Bearing Fruit

Today at daily Mass the Gospel included this passage,"the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold." (Matthew 13:23) The priest at daily Mass asked us to look at our prayer life and ask if it is bearing fruit in our lives.  

His words reminded me of something Fr. Jude had shared Wednesday evening. He had written about the Children's Rosary in his parish in Uganda. He has a Children's Rosary prayer group in the main parish and also in several of the outpost stations of the parish. The picture above is of a Children's Rosary group at Our Lady of Fatima Mwera Parish - Mayirye.  This is one of the outposts at Fr. Jude's Parish. The children had their first meeting on Feb 18th 2017. They meet Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6PM local time. I asked Father Jude to tell me about these children. Did they have anything to share or anything he has observed. 

This is what he shared: "The children feel happy when they pray together. Some have learnt how to lead others in prayer. The parents also are grateful. 
Some have asked to start taking readings during Mass. Others have shown willingness to join religious life. Some encourage their fellow children to recite the rosary when they meet at school. Mother Mary is doing miracles in their respective families. Some things are working out in a miraculous way. Got good results about the fruits of the Rosary from the groups! I'll be informing you. God is good all the time."

Fr. Jude also shared that the numbers in the groups are growing. I asked him if the children are encouraging others to join the Children's Rosary. He answered,
 "In our parish the pastor is so grateful because he is seeing the fruits. It's true they encourage others. That's why the numbers are increasing in all groups."

It is beautiful to see how fertile is the soil in the hearts of these children. Their meetings to pray are indeed fruitful in their lives. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit."(Matthew 7:18)

Other Posts You May Enjoy:
How to Start a Children's Rosary
A Child's Interview about the Children's Rosary (in Spanish)
Resources to Help Begin a Group

Don't forget to unify prayers with the children during their meetings. A schedule of meetings is present on our website. By clicking "Join in Prayer" you can add your gold flashing light to our View from Heaven map.

For more information about the Children's Rosary visit our website: www.childrensrosary.org
Visite nuestro sitio web en español para obtener más información: www.rosariodeninos.org

Start the New Year by Blessing Your Children

Many people are used to seeking blessings from priests which is a wonderful blessing to receive.  However, there are blessings that can be prayed by any person who has been baptized. The Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us that "every baptized person is called to be a 'blessing,' and to bless" (no 1669; see Gn 12:2;Lk 6:28; Rom 12:14; 1 Pt 3:9).

In the Gospel of Luke the Lord tells us to "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Lk 6:28)

Months ago after Mass I was speaking with a wonderfully holy women who looks very much like Mother Teresa. She has a similar stature and bright joyful eyes.  She is 97 and shared with me that every night while she raised her children she blessed them as she put them to bed.  This was something she learned from her mother.  She said it was one of the fondest memories she has of her mother.  I loved this idea.  Earlier this week I stumbling upon a new section on the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops website regarding just this practice.  Today, on the Feast of Mary Mother of God I was struck that the reading to be selected was a call to bless others (Numbers 6: 22-27).  It is a beautiful blessing that starting today I would like to begin saying to my children as they go off to bed each night.  

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”


For additional examples of blessings, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recommends a book called the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. 

The Prayer or Blessing Against Storms

Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. † God became man, † and the Word was made flesh. † Christ was born of a Virgin. † Christ suffered. † Christ was crucified. † Christ died. † Christ rose from the dead. † Christ ascended into Heaven. † Christ conquers. † Christ reigns. † Christ orders. † May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning † Christ went through their midst in Peace, † and the word was made flesh. † Christ is with us with Mary. † Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Judah, the Root David, has won. † Holy God! † Holy Powerful God! † Holy Immortal God! † Have mercy on us. Amen!

This prayer originated in a convent and church in Lisbon, Portugal. Pope Innocent III, 1198-1216, ordered it published.

