Dear ones,
I know you find it hard to believe--but another year has flown by. I still have a few-- last pounds-- to lose to make the swimming suit season--heheheh. And I have not yet convinced any of you I am a stellar athlete. But, soon you will see--I am working with the best classically trained Homeopath--Jacqulyn Dudasko--and I feel Good. :) Ask me about her and a referral.
Every year the first of May I come and ask you to sponsor me as I Walk For Life. You know that I am quite a strong proponent for the Gospel of Life, but for some reason some of my heavier contributors want pictures as proof that I actually do my own walking for this event--like I could ever bark orders and get anyone to do anything for me anyway--woo daddy.
I know gas is more expensive, and we are near-- riots in the streets over grocery prices and shortages--it takes a lot of work to make a living, and you are asked to give--more and more everyday. But, as my dear friends, you know I ask you to pray most and speak of funds very shyly.
Let me just say--this group lead by my very dear friend Kyleen Wright needs our help.
She has more fiduciary responsibility than any other group I know in the pro-life movement in doing lots with little. Her salary is little and she takes no high-priced junkets to events or conferences. She simply runs back and forth to Austin appealing to the law makers to do the right thing for our children, the unborn and the sick, the infirm and the elderly.
She along with my small group was one of the only brave groups to stand against the Big Names and the famous Big Guns of the "pro-life' movement to make sure bad language and even worse laws were added to the Texas futile care bill--a very badly written law. We still have work to do--but she made it easier to sleep at night knowing that "medical ethics" were not so easily going to be able to with-hold nutrition and hydration from the sick and dying...Thank you Miss Kyleen.
What a perfect day of service come Saturday--I will be helping with the Bar-b-Que for Life at St. Ann's where the best BBQ in the world is being prepared with love by Greg and his band of brothers, and my wonderful friend Jeff Vaughan and all his hard work in sales and marketing each campaign--the Knights of Columbus--200 beautiful briskets--with specific proceeds going to the favorite of my heart-- the White Rose Woman's Center--where for over 25 years they have served and helped over 2000+ girls and children in crisis each year--well over 45,000 women and children as the only Catholic first line of defense to serve the crisis pregnant women of Dallas. They have stood in the gap as close to the gates of hell for all the years--at one time the Blessed Tabernacle of Our Lord-- only one wall between Him and the killing room of Arron's Abortion facility.
I love it when Gerri comes out each year and the Knights present her with the White Rose check in honor of John Everett, her husband who died three years ago May 5th after 17 years of being Director of the White Rose and St. Joseph's Helpers. God bless you Gerri and Mary and Sue and all of our wonderful friends at the White Rose. Thanks for being on the front lines of saving babies and helping women chose a better life.
It was at John's bed-side his last week on this side--when he said "you will join the Knights and let me be your sponsor"--thanks to his request I am part of the most vibrant council in the diocese-3rd Degree.
And while the brisket is at its highest glory--offering that sweet smell and aroma as a sacrifice of prayers for God to heal our lands, I will do my two+ mile walk for Texans for Life right there at St Ann's. Thank you Kyleen for all you do to make me feel that God has chosen for the world to go on for a little longer. God bless you and all your wonderful volunteers.
And thank you Knights of Columbus--the largest pro-life organization in the world and the giver of more funds to pro-life than anyone else in cash and sweat equity for the Gospel of Life. I know you are one of the largest givers to the White Rose-- who like all my favorite pro-life works depends on each and every love gift given in Jesus' name to spread the Gospel of Life.
All you have to do is email back and tell me the amount you want to sponsor. That is it. Texans for Life will send you a collection of your pledge later in the month. If you have not sponsored me before, if you will add your address so they can contact you. Trust me--I am very careful with my pennies. This is an organization like the White Rose --that I whole-heartily like to support with my gifts and my efforts. Help me help you with your Gospel of Life gifts--I will do the walking and sweating--can you drop me a line so I can turn in a good amount of funds to this years Walk for Life?
God bless you all and if you would like to come and walk with me as we admire those wonderful smells this Saturday, give me a call.
