And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us

I thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ,

Eternal Word made flesh, and our brother.

By His life-death-resurrection

He has not only saved us, but He has made us new.

~Servant of God, William Giaquinta

Sistine Chapel

Jn. 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through him,

and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light,

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and the world came to be through him,

but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own,

but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God,

to those who believe in his name,

who were born not by natural generation

nor by human choice nor by a man's decision

but of God.

And the Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us,

and we saw his glory,

the glory as of the Father's only Son,

full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,

"This was he of whom I said,

'The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me

because he existed before me.'"

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses,

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side,

has revealed him.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us

Christmas Novena Day Nine

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day in the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

Day Nine
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.

Collect: Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 


Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, Lamb of God in the womb of Mary Spare us, O Lord.
Jesus, Holy Innocent in the womb of Mary Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Jesus, Son of God and Messiah in the womb of Mary, Have mercy on us, O Lord.


Let us pray:
O Jesus, Eternal Word of the Father,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Out of love for us you chose the poverty of human nature,
death on the cross, and the hiddenness of bread.
Give us your sanctifying Spirit.
Make us meek and humble of heart.
Set us like a seal on your heart and on your arm,
so that your jealous love may shield us and keep us from evil. Amen.
+W. Giaquinta

Christmas Novena Day Nine

Christmas Novena Day Eight

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day in the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

Day Eight
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.

Collect: Almighty ever-living God, as we see how the Nativity of your Son according to the flesh draws near, we pray that to us, your unworthy servants, mercy may flow from your Word, who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary and establish among us his dwelling, Jesus Christ our Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, Sacrificial Lamb, Docile Infant in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, who was to suffer the agony and passion of death, accepting the human capacity for pain and grief, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Eight

Christmas Novena Day Seven

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day in the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

Day Seven
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.

Collect: O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor may merit his company as their Redeemer. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, whose Holy Limbs first budded in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, whose Godhead the world cannot contain, weighing only a few grams in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, Divine Immensity, once measuring only tenths of an inch in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Seven

Christmas Novena Day Six

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day in the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.


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

Notre Dame de Paris

Collect: Hear in kindness, Lord, the prayers of your people, that those who rejoice at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh may, when at last he comes in glory, gain the reward of eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who loves and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, everlasting delight of heaven, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, Eternal Word, Divine Child, embraced by the Father, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, in whom the very angels beheld the humanity of the Infant God and the union of the two natures of the Word in the virginal womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Six

Christmas Novena Day Five

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day in the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

Day Five
O Key of David, and Sceptre 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.

Pope Benedict XVI praying at the Grotto of the Annunciation

Collect: O God, eternal majesty, whose ineffable Word the immaculate Virgin received through the message of an Angel and so became the dwelling-place of divinity, filled with the light of the Holy Spirit, grant, we pray, that by her example we may in humility hold fast to your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, manifesting His Incarnation to His Holy Mother, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Jesus, adored and contemplated by His Mother in the sanctuary of her womb Jesus, before whom the angels prostrated themselves, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, raising His Mother to the heights of sanctification, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Five

Christmas Novena Day Four

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day in the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

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

Collect: O God, who through the child-bearing of the holy Virgin graciously revealed the radiance of your glory to the world, grant, we pray, that we may venerate with integrity of faith the mystery of so wondrous an Incarnation and always celebrate it with due reverence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary

Jesus, revealing with His Father and the Holy Spirit all wisdom and knowledge to His Most Holy Mother, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, aware of His role as Redeemer in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, Sanctifier of His Precursor from the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Four

Christmas Novena Day Three

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day taken from the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

Day Three
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.

Collect: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, hidden nine months in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, begotten by God, nourished by the substance and blood of His Most Holy Mother in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, leaping from eternity into time, in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Three

Christmas Novena Day Two

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day taken from the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.


Day Two

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.

Collect: O God, Creator and Redeemer of human nature, who willed that your Word should take flesh in an ever-virgin womb, look with favor on our prayers, that your Only Begotten Son, having taken to himself our humanity, may be pleased to grant us a share in his divinity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


Litany to Jesus in the Womb of Mary
Jesus, word made flesh, taking on a human body in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, subject to human development in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, whose Precious Blood first flowed through tiny arteries and veins in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day Two

Christmas Novena Day One

Christmas Novena 2011

Read the passage, Reflect on what strikes you in prayer, Rest with the insights and this encounter with Christ. The Prayers are from the Mass of the day taken from the New Roman Missal. Please share your insights if you wish.

