Our Lady of Trust Novena 2009

WHY WE CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF TRUST: We, a small cell of the family of God, feel a deep filial love for our mother. We are constantly encouraged in the realization of our ideal by her presence and her example, so much so that we reverently address her with the title of Virgin of Trust. (Our Prayer)

Our Lady of Trust has long been the Patroness of the Apostolic Oblates and of the Pro Sanctity Movement. The gift of her protection and guidance was brought to us by the deep devotion of our founder, Bishop William Giaquinta, who came to know Our Lady of Trust while in the Major Seminary of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Please join the Pro Sanctity Movement as we turn to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Trust and ask her for the trust to become saints! Please also pray for the preparation of the General Assembly of the Institute of the Apostolic Oblates. Pay attention words or phrases from the prayer everyday and let it lead you into an intimate dialogue, one that takes place between a mother and a child. Please post your reflection and graces under comments.

Day One:
Drawn by the need of your help in the many trials which engulf us in this life,
we come to your feet, O Virgin of Trust,
to pour out to the heart of a mother our wishes and failings. (W. Giaquinta)

In writings dated February 20, 1977, Bishop Giaquinta provides material for meditation expressed through his own thoughts on Our Lady of Trust: “It seems to me that the trust of Our Lady has its roots in a poverty open to acceptance. The Madonna knows she is a poor creature, but exactly for this reason she can count on the omnipotence of God: God, the all-powerful, has chosen her precisely because she was poor, and Our Lady has at the same time the awareness both of her poverty and of her richness that comes from trusting in the omnipotence of God.” (W. Giaquinta, February 20, 1977)

A Closer Look at Our Lady of Trust: Did you know that the original portrait of our Lady of Trust was actually called Our Lady of Confidence by the Italian painter Carlo Maratta (1625-1713)? Maratta gave the picture to the Abbess of the Convent of Poor Claire of St. Francis, now known as Venerable Clair Isabella Fornari. She embraced a life of severe penance and was favored with many mystical graces. She had a great devotion to sacred images, especially those of Mary. She treasured the picture Maratta gave her and would meditate on it during her prayer time. Our Lady promised Sister Claire that she would give special graces to all those who would venerate the image of our Lady of Trust throughout the ages. "My Heavenly Mother assured me," said the Abbess, "that she would give a special tenderness and devotion toward her to everyone who contemplated this image (the original and copies). (from History of Our Lady of Trust)

"Let us have trust in Mary who cares for us..." (Giaquinta)

Our Lady of Trust Novena 2009

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF TRUST - Sunday, February 22, 2009

PRO SANCTITY CELEBRATES THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF TRUST

Sunday, February 22, 2009

from 2:00-4:30p.m.

 Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha

3535 S. 119th St.—Social Hall (downstairs)

Cost: Free Will Donation

Bring Snacks to Share  

Presentation by

Stacey Floersch and

Sandy Kolb  

"Welcoming Children in Confidence”

 

Prayer, Reflection, Refreshments

and Children’s Program

www.prosanctity.org - 402-289-1938

psm@prosanctity.org

 

Everyone is welcome, bring the family, friends and neighbors!

 

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF TRUST - Sunday, February 22, 2009

Fr. Carl and Fr. Tom in Rome, part 2

FROM FR. CARL ZOUCHA AND FR. TOM WEISBECKER

            They arrived in Rome on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 for some very important meetings with the Apostolic Sodales, please keep them in prayer!

 

Hi Teresa, Oblates, Sodales and Friends,

Thanks for your prayers.  Keep them up! 

A bit more about the trip.  The flight was good, as good as an all night flight can be.  3 or 4 other priests with their pilgrims from various parts of the U.S. were on the flight.  Found Dons Antonio and Tarcisius quickly outside the airport when we arrived.  Went to San Liborio, met the Indian priests, Frs. Matthew V., Joseph P, and Jose Matthew P., and Don Antonio.  It was probably 10 or so.  We got cleaned up and met at 11:00 a.m. to work out the schedule for the upcoming days.  We only got as far as a day and a half schedule.  No wonder they say to only expect to get one thing done a day in Rome.  Tom and I were smiling at each other at the process.  Then we had midday prayer, pranzo, and an hour rest before heading out to St. Paul's Outside the Walls at 4:00 p.m.  Tom, Fr. Matthew, Don Antonio & I took the subway to St. Paul's.  The rest went in the car.  Tuesday was Malta's Feast of the shipwreck of Paul on the island, and Don Paulo celebrated that feast in St. Paul's.  It was a graced moment as we are in the year of St. Paul.  Great way to start.  Prayed at the tomb of St. Paul.  Don Mario picked up the 4 of us who had taken the subway.  We stopped by his church, with its shrine to Our Lady of Trust, before arriving back to San Liborio for night prayer, and then to bed.

 

I was went with Dons Paulo, Anonio and Tarsisius by car to St. Peter's earlier than the rest.  We had to pick up the tickets for the audience with the Pope that a.m.  Don Antonio & I were dropped off and had to walk to the office in the plaza of the Vatican to get the tickets.  As we started walkking, I offered my arm to Don Antonio and he put his arm inside mine for support.  We did that throughout the day.  We couldn't communicate at all, but that spoke volumes.  The grandfather priest leading, but being supported by, the younger priest.  We went through security.  The Vatican guards saluted us and let us past.  We got our tickets and then had to walk to the other side of the plaza, in a bit of a mist and dampness.  By God's providence, we ran right into Dons Paulo and Tarcisius.  Don Paulo stayed out to give the tickets to the others who were coming with Don Mario.  We all got inside and had great seats by the center aisle to greet the Pope.  Two years ago, Teresa and I got to shake his hand.  I was hoping for the same.  We waited, prayed and visited with people around us.  But then we were informed by a guard in the center aisle that the Pope would come in by the side door.  The Pope spoke of an early Middle Age ascetic Church Father.  I didn't catch his name, but how he recommended to his followers the ladder to reach God and the steps being divided into three categories of renunciation of the things of the world, practicing virtues, and then contemplating God through the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.  Then the usual summaries and naming the various groups from the various continents and countries and languages.  The exulberant atmosphere was wonderful.  Somehow, The Sodales' name was not mentioned, as it had been two years ago.  But the whole visit was great.