YBIC for LIFE,
Daniel
214-566-2298
Friday, May 08, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Dear Jan and Sandy,
You two know the best so you get to share my days sadness. Not that others do not "share our grief" but the days have gone by and life is so busy--but you both seem to have similar emotions that hold us to our sorrow and grief--and yet we have HOPE.
I was just called into my boss's office--which is always a treat at this new place. It is rainy and no one wants to go out so he is ordering our favorite white pizza and balsa salad and we are going to have a lunch meeting to go over good things that are happening here. All good right--and as I am sitting there--on his Internet radio out of Chicago comes Dreams by the Cranberries---Sarah Ruth's very favorite song from when she was 15 going on 16. Looking out on a favorite rainy day suddenly turned into a rainy funeral day and part of me was caught on the Vinzant bench at the foot of our family section of the cometary looking from Sarah Ruth to Bryan to Alicia to rain drops and gray clouds, alone and with them and yet so far, so very far away from all 3 of them and missing them so very, very much....
Thankfully my boss was on the phone placing the pizza order as I was drying my eyes and hastening to my office to regroup.
Suddenly I was back at Circuit City with the Cranberries CD trying that one song over and over in every boom box that was in our price range to find the finest sound for our Jeweled Princess for her 16th birthday--and we gave her that boom box with the necklace for faith, hope and charity--the Cross, the Anchor, and the Heart pendants in sterling silver.
And for the longest time that is what I heard coming from her room--Dreams, over and over and over again.
"Dreams"
Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems,
Never quite as it seems.
I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,
Because it came from you.
And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,
A different way to be.
Ah, la da ah...La...
I want more impossible to ignore,
Impossible to ignore.
And they'll come true, impossible not to do,
Impossible not to do.
And now I tell you openly, you have my heart so don't hurt me.
You're what I couldn't find.
A totally amazing mind, so understanding and so kind;
You're everything to me.
Oh, my life,
Is changing every day,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams,
It's never quite as it seems,
'Cause you're a dream to me,
Dream to me.
Ah, da, da da da, da, la...
Such memories--how they flood our days. Jan do you remember one of our many family trips to Abilene to be with your extended family and we learned that praise song at the service we went to as a family on Sunday and then Sarah Ruth taught it to us singing it over and over and over again in the car on all our car trips:
O God you are my God and I will ever praise you
O God you are my God and I will ever praise you
And I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in your ways
And step by step you will lead me, And I will follow you all of my days....
So here we are in another fine mess--all the world is going and coming and life is good and beautiful and we stop to remember our pain--and yet, Here in our pain, Step by Step He leads us--and we are learning, learning to walk in His ways.
SR picked a wonderful song for 16--like her mother before her and her people before her--she always had a song in her heart. Whether it was the silliest of songs such as "I'm so blue, ue, ue, ue, blue....", "Little Bunny Fuw Fuw...", or her own compositions of her love for Jesus she was a soul that sang out loudly and clearly with full voice--her life. "So I will sing praise to your Name forever, that I may pay my vows day by day."
I miss her now as much as on that great and terrible day that she was first lost to us--I miss her and find my tears to have a well that never runs dry. And as good King David of old--I live in the fear of God to know that she can not come back to me, but it is still possible that one day we can go to Him and to her and to all those who have gone before us. Books may be written on who they would fill their dinner table in Heaven with--we KNOW beyond HIM whom we love, who our hearts ever desire to see fulfilled.
There are those in the very heart of God that fear God's name. They are those who are willing to forgo present comforts in the soul, in HOPE of future bliss in the Arms of God. Those that fear God have enough in him. We live in a world that pulls on our every desire, but we find as we offer up our present sorrow and turn in into God's love allowing Him to freely give Himself away to others through us that we need desire no better heritage than that of those who fear God.
Yesterday there were fears of impending financial disaster, today there are fears of impending doom through the Swine flu, tomorrow be sure there will be it's own evil--but God has promised, and promises fresh and anew each day--those who abide in Him, who abide ever before Him, who walk in His fear, who long to serve Him, to love Him, to know Him, and HOPE to live with Him forever--choosing to live
to good purpose in this world, shall abide before him forever. We need not desire to be better secured than under the protection of God's mercy and truth. And if we partake of that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, we may praise him, whatever be our outward circumstances.