Church of Visitation, Ein Kerem

Day One

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


Collect: May your grace, almighty God, always go before us and follow after, so that we, who await with heartfelt desire the coming of your Only Begotten Son, may receive your help both now and in the life to come. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


Litany of Jesus in the Womb of Mary

Jesus, knit so wonderfully in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, uniquely human from the moment of conception in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!
Jesus, present at creation, created in the womb of Mary, have mercy on us!

Christmas Novena Day One

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 9

Thanksgiving and Praise


2637 Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is. Indeed, in the work of salvation, Christ sets creation free from sin and death to consecrate it anew and make it return to the Father, for his glory. The thanksgiving of the members of the Body participates in that of their Head.

2638 As in the prayer of petition, every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving. The letters of St. Paul often begin and end with thanksgiving, and the Lord Jesus is always present in it: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"; "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."120

2639 Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God. It lauds God for his own sake and gives him glory, quite beyond what he does, but simply because HE IS. It shares in the blessed happiness of the pure of heart who love God in faith before seeing him in glory. By praise, the Spirit is joined to our spirits to bear witness that we are children of God,121 testifying to the only Son in whom we are adopted and by whom we glorify the Father. Praise embraces the other forms of prayer and carries them toward him who is its source and goal: the "one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist."122

Reason Nine To offer thanksgiving and praise

Jesus teach us that our hearts should overflow with thanksgiving and praise. You have created all and redeemed all for our joy and for our benefit. There is nothing good in this world that does not come from your hand and you have given no less than everything that we might know you, love you and remain with you forever. We join with all the angels and saints in thanksgiving and praise.

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 9

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 8

Intercession


2634 Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners.112 He is "able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."113 The Holy Spirit "himself intercedes for us . . . and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."114

2635 Since Abraham, intercession - asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God's mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ's, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks "not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others," even to the point of praying for those who do him harm.115

2636 The first Christian communities lived this form of fellowship intensely.116 Thus the Apostle Paul gives them a share in his ministry of preaching the Gospel117 but also intercedes for them.118 The intercession of Christians recognizes no boundaries: "for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions," for persecutors, for the salvation of those who reject the Gospel.119

Reason Eight to intercede for others

Dear Jesus remind me to constantly pray for others because we are all in such need of your love and healing

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 8

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 7

Petition


2631 The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable: "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"105 It is a prerequisite for righteous and pure prayer. A trusting humility brings us back into the light of communion between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and with one another, so that "we receive from him whatever we ask."106 Asking forgiveness is the prerequisite for both the Eucharistic liturgy and personal prayer.

2632 Christian petition is centered on the desire and search for the Kingdom to come, in keeping with the teaching of Christ.107 There is a hierarchy in these petitions: we pray first for the Kingdom, then for what is necessary to welcome it and cooperate with its coming. This collaboration with the mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit, which is now that of the Church, is the object of the prayer of the apostolic community.108 It is the prayer of Paul, the apostle par excellence, which reveals to us how the divine solicitude for all the churches ought to inspire Christian prayer.109 By prayer every baptized person works for the coming of the Kingdom.

2633 When we share in God's saving love, we understand that every need can become the object of petition. Christ, who assumed all things in order to redeem all things, is glorified by what we ask the Father in his name.110 It is with this confidence that St. James and St. Paul exhort us to pray at all times.111

Reason Seven to ask for what I need. Jesus, help me to know that I can come to you to ask for the things that I need, first and foremost forgiveness for my sins, secondly for the coming of the kingdom and lastly for my daily needs knowing in confidence that You will grant what is best for me in accordance with Your will.

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 7

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 6

Adoration


2628 Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us99 and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory,"100 respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God.101 Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.

Reason Six to adore our creator and our savior

Dear King of Glory, teach me to adore you as I should, coming before you in humility

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 6

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 5

Mary Prays


2617 Mary's prayer is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time. Before the incarnation of the Son of God, and before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, her prayer cooperates in a unique way with the Father's plan of loving kindness: at the Annunciation, for Christ's conception; at Pentecost, for the formation of the Church, his Body.88 In the faith of his humble handmaid, the Gift of God found the acceptance he had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole being: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word." "Fiat": this is Christian prayer: to be wholly God's, because he is wholly ours.

Reason Five: Because Mary prayed. Mary, please show us as our completely human model of trust we must also follow your example of constant prayer, and teach us to treasure things in our heart as you did.   In doing so we will grow in faithfulness through your example.  Thank you for being such a model for us. 

