Show us your Mercy, Lord

From the Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer....

Show us your mercy, Lord; our misery is known to us. May no evil desires prevail over us, for your glory and love dwell in our hearts.

Divine Mercy Sunday

I have been away from my blog for a very long time for various reasons. Today I'd like to share a post from someone who has been such an inspiration to me (though she most likely does not know it:-). I see myself in her writings at times and as is God's plan, she encourages me to continue, to move forward, to listen, and to allow our Lord's peace and mercy comfort my soul.

One of my favorite people and blogs....one day I hope to meet her in person:-)

Carmelitemom

A Prayer for Priests

From EWTN

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

give all priests Thy spirit of humility;

Jesus, poor and worn out for souls,

give all priests Thy spirit of zeal;

Jesus, full of patience and mercy for sinners,

give all priests Thy spirit of compassion;

Jesus, victim for the sins of the world,

give all priests Thy spirit of sacrifice;

Jesus, lover of the little and the poor,

give all priests Thy spirit of charity.

Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us;

and obtain for us numerous and holy

priests and religious.

Amen.

The Gospel of Matthew

At our Carmelite meeting last month the Commentary on Sacred Scripture was mentioned...I purchased The Gospel of Matthew since many of our upcoming Sunday readings will be from Matthew....what a wonderful resource! I highly recommend it! It's even available on the Kindle!

The Gospel of Matthew

The Divine Intimacy Calendar Schedule

The Divine Intimacy calendar schedule for 2011

A Trinity Prayer

Love of Jesus Fill us.
Holy Spirit Guide us.
Will of the Father be done.

Bl. Zelie and Louis Martin

Bl. Zelie and Louis Martin, July 12

Lord, you have given to Blessed Louis and Marie Zélie the grace to lead a life of holiness as Christian spouses and parents. Grant that through their intercession and example each of us may be able to love and serve you faithfully, living worthily our own vocation. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Gargoyle Code

I'm always a day late it seems these days and should have started Fr. Longenecker's book yesterday...but no matter...catching up now and would like to say....BUY THE BOOK -- click the book on my sidebar...do it now as I received mine very quickly! (there is no monetary compensation to me for clicking from this site - just a quick way to get to Fr. Longenecker's website)

Conversion of Saint Paul

From the LOH this morning...

Homily by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop

"Each day he (St. Paul) aimed higher; each day he rose up with greater ardor and faced with new eagerness the dangers that threatened him. He summed up his attitude in the words: I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead. When he saw death imminent, he bade others share his joy: Rejoice and be glad with me! And when danger, injustice and abuse threatened, he said: I am content with weakness, mistreatment and persecution. These he called the weapons of righteousness, thus telling us that he derived immense profit from them."

To have such zeal for the love of Christ. How can I, as I start my day, have such enthusiasm to embrace whatever He has planned for me? I struggle as the old me still clings to pride. I've asked Jesus to help me with this -- although I said it in a whisper just in case he decides to take me up on it and allow a boatload of trials designed to purify me:-) (SIGH) So thankful he never tires of me and my lukewarm ways.

What is your "theme" this year?

Yesterday I read a post, Looking Back ~ Looking Forward, by Robin at All Things Heart and Home where she shared that each year she asks God for a theme for the coming year. And as expected, or unexpected:-) the Lord reveals lessons in magnificent, painful, glorious, tough ways....blessings full of eternal joy. I thought this was a wonderful idea and hope to hear the "theme" God has planned for me as well!

If you have a theme you think Our Lord is asking of you, pop on over and share it with Robin!

Meditation Book + Divine Intimacy Calendar Schedule

Surfing around yesterday I found a site to the OCDS Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours as well as a "Divine Intimacy" reading schedule for 2009/2010.

OCDS Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours

Divine Intimacy reading schedule for 2009/2010

Fragrance from Alabaster

The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. It is His mission to purify and to elevate the soul that it may be joined to Him in the closest union. Whatever may be our weakness, our faults, or imperfections, the power of the Holy Spirit is unchanging. If we yield ourselves to His influence, like the apostles we too shall be recreated, and strong in His love we shall run with joy the ways of perfection. ~~ Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel~~~

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

I'm a day late in posting.....day one was yesterday.....sorry!

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

Pray especially beginning on 6 October and ending on 14 October, the eve of the Feast of St. Teresa. This Novena was written by St. Alphonsus of Liguori.

First Day:

O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Day:

O most merciful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of hope which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy holy spouse, to give us a great confidence in Thy goodness, by reason of Thy Precious Blood, which Thou hast shed to its last drop for our salvation.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady Of The Rosary

Our Lady Of The Rosary

Memorial

October 7

Quotes from Brother Lawrence...

“We do not always have to be in church to be
with God. We can make of our hearts an oratory
where we can withdraw from time to
time to converse with God. Everyone is capable
of these intimate conversations with God,
some more, some less.”

Mary Day By Day

Now you are light in the Lord, Walk as children of light, for light produces all goodness and justice and truth.

~~~Eph 5:8-9

Reflection: For those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who believe in the Church, behold the Mother: Mary!

Prayer: O Mary, you give light to everything in our lives. Enlighten my mind and open my heart so that I may learn and carry out the things that are pleasing to your Divine Son.

Just For Today, Ronald Knox

I bought a new book (sigh -- I really need to get a handle on this addiction, LOL) and wanted to recommend it to my friends. It's called Just for Today, Introduced by Ronald Knox. It is a book of daily readings (two readings), one from St. Therese of Lisieux and one from The Imitation of Christ and it blends the two together.

From The Right Reverend Monsignor Ronald Knox...

"The compiler of this anthology has been happily inspired to sit between two treasure chests, dealing out to us a jewel first from this then from that, like matched pearls."

If interested just click on the book cover...

Fragrance from Alabaster

To be always kind in thought, word and deed, one must practice real mortification, for one must constantly repress the natural which is in us all and which is quick to see the fault in another.

We must practice that faith which sees beneath the surface, recognizing the divine in every soul; we must realize that what is said to another is directed to our Lord, Who associates Himself with each one so closely as to be one with her.

The virtues of faith and love are within the reach of all of us. They are the two wings by which we can fly to God on countless occasions, and these occasions are provided by our Lord Himself just to have us do so.

In using these happenings, we shall find countless opportunities for overcoming our natural self, so given to irritation when things contradict our will, and so ready to think that annoying circumstances justify our showing annoyance. We forget that the occasions do not make us frail but they show what we are.

It is only the light of faith that can enable us to see through the various circumstances we meet with and see in them God and His permissive Will. To one under the influence of our Lord's Spirit instead of her own, these little trials show her our Lord asking for love; and if nature is tempted to complain, the soul that loves is not depressed or discouraged. Rather in this very reaction it sees its weakness, a tendency to watch; and the lover blesses God for the light thus given to know what she must work at, what she must overcome, if she would be pleasing to Him.

~~Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel~~

Thoughts from Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel

"Try to see our Lord working out His plan for your holiness through the vexations and annoyances you meet with. Give yourself sweetly and generously to their purifying action; thus His transforming love can make you His living image; His Father will see in you another Jesus seeking only His glory. "

~~Fragrance from Alabaster~~

Novena to our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Second Day)

Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(pause and mention petitions)

Say: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.