Sunday, December 27, 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Jesus Christ is Born!

Novena Day 9:




O Adorable Infant Jesus, I would not have the boldness to cast myself at Your feet if I did not know that You Yourself invite me to draw near You. But you have come on earth to pardon repentant sinners!! My Saviour and My God, You who are so good have loved - and you continue to love - me so much!  
My God, who became an infant for my sake - help me love You always!
Mary Mother of Jesus and my own mother - pray to Jesus for me!
 

Prayer/Reflection:
O Adorable Infant Jesus! I would not have the boldness to cast myself at Your feet, if I did not know that You Yourself invite me to draw near You. By my sins I have made You shed so many tears in the stable of Bethlehem but You have come on earth to pardon repentant sinners! Forgive me also, now that I am heartily sorry for having spurned You, my Savior and my God, who are so good and who has loved - and continues to love - me so much.

In this night, in which You bestow great graces on so many souls, grant Your heavenly consolation to this poor soul of mine also. All that I ask of You is the grace to love You always, from this day forward, with all my heart. Set me all on fire with Your holy love.

I love You, O my God, who has become a Babe for love of me. Never let me cease from loving You!

O Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, you can obtain everything from your Son by your prayers. This is the only favor I ask of you: pray to Jesus for me!
Amen.


Lord Jesus in this night and time, You bestow graces on so many souls. I beg of you: fill this soul with Grace. Fill me with an unending love for You. Let me also know your peace so that I may share it with those around me!

My God, who became an infant for my sake - thank You! - Help me love You always! Mary Mother of Jesus and my own mother - thank You! - pray to Jesus for me!


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Dear Friends,
 
today was the last day of the Novena and if you have prayed this with me and others - thank you :-) I pray you may all have a most blessed Christmas, one filled with the peace and joy which only God can give.
 
this is nice and i hope you may all enjoy it too :-)
 
 

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 8

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!
Novena Day 8:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:
That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.
That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.
That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.

Jesus, my Saviour, what are all the treasures of this world compared to You and Your love for me? When I consider how, for love of me, You were born in a stable and spent thirty years of Your life hidden and unknown in a poor workshop I can only pray and desire to renounce worldly riches and sinful desires so that i may one day be able to enjoy Your companionship in heaven.

Infant Jesus help me!
Mary my hope, refuge of sinners - pray to Jesus for me!
Prayer/Reflection:
O Jesus, my Saviour! When I consider how, for love of me, You spent thirty years of Your life hidden and unknown in a poor workshop, how can I desire the pleasures and honors and riches of the world? Gladly do I renounce all these things, since I wish to be Your companion on this earth, poor as You were, mortified and humble as You were, so that I may hope to be able one day to enjoy Your companionship in heaven.

What are all the treasures and kingdoms of this world? You, O Jesus, are my Only Treasure, my Only Good!

I keenly regret the many times in the past when I spurned Your friendship in order to satisfy my foolish whims. I am sorry for them with all my heart.

For the future I would rather lose my life a thousand times than lose Your grace by sin. I wish never to offend You again, but always to love You. Help me to be faithful to You until death.

O Mary, You are the refuge of sinners, You are my hope - please pray for me! Amen.
Lord Jesus you are my Only Treasure, my Only Good. I regret the many times in the past when I have sinned and offended You. I am sorry with all my heart - let me now love and serve You!
Infant Jesus help me!
Mary my hope, refuge of sinners - pray to Jesus for me!
Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

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i think this you tube is great:


Note: The Icon above the prayer, was written by Kiko Arguello, founder of the Neo-Cathecumenal Way. Mary and Jesus are often portrayed looking to the right but Arguello presents Mary and Jesus looking to the left. The left is considered the place where sinners are. Mary and Jesus look to each one of us who needs God’s mercy – Mary our hope leads us to Jesus, Jesus our Lord fills us with His mercy. :-)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 7

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!
Novena Day 7:
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:
That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.
That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.
That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.

Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly, do not cry any longer. Yes I have persecuted you through my sins and yes I still do but now I long to love you. I want to love you dear Infant. Give me strength so that I may resist temptations and keep you forever in my heart.
Mary my hope pray to Jesus for me - that i may live serving and loving Him in all the remaining days and years of my life.
Prayer/Reflection:
Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly! Well have You reason to weep in seeing Yourself persecuted by men whom You love so much.

I, too, O God, have once persecuted You by my sins [i still do because i still sin actually] but You know that now I love You more than myself, and that nothing pains me more than the thought that I have so often spurned You, my Sovereign Good.

Forgive me, O Jesus, and let me keep You with me in my heart in all the rest of the journey that I have still to make through life, so that together with You I may enter into eternity.

So often have I driven You from my soul by my sins but now I love You above all things, and I regret above other misfortunes that I have offended You.

