I cut off the most important one!! see below!!! Christmas is now! Bruce - this is a nice filler if you need one...Blessed holy days! Teresa

C H R I S T M A S 2010

 

Christmas has only just begun; here are some ways to celebrate the season of Christmas!

www.prosanctity.org

 

C - Call someone who lives alone. Adopt that person for a year. Make a conscious effort to visit more often.

Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Annunciation: The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing she is to be the Mother of God.

 

H - Help someone in need. Make it personal and often.

Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Visitation: Elizabeth greets Mary: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"

 

R - Read the Christmas Story to someone and share your thoughts.

Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Nativity: The Virgin Mary gives birth to the Redeemer of the World.

  

I – Initiate something that will help others know the true meaning of Christmas.

Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Presentation. The Blessed Mother presents the Child Jesus in the Temple.

 

S – Single out someone who needs a card or a present from you – someone in need.

Pray a decade of the Rosary: The Finding in the Temple. The Blessed Mother finds Jesus in the Temple.

  

T – Tell someone that you love them, someone who needs to hear these words.

Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Annunciation: The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, announcing she is to be the Mother of God.

 

M – Make time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas for you and your family

Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Visitation: Elizabeth greets Mary: "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"

 

A – Allow yourself a moment to stand before the crib – light a candle and invite Jesus into your heart and your life. Pray a decade of the Rosary:

The Nativity: The Virgin Mary gives birth to the Redeemer of the World.

 

S – Sing Christmas Carols!! The time is now!

Pray a decade of the Rosary

Shepherds and Angels: Singing Glory to God in the highest!

 

C H R I S T M A S!

 

 

I cut off the most important one!! see below!!! Christmas is now! Bruce - this is a nice filler if you need one...Blessed holy days! Teresa

Pro Sanctity National Spiritual Advisor Annual Christmas Letter!

Christmas 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Pro Sanctity,

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)

The season of joyful waiting has reached its completion and we celebrate the gift of the love of God seen in a little child. For four weeks of Advent, we have been preparing a place for the Savior, a place where Jesus may come and dwell in our hearts and in our homes. We have prayed and fasted, we have looked for him and met him in the silence of prayer and in the needs of our brothers and sisters. Now we renew our deepest joy that God has sent us a Redeemer, a newborn child, Christ the Lord!

This year, our Pro Sanctity formation theme has been “The Saint: Fully Human, Fully Alive!” Christmas is a time to return to the source of how we can be both fully human and fully alive. We return in our minds and in our hearts to the little town of Bethlehem. Angels sing and shepherds watch and there, a child is born. The child is fully human, fully divine, and fully alive. He takes on our human strengths and weaknesses; he cries and nurses, he moves and sleeps, wrapped not only in swaddling clothes but in the tenderness of his mother’s loving embrace. Under the loving gaze and strong protection of Saint Joseph, he will grow from boy to man, fully alive as a worker, teacher, healer and redeemer. He will show us that to really live is to give yourself away, following always the will of the Father.

Bishop Giaquinta, our Founder prays in “Consecration to Redemptive Love”: “I will ask for nothing, Redeemer of souls, but only that you accept my intense desire for the work of redemption, my consecration to redemptive love.” In these beautiful words, Bishop Giaquinta touches the yearning of our souls to help others grow in holiness. He speaks to us today, although he wrote years ago, of the desire that we have to be part of the work of redemption. That desire unites us and deepens our commitment in Pro Sanctity. We have received the insight to understand the incredible importance of the call to holiness and of the apostolate of holiness. We are called to redemptive love, to drink from the heart of the Redeemer of His love, and to transform our hearts and our world with the love that moved Jesus to give his whole life for us.

At this time of Christmas, we celebrate the Love that came to earth in that little child. This Love became flesh, fully alive human flesh. You and I can give new flesh to that love each day of our lives. The love we show our families, our friends and neighbors and our enemies, is a love that consecrates each day to holiness. It is a love that leads us to heaven.

May this Christmas be filled with that Love. May all the Members and Friends of Pro Sanctity, the Apostolic Oblates, the Apostolic Sodales and the Social Animators, rejoice during this holy time, and be filled with the graces and blessings God has in store for you.

Monsignor Andrew J. Vaccari
National Spiritual Advisor

P.S. Remember to plan to come for the Pro Sanctity National Convention in Nebraska from July 29 – 31, 2011. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Pro Sanctity National Spiritual Advisor Annual Christmas Letter!

Christmas Novena: Day Nine

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 24: With the rising of the sun, you will soon see the King of kings and Lord of lords, coming forth from His Father, as the bridegroom, from His bridal chamber. 