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 5

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 4

Jesus Prays


2600 The Gospel according to St. Luke emphasizes the action of the Holy Spirit and the meaning of prayer in Christ's ministry. Jesus prays before the decisive moments of his mission: before his Father's witness to him during his baptism and Transfiguration, and before his own fulfillment of the Father's plan of love by his Passion.43 He also prays before the decisive moments involving the mission of his apostles: at his election and call of the Twelve, before Peter's confession of him as "the Christ of God," and again that the faith of the chief of the Apostles may not fail when tempted.44 Jesus' prayer before the events of salvation that the Father has asked him to fulfill is a humble and trusting commitment of his human will to the loving will of the Father.

Reason Four: Because Jesus Himself prays. Jesus please teach us that if You Yourself being God incarnate, prayed, then as your followers to both imitate and learn from you we must also pray

All Saints Day Novena 2011 Day 4

All Saints Novena 2011 Day 3

Day Three: Prayer is also our response in faith to God


2561 "You would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."9 Paradoxically our prayer of petition is a response to the plea of the living God: "They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water!"10 Prayer is the response of faith to the free promise of salvation and also a response of love to the thirst of the only Son of God.11

Reason three to respond in faith and love to the infinite gift of salvation:

Jesus please help me to respond to the many gifts you have given me, most importantly to the gift of eternal life.

All Saints Novena 2011 Day 3

All Saints Novena 2011 Day 1-2

All Saints Day Novena 2011




Why Pray? This is Pro Sanctity’s theme for the year, and for our Novena we will be pondering this question through the writings in the Catechism



The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes prayer in the following way:

2558 "Great is the mystery of the faith!" The Church professes this mystery in the Apostles' Creed (Part One) and celebrates it in the sacramental liturgy (Part Two), so that the life of the faithful may be conformed to Christ in the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father (Part Three). This mystery, then, requires that the faithful believe in it, that they celebrate it, and that they live from it in a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer.

I had never read this paragraph until I started preparing for this novena. The simplicity and the directness of it captures my heart. Prayer doesn’t seem so unattainable and far off when we think of it as “a vital and personal relationship”. From this description prayer should be as natural to us as relating to our closest friend.

Reason One To learn that prayer is a relationship and not a task: Jesus, please teach me that prayer is a relationship and not a duty. Please increase my desire to be close to you.

Prayer is God’s gift

2560 "If you knew the gift of God!"7 The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water: there, Christ comes to meet every human being. It is he who first seeks us and asks us for a drink. Jesus thirsts; his asking arises from the depths of God's desire for us. Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him.8

Reason Two, to more fully appreciate the gift of our relationship: Jesus please teach me that in the gift of this relationship the desire is mutual and in fact your desire is greater than my own. Help me to spend time today lost in the wonder of this thought.

All Saints Novena 2011 Day 1-2

Join us!

The Blue Team meeting will be on Friday, October 21^st for a Pot Luck Lunch meeting – 12:00 noon at the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center!

We are gathering cost quotes and planning notes for the North Hill outside the New Barn preparation and we need info of who wants to donate time, labor, plants, ect. for the hill, also a time line needs to be put together.

In addition, we also will plan a Camp Alumni Mother/ Daughter Spring Day of Prayer and Little Flowers for Our Lady…or something like that!

Our Lady’ Garden Hill and Camp Alumni Retreat will grow very well together!

Teresa and Team

PS – Come out to paint New Barn Rooms! Yes, we are at the painting stage today! Join us today, October 14, 2011 or tomorrow! Come anytime!

Join us!

Praise God - our Founder's desire is unfolding!

My Mother, My Confidence!
October 12, 2011

* We just had our first official Pro Sanctity School of Formation 2011
(we have two sessions, one in the evening at Cooperative, Daphne Patil's and
one in the morning at Cooperative, Kay Parlor's).

* At Daphne's there was a full house - such good representation of
ages attending, men and women, committed members and friends of the Movement
too. It was a delight to hear many of them voice their reason for coming was
to be more involved with Pro Sanctity and go deeper into what it means to be
a member. It was a divine experience!

* We started the evening with the sharing of graces which we have
discovered is one of the MOST important skill every member must learn how to
do, and every leader find ways to encourage - it literally changes the group
from a simple study group to a dynamic, Christ centered, Spirit led,
apostolic centered group! Participants listen more deeply and the leader
does not have to work so hard to keep the group going. The sharing of a
grace at the end of the day has become a daily habit for the Oblates in the
Bethany and Pro Sanctity Members in their homes, we have taught co-workers
in the Archdiocese of Omaha too, and we encouraging it in all our groups and
retreats, and at the level of the diocesan offices. What a tremendous growth
in communion and unity we are experiencing in our working together!