 

We went to Largo Arbe (sp?) for lunch with the Oblates.  It was very nice, and mutually encouraging.  We prayed in the Founder's room and recieved a gift from the Oblates expressing their support and prayers for our meeting.  We came back to San Liborio for a bit of rest, then evening prayer, adoration, the Rosary and Holy Mass.  We finished with some reflection time and set out the schedule for the next day (today)

 

We began today with breakfast (of course.  My pants are a bit tight after only three days with the Italians! Two other priests who live at San Liborio and study join us for meals, one Indian and one African)  We gathered in the Cenacle room for morning prayer.  Another Sodales, Don Arcangelo from Sicily, has joined us.  Oblate Rose joined us and has been translating for today.  Each country reported on their past year's activities.  Fr. Tom did a fine job for the American Institute.  We had a holy half hour before lunch, and our rest.  Fr. Tom and I went for a walk around the parish area.

 

We are starting our afternoon session soon, so I will be going.  Now the real work of writing the Commentary of the Constitution begins. 

 

Please pass this to the various Bethanys if you wish. 

Again, thanks for your prayers.

With love,

Carl

Fr. Carl and Fr. Tom in Rome, part 2

Our Lady of Lourdes

Words of the Founder:
"I have put under the maternal care of Our Lady all the diocesan and parochial work of our priests, the activity of the renewed Catholic Action and all the other apostolic organizations, the work that we want to develop for the benefit of young people, and these first pastoral visits in the Diocese. Our Lady of Lourdes, accepting our generous availability for apostolic work and our desire for personal holiness, assists each of us." (Through Images)

Like Bishop Giaquinta, let us entrust our apostolate and mission in the hands of our Mother. Mary meets us where we are at with our poor gifts and feeble attempts like a mother who receives with joy her child's first efforts to walk. It is not what we are doing that gives Mary delight, but the very fact that we, her children, have been called to be holy, today. Remembering that we are her children destined for eternal glory should open our hearts to be generous and courageous by sharing the message of holiness with others. In his book, The Cenacle, Bishop Giaquinta reminds priests that they "must not be afraid to be loved by Mary". This reminder is applied to priests in a special way, but it is also an invitation to all people because Mary is Mater Ecclesia, Mother of the Church. Go to your Mother and spend some time with her today!

"How wonderful it would be if we were able to lean our head on the heart of Mary just as a child would! One day, in eternity, we hope to be able to approach her and, with filial love and respect, kiss our mother and be kissed by her." (Giaquinta, The Cenacle, 73)

Please also remember to pray for the sick today. Here is an excerpt of Our Holy Father message to us on the World Day of the Sick:

The spiritual link with Lourdes, in addition, calls to mind the maternal solicitude of the Mother of Jesus for the brethren of her Son “who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into the happiness of their true home” (Lumen gentium, n. 62).

This year we direct our attention particularly to children, the weakest and most defenseless creatures, and, amongst them, to the sick and suffering children.

From all these children arises a silent cry of pain that calls on our conscience as men and believers. The Christian community, which cannot remain indifferent to such dramatic situations, perceives the impelling duty to intervene. The Church, indeed, as I wrote in the encyclical Deus caritas est, “is God’s family in the world. In this family no one ought to go without the necessities of life” (n. 25, b). I thus hope that the World Day of the Sick will also offer an opportunity to parish and diocesan communities to become increasingly aware that they are “God’s family”, and will encourage them to make the love of the Lord, who asks that “within the ecclesial family no member should suffer through being in need” (ibid.), perceivable in villages, neighborhoods and cities. Witness to charity is a part of the life itself of every Christian community.

All of this presupposes a disinterested and generous love, a reflection and sign of the merciful love of God who never abandons his children in affliction, but always provides them with admirable resources of the heart and intelligence, so that they can adequately address the difficulties of life.

The daily dedication and tireless commitment to the service of sick children constitute an eloquent testimony of love for human life, in particular for the life of those who are weak and who are in everything and for everything dependent on others. It is, indeed, necessary to affirm with vigor the absolute and supreme dignity of every human life. The teaching that the Church proclaims incessantly does not change with the passing of time: human life is beautiful and should be lived in fullness even when it is weak and shrouded by the mystery of suffering. It is to Jesus that we must direct our gaze: in dying on the cross he wanted to share the pain of all humanity.

A special greeting for you, dear sick and suffering children: the Pope embraces you with fatherly love, together with your parents and relatives; he assures you that you are especially remembered in his prayers, inviting you to trust in the maternal help of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, who last Christmas we once again contemplated while she held in her arms the Son of God made child. Invoking upon you and every sick person the protection of the Holy Virgin, Health of the Sick, to all of you from my heart I impart a special Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 2 February 2009 Benedictus P.P. XVI

Our Lady of Lourdes

Jesus' Altar, Tabernacle and Monstrance

I am so grateful to have received this from Franca the other day. I thought you might enjoy reading (or re-reading, as the case may be) it too. Love, Jackie L.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Giuliana Spigone, A. O.
February 24, 2003

Jesus is always with us. He assured us, “[K]now that I am with you always, until the end of the world.”[1] Jesus remains always with us! Let us welcome Him; let us open wide the door of our heart to let Him in! Our heart has to be like an altar, a tabernacle, and a monstrance.

