For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

KEYWORDS: catholic; mk10; ordinarytime; prayer; saints;

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From: James 5:13-20

A Call for Constancy (Continuation)

[13] Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing
praise. [14] Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; [15] and the
prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has
committed sins, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore confess your sins to one ano-
ther, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
man has great power in its effects. “Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves
and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and months it
did not rain on the earth. [18] Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain,
and the earth brought forth fruit.

Concern for One Another

[19] My brethren, if any one among you wanders from truth and some one brings
him back, [20] let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of
his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

13-18. In this final counsels, St James has most to say on the subject of prayer.
He teaches that it is a necessary and effective counter to sadness (”suffering”: v.
13); the prayer of priests, while anointing the sick with oil, is the sacrament of
Anointing (vv. 14-15); prayer for others helps bring forgiveness of sins (v. 16). All
this is supported by the example of Elijah (vv. 17-18).

13. “Suffering”: the Greek word, which can be translated as “experiencing sad-
ness”, includes the idea of suffering under some evil, so the “sadness” can be ta-
ken as some type of affliction, or sickness of the soul.

St Bede describes the attitude a Christian should adopt when he or she feels
overwhelmed by the “pest” of sadness, regardless of its cause: “Have recourse
to the Church; kneel in prayer before the Lord, asking him to send the grace of his
consolation, and do not imbibe the world’s sadness, which only leads to death”
(”Super Iac. Expositio, ad loc.”). Sadness, gloominess, is a powerful ally of the de-
vil and one of the subtlest weapons he uses to lead a person to commit sin; one
needs to react against it immediately.

“Being children of God, how can we be sad? Sadness is the end product selfish-
ness. If we truly want to live for God, we will never lack joy, even when we disco-
ver our errors and wretchedness. Cheerfulness finds its way out into our life of pra-
yer, so much so that we cannot help singing for joy. For we in love, and singing is
a thing that lovers do” (St. J. Escriva, “Friends of God”, 92).

14-15. The Magisterium of the Church teaches that this text promulgates the sa-
crament of the Anointing of the Sick: cf. the Council of Trent: “This holy anointing
of the sick was initiated as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament by
Christ our Lord; it is implied in St Mark (cf. Mk 6:13) and it is commended to the
faithful and promulgated by the Apostle, St James, the brother of the Lord [...]
(Jas 5:14f). In these words, as the Church has learned from the apostolic Tradi-
tion transmitted to her, he teaches the matter, the form, the proper minister and
the effects of this life-giving sacrament” (”De Sacramento Extremae Unctionis”,
chap. 1; cf. can. 1).

The matter of the sacrament is “oil blessed by a bishop, because anointing very
fittingly symbolizes the grace of the Holy Spirit, who anoints the soul of the sick
person in an invisible manner” (”ibid.”). It is true that among ancient peoples (in-
cluding the Jews: cf. Is 1:6; Jer 8:21-22; Lk 10:34) oil was much appreciated for
its curative powers; hence the symbolism of this sacramental sign. But St. James
s looking at medicinal effects on the soul rather than on the body for he says that
the sick man will be saved and his sins will be forgiven. The Church expressly tea-
ches that the anointing stands for the grace of the Holy Spirit. The oil of the sick
is solemnly blessed by the bishop in the Chrism Mass; in case of necessity it can
also be blessed by the priest at the time he administers the Anointing (cf. “The
Rite of Anointing of the Sick”, 21).

The form of the sacrament is the prayer which the priest recites as he anoints the
sick person on the forehead and hands. The Greek words of St James — “let them
pray over him, anointing him”—are so couched that they lead one to conclude that
from the very beginning the praying and the anointing took place simultaneously
and therefore the formula “pray over” refers to a liturgical gesture.

As far as the minister of the sacrament is concerned, the Council of Trent, refer-
ring to these verses, says: “They indicate that the proper ministers of this sacra-
ment are the presbyters of the Church. This does not refer to the older men or to
the more influential men in the community but to the bishops or the priests duly
ordained by the bishops through the laying on of hands of the presbyterate (cf.
1 Tim 4:14)” (”De Sacramento Extremae Unctionis”, chap. 3; cf. can. 4). The term
“elder” which St James uses also means someone older in age; but here as in
other New Testament passages (cf., e.g., Acts 11:10; 14:23; 15:2; 20:17; 1 Tim
5:17-19) it clearly refers to the bishops and priests of the Church.

