SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

MARY'S JOY

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Wold Day of Prayer for the Sick

February 11

Photo:R.Massaro (C)2013SpiritSinging-

Grotto-Lourdes, France

LOURDES OFFICIAL WEBSITE 

Today Mary dwells in the joy and the glory of the Resurrection. The tears shed at the foot of the Cross have been transformed into a smile which nothing can wipe away, even as her maternal compassion towards us remains unchanged. The intervention of the Virgin Mary in offering succor throughout history testifies to this, and she doesn't cease to call forth, in the people of God, an unshakable confidence in her: the Memorare prayer expresses thissentiment very well. Mary loves each of her children, giving particular attention to those who, like her Son at the hour of his Passion, are prey to suffering; she loves them quite simply because they are her children, according to the will of Christ on the Cross.

Benedict the XVI on the 150 Anniversary of Lourdes



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Saturday of Our Lady

Photo: R. Massaro Queen of Heaven Eucharistic Chapel Green, Ohio

St. John Vianney's Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

O most holy Virgin Mary, who evermore stands before the most holy Trinity, and to whom it is granted at all times to pray for us to your most beloved Son; pray for me in all my necessities; help me, protect me, and obtain for me the pardon of all my sins. Help me especially at my last hour; and when I can no longer give any sign of the use of reason, then encourage me, make the sign of the cross for me, and fight for me against the enemy. Make in my name a profession of faith;favor me with a testimony of my salvation, and never let me despair of the mercy of God. Help me to overthrow the tempting enemy. When I can no longer say: "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I place my soul in your hands." I ask you to say it for me;

Photo: R. Massaro Little Flower Parish North Canton, Ohio

when I can no longer hear human words of consolation, comfort me. Leave me not before I have been judged, and if I have to atone for my sins in purgatory, pray for me earnestly; and admonish my friends to procure for me a speedy enjoyment of the blessed vision of God. Lessen my sufferings, deliver me speedily, and lead my soul into heaven with you: that, united with all the elect, I may there bless and praise my God and you for all eternity. Amen.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
______________________

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Photo: R. Massaro (C)2017 Spirit Singing-Lourdes, France

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

FEAST DAY: FEBRUARY 11

LOURDES LIVE WEBCAM

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

O HOLY VIRGIN, in the midst of your days of glory, do not forget the sorrows of this earth. Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering, struggling against difficulties, with their lips constantly pressed against life's bitter cup.

Have pity on those who love each other and are separated.

Have pity on our rebellious hearts.

Have pity on our weak faith.

Have pity on those we love.

Have pity on those who weep, on those who pray, on those who fear. Grant hope and peace to all. Amen.

Prayer to St. Bernadette

Bernadette, you have long sought the Lord where he called.
You asked. You listened. You trusted.
You were sure the Lord would guide you.
You surrendered yourself completely in the hands of God.

Bernadette, you intensely desired the Eucharist.
You loved to adore the Blessed Sacrament,
You united your life in the offering of that of
Christ on the altar.

Dear St. Bernadette, strengthen our trust in the Holy Virgin whom you have had the good fortune to see here on earth. Like you, we place ourselves under her protection in order to keep our hearts ever pure.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
St. Bernadette, pray for us!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

FEAST DAYS OF OUR LADY

.

Photo: R. Massaro Lourdes, France

(Please enjoy this most requested post on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Our Lady reveals herself to St. Bernadette:  

" I Am the Immaculate Conception"

Lourdes-Live Webcam

It has been written that St. Bernadette desired to be a Carmelite nun but because of her poor health was not able to enter the Order. She eventually entered the Sisters of Charity at Nevers, France.

During the apparitions at Lourdes, very few words were spoken between St. Bernadette and Our Lady. Bernadette seemed to be a natural contemplative, she was quiet and reflective, she had an open heart and listened-ready to do the will of God. 

At the first apparition on Feb. 11, 1858, Bernadette heard the call of Our Lady, not only in the physical sign of Our Lady's impending appearance by the wind shaking the the trees, but in her heart. Bernadette described that she felt a "call" to go to the Grotto. It was an interior spiritual prompting of the Holy Spirit that attracted her to the Grotto to meet Our Lady in the later apparitions. Bernadette had to be a person of prayer to be attentive to this "call" and to respond to it.

