Catholic Thought discussion

This is right off my personal blog and thought people here would like to see it.

I ran across this prayer taken from the diary of St.Fautina Kowalska, recommended by Pope Francis at last year’s World Youth Day, and posted on the online Catholic magazine, Aleteia. It is so astonishingly beautiful that I can’t help but share it here.

“Help me, O Lord,

… that my eyes may be merciful, so that I will never be suspicious or judge by appearances, but always look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and be of help to them;

… that my ears may be merciful, so that I will be attentive to my neighbors’ needs, and not indifferent to their pains and complaints;

… that my tongue may be merciful, so that I will never speak badly of others, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all;

… that my hands may be merciful and full of good deeds;

… that my feet may be merciful, so that I will hasten to help my neighbor, despite my own fatigue and weariness;

… that my heart may be merciful, so that I myself will share in all the sufferings of my neighbor” (Diary, 163).

I have never read St. Faustina’s Diary, but it is on my wish list. Perhaps when I focus a year on Polish literature, I’ll include it in my reading.

It's probably easier to read off my blog, so here: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.c...

Loretta wrote: "Manny wrote: "This is right off my personal blog and thought people here would like to see it.

I ran across this prayer taken from the diary of St.Fautina Kowalska, recommended by Pope Francis at..."

Thanks Loretta.

Love that prayer.

Beautiful!

I've been reading St Faustina's Diary for nearly a year. Like Loretta, I'm reading it slowly, mostly at Adoration. It is truly life changing!

I came across this ancient Irish Litany to the Blessed Virgin today and thought I'd share. It dates back to the 8th century and apparently written in Irish Gaelic. It's rather long, so I'll only post the first part. You'll have to go over to Aleteia to read the entire thing. of course this is in English translation.

O GREAT Mary, [pray for us]
Mary, greatest of Marys,
Most great of women,
Queen of the angels,
Mistress of the heavens,
Woman full and replete with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
Blessed and most blessed,
Mother of eternal glory,
Mother of the heavenly and earthly Church,
Mother of love and indulgence,
Mother of the golden light,
Honor of the sky,
Harbinger of peace.
Gate of heaven,
Golden casket,

Here's the link: https://aleteia.org/2017/08/21/an-anc...

I love praying Litanies. I think I love them more than Novenas.

My prayers for your sister Loretta and anyone in the hurricane's path. May God have mercy for our human weakness in the face of such immense natural force.

And my prayers for all those that have been effected by Hurricane Harvey earlier, and this earthquake down in Mexico over night.

Loretta, I too have been praying for all those whose lives are in the paths of both Harvey and Irma as well as those harmed by the Mexican earthquake. I hope your sister and her family is safe.

Praying for safety for your sister, Loretta, and all those in harm's way. Also praying for those affected by the fires in the western US.

Loretta wrote: "My fellow Catholic Thought members,

I would really appreciate your prayers for my sister who lives in Stuart, Florida who is, along with all the citizens of the state, bracing themselves for hurri..."

Hello Loretta, I will light a candle for you at Mass tomorrow. My thoughts are with you and your family.

I think all of us will have the people in the hurricane's path in our thoughts and prayers. Only candle I have to light is a Yankee Candle but I just lit it for those in harms way.

Prayers of thanksgiving to an awesome God. A young mother, registering her son for religious education last week, told me that her young husband (37 years old) was just diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his kidney. Local doctors told him that they would have to take the entire kidney. If the cancer was contained, he could live with one kidney. If not, they would sew him up and he would prepare for death because there is no treatment for that type of cancer. He went to Cleveland Clinic for Surgery on Wednesday. Talked to his mother-in-law last night. Cleveland surgeons were able to get a clean periphery and leave 2/3rds of the kidney. CAT scans show that the cancer has not spread. They tell him that there is only a 5% chance of it returning. Part of the miracle was discovering it so early. Apparently kidney cancer of this type is so deadly because it is asymptomatic until it is too late. He had a bout of direticulitis (spelling) two weeks ago that sent him to the ER. A scan to diagnose his abdominal pain discoveredthe tumor at an unusually early stage.

Irene wrote: "Prayers of thanksgiving to an awesome God. A young mother, registering her son for religious education last week, told me that her young husband (37 years old) was just diagnosed with a cancerous t..."

Oh Irene that's wonderful they caught it so early. Not so good that it happened but at least he has a good fighting chance now thanks to our wonderful God.

Great story Irene. Thanks. I guess the other one that is nearly always deadly is pancreatic. You never know you have it until it's too late.

Loretta, did your sister come out of the hurricane safe and sound?

Good to hear Loretta. Thanks be to God.

So glad to read that your sister is OK.

My mother, who is not far from 84 years old, is having some minor surgery tomorrow. Nothing serious. With her age her eye lids have gotten droopy and obscure her vision. Normally this would be cosmetic surgery but for her it's something she needs. She'll be mildly put under for about an hour and a half, and I didn't think too much of it until this evening she said at her age you never know. So I do ask for your prayers.

What's completely silly is that she said you never know after I asked her why she was knocking herself out cleaning her house. It's like if she has to die she needs to have a clean house. Anyway you can see what she's like.

Prayers for your mother, Manny!

Oh Manny my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom. When I say my rosary tonight I will dedicate my prayers to you both.