I wish to leave You no more, my beloved Lord. Give me the strength to resist temptations. Never permit me to be separated from You again. Let me rather die than ever again lose Your good grace. (i'm not too sure about that: my prayer is that if and when i DO lose God's Grace - because i would have put it aside or refused it - then God will bring me back again to It - He has FULL PERMISSION to do so :-)
O Mary my hope, make me always live in God's love and then die in loving Him. Amen.
Dear Infant Jesus, do not cry any longer. I long to love you. I want to love you dear Infant. Give me strength so that I may resist temptations and keep you forever in my heart.
Mary, my hope pray to Jesus for me - that I may live serving and loving Him in all the remaining days and years of my life.
Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

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This below is a traditional Maltese Christmas Carol which says: "Sleep and do not cry baby Jesus..."



Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 6

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!
Novena Day 6:
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:
That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.
That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.
That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.

O my Dear Redeemer! Where should I be now, if You had not borne with me so patiently, and hadn't called me for life while I was in the state of sin? You have waited for me till now, forgive me quickly O Jesus!
I am sorry for having vilely despised You, my God but You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You. Lord I want to love You - help me!
Prayer/Reflection:
O my Dear Redeemer! Where should I be now, if You had not borne with me so patiently, and hadn't called me for life while I was in the state of sin? Since You have waited for me till now, forgive me quickly, O my Jesus, before death finds me still guilty of so many offenses that I have committed against You. I am so sorry for having vilely despised You, my Sovereign Good, that I could die of grief. But You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You. [ lucky for us - how blessed we are!!! ;-) ]
If thus far I have forsaken You, I now seek You and love You. Yes, my God, I love You above all else; I love You more than myself! Help me, Lord, to love You always during the rest of my life. Nothing else do I seek of You but this I beg of You, this I hope to receive from You.
Mary, my hope, do pray for me! If you pray for me, I am sure of Grace. Amen.
My Lord, You cannot abandon a soul that seeks You. If thus far I have forsaken You, I now seek You and love You. Yes, my God, I love You and want to love You above all else - Help me! Lord, nothing else do I seek of You but this I beg of You, this I hope to receive from You.
Mary, my hope, do pray for me. If you pray for me, I am sure of Grace.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 5

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!
Novena Day 5:
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:
That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.
That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.

Lord, I feel a great desire to love You and since it is You who has given me this desire, give me O God the strength to love You exceedingly.
Lord, always remind me of the love You borne for me so that my soul may ever burn with love of You and long to please You alone!

Prayer/Reflection:

O Jesus, my sweet Love! I too have kept You suffering through all Your life. Tell me, then, what I must do in order to win Your forgiveness. I am ready to do all You ask of me.
I am sorry, O Sovereign Good, for all the offenses I have committed against You. I love You more than myself, or a least I feel a great desire to love You. Since it is You who has given me this desire, give me O God the strength to love You exceedingly. It is only right that I, who have offended You so much, should love You very much.
Always remind me of the love You have borne me, in order that my soul may ever burn with love of You and long to please You alone.
O God of love, I, who was once a slave of hell, now give myself all to You. Graciously accept me and bind me to You with the bonds of Your love. My Jesus, from this day and forever in loving You will I live, and in loving You will I die.
O Mary, my Mother and my hope, help me to love Your dear God and mine. This is the only favor I ask of you, and through you I hope to receive it, Amen.

My Jesus, I give you my all, bind me to You! Always remind me of the love you borne for me so that my soul may ever burn for love of You and strive to please You alone.
My Jesus from this day forth I want to love with all my heart. Mary, my Mother and my hope help me to love Your dear God and mine.
Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Christmas Novena Day 4

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!
Novena Day 4:

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:
That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.
That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.
That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.

Jesus, I am ashamed to appear before You, sinful as I am. Yet You have said that You will not cast away a contrite and humbled heart: do not drive me from Your presence, O Lord!
Jesus, who was despised for love of me, forgive me! I love You above every other good!
Prayer/Reflection:
O Dearest Savior, You have embraced so many outrages for love of me, yet I have not been able to bear one word of insult without at once being filled with resentful thought, I who have so often deserved to be trodden under foot by the demons in hell!
I am ashamed to appear before You, sinful and proud as I am. Yet do not drive me from Your presence, O Lord, even though that is what I deserve.
You have said that You will not cast away a contrite and humbled heart. I am sorry for the offenses I have committed against You. Forgive me, O Jesus. I do not want to offend You again.
For love of me, You have borne so many injuries! For love of You I want to bear all the injuries that are done to me.
I love You, Jesus, who was despised for love of me. I love You above every other good. Give me the grace to love You always and to bear every insult for love of You.O Mary, recommend me to Your Son; pray to Jesus for me.
Amen.
Jesus, I am sorry for the offenses I have committed against You. Forgive me, I do not want to offend You again.
Jesus, who was despised for love of me, I love You above every other good! Lord, give me the grace to love You always, Mary recommend me to your Son; pray to Jesus for me!

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

*some text slightly changed eg: "i will not offend You" has been changed to "i do not want to offend you" because in my case (as probably with many of us) i WILL offend God but i do not want to so....