You two remain in my heart and in my prayers and I take comfort in your shared sorrows, your love and prayers. Thank you for sharing my morning as if it were your own.
Daniel
You two know the best so you get to share my days sadness. Not that others do not "share our grief" but the days have gone by and life is so busy--but you both seem to have similar emotions that hold us to our sorrow and grief--and yet we have HOPE.
I was just called into my boss's office--which is always a treat at this new place. It is rainy and no one wants to go out so he is ordering our favorite white pizza and balsa salad and we are going to have a lunch meeting to go over good things that are happening here. All good right--and as I am sitting there--on his Internet radio out of Chicago comes Dreams by the Cranberries---Sarah Ruth's very favorite song from when she was 15 going on 16. Looking out on a favorite rainy day suddenly turned into a rainy funeral day and part of me was caught on the Vinzant bench at the foot of our family section of the cometary looking from Sarah Ruth to Bryan to Alicia to rain drops and gray clouds, alone and with them and yet so far, so very far away from all 3 of them and missing them so very, very much....
Thankfully my boss was on the phone placing the pizza order as I was drying my eyes and hastening to my office to regroup.
Suddenly I was back at Circuit City with the Cranberries CD trying that one song over and over in every boom box that was in our price range to find the finest sound for our Jeweled Princess for her 16th birthday--and we gave her that boom box with the necklace for faith, hope and charity--the Cross, the Anchor, and the Heart pendants in sterling silver.
And for the longest time that is what I heard coming from her room--Dreams, over and over and over again.
"Dreams"
Oh, my life is changing everyday,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams, it's never quite as it seems,
Never quite as it seems.
I know I've felt like this before, but now I'm feeling it even more,
Because it came from you.
And then I open up and see the person falling here is me,
A different way to be.
Ah, la da ah...La...
I want more impossible to ignore,
Impossible to ignore.
And they'll come true, impossible not to do,
Impossible not to do.
And now I tell you openly, you have my heart so don't hurt me.
You're what I couldn't find.
A totally amazing mind, so understanding and so kind;
You're everything to me.
Oh, my life,
Is changing every day,
In every possible way.
And oh, my dreams,
It's never quite as it seems,
'Cause you're a dream to me,
Dream to me.
Ah, da, da da da, da, la...
Such memories--how they flood our days. Jan do you remember one of our many family trips to Abilene to be with your extended family and we learned that praise song at the service we went to as a family on Sunday and then Sarah Ruth taught it to us singing it over and over and over again in the car on all our car trips:
O God you are my God and I will ever praise you
O God you are my God and I will ever praise you
And I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in your ways
And step by step you will lead me, And I will follow you all of my days....
So here we are in another fine mess--all the world is going and coming and life is good and beautiful and we stop to remember our pain--and yet, Here in our pain, Step by Step He leads us--and we are learning, learning to walk in His ways.
SR picked a wonderful song for 16--like her mother before her and her people before her--she always had a song in her heart. Whether it was the silliest of songs such as "I'm so blue, ue, ue, ue, blue....", "Little Bunny Fuw Fuw...", or her own compositions of her love for Jesus she was a soul that sang out loudly and clearly with full voice--her life. "So I will sing praise to your Name forever, that I may pay my vows day by day."
I miss her now as much as on that great and terrible day that she was first lost to us--I miss her and find my tears to have a well that never runs dry. And as good King David of old--I live in the fear of God to know that she can not come back to me, but it is still possible that one day we can go to Him and to her and to all those who have gone before us. Books may be written on who they would fill their dinner table in Heaven with--we KNOW beyond HIM whom we love, who our hearts ever desire to see fulfilled.
There are those in the very heart of God that fear God's name. They are those who are willing to forgo present comforts in the soul, in HOPE of future bliss in the Arms of God. Those that fear God have enough in him. We live in a world that pulls on our every desire, but we find as we offer up our present sorrow and turn in into God's love allowing Him to freely give Himself away to others through us that we need desire no better heritage than that of those who fear God.
