Wednesday, December 31, 2008

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. [Henry James]

Tea Time magazine, an offshoot of Southern Lady magazine, features tea party recipes, table settings, etiquette, and tea room reviews.

Christmas Bargains

Therese taught me many years ago there are year round bargains to be had in the post Christmas sales, like the time she acquired full sets of red, gold, and white napkins for a song.

This year, I followed her example and ended up with a nice set of gold cocktail napkins for year round use... and these napkins and napkin rings for my Epiphany party. And Christ the King party. And St Edward's and any other martyred royalty party. You get the picture.

The Love of St John

Wine is traditionally blessed on St John's day, commemorating the destruction of a poisoned bottle when the evangelist made the sign of the cross over it. The blessing for St John's wine can be found in the Roman Ritual. Have an extra bottle blessed for any couples that will be married in the next year. Make tags with an appropriate Scripture verse; the pictured bottle's tag says: "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." [i Jn 4, 7]

Share the bottle of blessed wine, mulled if you like, among your friends and family. The leader raises his glass, and says, "I drink to you the love of St John"; the next person responds, "I thank you for the love of St John."

Christmas Treasures

A Set of Bride's Tree Ornaments (from a fellow Church Lady)
Heart: The importance of love in the newly formed home
House: Good family shelter
Flower basket: Abundant beauty in the home
Basket of Fruit: A Christian spirit of selfless giving
Teapot: Hospitality
Bird in a nest: Confidence and happiness in the home
Pine cone: Eternity
Animal: Peace with nature
Fish: Christ
Rose: The Virgin Mary
Church or angel: The importance of family worship of God
St Nicholas: Generosity
[From Catholic & Loving It: Traditions for a New Generation]


A lamb cake pan, to celebrate Christ, the Paschal Lamb at Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, St John the Baptist, St Perpetua & Felicity, St Agnes, and much more!




The TAN Saints Calendar:
Contains both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary liturgical year, feastdays and Sundays, and historical feasts Includes Catholic information such as the days of fast and abstinence, Ember Days and vigils. [product info]

Holy Toast:
The Holy Toast stamper is ideal for adding a touch of ecclesiastical elegance to snack time, and it's guaranteed to brighten up your breakfast, even if you decide to slop jelly all over it. After all, regular toast is about as visually interesting as the back of a pew. [product info]

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

O Emmanuel


O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.


Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Image: Monk by the Sea

Monday, December 22, 2008

O Rex Gentium

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Image: Christ the King

Sunday, December 21, 2008

O Oriens


O come, Thou Day-spring,
come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Image: Cross in the Mountains

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Even a custom like Christmas baking, apparently such an external activity, has its roots in the Church’s Advent liturgy, which makes its own the glorious words of the Old Testament in these days of the declining year: “In that day, the mountains will drip sweetness, and the rivers will flow with milk and honey.” People of old found in such words the embodiment of their hopes for a world redeemed. And once again, our ancestors celebrated Christmas as the day on which God truly came. When he comes at Christmas, he distributes his honey (so to speak).Truly, the earth must flow with this honey on that day: where he is present, all bitterness disappears, and there is harmony between heaven and earth, between God and man. The honey and the sweets are a sign of this peace, of concord and of joy.
[Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger]

CLOCHE tip: Rebecca Teti at Faith & Family Live

Image source: Margaret Mary's Gingerbread house

O Clavis David

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Image: King David in prayer

And I am slightly amused now by fans of Our Lady's University shaking their keys to open the third quarter in front of Touchdown Jesus. O Come Divine Messiah!

Friday, December 19, 2008

O Radix Jesse

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Image: Patriarch Jacob holding the genealogy of Christ

Thursday, December 18, 2008

O Adonai

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

Image: Moses on Mount Sinai

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Let the O Antiphons begin!