AN ALTAR
Let us make of our heart a table on which our offerings are placed; the same altar where every day Jesus offers Himself to the Father for us. We have to be an altar on which our poverty is offered. Let us place all we are and have on the altar of God; let us sacrifice ourselves, our selfishness, our pride, and all that belongs to us. The blessing of our heavenly Father will come upon our offerings and the Spirit will transform them into an oblation pleasing to God.

A TABERNACLE
Our heart must be like a tabernacle, a sacred place where the Lord lives, watches in silence, and murmurs words of goodness and love to the heart. “Taste and see how good the Lord is,” [2] the Psalmist sings. We have to experience the presence of the Lord within us and generously share it with others. Let us listen to what the Lord says to our heart about ourselves and about our brothers and sisters whom we are to love as He loves them.[3]

A MONSTRANCE
We want to make our heart like a monstrance, exposing Jesus to all we meet. Mary, the first monstrance, showed her Son to the Shepherds, the Magi, to all. Before Jesus was born, Mary brought Him to Elizabeth who rejoiced in Whom she saw. Elizabeth, in turn, became a monstrance herself and sang the first beatitude[4] and Mary responded with the Magnificat.[5] Together the two women - each bearing Jesus in her heart - sang a beautiful canticle of praise to the Lord.[6] May our own encounters with others reflect the mystery of the Visitation as we bring our Lord to a waiting world.

Therefore, let us say often:
Jesus, let my heart be
the altar where You sacrifice Yourself
the tabernacle where You watch over us
the monstrance where You manifest Yourself to the world. Amen.
[1] Mt 28:20
[2] Ps 34:9
[3] see Jn 15
[4] Lk 1:45
[5] Lk 1:46-55
[6] Lk 1:42-55

Jesus' Altar, Tabernacle and Monstrance

Newsflash!!!

Newsflash!!!

Father Scott Traynor, Pro Sanctity priest-friend and dedicated witness to the universal call to holiness, has a new blog.  You don’t want to miss it!! http://catholicgold.blogspot.com/

 

John Paul II asks you to ask yourself:

“What have I done with my Baptism?  How am I responding to my vocation? What have I done with my Confirmation? Have I made the gifts and charisms of the Spirit bear fruit?” (A Vatican II Examination of Conscience)

 

Invitation to trust:

“He Who could walk on water could also ride triumphantly upon what is still more fickle, unstable, tumultuous, treacherous – the billows of human wills, human purposes, human hearts.  (Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman)

 

Another invitation to trust:

“Lord Jesus, our Redeemer Who willingly accepted death so that all persons could be saved and enter into new life, we turn to You with trust in Your merciful love.”  (Bishop William Giaquinta)

 

Is this message for me?

“There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them.”  Charles Gill

 

Living Co-redemptive Love

“[God] continues to save souls and searches for instruments.  He wants my free co-operation, my instrumentality.  I give it to Him without dispute…If He wants me to share His active life, I will consume my strength for my brothers and sisters.  If instead He wants to take me into the mysteries of the silence of Nazareth, I will joyfully accept my obscurity.  I will try to climb onto the cross if my Lord calls me to the mysteries of the passion, and will accept glory if He wants that.  Always for others, though, because I must move only along the lines of co-redemption.  (Bishop William Giaquinta)

 

I have to remind myself:

“Don’t give God instructions.  Just report for duty!” (Nome Static)

 

Is Pro Sanctity pro life?

How could we say we promote holiness if we do not work to protect the right to life of our vulnerable brothers and sisters, whether they reside in their mother’s womb, a hospice bed, or a group home?  Our slogan – “All saints, all brothers and sisters” – only has meaning and credibility if we are pro life.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....Pope Benedict XVI

Poverty is fought if humanity becomes more fraternal as a result of shared values and ideals, founded on the dignity of the person, on freedom joined to responsibility, on the effective recognition of the place of God in the life of man.

 

Newsflash!!!

Look out! On FEBRUARY 17th, it's Analog Armageddon!

HD or HP?

By Kay Parlor

 

Look out!  On FEBRUARY 17^th, it’s Analog Armageddon! 

 

The other day, the Feb. 17^th date stated flashing on our television screen.  It was yet another in a long list of ways that the television industry has enlisted to inform us that all television transmissions will be digital as of that date.  Enough already!

 

It is no secret to those who know me well that I am not a fan of television.  I once heard someone say that if future archeologists excavated our homes centuries from now, they would conclude that we worshipped the T.V. based on arrangement of furniture facing it, number of sets in the house, etc.  That gives me pause.

 

I must confess that we have two sets in our home, one of which is a high-def-big-screen that the kids and I bought for my husband’s 50^th birthday.  Sadly, I succumbed to the marketing hype and now I have no one to blame but myself.  Yes, football is on in HD every weekend of the season in my home.  My dear husband folds the laundry during the games to justify sitting in front of it for so long.  He is much more in control than my 20 year old son, who will not only watch the game for nearly 4 hours but then watch Sports Center rehash EVERY MINUTE of it for another 3 hours!  In fairness, my husband can easily point to my own habit of putting HGTV on while I’m folding clothes and I often linger longer to watch the “reveal”.

 

Television viewing, like anything else, is not a “bad” thing as long as moderation is used.  When television interferes with our family time, our prayer life, getting to Mass, etc. we have a problem.  Some families have gone into debt to have the “theatre experience” in their homes.  Are we more concerned with HD (high definition) or HP (our Higher Power)?

 

As we begin a new year, it is good to take stock and see those areas in our life where we have let the pull of outside influences infringe on our placing God first in our lives.  What unhealthy idols have we latched onto?  Let’s pray for each other, that we can strive to overcome them!

