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Catholic Meditation and Devotion: The Holy Hour
New Catholic Dictionary, Real Presence Association and others ^ | NCD and others

Posted on 04/27/2006 9:36:40 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum

The Holy Hour

A pious exercise of mental or vocal prayer, in union with the prayer of Our Lord in the Garden of Olives on Maundy Thursday night, when He wae abandoned by the Apostles. It was taught as a practise to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque by Our Lord Himself, who appeared to her in 1673, as she was in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. In 1829 Father Debrosse, S.J., founded a confraternity at Paray-le-Monial for the purpose of spreading this devotion, and in virtue of a rescript of Pius IX, 1875, the associates of the Apostleship of Prayer can gain a plenary indulgence by keeping the Holy Hour. It may be practised publicly, when any hour may be named for any day in the week by the local directors; or in private, when the time is restricted between 2 P.M. on Thursday and 6 P.M.. on Friday. No special prayers are obligatory but the Holy Hour should be offered in memory of Our Saviour's Passion, and in particular of His prayer and agony in the Garden of Gethsemani. It has become a general and popular practise weekly in some parishes, and a favorite termination for parish missions, and for retreats of clergy and religious. The best way of making it is by dividing the hour into quarters, devoting five minutes to points for reflection, five for silent prayer or meditation, and five for congregational singing.

New Catholic Dictionary


TOPICS: Catholic; Prayer
KEYWORDS: adoration; catholic; eucharisticadoration; holyhour; prayer; prayerlife
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Eucharist iconWhy a HOLY HOUR
before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?


PERHAPS MANY still ask that question. To it there is basically only one answer: Jesus Christ, the God-Man, is present....

He is present in that special Eucharistic manner of transubstantiation in which the very substance of the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

St. Thomas taught that the Eucharist is the greatest of miracles ever worked by Christ, to perpetuate his Passion and Sacrifice with us and to be specially present to each individual.

Christ is present there for us, to manifest his great love for us. St. Thomas says, "He cares for us and is there." If we care for him, we would also be there for a Holy Hour or some other form of Eucharistic adoration. Christ had asked this of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque as he had asked the apostles in the Garden of Olives: "Can you not watch one hour with me?"

Vatican II insists that the Christian life is incomplete if it is not Eucharistic. In the Decree on Priests (No. 5) the Council wrote: "Every ministry of the Church and every work of the apostolate are linked with the Holy Eucharist and are directed to it." Of course, this refers primarily to the Eucharistic sacrifice and the Council said so in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (No. 11): "Taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which is the apex and fount of the whole Christian life, the faithful offer the Divine Victim to God and offer themselves with it."

However, it is in the Eucharist that Christians will find unity in Christ: "In the Sacrament of the Eucharistic Bread, the unity of all believers, who form one body in Christ (1 Cor. 10,17) is both expressed and brought about." (Consti. on the Church No. 3)

To stress that this did not refer only to the Eucharistic Sacrifice and the reception of Holy Communion but also to Eucharistic adoration, Pope John XXIII, who called the Council, arranged for the canonization of Blessed Julian Eymard, the apostle of Eucharistic adoration, for the solemnities of the closing of the first session of the Council, that he was to be an example and model of true Catholic renewal.

This leaflet attempts to offer some aids to making a Holy Hour.

I

The first suggestion is: divide the Holy Hour into four 15 minute periods. It is essential to take sufficient time to really visualize the purpose in each period. Do not proceed till you have made that particular purpose clear and definite.

The second suggestion is for that first 15 minute period: dedicate it to a realization of who is present in the Holy Eucharist. Of course you know the answer to that, but think of it until there is in your soul a response of wonder ("is it possible?" "how can that be?" and yet "it is true") and admiration (how wonderful: Jesus is really, truly present here!).

Think of the marvel of this great reality: Christ, the God-Man, is truly present in his divinity as well as his humanity, body and soul. Even: substantially present—the substance of the bread and wine changed into the body and blood of Christ.

Try to realize also how different this presence of Christ is from the presence of God in the whole world, or in us by grace, or in the Church, or in the words of the Holy Scriptures. This is a unique substance, substantially special and different from his presence anywhere else. It is the mystery of his total presence in the great mystery of his love: the incarnation now transubstantiated. This is not just the presence of God but the presence of God as the God-Man via the substance of bread and wine changed into the Body and Blood of Christ.

Consider who he is as God: the Creator; as God-Man: our Redeemer, our Savior-Brother, our Lord and King.

Push your thoughts to search out the meaning of these truths and let your soul rest in the wonder of his loving presence here—for you. Be quiet and listen, too, because God wants to speak to your heart.

If perhaps words of admiration and wonder do not come to you, use the words of some familiar prayers and songs of adoration and praise that you can usually find in any missalette available in most churches. For example: "Down in Adoration Falling," "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name," the "Holy, Holy, Holy" of the Mass, "Now Praise We All Our God," or any Benediction hymn. However, rely on yourself—do not move too quickly to these texts.

These words should be read slowly, with great, deep understanding and always in relation to Christ present before you in the tabernacle: you directing your praise to him who is truly present there! Do not hurry, thinking that you have to finish all or any of these hymns and prayers. Remember that Christ himself said, "Do not prattle on . . . in sheer multiplication of words . . ." (Mt. 6, 8). Make sure that they express the thoughts and desires in your own heart.

II

A suggestion for the second 15 minutes: devote the time to thoughts and prayers of thanksgiving to God as you grasp the wonder of who is present Really: God is with us! the Emmanuel of Christmas.

Momentarily give some fresh thought to the fact: God is with us in this special, most remarkable way. Now let words of thanksgiving rise up in your soul, or just simply give thanks to God for his presence here in such a remarkable way. Thank God for the great Sacrament of the Priesthood and for vocations by which he perpetuates his presence in the Holy Eucharist.

In a parallel situation think of our Blessed Mother's joy when she realized that Christ, the great Messiah, was present within her, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Make her words of the Magnificat your own as you realize that Jesus is equally present here. There hidden in a human body; here hidden under the form of bread. Or with Simeon break out in that beautiful exclamation of delight and contentment when he realized whom he was holding in his arms: "Now, Lord, you may dismiss your servant in peace . . ." or read the words of the joy of Zachary when he could again speak to proclaim the wonder of the presence of the one who would prepare the way of the Lord. Or use the text of Ps. 148.

You might also take some time to recall and thank God for other special blessings and wonders of God: your family, vocation, gift life, opportunity to be in his Presence, special friends, etc. Thank him for his love for you, for his unfailing help in trials and difficulties. Do you really believe that? Think about it till you can really say that in sincerity and heartfelt conviction: that God does love you!

III

A suggestion for the next 15 minutes. Dedicate this to petition. First of all, ask Jesus here present in the Holy Eucharist for the grace that is dearest to him, the grace he wants most for you: the great blessing of redemption and eternal salvation. Just think, for some time what that means . . . for you, for each member of your family, your friends, people of you neighborhood and parish, for all mankind. Think of how marvelous that would be if all would be so blessed: to be in heaven for all eternity! Pray for that! Beg for it: the fulfillment of Christ's greatest intention, the fulfillment of his greatest hope and desire and the main reason for his coming, for which he is preset here. "Come to me all you who labor and al burdened and I will refresh you." For this he was in agony.

Pray for conversions. Pray for particular people, those who are away from the Church and the Sacraments. Pray for the sick and lonely, the discouraged, our youth, the unborn, our country, its leaders. Pray for our Holy Father, and for all priests and religious that they may be so influenced by grace that they will be effective instruments doing the work of God. Pray for vocations to complete the work of Christ. Pray for the grace to know the will of God always in your own life. Pray for peace, God's peace in the hearts of all.

IV

Dedicate the last 15 minutes of the Holy Hour to atonement. Why atonement? A look into one's own conscience and the conscience of the world gives the answer. A mere glance at headlines and you see insults, blasphemies, defiance thrown by man into the face of God. These will make you shudder unless your heart is cold and uncaring. The injuries of man to man when Christ commanded: "Love one another." The ignoring and deliberate pushing aside (for sophisticated, selfish reasons) God's commandments of respect for life. Think of the sins of injustice that cry to heaven for vengeance, the sins of the modern Sodom and Gomorrah that defy the wrath of God. There are also the slurs and insults against the virginity and Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother. There is much need for atonement for the sins of disregard, of refusal to recognize and obey the Holy Father, Christ's own spokesman and Vicar on earth. Think and you will know many, many more reasons for atonement and for begging God's pardon and mercy.