Bernadette's meeting with Our Lady of Lourdes reflects the experience of the Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel. The holy Prophet encountered God in a soft whispering sound that spoke directly to his heart. For Bernadette, the Grotto becomes the mountain where she meets God through Our Lady, where she learns to pray, where she is given the gift of contemplation.

The 18th and final apparition of Our Lady to Bernadette took place on July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Our Lady remained silent during the final meeting with Bernadette. They looked at each other with love. This holy exchange is a beautiful example of perfect contemplation, where love needs no words.

As Carmelites, the main point of our rule is allegiance to Jesus Christ, and an offshoot of that main point is to imitate the Virgin Mary who pondered the Word in her heart. We can see in the life of St. Bernadette how Mary led her to contemplation.

Let's start at the beginning: In the first apparition, Mary shows herself to Bernadette, smiles at her but remains silent.

Do you remember your first encounter with Christ? The moment he first called you to intimate friendship with him? How difficult was it to pray from the heart for the first time?

Second Apparition: Bernadette throws holy water at the apparition. People tell her it could be the devil.

After the invitation from Christ, we begin to doubt that we are worthy to be loved by Him. We ask ourselves, "Is this from God?" Family members and friends wonder what is going on with us!

Third Apparition: Our Lady asks Bernadette, "Would you do me the kindness of coming here for fifteen days?" "I do not promise you happiness in this life but in the other."

Our Lady asks us to remain faithful in prayer, faithful to our commitment as Carmelites to seek the face of God in prayer on behalf of the Church. We must die to ourselves and experience joy in God alone. Worldly things no longer attract us.

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Apparitions: Bernadette and Our Lady deepen their friendship. They pray together and even laugh together.

In the life of Carmel, our prayer life becomes deeper when we trust in the Lord as little children. We run to him and tell him everything; the joys and sorrows of our life. He is there to cry and laugh with us.

Eighth Apparition through the Twelfth: Our Lady with an air of sadness repeats: "penance, penance, penance." "Pray to God for sinners. " She asks Bernadette to kiss the ground for sinners...to eat the grass for sinners.

Now that our relationship with our Beloved has grown stronger he asks us to suffer with him, to take up our cross after him. The life of a Carmelite is a penitential one. Sometimes as Secular Carmelites we forget this aspect of our rule. We may adhere to the required prayer and spiritual reading, but do we really desire to mortify ourselves for the love of Christ?

Our Rules states:
The Secular Carmelite highly esteems the invitation of the Lord to deny himself and willingly to take up his cross daily and follow Him; he will, therefore, gladly mortify himself in union with the sacrifice of Christ, remembering, too, our Holy Mother Teresa's remark that "prayer cannot be accompanied by self-indulgence."

The Secular Carmelite will be especially faithful to the Church's penitential discipline. He will also, in accordance with the promptings of grace, and as far as circumstances will allow, make use of other means of mortification, particularly on those days and at those seasons that have a distinctive penitential character.

The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Apparitions: Our Lady asks Bernadette to "go tell the priests that people should come here in procession and that a chapel should be built here."

Bernadette is sent on mission. We, too, as Carmelites, through our individual and community apostolates, share in the missionary life of the Church. Whatever that may be, making rosaries, helping the poor and the sick, teaching others about our Catholic faith-we must step outside of ourselves, for our vocation is not just for our personal sanctification. Our gifts are given to us to benefit the entire Church.

Sixteenth Apparition: Feast of the Annunciation. Our Lady reveals her name: "I am the Immaculate Conception."

Bernadette has been faithful to Our Lady's request, to her commitment to meet our Lady for fifteen days. She is rewarded.

Bernadette reminds me of the apostle John at the foot of the Cross in which Our Lord entrusts Mary, his mother, to his home. Now, Bernadette, stands before Our Lady at the Grotto on behalf of the Church ready and eager to hear her beautiful name: Immaculate Conception!