* The evening had a combination of teaching the tools of interiority,
this first session we used the tool of the Explosive Gospel (and will be
used every session) and introduced the method of contemplative study. Next
we deepened the Founder's first point of the creed. At the conclusion we
shared the encouragements for apostolic action, fruit of the Explosive
Gospel.

* Jessi Kary, our National Director did a great job and everyone
participated so well. Soon there will be more leaders as these sessions
continue; this is very obvious in the membership attending! Our Founder must
be pleased!!! We can't wait until we offer it in all our Centers. As you
know it is a 3 year program, in sessions of 6.

* We have a lovely binder that holds the outlines, writings of our
Founder, and the excerpts from the Church documents, along with material for
many of the means we use to assist the participants to receive the
information both in the head and the heart. The final goal is to point them
to apostolic action and resources on this too will be included.

* Thanks for the prayers, keep praying too! Tomorrow will start the
next group that will meet in the morning and then Jessi will go on to Sioux
Falls where she and her team along with two priest leaders (Fr. Scott and
Fr. Jeff) will carry on two more groups. California and New York will be
next!

Pure grace and a dream come true! It was fantastic, and of course we thank
our Lady for taking care of the details, and our Founder for his
intercession!

Blessings and peace, Teresa

-----------------------------------------------
Thought for the day ... G. Giaquinta
There can only be a universal call to holiness in as much as there is an
individual call - a call of each person to holiness (Servant of God, Bishop
Giaquinta).

USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER
11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE 68022
psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670

www.prosanctity.org <http://www.prosanctity.org/>

BLOG: http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/

Praise God - our Founder's desire is unfolding!

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 22-24, 2011

Love is Fire!

Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011

 Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from July 1-29, 2011

Donami un cuore che bruci, (Give me a heart that burns…) G. Giaquinta

July 22, 2011 – St. Therese

Since Jesus has gone to heaven I can follow Him only by traces He has left. But how radiant and how fragrant these traces are! I have only to glance at the Holy gospels and at once I breathe the fragrance of His life and know which way to run. I rush to the lowest place, not the highest, and repeat with the greatest confidence, the humble prayer of the publican. Above all I imitate Mary Magdalene for her amazing and loving audacity which won the heart of Jesus and captivates mine.

St. Therese and Mary Magdalene, our love was fire in your hearts for Jesus and all people! Pray for us!

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….      

***************

July 23, 2011 – Msgr. Vaccari

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
       The first night might have brought a kind of numbness, after seeing all the agony and suffering that Jesus went through, and after watching him hang there on the cross.  The morning of the Sabbath was perhaps the first Sabbath in a long time on which they did not see Him. They had become so used to praying with him and hearing him explain the Scriptures, that it might not have even seemed like the Sabbath to them, except that they observed the laws, as he would have wanted them to do.  And on that Sunday morning, when the reality of his death and departure was sinking in more and more, Mary went to the tomb expecting to find his body there. 

What a shock to find he was missing and then what joy to hear him call her name, and to recognize him and his voice!  Her heart was filled with great delight because the Lord spoke personally and tenderly to her.  As for Mary, if we seek him we will find him.  And our hearts are filled with joy too, knowing that he speaks personally and tenderly to each one of us, calling us by name with great love!

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….

******************

July 24, 2011 – Teresa Monaghen

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Many times I have gone to the garden with Mary Magdalene in my prayerful imagination. I have cried with her over loss of a loved one and mourned with her in deep regret for my sins that may have caused hurt in someone else. Every time I pray this way, Mary and I discover the Lord. He is there in our loss and in our sorrow. He comes forward surprises the heck out of us and then holds us in a brief embrace. Our hearts speak loudly, “Here is our Lord, Savior and friend! He is risen!”  He reminds us both, “Did I not tell you that my joy will be yours and your joy will be full? Let go of me now and go tell the others you have seen me, your Lord, Savior and friend.”

Oh Lord, my heart is filled to overflowing with love and gratitude for this scene that lives in my heart. Amen.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 22-24, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 21, 2011

Love is Fire!

Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011

 Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from July 1-29, 2011

Donami un cuore che bruci, (Give me a heart that burns…) G. Giaquinta

July 21, 2011 – Pope Benedict XVI

In the religious history of ancient Israel, great importance was given to the prophets, to their teaching and their preaching. Among them, there emerges the figure of Elijah, who was raised up by God in order to lead the people to conversion. His name means "the Lord is my God," and it is in accord with this name that his life unfolds -- [a life] totally consecrated to bringing about in the people the acknowledgement of the Lord as the one God. Sirach says of Elijah: "Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch" (Sirach 48:1). By this flame, Israel rediscovers its way to God. 