You might wish to express your thoughts of sorrow for all these evils ("sins" expresses it more accurately) by any traditional act of contrition or in the liturgical words of the "Lord, have mercy," the "Lamb of God" or the hymn "O Lord, I am not worthy." In the Litany of the Sacred Heart and the Litany of the Holy Name we find powerful and inspirational motives for praying for pardon and mercy in a great spirit of atonernent. The Litany of our Blessed Mother is very appropriate, asking her under all her titles of honor and power to "pray for all of us." The Litany of the Saints and the Prayer to St. Michael could be expressive of the hopes in your heart.

A slow, thoughtful saying of the Rosary would be very helpful during any phase of a Holy Hour. With our Blessed Mother and with Christ present there before you in the Holy Eucharist, recall and consider those events in his life. Ponder all those things in your heart as you ask our Blessed Mother to pray for us.

Other Suggestions for Holy Hours

Holy Hours can also be made at home, either alone or with one's family. Unite yourself with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the nearest tabernacle or in all the tabernacles of the world. Keep in mind that perspective of being in the presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist—perhaps even in some Communist country. Pray for the special problems or topics described above or others you are concerned about. You will find much motivation and inspiration for prayer. Feel free to break from any of these suggestions, ("structures") though at times you will find them helpful. Perhaps even your own inability or reluctance to pray can be a reason for prayer.

The aged, sick and handicapped are urged to make such a Holy Hour of prayer right there in their bed, chair, or home or hospital or wherever. They should unite their sufferings with Jesus crucified and with him atone for the sins of the world. So much suffering could be converted into blessings by such prayer.

Questions Frequently Asked Concerning Eucharistic Adoration

1. What kinds of Eucharistic Adoration are there?

a) a simple, devout, very brief visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
b) a private or public (group) Holy Hour either in church or in the home
c) a traditional Thirteen or Forty Hours of Adoration in a parish.
d) a 3 or 4 or 5 hour Eucharistic Vigil, usually by a larger group with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, perhaps with procession and other devotions.
e) the all-night Eucharistic Vigil (watch) by a similar group, starting in the evening (8 or 9 p.m.) and ending with Mass in the morning (6 or 7 a.m.).
f) perpetual adoration. Some parishes have an organized program of continual adoration with one or several present in church each hour, day and night. Individuals would take the same hour each month, each week, or more frequently.
g) partial adoration. Same method as in "f" except that it would be only one day a week or month or perhaps only from morning (7 or 8 a.m.) to evening (6 or 7 p.m.).

2. What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Eucharistic adoration is the recognition of and honoring this special presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

3. How can a Eucharistic Adoration program be started in a parish?

a) discuss this idea with your pastor, seek his advice, permission and support.
b) try to find support and help from other interested people.
c) arrange for pulpit and bulletin explanations and announcements; make mimeographed explanations available at the door or send them to the homes via the school children, with the support of the faculty.
d) publicize each Eucharistic Adoration that is going to be held, inviting others to come.
e) make it easy for individuals to sign up for particular hours for adoration if you are having any kind of a perpetual or partial adoration.
f) obtain capable and reliable speakers if a homily or meditation is on your program.

This "little aid" has been written to show you that a Holy Hour is not so difficult. Further explanations can be had by writing to:

Franciscan Friars of Marytown
Eucharistic Adoration Department
8000 - 39th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53140



http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/pea/holyhour.html

1 posted on 04/27/2006 9:36:42 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Holy Hour



Adoration

Eternal Father, I thank You because Your infinite Love has saved me, even against my own will. Thank You, my Father, for Your immense patience, which has waited for me. Thank You, my God, for Your incommensurate compassion, which has had pity on me. The only return I can make to you in payment for all that You have given me is my weakness, my pain and my misery.

I am before You, Spirit of Love, you who are an ever-burning fire, and I want to remain in Your adorable presence. I want to make reparation for my faults, renew myself in the fervor of my consecration, and render to You my homage of praise and adoration.

Blessed Jesus, I am before You and I want to draw from Your Divine Heart countless graces for me and for all souls, for the Holy Church, and for your priests and religious. Grant, Oh Jesus, that these hours be truly hours of intimacy, hours of love in which I will be granted to receive all the graces that Your Divine Heart has reserved for me.

Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, I unite myself to you, and beg of you to have me share in the feelings of Your Immaculate Heart.

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly and I offer You the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences whereby He is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.



Act of Faith and Adoration

I believe, O Jesus, with my liveliest faith that You are present, here, in front of me, under the Eucharistic Species. You, the Eternal Word of the Father, are begotten from all eternity and incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mother. Jesus Christ, Redeemer and King, I truly believe that You are present in the ineffable truth of Your Divinity and Your Humanity.

Jesus, You are the same Jesus of Bethlehem, the Divine Child, who for my sake will accept banishment, poverty and persecution. You are the Jesus of Nazareth, who for my love, embraced concealment, hardships and obedience. You are the Divine Teacher, who came to teach me the sweet truths of the Faith, to bring the great commandment of love: Your Commandment. You are the Merciful Savior, the One who bends over all my miseries with infinite understanding and moving kindness, always ready to forgive, to heal, to renew. You are the Holy Victim immolated for the glory of the Father and the good of all souls. You are the Jesus, who sweated blood for me in the Garden of Gethsemani; who suffered for me the condemnation of human tribunals, the most painful flagellation, the cruel and humiliating crowning of thorns, the cruel martyrdom of the crucifixion. You are He, who wanted to agonize and to die for me. You are the Risen Jesus, the vanquisher of death, of sin and of hell, who longs to communicate the treasures of Divine Life, which You possess in all its fullness.

My Jesus, You are here, present in the Consecrated Holy Host, with a Heart overflowing with tenderness, a Heart, which loves infinitely. In Your Heart, Jesus, I find the infinite Love, the Divine Charity - God, the beginning of Life - existent and alive. How sweet it is for me, My God, Trinity most blessed, to worship You in this Tabernacle where You are now!

Therefore, I join the angels and the saints, who invisible but present and vigilant around Your Tabernacle, adore You incessantly. I join, above all, Your most holy Mother, and her feelings of profound adoration and intense love, that sprang from her soul from the first instant of Your Incarnation, when she carried You in her immaculate womb.

And while I worship You in this Tabernacle, I do so in all the Tabernacles of the world and especially in those where You are most abandoned and forgotten. I adore you in each Consecrated Host that exists between Heaven and Earth.

I worship You, God the Father, because through Christ, You have descended to my humanity, and because through His adorable Heart, You have united Yourself so closely to man, to me, a poor ingrate creature. I adore You in this church sanctified by the ever current Presence of Your Divine Being. I prostrate myself in profound adoration before Your Sovereign Majesty. Yet, at the same time, love draws me up to You.

I worship You, God the Father, and I love You. My love and my adoration are totally mixed and combined in my soul, so much that I could not tell whether I love more than I adore or adore more than I love. I adore You because I find in You: all power, all holiness, justice and wisdom. You are My Creator and My God. I love You because I find in You all beauty, all kindness, all tenderness and all mercy. I love You because You have given me, as a present, an invaluable treasure.

Jesus is my Treasure. He is mine and at any moment I can draw graces from Him with full hands, since I find this Treasure always abundant. I take all I need from Him, in order to pay my debts, to meet my needs, to find delight, to earn a crown. What ineffable gift is this Jesus, whose Heart overflows with all tenderness! A treasure, which is never depleted, the more I take, the more He gives.

O God the Father, You have loved your creatures so much, that You gave them Your only Son. In order that the majesty of Your Word would imbue us with fear and our souls could address Him with confidence, You clothed Him with flesh like ours. You adorned Him with the most attractive graces. Above all, You gave Him an infinitely perfect Heart, such, that It had to be the abode of Your delights, because in this Heart lives Your Divine Fullness, and in It the most humble of creatures has a place of privilege.

That adored Heart is as immense as Yourself, My God, because It contains You. It is also my dwelling place, since It loves me. In It I meet Your Divinity, and upon seeing me in this sacred refuge, Your just wrath is placated and Your Justice is disarmed.

I adore You, God the Father, through Jesus and in Jesus. I worship Jesus, Your Son, who by His Humanity is My Brother and by His Divinity is My God. I love You through Jesus and with Jesus. I love You through the Heart of Jesus, made mine by love. I love You in Jesus. Through Him my love reaches You. Through Him I can reach You and embrace You.

R/: My God, I acknowledge that You are infinite kindness and I believe in Your Love for me.

