Our Lady of Sorrows

Father, as your Son was raised on the cross, His mother Mary stood by Him, sharing His sufferings. May your Church be united with Christ in His suffering and death and so come to share in His rising to new life, where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

~ LOH

Triumph of the Cross

How radiant is that precious cross which brought us our salvation. In the cross we are victorius, through the cross we shall reign, by the cross all evil is destroyed, alleluia.

God our Father, in obedience to you your only Son accepted death on the cross for the salvation of mankind. We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth. May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

~LOH

Our Lady of Lourdes

Blessed are you, O Mary, for the world's salvation came forth from you; now in glory, you rejoice forever with the Lord. Intercede for us with your Son.

~ Antiphon, Morning Prayer

Snow Day, Glorious Snow Day

At 5:45 am this morning, the impossible happened, my phone rang and I was told that we had a snow day. OK not really impossible but this was to be our first day back and I really didn't want to go and I got the phone call before I had gotten in the shower. Oh glorious day!!!

I finished up a few things,feeding the pets, taking out the garbage for garbage day and then went back to bed for a few more hours sleep. Now I'm doing things around the house, finishing some school work that I didn't get done and tonight I will venture out to teach PSR.
The only thing that would make this day better is if I could go skiing. When I had my knee replacement this summer the doctor told me I can't ski anymore and I won't this year because my leg is too weak . However I am stubborn and don't listen well when it's something that I really want to do. So maybe next year!!!!

Happy Feast Day Mary, Mother of God

Mary has given birth to a King whose name is everlasting: hers the joy of motherhood, hers the virgin's glory. Never was the like seen before, never shall it be seen again, alleluia.

~antiphon 3 from morning prayer

Father, source of light in every age, the virgin conceived and bore your Son who is called Wonderful God, Prince of Peace. May her prayer, the gift of a mother's love, be your people's joy through all ages. May her response, born of a humble heart, draw your Spirit to rest on your people. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ from morning prayer

The Marian feasts are my favorite. Even though I've always been called by my middle name I like the fact that my first name is Mary and sometimes wish that my parents had chosen to call me by my first name. Regardless, the Blessed Virgin is my patron saint. When my mom found out her due date, when she was pregnant with me, was in September she said novenas that I would be born on the Blessed Mother's birthday and I was born on her birthday.

With all the connections I really need to pray for Mary's intercession more and that will be one thing I try to do more this new year.

May everyone have a very Happy and Blessed New Year!!

Feast of The Holy Family

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, nourish our family with Your faith and Your love.
Keep us close to Your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joy.

Joseph, Foster - father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement and anxiety.

Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. Amen.

The Holy Family has always been one of my favorite devotions. When my children were young I hung a picture of the Holy Family by our kitchen table and it still hangs there today. I also pray to the Holy Family most days.

Holy Family, Pray for us.

Merry Christmas

Jesus gave the world the gift of Himself,

the gift that gives forever.

May everyone's Christmas be wrapped in

the blessings of His love.

Where Does the Time Go

I had promised myself that once school was out I would blog on a regular basis. When school was out I only had a week before I started a graduate class. That class was for 2 weeks, every day, Monday through Friday. I knew when class started that time would be limited.
I mulled over what to write. Now, being a left brain, math type, I've always found writing difficult. I can do bullet point, outline type writing but essay, creative writing has never been my strong point. Always wished that I was creative but alas!!! So time passed and no blogging.
Then I had dinner with a good friend several weeks ago and I explained my predicament to her. What do I write about? Something profound, informative, some tidbit that happens that maybe only interests me? Should it be long or short? How often? She said, you know it's your blog do what you want. Good advice!!
Tomorrow I am having knee replacement surgery but as soon as I'm able I'll write about whatever strikes my fancy. Maybe a little or maybe a lot!!
I can have a computer in the hospital but my brain may still be a bit fuzzy. Might be a good idea to just read my favorite blogs for a bit!!

Prayers for Priests

I've added a prayer for priests on my sidebar, to go along with the Year for Priests. The prayer is one that I have been and am still saying every day. If you click on the picture of St. John Vianney a website will come up that has many more prayers for priests.
I'm really happy to see a year dedicated to priests. I shudder to think what we would do without priests and all they do for us. They need more than just a year dedicated to them!

Immaculate Heart of Mary , Pray for Us

Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

I, (name), a faithless sinner,renew and ratify today in thy hands,O Immaculate Mother, the vows of my baptism;I renounce Satan, his pomps and works;and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ,the Incarnate Wisdom,to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life,and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.
In the presence of all the Heavenly courtI choose thee this day for my Mother and Mistress.I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave,my body and soul, my goods,both interior and exterior,and even the value of all my good actions,past, present and future;leaving to thee the entire andfull right of disposing of me,and all that belongs to me, without exception,according to thy good pleasure,for the greater glory of God,in time and in eternity.
Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray for us.

Today begins the Year for Priests.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart for Priests

Remember, 0 most loving Heart of Jesus, that they for whom I pray are those for whom You prayed so earnestly the night before Your death. These are they to whom You look to continue with You in Your sorrows when others forsake You, who share Your griefs and have inherited your persecutions, according to Your word: That the servant is not greater than his Lord. Remember, O Heart of Jesus, that they are the objects of the world's hatred and Satan's deadliest snares. Keep them then, 0 Jesus, in the safe citadel of Your Sacred Heart and there let them be sanctified in truth. May they be one with you and one among themselves, and grant that multitudes may be brought through their word to believe in You and love You.

And another prayer that I like:

Memorare to the Sacred Heart of Jesus


Remember, O most kind Jesus, that none who have had recourse to Your Sacred Heart, implored its assistance, or called for mercy, have ever been abandoned. Filled, and animated by this same confidence, O divine Heart, Ruler of all hearts, I fly to You, and oppressed beneath the weight of my sins, I prostrate myself before You. Despise not Your unworthy child, but grant me, I pray, an entrance into Your Sacred Heart. Sustain me in all my combats and be with me now, and at all times, but especially in the hour of my death. 0 gracious Jesus! 0 amiable Jesus! 0 loving Jesus!

Spring Break

School's Out



Although my first day of spring break was last Thursday, today feels like the first day of actual vacation. Being in the choir and a sacristan at my parish, the Triduum and Easter Sunday kept me quite busy.

Break will be a combination of having lunch with friends that I don't see much of during the school year and working around the house. The housework suffers during the school year too.
Lesson planning will wait until the end of the week. I worked hard at getting grading and recording grades done before break started, only a little to do at the end of the week. The slower pace and not getting up at 5:oo am are the best perks of having this week off.
Well better get back to work.