Oh Lord, may we receive the word like a torch and by this flame follow our way to you! Amen.

.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….

***************

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 21, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 15-17, 2011

Love is Fire!

Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011

 Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from July 1-29, 2011

July 15, 2011 – Msgr. Andrew Vaccari

Donami un cuore che bruci, (Give me a heart that burns…) G. Giaquinta

St. John of the Cross speaks of the living flame of love.  This is the flame that burned in the bush on the mountain.  It is the same flame that burns in the heart of us all and the same flame that burns forever in the heart of God! 

Donami un cuore che bruci, wrote Bishop Giaquinta.   A fire consumes what it unites with - but the fire of God's love does not destroy!  I ask during this  Countdown to the Convention  for a heart that is united with the heart of Jesus, and a heart that is burning with Love for the Lord and for his people.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….

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July 16, 2011 – Teresa Monaghen

 

(John 1:40) Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

        The noun "apostle" (apostolos) derives from the Greek verb apotello, which means "to send" (Barbara Reid, O.P.). Andrew is one of the first apostles, but before he was sent, he first spent time with the Sender, he spent time with Jesus. He followed Jesus. He stayed with him, listened to him, learned from him and let his heart be completely taken by him! As soon as he met Jesus, he ran to tell his brother and brought him to Jesus. This is just like best friends who share everything with each other. When they experience something good or bad, they can hardly wait to share it with the other. This was Andrew's experience with his brother, and then he and his brother, together, developed a most intimate and powerful, life changing friendship with Jesus. My thought is that Jesus did not have to work very hard to send these two. They could hardly contain themselves in the beginning; imagine how eager they must have been after a little formation time with Jesus. They were ready to go and enflame the world with the truth and light of Jesus Christ, their beloved!

        St. Andrew, pray for us.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….

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July 17, 2011 – Msgr. Andrew Vaccari

  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.  (Matthew 5:14)

       When I was a child I was sometimes fearful of dark place.  I never knew what might jump out or who might be hiding there.  St. John tells us in the prologue to his Gospel that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  Christ is the light, the light of the whole world.  He faced the darkness of the world and it ran away.  He was not afraid of the darkness, or at least he did not let his fear take over him.  Now, he wants his disciples to be the light of the world, to face the evil in the world and to bring his light to overpower it.  Lord, help me not to be afraid of the dark of this world.  I know you are the true light and with you near, the darkness will never conquer. 

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ….

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Convention 2011 Countdown - July 15-17, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 12-13, 2011

Love is Fire!

Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011

Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from July 1-29, 2011

Registration is still open! There is still room for you!

USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER **11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE
68022 ** psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670** http://www.prosanctity.org/**

July 12, 2011 - Teresa M

"But love does such things" (From "The Lord" by Romano Guardini)
"Let us consider carefully what this means: that the everlasting, infinite
creator not only reigns over or in the world but, at a specific "moment,"
crossed an unimaginable borderline and personally entered into
history...Once at this point a friend gave me a clue that helped my
understanding more than any measure of bare reason. He said, "But love does
such things!"

Joseph stoutly convinced that he must divorce Mary, takes a nap, wakes up,
and in a bizarre manner of action for this quiet man, changes his mind and
takes her as his wife. Unbelievably the young, inexplicably pregnant Mary
goes in haste into the hill country to assist her cousin Elizabeth, who is
also unexplainably pregnant!

All this started when God unaccountably, but at a designated time, breaks
out of heaven and comes to earth born of a woman that we might love him.
Oh my, such strange behavior for the God of the entire universe, yet as
Romano Guardini highlights, "love does such things."
Love has no boundaries and does not care if it makes sense or not! God is
love and love cannot be contained, it must be expressed sensibly or
insensibly it matters not!

Oh Lord, may I cease from hesitation or from what seems to be limitations,
restrictions or norms, may I love in the same strange and unaccountable ways
as you have modeled, not resisting love in any manner because of human
norms. Your ways, O Lord, are filled with puzzles, but since Love does such
things and then I too must be love! Amen!

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 13, 2011 - Msgr. Andrew Vaccari

"When they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

From the first breath Jesus took, his life was marked by contradictions. There was no room for him at the inn in Bethlehem, where the people were crowding the available space. They rejected him, even they did not know who he was. By contrast, his mother Mary gave him loving care and was so devoted to him, even with what seems to be a simple gesture, such as wrapping him in swaddling clothes. She loved her own but loved us all in him.

