The Inspired Traditionalist: November 2005

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Magnificat

My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.He has shown strength with His arm: He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent empty away. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Magnificat anima mea Dominum; Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo, Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam brachio suo; Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles. Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes. Sucepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semeni ejus in saecula.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen

Christmas novena 11/30-12/24

Christmas Novena ( refer to below where the Novena prayer is said in conjuction with the Hours)
This prayer is to be said 15 times a day

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 Thee, To hear my prayers and grant my desires (mention request here). Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.

Some Catholics pray this Novena from November 30th to December 24th. Others prefer the more classic 9-day Christmas Novena begun on December 16 th. The Christmas Novena is said 15 times a day from St. Andrews Day until Christmas

It begins with the Our Father and Hail Mary
Prayers for Vespers of the Breviary, or Divine Office.

The Christmas Novena
All: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father... Hail Mary...
Father: O Lord, Open my lips.
All: And my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
Father: O God, come to my assistance.
All: O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.
Father: The Lord our Coming King, hasten to adore.
All: The Lord our Coming King, hasten to adore.
Eldest child: Rejoice, O Daughter of Sion, and exult, O Daughter of Jerusalem.
All: The Lord our Coming King, hasten to adore.
Eldest child: Behold, He that is God and man shall come forth from the house of David, His Father, to sit upon His throne, and you shall see Him and your heart shall rejoice.
All: Hasten to adore.
Eldest child: Behold, the Lord shall come, our Protector, the Holy One of Israel, bearing on His head the crown of the Kingdom.
All: The Lord Our Coming King, hasten to adore.
Eldest child: The Lord will descend, as rain on the field. His justice shall rise in those days, and all the kings of the earth shall adore Him, all nations shall serve Him.
All: Hasten to adore.
Eldest child: A child shall be born to us, and He shall be called the God of strength. Bethlehem, city of the Highest God, out from you shall go forth the ruler of Israel, and peace will be on the earth, when He shall have come.
All: The Lord our coming King, hasten to adore.
Father : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
All: The Lord, our Coming King. Hasten to adore.
All: Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh: behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!
Father: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult. Praise the Lord, you mountains.
All: Let the mountains break forth into gladness, and the hills with justice.
Father: For the Lord shall come and to the poor He shall show mercy.
All: Drop down dew, you heavens, from above and let the clouds rain down the Just One;
Father: Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior.
All: Be mindful of us, O Lord, and visit us in Your salvation.
Father: Show to us, O Lord, Your mercy, and grant us your salvation.
All: Come, O Lord, in peace visit us that with a perfect heart we may rejoice before You.
Father: Come, O Lord, do not tarry; do away with the offenses of Your people.
All: Come and show to us Your countenance, O Lord. You sit upon the cherubim.
Father: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
All : Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh; behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia.
Reading
[Isaiah 35:1-7a ]
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the rose it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the weak knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Concluding Prayers
Father: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come to You.
Father: Let us pray. Stir up Thy power and come, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and with great might help us. May our deliverance, which our sins impede, be hastened by the help of Thy grace and the forgiveness of Thy mercy. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Father: Let us bless the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Father: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 Thee, To hear my prayers and grant my desires (mention request here). Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.
All: Thanks be to God.

Monday, November 28, 2005

The First Week in Advent

The collect for the First week in Advent

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come, that by thy protection we may be rescued from the dangers that beset us through our sins; and be a Redeemer to deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

The beautiful prayer The Angelus can be said with the family together in preparation for the coming of Our Savior.
The Angelus is a short devotion in honor of the Incarnation, repeated three times each day, morning, noon, and evening. The origins of the Angelus are somewhat vague, but it seems clear they are rooted in monastic prayers of the hours, and even in its earliest form included the three "Hail Marys". Originally the Angelus prayers were said at night prayers, and over the years mid-day and morning hours were added. By the early seventeenth century the formula of prayers exactly as we know it today was complet

e.
The Angelus
V: The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
R: And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
V: Hail Mary, full of grace: The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R: Holy Mary, Mother of God: Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.
R: Be it done unto me according to thy word.
V: Hail Mary ...
R: Holy Mary ...
V: And the Word was made flesh
R: And dwelt among us.
V: Hail Mary ...
R: Holy Mary ...
V: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V: Let us pray.
All: Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace unto our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy Son, was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

