Preparing for the Feast of the Archangels on September 29th 2018

Today in prayer of the Rosary I was reminded of the upcoming Feast of the Archangels which has always been a day of grace for the Children's Rosary. For my own part, as founder of the Children's Rosary, I have a special devotion to St. Michael and the Angels. The Chaplet of St. Michael is one of my favorite prayers. For years this is what I prayed as I walked to daily Mass. I ceased doing this only because of my joint problems in my hands that seemed to worsen holding a prayer book while I walked. In thinking about the feast, I was reminded of a gift we received 5 years ago on the Feast of the Archangels. On September 29th 2013 an interview aired on EWTN about the Children's Rosary. This was the first mention of the Children's Rosary on EWTN. By the grace of God many other interviews have followed as well as the regular airing of the Children's Rosary on EWTN. Yet that first interview was special and there has yet to be another one that has seemed to touch hearts in quite the same way. 

In anticipation of September 29th 2018, the Feast of the Archangels, I would like to begin a 9 day Novena (September 20-29th) which will include the daily prayer of the Chaplet of St. Michael. Humbly I invite others including members of the Children's Rosary to join in praying the Novena.

The intention of the Novena:
May St. Michael and the Archangels as well as all the choirs of angels:
*Help to protect the Children's Rosary including all the members. 
*Help to spread the Children's Rosary throughout the world. 
*Help to support, guide and strengthen the members of the Children's Rosary, that we may be the extended hands of Jesus and Mary in this world.

This 9 day novena will help to prayerfully prepare us for the annual 9 Day Novena of Prayer and Fasting that has become a tradition for the Children's Rosary. This will begin on September 29th and end on October 7th (the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary). 

We will also have an exciting announcement on September 29th in honor of the Angels.

Chaplet of St. Michael

The Chaplet is begun by saying an Act of Contrition(see at bottom of page for prayer) followed by:

V. O God come to my assistance.

R. O Lord, Make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father...

First Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the first Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make me worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.

Second Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the second Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim, may the Lord vouchsafe to grant us grace to leave the ways of wickedness and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.

Third Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the third Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.

Fourth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the fourth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and subdue our unruly passions. Amen.

Fifth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the fifth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord vouchsafe to protect our souls against the snares and temptation of the devil. Amen.

Sixth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the sixth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil, and suffer us not to fall into temptation. Amen.

Seventh Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the seventh Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

Eighth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the eighth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works, in order that we gain the glory of Paradise. Amen.

Ninth Salutation: One our Father and three Hail Mary's in honor of the eighth Choir of Angels. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted hereafter to eternal glory. Amen.

At the end say one Our Father each in honor of  St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and Our Guardian Angel.

The chaplet is concluded with these prayers

O glorious Prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of soul, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who dost shine with excellence and superhuman virtue, vouchsafe to deliver us from all evil who turn to thee with confidence and enable us by the gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

V. Pray for us, O Glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.

R. That we may be made worthy of His Promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who by an act of Goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of Thy Church, make us worthy, we beseech You, to be delivered by his powerful protection from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into the august presence of Thy Divine Majesty. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Chaplet:

An Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishment, but most of all because they offend Thee my God who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen

The Lord's Prayer

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 Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

A Day of Prayer Offered for the Children's Rosary

The Children's Rosary received a beautiful gift from EWTN.  We received this note:
"Our Poor Clares will offer a Day of Prayer for you and your family and all the families and children involved in the Children's Rosary. It will be on September 29th, Feast of the Holy Archangels. The nuns will offer their rosary, holy hour and all the prayers and good works of the day for all of you".

We are most grateful for such a beautiful gift.The date of this Day of Prayer is also special as it is the anniversary of the first time a program aired on EWTN about the Children's Rosary. On October 29th 2013 the Children's Rosary was discussed on Sunday Night Prime with Fr. Andrew Apostoli.  We consider this day of September 29th, the Feast of the Archangels, as a very special date for the Children's Rosary. We pray for the intercession of the Archangels and thank God the Father for the generous gifts and blessings we have received.

Please consider joining the children in prayer. The children are asked to pray for those unifying prayers with them.  See a schedule of meetings on our website: www.childrensrosary.org or www.rosariodeninos.org
The meetings are listed in your local time zone. Meetings also appear as a blue flashing light on our View From Heaven map when the children are meeting in their prayer groups. By clicking "join in prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to the map.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
Journey to Bring the Baby Jesus to the Children
Sept 29th EWTN Interview about the Children's Rosary

Praying for the Intercession of the Angels

Statue of St. Michael in front of the Basilica
of Mary Queen of the Universe in Orlando, FL

Today was our final day in Florida and our last day at daily Mass at the Basilica of Mary Queen of the Universe.  The priest who celebrated Mass mentioned that the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael today.  He shared that he had visited a Shrine to St. Michael the day before and felt moved to celebrate a votive Mass to the Angels today.  This was particularly special as during this week in prayer at the Basilica a number of times I had implored the help and intercession of St. Michael and all the Angels.  In particular I love the Chaplet of St. Michael and try to say it daily.  Another beautiful signal grace was just before Mass there was a wonderful young women and her father who had sat behind us all week in daily Mass.   In prayer there was a feeling we should say hello.  As this was our last day, the children and I introduced ourselves.  She was very welcoming and shared that her name was Angel.  So indeed there were some wonderful little gifts from the Angels today.