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Image: Raphael's The prophet Isaiah, San Agostino, Rome

Saturday, December 13, 2008

St Lucy

Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King;
they are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the King, the Lord.
[Ps 44, 15-16]

In solidarity with our Lutheran bretheren on a common feast, let us enjoy this stunning hymnody:
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness
At Thy speaking, it was done
For created light, we thank Thee
While Thine ordered seasons run
Alleluia, Alleluia, praise to Thee whose light doth send
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia without end

St Lucy Crown recipe

Celebrating St Lucy (via Catholic Culture)

Friday, December 12, 2008

My darling clementine


Some citrus facts to share:

According to legend, clementines [aka Christmas oranges] were bred by Fr Clement Rodier in Algeria [source]

This children's rhyme, depicted in the Edward Hamilton Bell print
Oranges and lemons",
say the bells of St. Clement's

"You owe me five farthings",
say the bells of St. Martin's

"When will you pay me?"
say the bells of Old Bailey

"When I grow rich",
say the bells of Shoreditch

"When will that be?"
say the bells of Stepney

"I do not know",
says the great bell of Bow
is the reason English chefs associate citrus dishes with St Clement [Cooking with the Saints]. I remember a beautiful picture book with these scenes depicted in oil paintings- does anyone else?

A half-and-half mixture of orange juice and bitter-lemon soda water is known as a St Clement's. [source]

image sources:
Hale Groves
art.com

Gift ideas for Father

A guest post from FrB

Obviously the gift will depend on how close a friend the recipient is, how much money you're willing to spend and whether or not you're pooling with a bunch of people.


Now, the obvious gift for an ordination is a vestment of some sort... If you know the ordinand's taste well then this can be a very much appreciated gift. If you don't mind it not being a surprise, then I'd strongly recommend you consult with the ordinand first. He may already have enough stoles, etc... or he might want one in a particular colour. It'd be annoying to receive 4 white stoles and to have to go out and buy a purple stole after ordination. Another nice gift for an ordinand to receive is a liturgical book. Again, consult with the recipient. A considerate priest-friend gave me 'Pastoral Care for the Sick' (the rite for Communion for the Sick, Viaticum, Anointing, etc...) when I was made a deacon and it's obviously something which I've used a huge amount. Likewise, my copy of The Order of Christian Funerals and The Rite of Penance were gifts, and I'm reminded of the donors when I use them. Fr Sean Finegan's 'Consecrations, Blessings and Prayers' is an excellent resource, and I think any priest would appreciate it. A gift token for a liturgical/theological bookshop might be appropriate too.


I wouldn't recommend getting a pyx. I got one when I was ordained deacon, and another 4 or 5 when I was ordained priest. I think most newly ordained priests probably have several pyxes. Anyway, liturgical gifts are ideal... practical and very meaningful, but I'd strongly recommend consulting the recipient first. Newly ordained priests also probably receive enough nice pens to last them a lifetime.


Moving away from the liturgical, probably the most practical gift I received in my first year of ministry was the GPS my brother gave me. Parish ministry involves a lot of driving, sometimes in unfamiliar areas, and there are lots of addresses to remember. Other useful bits and pieces that I've received - black shoulder bag suitable for an alb and stole, leather folder for documents and a number of pieces of art to decorate my rooms in the parochial house. In terms of clothing, a warm cap, gloves or scarf might be appreciated by a priest for the winter.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

After our own hearts


An essential accessory for your favorite teapot and the ultimate in homely comfort: tea cozies are a feel-good and fun way to enjoy tea! With many quirky examples to knit and crochet, culled from the pages of Knitting magazine, your teapot can be the talk of the town. The easy projects are accompanied by detailed patterns and instructions for how to create your own delightful cozies, and many of the suggestion can be made with spare bits of yarn lying around the home. Whatever your taste there will be something here to tempt you. From the classic rustic charm of a delightfully striped cozy to contemporary chic with a touch of kitsch (try the woolly sheep!), the world of tea cozies is just waiting to be discovered! [Available via Amazon]

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

40 Days for Life Fall 2008 Report

Watch this short video for a really inspirational summary of God's amazing work done via the recent 40 Days for Life campaign.

