HOW TO OFFER UP YOUR INTENTIONS AT A CATHOLIC HOLY EUCHARISTIC MASS

 To offer up your intentions at a Catholic Holy Eucharistic Mass, you can follow these steps:

1. Prepare your intentions: Take some time before attending Mass to reflect on your intentions. These can include personal prayers, petitions for others, or any concerns you wish to bring before God.

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3. Attend Mass: Make sure you are present at a Catholic Holy Eucharistic Mass celebrated by a priest in a Catholic church or chapel.

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5. Participate in the liturgy: Engage fully in the Mass by following the order of the liturgy, including the prayers, responses, and hymns. Actively participate in the different parts of the Mass, such as the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

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7. Offer personal prayers: Throughout the Mass, there will be moments of silence, such as after receiving Holy Communion or during the period of preparation for the Eucharistic Prayer. Use these moments to offer your personal prayers and intentions in your own words, speaking to God from your heart.

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9. Utilize the prayer of the faithful: The prayer of the faithful, also known as the general intercessions or universal prayer, is a part of the Mass where specific intentions are prayed for the needs of the Church and the world. Listen attentively and mentally join in these prayers, offering your own intentions along with those mentioned.

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11. Unite your intentions with the Eucharistic sacrifice: During the Offertory and the Eucharistic Prayer, you can mentally unite your intentions and sacrifices with the offering of the bread and wine, which becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. Offer your prayers, intentions, and desires to God, joining them with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

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13. Pray after Mass: After the Mass concludes, take a few moments to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the opportunity to participate in the Holy Eucharist and to present your intentions. You can continue to pray for your intentions throughout the day or week, as well.

It's important to note that these steps are general guidelines and practices commonly observed in the Catholic Church. If you have any specific questions or seek further guidance, it's advisable to consult with your local parish priest or spiritual advisor.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Amen.

Hail Mary, also known as the Ave Maria, is a well-known and cherished prayer in the Christian tradition. It is a reverent invocation to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, and holds a special place in the hearts of millions of believers worldwide.

The Hail Mary begins with the words "Hail Mary, full of grace," acknowledging Mary's divine favor and her unique role in God's plan for salvation. It continues with the phrase "the Lord is with thee," recognizing her close relationship with God and her chosen status as the mother of Jesus, who is often referred to as the Lord.

The prayer then reaches out to Mary, stating, "Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." This acknowledges Mary's exceptional blessedness and the significance of Jesus, her divine son, who is revered as the Savior of humanity.

Finally, the Hail Mary concludes with a humble plea for Mary's intercession: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." In this part, the faithful implore Mary to pray for them, seeking her guidance, protection, and assistance in their spiritual journey and in their ultimate encounter with death.

The Hail Mary is a profound expression of devotion to Mary and a reminder of her important role in the Christian faith. It serves as a source of comfort, inspiration, and a means of seeking her intercession in times of need.

THE LORD'S PRAYER (Our Father)

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father, is a profound and timeless prayer that holds deep significance for Christians around the world. It is a reflection of the teachings of Jesus Christ and serves as a model for how believers can approach God in prayer.

The prayer begins with the words "Our Father," reminding us of the intimate and personal relationship we have with God. It highlights the idea that God is not a distant and unapproachable being, but rather a loving and caring Father who desires a relationship with His children. This understanding sets the tone for the rest of the prayer, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and seeking His will above our own.

The Lord's Prayer also teaches us to acknowledge and prioritize the holiness of God's name. By praying, "Hallowed be your name," we express reverence and awe for God's divine nature and acknowledge His uniqueness and greatness. It reminds us to approach God with humility and respect, recognizing that He is the ultimate authority and deserving of our worship.

Furthermore, the prayer focuses on aligning our desires and intentions with God's purposes. In the line, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," we surrender our own agenda and submit ourselves to God's plan. It reflects a desire for God's righteousness, justice, and peace to prevail in the world and invites us to participate actively in bringing about God's kingdom values on earth.

