SAINT MOTHER TERESA AND THE BAKER

MOTHER TERESA AND THE BAKER

There is a story told about Mother Teresa and a baker. Not sure whether it's true or not, but it's definitely worth a read 

Mother Teresa entered the baker's shop.

She asks for bread to feed the orphan children.

When she extended her hand asking for charity,

The baker spat in her hand!

Mother Teresa put her hand to her chest and said: I will keep this for myself.

Then she extended her other hand and said:

Now give me some bread to feed my children.

The baker was amazed at her great kindness.

He became the main bread donor for Mother Teresa's orphanage.

Make the love in you be stronger than the abuse that comes to you.

God will compensate you for every pain you experienced with great joy.

PROMISES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THOSE WHO VISIT HIM IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

PROMISES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 

           TO THOSE WHO VISIT HIM 

        IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

               Given To Catalina Rivas

           With Ecclesiastical Approval

1. I promise the Soul to visit me frequently in the Blessed Sacrament that I will receive such soul affectionately along with all the Blessed and Angels of Heaven; that each visit of yours will be inscribed in the Book of his Life and grant him:

2. All petitions to be presented before the altar of God in favor of the Church, the Pope and the Consecrated Souls.

3. Cancellation of Satan's power over your person and loved ones.

4. Special protection in case of earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters that would otherwise affect it.

5. She will be lovingly cut off from the world and its attractions, which are cause of doom.

6. The elevation of the Soul, wishing to reach SANCTIFICATION, in visits to the contemplation of My Face.

7. Relief from the purgatory pains of your loved ones.

8. My Blessing for all material and spiritual projects you undertake, if it is for the sake of your own Soul.

9. Receive My visit, in the company of My Mother, at the time of death.

10. *Listening and attending to the needs of the people he asks for.*

11. The intersection of Saints and Angels at the hour of death, to reduce the temporary sentence.

12. May My Love arouse holy callings consecrated to GOD among your loved ones and friends.

13. The Soul that keeps true devotion to My presence in the Eucharist will not be condemned, you will not die without the sacraments of the Church.

14. To the priests and religious who spread devotion to worship, I grant you many special thanks, the total acknowledgement of your sins and the grace to repent.

15. I will help you form faithful devout communities and Saints and achieve many privileges.

16. I promise these things to all people, with only two conditions; which are the fruit of genuine love towards My Royal presence in the Eucharist, and which are absolutely indispensable to make reality in their lives my promises.

I. LET THEM FIGHT TO PRESERVE DIGNITY ON MY ALTARS.

II. BE MERCIFUL TO YOUR NEIGHBOR.

Oh our Eucharistic Jesus, inflame my soul with Your love 💕

THE SAINT BENEDICT MEDAL : SPIRITUAL WEAPON

SPIRITUAL WEAPONS: THE ST. BENEDICT MEDAL

In Scripture, St. Peter tells us to be sober and watchful because, “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is real, and he wants to destroy you and me through any means possible. That’s why it’s so important that we fight back with the spiritual weapons of prayer and faith.

One of the powerful weapons in spiritual combat is the St. Benedict medal. Honored and employed for centuries, this medal has been associated with many miracles, as well as with powers of exorcism.

Origins

The exact origins of the St. Benedict medal are uncertain, although it is said that the first medal was worn by the 11th century Pope, Leo IX, who attributed his miraculous recovery from a snake bite to it. St. Benedict medals of various types have been in use ever since, but the medal in its current form, known as the Jubilee medal, was not struck until 1880, when it was created to honor the 1,400th anniversary of St. Benedict’s birth.

Meaning

The St. Benedict medal is rich in meaning. The front contains an image of St. Benedict holding a cross and his famous monastic rule. On his left and right are words meaning, “The cross of our holy father, St. Benedict.” The outer edge contains the words in Latin, “May we at our death be fortified by his presence.”

The back of the medal is even more interesting. It contains a series of initials that stand for a Latin exorcism prayer, as well as a prayer for guidance.

Emblazoned on the prominently placed cross are the letters C S S M L – N D S M D, which stand for the Latin prayer:

Crux sacra sit mihi lux!

Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!

Translated, it means:

The Holy Cross be my light;

Let not the dragon be my guide.

Surrounding the outer rim of the back are the letters V R S N S M V – S M Q L I V B. These letters stand for an exorcism prayer based on an incident from St. Benedict’s life.

After St. Benedict had been a hermit for three years, and his reputation for holiness had spread far and wide, he was asked by a group of monks to be their abbot. St. Benedict agreed, but some rebellious monks in the community really disliked this idea, and they decided to kill St. Benedict by poisoning his bread and wine. As St. Benedict made the sign of the cross over his food, as was his custom, he immediately knew that they had been poisoned. He threw the wine on the ground, saying:

Vade retro Satana!

Nunquam suade mihi vana!

Sunt mala quae libas.

Ipse venena bibas!

This means:

Begone, Satan,

Do not suggest to me thy vanities!

Evil are the things thou offerest,

Drink thou thy own poison!

It is this prayer that is represented by the initials surrounding the back of the medal.

Use

Necklaces-Benedict-Antinque-Blue-Gold-1B_8St. Benedict medals are used in many ways, but always as a protection against evil. Some people bury them in the foundations of new buildings to keep them free from evil influences, while others attach them to rosaries or hang them on the wall in their homes. But the most common way to use the St. Benedict medal is to wear it. The medal can be worn by itself or embedded in a crucifix, like the one pictured.

Regardless of how it is used, the medal should always be blessed using the prayer found here. While, in former times, only Benedictines could bless the medal, now any priest can.

If you don’t own a St. Benedict medal, I highly recommend you get one. It’s basic protection, like the bullet proof vest of sacramentals!

Myth: Catholics Dont Know the Bible Well

 

The statement that "Catholics don't know the Bible well" is a myth and not an accurate portrayal of the Catholic Church or its followers. While it is true that some individuals within any religious group may have varying levels of familiarity with religious texts, it is unfair and inaccurate to generalize this to an entire religious community.

In reality, the Catholic Church places great importance on the Bible as a central source of spiritual guidance and revelation. Catholic worship includes regular Scripture readings during Mass, and the Church encourages its members to engage in personal Bible study and reflection. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which serves as a comprehensive guide to Catholic beliefs, frequently references and quotes Scripture.

Furthermore, the Catholic Church has a long and rich tradition of biblical scholarship. Many renowned theologians, scholars, and saints within the Catholic tradition have dedicated their lives to studying and interpreting the Bible. The Church has also produced numerous translations, commentaries, and resources to aid in the understanding of Scripture.

Additionally, Catholic education, particularly in seminaries and religious formation programs, emphasizes the study of Scripture. Priests, deacons, and religious educators undergo extensive training in biblical studies, enabling them to share the teachings of the Bible with the faithful.

It is essential to recognize that the Catholic Church values the Bible and encourages its members to engage with it in their spiritual journey. While individuals may vary in their level of familiarity with the Bible, it is inaccurate to assume that Catholics as a whole do not know the Bible well.

CONSECRATION PRAYER TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST-PRAY DAILY DURING THE MONTH OF JULY

 

FEAST OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: JULY 1st (also the Month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus)

CONSECRATION PRAYER TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

 Being Conscious, O'merciful Savior, of my nothingness and of Thy sublimity, I cast myself at Thy feet and thank Thee for the many proofs of Thy grace shown unto me, Thy ungrateful creature. I thank Thee especially for delivering me by Thy Precious Blood from the destructive power of Satan. In the presence of my dear Mother Mary, my guardian angel, my patron saint, and of the whole company of heaven, I dedicate myself voluntarily with a sincere heart, O dearest Jesus, to Thy Precious Blood, by which Thou hast redeemed the world from sin, death, and hell. I promise Thee, with the help of Thy grace and to the utmost of my strength to stir up and foster devotion to Thy Precious Blood, the price of our redemption, so that Thy adorable Blood may be honored and glorified by all. In this way, I wish to make reparation for my disloyalty towards Thy Precious Blood of love, and to make satisfaction to Thee for the many profanations which men commit against that precious price of their salvation. O would that my own sins, my coldness, and all the acts of disrespect I have ever committed against Thee, O Holy Precious Blood, could be undone. Behold, O dearest Jesus, I offer to Thee the love, honor, and adoration, which Thy most Holy Mother, Thy faithful disciples, and all the saints have offered to Thy Precious Blood. I ask Thee to forget my earlier faithlessness and coldness and to forgive all who offend Thee. Sprinkle me, O Divine Savior, and all men with Thy Precious Blood, so that we, O Crucified Love, may love Thee from now on with all our hearts, and worthily honor the price of our salvation. Amen. We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen. Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory Be.... Precious Blood of Jesus, Save us! 

