesus Christ, the second Adam, was pleased also to let sleep come upon him—the sleep of death on the cross, and he was also pleased to let his side be opened, in order that the second Eve, his virgin Spouse, the Church, the mother of all the living, might be formed from it. It was his will to give her the blood of redemption, the water of purification, and his spirit—the three which render testimony on earth—and to bestow upon her also the holy Sacraments, in order that she might be pure, holy, and undefiled; he was to be her head, and we were to be her members, under submission to the head, the bone of his bones, and the flesh of his flesh. In taking human nature, that he might suffer death for us, he had also left his Eternal Father, to cleave to his Spouse, the Church, and he became one flesh with her, by feeding her with the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar, in which he unites himself unceasingly with us. He has been pleased to remain on earth with his Church, until we shall all be united together by him within her fold, and he has said: ‘The gates of hell shall never prevail against her.’ To satisfy his unspeakable love for sinners, our Lord had become man and a brother of these same sinners, that so he might take upon himself the punishment due to all their crimes. He had contemplated with deep sorrow the greatness of this debt and the unspeakable sufferings by which it was to be acquitted. Yet he had most joyfully given himself up to the will of his Heavenly Father as a victim of expiation. Now, however, he beheld all the future sufferings, combats, and wounds of his heavenly Spouse; in one word, he beheld the ingratitude of men.

The soul of Jesus beheld all the future sufferings of his Apostles, disciples, and friends; after which he saw the primitive Church, numbering but few souls in her fold at first, and then in proportion as her numbers increased, disturbed by heresies and schisms breaking out among her children, who repeated the sin of Adam by pride and disobedience. He saw the tepidity, malice, and corruption of an infinite number of Christians, the lies and deceptions of proud teachers, all the sacrileges of wicked priests, the fatal consequences of each sin, and the abomination of desolation in the kingdom of God, in the sanctuary of those ungrateful human beings whom he was about to redeem with his blood at the cost of unspeakable sufferings.

The scandals of all ages, down to the present day and even to the end of the world—every species of error, deception, mad fanaticism, obstinacy, and malice—were displayed before his eyes, and he beheld, as it were floating before him, all the apostates, heresiarchs, and pretended reformers, who deceive men by an appearance of sanctity. The corrupters and the corrupted of all ages outraged and tormented him for not having been crucified after their fashion, or for not having suffered precisely as they settled or imagined he should have done. They vied with each other in tearing the seamless robe of his Church; many ill-treated, insulted, and denied him, and many turned contemptuously away, shaking their heads at him, avoiding his compassionate embrace, and hurrying on to the abyss where they were finally swallowed up. He saw countless numbers of other men who did not dare openly to deny him, but who passed on in disgust at the sight of the wounds of his Church, as the Levite. passed by the poor man who had fallen among robbers. Like unto cowardly and faithless children, who desert their mother in the middle of the night, at the sight of the thieves and robbers to whom their negligence or their malice has opened the door, they fled from his wounded Spouse. He beheld all these men, sometimes separated from the True Vine, and taking their rest amid the wild fruit trees, sometimes like lost sheep, left to the mercy of the wolves, led by base hirelings into bad pasturages, and refusing to enter the fold of the Good Shepherd who gave his life for his sheep. They were wandering homeless in the desert in the midst of the sand blown about by the wind, and were obstinately determined not to see his City placed upon a hill, which could not be hidden, the House of his Spouse, his Church built upon a rock, and with which he had promised to remain to the end of ages. They built upon the sand wretched tenements, which they were continually pulling down and rebuilding, but in which there was neither altar nor sacrifice; they had weathercocks on their roofs, and their doctrines changed with the wind, consequently they were for ever in opposition one with the other. They never could come to a mutual understanding, and were for ever unsettled, often destroying their own dwellings and hurling the fragments against the Corner Stone of the Church, which always remained unshaken.

As there was nothing but darkness in the dwellings of these men, many among them, instead of directing their steps towards the Candle placed on the Candlestick in the House of the Spouse of Christ, wandered with closed eyes around the gardens of the Church, sustaining life only by inhaling the sweet odours which were diffused from them far and near, stretching forth their hands towards shadowy idols, and following wandering stars which led them to wells where there was no water. Even when on the very brink of the precipice, they refused to listen to the voice of the Spouse calling them, and, though dying with hunger, derided, insulted, and mocked at those servants and messengers who were sent to invite them to the Nuptial Feast. They obstinately refused to enter the garden, because they feared the thorns of the hedge, although they had neither wheat with which to satisfy their hunger nor wine to quench their thirst, but were simply intoxicated with pride and self-esteem, and being blinded by their own false lights, persisted in asserting that the Church of the Word made flesh was invisible. Jesus beheld them all, he wept over them, and was pleased to suffer for all those who do not see him and who will not carry their crosses after him in his City built upon a hill—his Church founded upon a rock, to which he has given himself in the Holy Eucharist, and against which the gates of Hell will never prevail."

sharing God's love

i can't remember where this is from, but i think it was from a website about a religious order..? anyway, i thought it's such a great idea!

