30 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord: day 9

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate. Amen.

Prayer to the Precious Blood

Most Precious Blood of Life Eternal, price of sinful man's redemption, by whose saving streams the thirst of souls is quenched, and their stains are washed away, Thou Who dost plead the cause of man before the throne of infinite mercy, from the depths of my heart I adore Thee and desire, as much as lies in my power, to make atonement for the injuries and insults that are constantly offered Thee by mankind, and especially by those who rashly dare to blaspheme Thee. Who will not bless and praise this Blood of infinite value? Whose soul would not be inspired with love for Jesus Who shed It all for us? What would be my fate, had I not been redeemed by this Divine Blood? And what drew Thee from the veins of my Saviour even to the last drop? It was love! O boundless love, which has given us this saving balm! O priceless balm, welling from the fount of immeasurable love! Grant that all hearts and tongues may praise Thee, magnify Thee, and give Thee thanks, now and throughout all ages. Amen.
 

29 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood: Day 8

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate. Amen.

O Jesus Christ, I acknowledge you as universal King. All that has been made has been created for You. Exercise all Your rights over me. I renew my Baptismal Vows. I renounce Satan, his pomps and his works; I promise to live as a good Christian. And, in particular do I pledge myself to labor, to the best of my ability, for the triumph of the rights of God and of Your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, to You do I offer my poor services, laboring that all hearts may acknowledge Your sacred kingship, and that thus the reign of Your peace be established throughout the whole universe. Amen. 

Happy Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul!

28 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord: Day 7

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate. Amen.

A story from the life of Saint Gemma follows. It is very timely for the situation we find ourselves in living amidst a secular culture. Let us take her example:

She was always praying for sinners, and often said to me: “You ought to pray for them also, because if you save a soul you will go to heaven.”My nephew Anthony who used to be at the Giannini Pharmacy found out that the water woman who brought water to our house was living in sin with a certain man. He therefore wanted to dismiss her there and then, but spoke of the matter only to Gemma and me. “Let me speak to her,”Gemma said . . “Why send her away without giving her time to reflect? Jesus did not send Mary Magdalen away, but received her kindly."

27 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus: day 6

Memorare to Our Lady of the Precious Blood

REMEMBER, O Lady of the Precious Blood, the sorrowful Sheddings of the Blood of thy Jesus and the most bitter tears thou didst mingle with His Redeeming Blood. In the name of the Blood of the Victim of Reparation and of thy holy tears; in the name of the seven swords which pierced thy heart, by which thou didst become the Mediatrix of all graces for the human race and the Queen of Martyrs, have pity on my soul and on all its miseries; have pity on sinners and on the innocent souls they seek to pervert; have pity on the poor, the sick, the infirm, on all their sufferings, both physical and moral; have pity on the agonizing, especially upon those who, except for thine intercession, would leave this world without being purified in the Blood of the Lamb.

It is by the Blood of thy Dying Son, by His inexpressible Sufferings, by His last plea to His Father in favor of mankind, by His ignominious Death and by the perpetuation of His Sacrifice on Catholic Altars, that I beg thee not to reject my supplications, but graciously to hear them. Amen.

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate.

Amen.

26 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood: Day 5

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate.

Amen.

REMEMBER O BELOVED JESUS
  

Remember, O Beloved Jesus,
Who for the love of me didst agonize on the Cross,
and from that throne of truth didst announce the
completion of the work of our Redemption, through which,
from being the children of wrath and perdition,
we are become the children of God and the heirs of Heaven:

Have mercy on all the faithful in their agony,
and on me also when I shall be in that extremity,
and, through the merits of Thy Precious Blood,
detach us entirely from the world and from ourselves,
and at the moment of our agony give us grace
sincerely to offer Thee the sacrifice of our life
in expiation for our sins. Amen.