Saint Lutgarde and Her Devotion To The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

A LITTLE KNOWN DEVOTEE OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

St. Lutgarde was born in the 12th century and interestingly, did not have the pious start in life you often hear about with saints. In fact, the only reason she entered the Benedictine monastery was to avoid embarrassment when her dowry was accidentally squandered in a failed business deal. This left her ineligible for a proper marriage. To hide from the situation, she fled to the convent, which was considered a “dignified alternative.”

After living in the monastery for some time without any piety, she eventually began receiving visions of Jesus. At one point, Our Lord said He would grant her whatever she requested of Him and she asked for a better understanding of Latin. But later, she boldly asked Jesus for a different gift instead: His heart.

In a surprising turn of events from her start in life … St. Lutgarde became the first-known woman ever to receive the stigmata and was one of the very first promoters of devotion to the Sacred Heart.

She was even known to miraculously levitate, to fast heroically, and to speak with saints and souls in purgatory. Her story encourages the most lukewarm believer to take heart.

With her extraordinary experiences and forthright tenacity, St. Lutgarde is a powerhouse saint to lead us to Jesus and guide us to our longed-for destination: heaven. Here are some life lessons from the wise words of St. Lutgarde that will help make us holier:

St. Lutgarde asked, “Why did You give me such a grace, Lord? Now I hardly have any time to be alone with You! Take it away, please,” and she added, “only give me another grace, give me something better!'”

Jesus had lovingly offered to send St. Lutgarde any grace she requested. And St. Lutgarde had asked for an in-depth understanding of Latin so she could more thoroughly understand the inspiringly beautiful Latin music she sang each day.

Then God gave her the grace of healing even little sicknesses with merely the touch of her hand. Soon, she became inundated with visitors and she noticed it began to take her and the other nuns from time spent in prayer.

This is when she boldly asked Jesus to take away the previous graces and give her something better!

What an unexpected and powerful reminder that time to be alone with Jesus is something we should be willing to pray for and ultimately make time for, even if it means letting go of other good things in order to pursue that greatest good. The other good things will follow in God’s time and will.

Her feast day is June 16. And this coincides with the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this year 2023 which is the Friday after the Second Sunday of Pentecost.

Why not ask for the special intercession of this saint of the Sacred Heart on the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Source: Aleteia

The “Transubstantiation" Explained and a Prayer of Faith in the Divine Eucharist

 The “Transubstantiation” is the sacramental act by which the substance of the bread and wine is changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ. Under the consecrated species of bread and wine “CHRIST HIMSELF, LIVING AND GLORIOUS, IS PRESENT IN A TRUE, REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL MANNER: HIS BODY AND HIS BLOOD, WITH HIS SOUL AND HIS DIVINITY” (cf. Council of Trent: DS 1640; 1651).

—Catechism of the Catholic Church

A PRAYER OF FAITH IN THE DIVINE EUCHARIST

I BELIEVE IN MY HEART and openly profess that the bread and wine which are placed upon the altar are by the mystery of the sacred Prayer and the Words of the Redeemer substantially changed into the TRUE and LIFE-GIVING FLESH and BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST Our Lord and after the Consecration, there is present the true Body of CHRIST which was born of the Virgin Mary and offered up for the salvation of the world, hung upon the Cross, and now sits at the right hand of the FATHER and there is present the true Blood of CHRIST which flowed from his side. They are present not only by means of a sign and of the efficacy of the Sacrament, but also in the very reality and truth of their nature and substance. Amen.

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