Dear Mary, you were so tender toward him, with a loving mother's heart. I too want this heart, without the distractions of busy-ness. Mary, you brought Jesus into the world - fulfilling the Father's plan. I too wish to bring Jesus to the world, fulfilling what the Father has in store for me.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....

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July 14, 2011 - Blessed Guerric of Igny
Blessed Guerric of Igny (around 1080-1157), Cistercian abbot Sermon 1 on Saint John the Baptist, §2

"John testified to the truth... He was the lamp, set aflame and burning
bright." (Jn 5:33.35)

This lamp, which is destined to give light to the world, brings me a new joy, for thanks to it, I recognized the true Light which shines in the darkness, but which the darkness did not accept (Jn 1:5)... We can admire
you, John, who are the greatest of all the saints; but it is impossible for us to imitate your sanctity. Since you hasten to prepare for the Lord a perfect people with publicans and sinners, it is extremely urgent that you
speak to them in a way that is more accessible to them than your life. Offer them a model of perfection that is not only your way of living, but that is adapted to the weakness of human strength. "Give some evidence that
you mean to reform." (Mt 3:8)

But we, Brothers, we take pride in speaking better than we live. John however, whose life is more sublime than what human beings can understand, makes his language available to their understanding. He says: "Give some evidence that you mean to reform." "I am speaking to you in a human way because of the weakness of the flesh. If you cannot yet entirely do good, may there be in you at least a true desire to reform from what is bad. If you cannot yet give evidence of perfect righteousness, may your perfection at present consist in giving evidence of behavior that shows that you desire to reform."

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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Convention 2011 Countdown - July 12-13, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 11, 2011

Love is Fire!
Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011
Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from
July 1-29, 2011

Registration is still open! There is still room for you!

USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER **11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE
68022 ** psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670** www.prosanctity.org**

GO TO THE WEB SITE AND SIGN UP FOR THE CONVENTION - COME ONE DAY OR THE
WHOLE WEEKEND!

PRO SANCTITY BLOG: http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/

July 11, 2011 - Joan Kash

Leviticus 6:12

The fire on the altar must be kept burning, it must not go out

Who among us in the United States during the month of July doesn't see
fireworks at least once if not multiple times? They are bright, they are
beautiful and they bring pleasure to the eye and patriotism into the heart.
As I was reflecting on Love Is Fire during recent weeks I thought that this
is a good example of what this phrase means, to be bright and beautiful.

On further examination, however, it occurred to me in the light of the verse
from Leviticus, although fireworks are indeed bright and beautiful, they
also go out very quickly, within a matter of seconds. How much more
lasting, infinitely so, as the source of this love is, should our love for
Christ be, and our desire to spread that love to others. How to keep the
fire continuous rather than momentary is our challenge, how to be so much in
love with the One in Whom we believe that lasting forever is the only option
we should be satisfied with.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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Convention 2011 Countdown - July 11, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 7-9, 2011

Love is Fire!
Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011
Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from
July 1-29, 2011
Registration is still open! There is still room for you!

USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER **11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE
68022 ** psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670** http://www.prosanctity.org/**
GO TO THE WEB SITE AND SIGN UP FOR THE CONVENTION - COME ONE DAY OR THE
WHOLE WEEKEND!

PRO SANCTITY BLOG: http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/
July 7, 2011 - Catherine Doherty
We must be a flame in the darkness, a lamp to our neighbor's feet, a place
where he can warm himself, a place where he can see the face of God. It is to love,
to burn, that we have come together! Our life is senseless if we are here
for any other reason than loving utterly passionately, completely. The
very word "love" implies sacrifice and surrender.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 8, 2011 - Msgr. Andrew Vaccari - Master of Ceremonies for the Convention!

The fire of the Holy Spirit came to the early church and transformed
the disciples. Fire has a way of changing things - a fire burning can
destroy, a fire burning can warm. Bishop Sheen used to say that fire had
two qualities: heat and light. The heat was the zeal, the light was the
truth. We need both to evangelize and spread the good news. We have the
truth in the Gospels, in the Church and in the sacraments. The zeal is
sometimes lessened, though, with the weariness of the struggle and the turns
and hills in the road. The fire of the Holy Spirit needs to be renewed each
day, to keep the fire of love burning brightly.

Mary, you received the Holy Spirit with the disciples. You guided them by
your knowledge of Jesus, and by showing them or reminding them how he would
act. You know him better than anyone because your heart is so pure and
there is nothing in you that will block your love for him. May the fire of
the Holy Spirit burn away the impurities of my heart so I may love him the
way you do!