† In the sublime mystery of the unity of Your Nature and the Trinity of Your Persons, R/.

† In the harmony of Your innumerable Perfections, R/.

† In the inexhaustible wealth, with which you make beings out of nothing, R/.

† In the peaceful possession of Your eternal Happiness, R/.

† In the infinite Wisdom, with which You govern all things, R/.

† In the unfathomable kindness, with which You elevate man to the dignity of being Your child, R/.

† In the infinite Mercy, with which You tolerate and conserve the sinner, R/.

† In the mysterious decree by which Redemption was established, R/.

† In the infinite debasing of Your Incarnation, R/.

† In the humiliations, the concealment and the labors of Your earthly life, R/.

† In the ignominy of Your Passion and Death, R/.

† In the glory of Your Resurrection, of Your Ascension and of Your triumph in the heavens, R/.

† In Your Divine Heart opened by a lance on Calvary, R/.

† In Your Divine Heart revealed to Your saints in the course of the centuries, R/.

† In Your Divine Heart, beating with Love for us in Your adorable Chest, present in our Tabernacles, R/.

† In Your Divine Heart, overflowing with Mercy for poor sinners, especially in the Sacrament of Penance, R/.

† In Your priesthood, which in the course of the centuries continues Your work of Love and Salvation, R/.

† In Your Vicar, Your visible representative on earth, R/.

† In the Church, which conserves and dispenses the treasures of Your Divine Grace to souls, R/.

† In its infallible Magisterium, its wise ruling, and its unfathomable power to sanctify, R/.

† In Most Holy Mary, Your Mother, enriched with so many privileges and also established as our Mother, Coredemptrix and Advocate, R/.

† In the exuberant fruitfulness with which You produce saints, R/.

† In the moving generosity with which You dispense Your gifts, R/.

† In the mysterious work of grace in the intimacy of the soul, R/.

† In the purifying gift of Your Cross, R/.

† In the marvelous Providence, with which You follow each creature through the course of his life, R/.

† In Your infinite Glory, which You communicate to Your elect, making them eternally happy in Heaven, R/.

Lord, in the recitation of the Gloria at Holy Mass, the Church invites me to give You thanks for Your infinite glory. She invites me to thank You, to glorify You and to praise You for all that You are, My God. For this reason I take pleasure in repeating: I give You thanks for You Are Infinite Love.

After having prostrated myself to worship You in the Heart of Jesus, I want to give You thanks. I thank You, my God, because You are Love, and I thank You for all the gifts of Your Love. And since it is through Jesus that You have given us the most precious gifts, the gifts of supernatural life, it is also through Him, with Him and in Him, that I want to lift up to You this hymn of thanksgiving.

In union with Jesus I thank You, God the Father, for all the personal graces You have bestowed upon me. You gave me life, bringing me out of the void. You have conserved my life, day after day up to this moment. But You have given me another more valuable life, the life of grace, which makes me share in Your own Divine Life. And after the first grace, with which You sanctified me on the day of my Baptism, I have received from You so many more graces that have conserved, increased and, perhaps, regained my supernatural life!

I think of the gifts of Your Love, which I have enjoyed so abundantly:

† In the Church You have given me as my teacher and guide towards eternity.

† In the priests who have conferred on me the gifts of Your Love.

† In the forgiveness, continually renewed.

† In the Eucharist, which has been my nourishment, strength and consolation.

† In the Virgin Mary, who is my good Mother, my consoler, my help and my special protector during every instant of my life.

† In the Paradise You have prepared for me, which with Your grace, I hope to reach.

I look at my life, sown with joys and sorrows, and I understand that all in it has been Love. All of it, O My God, because from Your Loving Heart nothing but Grace and Love can flow.

R/: I thank You, my God.

† For all these things, R/.

† For all the gladness You have allowed me to enjoy; as well as for all the sorrows and trials You have scattered on my path, R/.

† For the known, as well as for the unknown graces, R/.

† For the favors of the past and for those in the future, R/.

† For all You have done in me and for me and for all that You will still want to do in the future, R/.

† Above all for calling me to the knowledge of Your Love and to consecrate myself to It, R/.

† For Your Light and Joy, of which I am far from being worthy, R/.

† For the light and joy that the knowledge of Your Love has brought to my life, R/.

† For the possession of Your Love, which makes You mine, and makes me Yours, R/.

But I do not want and ought not to give thanks for myself only. I give You thanks also for all the gifts which Your Love has poured out on the Church. I give You thanks for all the benefits granted to the angels and to the saints, perpetual praises of Your Love. And I thank You above all, for the innumerable benefits granted to Most Holy Mary, our sweet Mother. I thank You for having made her so great, so holy, so beautiful. I thank You for the privileges that You have given her and for the throne of glory, on which You have placed her. I give You thanks for having made of this creature of Your predilection, a Mother in whom I can and should place all my hopes.

In order to offer a more efficacious thanksgiving, I permit myself, O Lord, to liven it with my love. Therefore, I tell You again and again that I love You with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength.

R/: I love You, my God.

† You, who are infinite Love, R/.

† You, who have saved me by Your Love, R/.

† You, who command me to love You, R/.

† With all my heart, R/.

† With all my soul, R/.

† With all my spirit, R/.

† With all my strength, R/.

† Above all possessions and honors, R/.

† Above all pleasures and joys, R/.

† More than myself and all that belongs to me, R/.

† More than my parents and friends, R/.

† More than all men and angels, R/.

† Above all created things in Heaven and on earth, R/.

† Only for Yourself, R/.

† Because You are the utmost Goodness, R/.

† Because You are infinitely worthy of being loved, R/.

† Because You are infinitely Perfect, R/.

† Even if You had not promised me Paradise, R/.

† Even if You did not threaten me with hell, R/.

† Even if You tried me with misery and misfortune, R/.

† In abundance and in poverty, R/.

† In prosperity and in misfortune, R/.

† In honors and in scorns, R/.

† In joys and in pain, R/.

† In health and in sickness, R/.

† In life and in death, R/.

† In time and in eternity, R/.

† In union with the love, with which all the saints and angels love You in Heaven, R/.

† In union with the love, with which the Blessed Virgin Mary loves You, R/.

† In union with the infinite Love, with which You eternally love us, R/.

O My God, You who possesses in an unfathomable abundance all that is perfect and worthy of love, extinguish in me all culpable, sensual and inordinate love towards creatures. Ignite in my heart the most pure fire of Your Love so that I may love only You, for You, to the point of being consumed in Your Most Holy Love, so that I may go, together with the chosen, to love You eternally in Heaven. Amen.

Lord, now I want to make atonement before You. O Jesus, Divine Victim of our altars, great and only Atoner, I also unite myself to You in order to perform with You and through You, the role of a small atoning soul.

And I also call upon you, O my Mother, that just as you offered your Jesus to the Father at the same time that He immolated Himself for His Glory and for the salvation of souls at Calvary, may you renew at this moment, that mystical offering in my place.

Offer in the chalice of your Immaculate Heart, O sweet Virgin, the sorrows of Jesus together with yours in order to invoke Divine Mercy on me and on the whole world. After having thanked You for your endless gifts, how could I not be troubled at the sight of my many faults and infidelities? How ungrateful and cold I have been in response to your benefits!

Prostrated before You, who has loved me so much, filled with confusion and regret, I beseech Your Pardon and Your Mercy:

R/: O Jesus, have mercy on me!

† For the misuse I made of the natural gifts I received from You: my life, my energy, my time, my senses, my intelligence, my tongue, R/.

† For the great and small acts of disobedience to Your law, R/.

† For the duties, disregarded or carelessly completed, R/.

† For the good I could have done and have not done, R/.

† For allowing many times the triumph of bad inclinations in me; of pride, vanity and egoism, R/.

† For not having practiced Your commandment of charity as You ordained it, R/.

† For having left barren in me so many graces, R/.

† For the lukewarmness with which I practiced my life of piety, R/.

† For the indifference and coldness with which I responded to Your gifts of Love, R/.

† For having many times preferred the creatures and human satisfactions to You and Your consolations, R/.

† For the little fidelity and generosity with which I have lived my consecration, R/.

† For the lack of faith in Your Love and the abandonment of It, R/.

† For the lack of dedication to souls and to the Church, R/.

† For my rebelliousness and lack of love for Your Will, and Your Cross, R/.

I lose myself in Your Presence, O my God.

I kneel at Your Feet.

