Our Lady of Fatima

Blessed Lady of the Rosary, you reach out to the humble and the meek, to children who have not gone seeking you. There is no one on whom your care does not fall, no, not one. Like the angels heralding the birth of our Lord, you spoke of the world to these children. You showed them secrets so that many may come to believe.

Was it about them, or a gift through them to those who heard them speak? Who can know why God chooses His messengers as He does, save that it is to the glory of His Name?

Friend of the friendless, pray that we will be given the strength to know that nothing God gives us is only for ourselves, the humility to receive all blessings without presumption, and the childlike joy of knowing that your son, Jesus, cares for us to the depths of his being. You who held all Knowledge in your arms, be for us a gateway to a closer and more trustingly open relationship with the Lord as we seek to behold him in all the little marvels we encounter, and to carry him forth into the world as little children.

Regina Cæli

O God, come to my assistance
O Lord Make haste to help me.

Regina cæli, lætare, Alleluia:

Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven, Alleluia! Was it only joy you felt when the Angel told you that you were to bear God’s Son? I can’t imagine that your joy was without fear, without anxiety, uncertainty. Could anyone come face to face with God’s messenger and not feel them both? Yet you chose, in that moment, to trust in the joy. You embraced it, and so we honor you.

In our baptism, we are called, too, to choose this joy. Help us to embrace Christian lives so we may carry Christ within us. That we may know him as you do, and rejoice! Grant us the fortitude to become true followers of God, to be of one body with the Church. Help us to create and build up that body so that it might become transformed into all that God promises: the kingdom of Heaven on earth. Blessed Virgin, pray that we receive the grace to overcome all our doubts and fears.

Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia,

For the Son you bore, Alleluia! When you came to Elizabeth and her child recognized yours, leaping in her womb, was it only joy that you felt? Or was there anxiety about what this might mean? Here was one to prepare a way you could not see. Yet you chose humility, reckoning your life as one that gives glory to the Lord, Who has done marvels for you. You glorified Him, and so we recall your life as praise.

In our prayer, we are called to glorify the Lord in thanks. Help us to sing out the marvels which God has done for us. That we may love Him as you do, and carry Him out into the world! Grant us the gift of your counsel, that we may see our own gifts more clearly. Help us to nurture our gifts and those of others, that we too may give good counsel. Blessed Mary, pray that we receive the grace to recognize God’s work in our lives.

Resurrexit, sicut dixit, Alleluia;

Has arisen as he promised, Alleluia! Did you dream, in that moment your son was born into the world, of all the glory that would mark his life? Did you fathom the mystery, or were you overcome by the joy of a child who took his first breath and lived? The son you bore would be the first-born of the dead. Yet here he was, alive, and you took him in your arms. You held him close to your heart, and so we draw close to you.

In the confusion of our lives, we are called to accept the responsibility that comes with our faith. Help us to choose the right path in the midst of turmoil and confusion. That we may love and care for others as you loved and cared for him! Grant that we may be given fear of the Lord that we may know Him. Help us to respond to God as He wills us. Blessed Mother, pray that we receive the grace to embrace God’s will.

Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia.

Pray for us to God the Father, Alleluia! When the wise men came to adore him, how did you feel? Were you confused at the gifts they brought, and did you wonder at what these omens could mean? Your son was born to be ruler over all. Yet you raised him as a child, your child, as one who needed you. The Child Jesus needed you, and so we turn to you in our need.

In the choices of our lives, we are called to stand before God as people presented to the world. Help us to live with integrity and to act in ways that honor God’s purpose for us. That we may be holy as Jesus is holy! Grant that we will receive wisdom so as to reflect the God who knit us together and sent us forth into the world. Help us to be faithful to God. Blessed Woman, pray that we receive the grace of thankfulness for our lives.

Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia;

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia! When you found him in the temple, after those days of worry, was there anger mixed in with your joy? Was your relief strong enough to overcome the pain and anguish? Your son left you without warning. Yet you embraced him without reservation, and were glad of him. You found your child, and so you help us to find him.

