I Need You

I NEED YOU

 By Servant of God William Giaquinta

I traveled the universe,

Running endlessly,

Searching always;

But You I did not find.

Lord, I am weary.

I have passed through the Red Sea,

I have dwelt in the desert;

I have scaled the mountains.

Lord, I am so tired.

If my search must go on,

I will die along the way,

Worn out from weariness,

Consumed by emptiness.

O Lord, I am worn out:

I need You.

I Need You

All Saints Novena 2012 day 9

All Saints Novena Day 9

Dear Lord we are so grateful to you for granting us these 7 amazing saints as models.  Let their example of love and sacrifice guide our own paths to heaven and encourage us to bring all of our brothers and sisters with us.  Amen   

All Saints Novena 2012 day 9

All Saints Novena Day 8

Meet  Anna Schaffer          (1882-1925)

 She was born in Germany to a devout Catholic family.  After her first communion she vowed to spend her life serving God.  At the age of 16 Jesus told her she would have to endure great suffering and she agreed to accept it.  In 1901 she was severely burned in an accident at her workplace.  As a result she was bedridden and extremely poor.  She later saw St Francis and after that she bore the stigmata, the wounds of Christ.  In spite of such suffering she still offered consolation in word and letter to all who would turn to her.  In a letter written 8 months before her death she is quoted as saying:  “The most important thing for me is to pray and suffer for the holy Church and her Pastors.  Whenever I receive Holy Communion, I fervently pray to our beloved Redeemer to continue protecting his holy Church and her pastors, to grant me the most agonizing martyrdom and to accept me as a little victim of reparation”  

Taken from:  http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/sunday-times/the-sunday-times-magazines/122-spirituality/15552-blessed-anna-schaffer-a-life-of-pain-and-suffering

Lord, how much I complain over the smallest inconvenience.  Teach me to offer my sufferings to you and to give encouragement in word or deed whenever I possibly can

All Saints Novena Day 7

Meet Kateri Tekakwitha      (1656-1680)

She is the first Native American  saint   She was born in what is now Auriesville New York and fled to Canada as a result of persecution.  She was baptized at the age of 20.  She was known for her life of prayer and penitential practices.  It was reported that people loved being around her when she prayed because they could feel the presence of God and see her face become more beautiful.   Kateri’s motto became “who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it?”  She loved the rosary and praying before the blessed sacrament.  At 23 she made a vow of perpetual virginity.  Her last words were “Jesus I love you”

Taken from;     http://conservation.catholic.org/kateri.htm

Lord, teach me to deny myself more willingly for your sake and teach me to see more fully just how beautiful you are and communicate your beauty to others. 

All Saints Novena Day 6

Meet Marianne Cope  

     Born in Germany then moved to New York, she spent several years teaching and founding hospitals there.  She felt called due to her devotion to St Francis and the request she received by letter to tend the poor and those with leprosy there.  She did so cheerfully and with great energy and compassion. 

Taken from:  

http://blessedmariannecope.org/Biography%20SMC%20final.pdf

Dear Lord grant me compassion to serve those in need without counting the cost, knowing you will provide what is needed.

All Saints Novena Day 5

Meet Maria del Monte Carmelo Salles y Barangueras       (1848-1911)

María Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras, a religious born in Vic in Spain in 1848, filled with hope in spite of many trials, she, on seeing the progress of the Congregation of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching, which she founded in 1892, was able to sing with the Mother of God, "His mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation" (Lk 1:50). Her educational work, entrusted to the Immaculate Virgin Mary, continues to bear abundant fruit among young people through the generous dedication of her daughters who, like her, entrust themselves to God for whom all is possible.        Taken from                            

http://www.zenit.org/article-35779?l=english

 Lord, help me to teach those around me of your love

All Saints Novena Day 4 

Meet Fr.  Giovanni Battista Piamarta   (1841-1913)      

He was  known for his passion for helping young people leave the streets and find opportunities for work.  He knew that if a young person could find  work and meaning. 