As regards the effects of the sacrament, “Furthermore the complete effect of this
sacrament is explained in the words: ‘and the prayer of faith will save the sick
man, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven
him’ (Jas 5:15). For this effect is the grace of the Holy Spirit, whose anointing
takes away sins, if there are any still to be expiated, and removes the traces of
sin: and it comforts and strengthens the soul of the sick person. It gives him great
confidence in the divine mercy. Encouraged by this, the sick more easily bears
the inconvenience and trials of the illness and more easily resists the temptations
of the devil who lies in wait for his heel. This anoint occasionally restores health
to the body if health would be of advantage to salvation of the soul” (”ibid.”, chap.
2).

Finally, as regards the recipient of the sacrament and when it should administered,
the words of the letter point to an illness of some seriousness because the priests
are asked to go to the sick person’s house. The Second Vatican Council says
that this sacrament is not only for those who are at point of death and that “as
soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old
age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived”
(”Sacrosanctum Concilium”, 73). The Code of Canon Law lays down that “pastors
of souls and those who are close to the sick are to ensure that the sick are helped
by this sacrament in good time” (can. 1001).

It is important, therefore, to avoid delaying it unduly through fear of causing anxie-
ty or upset. “In public and private catechesis, the faithful should be encouraged to
ask for the anointing and, as soon as the time for the anointing comes, to receive
it with complete faith and devotion” (”The Rite of Anointing the Sick”, 13).

This sacrament is a wonderful expression of divine mercy and of God’s tender lo-
ving care for every single soul: “our merciful Redeemer willed his servants should
always be provided with salutary safeguards against weapons of all enemies. Ac-
cordingly he prepared great helps in the other sacraments to enable Christians to
keep themselves throughout their Iives untouched by any serious spiritual harm,
and likewise he protected them at the end of life with the invincible strength of the
sacrament of extreme unction. For even if our adversary seeks occasions through-
out the whole of life and about that he may devour our souls in any way he can
(cf. 1 Pet 5:8), there is no time at which he is more vehemently intent on using all
the forces of his cunning to destroy us completely and, if possible, to disturb our
trust in divine mercy, than when he sees the end of life approaching us” (Council
Trent, “De Sacramento Extremae Unctionis”, prologue).

15. “Will save the sick man”: from the way St James uses the same elsewhere (cf.
2:21; 2:14; 4:12; 5:20) we can see that he is referring to the salvation of the soul.
Secondarily, and to the degree that it makes for spiritual health, this sacrament
an also heal the body; it seems clear that the sacred writer does not mean to say
that physical health will always be restored, the Anointing of the Sick were a gua-
rantee that one would not die. And it is quite clear that, by virtue of the grace of
the sacrament, the sick person is strengthened to face the trauma of illness and
death with supernatural outlook and joy. “Nothing conduces more to a tranquil
death than to banish sadness, await with a joyous mind the coming of our Lord,
and be ready willingly to surrender the deposit entrusted whenever it shall be his
will to demand it back. To free the minds of the faithful from this solicitude, and
fill the soul with pious and holy joy is, then, an effect of the sacrament of Extreme
Unction” (”St Pius V Catechism”, II,6, 14).

“If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven”: although the sacrament of Anoin-
ting of the Sick is a sacrament “of the living”, that is, it should be received in the
state of grace, Catholic teaching, based on these words, says that Anointing can
forgive the mortal sins of a sick person who is repentant but has not been able to
go to Confession (cf., e.g., “Summa Theologiae, Supplement”, q. 30, a. 1). Hence
the importance of conferring this sacrament “upon sick people who have lost con-
sciousness or lost the use of reason, if as Christian believers they would have
asked for it were they in control of their faculties” (”Rite of Anointing of the Sick”,
14).

16. “Therefore confess your sins to one another”: it is impossible to say exactly
what type of confession is being referred to. Some — St Augustine, for example
(cf. “In Ioann. Evang.”, 58, 5)—interpret these words as referring to a pious custom
of confessing sins to others in a public act of contrition at which people prayed for
one another; in which case it could be the origin of the penitential rite at the begin-
ning of Mass. Others, including St Thomas (cf. “Summa Theologiae, Supplement”,
q. 6, a. 6), apply these words to sacramental confession; in which case one would
have to understand it as meaning confession to priests. St Bede in his commenta-
ry links these two possible interpretations while distinguishing between venial and
mortal sin: “In this sentence a distinction should be made: we should confess to
each other our lesser, daily sins, and believe that we are saved by the daily pra-
yer of others. But, as the law lays down, we should show to the priest the un-
cleanness of graver leprosy and be sure to purify ourselves in the manner and
for the period that his decision specifies” (”Super Iac. expositio, ad loc.”).

Without intending to define the meaning of this text, the Council of Trent refers to
it when it teaches that it is a matter of divine law that all mortal sins be confessed
in the sacrament of Penance. “From the time of the institution of the sacrament
of Penance, already explained, the universal Church has always understood that
integral confession of sins (cf. Jas 5:16; 1 Jn 1:9; Lk 17:14) was also instituted
by the Lord, and that it is by divine law necessary (for the forgiveness) of all falls
committed after Baptism, for our Lord Jesus Christ, when he was about to ascend
from earth to heaven, left priests to take his place (Mt 16:19; 18:18; Jn 20:23), as
presidents and judges, before whom Christ’s faithful should confess all the mortal
sins they might commit, so that by the power of the keys they (priests) might pass
sentence of resurrection or retention of sins” (”De Sacramento Paenitentiae”,
chap. 5).

17-18. As a palpable example of the power of prayer, St James mentions Elijah,
whose prayer obtained that no rain should fall in Israel for a period, then that it
should come in abundance (cf. 1 Kings 17-18; Sir 48:3).

He thereby demonstrates the immense power of prayer, even for obtaining God’s
help in our material needs. We must remember that good prayer identifies our will
with that of God, who is almighty. This has always been the way the saints have
understood it: “God has never and will never refuse anything to those who ask
him for his graces in the right way,” the Curi of Ars says. “Prayer is the great re-
course we have for escaping from sin, for persevering in grace, for moving God’s
heart and drawing down upon ourselves all manner of heavenly blessings, whe-
ther for our soul or to meet our temporal needs” (”Selected Sermons”, Fourth Sun-
day after Easter).

19-20. St James’ letter ends with an encouraging exhortation to apostolic concern
for those who stray from the right path. This is something extremely important,
causing St Teresa of Avila to exclaim: “”Whenever I read in the lives of saints of
how they converted souls, I seem to feel much more devout, tender and envious
of them than when I read of all the martyrdoms that they suffered. This is an incli-
nation given me by our Lord; and I think he prizes one soul which by his mercy,
and through our diligence and prayer, we may have gained for him, more than all
the other services we can render him” (:Book of Foundations”, 1, ‘7). The Second
Vatican Council teaches that apostolic concern stems the Christian vocation itself
and therefore is something all Christians should have; referring to the apostolate
of lay people, it says specifically that it is sharing in the salvific mission of the
Church. Through Baptism and Confirmation all are appointed to this apostolate
by the Lord himself (”Lumen Gentium”, 33).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Mark 10:13-16

Jesus and the Children

[13] And they were bringing children to Him, that He might touch them; and the
disciples rebuked them. [14] But when Jesus saw it He was indignant, and said
to them, “Let the children come to Me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs
the Kingdom of God. [15] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the King-
dom of God like a child shall not enter it.” [16] And He took them in His arms
and blessed them, laying His hands upon them.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

13-16. This Gospel account has an attractive freshness and vividness about it
which may be connected with St. Peter, from whom St. Mark would have taken
the story. It is one of the few occasions when the Gospels tell us that Christ be-
came angry. What provoked His anger was the disciples’ intolerance: they felt
that these people bringing children to Jesus were a nuisance: it meant a waste
of His time; Christ had more serious things to do than be involved with little chil-
dren. The disciples were well-intentioned; it was just that they were applying the
wrong criteria. What Jesus had told them quite recently had not registered: “Who-
ever receives one such child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me,
receives not Me but Him who sent Me” (Mark 9:37).

Our Lord also stresses that a Christian has to become like a child to enter the
Kingdom of Heaven. “To be little you have to believe as children believe, to love
as children love, to abandon yourself as children do..., to pray as children pray”
(St. J. Escriva, “Holy Rosary”, Prologue).

Our Lord’s words express simply and graphically the key doctrine of man’s divine
sonship: God is our Father and we are His sons and daughters, His children; the
whole of religion is summed up in the relationship of a son with His good Father.
This awareness of God as Father involves a sense of dependence on our Father
in Heaven and trusting abandonment to His loving providence—in the way a child
trusts its father or mother; the humility of recognizing that we can do nothing by
ourselves; simplicity and sincerity, which make us straightforward and honest in
our dealings with God and man.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White.

First reading	James 5:13-20 ©

A good man's heartfelt prayer has great power

If any one of you is in trouble, he should pray; if anyone is feeling happy, he should sing a psalm. If one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, and this will cure you; the heartfelt prayer of a good man works very powerfully. Elijah was a human being like ourselves – he prayed hard for it not to rain, and no rain fell for three-and-a-half years; then he prayed again and the sky gave rain and the earth gave crops.

My brothers, if one of you strays away from the truth, and another brings him back to it, he may be sure that anyone who can bring back a sinner from the wrong way that he has taken will be saving a soul from death and covering up a great number of sins.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 140(141):1-3,8 ©

Let my prayer come before you like incense, O Lord.

I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me!

Hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer arise before you like incense,

the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.

Let my prayer come before you like incense, O Lord.

Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth;

keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips!

To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned:

in you I take refuge; spare my soul!

Let my prayer come before you like incense, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation	Jn15:9,5

Alleluia, alleluia!

Remain in my love, says the Lord;

whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Mark 10:13-16 ©

It is to such as these little children that the kingdom of God belongs

People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 10
13.	And they brought to him young children, that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them that brought them.	Et offerebant illi parvulos ut tangeret illos. Discipuli autem comminabantur offerentibus.	και προσεφερον αυτω παιδια ινα αψηται αυτων οι δε μαθηται επετιμων τοις προσφερουσιν
14.	Whom when Jesus saw, he was much displeased, and saith to them: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.	Quos cum videret Jesus, indigne tulit, et ait illis : Sinite parvulos venire ad me, et ne prohibueritis eos : talium enim est regnum Dei.	ιδων δε ο ιησους ηγανακτησεν και ειπεν αυτοις αφετε τα παιδια ερχεσθαι προς με μη κωλυετε αυτα των γαρ τοιουτων εστιν η βασιλεια του θεου
15.	Amen I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter into it.	Amen dico vobis : Quisquis non receperit regnum Dei velut parvulus, non intrabit in illud.	αμην λεγω υμιν ος εαν μη δεξηται την βασιλειαν του θεου ως παιδιον ου μη εισελθη εις αυτην
16.	And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.	Et complexans eos, et imponens manus super illos, benedicebat eos.	και εναγκαλισαμενος αυτα τιθεις τας χειρας επ αυτα ευλογει αυτα

13. And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15. Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

THEOPHYL. The wickedness of the Pharisees in tempting Christ, has been related above, and now is shown the great faith of the multitude, who believed that Christ conferred a blessing on the children whom they brought to Him, by the mere laying on of His hands. Wherefore it is said: And they brought young children to him, that he might touch them.

CHRYS. But the disciples, out of regard for the dignity of Christ, forbade those who brought them. And this is what is added: And his disciples rebuked those who brought them. But our Savior; in order to teach His disciples to be modest in their ideas, and to tread under foot worldly pride, takes the children to Him, and assigns to them the kingdom of God: wherefore it goes on: And he said to them, Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not

ORIGEN; If any of those who profess to hold the office of teaching in the Church should see a person bringing to them some of the foolish of this world, and low born, and weak, who for this reason are called children and infants, let him not forbid the man who offers such an one to the Savior, as though he were acting without judgment. After this He exhorts those of His disciples who are already grown to full stature to condescend to be useful to children, that they may become to children as children, that they may gain children; for He Himself, when He was in the form of God, humbled Himself, and became a child. On which He adds: For of such is the kingdom of heaven.

CHRYS. For indeed the mind of a child is pure from all passions, for which reason, we ought by free choice to do those works, which children have by nature.

THEOPHYL. Wherefore He says not, for of these, but of such is the kingdom of God, that is, of persons who have both in their intention and their work the harmlessness and simplicity which children have by nature. For a child does not hate, does nothing of evil intent, nor though beaten does he quit his mother; and though she does him in vile garments, prefers them to kingly apparel; in like manner he, who lives according to the good ways of his mother the Church, honors nothing before her, nay, not pleasure, which is the queen of many; wherefore also the Lord subjoins, Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

BEDE; That is, if you have not innocence and purity of mind like that of children, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Or else, we are ordered to receive the kingdom of God, that is, the doctrine of the Gospel, a little child, because as a child, when he is taught, does not contradict his teachers, nor put together reasonings and words against them, but receives with faith what they teach, and obeys them with awe, so we also are to receive the word of the Lord with simple obedience, and without any gainsaying. It goes on: And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Fitly does He take them up into His arms to bless them, as it were, lifting into His own bosom , and reconciling Himself to His creation, which in the beginning fell from Him, and was separated from Him. Again, He puts His hands upon the children, to teach us the working of His divine power; and indeed, He puts His hands upon them, as others are wont to do, though His operation is not as that of others, for though He was God, He kept to human ways of acting, as being very man.

BEDE; Having embraced the children, He also blessed them, implying that the lowly in spirit are worthy of His blessing, grace, and love.

Catena Aurea Mark 10

Christ Blessing the Children

Nicolaes Maes

1652-53
Oil on canvas, 206 x 154 cm
National Gallery, London

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Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: 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.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

May Devotion: Blessed Virgin Mary

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. Toward the end of the eighteenth century a zealous Jesuit priest, Father Lalomia, started among the students of the Roman college of his Society the practice of dedicating May to Our Lady. The devotion, which others had promoted in a small way, soon spread to other Jesuit Colleges and to the entire Latin church and since that time it has been a regular feature of Catholic life.

INVOCATIONS

Thou who wast a virgin before thy delivery, pray for us. Hail Mary, etc.
Thou who wast a virgin in thy delivery, pray for us. Hail Mary, etc.
Thou who wast a virgin after thy delivery, pray for us. Hail Mary, etc.

My Mother, deliver me from mortal sin.
Hail Mary (three times).

Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us.

Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, when thou shalt stand before the face of the Lord, that thou speak favorable things in our behalf and that He may turn away His indignation from us.
Roman Missal

Thou art my Mother, O Virgin Mary: keep me safe lest I ever offend thy dear Son, and obtain for me the grace to please Him always and in all things.

FOR THE HELP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

May we be assisted, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, by the worshipful intercession of Thy glorious Mother, the ever-Virgin Mary; that we, who have been enriched by her perpetual blessings, may be delivered from all dangers, and through her loving kindness made to be of one heart and mind: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal

THE SALVE REGINA

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus! O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Roman Breviary

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

O blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily repay thee thy just dues of praise and thanksgiving, thou who by the wondrous assent of thy will didst rescue a fallen world? What songs of praise can our weak human nature recite in thy honor, since it is by thy intervention alone that it has found
the way to restoration? Accept, then, such poor thanks as we have here to offer, though they be unequal to thy merits; and, receiving our vows, obtain by thy prayers the remission of our offenses. Carry thou our prayers within the sanctuary of the heavenly audience, and bring forth from it the antidote of our reconciliation. May the sins we bring before Almighty God through thee, become pardonable through thee; may what we ask for with sure confidence, through thee be granted. Take our offering, grant us our requests, obtain pardon for what we fear, for thou art the sole hope of sinners. Through thee we hope for the remission of our sins, and in thee, 0 blessed Lady, is our hope of reward. Holy Mary, succour the miserable, help the fainthearted, comfort the sorrowful, pray for thy people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God; may all who keep thy holy commemoration feel now thy help and protection. Be thou ever ready to assist us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it thy continual care to pray for the people of God, thou who, blessed by God, didst merit to bear the Redeemer of the world, who liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen.
Saint Augustine

PETITION TO MARY

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I venerate thee, great queen, and I thank thee for the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me even unto this day; in particular for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins. I love thee, most dear Lady; and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee willingly for ever and to do what I can to make thee loved by others also. I place in thee all my hopes for salvation; accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle, thou who art the Mother of mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the strength to overcome them until death. From thee I implore a true love for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by the love thou bearest to Almighty God, I pray thee to assist me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until thou shalt see me safe in heaven, there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Magnificat Prayer
My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior,
For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed.
God who is mighty has done great things for me,
holy is his name; His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm; he has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry he has given every good thing, while the rich he has sent empty away. He has upheld Israel his servant, ever mindful of his mercy; Even as he promised our fathers, promised Abraham and his descendants forever.
(Lk 1:46-55)

TO MARY, REFUGE OF SINNERS
Hail, most gracious Mother of mercy, hail, Mary, for whom we fondly yearn, through whom we obtain forgiveness! Who would not love thee? Thou art our light in uncertainty, our comfort in sorrow, our solace in the time of trial, our refuge from every peril and temptation. Thou art our sure hope of salvation, second only to thy only-begotten Son; blessed are they who love thee, our Lady! Incline, I beseech thee, thy ears of pity to the entreaties of this thy servant, a miserable sinner; dissipate the darkness of my sins by the bright beams of thy holiness, in order that I may be acceptable in thy sight.

FOR THE GRACE OF LOVE
O Mary, my dear Mother, how much I love thee! And yet in reality how little! Thou dost teach me what I ought to know, for thou teachest me what Jesus is to me and what I ought to be for Jesus. Dearly beloved Mother, how close to God thou art, and how utterly filled with Him! In the measure that we know God, we remind ourselves of thee. Mother of God, obtain for me the grace of loving my Jesus; obtain for me the grace of loving thee!
Cardinal Merry del Val

TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY FOR MAY

O most august and blessed Virgin Mary! Holy Mother of God! glorious Queen of heaven and earth! powerful protectress of those who love thee, and unfailing advocate of all who invoke thee! look down, I beseech thee, from thy throne of glory on thy devoted child; accept the solemn offering I present thee of this month, specially dedicated to thee, and receive my ardent, humble desire, that by my love and fervor I could worthily honor thee, who, next to God, art deserving of all honor. Receive me, 0 Mother of Mercy, among thy best beloved children; extend to me thy maternal tenderness and solicitude; obtain for me a place in the Heart of Jesus, and a special share in the gifts of His grace. 0 deign, I beseech thee, to recognize my claims on thy protection, to watch over my spiritual and temporal interests, as well as those of all who are dear to me; to infuse into my soul the spirit of Christ, and to teach me thyself to become meek, humble, charitable, patient, and submissive to the will of God.

May my heart bum with the love of thy Divine Son, and of thee, His blessed Mother, not for a month alone, but for time and eternity; may I thirst for the promotion of His honor and thine, and contribute, as far as I can, to its extension. Receive me, 0 Mary, the refuge of sinners! Grant me a Mother's blessing and a Mother's care, now, and at the hour of my death. Amen.

TO OUR LADY

Saint John Vianney, better known as the Cure of Ars, when asked how long he had loved Mary, said: "I loved her almost before I could know her." In this prayer he expresses that love.
O thou most holy virgin Mary, who dost evermore stand before the most holy Trinity, and to whom it is granted at all times to pray for us to thy most beloved Son; pray for me in all my necessities; help me, combat for me, and obtain for me the pardon of all my sins. Help me especially at my last hour; and when I can no longer give any sign of the use of reason, then do thou encourage me, make the sign of the cross for me, and fight for me against the enemy. Make in my name a profession of faith; favor me with a testimony of my salvation, and never let me despair of the mercy of God. Help me to overthrow the wicked enemy. When I can no longer say: "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I place my soul in your hands," do thou say it for me; when I can no longer hear human words of consolation, do thou comfort me. Leave me not before I have been judged; and if I have to expiate my sins in purgatory, oh! pray for me earnestly; and admonish my friends to procure for me a speedy enjoyment of the blessed sight of God. Lessen my sufferings, deliver me speedily, and lead my soul into heaven with thee: that, united with all the elect, I may there bless and praise my God and thee for all eternity. Amen.
Saint John Vianney