In the frustrations and failures of our lives, we are called to discern God’s presence. Help us to find the light in the darkness. That we may let go of anger and live in gladness! Grant that we be given the strength of understanding so as not to be angry when God’s ways do not seem to make sense. Help us to accept God’s will when we do not understand it. Blessed Lady, pray that we are blessed with the grace of trust.

Quia surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia.

For the Lord has truly risen, Alleluia! Did you feel doubt and confusion when you saw the empty tomb? Or was there only joy in your heart? You buried your firstborn son. Yet he rose from the dead, and you were overjoyed that you could hold him again, that he breathed for a second time. You beheld our Resurrected Lord, and so by turning to you we also behold him.

In our Spirit-filled lives, we are called to draw strength from the Resurrection and live with hope. Help us to find comfort in our Risen Lord. That we may overcome adversity and live the risen life! Grant that we receive piety and love so that we may live to the fullest the life we have received. Help us believe that God’s power can conquer anything. Blessed Advocate, pray that we are given the grace of faith.

Oremus: Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum lætificare dignatus es: præsta, quæsumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Let us pray: Living and deathless God, you have given joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the prayers of his mother, the Virgin Mary, bring us to the happiness of eternal life; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. When you were Assumed into heaven and crowned Queen, your love for all but your Son did not pass away. You love us, and find great joy in us. You have always held Jesus and now have joined him for eternity, and so you call us to be held in his embrace and to be one with him in God’s kingdom.

In our lives and deaths, God loves us and calls us to himself. Help us to trust God and nurture the conviction that He desires good things for us. That we may respond joyfully to His call and follow Him in our hearts! Grant that the gift of knowledge be given to us so that we may truly hear God’s call. Help us follow Him with all our strength, and to fall ever more deeply in love with your son, Jesus. Blessed Queen of Heaven, pray that God grants us the grace of eagerness and generosity in loving.

In thy conception, O Virgin Mary, thou wast Immaculate.
Pray for us to the Father, whose Son thou dist bring forth.

Our Lady Of Good Counsel

Blessed Mother,

In you the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and in your acceptance of Jesus you were granted, through grace, perfect union with him.

In your Immaculate heart you treasured all that he said and did, and through the years of his life you carried this knowledge of him carefully within you.

Prepare me to be a vessel of the grace which lit you from within, with light as of the golden fire of dawn. Lady of Good Counsel, guide and protect me as I struggle to discern the path laid before me. You never abandon us, just as you did not abandon your Son, the child of your flesh, in the hour of his darkest night.

Intercede on my behalf, that I may be healed. Be with me always, sharing your wisdom as she who held Wisdom Herself.

Pray for me, oh holy Mother of God, that I may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. For you are gentle and kind, and will counsel all who turn to you in Jesus’ name.

Divine Mercy Sunday

I really do like Divine Mercy Sunday, though I’ve never been to an actual church service which observed it in the way it is designed to be celebrated. Celebration of the Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday and continues for nine days: this is a novena in the name of the Divine Mercy dedicated to nine different groups of people in need of mercy for one reason or another. It concludes with those who are ‘lukewarm’ who, in the revelation from whence this devotion comes, are described as those who caused Jesus the most pain during his Passion. (Interestingly, St Josemaria Escriva – Opus Dei guy – also thinks lukewarmness is terrible)

Devotion to the Divine Mercy is meant to help us realize that Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy are total, that he forgives even the worst sins. Part of the devotion – what I think of as the crucial part – is the giving of yourself over in complete trust to Jesus, believing firmly and absolutely that his mercy will indeed save you, covering over all your sins. Another crucial aspect of this devotion is that the person who observes it commits herself to actually being merciful, to living the mercy for others that Jesus has graciously given to her.

