Life of Saints

Prayer in Honor of Saint Peter Julian Eymard

August 1, 2013 by Jisha

St. Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic Priest who lived from 1811-1868. He had an intense devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Eucharist. He founded the “Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament” in Paris in 1856. He was a tireless proponent of frequent Holy Communion. He also founded the “Servants of the Blessed Sacrament”, a contemplative community for women. We celebrate the Feast of St. Peter Julian Eymard on August 2nd.

Gracious God of our ancestors, you led Peter Julian Eymard, like Jacob in times past, on a journey of faith. Under the guidance of your gentle spirit, Peter Julian discovered the gift of love in the Eucharist which your son Jesus offered for the hungers of humantiy. Grant that we may celebrate this mystery worthily, adore it profoundly, and proclaim it prophetically for your greater glory. Amen.

Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist, pray for us!

Prayer to St. Maria Goretti for Purity and Holiness

July 1, 2013 by Jisha

St. Maria Goretti is one of the youngest canonized saints in the Catholic Church. She died a virgin in 1902 at the young age of eleven after being stabbed multiple times by her attempted rapist. Those struggling with chastity can always seek her powerful intercession. Her Feast is celebrated on July 6th. She is the Patron Saint of chastity, teenage girls, rape victims, crime victims and youth.

O St. Maria Goretti, strengthened by God’s grace, thou didst not hesitate, even at the age of eleven, to shed thy blood and sacrifice life itself to defend thy virginal purity. Look graciously on the unhappy human race that has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us that courage and promptness in fleeing temptation that will help us avoid anything that could offend Jesus or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us a great horror of impurity and of all sin, victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee, so that we may live a holy life on earth and win eternal glory in Heaven. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Prayer in Honor of St. Dymphna (Patroness of Those with Mental and Nervous Disorders)

June 18, 2013 by Jisha

St. Dymphna is a Roman Catholic Saint who lived in the 7th century. She was killed by her pagan father at the age of 15 for refusing to marry him. She is the Patron Saint of people with mental and neurological disorders, and also victims of incest. Her Feast Day is celebrated on May 15th. Let us pray to St. Dymphna for all those who suffer anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, nervous disorders and other mental/emotional illness.

O Lord God, Who has graciously chosen St. Dymphna to be the patroness of those afflicted with nervous and mental disorders and has caused her to be an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who invoke her intercession, grant, through the prayers of this pure, youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all who suffer from these disturbances, and especially to those for whom we now pray: (Here mention oneself or names of others).
We beg thee to accept and to satisfy the prayers of St Dymphna on our behalf. Grant us patience in all our sufferings and resignation to thy divine Will. Fill us with hope, and if it be in accord with thy divine plan, bestow on me (him/her) the cure I so earnestly ask for. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

May 8, 2013 by Jisha

May is such a beautiful month. The whole month is dedicated to our Blessed Lady, Mother of God. The pious practice of honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary during the entire month of May has been especially recommended by many Popes.

Mary - Queen of May (Flowers for Mary) — Mary – Queen of May

Mary is our loving mother. Her maternal heart is full of love and mercy for her beloved children. She is always waiting for us to turn to her for her motherly guidance. She constantly presents all our prayers to her dear son, Jesus. Mary is known as the “Gate of Heaven“. We need Mary to guide us to heaven so that we may not lose our way by falling into sin.

Just like our Pastor reminded us, we need to pray the Rosary every single day during the month of May. If you cannot pray the entire rosary with dedication, pray at least one decade with all your heart, and if a decade is not possible, recite at least one Hail Mary with complete devotion.

When we pray the Hail Mary, we ask our heavenly mother to intercede for us now and at the hour of our death. Yes, we need her powerful intercession during that fearful hour when all Hell itself will rise against us to grab our soul. Our merciful mother will help us during that fateful hour. We only need to pray to her without ceasing.

Some devotions to Mother Mary for the Month of May

Recite the Regina Coeli (during the Paschal Season) or Angelus (other days of the year) daily.
Recite the Rosary daily as a family. Remember to meditate on each mystery and to pray with all your heart and mind.
Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary also known as the Litany of Loreto.
Attend Mass on First Saturday of the month or if not possible, on any other Saturday to honor our Mother.
Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13th. You can pray a Novena to Our Lady of Fatima in preparation for her Feast.
Get Enrolled in The Brown Scapular.
Visit a Marian Shrine as a pilgrimage.
Prepare a Marian Altar in your home for the “Queen of May” with pictures/statues of Mother Mary and many flowers.
Celebrate May Crowning at your church or in your house by crowning a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a crown of flowers.
Celebrate the Feast of the Visitation on May 31st. Contemplate Mary’s ardent charity as she hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

Novena Prayer to Our Lady of Fatima

May 7, 2013 by Jisha

Our Lady of Fatima is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the year 1917, Our Lady appeared to 3 shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. The three children were Lucia Santos, Blessed Jacinta Marto and Blessed Francisco Marto. This Marian Apparition was approved by the Holy See in 1930. Today, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal is a popular Marian Pilgrimage site. Around 4 million pilgrims visit the Basilica every year. The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated on May 13th. Here is a novena to Our Lady of Fatima in preparation for her feast. Let us pray to Our Lady for the conversion of sinners and for all our intentions.

Most Holy Virgin, who deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three little shepherds the treasures of graces hidden in the recitation of the Rosary,
inspire our hearts with a sincere love of this devotion,
so that by meditating on the mysteries of our redemption that are recalled in it,
we may gather the fruits and obtain the conversion of sinners,
the conversion of Russia and this favor which I so earnestly seek,

(Mention your Request)

which I ask of thee in this novena, for the greater Glory of God,
for thine own honor and for the good of all people.
Amen.

Pray 3 sets of : Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Novena Prayer to St. Maximilian Kolbe

May 1, 2013 by Jisha

Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar who volunteered to die in place of a stranger during World War II in the Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz. Kolbe was canonized on 10th October, 1982 by Pope John Paul II, and declared a martyr of charity. He is the patron saint of drug addicts, political prisoners, families, journalists, prisoners, and the pro-life movement. His feast is on August 14th. Here is a Novena Prayer to St. Maximilian.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “Greater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends,” through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe whose life illustrated such love, we beseech you to grant us our petitions.
(Mention your requests)

Through the Militia of the Immaculata movement, which Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us an example of unselfish love for all men – a love that was inspired by true devotion to Mary.
Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellowman in imitation of your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.

(Say 3 Hail Marys and a Glory Be)