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 9, 2011 - Msgr. Andrew Vaccari
"Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and
opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24: 13-35

The disciples eagerly listened to the stranger who was with
them, and speaking to them... They did not realize who he was at first but
they later knew it was the Lord himself. He spoke to them and their hearts
came alive, hoping that he would speak longer and stay longer with them.

Lord Jesus, raise up for us again a good and holy priests and lay leaders,
men and women who will follow the example of the holy saints and proclaim
the word of the Lord with fire and love. May I too be filled with love for
the sacred word and speak of it with conviction and zeal!

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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Convention 2011 Countdown - July 7-9, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - July 4-6, 2011

Love is Fire!
Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011
Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from
July 1-29, 2011

USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER **11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE
68022 ** psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670** www.prosanctity.org**

GO TO THE WEB SITE AND SIGN UP FOR THE CONVENTION - COME ONE DAY OR THE
WHOLE WEEKEND!

PRO SANCTITY BLOG: http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/

July 4, 2011 - Linda Chilcott

"Bearer-of-Fire, kindle in us a longing for the fire that overpowers our
misery and becomes ablaze consuming the whole world..."

This past October, we realized, like we may have never before, that fire is
an extremely powerful force. It changes everything it touches. Is it any
wonder our founder would liken our Lord to a
Bearer-of-Fire? Initially we may hesitate to come near because we know we
will be forever changed. Our misery is not particularly useful, but it is
ours, it is familiar, and sometimes we feel like we have a right to just
wallow in it. Our Savior, however, wants so much more for us.
Our founder seemed to have a personal knowledge of both the gentleness of
Christ and this hesitancy of our human nature. He requests that our Savior
kindle in us a longing for the fire. Just starting with sparks that we
might be drawn into not just a lack of resistance, but a longing for that
fire that will overpower our misery and change us forever.
As the spark becomes a flame, Jesus empowers us to bring that life-giving
light to the world. We may not see our own flame, but it is there, touching
each person He brings into our path. One by one, Jesus uses the flame He's
given us to set the world ablaze.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 5, 2011 - Rosemary Darmstadt

"...The Heart of Jesus, the human Heart of Jesus, burns with the love
with which it is overflowing. This love of his is love for the Eternal
Father and love for men - the Father's adopted daughters and sons."
"A burning furnace dies down little by little. The Heart of Jesus, on
the contrary, is an unquenchable furnace. In this way, it is like the
'burning bush' of the Book of Exodus, in which God revealed himself to
Moses. The bush that burned with flame, but... 'was not consumed.' (Exodus
3:2)"
"Indeed the love that burns in the Heart of Jesus is more than anything
else the Holy Spirit himself through whom the Son of God unites himself
eternally to the Father. The Heart of Jesus, the human heart of God made
man, is set on fire by the 'living flame' of the love of the Trinity which
is never extinguished."
" The Heart of Jesus is this 'furnace burning with charity'. Whilst the
furnace burns, it gives light to the darkness of the night and warms the
bodies of frostbitten travelers."

(From John Paul II, Angelus, June 23, 1985)

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 6, 2011 - Kris Woods

Zechariah 2:9 "But I will be for [Jerusalem] an encircling wall of fire,
says the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst."

This encircling wall of fire brings a feeling of safety and security to us
as well as a bright light that intrigues us and draws our attention to the
glory of God. The splendorous glory of God draws our focus on what is truly
important:

God is present in our midst. We need not fear because our God is in our
midst and is an encircling wall of fire.
God's glory and love surround us. What more could we possible need?

Dear God, Fiery Protector and Glorious Presence, help us to fully rely on
You for all that we need. Amen.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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Convention 2011 Countdown - July 4-6, 2011

Convention 2011 Countdown - First three days July 1-3

Love is Fire!
Pro Sanctity National Convention - July 29-31, 2011
Join us in a countdown of prayer and reflection for the Convention from
July 1-29, 2011

USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER **11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE
68022 ** psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670** www.prosanctity.org**

GO TO THE WEB SITE AND SIGN UP FOR THE CONVENTION - COME ONE DAY OR THE
WHOLE WEEKEND!

PRO SANCTITY BLOG: http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/

July 1, 2011 - Several authors

The Pro Sanctity National Convention is a precious moment in the life of
every member and friend of the Pro Sanctity Movement. It is a time for
experiencing the renewing power of God's forgiving and reconciling love and
starting afresh our journey of interiority for mission.

We are tired of mediocrity, indifference, lukwarmness! We want to be
on fire, to live life fully, to be renewed in Christ. How? If we live and
bear witness to faith, hope and love in a fuller and more conscious way, we
will be running on the way of the Lord and make a difference in the world!