I prostrate myself in front of You, O Jesus, Divine Host, My Redeemer and Savior, as did Mary Magdalene. And even though it is true that I am unworthy of Your Love, I am certain that You will have for me the same merciful tenderness.



Psalm 51 (50) - The Miserere

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offenses.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin.

My offenses truly I know them;
My sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
What is evil in your sight I have done.

That you may be justified when you give sentence
And be without reproach when you judge.
O see, in guilt I was born,
A sinner was I conceived.

Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
That the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
And blot out all my guilt.

A pure heart create for me, O God,
Put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
Nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit.

Give me again the joy of your help;
With a spirit of fervor sustain me,
That I may teach transgressors your ways
And sinners may return to you.

O rescue me, God my helper,
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth shall declare your praise.

For in sacrifice you take no delight,
Burnt offerings from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you would be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
Holocausts offered on your altar.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.



Being confident that in Your infinite Mercy You have granted me pardon for my countless faults, offenses and acts of negligence, I dare, O Jesus, to also ask pardon for my brothers and sisters.

I think of the untold number of sins being committed in the world, day after day, by individuals and by nations: sins committed by rulers and by subjects; sins of pride, sensuality and covetousness; and sins of thought, word, deed and omission.

For all these sins and for all the poor wretches who commit them, I dare to ask You, O Jesus, for the outpouring of Your infinite Mercy. It is our sins that caused You to agonize in the Garden of Olives, and submerged Your most Holy Soul in a sea of sadness.

Do not forget, O Jesus, that You freely wanted to take up our burden, that You wanted to become sin in order to erase ours. Do not forget, O Jesus, that You offered Yourself to the wrath of the Father in order to rescue Your guilty brothers.

O Jesus, I beg You to renew Your offering to the Father by again presenting Your wounds to Him. Show Him the thorns, the scourging and the nails that pierced Your Flesh, but especially let Him see Your wounded Heart, overflowing with Love for Him and for us, and ask His forgiveness.

Remember, O Jesus, that greater than all our faults is Your Mercy. Pour It, O Jesus, over this guilty world. Seek out the sheep that have strayed away from the herd, and show them the great power of Your saving Love.

And since Your Heart is wounded by the faults of those nearest to You, I beseech Your Forgiveness, O Jesus, for those who renew the kiss of Judas or the denial of Peter. May none carry out Judas’s desperate action, but may Your Grace prompt them, as it did Peter, to a reparation of love.



The Litany of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us. R/: Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us. R/: Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us. R/: Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. R/: Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us. R/: Christ graciously hear us.

R/: Have mercy on us.

God, the Father of Heaven,

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

God the Holy Spirit,

Holy Trinity, one God,

Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father,

Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,

Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,

Heart of Jesus, infinite majesty,

Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God,

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,

Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of Heaven,

Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,

Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,

Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,

Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,

Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praises,

Heart of Jesus, King and Center of all hearts,

Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,

Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,

Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,

Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke You,

Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,

Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,

Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,

Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,

Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death,

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,

Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,

Heart of Jesus, victim for sins,

Heart of Jesus, salvation of all who trust in You,

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You,

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R/: spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R/: graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, R/: have mercy on us.

Jesus meek and humble of heart, R/: Make our hearts like Yours.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, R/: I trust in You.

Sacred heart of Mary, R/: save my soul.

Jesus and Mary, I love You with all my soul, save souls, and save my soul.



Supplication

Before leaving this Holy Tabernacle I want, O my Jesus, to have recourse to Your Divine Heart’s infinite wealth.

Consecrated to Your Love, I believe that I can ask for nothing better than the fulfillment of Your own desires. It is Your Divine Desires that I want to present to the Father, before the conclusion of this time of graces, and beg Him in Your Name, to answer them.

The first desire of Jesus is the salvation of souls: to redeem the world by means of love, to establish the Kingdom of infinite Love throughout the earth.

Allow me then, O Jesus, to express my ardent wish that the Kingdom of Your Love be established all over the earth. O infinite Love, living in the Divine Heart of Jesus, make Yourself known to men so that men may love You, as You want to be loved.

The second desire of Jesus is to make use of priests for this great work, to make of them active laborers, and by means of them, to work in souls and in the world.

O Jesus, eternal Priest and Savior of the world, in order to realize this burning desire of Your Heart, multiply vocations, and send many holy workers to Your harvest.

O Jesus, make every priest an authentic sower of Your Love.

I beg You for the Holy Father, for the bishops, for all the priests who have helped me, for all priests.

I ask You, O Jesus, to sustain them during battle, to comfort them in loneliness, to encourage them in their failures, to make their hardships fruitful, and to pour into their hearts your Divine Heart’s Love.

R/: Give us holy priests.

† Lord, to watch over Your honor and glory, R/.

† Lord, to increase our faith, R/.

† Lord, to sustain Your Church, R/.

† Lord, to preach Your doctrine, R/.

† Lord, to defend Your cause, R/.

† Lord, to counteract error, R/.

† Lord, to annihilate the sects, R/.

† Lord, to uphold the truth, R/.

† Lord, to guide our souls, R/.

† Lord, to improve habits, R/.

† Lord, to vanish vices, R/.

† Lord, to illuminate the world, R/.

† Lord, to teach the riches of Your Heart, R/.

† Lord, to teach us to love the Holy Spirit, R/.

† Lord, to have all Your ministers become the light of the world and the salt of the earth, R/.

O Jesus, Holy Priest, we ask You with the greatest humility in our souls to increase priestly vocations and to form them according to the designs of Your loving Heart. Only then will we obtain holy priests, and there will soon be in the world only one flock and only one Shepherd. Amen.



Concluding Prayer

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, Divine Victim, who moved by an impulse of incomparable Love for men, Your brothers, You made Your Heart bring forth the Christian priesthood. Deem worthy to continue pouring over Your ministers the life-giving torrents of Your infinite Love.

Live in Your priests. Transform them into You. Make them, by Your Grace, instruments of Your Mercy. Work in them and through them. Grant that after having clothed themselves completely in You, by the faithful imitation of Your Divine Virtues, they may accomplish the same works that You Yourself accomplished for the salvation of the world, in Your Name and by the power of Your Spirit,.

Divine Redeemer of souls, look how great is the multitude of those who still sleep in the darkness of error. Count the number of the straying sheep, who walk amidst steep cliffs. Consider the throngs of the poor, the hungry, the ignorant and the feeble, who groan in the neglect.

Come back to us, Lord, through Your priests. Truly live again in them. Work through them, and walk again in the world, teaching, forgiving, consoling, sacrificing and renewing the sacred links of love, between the Heart of God and the heart of man. Amen.

Grant, O Jesus, that the labor of Your Love may always be in complete accordance with the purposes, for which You intended. Grant that it expands and consolidates itself, and that it conquers all souls for the sweetest Kingdom of Your Love.

O Jesus, I have asked for Your Kingdom. I do not need to ask for myself, for everything will be given to me. You know what I need. Look, and do what Your Heart suggests. I put my trust in Your Heart. I abandon myself to Your sweet Providence, and I give You thanks for the gift of these hours of intimacy with You. I thank You in union with Mary, for all the benefits that Your Love has yet reserved for me, in time, and in eternity.



The Blessed Mother’s Canticle
"The Magnificat"

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my savior; for He has looked upon the lowliness of His handmaid.

From now on all generations shall call me Blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.

Holy is His Name, and His mercy is on His faithful from generation to generation.

He shows mighty deeds with His Arm: He scatters the proud of heart, He throws down the mighty from their thrones, and raises the lowly to high places.

He fills the hungry with good things, while the rich he sends away empty.

He helps Israel, His servant, ever mindful of His Mercy, as He had promised our fathers, in favor of Abraham and his descendants forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.



Please Share this Gift !

If Jesus spoke to your heart as you read this Holy Hour devotion, please share these words by photocopying and further disseminating this document to people whom you believe will be blessed by these words. Please allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in evangelizing in accordance with the gifts He has given to yo


2 posted on 04/27/2006 9:37:29 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: sinkspur; GirlShortstop; Salvation; Maeve; Siobhan; tiki; SuziQ; Mr. Thorne; Tribune7; Jaded; ...

Catholic meditation ping!


3 posted on 04/27/2006 9:38:20 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Meditation on the Lamb of God

BEhold the lamb of God,
Behold him to takes away the sins of the world.

O Lord,
at that moment,
we are taken back,
standing in the dust,
touched with the smell of blood,
and fear,
and grief,
and pain,
and looking up,
both to you in the white host,
broken in the priest's hands,
to you on the cross of calvary,
to you, at that last supper,
holding the bread that was you,
that would feed your followers
and all the followers who followed them.