Seventeenth Apparition: Miracle of the candle. Bernadette experiences spiritual ecstasy.

Our Lady has led Bernadette on a spiritual pilgrimage, the road of deep prayer. Now the little pilgrim, Bernadette, experiences God with her whole being, she experiences spiritual ecstasy. She has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

In their writings, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa explain in great detail about deep mystical experience in prayer. We know that this type of gift is just that-pure gift, infused by God. As St. Teresa says, it cannot be produced by one's own effort. St. Bernadette experienced deep prayer through the help and guidance of Our Lady. Let us imitate the humble virgin, Bernadette, and let Our Lady lead us safely up the mountain, to perfect contemplation, to union with Christ. 

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

OUR LADY HEALTH OF THE SICK

FEAST DAY: AUGUST 24

Photo: R. Massaro(c)2013SpiritSinging
Sorrowful Mother Shrine, Bellevue, Ohio

Prayers to Our Lady Health of the Sick:


Our Lady, Health of the Sick,
I look to you for the comfort of a mother's love,
I pray to you on behalf of those who are suffering
and for my own healing needs.

Mary,
your love strengthens me
and brings me peace.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick,
embrace all who are emotionally and physically ill
that they may return to good health
under your tender care.
And please intercede for my very special needs
(mention your needs here).

Mary,
your love strengthens me
and brings me peace.


A Prayer for the Sick and Afflicted
From the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio

Visit their website

Dearest Mary, Mother of Consolation, please join your prayers to my own. Look upon my difficulties with love and help me to understand and accept them.

Loving Mother, Health of the Sick, I grow so impatient. There are many days when I grow so weary of this affliction. Many are the times when, in my heart, I cry out to God and ask Him, Why me? What did I do to deserve this distress?

At times, Mary, the pain and hurt invade my very spirit, placing a veil between my God and myself. Please help me to overcome these days, Mary. In your gentle kindness, help me to see and feel the unending love of God, which I know is always there.

You accepted and lived the will of Our Father in your life. Help me to accept the Father’s will for me, for I know that in His will is love.

Dear Mother of Consolation, help me by your prayers to be freed from this affliction if it be God’s will. Above all else, teach me to accept my difficulty and to see in this a deepening union with your Son, through His cross, that blessed sign of His special love for me. Amen.









Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

Photo: R. Massaro (C)2013 SpiritSinging
Lourdes Shrine, Euclid, Ohio




The Official Website of the Sanctuary of Lourdes

The 69th Official Cure of Lourdes-Danila Castelli

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

COME IN PROCESSION

Our Lady Lourdes, France
Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2013 Spirit Singing

Procession in Lourdes, France
Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2013 SpiritSinging

These words of Our Lady to St. Bernadette took place during the 13th apparition at Lourdes on March 2, 1858. Our Lady told Bernadette, "Go and tell the priests that people should come here in procession."  It is very interesting and telling that the message should come through a priest.  The priest speaks on behalf of the Church.  The people of Lourdes have indeed taken Our Lady's request to heart.  Processions have taken place each day at Lourdes from the very beginning.

Blessing of the Sick-Lourdes, France

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2013 Spirit Singing

Aside from the Masses at Lourdes, there are two processions that take place each day at the shrine. The first is the afternoon procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Pilgrims process from the Esplanade to the underground Basilica of St. Pius X where the blessing of the sick and benediction takes place.  It is said that more healings take place at the blessing of the sick than through the waters of Lourdes.

Benediction at Lourdes, France

Photo: R.Massaro (C)2013 SpiritSinging

The second procession each day is the evening candlelight procession. Pilgrims gather at the Grotto or the Crowned Virgin statue in the Esplanade to participate in the procession. The procession winds around the shrine as the Rosary is prayed in 5 languages. The procession ends in front of the Rosary Basilica, where the evening hymn to Mary, the Salve Regina is chanted, then all the priests gathered in front of the basilica offer their blessing to the pilgrims.  Pilgrims offer each other a sign of peace and then depart for the evening.

Evening Procession, Lourdes France

Photo: R.Massaro (C) 2013 SpiritSinging

We may not have an opportunity to participate in a procession at Lourdes. But we do have the opportunity to participate in five processions during each Mass that we attend. Did you say five? Yes.