There are several parts to this devotion beyond the novena. The chaplet of the Divine Mercy is traditionally prayed on the feast of the Divine Mercy (today); the best case scenario is that it is prayed corporately, or at least in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The chaplet makes use of ordinary rosary beads: it begins with the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. On the beads where the Our Father is normally recited, one says “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, soul and divinity, of Your dearly beloved Son Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.” On the Hail Mary beads, one says “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” At the end of the chaplet, one repeats three times “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” It is not inappropriate to complete the chaplet, as I do, by saying “Lord Jesus, I trust in You.”

The image itself is meant to be publically venerated during the celebration. I have never been to a church that does this. The image was shown to St Faustina and Jesus directed her to have it painted and reveal it to the world. Jesus looks lovingly at the faithful, one hand beckoning and the other over his heart. From his heart emerge two rays of light, one red and one a kind of whitish-blue. The red represents the blood that flowed from his pierced side, as well as the life of the soul; the blueish-white represents the water, and the righteousifying of the soul. I believe Jesus promised her that the soul who recited this chaplet in genuine devotion and venerated the image would never die. Under the image are the words “Jesus, I trust in You.”

You might wonder why I’m going on and on about this devotion, even though I’ve only ever managed to celebrate it privately. Well, mostly it’s because I’d love to see this devotion spread. I would be happier if it was at least celebrated properly in all Roman Catholic churches, especially given its status (which I’ll explain later). In my perfect little dream world full of rainbows and fluffy clouds, other churches will observe this feast, too. After all, it was given to the world entire. The fact that the Roman Church has essentially declared this vision infallibly genuine is not a moment to be taken lightly; this is the highest degree of recognition possible for a private revelation, and it doesn’t happen often. So yes, I wish that I could be some sort of effective evangelist for the Divine Mercy feast and joyously spread it everywhere. Since this little un-noteworthy blog is the only quasi-forum I have, I am shamelessly hawking the feast here: ha!!

The ‘status’ of this feast I said I’d explain. In 2000, at St Faustina’s canonization, John Paul II instituted the second Sunday after Easter as the feast of the Divine Mercy, to be observed throughout the world. It was also granted by the Holy Father that a plenary indulgence is obtained by all those who observe the feast in the proper fashion.

In order to receive a plenary indulgence, a person must fulfill the normal requirements for indulgences (partial fulfillment of the requirements commutes the plenary indulgence to a partial).

WARNING: I HAVE REARRANGED THE REQUIREMENTS AND AM PARAPHRASING

The first of these is receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. This must occur within twenty days in either direction of the granting of the indulgence (this is under the relaxed rules instituted for the Jubilee Year). I haven’t done this. I’m thinking I’m going to have to find an Anglican confessional ‘box’ somewhere within the next two weeks.

The second requirement is receiving Eucharist: it is fitting but not absolutely necessary that this be done on the day of the indulgence itself. I didn’t do this part either, because my local parish had morning prayer. Hopefully, I’ll manage tomorrow.

The third requirement is that one must desire, at least generally, to receive the indulgence. Done and done.

The fourth is that one must pray for the intentions of the Pope. Also done (and really quite simple and easy).

The fifth is that the devotion must be done devoutly and with sincerity. Yay: I think I did that.

The sixth requirement is that one be in good standing with the church. Not excommunicated. Um. How exactly are we defining ‘Church?’ I’m thinking that I haven’t pulled this one off exactly. Oops. But technically, technically, this condition applies not to the person performing the devotion for which an indulgence is granted but to the person who is the recipient of the indulgence. All indulgences (or anyway almost all) are transferrable to souls in Purgatory, though not to anyone else who’s currently alive. I haven’t gained an indulgence for myself in quite some time – I’m banking on Viaticum. Here’s hoping I don’t die suddenly! So, presumably, some pious and devout soul in Purgatory who most needed it just got my indulgence, or anyway will when I finally fulfill my missing requirements.

Victory!!

Now: does anyone know of any parish or individual with potential interest in observing this feast in the future? Because I’m all for promoting it!

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

See
how the Cross in the springtime flowers,
bringing new life upon the earth,
and transforming the gloomy morning
forever.
See
how we kneel at the foot of the Cross,
giving worship to our true Lord,
Who has saved us from all our sorrow
Forever.

