Immaculate Conception Novena Day 2 12-1-2010

Holy Mary, Mother of God, let me keep a heart of a child, pure and transparent like springwater. Let me have a simple heart that does not linger to relish its own sorrows. A heart rich in giving, and easily moved to compassion; a faithful and generous heart that does not forget a good deed, yet it does not hold a grudge for an evil one. Make my heart humble, capable of loving without demanding to be loved in return, happy to lose itself within other hearts and to sacrifice itself before Your divine Son. A great and indomitable heart that no ungratefulness may close and no indifference may wear out. A heart tormented by the passion and glory of Jesus Christ, wounded by his love with a deep wound that will heal only in heaven. (L. de Grandmaison)


I know for a fact that my heart is not simple enough.  At times I linger in the past both in joys and in sorrows in order to avoid dealing with a present that might be unpleasant or difficult even though I know my present task or relationship needs me more. 

Dear Mother Mary,

Help me to be fully alive in the present moment, with a simple belief that people are truly good and have pure motives and intentions, seeking their best in my interactions with them so that they see your love and your Son's love in me.

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 2 12-1-2010

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 1 11-30-2010

Before I start this novena, I must give many thanks to Joan Patten, AO who helped to gather the materials for reflection from both Bishop Giaquinta's writings and a beautiful prayer by L. de Grandmaison.  To honor this wonderful feast of Our Lady celebrated on December 8th, I thought I would research exactly what the Church's teaching is, I found the following in the Catechism in paragraph 491: 

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.

The beautiful prayer below by L. de Grandmaison, highlights her most wonderful attributes and we will focus on one each day and ask for the grace to imitate it. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God, let me keep a heart of a child, pure and transparent like springwater. Let me have a simple heart that does not linger to relish its own sorrows. A heart rich in giving, and easily moved to compassion; a faithful and generous heart that does not forget a good deed, yet it does not hold a grudge for an evil one. Make my heart humble, capable of loving without demanding to be loved in return, happy to lose itself within other hearts and to sacrifice itself before Your divine Son. A great and indomitable heart that no ungratefulness may close and no indifference may wear out. A heart tormented by the passion and glory of Jesus Christ, wounded by his love with a deep wound that will heal only in heaven.


Dear mother Mary, grant me the heart of a child, that could not even consider deceiving or mistreating another, but one that trusts completely.  Help me in my dealings this day to continually ponder if my heart is pure and transparent, and if it is not what is holding me back from this gift

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 1 11-30-2010

First Sunday of Advent

As we enter into the season of Advent, we are invited to pause and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear Christ knocking at the door of your heart? Is there room for Him in your inn?

In the spirit of the world, we often spend the time before Christmas filling our hands with useless stuff to keep us busy, noticed, and appreciated. The Church, however, gives us the season of Advent to let go of these distractions, sin, and fears so our hands can be free to hold the Baby who holds the entire world in His Heart.

At the beginning of the liturgical year, the Church calls us to develop an attentive attitude in order to receive Christ who wants to enter into our lives and speak to us. Everything that happens to us throughout the day is a divine moment in which we can encounter the Lord. Last Advent, Our Holy Father reminded us that the Lord speaks to us continuously through Scripture, the liturgy, the witness of the saints, in daily events, and in creation. Pope Benedict XVI recommended cultivating an “interior diary” of all the moments we have been aware of God’s love.

Reflecting on the gifts received should move our hearts to respond with gratitude and in anticipation to receive more. The reality that we are never alone, that Someone who loves us is always present to us, should fill us with joyful hope. As we grow in awareness of God’s presence in our lives, we become more disposed to the needs of our brothers and sisters. This is the secret of the saints’ self-giving love and what we are called to imitate.

“For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-21)

Spend some time this week in prayer developing a plan for Advent. Where are you being invited to draw closer to Christ who comes to draw close to you? How can you witness the glorious freedom of the children of God to a world enslaved by materialism? The world needs saints this Advent to lead the way!


(Reflection by Joan Patten, A.O.)

Advent Resources

25 Ways to Celebrate Advent

http://www.prosanctity.org/library/spiritual/advent25ways.htm

Advent Letter of Bishop Giaquinta, 1975: http://www.prosanctity.org/library/spiritual/advent_1975.htm

Bishops’ Website with Advent Resources

http://www.usccb.org/advent/advent_index.shtml

The Mary Page, Advent

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//seasonadvent.html

Catholic Culture, Advent Resources

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm

First Sunday of Advent

Thought for the day ... G. Giaquinta

The first condition to receive God’s word is to become humble and lowly, and to free our grounds of pebbles, stones and the thorns that are our only vegetation.

 

Thought for the day ... G. Giaquinta