The Opening Procession-The priest, deacon and servers process from the back of the church to the altar of sacrifice. Together we sing a hymn of praise.

The Gospel Procession-The priest or deacon processes with the Gospel to the ambo and proclaims the Word of God.

The Offertory Procession-The people present to the priest the offerings: bread and wine.

The Communion Procession-The people come forward to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Recessional-We depart in joy and thanksgiving after having shared in the Eucharist.

Let us ask ourselves how we conduct ourselves at Mass, especially during the "processions."  Do we participate in the opening hymn?  Do we have a heart that is ready to be open to the Gospel message, or are we distracted. Perhaps, later, having no idea what Gospel passage was read. Do we offer ourselves and all that we possess during the Offertory? Do we approach the Holy Eucharist in a spirit of humble reverence?  Are we grateful for having received the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, or is it business as usual, perhaps even leaving right after communion?

Soon we will be celebrating Corpus Christ.  Let us renew our love and devotion for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  Let us be grateful that we are able to go in procession to receive him each day if we choose.  Although Our Lady asks us to "Come in Procession" Our Lord, too, desires us to come..."Come to me, all  you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. (Matthew 11:29)"  What better procession? What better pilgrimage-making our way to the Lord!

Let us pray for each other.

Mass at the Grotto-Lourdes, France

Photo: R. Massaro (c) 2013 Spirit Singing

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

I hope you enjoy this post from a few years ago.  I thought it appropriate to meditate on these three words of wisdom during this Lenten season.

PENANCE! PENANCE! PENANCE!

Photo: R. Massaro (C)2013SpiritSinging

Today's three words come directly from the lips of the Virgin Mary in her apparition to St. Bernadette. In French, the words are Penitence! Penitence! Penitence!

Photo: R. Massaro(C)2013SpiritSinging

What is penitence?  In the spiritual life, it can be described as many things. Did you know it is a virtue? Yes, it is a virtue when we possess this gift to amend our life of sin and imperfections. It is a virtue when we wish to somehow make up for the wrong we have done.  It is a virtue when we want to console the heart of Christ, whom we have grieved by our sins.

Our Lady calls us to repentance of heart. This change of heart can only be brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who enlightens the mind and the heart to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel," as the priest exhorts us on Ash Wednesday; thus beginning the great penitential season of Lent.

There are different forms of penance. One such form is public. Here is some interesting information from the Catholic Dictionary by Donald Attwater on public penance that was practiced in the early Church.

Penitents had to go through a four-stage process:

1.  Weepers:-were excluded from Mass

2.  Hearers-attended the liturgy of the catechumens

3.  Kneelers-knelt apart from the congregation

4.  Standers-Excluded from the offertory and holy communion.

These penances lasted for years and in some cases were imparted for life. Today, the Church is more merciful in her dealings with the penitent.  We know that in the Sacrament of Penance, the priest does not usually impose harsh penances on the sinner, he usually prescribes prayers or works of charity.

The Virgin Mary, in many of her apparitions asks for penance, which may include, fasting and prayer. She continually asks us to pray for sinners, indeed, poor sinners.  Mary is asking us to be people full of mercy by praying for sinners. Let us recall that one of the spiritual works of mercy is to "pray for sinners." 

We know that if we are praying for sinners, we are praying for ourselves. We are not alone in this request. We only have to read the lives of the saints to see that they considered themselves poor sinners. At the end of St. Bernadette's life, one of her final statements, was "pray for me a poor sinner."

Let us pray for each other!