The First Sunday of Advent

The First Sunday In Advent

Advent begins Sunday, November 27 th
The history of Advent is unclear. It started in Spain somewhere in the 3rd century and sometime in the 6th century in Rome. It was originally 5 Sundays before

Christmas and then was reduced to the 4th Sunday (closet to St. Andrews Day) ,before Christmas by Pope Gregory VII. Although times and dates are unclear the preparation remains the same, awaiting for the Birth of Christ. Advent in Latin, (advenire) means "arrival" or "coming". This spiritual celebration is very similar to that of Lent. In Lent we prepare for His sacrifice and death. In Advent we prepare for the child Jesus coming. We should remember that His coming is not only by His birth, As the Creed states, "He will come again to judge the living and the dead".Also remember, that He comes to us in Holy Communion.
The early church required prayer and fasting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Fridays are the only day of fast in Lent. No longer a requirement was to fast every Friday of the year, but this too has fallen away. Although no longer a requirement, let it be known that if we do fast, we offer more to the Lord, and it is pleasing to Him.
A great way to prepare for Jesus to come is to ask Him to come into our hearts. We do this by prayer. There are several prayers and ways to prepare for the Birth of Our Lord and I would like to post those in the coming weeks. There are great ways to bring the family together by sharing in the joy of the Holy Family. One way to bring the family closer is to make an Advent wreath. The Advent wreath is traditonally made from fresh evergreen branches. It is circular in shape and consists of 4 candles. Three candles are purple and one is pink. This symbolizes Preparation Penance and Sacrifice.
The first Sunday in Advent starts the lighting of one purple candle. Each day during the week it is lit and a short prayer is to be said. A good time to do this is around mealtime with the family
The Blessing for The Advent Wreath
O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, and may receive from thee abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Angelus, The Magnificat, and of course the Rosary are wonderful prayers to say.
The Epistle Reading

Romans 13: 11-14
Gospel Reading
Luke 21: 25-33
Preparing the Manger
The scene of the Nativity is usually depicted as a cave or a simple wooden structure. They can be incredibly complex or simple, made of fine ceramics or of wood or paper. But in all cases, the basics of the Nativity Scene are Mary (on Christ's right, or our left as we face the manger), St. Joseph (to Christ's left, or our right as we face the manger), at least one angel, the three Magi, at least one shepherd, and the ox and the ass. That Jesus lay between an ox and an ass is ascertained from Isaiah 1:3:

Thursday, November 24, 2005

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I want to Thank God for all His many Blessings in my life. I want to Thank Him for the Special graces and favors He has given me. I want to Thank him for the good and the bad that has happened in my life for the benefit of my soul and for the wisdom to understand what He has shown me.
I want to Thank God for my family and friends.

I want to Thank God for all the Priests and their guidance and love for us.
I want to Thank God for the wonderful people who have visited my web site and for all the kindness that has been shown to me.

I will pray for you all.
Please remember to Thank God today and enjoy your family and friends and the meal He has provided for us

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Holiday Blues

With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, please remember those who find it very difficult to celebrate in any way. There are those whom have had difficulties in their lives and do not know who to turn to. We who are strong in our faith, know how hard it is to keep ourselves on the right track, and we know Jesus. There are those who don't , or have forgotten, or simply due to whatever circumstance, being health or otherwise, need God more than anything. Maybe we can remember the mentally ill during the beautiful seasons that are approaching and maybe smile on them and bring them some joy. We may not know the pain of others as they deal with their issues. There are those who simply hide in their pain and do not let us see them suffer. There are those who are ill and suffer physically and emotionally as well. As we prepare let's remember those in need and pray to St Dymphna for their intercession.
DYMPHNA
Lord, our God, you graciously chose Saint Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession. Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray). We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of Saint Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen

Out of Hand

Things seem to be getting more and more out of hand. The news headlines, the senseless destruction to society,and the Catholic Faithful. We need to increase our prayer lives even more so for the malicious acts of Satan. I have a web site that I link to my site that sheds a good light on what is sadly happening to some of our faithful and they need our prayers. Please join together to pray for some peace for such a sinful world. With more prayer we can slow down Satan and his corruption.
The Catholic Church Conservation
http://www.cathcon.blogspot.com
This is all a group effort, and each of needs to support each other in order to win this battle. Please take the time to view some of these sites I have posted. Hear what they have to say and maybe we can all learn a little from each other.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Preparing for THANKSGIVING

With Thanksgiving only one week away there is something we need to think about. No, not how much food the human body can consume in one day.(Guilty) No, not how many football games we can keep watch in the course of one day.(Well, not as Guilty) No, not how many balloons and floats we can see by bouncing back and forth between the network stations (Guilty). It is something far more important. Never let a day escape you without "giving thanks" to the One who died for our sinfulness. Ask the Lord to make us more temperant, something that isn't always easy for us to achieve. He is the reason for all the good things we enjoy and He wants us to have these gifts, just use them wisely.
It is not about the food, So with all the "Martha's" getting prepared for the holiday feast let us not forget what Jesus told her
From Luke Chapter 10
"38 Now it came to pass as they went, that He entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard His word. 40 But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.
41 And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her. "
Some other readings for us to contemplate as we Thank God

These passages and Psalms were taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible

Exodus 12:14
1 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it shall be the first in the months of the year. 3 Speak ye to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, and say to them: On the tenth day of this month let every man take a lamb by their families and houses. 4 But if the number be less than may suffice to eat the lamb, he shall take unto him his neighbour that joineth to his house, according to the number of souls which may be enough to eat the lamb. 5 And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male, of one year: according to which rite also you shall take a kid. [ Jesus is the Lamb of God, our Passover meal ]6 And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month: and the whole multitude of the children of Israel shall sacrifice it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood thereof, and put it upon both the side posts, and on the upper door posts of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh that night roasted at the fire, and unleavened bread with wild lettuce. 9 You shall not eat thereof any thing raw, nor boiled in water, but only roasted at the fire: you shall eat the head with the feet and entrails thereof. 10 Neither shall there remain any thing of it until morning. If there be any thing left, you shall burn it with fire. 11 And thus you shall eat it: you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall eat in haste: for it is the Phase (that is the Passage) of the Lord. 12 And I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and will kill every firstborn in the land of Egypt both man and beast: and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord.13 And the blood shall be unto you for a sign in the houses where you shall be: and I shall see the blood, and shall pass over you: and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I shall strike the land of Egypt. [Unless you drink my blood Jn 6:53]14 And this day shall be for a memorial to you: and you shall keep it a feast to the Lord in your generations with an everlasting observance. 15 Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread: in the first day there shall be no leaven in your houses: whosoever shall eat any thing leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall perish out of Israel. 16 The first day shall be holy and solemn, and the seventh day shall be kept with the like solemnity: you shall do no work in them, except those things that belong to eating. 17 And you shall observe the feast of the unleavened bread: for in this same day I will bring forth your army out of the land of Egypt, and you shall keep this day in your generations by a perpetual observance. Note: [ The perpetual sacrifice is the offering of the Holy Mass, where Jesus is our Thanksgiving Sacrifice ]

Psalm 102
Benedic, anima. Thanksgiving to God for his mercies.
1 For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless His Holy Name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee. 3 Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. 4 Who reedemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion. 5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 104
Confitemini Domino. A thanksgiving to God for His benefits to His people Israel. Alleluia.
1 Alleluia. Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His name: declare His deeds among the Gentiles. 2 Sing to Him, yea sing praises to him: relate all His wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in His Holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: seek His face evermore. 5 Remember His marvellous works which He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth
.