The Lord's Prayer also addresses our dependence on God for our daily needs. It encourages us to seek God's provision, both physical and spiritual, by praying, "Give us this day our daily bread." It reminds us of our reliance on God's sustenance and invites us to trust in His faithfulness to meet our needs.

Additionally, the prayer emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. The line, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors," encourages us to extend grace and mercy to others, just as we have received it from God. It reminds us of the transformative power of forgiveness and the restoration it brings to our relationships.

Finally, the Lord's Prayer concludes with a plea for God's protection and deliverance from evil. It acknowledges the existence of spiritual battles and asks for God's guidance and strength to overcome them. It expresses a reliance on God's power and a trust in His ability to lead us away from temptation and into a life of righteousness.

In summary, the Lord's Prayer serves as a beautiful and comprehensive reflection on our relationship with God and our role as His children. It teaches us to approach God with reverence, align our desires with His will, depend on Him for our needs, extend forgiveness to others, and seek His protection from evil. It is a prayer that continues to resonate with believers, guiding and inspiring them in their journey of faith.

Embracing Christ's Teachings: Praying for Our Enemies and Loving Those Who Persecute Us

  Embracing Christ's Teachings: Praying for Our Enemies and Loving Those Who Persecute Us

Introduction: As Catholics, we are called to embody the teachings of Jesus Christ, who exhorted us to pray for our enemies and love those who persecute us. These teachings may seem challenging, but they reflect the boundless love and mercy of our Lord. In this article, we delve into the significance of this commandment, exploring how prayer and love can transform both our hearts and the world around us. Additionally, we offer a prayer to guide us on this transformative journey.

The Commandment of Praying for Enemies: Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies as an expression of radical love and forgiveness. When we embrace this commandment, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace.

1. Seeking God's Will: Through prayer, we align our hearts with God's will. Praying for our enemies invites God's intervention in their lives, touching their hearts and leading them towards repentance and reconciliation.

2. Overcoming Hatred: Praying for our enemies helps us overcome the temptation to hold onto hatred and resentment. It softens our hearts, fostering compassion and understanding. As we surrender our grievances to God, we allow Him to heal our wounds and replace bitterness with love.

3. Emulating Christ's Example: Jesus, our Savior, exemplified praying for those who persecuted Him. By following His example, we become more Christ-like, growing in holiness and deepening our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we discover the immense power of forgiveness and experience the transformative grace of God.

The Call to Love Those Who Persecute Us: Loving those who persecute us is an arduous yet profoundly transformative act, reflecting the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

1. Embracing Divine Love: By loving our persecutors, we imitate God's boundless love for all humanity. We recognize the inherent dignity of every person, regardless of their actions or beliefs. Our love serves as a testimony to the transformative power of Christ's redeeming sacrifice.

2. Witnessing Faith: Loving those who persecute us bears witness to our faith in Christ. It challenges the world's understanding of justice and vengeance, revealing the transformative power of love to bring about reconciliation and healing. Our love becomes a beacon of hope, drawing others towards the light of Christ.

3. Fostering Personal Transformation: As we choose love over hatred, we undergo a profound transformation. Love softens our hearts, enabling us to see our persecutors with empathy and compassion. Through this transformation, we become instruments of God's love, fostering reconciliation and healing in our relationships and communities.

Prayer for Enemies and Persecutors:

Heavenly Father,

In obedience to Your Son's commandment, I humbly bring before You my enemies and persecutors. In Your boundless mercy, grant me the grace to pray for them fervently, Seeking their redemption and reconciliation.

Help me, Lord, to overcome any resentment or bitterness, Replacing it with Your divine love and forgiveness. May Your Holy Spirit guide my thoughts and words, That they may reflect Your compassion and understanding.

Grant me the strength to love those who persecute me, To see them through Your eyes, as beloved children in need of Your grace. Fill my heart with empathy and kindness, That I may respond to their hostility with love and forgiveness.