Adblock


Thanks to Creative Minority Report for reporting on this!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Give Us This Day...


If that's not an espresso bar/coffee & tea store name worthy of Church Ladies, I don't know what its.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Patron Saints 2009


It's time again for the most popular Church Lady annual event, the distribution of patron saints for the new liturgical year.

On the first of January a new calendar year begins. On the first Sunday of Advent the new year of the Church begins. Therefore, the Saturday preceding the first Advent Sunday has something of the character of a New Year’s Eve. One of the old customs is to choose a patron saint for the new year of the Church.
[Maria Trapp, Around the Year with the Trapp Family]

In keeping with the year of St Paul, this year's saints include the Apostle and his companions. I hope you enjoy learning more about your new patron by reading Acts and the Pauline epistles and looking at images of St Paul in art.

UPDATE: Email me at sanctalucia(at)gmail(dot)com to receive your new patron.

Happy 2009!

Image: Paul & Barnabas at Lystra

Confirmation

I have been asked to serve as a confirmation sponsor for a fellow Christian who will be received into the Church in a few weeks, making his First Communion and being confirmed. I am looking forward to sharing his faith journey.

Naturally, this occasion will be commemorated with a little gathering. I am thinking of incorporating a few of the Corpus Christi and Pentecost traditions (candles, scattered red rose petals to symbolize the tongues of fire, serving something that flew- chicken hotdish counts) in my decoration and menu.

However, I have to admit, I am a bit stumped for a gift. The confirmandee has an academic background and is well stocked with books and literature. One idea I was throwing around was a Nativity set- do you have any others?

Image source: Catholic Child's Picture Dictionary

Christmas Prayer


Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O My God, to hear my prayers and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Blessed Mother. Amen.

This prayer is recited 15 times a day from the feast of St Andrew until Christmas.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Is there a new baby on the way among your family and friends?

Consider a knitting or crocheting a unique family treasure- a christening blanket that can be used for every new baby.

If you're new to the knitting game (as this Church Lady is), don't be scared off by complicated blanket patterns with 40 line repeats. Just settle in with Barbara Walker for a bit and pick out one of her simple lace motifs, some of which are only 2-4 line repeats. A fan/shell pattern will yield beautifully scalloped edges, looking far more complicated than it really is.

Happy knitting!

top image source: Catholic Children's Picture Dictionary
bottom image source

PS. Say what you will about Jackie, but she had terrific style.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

What to give a priest


Check out Fr. Z's post and others' comments for ideas for priest's gifts. There are also some sewing tips in the combox.

Here are some excerpts:

-If you know anything at all about your priests, gift cards for shops appropriate to their needs or interests would be very welcome. That doesn’t mean that a group of people couldn’t pool their resources to get, for example, vestments or some other things priests may appreciate. But if you are simply trying to make a nice gesture and have no idea what to do, and you think cash is too "crass", the gift cards are handy.

-It is generally not a good idea to give a priest a vestment or chalice... The missions are filled with lesser quality vessels and vestments that were either given to priests or donated to parishes in memory of a loved one. I remember that the last parish I served in had 4 (not kidding) plain, polyester Rose chasubles that people had donated over the years because they wanted to give something “unique.”

-The past few years I have been giving my priest and deacons prepaid gas cards..sure helps with the considerable traveling they have to do.

The Church Ladies suggest don't overlook making Father something, such as a nice black sweater. Check out Ravelry for ideas. We also remind you of our well received gift basket of years past.

[image source]

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Episcopal Entertaining

The next time you find yourself entertaining the hierarchy- or want a POD touch to your dinner celebration of a bishop saint, like today's Charles Borromeo, or this Sunday's feast of the dedication of the Lateran, the site of the Holy Father's cathedra, consider folding your napkins into a bishop's mitre.