Prayers to your Mom and your family, Manny.

Thank you all.

Hope all goes well with your mother. A friend had it done and, other than looking as if they were in a major fight for weeks, it was relatively easy. And, I understand your mother's cleaning. Mine would do the same thing.

Thank you all. It went well, I guess. Doctor said there were no complications but she did say my mother swelled up more than others. It was actually frightful when she came out of the operating room. I knew to expect some black and blue and swelling, but this was hideous. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut, just about completely black (no blue), and oozing blood that would drip down her face. Doctor said it should be better in a few days. I hope so. I was reluctant to ask for prayers before but now I think I really need them in the hopes that it all turns out well.

Manny, Hope she heals quickly.

Thank you both.

This prayer from St Thomas Aquinas came to me in my daily email devotion and thought it so wonderful I wanted to share.

"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you."
— St. Thomas Aquinas

Lovely prayer

Loretta wrote: "Manny wrote: "This prayer from St Thomas Aquinas came to me in my daily email devotion and thought it so wonderful I wanted to share.

"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek..."

I guess we get the same daily email. I recently realized they have links to the daily Liturgy of the Hours. It's a lot easier to click the link to the hourly prayer than to fuss with the multiple ribbons in the typical Christian Prayer book for the Divine Office.

I guess if others want to sign up it's https://www.catholiccompany.com/. There must be a signup link somewhere on their page.

I'm not sure if this is the actual day, but if it's not today, it's one of these recent or upcoming days. This is the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis being elected Pope. Please say a prayer for him and may the Holy Spirit guide him for a more harmonious church and world.

And this is a lovely article to commemorate it.
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/...

Oh I can use your prayers. I am such a klutz. Over the weekend, I was getting up from the couch early in the wee hours of Saturday morning, after just finishing my prayers and deciding it was time to get to bed, I got up, started into a coughing fit - I have been fighting bronchitis - lost my balance, stumbled, smacked my nose against the hard edge of the TV furniture stand, broke my nose, and needed ten stitches to close the cut. We didn't get home from the Emergency Room until 4:30 in the morning.

It's not too bad. Nose is sore and slightly swollen, but it's not too bad. My son however has started calling me Dr. Scar and says I should be a super villain fighting one of the super heroes. Hopefully the stitches won't leave a scar down the side of my nose.

Note to Self: If you start a coughing fit, stop walking and hold on to something.

How awful. Hope you heal quickly.

Irene wrote: "How awful. Hope you heal quickly."

Thank you. Between the bronchitis and now this, it's been a tough Lent.

Manny wrote: "Oh I can use your prayers. I am such a klutz. Over the weekend, I was getting up from the couch early in the wee hours of Saturday morning, after just finishing my prayers and deciding it was time ..."

Oh, I am so sorry to hear! Speedy, speedy recovery to you!

Thank you Susan.

Very sorry, Manny. One of those lessons life hands us once in a while: how everything can change in just a second. Prayers for a speedy recovery, and gratitude that your mind is still as sharp and focused as ever.

Thank you Frances.

Please include praying for Ireland this week. On Thursday the 25th, if you haven't heard Ireland is having a national referendum to potentially overturn the anti abortion law in their constitution. Pray that it fails. Ireland is one of the few western countries that still outlaws abortion. It's very important to the pro-life movement - and of course to Ireland's unborn children - that it stay that way.

In Christ,

Manny

Manny wrote: "Please include praying for Ireland this week. On Thursday the 25th, if you haven't heard Ireland is having a national referendum to potentially overturn the anti abortion law in their constitution...."

Thank you for that info, Manny. I definitely will.

The website 'Pray More Novenas' https://www.praymorenovenas.com/ currently is praying a novena for the abuse crisis. They are on day 6 now, but anyone can do it by themselves too. It is the same prayer for all nine days.
https://p.praymorenovenas.com/novena-...

Thank you, Kerstin. Bishop Robert Barron has an extensive interview on the topic of the abuse crisis. If you look at Word On Fire on You Tube I think you can find it.

Oh, I'll have to look for it! I used to get his stuff in my inbox, but somehow no more. I'll have to see how I can re-activate it.

Many of us have had Masses and ministries suspended due to this virus. Someone in our parish recommended this prayer, and I recognized it from way back, but don't recall just where, probably in school. And let's all pray for grace not to lose our Lenten momentum during these troubling circumstances! It can also be found in the prayers on the Laudate app. (Spiritual communion I)

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You have already come, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Madeleine wrote: "Many of us have had Masses and ministries suspended due to this virus. Someone in our parish recommended this prayer, and I recognized it from way back, but don't recall just where, probably in sch..."
Thank you Madeleine. We need to pray now more than ever. And I am!!

You are welcome! Glad I found it to share!

Madeleine wrote: "Many of us have had Masses and ministries suspended due to this virus. Someone in our parish recommended this prayer, and I recognized it from way back, but don't recall just where, probably in sch..."

No Mass for me yesterday. I felt like a fish out of water.

Manny wrote: "No Mass for me yesterday. I felt like a fish out of water."

Oh isn't this the truth! We had no Masses either.

And our bishop is saying that we may not have any Masses until mid-May. That means no Easter Mass.

Now that's bad. I hope this won't come true.

Not just Easter but the whole Tridium. That would really stink.