Through my prayers and acts of love, May Your transformative power touch their lives, Softening their hearts and leading them to repentance. May Your love be a beacon of hope, radiating Your light in the darkest places.

As I seek to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Grant me the courage and perseverance to embrace this commandment. Help me to become an instrument of Your peace and reconciliation, Manifesting Your love in the world and drawing others closer to You.

In the name of Jesus, who prayed for His enemies on the cross, I offer this prayer, trusting in Your infinite mercy and love.

Amen.

Conclusion: As Catholics, we are called to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ. Praying for our enemies and loving those who persecute us may be difficult, but it is through these acts of radical love that we manifest the transformative power of God's grace. By embracing this commandment, we become agents of reconciliation, forgiveness, and love, reflecting the true essence of our faith. Let us, therefore, strive to embody Christ's teachings, trusting in the transformative power of prayer and love to bring about healing and redemption.

POWERFUL HEALING PRAYER BY SAINT PADRE PIO

What are the Graces We Would Receive From Our Lady By Praying the Three Hail Marys Daily ?

 

Promote the Practice of the Three Hail Marys Morning and Night 

St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn lived in the Thirteenth century and was the novice mistress of St. Gertrude the great -- one of the first great Mystics of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Once, St. Mechtilde beseeched Our Lady for her special help at the hour of death. Our Lady answered; "Yes, I promise you that; but you must recite each day three Hail Marys.

By the first, address yourself to God the Father, who in His sovereign power, exalted my soul... and ask Him that I be present at the hour of your death to comfort you and to chase away all the powers of the enemy. 

By the second, address your self to God the Son, who in His unsearchable  Wisdom, endowed Me with such knowledge and understanding as to unable me to enjoy the most Holy Trinity by the knowledge superior to that of all the other Saints. you will also ask Him... to fill your soul, at the hour of death, with lights of faith and knowledge, protecting you from all ignorance and error. 

By the third, address yourself to God the Holy Ghost, who inundated me with his love... and you will ask Him that I be present at the hour of your death, to pour out on you the sweetness of Divine love. Thus you will triumph over the sorrows and the bitterness of death, until you see them transformed into the sweetness of every joy."

Other Saints 

St. Anthony also preached the devotion of the Three Hail Marys, encouraging souls to say it in honour of Mary's Immaculate purity. 

St. Leonard of Port Maurice did the same, adding that it should be said morning and night, to avoid all mortal sins. 

But St. Alphonsus Ligouri gave the greatest encouragement to this devotion in The Glories of Mary. Following him Redemptorist Missionaries often concluded their Missions encouraging souls to pray the Three Hail Marys for the grace of Purity, a good confession, and the help of Mary at the hour of death. 

Source: Knight of the Immaculata 

THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL, AN ENEMY THAT NEVER LEAVES US - A Summary of Don Bosco Sermon

John Melchior Bosco, SDB, popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Catholic priest, educator, writer and saint of the 19th century. Wikipedia

Born: August 16, 1815, Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Italy

Died: January 31, 1888, Turin, Italy

Parents: Margherita Occhiena, Francesco Bosco

Siblings: Antonio Bosco, Giuseppe Bosco

Attributes: Cassock, Biretta

Canonized: 1 April 1934, Rome by Pius XI

Feast: 31 January

 AN ENEMY THAT NEVER LEAVES US

On September 21, 1868, Don Bosco preached the second retreat to the Salesians but a summary of only two sermons have reached us. Here they are:

SUMMARY OF THE FIRST SERMON

"We have a great enemy who never leaves us alone night and day, our own body. We must resist it, lest it rebel; we must mortify it to keep it under subjection. Of this Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us a most shining example throughout His entire life. He began HIs mission by a fast of forty days and forty nights; He endured fatigue on endless walking tours; He suffered thirst and hunger, spent long nights in prayer. By self-denial and prayer He taught us how to war against the body. One who does not mortify it can't even expect to be able to pray properly. All the blessed in heaven and all good priests have followed or are following Christ's example.