 

Look out! On FEBRUARY 17th, it's Analog Armageddon!

Thank you to KVSSCatholic Radio!

November 15, 2008

Spirit Award KVSS DINNER!

Omaha’s Catholic Radio Station has a long, beautiful history with Pro Sanctity and Teresa Monaghen, praising God, Teresa and the Movement were chosen to be the recipients of this year’s Spirit Award. From many, many stints as a guest on the “Morning Show” with Bruce and Kris McGregor, to our own “Holiness Helpers Hour” every Friday at 10:00, to spiritual nourishment and direction for the staff, and countless other collaborative efforts, Catholic radio and Pro Sanctity have been a team “made in Heaven” for sure! Over two hundred people came out on a wintry November night to honor Pro Sanctity and support KVSS. Pro Sanctity members Kay and Rob Parlor and Tom and Rita Hejkal chaired the event, which was attended by numerous other members and friends of the Movement. Catholic radio was one of Bishop Giaquinta’s dreams; surely he is involved in this project from Heaven.

Special thanks go to Kay and Parlor and Rita and Tom Hejkal, who worked tirelessly on the Dinner plans with KVSS Catholic Radio.

Thanks to our Episcopal Moderator, Archbishop Elden Curtiss for being with us that evening and for his consistent support of both KVSS and Pro Sanctity!

We thank Mr. Director Jim Carroll, and the amazing staff of KVSS for the wonderful collaboration and support of the apostolate of holiness!

We thank Founder, Servant of God, Bishop Giaquinta for his inspiration and intercession from heaven!

Together we are working for a world of all saints, all brothers and sisters! Thank you!

Thank you to KVSSCatholic Radio!

In the spirit of the Holy Land Pilgrimage - Mother Teresa

A Simple Path

"They returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth"
You can pray to the Holy Family for your own family:
Our Father, who art in heaven, You have given us a model of life
in the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Help us, most loving Father, to make a new Nazareth
of our own families, where joy and peace will reign.
May it be deeply contemplative,
fervently Eucharistic and joyfully vibrant.
Help us to stay together through good and ill
thanks to our praying as a family.
Teach us to encounter Jesus
in every member of our own families
especially those who suffer and are wounded.
May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
make our hearts as meek and humble as His (Mt 11,29).
Help us to fulfill our vocation as a family in holiness.
May we love one another as God loves each one of us
more and more every day
and forgive each other's faults
as You forgive our sins.
Most loving Father, help us
to accept all You give to us
and give all You take from us
with a big smile.
Immaculate heart of Mary, cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels
be always with us,
guiding us and protecting us.
Amen.

Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), Foundress of the Missionary Sisters of Charity

 

In the spirit of the Holy Land Pilgrimage - Mother Teresa

message from the Holy Land

My Mother, My Confidence!

 

Dearest ones,

 

Thank you for your prayers! We just wanted to send a quick note to let you know that we are fine. We have seen a little of the news, so we thought you might be worried. We are safe and paying attention. Do not worry.

 

Today we had Mass at St. Ann's Church and went to the birth place of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation. Tomorrow we will go to Gethsemane and have Mass at the Church of the Nations. We will also go to the place of the Transfiguration.

 

It is very difficult to find the Blessed Sacrament, except, of course, at the Churches we stop at...but they do not give us much time to pray!  :(  It helps us to look for Jesus all day long, though, so that is a gift! We are having a wonderful, grace-filled time!

 

You are all in our loving prayers. Thank you for your prayers. We love you!!

 

(We probably will not write/call again b/c it is expensive and difficult.)

 

Love,

Jessi and Joan

--
Pro Sanctity Movement
All Saints! All Brothers and Sisters!
www.prosanctity.org
Check out our Blog! http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/

message from the Holy Land

Advent Reflections

Eve

The wait is almost over
Time is near
Anticipation fills the air
Everything is almost ready

Bethlehem is within sight
It is drawing close
Look at the lambs upon the hills
Settling in for the night

There is the inn
It looks too full
Just as your belly is
There is no room

The time is close
Stars shine brightly
Wait there is a stable
All has been prepared

The hay is warm
Cattle breathe their warmth
Joseph prepare a space
Time has come

Anne Zugelder
12/22/08

Advent Reflections

Spend some time with St. Joseph this Advent!

Meditation by Nick Emanuel

Take a minute to read the Nativity passage from the Gospel of Matthew.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Pay particular attention to St. Joseph and his actions. Here's a man who is preparing to marry a beautiful and holy woman, Mary. He then finds out that she is pregnant with child, a child which is not his. Being an honorable man he chooses to divorce Mary quietly rather than turn her into a public spectacle which certainly would have led to her public humiliation, maybe even her stoning. This is the good and prudent thing to do, at least as far as human understanding can take it. And if St. Joseph had done the good and prudent thing then things would have gone completely different. St. Joseph was open to the deeper mystery of Christ, so open that an angel was able to speak to him in a dream and he was able to obediently live out his call to be the father of Jesus.

How about us? How often do we just do the good and prudent thing? We go to the staff Christmas party because we should. We will visit relatives because it's what we've always done. We shop for presents because it's what we do at Christmas time. We can go a long time doing the good and prudent thing and never reach the deeper meaning of Christ in our lives. In fact, we can so shut him out that we become the ones who determine what the good and prudent thing is rather than turning to God to experience the deeper reality of a life in union with Christ.

This Christmas, go deeper with Christ. Don't settle for the good and prudent thing, let Christ show you a deeper reality.

Spend some time with St. Joseph this Advent!