“After attending Mass, and adoring our Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament and praying together as a community, we have now opened our hearts to our Lord’s love, mercy, compassion and peace. He has filled us with His graces and blessings and He wishes us to go out and be His instruments of love, mercy, compassion and peace by touching people in need with His hands, His words, and His comfort….

“The poor, the homeless, the broken, the lonely, the sick, the distressed, these are all God’s children in need of His love and care. If we look at these people through our own eyes, or listen to them with our own ears, we may be afraid or repelled, but if we look at them through the eyes of Jesus and hear their pleas with the ears of Jesus, we can only respond with love, patience, kindness, compassion and understanding. It is the Lord’s response to them through us, that will be the light in their darkness. When they see the light of Jesus’ love through us they will be drawn to Him.

“This is when we, and the people God touches through us, will experience the profound blessings to be witnesses and participants in God’s gracious love and mercy in action.”

Your Holy Face

song by Paul Lisney

(based on the Catholic devotion)

I rest with You in prayer
The night is quiet and
the soft light plays upon the beauty of Your face

I look into Your eyes
And feel You come to life
The face behind the Shroud
Your eyes beholding me

But if I saw You truly as You were
Your beauty marred by those You loved
I could not look upon Your Holy Face
Disfigured, bruised, torn and bleeding
Repulsed by all, Your Mother (Father) weeping
Forgive me for I fear I could not look upon Your face

Your portrait in my hands
I see more than a man
Images and hallowed scenes come to life before me

Your Mother's face comes into view
Your eyes are hers, it's true
I gaze in wonder, feeling peace
Her gentle smile soothing

The Cross is plain to see
The light of love emblazoned in Your countenance
Promising life to all who will believe

But in the shadows of Your face
A darker Cross reveals its place
Showing me the price You paid to loose the
chains that bind me

But when I see myself through Your eyes
And understand that Your beauty
Was marred by all the wrong I've ever done
You bore the ugliness of all my sins
It was my sins that scourged and crowned You
Bruised Your Face and spit upon You
Emotions well within my body
Still I doubt my sincerity

How hard it is to hear and bear, my Lord, I hide in shame
For surely if I loved You, I would look upon Your face
Lord give me the courage, help me look upon Your face

Upon Your Holy Face
May the light of Thy face shine upon us
Upon Your Holy Face

quotes from St Faustina's diary

"My daughter, do you think you have written enough about My mercy? what you have written is but a drop compared to the ocean. I am Love and Mercy Itself. there is no misery that could be a match for My mercy; neither will misery exhaust it, because as it is being granted - it increases. the soul that trusts in My mercy is most fortunate, because I Myself take care of it"

"Know, My daughter, that between Me and you there is a bottomless abyss, an abyss which separates the Creator from the creature. but this abyss is filled with My Mercy. I raise you up to Myself, not that I have need of you, but it is solely out of mercy that I grant you the grace of union with Myself"

"when you reflect upon what I tell you in the depths of your heart, you profit more than if you had read many books. oh, if souls would only want to listen to My voice when I am speaking in the depths of their hearts, they would reach the peak of holiness in a short time"

"My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners…It is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy."

"...I want to teach you spiritual childhood.. I want you to be very little, because when you are little, I carry you close to My Heart.."

"Yes, when you are obedient I take away your weakness and replace it with My strength. I am very surprised that souls do not want to make that exchange with Me"

"The flames of mercy are burning Me - clamoring to be spent; I want to keep pouring them out upon souls; souls just don't want to believe in My goodness"

"You see what you are of yourself, but do not be frightened at this. if I were to reveal to you the whole misery that you are, you would die of terror. However, be aware of what you are. Because you are such a great misery, I have revealed to you the whole ocean of My Mercy. I seek and desire souls like yours, but they are few. Your great trust in Me forces Me to continuously grant you graces. You have great and incomprehensible rights over My Heart, for you are a daughter of complete trust. You would not have been able to bear the magnitude of the love which I have for you if I had revealed it to you fully here on earth. I often give you a glimpse of it, but know that this is only an exceptional grace from Me. My love and mercy knows no bounds"

"When I met the Lord I humbled myself and said, 'Jesus, it seems that You do not associate intimately with such wretched people as I'. "Be at peace, My daughter, it is precisely through such misery that I want to show the power of My Mercy"

"My daughter, know that if I allow you to feel and have a more profound knowledge of My sufferings, that is a grace from Me. But when your mind is dimmed and your sufferings are great, it is then that you take an active part in My Passion, and I am conforming you more fully to Myself. It is your task to submit yourself to My will at such time, more than at others… "

today..

today is a horrible day
i don't even know what happened...
this weekend is Thanksgiving
and i was really looking forward to spending time with my family
yesterday i was talking to my mom over the phone and we were planning the dinner, and we were both so excited about it
and now there's not going to be anything,
there's just too much stuff going on at home..
i don't have the strength to write about it
i honestly feel like the devil is trying to destroy my family

i want to pray ..for my family, for us all to turn to the Lord..
i wish i could go to Mass today, but the church is too far away..i don't know if there's a bus that goes there; i even considered walking - that's how desperately i want to just go and pray before the Blessed Sacrament.. and i looked up the map for St Pauls but couldn't figure it out :(
so i'm just sitting here at my computer and crying because i don't know what else to do
i have soo much homework to do as well but i'm not going to do it..not today

Lord give me strength
take away all this darkness..