Faith:
Helps us discover the signs of God's loving
presence in creation, in people, in the events of history and above all in
the work and message of Christ.
Hope:
It frees us from mere repetition and gives
us the real meaning of the eternal wedding feast. Through hope, Christians
bear witness to the fact that beyond all evil and beyond every limit,
history bears within itself a seed of good which the Lord will cause to
germinate in its fullness.
Charity:
Through charity, Christians make visible
God's love for humans revealed in Christ, and make manifest Christ's
presence in the world to the close of the age. For Christians charity is the
prolongation of the presence of Christ who gives Himself. We are invited to
make gestures of charity, to do many generous works of charity in favor of
the brothers and sisters who are in need of help. In pro- claiming and
living the Gospel of charity we are not alone, Jesus is with us, "I am with
you always, to the close of age". Jesus invites us to return to the Father
who is waiting for us with open arms to transform us into living and
effective signs of His merciful love.

May Mary be the bright star on our journey in the new millennium.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 2, 2011 - Margie Nelsen

1 Peter 1:7 - "the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that
is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory,
and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Right now, gold is at an all time high in value. It seems that the
faithfulness of Pro Sanctity members has also risen to an all time high
since the Barn Fire in October. The outpouring of love, well wishes and
gifts has strengthened the hope for even better ways to glorify the Lord
through the mission of the Universal Call to Holiness. It is exciting that
we have the opportunity to meet with Pro Sanctity members from all over the
world in July to spread our hope and nurture our souls with the food our
fine speakers will offer us. Dear Lord, please bless all our dedicated
members and speakers with health and hope. Bless our Convention so that we
may be a joyful expression of praise, glory and honor in your Holy Name.
Amen.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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July 3, 2011 - Msgr. Andrew Vaccari

The Sacred Heart - Filled with the fire that brings light to our souls!
"What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light."
You do speak in darkness, Lord. In the silence of the heart, you speak with
fervor and love. You reveal what you want me to know, and you share graces
with me not just for me, but so that I may share them with others. It is
comforting to know, Jesus that you speak in the darkness. The darkness can
be so fearful and so empty, it can be so silent, so terrifyingly silent,
that I want to avoid it. In the darkness of loneliness, in the darkness of
the soul, in the darkness of my sins, you are there speaking to me. You are
the light that shines in the darkness and your light is meant for all to
see. I have kept away from the darkness, Lord, because I prefer the light.
I look to find you in the light, but you are also in the shadows.

In these words, Lord, I learn that your heart is one that does not abandon
me in my darkness. I may turn a deaf ear to you, I may turn my back on you,
I may mock you and abandon you by my sins, but you continue to speak to me.
Give me a heart like yours, Jesus, so I do not leave you when all seems
black. Give me a heart like yours so I will stay with others when they are
in their darkness, too.

PAUSE AND PRAY IN REPONSE TO WHAT YOU HAVE READ....
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Convention 2011 Countdown - First three days July 1-3

Watch for tonight the countdown for the Convention begins!

O Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, we ask Your blessing on all the organizers, speakers and all those who will attend this convention, especially those traveling.  Bishop Giaquinta, pray for us.

PRAYER FOR THE 2011 PRO SANCTITY NATIONAL CONVENTION  

July 29 - 31, 2011

Schuyler, NE

Pray this prayer daily:

Lord, we gather here docile to your command.

We trust that you are in our midst, just as you promised.

Divine Master, enlighten our minds that we may begin to understand your mysteries and radiate them throughout the world.

Bearer-of-Fire, kindle in us a longing for the fire that overpowers our misery and becomes ablaze consuming the whole earth. . .

We wish to become holy, to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of souls, so that with them, in You, we may be consumed in the love of the Father and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Bishop William Giaquinta

Watch for tonight the countdown for the Convention begins!

Pro Sanctity National Convention 2011 - Sign up now!

Love is Fire!

“We want to be a flame and bring the fire to others so that they, too, may burn with love.” +Bishop William Giaquinta

Come to the Pro Sanctity National Convention for the Day – July 29-30, or 31!

If you want to come just for a day or all three, and we encourage you to do so, the cost is:

Friday night: Give a donation.
Saturday: $40.00 for the program without meals, or $55.00 with lunch and dinner.
Sunday: $25.00 for the program with Sunday dinner and ice crème social, or $15.00 program alone.

REGISTER: Call us or email if you want to come for the day and for the full weekend (see prices for food and lodging) go to our on-line registration: WWW.PROSANCTITY.ORG or contact Teresa at psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670

Pro Sanctity National Convention 2011 - Sign up now!