Yesterday there were fears of impending financial disaster, today there are fears of impending doom through the Swine flu, tomorrow be sure there will be it's own evil--but God has promised, and promises fresh and anew each day--those who abide in Him, who abide ever before Him, who walk in His fear, who long to serve Him, to love Him, to know Him, and HOPE to live with Him forever--choosing to live
to good purpose in this world, shall abide before him forever. We need not desire to be better secured than under the protection of God's mercy and truth. And if we partake of that grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ, we may praise him, whatever be our outward circumstances.
You two remain in my heart and in my prayers and I take comfort in your shared sorrows, your love and prayers. Thank you for sharing my morning as if it were your own.
Daniel
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Divine Mercy Sunday—the Sunday after Easter Sunday—the Church offers the strongest HOPE of God’s Mercy being poured out on Sinners---
This next Sunday the Church offers strong, plenary indulgences to those who partake in the Divine Mercy. There are many things you can do, and as you grow in this devotional you will surely want to add the Chaplet, the daily prayers, carrying an Image of the Divine Mercy—and below I give you more info then you need—but here is the thing—know and do this when at your Sunday Mass obligation and you will receive abundant mercy: On Divine Mercy Sunday in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the Tabernacle, recite the Our Father, the Creed, and say-“Merciful Jesus, I trust in you."
Do it and make sure you share these simple prayers of our faith with everyone you know and love. And here is the larger teaching, and then the particular rubrics for the indulgence for those who want to dig deeper—but remember—just do the simple prayers above and SEE that Father God will pour out His Mercy to you through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Standing in the Need of Mercy for Life,
Daniel
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple-God loves us - all of us-all the time. Father God wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins. He longs for us to call upon Him with trust, to receive His mercy, and to let it flow through us to others. This is the way of Mercy and the Threshold of HOPE.
Simply remember the Heavenly ABC’s:
A - Ask God for His Mercy. God wants us to Ask for Mercy. Pray without ceasing is what the Bible says-to always and everywhere be coming to Him in prayer, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you…Jesus, Son of God, have Mercy on me a Sinner, and on the Whole World…”
B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy. And when we have received the Mercy of God we suddenly know what to do with it-there is only one thing to do-that is to let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”
C - Completely trust in Jesus. “Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be Happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.” There is a heavenly principle in that the more we ask, the more we receive, the more we trust, the more we receive, the more we allow trust, mercy, faith, hope, love, and graces to flow through us to others, the more we get back to offer up to be given out…
The following is borrowed from the EWTN info on the Divine Mercy for those who want more in-depth instruction. You can also use your favorite Search Engine to look up more simply by putting in “divine mercy”. There is a lovely chaplet that can be sung or prayed along the beads of your rosary—it is a Chaplet I used for years to get those Separated Brethren through no fault of their own from the Catholic Church to pray ecumenical rosaries with me in front of Planned Parenthoods all across the country when I was a Baptist preacher. During those pro-life activist years I gave out over 14,000 rosaries as a Baptist pastor and NO one refused to pray the Mercy prayers with me on the beads I gave them.
Enjoy the “sure mercies of David” that God desires to give to all—daniel
EWTN website:
The Divine Mercy devotion is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God's mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread. The devotional practices proposed in the Diary of Saint Faustina are completely in accordance with the teachings of Church and are firmly rooted in the Gospel message of our Merciful Savior. Grow in trust, mercy through asking, praying, and seeking the Mercy of Jesus and live your life as merciful to others, as Christ is merciful to you.
The earliest element of the Devotion to the Divine Mercy revealed to St. Faustina was the Image. On February 22nd, 1931 Jesus appeared to her with rays radiating from His heart and said,
Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world. (Diary 47)I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary 48) I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature" :Jesus, I trust in You." (Diary 327)
The two rays denote Blood and Water. the pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. (Diary 299) Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary 313) By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works. (Diary 742)
In these texts the Church's doctrine on images, justification and grace are explained. First, by itself an image is merely a painting, no matter how beautiful and expressive. Yet, it can point us the mysteries of the faith and dispose us to grasp and receive what it represents, in this case the Divine Mercy. It is thus a vessel, not the source, a reminder, not the reality. The reality is the merciful fountain of grace flowing from the pierced Heart of Christ on the Cross, and flowing out visibly to represent the visible that is the sacramental, signs of grace, Baptism and Eucharist, standing for all the sacraments of the Church. Thus, St. John in his first letter insists on the presence of the invisible with the visible, the Spirit with the water and the Blood.