The Seven Penitential Psalms

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
_____________________

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

Photo: R. Massaro (C)SpiritSinging2013
Statue in the Grotto at Lourdes, France

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

FEAST DAY: FEBRUARY 11

The Ten Principal Virtues of the most holy Virgin

1.    Profound humility
2.    Lively Faith
3.    Blind Obedience
4.    Continual Prayer
5.    Universal Mortification
6.    Divine Purity
7.    Ardent Charity
8.    Heroic Patience
9.    Angelic Sweetness
10.  Divine Wisdom
(From True Devotion by St. Louis de Montfort)

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

The Sixth Decade Rosary
The Carmelite Rosary (Brigittine Rosary)

Photo: R. Massaro
Shrine: Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted
Youngstown, Ohio

The crowned Virgin at Lourdes, France wears a six-decade Rosary. There is a tradition in this region of France to pray this six-decade Rosary. The extra decade is to be recited on behalf of the Souls in Purgatory or in honour of the Immaculate Conception

Photo: R. Massaro
Crowned Virgin  Lourdes, France

READ MORE ABOUT THE BRIGITTINE ROSARY

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

Feast Day of Our Lady Of Lourdes-Wold Day of the Sick

LOURDES LIVE WEBCAM

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday of Our Lady

In the silence of the hills Mary came at Lourdes, and so much of the story of her visits is wrapped in a mysterious silence. The apparitions began and ended in silence "In the silence of the soul" said St. John of the Cross, "God makes himself heard." In the soul of Bernadette there was a calm peace that never deserted her, and made her utterly receptive of the Lady's word...


Prayer begins with listening, and Bernadette was a good listener. Every word of the message she received resounded in the depths of her soul. Not a detail of those words was lost. After the Lady had gone, this child moved into a world of deep unbroken silence; she went her way treasuring and pondering the words in her heart.

A pilgrimage is an invitatin to silence. "Try to maintain silence in your souls, "said Pope Pius XII, "and you will be able to contemplate the splendours realized in Mary."

PRAYER:

Immacualte Virgin, grant me something of that silence full of love and peace which always filled your soul. Make my ear always attentive to God's word, and may your message to Bernadette resound in the silence of my heart so that I may be drawn by prayer and penance close to your Divine  Son.  Amen.

(Pilgrims With Mary, John Moloney, P.P. )

LOURDES LIVE WEBCAM

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

_______________________

Our Lady of Lourdes

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES 

FEBRUARY 11

Place your petition at the Grotto

LOURDES-LIVE WEBCAM

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

Images of Our Lady

 and the Grotto at Lourdes, France

The rain produced some unusual effects

The Lourdes theme for this year:

The Sign of the Cross

John Paul II's

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman, Blessed by the Most High! Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era, We join in your song of praise, to celebrate the Lord’s mercy, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom and the full liberation of humanity.

Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord, Glorious Mother of Christ! Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word, Teach us to persevere in listening to the Word, and to be docile to the voice of the Spirit, attentive to his promptings in the depths of our conscience and to his manifestations in the events of history.

Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows, Mother of the living! Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve, Be our guide along the paths of the world. Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ, to stand with you before the innumerable crosses on which your Son is still crucified.

Hail Mary, woman of faith, First of the disciples! Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.

Holy Mary, Mother of believers, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Amen.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie,ocds
____________________

Saturday of Our Lady

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain , O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. Through gratitude for your favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen.

Lourdes TV-Live webcam

The miraculous healing of John Traynor

one of the greatest miracles through the 

intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

____________________

(photo by Rosemarie

Grotto at Sorrowful Mother Shrine

Bellevue, Ohio)

Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes

February 11

Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes

and World Day of Prayer for the Sick

Mary, you showed yourself to Bernadette in the crevice of the rock. In the cold and grey of winter, you brought the warmth, light and beauty of your presence, in the often obscure depths of our lives, in the depth of the world where evil is so powerful, bring hope, return our confidence!

You are the Immaculate Conception, come to our aid, sinners that we are. Give us the humility to have a change of heart, the courage to do penance. Teach us to pray for all people. Guide us to the source of true life. Make us pilgrims going forward with your Church, whet our appetite for the Eucharist, the bread for the journey, the bread of life.

Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength,and consolation. Amen.

(Prayer in Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Lourdes)

"I DO NOT PROMISE YOU HAPPINESS IN THIS LIFE

BUT IN THE OTHER!"

