SATURDAY OF OUR LADY

Basilica of the National Shrine of

Our Lady of Fatima

Lewiston, New York

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Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal

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Our Lady asked for Five "First Saturday" to make reparation for:

1.  Blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception

2.  Against her virginity

3.  Against her Divine Maternity

4.  Offenses by those who promote indifference or hatred toward

      her.

5.  Those who desecrate her sacred images

Five First Saturday Devotions

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Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

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TABERNACLE OF THE WEEK

St. Mary Catholic Church

Elyria, Ohio
Pastor: Rev. Charles Diedrick
Parish Website

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Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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SPIRITUAL LIFE DICTIONARY

TODAY'S TERM:

PURITY OF INTENTION

For our actions to be meritorious it is enough, according to many theologians, that they be inspired by any supernatural motive: fear, hope or love. It is true that St. Thomas requires that our actions be at least virtually under the influence of charity through a preceding act of love the influence of which still endures. He adds, however, that this condition is fulfilled in all those that perform any lawful action whilst in the state of grace: For those in the state of grace every act is meritorious or demeritorious.

The intention is the principal element in our actions; it is the eye that sheds its light upon them and directs them toward their end, it is the soul that animates them and gives them their worth in God's sight.
From the Spiritual Life by Rev. Adolphe Tanquerey #239

St. John of the Cross, speaking of moral goods, and the ability of the Christian to rejoice in them:

Christians, then, should rejoice not if they accomplish good works and abide by good customs, but if they do these things out of love for God alone, without any other motive. As those who work only for the service of God will receive a more elevated reward of glory, so those who work for other motives will suffer greater shame when they stand before God.
Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mt. Carmel, Chap. 27, No. 5

Let us pray for each other, that through prayer ,that gives self-knowledge, we may purify our intentions and be aware of our selfish motives. May the Holy Spirit burn out any hidden desires we have to glorify ourselves. May the Holy Spirit create in us a clean and pure heart!

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Guard me, O Holy Spirit, that I myself may always be holy.
— Augustine of Hippo





Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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Saturday of Our Lady

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!

A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in a family group, a religious community or pious association; a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances.

Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine

Parma Heights, Ohio

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

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Tabernacle of the Week

St. John Neumann Catholic Church

Strongsville, Ohio

Diocese of Cleveland

Pastor: Rev. Robert J. Kraig

Parish Website

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Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Three Words of Wisdom

"ENDURE YOUR TRIALS"

 Brothers and sisters,You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: my son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as sons.
For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed. 

 (Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13)

These words from today's second scripture reading immediately spoke to my heart and reminded me of the spiritual work of mercy that exhorts us to "bear wrongs patiently." Actually, three more words of wisdom that we can consider.

 As Christians we are challenged to bear all things, to endure all things...We know from the lives of the apostles and the saints that they were masters at this spiritual work of mercy.  This attitude of mercy, which is the fruit of living a life of beatitude, is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  It is the direct result of our desire to imitate Our Lord who endured all things, even unto death.

When we bear wrongs patiently and when we forgive offenses willingly, we are not only being merciful to others who have tried and tested us, but we are being merciful to ourselves. We can experience profound peace of mind and heart  when we forgive ourselves willingly and die to our ego. 

How do I endure my trials?

Do I respond with fear and anxiety?
Do I rejoice that I suffered a little for Christ? 
Do I withdraw and write off certain people and situations?

Here is how St. Peter describes trials:

There is cause for rejoicing here. You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials: but this is so that your faith, which is more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold, may by its genuineness lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears. (1 Peter 6-7) 

Prayer can help us prepare for the battle of trials that will always be a part of our life.  Prayer can help us get to know ourselves-who we really are before the Lord. St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) teaches us that self-knowledge is painful. Purity of heart, although a gift of God, does not come easily. As I have mentioned before, holiness is back-breaking, hard spiritual labor, because we do not die to our egos easily.

Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity teaches us that Heaven begins now, not when we die.  Trials in this life are our purgatory. It is the Lord's way of being merciful to us-purifying us now so that we may begin to live a life of beatitude in the here and now.  

Let us pray for each other that we will "endure our trials" patiently, knowing that the Holy Spirit will help us to endure all things for the love of Christ.

May we imitate Our Lady of Sorrows who endured her trial in the silence of her heart. May we imitate the holy martyrs who willingly embraced the cross , even with great joy! 

 The Spiritual Works of Mercy: 
 To instruct the ignorant;
 To counsel the doubtful;
 To admonish sinners;
 To bear wrongs patiently;
 To forgive offenses willingly;
 To comfort the afflicted;
 To pray for the living and the dead.


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
______________________

Saturday of Our Lady

(photo: R.Massaro, crowned virgin of Lourdes, Frances)

August 22-Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Octave of the Assumption

Ever-Virgin Mary, we acclaim you Queen of the universe! For you gave birth to Christ the Lord, who is Savior of all mankind.


Heavenly Father, you gave us your Son's Mother as our own Mother and Queen. In your mercy hear her prayer for us so that we may reach heavenly glory in the kingdom of your children.


Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, for having believed the message given you by the Lord. With Christ you are now Queen forever.


Learn more about the Coronation of the Virgin Mary

Queen of the Universe Shrine, Orlando, Fla.

Pope Pius XII Enclyclical-Ad Caeli Reginam
Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary-1954

Peace be with you!
Rosmarie, ocds
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