Behold,
him who is Love Incarnate,
him, who to whom every knee will bow,
him, who was wounded for our transgressions,
him, who brings us back,
a re-presentation of that moment in time,
where he who was master,
bled for we who are slave,
on a slave's cross,
in a slave's death
so that we might live.

Blessed are we,
because he called us,
the undeserving,
the lost,
the ungrateful,
the cruel,
the lusting,
the sin-sick,
all called to be healed,

Lord, I will never be worthy to receive you under the roof of my soul,
but only say the word,
the word that heals,
the word that lifts me out of the dust of my deserved death,
and my soul,
so stained, aching and lost,
shall truly be healed.

Amen.


4 posted on 04/27/2006 9:39:30 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Catholic Corner
Helpful Tips For Making A Holy Hour

There are many different ways to pray with the Lord, but one of the most powerful and fruitful ways is to spend an hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This is called a Holy Hour because it is an hour spent in the presence of the Holy Eucharist -- Jesus Christ Himself, the One who alone is Holy. The most important thing to realize about making a private Holy Hour is that you don't have to do anything. You don't have to say any particular prayers, or read, or sing, or anything else. All you have to do is be present to the One who is present to you.

Spend precious moments of silence in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord to let Him minister to us His healing, merciful love. And we also need these times of silent presence to love Him and make offer him our sorrow for our sins. It is a powerful and effective way to thank Him for His gift of mercy to us.

There is no single "right" way to begin a Holy Hour, but some suggestions:

* Start with body-language, making some gesture of profound adoration, such as genuflecting or bowing to the Lord as a reverent acknowledgment of His real presence.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His gift of praise. Call upon the angels and saints to help you unite with their heavenly praise and worship.
* Let your heart be open to the Lord's presence and then follow the longing of your heart. Love Him, thank Him, and praise Him, who is present and loves you. As He tells us in one of His psalms -- "Be still and know that I am God."

A good way to end a Holy Hour is to thank the Lord. Thank Him for His presence, for His Love, for all that He has done and will do in your life.

You can call to mind and thank Him for the specific graces or resolutions you received during the hour. Then, again, express your adoration with your whole body and soul, and renew your commitment to try to live each moment of your life in such a way that you will be a living sign of His presence, of His mercy to the world.

http://www.spirituality.org/is/056/page10.asp


5 posted on 04/27/2006 9:49:42 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

AT THE FEET OF CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST

From the writings of Saint Faustina

O Jesus, Divine Prisoner of Love, when I consider Your love and how You emptied Yourself for me, my senses deaden. You hide Your inconceivable majesty and lower Yourself to miserable me. O king of Glory, though You hide Your beauty, yet the eye of my soul rends the veil. I see the angelic choirs giving You honor without cease, and all the heavenly Powers praising You without cease, and without cease they are saying: Holy, Holy, Holy.

Oh, who will comprehend Your love and Your unfathomable mercy toward us! O Prisoner of Love, I love up my poor heart in this tabernacle that it may adore You without cease night and day. I know of no obstacle in this adoration: and even though I be physically distant, my heart is always with You. Nothing can put a stop to my love for You. No obstacles exist for me...

O Holy Trinity, One and Indivisible God, may You be blessed for this great gift and testament of mercy. Amen.

I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I adore You for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my souls recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration.

My Lord and Creator, Your goodness encourages me to converse with You. Your mercy abolishes the chasm which separates the Creator from the creature. To converse with You, O Lord, is the delight of my heart. In You I find everything that my heart could desire. Here Your light illumines my mind, enabling it to know You more and more deeply. Here streams of grace flow down upon my heart. Here my soul draws eternal life. O my Lord and Creator, You alone, beyond all these gifts, give Your own self to me and unite Yourself intimately with Your miserable creature.

O Christ, let my greatest delight be to see You loved and Your praise and glory proclaimed, especially the honor of Your mercy. O Christ, let me glorify Your goodness and mercy to the last moment of my life, with every drop of my blood and every beat of my heart. Would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You. When I find myself on my deathbed, may the last beat of my heart be a loving hymn glorifying Your unfathomable mercy. Amen.


6 posted on 04/27/2006 10:04:05 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Great Post!


7 posted on 04/27/2006 10:08:56 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All

Ancient Roman Catholic ritual making a comeback in Minnesota

Adoration for Vocations to be Promoted Worldwide

New Plenary Indulgence to Mark Year of the Eucharist

POPE GRANTS PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST

2.2 Million hours of prayer, and counting

In The Presence Of The Lord

The Adoration of the Name of Jesus (El Greco)

Adoration Tally Presented to Pope by Vocation.com

Eucharistic Adoration or Abortion?

Bishop Calls for Perpetual Adoration of Eucharist

What I learned From a Muslim about Eucharistic Adoration

PERPETUAL ADORATION

The Gaze [Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament]

Eucharistic adoration: Intimacy with Christ

Eucharistic adoration is key, but also has drawbacks, bishops say

Pope Backs Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

The Eucharistic Mystery Calls For Our Response

Spend Some Time With Jesus Tonight...

Catholic Meditation and Devotion: The Holy Hour

8 posted on 04/27/2006 10:11:19 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum; All

"The best, the surest , and the most effective way of establishing everlasting peace on the face of the earth is through the great power of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament." -- Pope John Paul II


"Could you not watch one hour?" -- Mark 14:37

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Pope Benedict XVI during the Corpus Christi procession

9 posted on 04/27/2006 10:12:07 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

Wonderful pics!


10 posted on 04/27/2006 10:15:31 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

"When St. John Mary Vianney arrived at the obscure little village of Ars, someone said to him with bitterness, 'Here there is nothing to do.' 'Therefore there is everything to do,' replied the Saint.

"And he began immediately to act. What did he do? He arose at 2:00am in the morning and went to pray near the altar in the dark church. He recited the Divine Office and prepared himself for Holy Mass. After the Holy Sacrifice, he made his thanksgiving; then he remained at prayer until noon. He would be always kneeling on the floor without any support, with a Rosary in his hand and his eyes fixed on the tabernacle."

- from Jesus, Our Eucharistic Love, by Fr. Stefano Manelli, O.F.M. Conv., S.T.D.


11 posted on 04/27/2006 10:15:48 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Salvation

Great links, too!


12 posted on 04/27/2006 10:17:26 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

thank you for these posts. God bless you.


13 posted on 04/27/2006 10:49:13 AM PDT by Nihil Obstat
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Consider the precious thing we take too often for granted:

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR was traveling with a Protestant minister in a car and when they passed a Catholic Church, Fr. Benedict made the sign of the Cross. The minister asked him why he did this. Fr. Benedict explained that it was out of reverence for Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The minister told him, if I believed what you believe, I would get out of the car, run inside the Church, fall on my knees and never get up again.


14 posted on 04/27/2006 10:54:24 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

The life which our Lord Jesus is calling us to is a life of intimate union with him, and surely this life of union with our Lord deepens as often as we receive him in Holy Communion; however, our contact, for lack of a better term, with the Bread of Life must not stop there. Not only have we been given the grace to receive him in Holy Communion, but as our Lord told us in Matthew's Gospel, he would be with us always until the end of time (Matt 28:20). Truly we see the fulfillment of this Scripture as we see Jesus reserved in all the tabernacles throughout the world; Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. Beyond receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, we are called to adore him in the Blessed Sacrament. The intimacy which our Lord is calling us to with him goes beyond just receiving him. He desires that each of us be united to his very life. To put it simply, he desires that each of us spend time with him, contemplating the mystery of his Real Presence in this holy Sacrament.

We believe it is very important to try to understand the depth of the intimacy which Jesus desires to have with us; we will therefore use an example. The marital act between husband and wife is the deepest, most profound way in which they express their love to one another; our Lord desires to have a much deeper intimacy with us. And this life of intimacy, this union with Jesus, comes through receiving him and adoring him in the most Blessed Sacrament. Why adore him? Why spend time in his presence when we truly receive him into our very being? It is very simple. We can use the example of husband and wife again. A husband and wife would never have wedded if they did not spend time with one another, if they did not get to know one another. The way they come to love one another is by being with one another: the lover with the beloved. In the same way, we must spend time with Jesus to come to know him in a more intimate way, to come to love him in a deeper, more intimate way.