With lappets (the tails)

















(image source)

A simplex version







Knitting Madonna


Detail of Master Bertram's The Visit of the Angels, depicting the Madonna knitting in the round.
[image source]

Monday, November 3, 2008

Day Nine - November 4

Patroness of the Americas, pray for us!

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.


GO VOTE!

A few predictions by the Anchoress

Here’s what I expect to happen over the next 24 hours:

1)The press and the Obama trolls will use psy-ops to try to discourage your vote. That’s another no-brainer, but remember it. Remember it and VOTE. Vote if it’s raining, vote if it’s snowing. Vote if you feel crappy. Vote if you’re hearing talking heads proclaim “the most historic landslide in all of human history.” Tonight you’re going to hear - if you bother to tune in, and I wouldn’t - the gasbags on the boob tube announcing, “this election is over…” After all this time, you should know hype when you hear it, you should know, by now, that the press lies. Ignore all of that and GO VOTE. Even if eleventy billion vote the other way, get your own voice heard and on the record. Take someone else with you when you vote; encourage everyone you know to vote. Vote, vote, vote.
See her site for the other four predictions including a link to some very interesting insights about the nature of polling.


Day Eight

The Virgin of Lepanto


Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

God's busy work

LORETTO, MN—Although you won't see her speaking from the pulpit or spreading God's word to the masses, St. Augustine Catholic Church parishioner Betty Salas, 46, sacrifices both her time and energy to complete the many mundane tasks the Lord has asked her to take off His plate.


Betty Salas lets the good Lord work through her to organize the church library.


"At a very young age, I felt the call to do God's busy work," said Salas, spiritually fulfilled from a long afternoon spent photocopying hymn lyrics for Sunday's mass and changing the bulletin board's decorative seasonal border. "I am just a vessel through which He cleans the church Tupperware."


When she was only 8 years old, Salas said she heard the voice of God call out to her from on high, rattling off a few things He needed done before the Sabbath. Salas took up her heavenly Father's holy to-do list as her own personal calling, devoting her life to refilling the holy-water containers and picking up the priests' vestments from the dry cleaners.


After reaching her 30s, Salas became more dedicated to her spiritual puttering, and began not only replacing the prayer candles, but also ordering the new prayer candles, and emptying and cleaning the prayer candle donation box.


"The Lord hath spoken to me, and He hath said, 'The lightbulb in the rectory needs changing,'" Salas said.


Today, the veteran church bulletin copyeditor continues to be a model of religious commitment as she heeds the call of her swamped Savior.


"The Lord is my shepherd, and I will not question His infinite wisdom or bother Him with the details of who's bringing what to the Palm Sunday spaghetti supper," Salas said. "He has brought me forth from the darkness to the promise of eternal life, and the least I can do is refill the offering envelopes."


"And DustBuster the pews, and sharpen the tiny pencils we hand out during the annual Bishop's Appeal, and make sure all the youth group permission slips are turned in on time," Salas added. "Phew! Lord, give me the strength to do thy tedious errands!"


But even after devoting nearly four decades of her life to lightening the Almighty's load, Salas shows no signs of slowing down.


"God has a divine plan for all of us," said Salas, carefully straightening an errant letter "E" on the roadside sign announcing the day's services. "And besides, if I don't polish the chalices, who will? Ramona's sure as #$%^ not going to."


The Almighty God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, was unavailable for comment, as he was reportedly "up to [His] eyeballs" in drowning Bangladeshis. [Full Article]

Day Seven - November 2

The Battle of Lepanto by Anonymer Maler
Image source

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and your forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Day Six - November 1

Image source

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Day Five - October 31

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Fulton Sheen would be proud

So would Saint Maximillian Kolbe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh_81zsW6U8

Thank you to all the bishops who have spoken up with clear and correct teaching on the issues of this election!

Day Four - October 30

Vatican Fresco of the Battle of Lepanto
Image source

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.