The Silent Stillness of Advent

Caryll Houselander, in her book The Reed of God, speaks of the invitation during Advent to be attentive to Christ growing within us as Mary was attentive to Christ growing within her. Noticing, paying attention to, and receiving a "growing awareness that Christ is being formed in our lives from what we are" compels us to respond to the impulse of love that rises up in our heart. Amidst all the ordinariness of daily life, we can possess a profound confidence that we are hastening toward the Father if we remain attentive to the reality of the life of Christ growing within us, possessing us. "It seems that this is Christ's favorite way of being recognized, that He prefers to be known, not by His own human features, but by the quickening of His own life in the heart, which is the response to His coming."
As a pregnant woman is constantly aware of the child in her womb, we are called by our Baptism - and given the grace - to be constantly aware of the indwelling Trinity. As we grow more and more aware of this indwelling presence, rather than becoming absorbed withinn ourselves, we are propelled in mission to serve our brothers and sisters, rejoicing always in the eternal life welling up in our heart. In these days of Advent, Mary desires to teach us to be aware of the Life growing within us, the Life being formed from the greatest poverties of our being, the Life that transforms every moment and every detail.

"Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word, and I shall be healed."

"The Body of Christ."

"AMEN!"

The Silent Stillness of Advent

Immaculate Conception!

Mary, the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the United States. Let us remember that she is always interceding for the holiness of our Nation. Today we join her in praying for the conversion of our leaders and for the renewal of true Hope in Christ.

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
Gate of heaven, star of the sea,
Assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again,
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
Yet remained a virgin after as before,
You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,
Have pity on us, poor sinners.

May she who carried within her womb the hope of all the nations intercede for the people of this country, so that all may be made new in Jesus Christ her Son. -Pope Benedict XVI

Immaculate Conception!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Nine:

John Paul II was able to touch the hearts of many because he deeply knew the needs of others. This is especially reflected in his writings and addresses to women. How did this man become such as an expert on women? He knew the Woman. Mary, the Woman first spoken of in Genesis, was his instructor. At an early age she became John Paul II's mother. As a young seminarian and priest, she was his queen when he consecrated himself totally to her. As pope, she was his constant companion and helper and his papal crest placed Mary in her most powerful postion, under the cross. Throughout his writings, John Paul II creates some of his own titles for Mary as he came to know her more and grew closer to her. In our ENDOW study, we also created our own litany with John Paul II's "Letter to Women" and with our own titles for her as well. We encourage you to write your own litany and ask Mary to show you where she is present in your life and where she wants to be more present to you today.

Litany to Mary Inspired by John Paul II’s "Letter to Women"

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy

Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy

Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us

God, the Father in Heaven, have mercy on us

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us

God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us

Purest Light…...pray for us

Love Defined,

Mother of patience,

Pool of serenity,

Mary, Mother of the Whole World,

Lady of Peace,

Mary, Mother of the Morning,

Perfect Virgin,

Mary, full of insights,

Mary, my comfort,

Our Lady of Light,

Mary, servant of love,

Mary, gift to all humanity,

Mary, Mother of the Unbelievers,

Mary, Companion of the cross,

Mary, guiding Light,

Mary, beacon of hope,

Mary, perfect model of femininity,

Mary who patiently endured life,

Mary, highest expression of the feminine genius,

Source of constant inspiration,

Wife and mother in the family of Nazareth,

Handmaid of the Lord,

Mary, at the service of love for God and others,

Mary, perfect woman,

Queen of heaven and earth,

Mary, mother of believers

Mary, icon of the Church,

Mary, Queen of Love,

Spotless bride,

Mary, gift for your Son,

Mary, gift for the sons and daughters of the whole human race,

Mother, who awakens profound trust in those who seek guidance along the difficult paths of life,

Mary, whose vision saw through all dark and confusing situations to the heart of Christ,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God, we thank you and praise you for in Mary is found the perfection of what you desire for all women. “Precisely through this service Mary was able to experience in her life a mysterious, but authentic reign.” Invoking her as Queen, we turn to her our model, “for her, ‘to reign’ is to serve! Her service is ‘to reign’! We thank you for “the mystery of woman and for every woman-for all that constitutes the eternal measure of her feminine dignity”. May Mary watch over all “women and their mission in service of humanity, of peace, of the spread of God's Kingdom!” Amen.

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Eight:
“…there is great significance to that ‘womanhood’ which was lived in such a sublime way by Mary. In fact, there is present in the ‘womanhood’ of a woman who believes, and especially in a woman who is ‘consecrated’, a kind of inherent ‘prophecy’ (cf. Mulieris Dignitatem, 29), a powerfully evocative symbolism, a highly significant ‘iconic character’, which finds its full realization in Mary and which also aptly expresses the very essence of the Church as a community consecrated with the integrity of a ‘virgin’ heart to become the ‘bride’ of Christ and ‘mother’ of believers. When we consider the ‘iconic’ complementarity of male and female roles, two of the Church's essential dimensions are seen in a clearer light: the ‘Marian’ principle and the Apostolic- Petrine principle (cf. ibid., 27).” (John Paul II, Letter to Women, 11)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church draws from the wealth of John Paul II’s wisdom as well:

#773 In the Church this communion of men with God, in the "love [that] never ends," is the purpose which governs everything in her that is a sacramental means, tied to this passing world. "[The Church's] structure is totally ordered to the holiness of Christ's members. And holiness is measured according to the 'great mystery' in which the Bride responds with the gift of love to the gift of the Bridegroom." Mary goes before us all in the holiness that is the Church's mystery as "the bride without spot or wrinkle." This is why the "Marian" dimension of the Church precedes the “Petrine”.