25 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord: Day 4

O most gracious Jesus, Redeemer and Saviour of the whole human race, I recall to Thy mind with gratitude and love all the sorrow and anxiety which Thou, my Creator and my God, didst feel in Thine agony, when Thou didst pray yet longer, and didst bedew the earth with the sweat of Blood, wrung from Thee by Thine exceeding anguish, desire and love, beseeching Thee by all and each of those most sacred drops, all which I here  offer Thee with devout affection, that Thou wouldst wash away all the stains of my sins. I recall to Thy mind Thy being unjustly bound with heavy chains, Thy innumerable stripes and blows, and all the contumely and the blasphemy wherewith Thou wast assailed, when all proclaimed Thee a deceiver of the people; when Thou wast falsely accused before Pilate, ignominiously mocked by Herod, and set aside for an impious robber; and when all the whole multitude clamorously demanded that Thou shouldst be crucified. All this Thou didst endure with such love and such patience that although Thou couldst by one look have appalled Thine adversaries, and with one word convicted the false witnesses against Thee, yet Thou didst submit to be led like a sheep to the slaughter, and stand before Thy judge with Thy head bowed in humility, Thine eyes fixed on the ground, not once opening Thy mouth to speak one word of complaint at the lying accusations brought against Thee. Wherefore I give Thee thanks on behalf of all mankind, and offer Thee all the outrages and insults heaped on Thee, in satisfaction for all the insults I have offered Thee by my sins. I give Thee thanks also and I recall to Thy mind Thy most cruel and excessive scourging, wherewith Thy whole body was so gashed and torn, that from the sole of Thy foot to the top of Thy head there was no soundness in Thee. I set forth now before Thee, likewise, that intolerable anguish Thou didst feel when the crown of thorns was so harshly forced upon Thy kingly head, when the sharp thorns pierced Thy head and Thy brow, and were thrust into Thy brain, and Thy most gentle loving face, into which the Angels desire to look, was covered with slow trickling drops of Thy roseate Blood. O most pitiful Jesus, I now recall to Thy mind, the unutterable anguish which thrilled through Thy whole Body, when Thou wast fastened to the Cross with iron nails, when Thou wast lifted up on high on Thy cross, and blasphemed by the Jews, mocked in Thy thirst with vinegar and gall, and hung up between two robbers, as the refuse and off-scouring of all creatures. Lastly, O most gracious Jesus, I recall to Thy mind with gratitude and compassion all and each of the sorrows Thou didst feel throughout Thy whole most sacred Body and especially in Thy sweetest Heart, by reason of Thy foreknowledge that Thy most bitter, most shameful, most guiltless Passion would be of no avail to so many; and when Thy deified Heart itself broke with excessive love and grief, and Thy most holy soul quitted Thy blessed Body with an inconceivable pang! For all these, Thy sorrows, I give Thee infinite thanks; and through Thy sweetest Heart, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in behalf of, and with the love of all creatures, I offer Thee all Thy grief, and pain, and torment of Body and soul, throughout all the time of Thy Passion, for all the sins I have committed, for all the good I have left undone or done negligently, and to turn away all the punishment I have so justly deserved. Do Thou now vouchsafe to ratify and accept this my oblation and to absolve me from all my sins. Amen.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the adorable wounded Face of Jesus, through the intercession of Little Theresa, to obtain my request.*

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.


(here specify your request)


O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate.

Amen.

*www.catholictradition.org/Christ/jesus-suffering.htm

24 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood: day 3

Our Lord said to St. Mechtilde: "Behold, I make over to thee all the bitterness of My Passion, that thou mayest offer it to Me again as though it were thine own possession. And whoever shall do this, shall receive double at my hand, and whenever he renews this offering he shall surely receive the double; and this is that hundredfold which a man receives in this life, and in the world to come, life everlasting."

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate.

Amen.

23 June 2015, Novena to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord: Day 2

Novena prayer:

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate.

Amen.