The image also reminds us that salvation is not just by faith, but by works of charity also. It takes faith to see and believe in what the Image signifies, Divine Mercy poured out from Christ upon the Cross, but it takes mercy, love going beyond the strict requirements of justice, in order to draw down mercy on oneself. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Mt 6:12) and”the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you" (Mt 7:2) The Image of the pierced side of Christ pouring out blood and water reminds us that the Cross, love in action, is the price of mercy. "As I have loved you so also should you love one another." (Jn 13:34)
Summary of the Decree of Indulgence
O God, your mercy knows no bounds and the treasure of your goodness is infinite..." (Prayer after the "Te Deum" Hymn)
"The paschal mystery is the culmination of this revealing and effecting of mercy, which is able to justify man, to restore justice in the sense of that salvific order which God willed from the beginning in man, and through man, in the world" (Encyclical Letter Dives in misericordia, n. 7).
"And so with provident pastoral sensitivity and in order to impress deeply on the souls of the faithful these precepts and teachings of the Christian faith, the Supreme Pontiff, John Paul II, moved by the consideration of the Father of Mercy, has willed that the Second Sunday of Easter be dedicated to recalling with special devotion these gifts of grace and gave this Sunday the name, "Divine Mercy Sunday" (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Decree Misericors et miserator, 5 May 2000).
Plenary indulgence
I. The usual conditions for every plenary indulgence:
• sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within about 20 days before or after]
• Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]
• prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [certain prayers are not specified]
II. The specific conditions for this Indulgence
On Divine Mercy Sunday
• in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy
• or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!")
Partial Indulgence
A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation. [e.g. Jesus I trust in You. My Jesus mercy. or any other approved invocation]
Those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill
Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence:
• totally detesting any sin,
• the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions of confession, communion and prayers for the Holy Father
• recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus
• pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).
If it is impossible to do even this:
• with a spiritual intention unite with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and
• offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.
Duty of priests
Priests who exercise pastoral ministry, especially parish priests, should
• inform the faithful in the most suitable way of the Church's salutary provision [of a plenary indulgence].
• promptly and generously be willing to hear their confessions [this does not necessarily have to be on Divine Mercy Sunday itself, since that is not a condition for the indulgence]
On Divine Mercy Sunday, after celebrating Mass or Vespers, or during devotions in honor of Divine Mercy,
• lead the recitation of the prayers
• when they instruct their people, gently encourage the faithful to practice works of charity or mercy as often as they can
This next Sunday the Church offers strong, plenary indulgences to those who partake in the Divine Mercy. There are many things you can do, and as you grow in this devotional you will surely want to add the Chaplet, the daily prayers, carrying an Image of the Divine Mercy—and below I give you more info then you need—but here is the thing—know and do this when at your Sunday Mass obligation and you will receive abundant mercy: On Divine Mercy Sunday in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the Tabernacle, recite the Our Father, the Creed, and say-“Merciful Jesus, I trust in you."
Do it and make sure you share these simple prayers of our faith with everyone you know and love. And here is the larger teaching, and then the particular rubrics for the indulgence for those who want to dig deeper—but remember—just do the simple prayers above and SEE that Father God will pour out His Mercy to you through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Standing in the Need of Mercy for Life,
Daniel
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple-God loves us - all of us-all the time. Father God wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins. He longs for us to call upon Him with trust, to receive His mercy, and to let it flow through us to others. This is the way of Mercy and the Threshold of HOPE.