I hope we all enjoy our family and our holiday meal together.Remember to say a prayer of thanks giving before your meal. The one my family uses is: Bless O Lord, and these thy gifts ,which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. We always remember our loved ones who used to be among us at our table.
The History behind the Thanksgiving Feast and Celebration
The Mayflower Compact
1620
"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.
Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions

and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
Chronology of U.S. Historical Documents

Friday, November 11, 2005

The Rosary

The Blessed Mother calls for each of us to pray the rosary frequently. It is our weapon against Satan and his followers. I like to think of them as my "Battle Beads". She has given us promises if we recite this awesome prayer and meditation. We are promised several graces if we recite the rosary which are very powerful in itself. If you have seen these promises before and have not reviewed them in a while; I suggest reading them to remind ourselves, of what awesome promises we have been given by our Blessed Mother.
A list of the fifteen promises include:
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 recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour 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 it's vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that the souls 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 it's 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 plentitude 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.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
15.Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
(Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan) Imprimatur: Patrick J. Hayes D.D., Archbishop of New York.

My opinion is that we have been saved from the wrath of God because of so many rosary intentions offered for peace and conversion of sinners. There is a beautiful prayer I say before the rosary and I personally have never heard any one recite it out loud in group prayer. I think it is an important part of the rosary and I have always recited it to myself before starting a rosary. I will post it if you have never heard of it. I believe that is very valuable in our meditations, in regards to Mary's message at Fatima. This prayer is in my St Joseph Daily Missal.
Prayer before the Holy Rosary
Queen of the Holy Rosary, you have deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three shepherd children the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption which are recalled in it, I may be enriched with it's fruits and obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners and of Russia, and the favor which I ask of you in this Rosary (Here mention your request) I ask it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially for my own. Amen

PLEASE PRAY THE ROSARY OFTEN

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

McGinnster Einstein???

Sorry folks, I couldn't resist this one!!

Monday, November 07, 2005

New Discoveries

Life is just full of new discoveries. I was visiting a site,
and found this very cool map. I have it in my link field
This allows you to see where your viewer is coming
from (if they choose to) and they can also leave a
shout HELLO
Click on my map if you like and say hello
Thanks Fr. Tucker for the idea!!!

Friday, November 04, 2005

Christmas gifts preparation

I love the time and creativity in gift giving, I contribute this to God's way of manifesting my talents, borrowed or otherwise, to give my loved ones (and maybe those people who may need) gifts from your heart. Homemade gifts really show someone that you took the time to think of them. I find that when I make gifts I pray, and I am at peace. Not anything like the hu

stle and bustle of Christmas shoppers so aggravated with life, and not getting the point of the whole season. Although many people sigh, and get all frustrated with the season (just can't wait for all the traffic and road rage to begin ), we must remember, that it is the peace of Christ, and The celebration of His birth. We need to relax and enjoy our family, and unite ourselves with The Holy Family. I am sure that The Blessed Mother was not anxious about making sure Jesus had a Talking Elmo or whatever the latest craze is now (I am way out of the loop here folks, my kids are grown!). What is important is to give the gift of love to each other, and to be together to celebrate the Birth of Christ. I know that this is a little early to some to be thinking about Christmas, but HEY, some people start to shop in July, or for that matter the day after Christmas for the following year. I would like to prepare ahead of time too. In the past I have made some gifts that require months of preparation and although they were not store bought, I made them from my heart and for individuals that God wanted me to share them with. If we must buy our gifts let them be a positive gift that will enhance someones life. A book is a wonderful gift and so is music as well. These gifts can bring union with God and not stuffed in a closet or drawer (we have all done that). Someone may read a book that brings them to a better understanding of their faith. While driving to work, listening to sacred music, may make their day more tolerable, and put them at peace before the stress of everyday living.
So if you can't make something for someone, and when you go to spend your hard earned money, maybe you will find peace knowing that your hard work efforts went into the increase of someones spirituality.