“The new blessed's apostolic work has many facets and embraces many areas of social life: from the world of work to that of agriculture, from education to the publishing sector. He has left a great mark on the Diocese of Brescia and on the entire Church,” John Paul II commented.

“Where did this extraordinary man of God find the energy for all his numerous activities? The answer is clear: assiduous and fervent prayer was the source of his tireless apostolic zeal and beneficial influence which he exercised on everyone he approached. He himself said, as the accounts of his contemporaries recall: "With prayer one is strengthened by the strength of God himself ... Omnia possum". Everything is possible with God, for him and with him,” the Pope added.

Taken from:     http://www.zenit.org/article-35749?l=english

Lord, give me the desire to pray more fervently and to more willingly help those around me, feeling needs as deeply as you do. 

All Saints Novena Day 3

Meet  Pedro Calungsod   

  

(1654-1672)

Born in the Phillippines he was a missionary catechist of the Jesuit mission in the Marianas.  In 1672 he was killed for his faith along with fellow missionary  Blessed Diego San Luis Vitoris.  They were killed because the chief of a tribe in Guam where he was preaching did not want his daughter baptized, but with the Christian mother’s consent, they baptized her.  Many people native to the area were converted to Catholicism as  a result of their missionary efforts. 

Taken from   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Calungsod

Lord, I may think of myself as too young or to timid share my faith with others.    Help this young man’s courage inspire me to stand up for my faith. 

All Saints Novena  2012  Day 2

Meet Saint Fr. Jacques Berthieu     

(1838-1896)

He was ordained a priest in 1864   and before finishing his novitiate he was assigned to the missions in Madagascar in 1875.  He became a highly successful missionary, nearly tripling the number of mission stations on the north side of the island. 

There were a series of wars between 1883 and 1896 due to the government’s fear of British and French colonialism.  Fr. Berthieu was attacked and killed during one of  these uprisings.  He was told that he would be spared if he would renounce his faith in Christ but he refused. 

Taken from:     http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/Vatican.php?id=6266

Lord, I may not be called to be a missionary in a remote part of the world, but help me spread your love in my corner of it.  Give me the strength to stand up for my faith when I am questioned about it, to be ready to give a strong and loving witness for you

Please join Pro Sanctity in preparing for all saints day 2012!!!   We will be praying a novena that allows us to get to know our 7 newest saints, the ones canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on 10-21-12

All Saints Day Novena 2012 Day 1

For the first day of our Novena let us pray with the first paragraph of Bishop Giaquinta’s prayer Grant us Saints

Grant us people of God, people for whom God is everything

Grant us people filled with love for you;

People who never look without seeing you,

Never listen without hearing you,

Grant us people able to rescue the world from its materialism

by impressing it with the evidence of your salvation

As I was praying with this today, I found the holy spirit asking me how well I fit that description.  Am I someone for whom God is everything?  Am I filled with love for him and do I constantly look and see His face?  Listen and hear his voice? 

Lord, I want to be a saint and with your help I can be Help me want to be a saint more and trust you more to help me achieve this life long goal.  Help me be more aware of you with every person and situation I encounter.  And through the next 7 days as I learn about new saints inspire me and convince me more fully of your love and constant help

Explosive Gospel series

October 14, 2012

Explosive Gospel for the Year of Faith

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 143

He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
moreover, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
-------------------------------
Reflection"

Almost everyday I have the opportunity and privilege to listen to persons share their inner stories, and it never ceases to amaze me that when they voice discontent, distraction, sense of God being there but feeling Him faraway...they say things like, "I just don't have the clarity that I need. It does not seem that God is answering me." Their sadness troubles me, and in my own heart, I too lament. "Why does it have to be this way? Where is the Lord in all of this? Why am I feeling overwhelmed? How can I handle this situation or that situation? I feel sad and disorientated...” Strange?

The passage of Mark seems to be about possessions and stuff, but I believe it is really about the lack of allowing oneself to be possessed by the Lord. In the spirit of our Lady, who paused, pondered and discovered that in relating all to the Lord, the Holy Spirit filled her with the clarity of what was truly important, what were the priorities, directions, answers, security... She felt lifted up and concluded with rejoicing. On the other hand, I cry, and I walk away sad - similar to the rich young man who had many possessions.

