Posted on 07/31/2005 1:02:50 PM PDT by Siobhan
Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, you received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of you, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under your command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. “Who is like unto God?”
With firm confidence we present ourselves before you, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg you to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation: (mention your request).
Good and tender Mother, you shall ever be our hope and the object of our love. Mother of God, send forth the Holy Angels to defend us and drive far from us the cruel foe.
Holy Angels and Archangels, defend and keep us.
Please ping others as you think appropriate.
Thanks. I was wondering where to find these.
Voluntary days of fasting are highly recommended. Wednesdays and Fridays are the most important days of fast because it was on a Wednesday that the traitor Judas conspired with the chief priests against Christ, and it was on a Friday that Christ the Savior suffered and died for our salvation.
WHAT IS FASTING?
Fasting is the practice of refraining from all or from certain foods for a length of time. As we will see below, religious fasting is not merely a means for losing weight, nor is it merely an exercise in self-control, nor is it primarily a penance or self-inflicted punishment. Fasting is also not a way to "earn points" with God. Read on and learn more about the Eastern Christian tradition of fasting as a means to spiritual growth.
FASTING AND OUR LONGING FOR GOD
By fasting, our bodies participate in our prayer. "O God, You are my God: You do I ardently seek; for You does my soul thirst, You does my flesh desire, as an arid and parched land without water." (Psalm 62:2). Fasting reminds us that our souls long for God just as our bodies long for food.
FASTING AS A SIGN OF REPENTANCE AND SELF-CONTROL
"Now therefore, says the Lord: Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning . . . turn to the Lord your God for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy." (Joel 2:12-13). Fasting is a sign of repentance, a turning away from self-satisfaction. Fasting helps us to learn control over our passions (bodily appetites).
FASTING AS A MEANS FOR CHARITY TOWARDS OTHERS Finally, by the practice of fasting we can save money that can then be given to those in need. The Lord spoke of the kind of fasting He desires: "Deal your bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harborless into your house." (Isaiah 58:7). Fasting joined with prayer and deeds of service for others is an act of worship to God and is helpful in our pursuit of spiritual renewal.
OTHER KINDS OF FASTING In addition to fasting from food, during Great Fast we can also learn to fast or deprive our other senses of certain pleasures. For example, regarding the eyes: fast from watching TV on certain days, especially the day on which you favorite show is on. Regarding the ears, we can voluntarily not listen to the radio, maybe on Wednesdays and Fridays. In regards to the mouth, we can learn to fast from negative or critical talk about others. We can also go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier. Again, we can also fast from certain unnecessary foods: such as candy, sodas, alcohol, pastries, etc. during the whole of the Great Fast on or certain days, such as Wednesdays and Fridays. Again, we should find ways of making our sacrifices benefit others.
TRADITIONAL EASTERN CHRISTIAN MANNER OF FASTING
The basic traditional fasting practice is to fast from all meat, egg, and milk products everyday (including Sunday) throughout the season of the Great Fast. A stricter form also included fasting from wine and oil. Fasting from food and sometimes drink is observed by some people from morning to the evening. But there are also "days of mitigation" when wine and oil are allowed. On days when one will receive Holy Communion at the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts, one refrains from all food. The fast is broken after receiving Holy Communion. (Traditionally the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy is celebrated earlier in the day, around noon.)
BYZANTINE CATHOLIC (USA) FASTING NORMS
The Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church of the Metropolia of Pittsburgh (USA), observes the following days of fast during the Great Fast:
Pure Monday First day of the Great Fast. A day of STRICT FAST: No meat of any animal (except fish), no dairy products, no eggs. Great and Holy Friday (Good Friday) is also a day of Strict Fast.
All Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Fast: Days of SIMPLE FAST: No meat (beef, pork, poultry). Fish is allowed. Great & Holy Saturday may be observed as a day of simple fast.
WHO IS SUPPOSED TO FAST? All baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Byzantine Catholics are to observe the days of fast. Pregnant mothers and those who are weakened by illness or advanced age are not bound to the strict fast. Persons with special diets for medical reasons may observe a mitigated form of the fast. Small children who require milk are allowed to have milk in their meals. If you have any questions, please speak with the priest. It is recommended that we observe more than the minimum that is required. Individual choices in regards to a fasting regimen should be discussed with a spiritual father in Confession or in spiritual direction. Dispensations from fasting are to be discussed with one's spiritual father (confessor).
HOLY SCRIPTURE ON FASTING
Jonah 3:1-10
St. Matthew 6:16-18
St. Matthew 4:1-2
THE FAST OF THE THEOTOKOS/DORMITION
The fast which precedes the Feast of the Dormition of the All Holy Theotokos begins on August 1 and lasts through August 14.
Although Russian-Rite Byzantine Catholics are now very few in number after their great sufferings under the Communists, those faithful Russian-Rite Catholics that remain keep a very strict Dormition fast from August 1st to August 14th allowing for olives and vegetables only, cooked in water, with oil permitted for cooking only on Saturday and Sunday, though "permitted" is too strong a word.
Assumption novena or Dormition fast ping
how wonderful!
BUMP
Assumption/Dormition Novena Fast ping
Be prepared ping.
Thank you for this thread and the beautiful sacred art images.
Beautiful and most welcome post . . . but I'm not sure what you mean by "be prepared" . . .
Hi beautiful,I fast every day until 4PM.No one gets it :)I was at a pro-life luncheon last Sunday ,paid for the ticket but did not eat.My pro-life friends understood:)Mom You know I love you.Bump
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