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading: Micah 5:1-5; Luke 2:1-8


Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Nine

Christmas Novena: Day Eight

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 23: O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Eight

O Christ, Awaited One

O CHRIST, AWAITED ONE

You, O Christ, are

Like a flake of snow fluttering from Heaven

Like a radiant star bursting to life without ever dimming

Like a lily blooming in our desert.

Trembling

The chaste Virgin welcomed You;

With kisses and caresses of love

She cradled You;

Bearing alone in her heart the waiting

For You,

Christ the Lord.

Now she admires You, her eyes filled with amazement.

Profound joy sustains her happiness.

She gazes, contemplates, smiles, and responds to You,

O Christ.

                                                                                                                     Mother,

                                                                                                                     Give us your newborn Son;

                                                                                                                     Even though we are lowly shepherds with

                                                                                                                     poor gifts

                                                                                                                    And tired pilgrims from the East,

                                                                                                                    We long for Christ.

                                                                                                                    His innocence draws us,

                                                                                                                    His radiance enchants us,

                                                                                                                    His fragrance attracts us irresistibly.

                                                                                                                   O Mother, give us your Son.

                                                                                                                   ~G. Giaquinta

O Christ, Awaited One

Christmas Novena: Day Seven

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 22: O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth. 


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 7:6-21; Ephesians 2:12-22



Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Seven

Christmas Novena: Day Six

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 21: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice; come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. 


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:26-39

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Six

Christmas Novena: Day Five

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 20: O Key of David, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: Come and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. 


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 28:14-20; Romans 10:5-11

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Five

Christmas Novena: Day Four

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 19: O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kinds shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not. 


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 15:13-20; Acts 3:18-26

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Four

Christmas Novena: Day Three

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 18: O Lord and Ruler of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with outstretched arm. 


Pray the Magnificat
Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:15-23; Romans 4:13-23



Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Christmas Novena: Day Three

Christmas Novena: Day Two

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 17: O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, Come, and teach us the way of prudence. 

Pray the Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:14-20; Romans 5:12-21

Christmas Novena: Day Two

Christmas Novena: Day One

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ.

Please share your insights if you wish.

December 16: Behold, the King will come, the Lord of the earth, and He will remove from us the yoke of our captivity. 

Pray the Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 1:18-26

Christmas Novena: Day One

Third Sunday in Advent

“As we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Every time I listen to the Celebrant saying these words “...as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ” at the Communion Rite during Mass, I ask myself - especially during the Advent Season - if I am waiting in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord. I stop in silence and reflect on my personal longing, the longing of Mother Church, and the longing of the world. Yes, there is a longing in my heart and in the hearts of my brothers and sisters, a longing for order, beauty, holiness – gifts brought to us by the coming of the Lord. 


Advent is indeed a privileged time to dwell in the land of waiting with joyful hope! Advent is a Season to be spent with Mary to learn from her, the Virgin of Adoration, how to get ready for the coming of the Lord. We need to recall and reflect on her attitudes: her silence, listening, openness and availability, her ready response to needs, her song of praise and glory... A prayer surges from my heart, “Mary, mold me, mold all, according to your heart; make us ready to welcome the Lord as you did.” I pray, “Mary, ‘make me, make us, empty, sturdy, soft inside, still, ready’ (Barbara S. Germiat). Prayer, Eucharist, Reconciliation, silence, joy, and service are all tools that make us ready, that make us receptive to the Lord’s many graces, and that make us  generous in our response to the many demands of self-giving capable of putting a smile on our neighbors’ faces.


We are waiting, Mother Church is waiting, too! She waits for her children to fully live their vocation and mission in life! She is longing to see her Faithful fully alive, fully human, all saints, all brothers and sisters! She says to us, “I have given you documents to read, meditate on, and pray with so that you can understand your responsibilities as laity, consecrated people, and ordained ministers. Be who you are! Laity, be laity! Family, be family! Consecrated people, be consecrated people! Deacons, be deacons! Priests, be priests!” May we listen to Mother Church’s plea and commit ourselves to embody our vocation and mission in life!


The world, too,  is waiting! It waits for peace and solidarity; for respect for the sacredness of life and the order of love established by our Creator, the Father of all peoples; for becoming a community of love, a family! Yes, the world is waiting for light to break through its darkness, for love to penetrate its harshness, for yeast to ferment the growth, for witnesses to enhance beauty, order, growth, and joy, much joy.


“Mary, woman of Advent, teach us to live with a new spirit our daily gestures, with the sentiment of a profound expectation that only the coming of God can fulfill” (Benedict XVI, Nov. 28, 2010). Mary, Mother of Confidence, give us trust to become saints, trust to become brothers and sisters! Mary, help us “go in haste” along the paths of the world to announce to all that the Lord is coming and He will make all things new. 