Perhaps if the rich young man had shared his dilemma and difficulty of letting go of his possession with the Lord, he would have looked up in and seen the loving gaze of the Lord. Sharing it with the Lord would have lifted him up in hope, aware that the Lord would show him how to sell all and give to the poor. In the same vein, I too must tell Jesus everything. This gospel invites me to let go of my chief possessions, my ego. Oh what a burden is my self reliance, the "I have to figure it out syndrome" that makes me sad! Instead, I am invited to turn to the Lord with everything in my heart, especially the questions. It is time to stop looking at myself, in its place see the Lord gazing on me in love, and receive the real treasure of union and communion with him. This awareness is truth and is heaven on earth!

In addition, what about those persons who come to me to share their inner lives of discontent and distraction, of feeling far away from the Lord?  I invite them to turn their eyes to the Lord more often, assisting them to habitually look up and see him looking at them, they too will find "heaven on earth" in the loving presence of the Lord in the midst of their daily life. His love will give clarity in their decisions in union with him, and deep inner security in a real friendship with Him who is not faraway but as close as a lover to a beloved can be.

 Oh Lord, I give it all to you, all my inner needs that I hold onto like possessions. I pray for those who come to me, that they too will see your face and gaze of love giving them the real answer to all their need of your love! Lord, I do believe in your love, help my unbelief. Amen.

Explosive Gospel series

Welcome to the Year of Faith!!!  What a wonderful gift of renewal the church has given us.   Below is a link to the USCCB page on the topic.  Please share your thoughts here on the new year

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time - B

The Word of God Enflames our Faith - Year of Faith 2012-2013

by Teresa Monaghen

Gospel Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

My Commentary -In this year of faith starting in a few weeks we are reminded strongly not to become lax, insipid, tasteless...The document Porta Fidei #3 says "we cannot accept that salt should become tasteless or the light be kept hidden (cf Mt. 5:13-15)". A radical commitment to the Gospel is required! We are invited this week to a radical conversion. The Gospel wants to correct the wrong idea of what it means to be a Christian (9:38-40), reminding us to get up and give the cup of cold water to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot sit back but GET UP, OFFER, GIVE (9:41). We are to live in such a way that we will not scandalize the little ones especially in our insipidity, tastelessness, lack of luster, or joy (9:42). Finally we are called to a radical  commitment so much so that nothing should keep us from growing in holiness and if it does, we must ask the Lord for the strength to even pluck out our eyes or cut off our hands if they should holds us back (9:43-48).

Colloquy: Oh Lord, I do desire to go all the way, but I am more talk than action. I pray this week that you will open my heart and explode the rubble of my mediocrity with your absolute, unconditional love for me, and filled with this awareness may I love with the love you fill me with, and give fully from the life-giving graces you give me to share with everyone, especially the little ones. Amen.

August Pro Sanctity Prayer Letter

Pro Sanctity Movement

a call to holiness in daily life

11002 N. 204th St.

Elkhorn, NE. 68022

psm@prosanctity.org

402-289-2670 or FAX 402-289-1938

August 2012



Dear Pro Sanctity Prayer Partners:



The summer is passing so quickly, soon the activities of fall will resume, returning to school and a more regular work schedule. We hope you enjoy the remaining days and thank God for the relaxation and time with family they offer



Praying to Jesus through Mary is our theme for this month. As Jesus was dying on the cross He said to John, “Behold your mother”. With this action He gave Mary, His mother, to the entire Church as a gift. When we think about her life, both in general and as we are praying the rosary, we cannot help but marvel and her complete availability and surrender to the divine plan of the Father for the salvation of all mankind. The image of a loving mother is something that the vast majority of us can relate to as part of our own families, so it should not be difficult and it should fill us with great joy to realize that we have a heavenly mother who, like her Son, knows everything about us and listens attentively when we call upon her.