Today, allow Jesus to attend to your heart. Ask Him to do so. For just as "the Eternal Father Himself accomplished in the holy heart of His beloved daughter, the glorious Virgin Mary, that which He commands all faithful souls to do when He says, 'Put me as a seal upon Thy heart' (Song 8:6). With His own hand He has impressed on her heart a perfect semblance of the divine qualities of His love, which consequently is a perfect image of the sanctity, wisdom, goodness, mercy, benignity, charity, and all the other perfections of the infinite love of the Father."
–St. John Eudes

The Bride of Christ, the Church, is often crying out for His love through her members who are broken and wounded. They are in need of the love of Christ, the Man who was pierced and wounded for His Bride. Lowering Himself for her, Christ not only loves His wounded Bride, but also sees in her the fullness (holiness) she is called to in all her beauty. It is in Christ’s redeeming love that she is perfected and made whole. Therefore, the Bride is invited to respond to this love which is poured upon her. Today let Jesus love you in your weaknesses, pain, and brokenness. Pray that you may love with the heart of Mary, that you may attend to the Heart that longs to be loved by you.

Mary, Queen of Love, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Seven:

"In fact, there is present in the "womanhood" of a woman who believes...a powerfully evocative symbolism, a highly significant "iconic character," which finds its full realization in Mary and which aptly expresses the very essence of the Church as a community consecrated with the integrity of a "virgin" heart to become the "bride" of Christ and "mother" of believers." (John Paul II, Letter to Women, 11)

While there is great peace and joy to be found in realizing our dignity in who God created us to be as man and woman, there is also a great challenge and responsibility. The heart of what it means to be a woman is reflected in the beauty and grace of the Church. As members of the Church, we are all called to fulfill that role to some degree. Mary lived her life in a perfect representation of the Church as virgin, bride, and mother. As virgin, she exemplifies the virtue of purity. Purity of thought, purity of action, purity of desire. Her every word, her every relationship, was dedicated to the purest motive of bringing others to her Son. When we ask Mary to pray for us, we ask with confidence knowing that her prayers are pure and without our own selfish motives. As bride, Mary personifies service. At the Wedding at Cana, Mary served the wedding party by ensuring an abundance of wine. But she serves us today with the same words she spoke then: "Do whatever He tells you." She serves us best by fulfilling the deepest needs of our heart, directing us to Jesus. As mother, Mary embodies sacrificial giving. In motherhood, a woman gives her body, her energy and her life to nurture and care for her child. Mary sacrificed the greatest gift of her Son to nurture her spiritual children, to give us the opportunity to know Love.

The Church answers to the same call to be virgin, bride and mother. We are called to purity of heart, purity of prayer, purity of spirit. Today, ask yourself where selfishness and greed taint your motives. Ask Mary to be an example of humility and generosity. We are called to serve others in the way that Mary served humanity, always leading others to Christ. It is the richest service we can offer another. Today, ask Mary to help you recognize where God might be using you to lead another to Him. We are called to make a sincere gift of ourselves in a sacrificial way as spiritual mothers. In placing the needs of others before our own, we invite God to work through our gift. Today, invite the Holy Spirit to give you the courage and the strength to give of yourself in a new way so that another may be nurtured and cared for. Reflect on the great sacrifice of Mary and pray in gratitude for her example of perfect motherhood.
(Reflection by Michelle Z.)

Mary, spotless Bride and icon of the Church, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Six:
“Our ability to recognize this dignity [of women], in spite of historical conditioning, comes from the use of reason itself, which is able to understand the law of God written in the heart of every human being. More than anything else, the word of God enables us to grasp clearly the ultimate anthropological basis of the dignity of women, making it evident as a part of God’s plan for humanity.” (Letter to Women, 6)

As Christians, we are aware that God created man and woman with equal dignity. Each unique, but loved the same by our Creator. However, through our fallen nature the differences between man and woman have not always been seen as ‘good.’ Often, feminine qualities have implied weakness and, in certain circumstances, unfair conditions have been imposed on women.

The tragic cases throughout the world where women are not respected are grievances shared by Christians and the secular world alike. The “law of God written in the heart” brings us back to this truth. It is a universal truth that women and men are equal and even complementary. Reason and nature tell us this, yet the hardness of our hearts and fallen nature interfere.

But as Christians, we have countless stories and examples in Scripture of how God has blessed women and used them throughout salvation history. We especially have Mary. Conceived without sin. Full of grace. God chose a woman to be the model of humanity. She is the New Eve and God looked on her, as he did with our first parents, and saw that she was ‘very good.’ How blessed, particularly, is the role of motherhood because God chose Mary to give life and love to His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Reflection by Jenny Janeczko) (The picture is a tapestry in Notre Dame de France Church in London)

Mary, gift for your Son, gift for the sons and daughters of the whole human race, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Five:

"We are told from the very beginning, man has been created 'male and female' (Gen 1:27). Scripture itself provides the interpretation of this fact: even though man is surrounded by the innumerable creatures of the created world, he realizes that he is alone (cf. Gen 2:20). God intervenes in order to help him escape from this situation of solitude: 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him' (Gen 2:18). The creation of woman is thus marked from the outset by the principle of help: a help which is not one-sided but mutual." (Letter to Women 7)

During the beautiful time of this novena, we have the chance to really meditate on the mystery of the Immaculate Conception: Mary conceived in the womb of St. Anne completely and totally without original sin. God in his abundant grace created her spotless, without blemish. She is for us a "New Eve," showing us what should have been "from the beginning."

One of the ways Mary embodies the New Eve is through this role as "helpmate" bestowed on the first Eve. Indeed, throughout the history of the Church, the title of "help" has been bestowed upon her (Mother of Perpetual Help; Mary, Help of Christians). We go to her and ask for her help because she is our mother. She sees our need and hastens to the throne of God with our prayers. Likewise, she is there with us through out all of our times of need. When we call upon her, she removes the shroud of loneliness. Her very presence as Mother of the Church gives us companionship, for "it is not good that man should be alone." From the very beginning, God included Mary in His plan of salvation to be with us. She walks with us as she walked with her Son Jesus up to Calvary. She visits us in our need as she visited her cousin Elizabeth. She searches for us as she searched for Jesus in the temple.