 

In every need let me come to Thee with humble trust saying
Blood of Jesus, help me!
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations,  

Blood of Jesus, help me!
In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,
Blood of Jesus, help me!
In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles and sorrows,
Blood of Jesus, help me!
When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good come from my efforts,
Blood of Jesus, help me!
When others fail me, and Thy grace alone can assist me, 
Blood of Jesus, help me! 
When I throw myself on Thy tender love as my Father and Savior, 
Blood of Jesus, help me! 
When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me, 
Blood of Jesus, help me! 
When I am ill, and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, 
Blood of Jesus, help me! 
Always, always in spite of weakness, falls and shortcomings, of every kind,
Blood of Jesus, help me and never forsake me. 

22 June 2015, Novena to the Precious Blood: Day 1

Prayer to the Wounded Heart of Jesus

O my Most Loving and Gentle Jesus, I desire with all
the affections of my heart, that all beings created and
uncreated, should praise Thee, honor Thee and glorify
Thee eternally for that Sacred Wound wherewith Thy Divine side was rent.
I deposit, enclose, conceal in that
wound and in that opening in Thy Heart, my heart and
all my feelings, thoughts, desires, intentions and all the faculties of my soul.
I entreat Thee, by the Precious Blood and Water that flowed
from Thy Most Loving Heart, to take entire possession of me,
that Thou may guide me in all things.
Consume me in the burning fire of Thy Holy Love,
so that I may be so absorbed and transformed
into Thee that I may no longer be but one
with Thee. Amen.

Novena prayer: 

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus,
I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee.
Though Thou seemest to reject my supplications
I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me.
Too many graces, too many mercies
flow from Thy Blood for me not to hope in its efficacy.
Then, O Jesus,
by the Precious Blood
seven times shed for the welfare of all,
by each drop of that sacred price of our redemption,
by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother,
I implore Thee,
hear my earnest prayer.

(here specify your request)

O Jesus, during all the days of Thy mortal life
Thou didst console so many sufferers,
heal so many infirmities,
raise so often a sinking courage,
Thou wilst not fail to have pity
on one who cries to Thee from the depths of anguish.
Oh! No, it is impossible.
Another profound sigh from my heart,
and from the wound in Thy own
there will flow to me upon a wave
of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired.
O Jesus, Jesus,
hasten the moment when Thou wilst change my tears into joy,
my sighs into thanksgiving.
Holy Mary,
source of the divine Blood,
I implore thee not to lose this occasion
of glorifying the Blood which made thee Immaculate.
Amen.

Happy Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus!

 

The Divine Praises in reparation for blasphemies uttered against God:

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.

May the Heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

The Epistle from the Mass:

Epistle: Ephesians 3. 8-12, 14-19

Brethren: To me, the least of all the Saints, is given the grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, Who created all things: that the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the Church, according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord: in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom all paternity in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His Spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that being rooted and grounded in charity, you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth: to know also the charity of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge. That you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

The Postcommunion:

 Filled with the divine gifts of Thy Heart, Lord Jesus,
we pray that we may be found worthy
ever to abide in Thy love
and to grow therein unto the end.
Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Upon instituting the Feast on November 9, 1921, Pope Benedict XV wrote:

The chief reason of this feast is to commemorate the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the mystery of the Eucharist. By this means the Church wishes more and more to excite the faithful to approach this sacred mystery with confidence, and to inflame their hearts with that divine charity which consumed the Sacred Heart of Jesus when in His infinite love He instituted the Most Holy Eucharist, wherein the Divine Heart guards and loves them by living with them, as they live and abide in Him. For in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist He offers and gives Himself to us as victim, companion, nourishment, viaticum, and pledge of our future glory.*

*More can be found here concerning the Feast: http://vultus.stblogs.org/2010/06/feast-of-the-eucharistic-heart.html

First Saturday Pilgrimage: praying for the faithful departed

Today, I took the youth group to a country cemetery to pray for the repose of the soul of +Warren Reznicek and for the souls of all the faithful departed. May Our Lady in her clemency gather many souls from purgatory this First Saturday! 

In accord with Warren's customs, we also grabbed some Kolaces before departed the Czech corner of Nebraska, after grabbing the Church bulletin, of course!

Please pray for me today, I need to work through all the paperwork for applying for my Italian visa and finish my application to the school. God reward you for your prayers