Friday, December 18, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 3

This Christmas Novena is found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too, yet DO add and pray your own intentions as well!
Novena Day 3:



Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.
At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:
That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.
That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.
That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.
Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.
These tears which You shed, this poverty which You embrace for love of me, make me hope for the pardon of all the offenses I have committed against You.
My Jesus, I am sorry for having so often turned my back on You. But now I love You above all else! "My God and my all!" From now on You, O my God, shall be my only treasure and my only good.
Prayer/Reflection:
O Dear Infant Jesus, how could I be so ungrateful and offend You so often, if I realized how much You have suffered for me? But these tears which You shed, this poverty which You embrace for love of me, make me hope for the pardon of all the offenses I have committed against You.
My Jesus, I am sorry for having so often turned my back on You. But now I love You above all else! "My God and my all!" From now on You, O my God, shall be my only treasure and my only good.
With Saint Ignatius of Loyola I will say to You, "Give me the grace to love You; that is enough for me." I long for nothing else; I want nothing else. You alone are enough for me, my Jesus, my life, my love.
O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace that I may always love Jesus and help me believe that I am always loved by Him*. Amen.
"My God and my all!" From now on You, O my God, shall be my only treasure and my only good.
O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace that I may always love Jesus and help me believe that I am always loved by Him.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

* the words of this sentence have been slightly changed - God ALWAYS loves us (we need to believe - and ACCEPT - His love :-)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 2

This below is the 2nd Day of the Christmas Novena found at the "America needs Fatima" website. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too BUT add and pray your own intentions too!

Novena Day 2:


Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.
Oh dearest Infant! Tell me, what have You come on earth to do? Tell me, whom are you seeking?
Ah You have come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from You any more, I may rest in Your loving arms! Oh my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love and my all! Whom will I love, if not You?

Prayer/reflection:

O Dearest Infant! Tell me, what have You come on earth to do? Tell me, whom are You seeking?Yes, I already know. You have come to die for me, in order to save me from hell. You have come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from You any more, I may rest in Your loving arms. Ah my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love and my all! Whom will I love, if not You? Where can I find a father, a friend, a spouse more loving and lovable than You are?
I love You, my dear God; I love You, my only good.
I regret the many years when I have not loved You, but rather spurned and offended You. Forgive me, O my beloved Redeemer; for I am sorry that I have thus treated You, and I regret it with all my heart.
Pardon me, and give me the grace never more to withdraw from You, but constantly to love You in all the years that still lie before me in this life. My love, I give myself entirely to You; accept me, and do not reject me as I deserve.
O Mary, You are my advocate. By thy prayers You do obtain whatever You want from Your Son. Pray Him then to forgive me, and to grant me holy perseverance until death. Amen.
You have come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from You any more, I may rest in Your loving arms!
Oh my Jesus, give me the grace never more to withdraw from You, but constantly to love You in all the years that still lie before me in this life.

Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Novena Day 1

This below is the 1st Day of the Christmas Novena found at the "America needs Fatima" website, which starts today. The presentation here is slightly different to that on the site but it is otherwise the same.

The intentions in the prayer are my own and given that you are currently on this page, i'd be grateful if you prayed for those too BUT having said that, praying for these intentions does not mean one cannot add his/her own :-) Add and pray your own intentions too!

- and (especially for friends who are doubting it) remember that God loves you :-) ...if He did not then WHY was He born to DIE for you ...and me?
Novena Day 1:
Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
at which the Son of God was born
of a most pure Virgin at a stable at midnight
in Bethlehem in the piercing cold.

At that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech You to hear my prayers
and grant my requests:

That we may all draw near to You
strengthened to receive your mercy,
that our lives may be filled with hope, peace and joy.

That we may all believe in Your love for us
and may trust in You – no matter how hard it gets.

That those who cry or feel alone
may know that You are with them.

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother,
Amen.
Your Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led You to take upon Yourself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against You.
I love You, O Word Incarnate!

Prayer/reflection:

O Great Son of God, You have become man in order to make Yourself loved by men. But where is the love that men give You in return? You have given Your life blood to save our souls.
Why then are we so unappreciative that, instead of repaying You with love, we spurn You with ingratitude? And I, Lord, I myself more than others have thus ill treated You.
But Your Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led You to take upon Yourself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against You.
I love You, O Word Incarnate; I love You, O infinite goodness. Out of love for You, I could die of grief for these offenses.
Give me, O Jesus, Your love. Let me no longer live in ungrateful forgetfulness of the love You bearest me. I wish to love You always. Grant that I may always preserve in this holy desire.
O Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, pray for me that Your Son may give me the grace to love Him always, unto death. Amen.
Your Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led You to take upon Yourself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against You.
I love You, O Word Incarnate!


Thank you to the people at the "America needs Fatima" website for sharing this Novena.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Mum, why is the priest wearing pink?

- i bet that if you go to Mass you will hear a boy or girl asking that!

Pink, in the Catholic Church, is the colour of "joy" - This Sunday we rejoice that Christ is near.

May He fill you with His peace and joy.

here's a prayer - in the form of a song - for you who are reading this post:

http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/68114

If you're pro-life you GOT TO do this!

If you're pro-life you GOT TO do this!
Click the picture to go to the page and to like it: your like counts!