Reflection by Franca Salvo, A.O.

Third Sunday in Advent

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 9 12-8-2010

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)

The phrase "wounded by his love" struck me as curious at first, because love is meant to heal and not wound.  In reflecting further I believe this word is all about intensity.  We are all to be so overwhelmed by his perfect and infinite love that it should actually cause us pain to realize that not everyone is aware of it.  Am I wounded by his love?  I fear that I am not.  I spend so much time being comforted by it that I fail to "cry for the desert" as my favorite songwriter Twila Paris puts it.  Our writer for this nine days of reflection also reminds us that this would "will only heal in heaven".  We are to be reminded that earth is not our permanent home but only a temporary stop toward our final goal which is to reach heaven.  Our Mother Mary, who has been crowned queen of heaven and who we honor in this special feast of her Immaculate Conception will surely help us along the way and be there to greet us when we arrive. 

Dear Mother Mary

Teach us to feel deeply the wound of a world that does not know the love of your Son.  Help us to communicate it as  clearly as we can with our words and our actions so that others will be drawn to follow.  Guide us toward heaven by helping us hear your voice and His voice so that we can follow your instruction and "do whatever He tells you"

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 9 12-8-2010

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 8 12-7-2010

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)



As I read the phrase above, what immediately strikes me and convicts me in the Holy Spirit is that yes, I am tormented by the passion and glory of Jesus Christ but only at specific times and in specific situations-- on Good Friday and Easter Sunday being the obvious responses and/ or when someone I know intimately is experiencing either great agony or great joy.  What I hear God calling me and all of us to is to broaden the outreach of our hearts.  Is this not what it means to be fully human and fully alive, and is this also not what Bishop Giaquinta was constantly calling us to in considering EVERYONE our brothers and sisters?  We should use all of our strength to feel as deeply as we can both the joy and pain of others and make every effort to respond to the maximum that we are able.

Dear Mother Mary,

You felt everything deeply and responded with maximum love, from the moment you said yes to the angel to the moment you held your son in your arms when he was taken down from the cross.  Teach us to respond likewise and have your Son and the Holy Spirit show us where are love and response is most needed in the coming days. 

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 8 12-7-2010

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 7 12-6-2010

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)


Great and indomitable.  The dictionary defines indomitable as "impossible to subdue"  I rarely see these qualities in myself.  So often my own sinfulness, selfishness, laziness and weariness subdue me, keep me from doing things I know I should as I replace these things with sleep or my own pleasure.  Mary must have been very tired and frightened during the process of her pregnancy and hurt by those who  shunned her because they  thought it was the result of immorality on her part.  And yet, by remaining close to the Father and the Spirit who overshadowed her and her betrothed Joseph who cared for her she found the strength to persevere. 

Dear Mother Mary,

Teach me to fnd strength as you did-- by staying close to the holy ones in my own life, my dear family and friends, and those saints who have gone before me who I know are there to help me along the way if I ask them. Teach me also to find ways to show greatness and indomitability in my acts of love, which come not from me alone, but in my cooperation with God who wants to show His love through me. 

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 7 12-6-2010

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 6 12-5-2010

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)

The dictionary defines sacrifice as "the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim".   When Mary said yes to the angel she sacrificed her own will and choice of what her life would be for the sake of the love to which she was called, and the God who was asking this of her.  Here again I know that I need to learn from Mary's example because I sacrifice so little for the God I claim to love. 

Dear Mother Mary,

Please ask your son to show me where I need to sacrifice for His sake.  What time or talent or resource or act of love do I selfishly hold to myself that I know belongs to Him alone.  Show me this day and in the days to come specific ways to step out of myself and show your love to others. 

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 6 12-5-2010

Advent Reflection 2010: Mary, Mother of the Living, pray for us!

Mary, Mother of the Living
Biblical Litany of Our Lady

I have always like the phrase, "The Lord writes straight with crooked
lines...", it is a line that gives me hope in my sinfulness, ineptness, and
inabilities. "The Lord chooses the lowly to confound the strong", is also
a favorite reflection that describes a similar action of the Lord. God
can use any one of us, at anytime, for good. Well he certainly used both
Eve, Mother of the living and Mary, Mother of the living for our good!

In Gen. 2:20, "Adam called his wife Eve, because she became the mother
of all the living". Her failure in saying no to God in the garden, did
not deter her from saying yes to life outside the gates of Eden, and
thus give birth to humankind! She was open to life; even the promised
"pangs of birth" did not deter her.

In Gall 4:4 it states that at a "designated time God sent forth his Son,
born of a woman." Mary was her name and she gave birth to our Savior and
became the Mother of the redeemed, mother of what the living had been
destined to become before the fall. She gave birth to the Church below
the Cross, with her yes to the "pangs of birth" endured in union with
Son, on Calvary (Jn 19:26).