Picture of our street after October Storm 2011

As the anniversary of the historic October storm of 2011 draws near, meteorologists are forecasting a hurricane which may collide with a cold front bringing heavy rain, wind and maybe snow.  If significant snow falls here in CT USA like it did last year we can expect significant damage to power lines as the trees still have most of their leaves on them.  Last October we were without power for over a week.  Our Lord however, took very good care of our family.  Through the generosity of a neighbor who lives behind us we were able to run an extention cord from his garage and power a pellet stove in our basement.  During the cold nights the children slept warm and toasty snuggled on the floor in front of the fire.  Our Lord found a way to bring wonderful blessings and joy even amist considerable devastation.  Thank you Lord for always hearing our prayers and providing for us in our need. Amen

Do You Want A Special Apostolic Blessing From Pope John Paul II

The Holy Father Bl. John Paul II, by a personally signed parchment, imparted a Special Apostolic Blessing "to all the faithful, who during Adoration of Our Most Merciful Savior in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Alter will be praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the sick and for those throughout the world who will be dying in that hour." The Apostolic Blessing extends indefinitely for all who choose to participate.

The Apostolic Blessing was first given on the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.

Favorite Quotes by Pope John Paul II
Prayer of Pope John Paul II

Mary Mediatrix of All Blessings

As the Month of August, which is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, comes to a close I felt the urge to reflect on Our Blessed Mother as Channel of all Blessings from Our Lord.  

St. Louis de Montfort wrote in the Treatis on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin: 

24. "God the Son imparted to His mother all that he gained by His life and death, namely, His infinite merits and His eminent virtues. He made her the treasurer of all his Father had given Him as heritage. Through her He applies His merits to his members and through her He transmits His virtues and distributes His graces. 25. She is His mystical channel, His aqueduct, through which He causes His mercies to flow gently and abundantly.God the Holy Spirit entrusted His wondrous gifts to Mary, His faithful spouse, and chose her as the dispenser of all He possesses, so that she distributes all His gifts and graces to whom she wills, as much as she wills, how she wills and when she wills. No heavenly gift is given to men which does not pass through her virginal hands. Such indeed is the will of God, who has decreed that we should have all things through Mary, so that, making herself poor and lowly, and hiding herself in the depths of nothingness during her whole life, she might be enriched, exalted and honoured by almighty God. Such are the views of the Church and the early Fathers."

Procedure for the Blessing and Investiture Of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

 Procedure for the Blessing and Investiture Of the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Priest - Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.

Respondent- And grant us Thy salvation.

Priest - Lord, hear my prayer.

Respondent - And let my cry come unto Thee.

Priest - The Lord be with you.

Respondent - And also with you.

Priest - Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, sanctify by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our lady of Mount Carmel, Thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who lives and reigns world without end.  Amen.

THE PRIEST SPRINKLES HOLY WATER AND INVESTS PERSON(S) WHILE SAYING:

Receive this blessed Scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin that through Her merits, you may  wear it without stain. May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.

AFTER THE INVESTITURE THE PRIEST CONTINUES WITH THE PRAYERS:

I, by the power vested in me, admit you to participate in all the spiritual benefits obtained through the mercy of Jesus Christ by the Religious Order of Mount Carmel.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and earth, bless you, He who has deigned to join you to the confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Of Mount Carmel; we beseech Her to crush the head of the ancient serpent so that you my enter into possession of your eternal heritage, through Christ our Lord.

Respondent - Amen.

More information about Our Lady of Mount Carmel's Brown Scapular
My personal story of how Our Lady saved my scapular

God Will Not Be Outdone In Generosity

Jesus The Good Shepherd

Today after Mass and the Rosary I had a lovely conversation with two friends.  Sean shared a story with us.  Recently he was at a Mass where a missionary priest was asking for donations.  Sean recalled that he had two single dollar bills and a 10 dollar bill.  He thought that the singles were too little and opted to give the ten.