Little Angels

Children's Rosary, St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Recently one of our Children's Rosary group leaders from British Columbia Canada, Inez,  traveled to Kenya for the summer with her husband, daughter and niece.  Her goal was to help spread Children's Rosary groups throughout the area.  Earlier we shared the first group that began as a result of her trip at Our Lady of Grace Home for Children.  The second group to begin was in the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Langatta Nairobi, Kenya.  This group met for the first time on August 18th 2014 and was Consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.  In this way the group is under the protection and guidance of Christ and His Mother.

This new group now meets weekly on Saturday mornings at 10AM in a small building within the Kibera slums.(While I was hesitant to call the meeting location, the Kibera slums, Inez confirmed that this is the name of the region and is the term all the local people use freely). The group rents a small room, in the building pictured behind the children, each Saturday morning to have a place for the children to meet. The black drum in the left side of the picture is a water tank where these children and their families come to buy clean water which comes at a precious price to them.

This group consists of approximately 70 children ages 1 to 14 years old. Some of the littlest ones are in the front row, a few in their pajamas. A wonderful religious sister is leading this Children's Rosary group. Inez shared that when she was speaking to the children about Our Blessed Mother and the beauty of the Rosary "they sat at full attention soaking up every word! The longing of the children in Africa for the word of God is astounding!"

Inez shared, "it is my hope and prayer that Our Lady will make this place her home and keep all the children safe and happy".  Inez was able to provide some funds for the group to buy a statue of Our Lady as they did not have one. "It is important to plant Mother Mary right in the slums so she can watch over them, and protect them from harm and danger." 

Looking at these little ones they look like little angels.  It seems so fitting that they attend the Church of St. Michael the Archangel.  With the Feast of the Archangels Monday, in a special we pray that the Archangels and all the choirs of angels will protect this group and all our Children's Rosary groups and members.  We were blessed today to have another Children's Rosary group meet in a Parish named after St. Michael the Archangel.  This group is in Garden City, South Carolina USA.  Yet despite a great distance separating these children there is a unity in the beauty of children and the power of prayer. 

Thank you all who help to spread the Children's Rosary.  For more information about beginning a Children's Rosary group click HERE.

Feast of the Guardian Angels

October 2nd is the Feast of Our Guardian Angels

There is Scripture references to these angels:

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father."(Matthew 18:10)

The Great St. Thomas tells us that we are first given our guardian angels when we are born.  While we are in our mother's womb we are cared for by our mother's guardian angel.  Every person has a Guardian angel regardless of their religion or beliefs. 

God commands our Guardian Angel to watch over our soul.  Our Angels do this both out of obedience and out of Love for us.

Some of the wonderful Gifts we Receive from Our Gaurdian Angels:
Our Angels desire to share their holiness, love and joy with us.
They pray unceasingly for us and interceed for us before the Throne of God.
Our Guardian angels protect us and warn us of attacks from evil.
They whisper in our ear wise counsel.

Our Guardian Angels do not interfere with our Free Will but accompany day and night and try to guide us in the path of holiness.  

Many saints have reported wonderful relationships with their guardian angels.  St. Padre Pio was given the gift to see his Angel.  He often sought the assistance of his guardian angel to wake up one of the other priests assigned to bring him to Mass in his advanced years, who would routinely oversleep.  Padre Pio's guardian angel also helped him translate letters written to him in different languages.  In a letter written by Padre Pio he says,

"Well, know that he(Our Guardian Angel) is still powerful against Satan and his satellites; his charity has not diminished, nor will he ever fail in defending us. Develop the beautiful habit of always thinking of him; that near us is a celestial spirit, who, from the cradle to the tomb, does not leave us for an instant, guides us, protects us as a friend, a brother; will always be a consolation to us especially in our saddest moments".

Reference:
Fr. Paul O'Sullivan. "All About the Angels" 2011

Prayer to Our Guardian Angel

Prayer to Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

To whom His love commits me here:

Ever this day be at my side, 

To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael

Sept 29th is the Feast of the Three Archangels.

The Three Archangels with Tobias

Our knowledge of the angels comes from many sources.  The first of which is Sacred Scriptures which are infallible.  We also know a great deal about Angels from Saints.

St. Michael 
The name Michael means, "Who is like to God?" St. Michael is considered the patron saint and protector of the Church. St. Michael and the good angels are credited with driving satan from Heaven into the realms of Hell.

"Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." Revelations 12:7-9

St. Gabriel
St. Gabriel first appears in the book of Daniel and refers to St. Michael as a Prince.  St. Gabriel is also the angel who appears to Mary during the Annunciation.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” 

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38)

St. Raphael
St. Raphael means health or medicine of God.  His intercession is often sought for healing or protection during travel.  In the book of Tobias there is an account of the angel Raphael.