The body is the oppressor of the soul. St. Augustine thus explains this spirit of rebellion: "The disobedient man finds punishment within himself in the rebellion of his own member. The soul, however, must prevail and the body must be enslaved. Left free to give itself to intemperance and vice, the body turns man into a mere animal.

Jesus Christ declared: "Unless you do penance, you shall all likewise perish." (St. Lk. 13,5). To show us how to tame this enemy, Our Lord kept repeating: "Who ever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps." (St. Lk. 9, 23).

Those attached to this earth and its comforts and pleasures must keep in mind what awaits their bodies. This body of ours, so pampered, will soon feed most loathsome worms. Away with vanities, ambitions, and self indulgence.

Observe the Friday fast; endure heat, cold, illness, and deprivations. Travel only when necessary. Through these little mortifications we shall be more fervent in prayers and victorious over temptations.

SUMMARY OF THE SECOND SERMON OF DON BOSCO

Meditation is mental prayer. We should ask Him for the graces we need and in true sorrow and tears beg His pardon for our sins. Let us always remember that God is our Father and we are His sons... Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. "Our most sweet Lord Jesus Christ is there in person," the Cure of Ars used to exclaim. If time is limited, let us at least kneel before the tabernacle and say an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. This alone will steel us against temptations. I assure you that the man of faith who visits the Blessed Sacrament and makes a daily meditation with sincerity of heart will not fall into sin. I urge spiritual reading, especially to those who need a book to meditate. Let us read a passage and reflect on it to discover what needs correcting in our lives.

If possible, make your spiritual reading and your visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Remember to say the rosary daily. How grateful we should be to the Blessed Virgin who has so many graces in store for us!

Go to confession every week, even if you have nothing serious to confess. It is a pleasing act of humility to God because it re-awakens our remorse for sins already forgiven; it makes us realized how imperfect the small faults of every day make us.

Never throw back in someone's face his past offences, especially if he has been forgiven. Rather, do your best to show greater affection than before, and forget the past.

Let each of us put his conscience in order and be ready for death at any moment.

SOURCE : Don Bosco and the Priesthood

What is the meaning of human suffering? By Fr. Socrates B. Villegas

 SUFFERING HAS MEANING

Fr. Socrates B. Villegas 

A "masochist" is defined as a person who takes pleasure in their own pain. A "sadist" is one who takes pleasure in the pain of another.

If you hear the Beatitudes of our Lord for the first time, it might strike you that a Christian seems to have no other destiny but to be a masochist, in the sense that the Christian is being asked to take pleasure in their sufferings.

 

However, that is not the point of the Beatitudes. God is not asking us to find happiness in suffering, nor is He asking us to enjoy pain. Instead, God is asking us to find meaning in pain. This is a completely different issue. We are being asked to discover the meaning of human suffering. Thus, pain is no longer pain because it has been given meaning and purpose.

What is the meaning of human suffering? There are two things: 

First, human suffering brings us into communion with the sufferings of Christ; 

Second, human suffering brings us into communion with the suffering of others. When you suffer, you also remember "hindi ka nag-iisa" (you are not alone). You might think that your suffering is greater than that of others, but you must also remember that there are many other people who suffer more than you do. 

If you have lost a leg and you are brooding over it, please remember those who have lost their legs and arms. There will always be people whose suffering is greater than ours; we remember them and we express communion and solidarity with them. If you cannot find somebody who is suffering more than you, you will certainly find that Christ suffered more than all of us.

Pain is not there to be sought. Human suffering is not to be pursued. What God is asking us to do is to put meaning in the pain and suffering that we are experiencing. When the meaning is there, suffering is no longer a puzzle. Suffering has been conquered by the power of God.

Let us lift up to the Lord in sacrifice all our pains and sufferings. Perhaps they are too great to be shared with our trusted friends and loved ones. Let us ask the Lord to show us the meaning in everything that we have to undergo.