Earlier he was speaking with his daughter and asked her to check the prices of wheel barrels as he was in need of one.  On Sean's walk home he decided to take a slightly different path home and went down a street he rarely ever walks on.  He came upon a pile of discarded items by the side of the road.  He is legally blind but can still make out some shapes sometimes.  He walked right into the pile and two sticks were outstretched that went exactly into his hands.  It was the arms of a wheel barrel.  He brought it home to find it was barely used and in perfect condition.  Sean said he remembered the words he had heard many years earlier "God will not be outdone in generosity" and chuckled to see the Lord reminding him of this beautiful truth.

Twelve Biblical Reasons For Wanting To Spend One Hour With Jesus In The Blessed Sacrament

Twelve Biblical Reasons For Wanting To Spend One Hour With Jesus In The Blessed Sacrament

Pope John Paul II

1. He is really there!

"I myself Am the Living Bread come down from Heaven." (Jn 6:35)

2. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because of his Infinite love for you!

"Behold I will be with you always even to the end of the world," because "I have loved you with an everlasting love, and constant is My affection for you." (Mt 28:20; Jer 31:3)

3. The specific way that Jesus asks you to love Him in return is to spend one quiet hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

"Where your treasure is, there is your heart...." "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" (Mt 6:21; 26:40)

4. When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look upon Jesus, the Son of God.

"Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day." (Jn 6:40)

5. Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase His Divine Life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him.

"I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." "I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in Him shall bear much fruit because without Me, you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5)

6. Each hour you spend with Jesus will deepen His Divine Peace in your heart.

"Come to Me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you..." "Cast all of you anxieties upon the One who cares for you..." "My Peace is My Gift to you." (Mt 11:28; 5:7; Jn 14:17)

7. Jesus will give you all the Graces you need to be happy!

"The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water." (Rev 7:17)

8. Jesus is infinitely deserving of our unceasing thanksgiving and adoration for all He has done for our salvation.

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor, glory and praise." (Rev. 5:12)

9. For Peace in our country!

"When My people humble themselves and seek My Presence... I will revive their land." (2Chr 7:14)

10. Each hour you spend with Jesus on earth will leave your soul everlastingly more beautiful and glorious in heaven!

"They who humble themselves shall be exalted...." "All of us, gazing on the Lord’s glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image." (Lk 18:14; 2Cor 3:18)

11. Jesus will bless you, your family and the whole world for this hour of faith you spend with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

"Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe..." "Faith can move mountains..." " What is needed is trust... " "Behold I come to make all things new." (Jn 20:29; Mk 11:23; Mk 5:36; Rev 21:5)

12. Each moment you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings joy, pleasure, and delight to His Sacred Heart!

"My joy, My pleasure, My delight is to be with you." (Prov 8:31)

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Today is Ascension Thursday and Jesus was lifted up in a cloud and taken out of site.  The readings and Gospel today speak of the gift Jesus has planned for the apostles.  The gift “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama'ria and to the end of the earth."(Acts 1:8)

The Holy Spirit is mentioned 57 times in the Acts of the Apostles.  There our 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and two are mentioned in todays readings. “The Father of Glory may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him”(Ephesians 1:17) 

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:

1. Wisdom - Embodying all the other gifts. Wisdom strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of the virtues in the highest degree.
2. Understanding - Helps us grasp the meanings of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we know them, by understanding we appreciate and relish them.
3. Counsel - Endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done, especially in difficult circumstances.
4. Fortitude - Strengthen us to do the will of God in all things.
5. Knowledge - Enables the soul to evaluate things at their true worth in their relation to God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity.
6. Piety - Begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. Piety finds the practice of religion not a burdensome duty but a delightful service.
7. Fear of the Lord - Fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:7-12)

As we near the last week of Easter may we truly enjoy the glory of the Lord and embrace all of the wonderful gifts which the Lord has hand chosen for each one of us.  May we listen to the Lord and follow the inspirations of the Spirit as they lead us.  Amen