With this in mind, I want to challenge myself and all of you to develop a more intimate relationship with Mary. We can do this by praying the rosary more faithfully and truly seeing her as our mother who loves us infinitely and who is calling us to herself so that she can point us to her Son



Let us pray especially this month for the desire to be closer to Mary and for a deeper awareness of her presence in our lives and what she is calling us to do. Surely she will not withhold from us something she wants so greatly for us to have. Let us also pray for the victims of recent violence in Colorado as well as those victims of violence all over the country. It seems there has never been a greater need for the unconditional love of God and those who communicate it. Also let us continue to pray for rain so that our farmers can provide the food we need.







Thank you for praying with us

Dan and Joan Kash, Marian Lenz, Anne Zugelder









Prayer Request:





Stephen and Nancy Tefft for the healing of Stephens wrist and extra grace to cope with changes

Katherine who has had her wisdom teeth pulled

Parishes and schools in southeast Omaha dealing with closing and reorganization and the priests and people who assist them

Rich Woods who had a stent placed in his heart

Young people starting college this year

Mr Harper who has cancer

Leon who is recovering from brain surgery

Mary Goodwin whose brother John passed away

People looking for work

Diocesan meetings currently in progress and upcoming

Prayer to St Joseph for the continuing needs of the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Omaha

Continued healing for John Patrick Nicholson

The ongoing culture wars that we may persevere in defending the lives of the unborn and for Christians being persecuted for their beliefs

Kelly and Tom

Mary’s intentions

Thanksgiving for all the awesome gifts and graces God gives me

John’s family

Joannas’ new Job as Dean of Liberal Arts at Chaldron State College

James new clinic

For the earth

Theresa, David and Paul Hahn

Brian Alder

Talula Childers

Young turn back to God

Poor Souls

Farmers Harvest

Healing for Dustin

Success in my new job

That my nephew may discern his path in life

For expecting unwed mothers, especially Kate and Emily

Healing for people with brain cancer and thyroid cancer

John and Frances Monaghen

For the intercession of St. Thomas Moore for Judge Zastera’s just judgment

For Annibella and Grace to go to St. Pats in Elkhorn

For the conversion James Foster

For the repose of Samuel Noah Korus’ soul; stillborn 6wks

For Jeff Korus new career at St. Pats

Mary’s sister in law

Fr. Justin Pisciotta who died last week

For my sister Helen who broke her wrist and will have surgery on the 11th For John Joseph trip to Germany

John and Frances Monaghen

For all students returning to school

For a new Family Rep on NE PSM Board

For a peaceful end to the confrontation in Syria

For the new apostolic Year

For more Vocations

















John



John of miraculous birth

Ordained by God from the beginning

Leaped with joy before his Savior



John withdrew from society

Learned Truth in the wilderness

Submitted to God’s tenderness



John lowly and unkept

Preached the truth upon the banks

Poured Jordan’s water upon the Lord



John challenged the rich with his words

Imprisoned for his witness

Showed strength and hope in the Lord



John lost his head for Truth

Stood humbly before Jesus

Took nothing for himself

Anne Zugelder

August Pro Sanctity Prayer Letter

Mary, the Perfect Adorer

Come adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays! Please contact the Apostolic Oblates: http://prosanctitymidwest.org/contact.php for more information.

Mary, the Perfect Adorer

We pray to You, Eucharistic Jesus!

You are the center of the life of the Church;

You are our center, our ALL! You are present in our midst!

We adore You. We pray to You.

We pray for ourselves, for our families and for our Pro Sanctity Family.

We pray for the Church, for the whole world.

We often do not have either the time or the calmness to pray to You.

Here we are, praying to You! Listen to us!

We wish to find our model in Mary, the perfect adorer.

There is a chapter in Mary’s life of which we know little:

that of Mary the Adorer.

St. Julian Eymard tried to unfold it for us a little…

The Apostle John, during the many years of Mary’s remaining in his home,

used to break the Bread with Mary present.

Perhaps the external rite of keeping Hosts in the tabernacle

had not yet started.

What do we know of what was happening in Mary’s heart

at the moment she received the Body of Christ?

What do we know of her being in adoration during the entire day?

If it is true that every day John used to celebrate the Eucharist,

can we imagine that Mary would not avail herself

of Jesus’ presence for even one day?