Spending time daily in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is to spend time with Love Incarnate, it is to spend time with the Source of Love. And as we adore the Source of Love, our lives are transformed into lives which are animated by divine love. As St. Paul says: "All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory...(2 Cor. 3:18). The advice of the saints and other holy men and women who have gone before us is to spend time in adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Some people who are in the habit of spending time before our Lord in Eucharistic adoration often speak of making a daily Holy Hour. Often times we'll hear them say, "I still have to make my Holy Hour today", or maybe they'll ask a friend, "did you make your Holy Hour today?". We would like to suggest that we change this terminology of "making a Holy Hour" because we believe the saints would tell us differently: saints do not make daily Holy Hours, daily Holy Hours make saints. We are transformed by the grace, mercy, and love which our Lord Jesus pours forth into our hearts as we adore him. All over the world we are beginning to see an explosion of perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Spirit is stirring in the hearts of Christ's Faithful People and they are coming to a deeper realization of the life-transforming power and love in Eucharistic adoration. While adoring our Lord in this Holy Sacrament, we can offer prayers of reparation; we especially need to pray in reparation for the sins of the world committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and especially for the sins of our own country.

We must believe not only in the transforming power of Eucharistic adoration for our own lives, but also the power of transformation which it provides for the whole world. Pope John Paul II sees and understands the power of Eucharistic adoration, and indeed he has been an impetus in the explosion of perpetual adoration throughout the world. He himself sees Eucharistic adoration as being intimately bound up with the ushering in of the third millennium of Christianity. As we know, 1997 marked the beginning of the three year preparation for the year 2000, and we believe that as we approach the third millennium we will continue to see an increase in Eucharistic adoration throughout the world. In fact, our Holy Father had said that the year 1999 will be "intensely Eucharistic". Our prayer for all is that we may become "intensely Eucharistic" people. May we, who are transformed by receiving and adoring our Lord Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament, be the instruments which the Holy Spirit uses to transform the world!

May the Heart of Jesus, in the most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved, with grateful affection, at every moment, in every tabernacle of the world, even until the end of time!

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You!
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world!

AMEN! AMEN!

(paragraphing added for ease of reading)

http://www.cfpeople.org/page18.html


15 posted on 04/27/2006 11:00:41 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

What’s Your Story?

My mom got another call while talking with me on the phone this morning. I waited while she answered it. “It was Colleen (My Cousin). She’s got a good adoration story to tell me”, said my protestant Mom excitedly. “I’ll go and let her tell it to you”, I said, knowing that my mom relishes the retelling of our adoration experiences. She often says; I can’t wait to tune in for the next episode. “You should call her and tell her about yours”, she replied. “I think I will”, I said.

I called my cousin about a half an hour later and we talked for two hours about the miraculous occurrences and incredible peace that accompanies and surrounds our times of adoration. “When I come out of adoration, I just want to tell everyone what a treasure we have in adoration”, she said. “So many people who need this are really missing out! I just want to tell everyone” she continued. “That’s what I do”, I said. “I tell people in the church paper what they’re missing at adoration.” “I don’t think writing is for me”, she said, but email me some of your articles so I can let everyone know.”

I tell this to you, my brothers and sisters, to give you confidence to talk about your experiences at adoration. Those of you who visit the adoration chapel have your own adoration stories. You know what I am talking about. Tell your stories to everyone. Catholic, protestant, it doesn’t matter. Who on earth wouldn’t want an audience with Jesus. Just think of what a blessing you will be to those you bring to Jesus. Those of you who don’t know what we’re talking about: YOU’RE MISSING OUT! Spend some time with Jesus in the adoration chapel and then tell your story. You may be surprised at who is waiting to hear it. Crystal Tyll



WHAT IS IT THAT DRAWS YOU TO JESUS?
What is it that draws you to Jesus? Some of you are at adoration an hour or more a week. Why? What difference has it made in your life? What keeps bringing you back? Take a minute to ponder these questions. Allow the answers to flood over you, to fill you, to consume you. When your heart and mind are full of answers, pick up a phone or a pen and call someone or write an open letter to those you love telling him or her about what Jesus gives you in adoration. Don't know what to say? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Just ask your friend how they are, and when they ask you how you are tell them, "Oh I'm so full of the love of Jesus" or "Actually, I'm having a really peaceful day, I just spent an hour at adoration and it always seems to make my troubles dim and my blessings seem magnified."
Don't keep it to yourself. Don't be the cat that ate the canary. Once the cat eats the canary no one hears its song again, but after leaving the adoration chapel, the Holy Spirit should fly right out of your mouth telling everyone you meet about the love of Jesus! Remember to whom much is given, much will be required.
Another way to spread the love of Jesus is to plan to be somewhere where you are seeing people after your holy hour. They will notice the radiance on your face. Without saying a word you will affect those you meet. Some may comment on your glow. Tell them who put it there.
When you read a beautiful piece of literature or hear a tape or CD about adoration, pass it on. Some, and I'd venture to say most; people out there in the world don't know anything about adoration. Who will tell them if not those of us making holy hours?
A friend of mine is having a difficult time with financial circumstances. We talked for hours about how she had always been a generous woman and one who is led by God. Why, then was this happening to her? She wondered. Still thinking about her later at home, I sent her a copy of an adoration article via computer. I wasn't sure what her knowledge of adoration was, but I knew in my heart that Jesus would be her best comfort. The next day she sent a glowing email back explaining how she had never really understood about adoration, but the article make it clearer and she was going to sign up for a weekly hour at her church.
Whatever your method, share Jesus with someone. There are so many hurting people who need Him. Crystal Tyll

WARMING THE HEART OF JESUS
The fabric of life in our Adoration Chapel is being woven every hour of every day. Each of our adorers brings their own threads and works them into a beautiful tapestry that warms the heart of Jesus. Currently, there are a few threadbare areas and holes in our tapestry. These are the hours that we need you to fill. Won't you join us in prayer and ask Jesus which hour He would have you commit to? Our most lovely work can only be wrought when we all join together to bring our threads and join them with the threads of others to form a tight weave. His laborers working together are the cross-weave that hold the tapestry together. Each one of our visits is precious to Him and pleases Him. When we work together it doubles and strengthens our efforts creating an exquisite celestial pattern, the beauty of which none of us can imagine. Every one of us have a prayer of thanksgiving to offer Our Lord. Won't you bring it in and weave it into our tapestry? Crystal Tyll

HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION
My summer vacation was awesome. I spent a lot of my time at the John Paull II Adoration Chapel at Church of the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Highland. It was very restful because I could sleep as late as I wanted. No matter what time I arrived the Son was always shining. The surf--the surf was amazing. I just knelt down and let the waves of His love wash over me for hours. Each one was more refreshing than the last. There was never a dull moment with all the things to do there. There was a wonderful spiritual library, comfortable chairs, friends who shared my interests and even a book where I could write down my needs and the needs of those I love and the Host would see that they were taken care of. The Host was so compassionate that he even provided a bowl of rosaries so that I could stay in touch with my Blessed Mother. I must confess that no one had ever made me feel the way the Host did. He seemed to anticipate my every need and fulfill my deepest desires. I found myself spending more and more time in His Presence. Before long I had fallen deeply in love with Him. Such an all-consuming love grew in me each time I visited Him that I found that He was the most important part of my life. Every thing and everyone paled in comparison to Him. I surrendered to His holy will heart and soul. He has promised to go with me whenever I cannot stay with Him and to always be at my side. When I'm weary and I can't go on, he carries me. He will never leave me or forsake me. My Host has become the love of my life. Now what did you do on your summer vacation, again? Crystal Tyll

Speak Lord, Your Servant Is Listening

There was a documentary on TV recently that told the story of a man who travels across the United States searching the mountains valleys, meadows and woodlands for a place that has no noise that is man made such as trains, airplanes or car noise. Even though his destinations are beautiful, remote and for the most part tranquil, almost everywhere he goes, the sounds of nature are interfered with by the inventions of modern man. His conclusion; It’s getting harder and harder to find a quiet place.

It would be difficult to disagree with our researcher’s findings. We are so conditioned to the noise of everyday life that we sometimes get nervous when we find ourselves in a situation where it is “too quiet”. Yet with all of this activity we wonder how we can find God, that is if we can find the time. God is not the author of confusion, but peace. We condense a week’s worth of activity into each day and wonder why we can’t hear the voice of Jesus.