Simply remember the Heavenly ABC’s:
A - Ask God for His Mercy. God wants us to Ask for Mercy. Pray without ceasing is what the Bible says-to always and everywhere be coming to Him in prayer, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you…Jesus, Son of God, have Mercy on me a Sinner, and on the Whole World…”
B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy. And when we have received the Mercy of God we suddenly know what to do with it-there is only one thing to do-that is to let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…”
C - Completely trust in Jesus. “Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be Happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.” There is a heavenly principle in that the more we ask, the more we receive, the more we trust, the more we receive, the more we allow trust, mercy, faith, hope, love, and graces to flow through us to others, the more we get back to offer up to be given out…
The following is borrowed from the EWTN info on the Divine Mercy for those who want more in-depth instruction. You can also use your favorite Search Engine to look up more simply by putting in “divine mercy”. There is a lovely chaplet that can be sung or prayed along the beads of your rosary—it is a Chaplet I used for years to get those Separated Brethren through no fault of their own from the Catholic Church to pray ecumenical rosaries with me in front of Planned Parenthoods all across the country when I was a Baptist preacher. During those pro-life activist years I gave out over 14,000 rosaries as a Baptist pastor and NO one refused to pray the Mercy prayers with me on the beads I gave them.
Enjoy the “sure mercies of David” that God desires to give to all—daniel
EWTN website:
The Divine Mercy devotion is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who, in obedience to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages recording the revelations she received about God's mercy. Even before her death in 1938, the devotion to The Divine Mercy had begun to spread. The devotional practices proposed in the Diary of Saint Faustina are completely in accordance with the teachings of Church and are firmly rooted in the Gospel message of our Merciful Savior. Grow in trust, mercy through asking, praying, and seeking the Mercy of Jesus and live your life as merciful to others, as Christ is merciful to you.
The earliest element of the Devotion to the Divine Mercy revealed to St. Faustina was the Image. On February 22nd, 1931 Jesus appeared to her with rays radiating from His heart and said,
Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world. (Diary 47)I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary 48) I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature" :Jesus, I trust in You." (Diary 327)
The two rays denote Blood and Water. the pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. (Diary 299) Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary 313) By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works. (Diary 742)
In these texts the Church's doctrine on images, justification and grace are explained. First, by itself an image is merely a painting, no matter how beautiful and expressive. Yet, it can point us the mysteries of the faith and dispose us to grasp and receive what it represents, in this case the Divine Mercy. It is thus a vessel, not the source, a reminder, not the reality. The reality is the merciful fountain of grace flowing from the pierced Heart of Christ on the Cross, and flowing out visibly to represent the visible that is the sacramental, signs of grace, Baptism and Eucharist, standing for all the sacraments of the Church. Thus, St. John in his first letter insists on the presence of the invisible with the visible, the Spirit with the water and the Blood.
The image also reminds us that salvation is not just by faith, but by works of charity also. It takes faith to see and believe in what the Image signifies, Divine Mercy poured out from Christ upon the Cross, but it takes mercy, love going beyond the strict requirements of justice, in order to draw down mercy on oneself. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Mt 6:12) and”the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you" (Mt 7:2) The Image of the pierced side of Christ pouring out blood and water reminds us that the Cross, love in action, is the price of mercy. "As I have loved you so also should you love one another." (Jn 13:34)
Summary of the Decree of Indulgence
O God, your mercy knows no bounds and the treasure of your goodness is infinite..." (Prayer after the "Te Deum" Hymn)
"The paschal mystery is the culmination of this revealing and effecting of mercy, which is able to justify man, to restore justice in the sense of that salvific order which God willed from the beginning in man, and through man, in the world" (Encyclical Letter Dives in misericordia, n. 7).
"And so with provident pastoral sensitivity and in order to impress deeply on the souls of the faithful these precepts and teachings of the Christian faith, the Supreme Pontiff, John Paul II, moved by the consideration of the Father of Mercy, has willed that the Second Sunday of Easter be dedicated to recalling with special devotion these gifts of grace and gave this Sunday the name, "Divine Mercy Sunday" (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Decree Misericors et miserator, 5 May 2000).
Plenary indulgence
I. The usual conditions for every plenary indulgence:
• sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within about 20 days before or after]
• Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]
• prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [certain prayers are not specified]
II. The specific conditions for this Indulgence
On Divine Mercy Sunday
• in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy
• or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!")
Partial Indulgence
A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation. [e.g. Jesus I trust in You. My Jesus mercy. or any other approved invocation]
Those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill
Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence:
• totally detesting any sin,
• the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions of confession, communion and prayers for the Holy Father
• recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus
• pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).
If it is impossible to do even this:
• with a spiritual intention unite with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and
• offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.