Lord have mercy

Jesus thank You that You never abandon us.. i will still praise You through this storm

"O Divine Eternal Father, in union with your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit, And through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg You to destroy the power of your greatest enemy— the evil spirits. Cast them into the deepest recesses of hell And chain them there forever! Take possession of your Kingdom Which you have created And which is rightfully yours. Heavenly Father, Give us the reign Of the Sacred Heart of Jesus And the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I repeat this prayer Out of pure love for You With every beat of my heart And with every breath I take. Amen"

edit:
something so wonderful happened the next day!! praise God! thank You Lord for answering my prayers!! thank You Mary for your intercession! the day after i wrote this, we all went to church as a family for the first time in months. i know this was a miracle, there is no other way this could have happened. we almost never go to church together. and that day was the LEAST LIKELY day for this to happen. :)

the person i want to be

i wrote this several days ago in my journal..

to love God with all my heart, mind, and soul
to love neighbour as myself
to care more about how God feels than how i feel
to care more about others' suffering than my own
to rejoice with those who rejoice
to weep with those who weep
to never be jealous of anybody
to be ready to go through any suffering for God
to not be afraid of the future, but commit it to Him
to choose to do God's will no matter how difficult or scary it is
to die to self
to die to the world
to be a prayer warrior, not ever being lazy to pray and intercede for others
to be humble
to hate my sins but trust always in God's mercy
to never lose trust in Jesus, regardless of how i feel
to not rely on my feelings
to see Christ in the poor, the lonely, the sick, the helpless
to have simple childlike faith and not take pride in anything i understand
to pray for the world and for unity in the Church
to love God more than His gifts
to bear wrongs patiently
to not be judgemental towards others
to keep my eyes on Christ and what is eternal, not on what is temporary
to give myself entirely to God
to always love Jesus in the Eucharist
to share my faith more
to show God's love and mercy to others through actions, words, and prayers

to rely on God's grace not on my self for all this

what Adoration really is

to adore: "To love with one's entire heart and soul; regard with deep respect and affection"

I had this realization yesterday...when we go to Eucharistic Adoration.. this is the God we are worshipping:

Revelation 5

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.


Jesus is love.. He's the source of...all wisdom, all power, all glory.. He owns everything! ALL authority has been given to Him. He can create another world right now or destroy this one, He can do anything! ALL CREATION shouts His praise. All the earth! and the heavens! and one day, everyone - every single person who ever lived - will fall down before Him...every knee shall bow.. and He's the only one worthy of our worship! He deserves to be lived for, died for, He deserves all the love we have in our hearts..and more..

and..He's RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!! His glory is hidden.. but He is there...

it's almost unbelievable!

He has so much humility..to not only become a human being and die for us, but to then become the Eucharist, and nourish us with His very Body and Blood. wow!! this is the great secret...that the God of the universe loves us more than even His own glory...that He would hide His majesty so that we can approach Him..and remain hidden in bread and wine for love of us.. even though WE have hurt Him with our sins. how can we deserve something like this?? it's impossible to deserve! this is how great His mercy is!

Mercy is His greatest attribute and glorifies Him more than anything else (St Faustina)
it is only His love that makes this bearable for Him, because I can't imagine how our Lord could possibly become ..something so small..and stay alone in the Tabernacle day and night for our sake
that is how much He loves each of us! And all that He wants is for us to love Him in return with all our hearts, to give ourselves to Him as He gives Himself to us. :) this is what we were created for

sin

someone shared this with me.. and it really made me think

"What would you do if Jesus walked in and caught you in the act? Imagine His face full of tears, watching you destroy yourself in whatever way it is you destroy yourself. Imagine Him asking you "why are you doing this?" Imagine yourself trying to come up with some excuse to explain this behaviour that will sound adequate, and coming up blank. And when He reaches out to you to take away your pain, imagine yourself slapping His hand away because you don't want to stop. "Not yet. Just a little longer. I still need it. I can't let it go." So He sits down on your floor and tells you that He isn't going to leave you; He just sits there and watches you. And you, needing so badly to keep destroying yourself, continue with the behaviours. He just sits and watches you, crying for you, silently inviting you come crawl up in His lap and find peace from your pain. But you don't, because you think you need to keep going with what you were doing. Because you want to keep going. "I'll be there soon, Jesus. Just let me finish first." So you keep bingeing, or purging, or chewing and spitting, or starving, or cutting yourself, or doing drugs, or having sex, or hurting someone, or allowing someone else to hurt you. While He watches.

How am I going to justify this? When really, in light of eternity, there is no excuse that comes close to being good enough..

I am breaking God's heart."

the parable of the lost son

this is one of my favourite passages from the Bible..

11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]' 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "