Wednesday, May 01, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
THE FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER.
FEAST OF ST JOSEPH THE WORKER.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
"You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
"Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15: 1 - 8).
May 1st 2024, Feast of St Joseph the Worker.
God the Father prunes us so that we can bear much fruit like St Joseph whose feast we celebrate under the title of St Joseph the Worker.
Who is St Joseph?
St Joseph is a humble and upright man, chosen and qualified by God from eternity to be the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He was a carpenter by trade and from the account of mystics, not a very successful one. People took advantage of the goodness of his heart.
God chose Joseph before the world began to be the foster father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this role, Jesus became an apprentice carpenter under Joseph. Joseph taught Jesus how to become a gentleman.
Joseph talked little but dreamed much. God used dream to communicate with Joseph. The angel informed Joseph in a dream to accept Mary because her pregnancy is from God.
As patron saint of workers, Joseph teaches us to take work very seriously. God ordained work for every man and woman. Children are not exempt from work. Their schooling is their work.
Let us honor St Joseph and ask for his intercession for our work. Joseph is also the patron saint of a Happy Death and purity.
St Joseph pray for us.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/04/may-devotion-to-mary.html?m=1
MAY DEVOTION TO MARY
MONTH OF MAY DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
GETTING TO KNOW & LOVE THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MORE IN MAY.
1. The Litany of Loreto
V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ have mercy.
V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.
R. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church
*MOTHER of Mercy*
Mother of divine grace,
*MOTHER of Hope*
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
*COMFORT of Migrants*
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace,
Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Our Lady Undoer of knots.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Every Saturday
Official Act of Consecration to Mary
(Written by St. Maximilian Kolbe).
O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.
If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.
GREAT FRIENDS OF MARY:
St Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.
St Louis Marie de Monfort,
St Alphonsus Liguori
St Anthony of Padua…
EVERY SATURDAY
The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary
1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that soul would sanctify themselves by this means!
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice; he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary. 12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. [COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS].
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of Predestination. [DESTINY/ PURPOSE].
"There are no sufferings that cannot be borne peacefully, so long as a soul is praying the Rosary. Through the Rosary, all the grace and power of My mysteries passes through My Mother’s Immaculate Heart into the hearts of the little ones who invoke her, repeating the angel’s “Ave” over and over again. There are illnesses that can be cured through the Rosary. There are clouds of darkness and confusion that only the Rosary can disperse, and this because it is My Mother’s favourite prayer, a prayer that originated in the heights of heaven and was carried to earth by My Archangel, a prayer echoed and amplified in the Church through the ages, a prayer loved by all My saints, a prayer of disarming power and of immense depth." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, December 2, 2014).
"As for you, dear son of mine, persevere in praying to me. Hold fast to my Rosary and beware of every ploy of the Evil One to separate you from it. My Rosary is your safeguard and your weapon in the fight against the forces of evil. At the same time, for you it is a remedy and a comfort. Do you not see how the Rosary has stabilized you? Do you not experience its healing and all its benefits? Pray my Rosary and teach others to do the same." (IN SINU JESU).
RECORD THE FRUITS OF MAY DEVOTION 2024.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
1. Mystery of the Holy Rosary by Louis Marie de Monfort.
2. Glories of Mary by St Alphonsus Liguori.
May 2024 Crowning of Mary: Thursday May 2, 2024.
Daily Bible Verse Seekfirst.blogspot.com
Monday, April 29, 2024
FEAST OF ST PIUS V, OP. GREAT PONTIFF.
FEAST OF ST PIUS V.
MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
"Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
"You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.
"I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me." (John 14: 27 - 31).
Tuesday April 30th 2024 in the 5th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Pius V.
30th April is the feast of Pope St Pius V. (1504 - 1572). Italian. Dominican Friar. Pius had tremendous impact in the post Tridentine Church of the 16th century. Some of his accomplishments are: implementing forcefully the decrees of the Council of Trent, building seminaries, publishing the Roman Catechism and revising the Missal and the Breviary.
Pius V is credited for saving Europe from Islamic domination in 1571 in the Battle of Lepanto. That victory was attributed to the power of the Holy Rosary which was recited continuously by soldiers, lay people and clergy. This is the origin of the Feast of the Holy Rosary celebrated on October 7th.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."
Jesus gives a special peace, the Shalom to His disciples and to us the present day disciples. This is the Peace of Christ. It is radically different from the peace of the world. The world claims peace when there is no war, when the stock market and the economy are good. When the family is not at each other's throat. Everyone is in good health. Pax Romana, the imposed peace of the Roman empire on conquered people. Peace through strength.
What is the peace that Jesus Christ gives us, His special type of peace. In one word, it is opposite the Pax Romana, the peace of this world.
Examples of Peace of Christ:
The martyrs felt immense joy and peace at the moment of their execution. Christians rejoice in suffering.
Paul and Barnabas strengthened the spirits of the disciples [at Derbe] and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Cf Acts 14: 19 - 28).
Peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit takes residence in your heart, He brings the peace of Christ.
The Holy Spirit brings also love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness and other sweet gifts.
As we close the month of April when we honor the Most Holy Eucharist, let us with joy welcome the Blessed Virgin Mary who the Church honors in May.
THE EUCHARIST IS THE PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.
The Church honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
Sunday, April 28, 2024
FEAST OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
ST CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
"Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14: 21 - 26).
Monday April 29th 2024 in the 5th Week of the Easter Season is the feast of St Catherine of Siena OP, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.
St Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380). Italian Dominican Tertiary. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.
Catherine died at the age of 33 and accomplished for the Kingdom of God what most of us could never accomplish even if we live to be 90 years.
St Catherine brought about the renewal of the Church in a period of moral laxity. She was instrumental in reuniting the Church during the great Western Schism. She authored a spiritual classic, THE DIALOGUE. Catherine is the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church. She is the patron saint of plagues and Italy and co-patron saint of Europe with St Benedict.
God set St Catherine on fire with divine love and boldness in the service of the Church. And Catherine set the Church on fire with her zeal and service.
"Be who you were created to be, and you will set the world on fire." St Catherine of Siena said and lived this maxim.
A few quotes to nourish our faith from St Catherine of Siena:
1. “Love follows knowledge.”
2. “The human heart is drawn by love.”
3. "Humanity is nothing of itself; what we have, we have from God by grace, not because he owes it to us."
4. “God is more willing to pardon than we have been to sin.”
5. “What father ever gave up his son to death for the sake of his slave!”.
6. “God was made man and man was made God.”
7. “Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
8. “All the way to heaven is heaven, because Jesus said, "I am the way.”
Let us note that St Catherine of Siena had no formal education.
"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).
Jesus said in the Gospel of today: "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (John 14: 21 - 26). The Holy Spirit was certainly very active in the life of our saint of today.
THE EUCHARIST IS THE PRECIOUS BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.
The Church honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL.
For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:
http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1
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