Duty of priests
Priests who exercise pastoral ministry, especially parish priests, should
• inform the faithful in the most suitable way of the Church's salutary provision [of a plenary indulgence].
• promptly and generously be willing to hear their confessions [this does not necessarily have to be on Divine Mercy Sunday itself, since that is not a condition for the indulgence]
On Divine Mercy Sunday, after celebrating Mass or Vespers, or during devotions in honor of Divine Mercy,
• lead the recitation of the prayers
• when they instruct their people, gently encourage the faithful to practice works of charity or mercy as often as they can
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dear Ones,
What a treat to see so many at Holy Thursday last night--my celebrations continued until Midnight last night and in the midst of our Good Friday fast and prayers, I suspect it will continue longer tonight. (see earlier post for details of tonight.)
Followed by the Great Silence of Saturday and a very special quiet time with my sons and a good and dear friend. Then Easter Vigil because I love it, followed by Early Mass with my sons and then Easter Brunch with extended family and friends, a sweet afternoon of remembrances of my sweet sister Alicia on her 57th birthday--we will fill our missing her with very loud and funny stories--of which thank God, we have so many. Then a late supper with my brother and sister-in-law.
A busy time--immersed in family and friends, and HOPE. And since it is a holiday--a feast day--from my kitchen to yours. Long tested, family favorite treats from these special holidays for you and yours to try and make your own.
God bless you and yours and thank you for your love and prayers--your HOPE beads,
The Vinzants'
Coppell, Good Friday, 2009
King's Cake Recipe - Torta del Re Recipe (from Italy) popular among Italian-Jews
5 large eggs, separated
1 1/4 cups sugar--you can substitute liquid Stevia but hey this is a holiday cake my friends
10 ounces (2 1/2 cups) blanched almonds, ground very fine--i use my burr coffee grinder
1 teaspoon vanilla--please use pure vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
Grated rind of one lemon
Sliced, toasted almonds for garnish--buy a small pack instead of doing these unless you have a mandoline which are wonderful and should be used often
Instructions: Line bottom of a 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with margarine, or grease a 10-inch spring form pan.
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Whisk together yolks, sugar, extracts and lemon rind in a large bowl. The mixture is very thick and hard to mix. Whisk until pale.
3. Stir in the ground almonds.
4. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form; either a mixer or a whisk may be used. (Don't make too stiff.) Stir in about one-third of the egg whites to lighten, and then fold in the rest of the egg whites.
5. Pour into the pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until firm. The top will be light brown.
6. Let cool completely. Cut around the edges with a sharp knife.
7. Carefully invert and remove the parchment. Re-invert onto a serving plate and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
Serves 12-14-- Prep Time: 60 minutes-- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Whisk the yolks until they're foamy, then gradually incorporate the sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture is lemon-colored. Gradually incorporate the chopped nuts, the extracts, and the zest; at the end of this the batter will be quite stiff. Mix a third of the egg whites into the batter to soften it, and then delicately fold in the remainder.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake it for an hour without opening the oven door. Turn off the heat, open the door a crack, and let it cool for 15 minutes before removing it and standing it upside down to finish cooling. Remove it from a pan to a cake dish, dust it with confectioner's sugar using a sifter, and sprinkle it with the slivered nuts.
Coconut Macaroons
14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut-- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk--1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract -- 2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature--1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture. Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or two teaspoons. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and serve.
What a treat to see so many at Holy Thursday last night--my celebrations continued until Midnight last night and in the midst of our Good Friday fast and prayers, I suspect it will continue longer tonight. (see earlier post for details of tonight.)
Followed by the Great Silence of Saturday and a very special quiet time with my sons and a good and dear friend. Then Easter Vigil because I love it, followed by Early Mass with my sons and then Easter Brunch with extended family and friends, a sweet afternoon of remembrances of my sweet sister Alicia on her 57th birthday--we will fill our missing her with very loud and funny stories--of which thank God, we have so many. Then a late supper with my brother and sister-in-law.
A busy time--immersed in family and friends, and HOPE. And since it is a holiday--a feast day--from my kitchen to yours. Long tested, family favorite treats from these special holidays for you and yours to try and make your own.