This Advent, allow Mary to be with you. Allow her to be your help in preparing for her Son. (Reflection by Mary Janeczko)


"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Four:

"It is thus my hope, dear sisters, that you will reflect carefully on what it means to speak of the 'genius of wmen,' not only in order to be able to see in this phrase a specific part of God's plan which needs to be accepted and appreciated, but also in order to let this genius be more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church" (Letter to Women 10).

For women especially, being "in control," can be a great struggle. Many of us make lists for groceries, activities of the day, class schedules, plans for the future, etc. Some of us even have lists of our lists. We plan, plan, plan and have these ideas of how we want things, which can often leave us dissapointed and maybe even bitter or resentful when things happen differently than we planned. We must learn to "let go and let God"as the phrase goes. Seeing Mary as our model at the Annunciation, she was not anxious and did not fervently relay her plans pleading with God for something else to be her vocation. Instead, she said "Let it be done." Simple, receptive, trusting. She "accepted and appreciated" God's plan for her. She was herself perfectly and gave herself to God perfectly. She did not have the whole story, she didn't know how everything in her life would turn out. She knew one part of God's plan and chose to say yes!

We are not called to fit into some mold outside of ourselves where there is no freedom for personality, but to be purified and become who we truly are. "It is in becoming who we are that we will set the world ablaze" -St.Catherine of Siena. There is a freedom in being yourself no matter who is looking. Let us not be afraid or try to hide or distort our feminity as often is the case in our world today. We can't control how others will receive us, what others think or do. And when we try to do just that, we are not following Mary as our model but Eve. All we can control is what we think, what we say, how we act, how we respond to others and to God.

My challenge is that we work on being the best version of ourselves.
Lord Jesus, we thank you and praise you for what you have given us and how you show us your love for us each day. Please bless us during this novena and especially today as we ask for your Mother's help in becoming who we are meant to be. Lord, how can I live this day live for you? What do you have planned for me? Help me say yes.

"The nation . . . doesn't simply need what we have. It needs who we are." - Edith Stein
(Reflection by Jenna Wilson)

Mary, highest expression of the "feminine genius", Pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Three:

"The Church sees in Mary the highest expression of the 'feminine genius' and she finds in her a source of constant inspiration. Mary called herself the 'handmaid of the Lord' (Luke 1:38). Through obedience to the Word of God she accepted her lofty yet not easy vocation as wife and mother in the family of Nazareth. Putting herself at God's service, she also puts herself at the service of others: a service of love. Precisely through this service Mary was able to experience in her life a mysterious, but authentic 'reign'. It is not by chance that she is invoked as "Queen of heaven and earth." The entire community of believers thus invokes her, many nations and peoples call upon her as their 'Queen'. For her, 'to reign' is to serve! Her service is 'to reign'!" (Letter to Women 10)

The world has a misconstrued view of service. More often than not, it doesn't have a positive spin, since the world tells us to "do whatever we want", encouraging selfishness and irresponsibility. The Church has an entirely different view of service, raising it to great heights, finding deep meaning in giving of ourselves to others. And according to Pope John Paul II, Mary is our model and guide. It was she who gave her fiat, her yes to God. It was she who was the perfect model of love and service to others. Did she not hasten off to see her cousin Elizabeth as soon as the angel left her? She helps us yet today; we are her children. She is our Mother! We should let her intercede for us. How can Jesus refuse what His Mother asks of Him?

Each of us should imitate Mary's virtue and example. We are called to serve, as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, grandparents, sons and daughters, neighbors, brothers and sisters. It is in giving of ourselves that we fulfill our vocation, whatever it may be. And God has given us gifts and filled us with His grace so that we can serve with strength, joy, and in the spirit of love.

Today do a random act of kindness. Make the world brighter, more human!
(Reflection by Mary Patten)

Mary, Our Sweet Queen and Our Mother, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Day Two:

"Progress usually tends to be measured according to the criteria of science and technology. Nor from this point of view has the contribution of women been negligible. Even so, this is not the only measure of progress, nor in fact is it the principal one. Much more important is the social and ethical dimension, which deals with human relations and spiritual values. In this area, which often develops in an inconspicuous way beginning with the daily relationships between people, especially within the family, society certainly owes much to the 'genius of women'" (Letter to Women 9).

Often, things that are of great importance are also small and not easily noted. For example, one of the beautiful realities of Sacred Scripture is what it does not say. Most of the lives of Mary and Jesus are left un-related, unspoken, hidden in petals of obscurity. The beauty here is the sound of the Lord's voice as He calls us to unpetal the rose of Scripture in intimate prayer and allow the Spirit to work through our imaginations and show us what Jesus looked like as He began to walk, how Mary and Joseph's faces lit up as they spoke with one another, what Mary talked about with her neighbors, how many times Jesus ran out of the house to look up at the birds flying in the sky, whether Mary borrowed more flour from her neighbors or vice versa...the list goes on.

These things are important because, as John Paul II says above, world changes have their roots in "daily relationships with people, especially within the family" (Letter to Women 9). How much attention do we pay to the small aspects of relationships that are easy to miss? Eye contact, the tone of our voice, gestures, the phrasing of our questions; all of these things contribute to forming the people around us, whether into persons that trust in the love that God has for them, or into persons who begin to expect that no one will respond to them with anything but sarcasm and pessimism, or inattention. The most powerful way that this can be seen is in the image of a woman who is with child. All of her actions profoundly affect the new person within her. All of us, whether we are male or female, contribute to the spiritual growth of those around us (and many of us are still spiritual fetuses, newborns, and toddlers!!). Although John Paul II points out that it is the genius - the essence - of women to receive others with love and foster their growth, all of us are called to do this for others.