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

“I
am the Way and the Truth and the Life,
he who comes to Me shall not hunger,
he who believes in Me shall not die,
but live forever.”

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

See
how our God, once hung on a tree,
once laid in a final tomb,
has rolled away death’s sting
forever.
See
how the marks in His hands remind us
of His Divine Mercy for us,
Lord Jesus I trust in You
Forever.

Come
and eat from the Tree of Life,
for He is the Bread that’s given;
lifted up on high branches
to glory.

--A little song written for this day (and I do realize that I’ve posted this up elsewhere).

Way Of The Cross

Oh my Jesus,

My beloved, to hear the voice condemning you, after so much pain and humiliation has already been inflicted, I cannot bear it. Oh my heart! How can I walk beside you to the end? And yet to leave you would be more than I can bear. With that terrible crown upon your head, you come toward a terrible victory. I can feel its sharpness pressing into my head as if it were my own. And I will follow you, weeping.

To see you walking in such pain, with arms bound tight to the cross you carried on your shoulders; with all the dust sticking to your legs, mingling with the drying blood that flowed down upon them. Oh my love! How I wish that I could carry it for you!

I feel you falling to the ground, arms all helpless to stop yourself as you land heavily on your chest. Oh my beloved! How I wish I could pick you up in my arms and carry you, cradle you!

Oh child! There is no pain like this! How does a mother understand the pain of her child without feeling it? How does she not feel it? How do I, who is joined to you, not embrace you as you pass by?

Oh my heart! Please, let me carry it for you, if only for a little while, but for a little while. For, through your promise, we two are one; to make it lighter for you is a delightful weight.

I see the sweat and blood flowing down your face, mingling with your tears and stinging your eyes. Do you see me, beloved, as I see you? Oh, to cradle your face in my hands, wiping you gently with a soft cloth, kissing you softly as in a dream! Oh my beloved! The image of you is burned into my soul.

I hear resounding the searing crack as you fall again, slicing your knees open on the hard ground, exhausted. If I could but kiss your broken skin, try to heal the wounds as you have healed me!

Oh my Lord! How do I cry out in agony at seeing you! Your body broken for me, your blood spilling upon the ground. It is torment to look upon you, and yet I cannot turn away. I cry for you loudly, beloved: do you hear me?

Again, you fall, your chest landing heavily, your heart beginning to break. Oh my beloved! How does it go on beating? How do you get back up?

Oh sweet Jesus! Your naked skin, vulnerable and torn, exposed to unforgiving sun and jeers as the soldiers tear your clothes. Oh my Lord! If I could but cover you with my body, hold you close in your fragility, as you have held be. How I wish to caress you gently, my hands soothing on your broken skin.

Oh my hands! How do I feel it so vividly as they pierce through your skin and bone and muscle? Oh child Jesus! The blood coating your hands and feet when you were born was brighter somehow.

I cannot breathe as you cannot breathe; struggling against torn skin to pull yourself upward, to take in air through the pain. Oh my soul, we are dying together!

How I wish that I could sing you to sleep! Your arms outstretched upon the Cross, embracing all our pain and brokenness in the agony of your suffering. You do not sleep, and I cannot soothe you. I can only look upwards in mute horror as the smell of your broken body surrounds me.

Oh my beloved! You have pierced my soul with a spear covered in precious stones, and the pain of it has given me life. Oh my beloved! You have bound me to you in a promise made secretly in the night, as I took you into my arms. Oh my love, how you have held me in my pain! How do I wish that I could hold you so soothingly, become one with you so completely. Today I can only hold you in your death, my beloved.

Your body now held in my arms, still warm and soft, as still as a calm sea. Oh my heart! How can I bear it? To hold you for much longer is more than I can bear, yet I cannot open my arms to release you. Oh how I long to hold you forever in my embrace!

Dark and cold, fragrant with spices, your body carefully wrapped in new linen cloth. You are yourself but not yourself; you are my beloved, here with my, held in my longing gaze, and yet you are already gone. Oh my Jesus! What has been done to you?