Lord, we ask You and Mary

to grant us a longing, a consuming desire

to be more and to love more, a little more, every day.

We wish to be Your answer

to today’s redemptive moment. May it be so! Amen!

---

Adapted from William Giaquinta, Mary the Perfect Adorer, November 3, 1985

Mary, the Perfect Adorer

Rejoice!

Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

by St. John Chrysostom

If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast.
If any man be a wise servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.
If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward.
If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast.
If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings, because he shall in no wise be deprived.
If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing.
If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him also be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; he gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has worked from the first hour.

And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one he gives, and upon the other he bestows gifts.
And he both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering.

Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord, and receive your reward, both the first and likewise the second.

You rich and poor together, hold high festival.
You sober and you heedless, honor the day.

Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast.
The table is fully laden; feast sumptuously.
The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy the feast of faith; receive all the riches of loving-kindness.

Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shone forth from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free: he that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.

By descending into hell, he made hell captive.
He embittered it when it tasted of his flesh.
And Isaiah, foretelling this, cried: “Hell was embittered when it encountered thee in the lower regions.”

It was embittered, for it was abolished.
It was embittered, for it was mocked.
It was embittered, for it was slain.
It was embittered, for it was overthrown.
It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
It took a body, and met God face to face.
It took earth, and encountered heaven.
It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is your sting?
O Hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen, and life reigns.
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.

For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice!

From “Ashes to Awe”…

Restoration of the Pro Sanctity Center (Barn) to the New Pro Sanctity Center, with Christ at the heart of the building!

Inauguration of the Ashes to Awe Pro Sanctity Center/Barn!

Saturday May 5, 2012 from 2-5 pm

What: Tours, Blessing of our new building and chapel by

Archbishop George Lucas around 3 pm,

Presentations, Prayers of Thanksgiving and Refreshments will follow!

Come one, come all!

11002 N. 204th Street Elkhorn, NE 68022 – psm@prosanctity.org for questions, everyone welcome!

www.prosanctity.org

·  The Meaning of the Pelican as a Catholic Christian Symbol – Symbol of Redemptive love
Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which represents people or items of religious significance. What is the definition and the meaning of the Pelican? A Pelican is a large long-winged warm-water seabird having a large bill with a distensible pouch for fish. The Pelican Christian Symbol represents atonement and charity. 'Pelican in her piety' in heraldry and symbolical art, is a representation of a pelican in the act of wounding her breast in order to nourish her young with her blood  a practice fabulously attributed to the bird. The pelican cutting open its own breast representsChrist's death on the cross, and the shedding of his blood to revive us and therefore adopted as a symbol of the Redeemer and of charity. An explanation of this is that the pelican's bill has a crimson red tip and the contrast of this red tip against the white breast probably gave rise to the tradition that the bird tore her own breast to feed her young with her blood.

·  The star below the Pelican, represents, Mary, Star of the Sea (see the explanation below).

·  The Vine that depicts the colors of earth and heaven (browns, greens and blue) represents salvation history, from Genesis to Christ, from Sin to Salvation/Sanctity and the on-going love of God that sent his only Son into our world to assists us with his very self (the Eucharist – symbol of the round circle and Christ at the Center) to grow in holiness and reach our heavenly homeland.

Jessi Kary, AO with artist and Social Animator, Mike Montag and Fr. Dan Lenz, OSB as they “re-create” the beautiful marble altar from St. Ann’s Church in Omaha, given to the new Pro Sanctity Retreat Center (barn)!

Q: What is the origin of Mary's title: 'Star of the Sea'?

A: Marian star symbolisms generally come in two versions: the six-pointed and the eight-pointed star. The six-pointed which is in fact the star of David (two superimposed triangles pointing in opposite directions, symbol of David's shield according to tradition) is used to highlight Mary's role in salvation as helper in the restitutio perfectionis or reparatrix parentum et totius orbis. It symbolizes the restitution of the original harmony between God and humanity brought about by incarnation and redemption--of which Mary is a 'helper'. The number eight symbolizes salvation and its meaning is derived from Gen 6,18: eight people escaped the deluge finding salvation in the ark (see also 1 Peter 3.20). The eight's day is--according to Augustine--like the first (restitution) with permanent character (perfection).