Today, take an image from Scripture to unpetal in which someone is exhibiting a nurturing attitude: Mary, pregnant with Jesus; Anne, pregnant with Mary; God the Father leading Israel through dangers to the Promised Land; Jesus teaching His disciples; Paul encouraging the new Christian churches at the beginning of his letters. Ask the Lord how He is calling you to measure the progress of your day according to the inconspicuous details of your daily relationships, and nurture His love in those around you.
(Reflection by Heidi Essay)

Wife and mother in the family of Nazareth, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Pro Sanctity recently sponsored an ENDOW study on John Paul II's Letter to Women. It was a beautiful study and the participants received much grace! The women of the study have been asked to share their reflections and graces as we prepare for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Day One:

“The maternal ‘reign’ of Mary consists in this; she who was, in all her being, a gift for her Son, has also become a gift for the sons and daughters of the whole human race, awakening profound trust in those who seek her guidance along the difficult paths of life on the way to their definitive and transcendent destiny. Each one reaches this final goal by fidelity to his or her own vocation; this goal provides meaning and direction for the earthly labors of men and women alike” (John Paul II, Letter to Women, 10).

There is sometimes a certain amount of fear and hesitation in giving of ourselves because deep down we want to be received and fear that we will not be. Even more so for women, the desire to be fully received is strong in our hearts. Therefore, we sometimes create safety nets when we give. In giving gifts, we give people gift receipts in case they do not want it. We excuse or belittle our efforts with “This might not be good or right, but…” We hold back in relationships and do not share who God has made us to be. In Letter to Women, John Paul II recalls Vatican II teaching that man "cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of self" (Gaudium et spes, 24).

In order to fully give of ourselves, we must first believe that we have received Everything from God. He will give us all we need to respond to what He is asking of us to give. Mary is the perfect example. God made Mary “full of grace” and gave her every gift necessary to be the Mother of God; then He asked her to be the Mother of God. She was asked to receive the Love of God by opening herself to the power of the Holy Spirit. We too are asked to let God into our lives and to allow Him to give us Everything! Like Mary, we are asked to receive without fear and trust in God’s particular love for each of us. At his inaugural Mass, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us?” “No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed.” “Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ- and you will find true life. Amen.”

Can we make a sincere gift of ourselves? We can only if we first give ourselves to God who delights in our gifts and always wants to receive us again and again. He dreams of our holiness and longs for our company in Heaven forever. He calls us all day long to receive His love and grace. He wants us to trust Him, and not in ourselves; for it is He who perfects our gifts and gives us the grace to be gifts to others.

“For in giving themselves to others each day women fulfill their deepest vocation. Perhaps more than men, women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. They see them independently of various ideological or political systems. They see others in their greatness and limitations; they try to go out to them and help them. In this way the basic plan of the Creator takes flesh in the history of humanity and there is constantly revealed, in the variety of vocations, that beauty-not merely physical, but above all spiritual-which God bestowed from the very beginning on all, and in a particular way on women.” (John Paul II, Letter to Women, 12).

Let us pray today for the grace to receive with Mary, the Love of the Father that casts out all fear. (Reflection by Joan Patten)

Mother, who awakens profound trust in those who seek guidance along the difficult paths of life, pray for us!

Immaculate Conception Novena: Reflections from Women

Happy Thanksgiving from Pro Sanctity!

Eucharist means thanksgiving

A heart set on Jesus is a Eucharistic Heart. It is a heart filled with gratitude. The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek meaning “thanksgiving”. Regardless of whether the blessings from God are great or small, I am one with the Eucharistic Heart of +Jesus. I live with a grateful heart.

A Eucharistic Heart is also a Sacrificial Heart. I am willing to be broken poured out as Jesus was for me. A sacrificial heart never cries out in times of trial or tribulation: “Why me, Lord?” In gratitude, it prays: “Why am I so loved?” Why am I so loved to be worthy to unite myself to the sufferings of +Jesus? (Fr. Mike Murphy, Retreat 2007)

Let us pause and give thanks for the Love we have received! Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Pro Sanctity!

All Saints, All Brothers and Sisters!

“God Chose Us...”
Eph 1:4

A reflection by Franca Salvo

“God chose us... to be holy... to be full of love.” I have meditated on and contemplated these words of St. Paul over the years, savoring them with great delight.

As I was reflecting on the deep effect that they continue to have in my heart, it became clearer and clearer to me that the word of God is alive. “It is not just ‘informative’ but ‘performative’; it can change our lives[1]”. Therefore the more I let the word of God abide in me, remain with me, the more God changes me and I become what I meditate and love: I am the chosen one! He makes me holy! He fills me with His love!

Yes, God chose us! God chose us to be holy! God chose us to be full of love!

He chose me, you, and you! Our Heavenly Father manifested His will and empowered us in His Son, Jesus the Lord, to be holy, to be full of love, to go about throughout the day, every day of our life, enveloped by His love, sowing love, singing for joy, until we see Him face to face!

Let us sing with the Psalmist:
Shout joyfully to God...
sing praise to the glory of His name;
proclaim His glorious praise[2].

Filled with gratitude for the sacramental and liturgical life of Mother Church that empowers us to live rooted in faith-hope-love, let us continue our journey under the gaze of Mary, our Mother,
“eager in purpose
dutiful in conscience
hastening for joy.”[3]

Then we will be ready to celebrate November 1st, All Saints Day, aware of God’s great love for all people, filled with zest for a world of All Saints, All Brothers and Sisters.

[1] Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, Nov. 30, 2007, #4
[2] Psalm 66:1-3
[3] St. Ambrose

All Saints, All Brothers and Sisters!