POWERFUL HEALING PRAYER BY SAINT PADRE PIO

A POWERFUL HEALING PRAYER By PADRE PIO

Born in 1887 in the small farming town of Pietrelcina (Italy), Padre Pio, whose real name was Francesco Forgione, is quite famous all over the world for all the miracles and healing linked to him.

This prayer was written by St. Padre Pio himself. We are told that he believed that many people got healed through this prayer. You can say it for yourself or anyone else that needs healing. Please say this prayer trusting in God’s love for you. He always answers our prayers. Let Him take care of you and you will be healed. Padre Pio Feast Day is on 23 September.

WHY DOES THE PRIEST GIVE US A PENANCE AFTER CONFESSION ?

WHY DOES THE PRIEST GIVE US A PENANCE AFTER CONFESSION ?

The priest give us a penance after confession, that we may make some atonement to God for our sins, receive help to avoid them in the future,, and make some satisfaction for the temporal punishment due to them.
1. The penance is satisfaction for sin, some penitential work imposed by the priest as a reparation to God for the offense offered to Him by sin.
In earl days of the Church, public or canonical penance was imposed for public sins. One who apostatized for fear had to do penance for seven years, during which time he was excluded from Holy Communion, and was required to fast on certain days.
2. Justice requires that an injury done to another should be repaired. One who steals must restore the stolen property. God forgave Adam's sin, but his penance lasted his whole life. In the same way our guilt is forgiven in confession, but we must make satisfaction for our sins. Our eternal punishment is forgiven, but not our temporal punishment.
Temporal punishment is the punishment or penance that we have to suffer for our sins either here on earth or in Purgatory.
One who breaks the civil law is not let off even if he is sorry. He is given a penalty imposed by the judge. How much more should the priest, the spiritual judge, impose a penalty or penance to satisfy for the offense offered to God when we commit sin!
3. Today the most common form of satisfaction is the saying of certain prayers imposed. If the sin calls for material reparation, restoration of property or a public apology is also sometimes imposed.
One should not complain if the penance given by the confessor is more than other confessors usually impose. One should instead thank God for the opportunity to make some satisfaction here on earth, thus shortening his purgatory.
4. If the penance consists of prayers, we should say it if possible as soon as we leave the confessional. It is wrong to put off the performance of a penance too long. One who intentionally omits the penance commits sin, although the sin that were forgiven do not return. To omit a penance for venial sins, would be a venial sin; a serious penance for mortal sins, would be grievous.

 
Source: My Catholic Faith

Prayer to Our Lady, Queen of Angels

THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PRAYER

[Please Read]

The faithful are asked to say this prayer frequently and fervently. It is of great importance given the following remarkable background:

[1] The prayer was dictated by the Blessed Mother herself to the holy and venerable priest, Fr. Louis–Édouard Cestac, on January 13, 1863 as a means to combat the powers of Hell.

[2] An exorcism prayer in itself, this is a formidable prayer for “spiritual battle” especially needed for our times when the ravages caused by the fallen angels are everywhere conspicuous and unrelenting.

[3] It is a prayer approved by the Church: It was recommended to the faithful by Pope Pius IX, and later indulgenced by both Popes Leo XIII and Pius X.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY, QUEEN OF ANGELS

[ August Queen of Heaven Prayer ]
An Indulgence of 500 days.
(S. C. Ind., July 8, 1908; S. P. Ap., Mar. 28, 1935)

O, August Queen and our Lady of Angels,

who received from God the power and mission of crushing the head of Satan,

we humbly beg you to send us heavenly legions,

with Saint Michael the Archangel as head

so that under your orders they may chase the demons,

combat them everywhere,

repress their boldness,

and drive them back into the abyss.

“Who is like God?”

O good and tender Mother,

you shall always be our love and our hope.

O Divine Mother, send your holy angels to defend us,

and to drive away from us the cruel enemy.

Holy angels and archangels, defend us and guard us.

Amen.