He speaks to you every moment of everyday. Why do you think scripture tells us to pray without ceasing? Would Jesus ask you to do more for Him than He is willing to do for you? If you have been seeking his voice, consider turning down the volume of your life. Plan some quiet time in your schedule that is completely dedicated to Him. It will need to be in a place where you will not be interrupted. You know, the perfect place for you to hear his voice is the adoration chapel. Why not make a commitment to spend an hour a week with Him. Consider what part of your busy schedule you could sacrifice for Our Lord. He honors every sacrifice made in His name and He will speak to your heart. Spend some time with Him and listen to what He has to say to you. Aren’t you curious? Call the Worship Office to sign up for an hour of Adoration. Crystal Tyll


TESTIMONY!
My deepened faith came from the adoration chapel. Have you ever felt like you were getting closer to Jesus but there had been something that stopped you? Maybe a fear of what he may ask of you? I was that person. I decided that I wanted to remove that block from my heart and signed up for an hour at the Adoration Chapel. I didn't know how much that one hour would change my life. My love for Jesus has grown to new heights. I have conquered my fear of surrendering myself to Jesus by his help from the Holy Spirit. I hope all of you take a look deep within your heart and ask, "What is stopping me?" Sign up for an hour and see how your life will change. Chris Hatmaker


In Gratitude For A Fruitful Harvest

How exciting it was to see the testimony in our church paper from our parishioner, Chris Hatmaker, about how her time in adoration had made an impact on her life! Her heart was so filled by her experience that she could not help from shouting it out loud. This tells us that our chapel is having the effect that it was intended to in the lives of our people. And this is only the beginning. The fire that is so brightly burning here at Holy Spirit cannot be contained and is spreading with great intensity throughout both Michigan and the many far-flung destinations to which our parishioners travel. The many prayers that we have sent up while building and opening our adoration chapel are yielding the fruits, which we requested. God bless Chris for writing and submitting her testimony. We know that it is not the only one. One way you were asked to evangelize a few weeks ago was to write down or call someone to tell them what is happening to you in adoration. Because of her voice, I hope many more of you will share your stories with us about the blessings you receive from your time at adoration. Submissions can be directed to the Worship Office. Thank you so much for being the faithful brothers and sisters that you are and for being part of this parish, which creates such a nurturing atmosphere to increase our faith. A thank you is also due to Father Leo whose great love and understanding of the great power of The Real Presence of Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament has allowed this awesome treasure to come here to Holy Spirit. Crystal Tyll

This Year, Be More Advent-urous

Oh how the holidays sneak up on us some years. Before you know it, we have sailed through Thanksgiving and are shopping double-time to finish by Christmas. Because of the panic that seems to get more intense every year, we've put up our outside Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving so that we could spend more time shopping. After all, we don't want to disappoint the children, Aunt Suzie, Grandma or even the postman. We've got a short time and a lot of stuff to get and it better be the good stuff or we'll hear the complaints. For the really popular stuff we'll have to camp out overnight and stand in long lines in the bitter cold. It'll be tough, but we've got to please our family & friends, right?

NOTHING IS AS SWEET AS A BIRTHDAY VISIT
A dear friend of mine left a message for me on my answering machine on my birthday one year. She said, "I just wanted to tell you how important and special this day is because it is the day you were born. The world is a much better place because you were born. I hope you are having a wonderful day." When I heard that message, the tears overtook me immediately. What a lovely thing for her to have done. Later, she came by and had tea with me and brought me a beautiful gift. Really, it was three gifts. There was the gift of her call, the gift of her time and the gift of a mirror surrounded by angels. She made me feel as if I were a great treasure to her and she, who was always precious to me, became even more so by her kindness to me. As I pondered my friend's love for me, I realized that she had put a lot of preparation into making my birthday special because I was important to her.
Soon our Lord will have his birthday. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we prepared for his birthday with the same or greater love that my friend showed me? After all, His birth was of infinitely greater consequence than mine. Yet if we can love one another with all of our human faults, how much greater should our love be shown to our Savior? Just as my friend called me, you can call on Jesus in prayer and thank Him for His sacrifice of being born into this world. You can clear your schedule to make time to visit Jesus in the adoration chapel. And during this preparation time of advent, you can examine your reflection with the Holy Spirit surrounded by the angels in the sacrament of reconciliation. Offer Jesus the gift of a pure and clean heart on the occasion of His birth. Order your priorities so that He comes first in all things. Show Him what a great treasure He is to you and then marvel at the friendship that develops between you. Crystal Tyll

What would happen if we weren't enslaved by the Season? Remember the wise men? They already had everything-plenty of stuff. Yet they spent their time preparing their hearts and seeking the Son of God. They listened to the voice of God and sought to kneel at the feet of Jesus. They found Jesus to be the greatest treasure in their lives. You can too. During advent this year why not trade the credit card shackles and in suing debt that enslaves us for the freedom of a trip to reconciliation and the peace you'll find at the feet of Jesus in the adoration chapel? Camp out in the adoration chapel instead! Give everyone on your list a card that tells them you have been on your knees for them making a holy hour on their behalf. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! This gift blesses not only the receiver, but the giver as well. Crystal Tyll.

MY DAILY PLANNER IS DRIPPING WITH PIE!
A brand new shiny year is upon us. It's time to get organized and prioritize our schedules.
Let's see, where is that new daily planner I got for Christmas? Here it is all clear and blank. It reminds me of what my father would say when someone told him that they didn't have enough time for a certain activity. He'd always say, "I don't know why, you've got 24 hours, just like everyone else." His meaning was immediately clear to the quick witted folk; others stared blankly or didn't respond at all. What he meant was that if an activity was important enough to them, they would have made it a priority. He was a great people watcher and made a habit of filing people into categories by how they spent their time. He would say this one or that one has a "good heart". This meant that they were a charitable person who cooked for older folks or repaired things for others without expecting repayment. All of the children in our household as well as various people with problems who stayed with us were taught to care for our neighbors and sacrifice our time with a cheerful attitude. My parents would say, "You'll get your reward in Heaven."
This year as we make our schedules and think about how busy we are while we try to fit in that new exercise routine. Let's scrutinize that agenda. Look at where you spend the majority of your time. Split it up into percentages and make a pie graph. What slice of pie are you serving the Lord? I hope it is a big juicy piece, dripping with love. If it's just a sliver, consider increasing His portion. One great way would be to sign up for an hour of adoration in the adoration chapel. Put it on your schedule. Make Jesus a priority in your life and serve Him a portion of your year. Call the worship office and make it official. Be sure that Jesus gets a slice of your time and not just the crumbs that fall from your table. You'll get your reward in Heaven! Crystal Tyll

http://www.holyspirit-highland.com/perpetual_adoration.php


16 posted on 04/27/2006 11:13:50 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Pope John Paul II's 1996 letter to the Bishop of Liege titled

"Eucharist: Sacrament to be Adored"

The letter was written on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the first celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi.

To Bishop Albert Houssiau
of Liege, Belgium

1. In 1246, Robert of Thourotte, your distant predecessor in the see of Liege, instituted in his Diocese the Eucharistic feast now known as Corpus Christi, at the request of Juliana of Cornillon, who had already composed an office for Corpus Christi, Eve of St. Martin and other women of Liege. A few years later in 1264, Pope Urban IV made this feast of the Body of Christ a holy day of obligation for the universal Church, thereby expressing the importance of venerating the Eucharistic Body of our Saviour. On the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the institution of this feast, as I join all the pilgrims who will be participating in the jubilee ceremonies and the faithful all over the world who ceaselessly pray before the Blessed Sacrament, I raise a fervent prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord.

2. Christ whom we adore is really present

Jesus is no longer present to men in the same way that he was on the roads of Palestine. After the Resurrection, he appeared in his glorious body to the women and to his disciples. Then he took the Apostles and "led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ...He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven" (Lk 24:50-51). But in ascending to the Father, Christ did not distance himself from men. He dwells forever in the midst of his brethren and, just as he promised, he accompanies them and guides them with his Spirit. Henceforth, his presence is of another kind. Indeed, "at the Last Supper, after celebrating the Passover with his disciples and when he was about to pass from this world to his Father, Christ instituted this sacrament as the perpetual memorial of his Passion..., the greatest of all his miracles; and he left this sacrament to those whom his absence filled with grief, as an incomparable consolation" (St. Thomas Aquinas, Office of Corpus Christi, 57, 4). Every time we celebrate the Eucharist in the Church, we recall the death of the Saviour, we proclaim his Resurrection as we await his return. Thus no sacrament is greater or more precious than that of the Eucharist; and when we receive Communion, we are incorporated into Christ. Our life is transformed and taken up by the Lord."