(Our Lady to St. Bernadette)

LOURDES-LIVE WEBCAM

(video by Rosemarie)

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie

_____________________

St. Peter's Shadow

One of my favorite scripture passages is taken from Acts 5:15:

The people carried the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that when Peter passed by at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes-TheWorld Day of Prayer for the Sick.  In Lourdes, the sick are treated with great respect.  They are given "first-place" in all the celebrations. Many times throughout the day in Lourdes and especially during the afternoon Eucharistic procession the sick are wheeled out into the esplanade area or the sanctuary of the Grotto. Many people are on stretchers.  When the blessing of the sick takes place, the priest makes his way through the aisles formed by sick pilgrims, blessing them with our Eucharistic Lord in the monstrance he carries. The hopeful pilgrims are waiting for the rays of His love and mercy and compassion to fall upon them.

Scripture tells us that St. Peter's shadow was powerful.  So powerful indeed, that not only were the sick cured, but those with unclean spirits were delivered as well.  So, we can imagine what a sight it must have been to see those that had been brought in on mattresses and cots standing up totally cured and praising God! 

Why was Peter's shadow so powerful? A shadow is produced by light! Christ is the light that reflected off of St. Peter.

St. Peter's shadow is still passing over us today in the Catholic Church through the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ who administer to us the Sacraments Jesus instituted.

In this "Year of the Priest" let us recall the power and mercy of St. Peter's shadow when we see any priest (usually dressed in black) pass by us, offer the Sacraments and show us the love and mercy of Christ.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
_________________

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

On March 25, 1858, during the night, Bernadette felt she was being "called" again. At five in the morning she went to the grotto. Three times she asked the Lady her name Please, Mademoiselle, would you be so kind as to tell me who you are?" But all she received in reply was a smile. She tried again: this time Aquero clasped her hands together and, lifting her eyes heavenwards, said in patois, "Que soy era Immaculada Councepciou" ( I am the Immaculate Conception). Bernadette went directly to see Fr. Peyramale. "Aquero said, "I am the Immaculate Conception!"
(From Lourdes, Apparitions/Messages/Pilgrimage)

LOURDES GROTTO IN FRANCE-LIVE TELEVISION 24/7

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
______________________

Saturday of Our Lady

Litany of Loreto

Today's Title:

Queen Conceived Without Original Sin

She is a reflection of eternal light, spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. (Wisdom7:27)

The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.

Pope Pius IX, proclamation on the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, 1854.

On the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1858 Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. "Mademoiselle, would you please be kind enough to tell me who you are." At the fourth request, the Lady became serious, stopped smiling, slipped her rosary on her right arm, and with her hands joined she raised her eyes to heaven and said:

"I am the Immaculate Conception."

Source: Discovering Lourdes by Fr. Joseph Bordes

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

KEEPING VIGIL-The Spirit of Advent

On our way home after visiting family for Thanksgiving we passed by a strip mall and saw people pitching tents to wait for the the store to open at 4am.


Wouldn't it be wonderful to come across this same scene at our parish church? Wouldn't it be wonderful to see people pitching tents and lining up waiting for the doors to open in great anticipation to spend time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament? We can ask ourselves the same question: Would I wait in line for hours to receive the Eucharist? To receive the Sacrament of Penance?

The early Church Fathers, especially those Fathers of the Eastern Rite speak about keeping vigil. They speak of sleeping part of the night and praying part of the night. In this short excerpt they talk about the soul living the life of the Spirit which includes fasts and vigils.

From the Philokalia, Volume IV, pg. 109:

Those who cleave to the Spirit and are totally committed to the spiritual life live in accordance with God's will, dedicated to Him as were the Nazirites. At all times they labour to purify their souls and to keep the Lord's commandments, expending their blood in their love for Him. They purify the flesh through fasts and vigils, they refine the heart's dross with tears; they mortify their materialistic tendencies through ascetic hardship; they fill the intellect with light through prayer and meditation, making it translucid; and by renouncing their own wills they sunder themselves from passionate attachment to the body and adhere solely to the Spirit.

There are many religious who keep constant vigil for our needs and the needs of the world.

In our own family of Carmel, the cloistered sisters keep vigil on our behalf throughout the day. Please remember them in your prayers.