More generally (independently from the number of radiating points), the star symbolism may be used to articulate one or all of the following characteristics of Mary:

a) Her privileges, in particular, her mission as Mother of the Redeemer, or her holiness (full of grace);
b) Her anticipatory or demonstrative role (forerunner, announcer ...) with regard to Christ ["she is the dawn,Christ the Rising Sun"] and the Trinity;
c) Her role as luminous and enlightening.

The biblical and/or theological foundation of this title (Mary, Star of the Sea) may be based on 1 Kings 18:41-45. This text refers to a little cloud appearing above the sea as a sign of hope, implying that rain will come and free the land from drought. The little cloud (small as a man's hand) seen from Mt. Carmel is believed to be the 'Star of the Sea' and Mary, thus, the sign of hope which announces freedom and renewal. The Carmelites built a church on Mt.Carmel and gave it the title Stella Maris.

The origin of the expression Stella maris is commonly attributed to St. Jerome (d. 420). However, Jerome called Mary stilla maris, meaning a drop of the sea. Perhaps a copyist transcribed this as Stella maris. Other authors recording the same Marian symbol include: Isidore of Seville (d. 636); Alcuin (d. 804); and Rhabanus Maurus (d. 856).

An explicit reference occurs in Paschasius Radbertus (d. 865):

Mary, Star of the Sea, must be followed in faith and morals lest we capsize amidst the storm-tossed waves of the sea. She will illumine us to believe in Christ, born of her for the salvation of the world.

Hincmar of Reims (d. 882) spoke of Mary as 'a star of the sea assumed into the heavens'.

There are also some ancient Marian hymns related to the title: Ave Maris Stella (eigth-ninth century); and Alma Redemptoris Mater (by Hermann of Reichenau, eleventh century).

Very important for this title is the following twelfth-century prayer from St. Bernard of Clairvaux:

If the winds of temptation arise;
If you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary;
If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary.

From “Ashes to Awe”…

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 9

An Experience of Self Giving Love

This is hardly an easy task but it is essential if our families are to have an authentic apostolate that contributes to the transformation of our society.  To fulfill this duty, the family must exemplify:

·        attraction: to draw other families around itself so as to help them mature spiritually;

·        incarnation: not only resulting in fellowship for various families, but in response to the needs surrounding it, to commit one's own family to practical, concrete expressions of charity, both spiritual and material, so that the great principles of spirituality are translated into daily life for all to see;

·        diffusion: to give life to new groups striving to live the spirituality modeled by the original group.*  (page 25)

As we come to the end of our novena, to some up the above our goal is to be so authentic in our witness that we draw others to follow the example of our love—this creating the community of all saints all brothers and sisters that Bishop Giaquinta made it his life’s work to communicate. 

John 13:34     ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Dear Jesus we thank you for your love in the way that it comforts us, convicts us and challenges us to do more.  As we enter this Lenten season help our family to  follow you all the more closely as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of your kingdom. 

---

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 9

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 8

Society

In God's plan, society is not just a conglomeration of families made up of individual people.  For Him, society has a specific duty in its own right.  It is society, in fact, that can completely fulfill God's plans.  Powerful examples of this truth are the Jewish people who, throughout the centuries, have kept their hope in the Messiah; and the new People of God, the Church, which brings the message of redemption to all.

I tend to blame “society” for the ills of poverty and injustice and immorality as though it were a nameless faceless villain that could be defeated.  I am thankful for this new definition given to us by Bishop Giaquinta in which society, in reality a group of people, can truly be an instrument of God’s plan. 

John   17:20-25

 ²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

   ²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

   ²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you^[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

As we pray with these verses let us feel God’s intense love for his disciples and all of us, ask what he is challenging us to do and for the grace to do it. 

Dear Jesus remind our family that we are a part of the society of love you wish to create and that you are calling us to expand our love so that more wil know of your love

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 8