3. Outside the Eucharistic celebration, the Church is careful to venerate the Blessed Sacrament, which must be "reserved...as the spiritual centre of the religious and parish community" (Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei, n. 68). Contemplation prolongs Communion and enables one to meet Christ, true God and true man, in a lasting way, to let oneself be seen by him and to experience his presence. When we contemplate him present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, Christ draws near to us and becomes more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. He grants us a share in his divine life in a transforming union and, in the Spirit, he gives us access to the Father, as he himself said to Philip: 'He who has seen me has see the Father' (Jn 14:9). Contemplation, which is also a Communion of desire, intimately associates us with Christ, and in a very special way associates those who are prevented from receiving it.

Remaining in silence before the Blessed Sacrament, it is Christ totally and really present whom we discover, whom we adore and with whom we are in contact. However, it is not through the senses that we perceive him and are close to him. Under the appearance of bread and wine, it is faith and love which lead us to recognize the Lord, he who fully communicates to us 'the blessings of Redemption which he accomplished, he, the Master, the Good Shepherd, the Mediator of most pleasing to the Father' (Leo XIII, Mirae caritatis). As the Livre de la foi of the Belgian Bishops recalls, prayer of adoration in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament unites the faithful 'with the paschal mystery; it enables them to share in Christ's sacrifice, of which the Eucharist is the 'permanent sacrament.'"

4. In honouring the Blessed Sacrament, we also offer a profound thanksgiving to the Father, for in his Son he visited us and redeemed his people. Through the sacrifice of the Cross Jesus gave his life to the world and made us his adoptive children, in his image, establishing a particularly intimate relationship that enables us to call God by the beautiful name of Father. As Scripture reminds us, Jesus spent nights in prayer, especially at the moments when he had to make important decisions. In his prayer, by an act of filial trust and in imitation of his Lord and Master, the Christian opens his heart and his hands to receive God's gift and to thank him for his freely offered blessings.

5. It is invaluable to converse with Christ, and leaning against Jesus' breast like his beloved disciple, we can feel the infinite love of his Heart. We learn to know more deeply the One who gave Himself totally, in the different mysteries of his divine and human life, so that we may become disciples and in turn enter into this great act of giving, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. 'Following Christ is not an outward imitation, since it touches man at the very depths of his being' (Veritatis splendor, n. 21). We are called to learn from him, gradually to be conformed to him, to let the Spirit act within us and to fulfil the mission entrusted to us. In particular, Christ's love spurs us to work constantly for the unity of his Church, to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and to serve men, 'we who are many are one body, for we all partake of one bread' (1 Cor 10:16) such is the Good News which gladdens man's heart and shows him that he is called to take part in the blessed life with God. The Eucharistic mystery is the source, the centre and the summit of the Church's spiritual and charitable activity (cf. Presbyterorum ordinis, n. 6).

Model your life on the mystery of the Lord's Cross

Closeness to Christ in silence and contemplation does not distance us from our contemporaries but, on the contrary makes us attentive and open to human joy and distress and broadens our heart on a global scale. It unites us with our brothers and sisters in humanity and particularly with children, who are the Lord's dearly beloved. Through adoration, the Christian mysteriously contributes to the radical transformation of the world and to the sowing of the Gospel. Anyone who prays to the Saviour draws the whole world with him and raises it to God. Those who stand before the Lord are therefore fulfilling an eminent service. They are presenting to Christ all those who do not know him or are far from him; they keep watch in his presence on their behalf.

6. On the occasion of this jubilee, I encourage priests to revive the memory of their priestly ordination, by which Christ called them to take part in a particular way in his one priesthood, especially in the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice and in building up his Mystical Body which is the Church. May they remember the words spoken by the Bishop at their ordination liturgy: "Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate: model your life on the mystery of the Lord's Cross"! In drawing from the source of the sacred mysteries by faithful and regular periods of contemplation, they will derive spiritual fruit for their personal life and their ministry, and, in turn, they will be able to make the Christian people entrusted to their care capable of understanding the greatness "of their own particular sharing in the priesthood of Christ" (Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 1996, n. 2; L'Osservatore Romano English edition, 27 March 1996, p. 3).

7. "When the faithful adore Christ present in the sacrament, they should remember that his presence derives from the sacrifice and is directed towards both sacramental and spiritual communion" (Sacred Congregation of Rites, Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery, n. 50). I therefore encourage Christians regularly to visit Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, for we are all called to abide in the presence of God, thanks to him who is with us until the end of time. In contemplation, Christians will perceive ever more profoundly that the paschal mystery is at the heart of all Christian life. This practice leads them to join more intensely in the paschal mystery and to make the Eucharistic sacrifice, the perfect gift, the centre of their life in accordance with their specific vocation, for it "confers and incomparable dignity upon the Christian people" (Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei, n. 67); in fact, during the Eucharist, we are welcomed by Christ, we receive his forgiveness, we are nourished by his word and his bread, we are then sent out on mission in the world; thus each one is called to witness to what he has received and to do the same for his brethren. The faithful strengthen their hope by discovering that with Christ suffering and distress can be transfigured, for with him we have already returned from death to life. As a result, when they offer the Lord of history their own life, their work and all creation, their days are illumined by him.

8. I urge priests, religious and lay people to continue and redouble their efforts to teach the younger generations the meaning and value of Eucharistic adoration and devotion. How will young people be able to know the Lord if they are not introduced to the mystery of his presence? Like the young Samuel, by learning the words of the prayer of the heart, they will be closer to the Lord who will accompany them in their spiritual and human growth, and in the missionary witness which they must give throughout their life. The Eucharistic mystery is in fact the "summit of evangelization" (Lumen gentium, n. 28), for it is the most eminent testimony to Christ's Resurrection. All interior life needs silence and intimacy with Christ in order to develop. This gradual familiarity with the Lord will enable certain young people to be involved in serving as acolytes and to taking a more active part in Mass; for young boys, to be near the altar is also a privileged opportunity to hear Christ's call to follow him more radically in the priestly ministry.

9. As I commend you to the intercession of the Mother of God, St. Juliana, and also St. Lambert and St. Hubert, zealous evangelizers of your country, and all the saints of your land, I cordially grant my Apostolic Blessing to you, to all the members of the diocesan community and to the faithful who during the year will take part in the various events of the jubilee.

From the Vatican, 28 May 1996.

Joannes Paulus II (Signed)


17 posted on 04/27/2006 1:33:55 PM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

"On her return to Lisieux [from her pilgrimage to Rome to see the Pope regarding her entrance to the Carmel], she sent her gold bracelet to the chaplains of Montmarte so it could be melted into part of a great monstrance - a gesture that clearly expressed Therese's desire to keep watch day and night close to Jesus in the Eucharist."

Note: The monstrance containing the gold of Therese's bracelet is at Le Sacre Coeur in Paris, France where Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament is perpetually adored to this day.

"My mission (is) to make God loved...," - St. Therese of Lisieux.

- Therese and Lisieux, by Pierre Descouvemont and Helmuth Nils Loose


18 posted on 04/27/2006 2:08:45 PM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Revelation of the Sacred Heart
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, (1647-1690)

It was on June 16, 1675, that the last of the grand revelations relative to the Sacred Heart took place. It was to close the cycle of those solemn disclosures. Until then the humble virgin had received from the Lord only personal favors, very like those with which other holy souls had already been favored. He had only demanded of her some individual practices of devotion. Now however, the hour was come for Him to invest her with her grand, public mission.

During the octave of the feast of the Blessed Sacrament, June 16, 1675, Margaret Mary was on her knees before the choir-grate, her eyes fixed on the tabernacle. She had just received "some of the unmeasured graces of His love". We have no particulars of these graces.

Suddenly the Lord appeared on the altar and discovered to her His Heart:

"Behold", said He to her, "this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. In return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for Me in this sacrament of love. What is most painful to Me," added the Savior, in a tone that went to the Sister's heart, "is that they are hearts consecrated to Me"

Then He commanded her to have established in the Church a particular feast to honor His Sacred Heart.

"It is for this reason I ask thee that the first Friday after the octave of the Blessed Sacrament be appropriated to a special feast, to honor My Heart by communicating on that day, and making reparation for the indignity that it has received. And I promise that My Heart shall dilate to pour out abundantly the influences of its love on all that will render it this honor or procure its being rendered".

- Bougaud


19 posted on 04/27/2006 2:23:23 PM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum (Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly With God Micah 6:8)
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To: Knitting A Conundrum

Faith-sharing bump.


20 posted on 04/27/2006 7:44:53 PM PDT by Ciexyz (Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
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