Mary, is actually a daughter of Eve because of Eve's openness to life and giving birth of humanity; we have the other woman, Mary, who would complete the process in her Yes
to give life to the Savior, and through and with Him, we have a new life
born from the side of Christ bringing about Mother Church. Mary and the
Church achieve for us salvation and sanctification, the fullness of
life.

When I reflect on Eve and Mary both mothers of the living - each in her
own right, I am filled with hope and happiness. Nothing is impossible
with God, and even more astounding that He uses poor human instruments
to bring about great things, life and holiness. Pro Life and Pro
Sanctity for this reason go hand in hand and both are indebted to a
woman. We have humanity through Eve and holiness through Mary.

Oh Lord, how amazing are your ways. May Mary, Mother of the Living
inspire us to be fully human in relation to her sister, Eve, and fully
alive with the graces that she open to us through her Yes to the Father!
May the cause of the sanctity of life go on, hand in hand, with our
mothers, Eve and Mary. How beautiful are the crooked lines of our
humanity straightened by your love. Amen!

---------------------------------------
Pro Sanctity Movement/Teresa Monaghen
11002 N. 204th St.
Elkhorn, NE 68022
402-289-2670

Thought for the day ... G. Giaquinta
Let us sow goodness and holiness, and we will see barren fields bloom.

Advent Reflection 2010: Mary, Mother of the Living, pray for us!

Second Sunday of Advent

The second week of Advent has arrived! Have you come with it? Is this season of preparation slipping through your hands, or are have you been participating fully in this gift the Church gives us? As the time speeds by, I always feel like I have not taken full advantage of the season. Although this is true due to my weakness and poverty, the temptation is to get stuck in worrying about what I have failed to do perfectly. Jesus invites me to something greater.


During this time of preparation and waiting, He is inviting me to abandon myself to His care, to let Him draw close, to be with me, to heal me, to love me. This does not mean that I am to be nonchalant about my sinfulness; rather, it is the way of spiritual childhood which St. Therese continues to teach me. In humility I can run to the Lord to tell Him all my failings when the Spirit gently convicts me. In trust I can abandon my life, my projects, and my very self to His power and love. In my weakness I am unable to make myself be humble and to trust, but the Lord has planted those desires in my heart because He wants to fulfill them.

Christ wants to come to each of us in a deeper way this Christmas, in a unique, personal and amazing way. As Advent continues may we live it fully and let Him prepare our hearts by: fostering silence, being faithful to prayer, receiving His love, and by responding to His love with our love. Come, Lord Jesus!

(Reflection by Monica Hejkal)

Second Sunday of Advent

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 5 12-4-2010

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)

Mary is the perfect example of humility.  So often in her Magnificat, (Luke 1:46-55) she makes abundantly clear that it is God who gives her every blessing she has and He is the One to be praised by virtue of His resisting and acting against the proud but lifting up the humble.  I know I am too proud much of the time and seek for myself the love, admiration and credit that belongs to God alone, thinking falsely that I have done great things while knowing in my heart, that I would not be alive at all wtihout the grace of God. 

Dear Mother Mary,

Teach  us to be humble as you were, knowing that at all times the best road to choose is the road of humility because we have nothing that is not a gift from God's hands.  Help us to be grateful for those countless gifts and pass them along in the love we show one another. 

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 5 12-4-2010

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 4 12-3-2010

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)

Faithfulness and generosity are two words that so clearly describe Mary.  As Dan and I were reflecting on these words he pointed out that generosity seems to be more of a word about taking action, and actions show proof of our faithfulness.  Mary's action in saying "yes" to the angel was the ultimate proof of her faithfulness.

Dear Mother Mary,

Give us the grace to be boldly generous today in our dealings with others, as you were when you gave yourself to God's purpose of saving the world,  knowing that what we give in your Son's name will be for our good and His glory, and show His faithfulness to all people. 

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 4 12-3-2010

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 3 12-2-2010

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 that I fail a great deal in the area of giving.  When I give it is so often solely from my financial resources which in reality is one of the easiest ways to give but with the least emotional commitment.  As I write this I know God is challenging me and all of us to give from the depths of our hearts to a world so desperately in need of unconditional love, kindness and affection. 

Dear Mother Mary

Please teach us to give and love as you did, completely of your body, mind, heart and soul for the redemptive work to which you were called.  Help us to feel overwhelmed by this task, but not so overwhelmed that we fail to try-- knowing that you and your Son will grant us the strength for which we ask and give us the words to speak to our brothers and sisters. 

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 3 12-2-2010