One of the daily devotions that I have is to St. Michael and all of the choirs angels.  It is my daily practice to say the Chaplet of St. Michael while I walk to Mass.  Before I start the Chaplet I ask St. Michael and all the angels to protect myself, my family, all members of the children's rosary and all priests in the Church collective from satan and all the evil spirits.  I also ask them to protect me from injury either from my self or from other people unless God wills me to be injured and then I ask them to pray that I may accept it with love.  (The reason I ask for protection from injury is that I have a genetic condition where I dislocate joints frequently.  Sometimes I accidentally injure myself).  On days when I am unable to say the chaplet I find by the end of the day I have been under stronger temptations to lose my temper or do something during the day that I feel badly about.  When I reflect on those times of greatest temptation to sin they have been days when I have failed to say the chaplet.  I also feel in a special way the chaplet has allowed the virtue of humility to grow within myself.  This is something I continue to struggle with but I am thankful to the angels who through the Chaplet of St. Michael intercede before the Lord to infuse a sincere spirit of humility within my heart.

Saints and Angels Among Us

The past couple of weeks have been extremely challenging with our 8 year old son. Due to my disability I am unable to physically exert any control over him.  He of course knows this and uses time in public to be disobedient and embarass me.  Today at daily Mass was no exception.  However, I decided to take a different approach then in the past.  Instead of leaning over and trying to gain control with my words I just let the situation be and tried to focus on the Mass.  Kostin was sitting next to me and then I had a seat left open between Kostin and his 12 year old sister. I was hoping to try and decrease the temptation for fooling around.  Despite the space between the two kids I could hear Alina saying stop, as Kostin was hitting her arm, she kept saying stop you will get us in trouble. At one point in the Mass I asked Our Blessed Mother and Our Lord for help.  Moments later a women came forward in the middle of Mass.  She quietly and without a word walked between my children and sat down.  I looked at her sheepishly and smiled she in turned looked at me and gave a small smile and then began to pray reverently.  Throughout the remainder of the Mass she never looked at the children.  She was quiet and deep in prayer.  After Mass there were many people leaving their seats.  When I noticed her again she had moved to a seat right under our Crucifix.  She remained kneeling for our entire rosary, prayers and Divine Mercy Chaplet.  She never turned around or moved from her kneeling position.

After Mass one of my friends sitting near me asked if I knew her.  I responded that I did not.  Our daily Mass usually consists of the same group of people with little variation.  No one knew who this women was or when she entered as she took a seat in between the children in the middle of Mass.  Alina my 12 year old was shaken by the arrival of this women who took her seat between her and her brother.  She imediately said she thought it was Jesus.  My first thought when I saw the women's face was that she looked like St. Rose of Lima.  She was a women of around 30 of Spanish/South American heritage. She had dark hair and looked very much like the picture I have included below of St. Rose.  As yesterday was the Feast of St. Rose of Lima she was top of mind.  I also wondered if this women was an angel sent by God to help.

St. Rose of Lima

On my walk home the children and I were finishing our prayers of the rosary when I came upon a women I recognized from Church.  I had not seen her for a while and also remembered seeing her at the grocery store years earlier.  She was just getting into a car.  However by the time I approached the car she was already in and the doors were closed.  I leaned over and waved and she waved back through the window.  I remembered the flyer in our bag for the Little Audrey Santo Event on October 7th.  I took the flyer over to her car and stood by the window of the car.  She rolled down the window. I mentioned the exciting prayer event planned on the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.  She took the flyer and shared that she is in a very bad way. She asked that we pray for her as she has no placed to live.  She wondered if we could pray to St. Joseph.  The children and I said yes and also offered to pray to Our Lady in our rosary.  As we parted I wondered if this chance meeting at a moment of crisis had felt like an angel to her(even though I know that my children and I are anything but angels).  I thought of the women at Mass and wondered, maybe this was a person like you or I who the Lord recruited for a moment to be an angel for someone in need.  The act that this women did was small, she sat between two of my children.  However, it touched me deeply because it happened right when I was at my wits end.

I wondered if the Lord had been able to put the idea to stop just for that second and wait by Barbara's closed window when normally I would have walked right by.  Had I been more sensitive to the idea because the children and I had just come from Mass and were praying the rosary.

Maybe those moments when we think we have just met an angel are moments when the Lord is using the hands of his servants here on earth for a moment.  Maybe, we could be His Hands one day for someone else.

The Lord is always teaching as a loving parent would.  He showed me a sign today and then showed me that we can all be living signs.  We only have to pray that He use us as His hands.  The childen's rosary has said individual novenas to over 400 Saints asking that the members of the children's rosary be the extended hands of Mary and Jesus.  To be a member of the children's rosary one only has to tell our Lord in their heart that they want to be a member and then all the novenas and rosaries said daily will inlcude you.  If we all give our Lord permission to use us as His hands how beautiful and peaceful would our world be.  Add you hands to our web that extends across the globe.  Let Our Lady and Jesus fulfull their plans through us.  They certainly have plans and I for one would love to see Their plans come to fruition!!!  Amen