The Carthusians especially keep the night watch on our behalf. Here is a short description of their prayer life:



Our monastic days begins at 1.00 a.m. with a prayer to Our Lady, who never ceases to engender spiritually the life of Christ in us.

At 1.15 a.m., we hasten to church for the night office. A time of singular importance in the Carthusian liturgy, the night vigils are a clear sign of the orientation of our life: for through them is expressed the watchful expectation for the Savior, and the prayer that a dawn of resurrection may rise over the darkness of the world.During this Advent Season let us keep watch with Our Lady. May She help us to be vigilant in our prayer for the coming of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to be holy sentinels--souls constantly on guard looking for Our Savior wherever he may wish to reveal himself to us.
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150th Anniversary Of Our Lady of Lourdes

1858-2008

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
1st Day
Our Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us. Our lady of Lourdes, at your feet I ask for the grace of (mention your request) my trust in your power is unshakable, you can obtain all from your divine Son.
You who kindly accepted to come down on earth to bring us the graces of this same Son, obtain for us the grace to merit them.
Hail, Wonder of the Most High, we praise you for your glorious privilege, and joyfully repeat a thousand times: She is Immaculate. Our Lady of Lourdes, who graciously accepted to visit us!
Resolution: Purity of intention in all our actions. Queen of Virgins, pry for us.
2nd Day
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes,saying to the child St. Bernadette: " I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart. Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena. (mention your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.

Day 3
"You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin." O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O brilliant star of sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon a rough rock in Lourdes you spoke to the child Bernadette and a fountain broke from the plain earth and miracles happened and the great shrine of Lourdes began, so now I beseech you to hear our fervent prayer and do, we beseech you, grant us the petition we now so earnestly seek. ( make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Day 4
Our Lady of Lourdes, to whom Jesus can refuse nothing, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, you have power over your divine Son's Heart, prevail upon Him to be favourable to us. Ask, Heavenly Queen, and you will be heard. See our misery and our need, and have pity on us. O Mother of goodness! Bestow generously the treasures of heaven on those who pray before your altar.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Day 5
Our Lady of Lourdes, you who cure the sick,pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, health of the sick, you who heal bodies and even more heal souls, be favourable once again to our fervent prayer. Be the hope of our dear sick, may their confidence in you be rewarded. Merciful Virgin, whose very name recalls wonderful cures, show us that you are once again our hope. Intercede for us and for our dear ones, Our Lady of Lourdes, help of the sick, pray for us.
Day 6
Our Lady of Lourdes, Immaculate Mother, it has never been known that anyone called on you in vain, Those in distress, the unhappy, all who suffer: broken-hearted, wounded souls, sick bodies yearn for your loving care, most kind Virgin! If you so wish, no one will be left forsaken, and leave without feeling the effect of your powerful intercession. If we imitate your virtues you will intercede for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, help of Christians, pray for us.
Day 7
Our Lady of Lourdes, who wept over our sins, grant us true repentance for our faults,. Help us to detest all that can wound the Heart of your divine Son. Make our contrition perfect by a sincere resolution not to offend Him again. Give us that Christian force which does not hesitate before any sacrifice in Order to merit the forgiveness of sins committed and the grace not to fall again.
Our Lady of Lourdes, refuge of sinners, pray for us!
Day 8
Our Lady of Lourdes, protect our Holy Father the Pope...,fill him always with the light of the Holy Spirit, may we always have for him a filial love. may we always be faithful to his voice, may those who have gone astray come back to the Church to console the heart of our beloved Pontiff.
Our Lady of Lourdes, bless all priest, especially all those who make you known and loved.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Queen of Apostles, pray for us!
Day 9
Our Lady of Lourdes, do not forget the children of the Church Militant, nor those of the Church suffering. Give them "rest, light and peace." The church, our Mother, asks this each day in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Hear their cry for help, and answer the prayers of those who pray to you for them. We wish to expiate for the souls of our relatives: father, mother, husband, wife, friends. For these dear departed grant grace an d mercy, Our Lady of Lourdes, so that they may sing your praises in Heaven.
Our Lady of Lourdes, the Immaculate Conception, pray for us!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS