Tuesday, June 19, 2012

And Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us:

In this petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and the tax collector; we recognize that we are sinners before him. Our petitions begins with a "confession" of our wretchedness, and his mercy.This petition has two parts. According to the second phrase, our petition will not be heard unless we have first met a strict requirement.This outpouring of mercy cannot penetrate our hearts as long as we have not forgiven those who have trespassed against us. In refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters, our hearts are closed and and their hardness makes them impervious to the Father's merciful love; but in confessing our sins, our hearts are opened to his grace.It is there, in fact, "in the depths of the heart," that everything is bound and loosed. It is not easy to forget an offense; but the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit turns injury into compassion and purufies the memory in transforming the hurt into intercession. Christian prayer extends even to the forgiveness of one's neighbor. God does not accept the sacrifice of an unforgiving mam ,but  commands that  he depart from the altar so that he may first be reconciled with his brother. For God can be appeased only by prayers that make peace.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION :

This petition goes to the root of the preceding one, for our sins result from our consenting to temptation; This petition asks God not to allow us to take the path that leads to sin. This petition implores the Spirit for discernment and strength in the battle between flesh and spirit. The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. Discernment unmasks the lie of temptation . This petition also requests the grace of vigilance and final perseverance.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

But deliver us from all evil:

This last petition to our Father is included in the prayer Jesus, and we pray in communion with the Church for the deliverance of the whole human family from the person of Satan ,the Evil One, angel  who opposes God. When we ask to be delivered from the Evil One, we pray as well to be freed from all evils, present , past, and future, of which he is the author or instigator. Along with deliverance from the evils that overwhelm  humanity, the Church  implores the precious gift of peace and the grace of perseverance in expectation of Christ's return.

By the final "Amen," we express our "fiat" concerning the seven petitions : "So be it. "
[See CCC 2803-2954, 2865 ]

Sunday, May 20, 2012

How important is it to make the Sign of the Cross when we say the " Glory Be To The Father? say the

To make the Sign of the Cross while reciting the "Glory Be " is an oriental tradition.
In the Latin Rite, we make the Sign of the Cross only at the  beginning and at the end of
a celebration. While, there is no need to do it every time we say the "Glory Be", there
is no reason why we should not sign ourselves whenever we wish.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

What is the " The Sign of the Cross" ?

The Sign of the Cross is one of the most important and one of the most frequently used of the sacramentals.
It is the sacred sign first taught to the feeble fingers of the child at its mother's knee; it is the sacred sign traced by the faltering fingers of the dying Catholic. From birth to death it is the holy sign, the holy ceremony that continually reminds the Catholic of the source from which all spiritual blessings come-the cross. The two most common forms of sacramental are the large Sign of the Cross made by touching the forehead, the breast, and
the left and right shoulders.The cross thus covers the body- at least the most important members--the head and
heart. The smaller Sign of the Cross is traced upon the forehead, lips, and breast.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Why do we make the Sign of the Cross?

We make the Sign of the Cross......
 _ To remind us of the blessed Trinity- Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We repeat their
 names whilst making the sign of the Cross.
_ To remind us that the Son of God died on the Cross for all men. Before Calvary it was
a sign of disgrace. Christ made it a thing of glory and power.
_ To stir up our faith. It recalls that God is one and God is three; it recalls that the
 Second person of the Trinity died for all men; it professes our faith; it identifies the
Catholic.
_ To strengthen our hope. By making this sign we express the hope that
through the Cross, all blessings will come to us. It is also a powerful protection from
all dangers and temptations especially against the Evil One.
_ To kindle and feed our charity. Making this sign recalls the limitless love of Jesus
who died upon the cross. We determine to return love for love.
_ It is used in all blessings bestowed by Bishops and Priests.
_ It is used in all the sacraments: 14 times in Baptism; 17 times in Extreme Unction.


Yes, even in the semi-darkness of the confessional the Priest makes the Sign of the
Cross over you. A love and bring
toward this sacred sign is the mark of a true
follower of Christ. Use it frequently, use it thoughtfully, use it lovingly. It will  bring
you countless blessings.


Sunday, May 6, 2012

What is the greatest prayer in modern times?

The prayer that has captured the hearts of the faithful on account of its simplicity and efficacy is the pious
invocation : Jesus I trust in You!"

This prayer when said meaningfully is a firm affirmation that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour of our lives. It is
a simple but profound act of abandonment and trust in Jesus' goodness and mercy and a plea of hope in all
our necessities. In the heart of Jesus, those anguished by life's sorrows find peace; those afflicted by suffering
and  illness find relief; those who feel constricted by uncertainty and anguish feel joy, because Christ's heart is
filled to overflowing with consolation and love for those who turn to It with trust. Great are the promises of our Lord to those who use this Divine Mercy invocation as a reminder of his mercy and our obligation to be merciful, just as Our Father in heaven is merciful to each and everyone of us.


                                           General Prayers

         Morning Offering
       
        Lord God Almighty, who have brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us during
        this day by your power, that they may not fall into sin but that all our words, thoughts and
        deeds may always proceed and be directed toward that which is just in your sight. Amen.

        Evening Prayer

        O my God, at the end of this day I thank you most heartily for all the graces I have
        received from you. I am sorry that I have not made a better use of them. I am sorry for all
        the sins that I have committed against you. Forgive me ,O my God, and graciously protect me
        this night. Blessed Virgin Mary , my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection.
        St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and you all saints of God, pray for me.Sweet Jesus ,
        have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls
       in purgatory. Amen.
      
       Prater before a Crucifix

       Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before your face I humbly kneel, and
       with a burning soul I pray and beseech you to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith,
       hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendments, while I contemplate
       with great love and tender pity your five wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the
       words  which David, your prophet, said of you, my dear Jesus : " They have pierced my hands and my
       feet; they have numbered all my bones." ( Ps 21: 17-18 )
      
       Prayer for Religious Vocations

       Father , you call all who believe in you to grow perfect love by following in the footsteps of  Christ
       your Son. May those whom you have chosen to serve you as religious provide by their way a 
       convincing sign of your kingdom for the Church and the whole world. Amen.

      Prayer for Priests
  
       O my most Sweet Jesus, O Jesus, Eternal High Priest, keep your Priests in the shelter of
       your Sacred Heart, where no one can hurt them. Keep their anointed hands unsullied,
       which daily handle your Sacred Body. Keep pure the lips which are reddened with your
       Precious Blood. Keep pure and unworldly their hearts which are sealed with the sublime
      token of your glorious priesthood. Cause them to grow in love and loyalty to you and
      protect them from the contamination of the world. With their power of transforming bread
      and wine, give them the power of transforming hearts. Bless their work with rich fruit and
      grant them one day the crown of eternal life. Amen.

     St. Gertrude's Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

     Eternal Father, I offer you the Most Precious Blood of your Divine Son, Jesus, in union
     with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in purgatory, for
     sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and
     within my family. Amen.