ACT OF REPARATION

O blessed Virgin, Mother of God, look down in mercy from heaven, where thou art enthroned as Queen, upon me, a miserable sinner, thine unworthy servant. Although I know full well my own unworthiness, yet in order to atone for the offenses that are done to thee by impious and blasphemous
tongues, from the depths of my heart I praise and extol thee as the purest, the fairest, the holiest creature of all God's handiwork. I bless thy holy name, I praise thine exalted privilege of being truly Mother of God, ever virgin, conceived without stain of sin, co-redemptrix of the human race. I bless the Eternal Father who chose thee in an especial way for His daughter; I bless the Word Incarnate who took upon Himself our nature in thy bosom and so made thee His Mother; I bless the Holy Spirit who took thee as His bride. All honor, praise and thanksgiving to the ever-blessed Trinity, who predestined thee and loved thee so exceedingly from all eternity as to exalt thee above all creatures to the most sublime heights. 0 Virgin, holy and merciful, obtain for all who offend thee the grace of repentance, and graciously accept this poor act of homage from me thy servant, obtaining likewise for me from thy divine Son the pardon and remission of all my sins. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Memorare of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary!
That never was it known
That anyone who fled to thy protection,
Implored thy help or sought thy intercession
Was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto Thee!
O Virgin of virgins, My Mother!

To Thee I come before Thee I stand,
Sinful and Sorrowful,
Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate,
Despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy,
Hear and answer me.

Amen

Who Is Our Lady of Laus? "My name is Mary" (CATHOLIC CAUCUS)
What Happened to the Virgin Mary After Pentecost? [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Saint Thomas Aquinas on the Hail Mary (Catholic Caucus)
Yes, Mary DOES Know
How Can Mary Hear Thousands Simultaneously?
Fr Paul Schenck: Immaculate Conception Tells us Who Mary Is and Who We Are (Catholic Caucus)
Mary,Our Lady of Quatlasupe,She who crushes the head of the serpent, is leading...(Catholic Caucus)
MARY, MOTHER OF EVANGELIZATION [Cath-Orth caucus]
On Mary, Model of Faith, Charity and Union with Christ [Weekly Audience]
Why Don't You honor Mary?
Columbus and the Virgin Mary [Catholic Caucus]

Pope Francis: Mary's faith unties the knot of sin
Pope consecrates world to immaculate heart of Mary
Mary, Mother of God
Mary 'can only bring us to God,' expert says as entrustment nears
Pope Francis: "Mary, look upon us" (Mass in Cagliari)
Devotion to the Most Holy Name of Mary [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Pope Francis: contemplate the "suffering humanity" of Jesus and the sweetness of Mary
Mary's Nativity Draws Tens of Thousands to Indian Basilica
Veneration of Mary in Luke 11:27-28
Pope at Mass: Learning from Mary to keep the Word of God

Pope: Mary is always in a hurry to help us (first pastoral visit to a diocese in Rome)
Catholic Word of the Day: MARY'S SINLESSNESS, 04-01-13
Letter #47: To Mary (Pope Francis prays at (tomb of Pope St. Pius V) [Catholic Caucus]
Catholic Word of the Day: MARY'S VIRGINITY, 02-26-13
Mariaphobic Response Syndrome: Part Two
Mariaphobic Response Syndrome: Part One
A Mother's Love, The Blessed Virgin Mary Saying YES To God
Chesterton on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary [Ecumenical]
The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary
A Comparison is Instituted Between the Disobedient and Sinning Eve and the Virgin Mary..

Magnificat: The Hymn of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Catholic Caucus]
The Blessed Virgin Mary's Role in the Celibate Priest's Spousal... (Pt 2) (CATHOLIC CAUCUS)
The Blessed Virgin Mary's Role in the Celibate Priest's Spousal and Paternal Love (CATHOLIC CAUCUS)
Discovering Mary [Excellent New Book For Converts]
Beginning Our Lady's Month [Catholic Caucus]
Give it all to Mary [Catholic Caucus]
JESUS LIVING IN MARY: HANDBOOK, SPIRITUALITY OF ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT, ROSARY [Ecumenical]
Mary, Tabernacle of the Lord By Archbishop Fulton Sheen(Catholic Caucus)
A ... Discovers Mary
Mary is our Mother and Queen of the New Davidic Kingdom (Scriptures Agree With Catholic Church)