There ar

e some great book sites on line and I have some links posted on my site. Check out this great book of poetry (happens to be written by my Aunt) h ttp://www.cathybagley.com
I also have a link which I will post here for a fantastic CD on Sacred Music http://www.mcfamilysingers.com also on my site.

I have personally met some of this crew and let me tell you they are terrific :) Please support them.

Realistically, we all buy gifts for each other and that is fine. Just in our preparation we need to be frugal and prudent. The most important gift is to remember what we give to Christ. The gift of ourselves. Make this a simple gift of love. Give him the biggest part of you, your heart and your soul. Ask Him for a gift as well, Ask Him to give you Himself, and His Mother, and Foster Father Joseph, to be there always, and not like an article of clothing that can be stowed away in a closet.
God Bless and Happy Shopping!!!! I hope you receive all the gifts that God has to give.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Birth of a New Baby

Congratulations to my cousin Jillian and her husband John on the birth of their new and first baby, born at 7:02 a.m. Joseph Eugene. Don't have a weight and length. Mom and Baby are fine and so is the rest of the family. We are all excited to meet him.
There has been a very long time since there was a baby in the family and we are so looking forward to this new additon that God has bestowed on us. We thank God for a healthy baby and a good delivery for Jill. On All Souls Day there brings a new life.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

All Souls and All Saints Day

With two major feasts coming upon us we have to remember to pray for all the souls in Heaven and in Purgatory.

All Saints Day
On this day we honor the saints, and thank them for praying for us. We can only imagine the joy that they attain in heaven. We hope that one day we can come to this bliss in heaven and share in the participation of honoring and glorifying our Savior forever. This feast dates back to about the 7th century. Pope Gregory III consecrated a chapel in St. Peters Church to all the saints and martyrs and from that day on May 13th about 731 All Saints Day was celebrated. Pope Gregory IV changed the date in the 9th century to Nov 1st due to very long winters, with a food shortage, so that the great number of people were accommodated who came to celebrate in the Latin Church. The Gospel reading for this day is from Matthew 5: 1-12 The Beatitudes (this is one of my favorite passages in the Bible) . This is what the saints followed so closely and what Jesus asks of His followers. His promise of suffering and sacrifice brings great rewards to those who do His will. As we educate ourselves on the saints lives we can better understand the importance of achieving our ultimate goal of reaching a kingdom where we can live with the Jesus, and Mary, and all the angels. We ask for their continuing prayer for us and those of the whole world. We ask for the intercession of the saints, through Mary, to Jesus, for perfection of our prayers, and for those in need.

All Souls Day

We can't forget the Souls on the feast of All Souls Day and for those suffering in agony and those in Purgatory. Our Lord has stated to St. Gertrude the Great, that if we say this prayer it would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said:

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy 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"

Our Lady asks us to also pray for poor souls and the more we pray for poor souls the more Christ will be with us in Purgatory. We can aasist the release of souls as well by good works and assisting at Mass and sacrifice. Pope Benedict XV granted priests the privilege of offering three Masses on this day. 1. For the particular intention. 2. For all the faithful departed. 3.One for the intention of The Holy Father.

Visiting a cemetery, gains partial indulgences for those in Purgatory. There are also Novenas and other prayers that can be said. There are so many souls who don't have anyone to pray for them, and we must remember them as well.

Eternal rest grant to them O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.

Please prepare for these two feasts. Originally before Vatican II, the vigil of these days was to fast and pray and also deny any laborous tasks remembering those for whom these feast are to be recognized. The fast is no longer a requirement. It could be a good way to sacrifice for poor souls and a way to thank the saints for their continued prayer for us.

The Inspired Traditionalist