God bless you and yours and thank you for your love and prayers--your HOPE beads,
The Vinzants'
Coppell, Good Friday, 2009
King's Cake Recipe - Torta del Re Recipe (from Italy) popular among Italian-Jews
5 large eggs, separated
1 1/4 cups sugar--you can substitute liquid Stevia but hey this is a holiday cake my friends
10 ounces (2 1/2 cups) blanched almonds, ground very fine--i use my burr coffee grinder
1 teaspoon vanilla--please use pure vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
Grated rind of one lemon
Sliced, toasted almonds for garnish--buy a small pack instead of doing these unless you have a mandoline which are wonderful and should be used often
Instructions: Line bottom of a 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides with margarine, or grease a 10-inch spring form pan.
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Whisk together yolks, sugar, extracts and lemon rind in a large bowl. The mixture is very thick and hard to mix. Whisk until pale.
3. Stir in the ground almonds.
4. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form; either a mixer or a whisk may be used. (Don't make too stiff.) Stir in about one-third of the egg whites to lighten, and then fold in the rest of the egg whites.
5. Pour into the pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until firm. The top will be light brown.
6. Let cool completely. Cut around the edges with a sharp knife.
7. Carefully invert and remove the parchment. Re-invert onto a serving plate and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
Serves 12-14-- Prep Time: 60 minutes-- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Whisk the yolks until they're foamy, then gradually incorporate the sugar and continue to whisk until the mixture is lemon-colored. Gradually incorporate the chopped nuts, the extracts, and the zest; at the end of this the batter will be quite stiff. Mix a third of the egg whites into the batter to soften it, and then delicately fold in the remainder.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake it for an hour without opening the oven door. Turn off the heat, open the door a crack, and let it cool for 15 minutes before removing it and standing it upside down to finish cooling. Remove it from a pan to a cake dish, dust it with confectioner's sugar using a sifter, and sprinkle it with the slivered nuts.
Coconut Macaroons
14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut-- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk--1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract -- 2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature--1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture. Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or two teaspoons. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and serve.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Dear Ones in Standing Just,
Receive my prayers for you and your family as you have a very meaningful Holy Week. May God grant you peace and blessings this Holy season.
I have taken a very reflective Lenten Journey with all that has happened in our family since the First Friday of Lent with the unexpected death of my dear sister, Alicia. Remembering my recent horror of the violent death of my brother, Bryan last Holy Thursday makes these three Holy Days and events of this week of Passion all the more deep and real to me. I have long been struck down by the image of the emptying of the Tabernacle during Holy Thursday--they have taken My Lord and I know not where they have placed him... the scattering of the disciples/Apostles, the great beginning of the Church, holy orders, the Eucharist--the Mass, the re-presentation of Calvary, of the Bread of Heaven, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Beloved Lord Jesus continually given to us on all the alters of the Church and in Heaven.
If I have any influence on you at all may I urge you to not miss the Holy Thursday mass. And if you can make all three--Good Friday the Adoration of the Cross and the Exhaultant of the georgeous Easter Vigil--fire, water, light, dark, renewing of the baptismal vows, the renoucing of Satan...this is our Catholic faith---we believe....
After Holy Week I do hope to see more and more of you who my heart has been missing. The meals, the prayers and mass cards, the condolences and love have been very dear to our hearts during this time. I have sat often on my couch in front of the fire in this extended cool of Spring and gone over each mass and held strong the hope I find in each promise of the goodness of God in the land of the living and in the arms of God. Thank you and please continue to extend your HOPE bead to our entire Vinzant family. The comfort and peace I find from the beads of our Faith.
Each year I try to take a few special friends to a very special event--Holy Thursday and Good Friday in Lewisville at our Lady of Lebanon-I believe the numbers are great enough at our home parish, that no one will miss us for a couple of evenings eh. And I will be back to St. Ann's for the Easter Vigil. Do try to come and call if you have any questions. Our beloved Father Pacwa from EWTN is due to be there for Holy Week. You will love meeting him and they have Confessions till after 2 AM with him. If you would like to go to Father Pacwa for Confession on these two evenings after the mass and adoration of the Cross each night, you will find it a great blessing.
God bless,
Daniel
see notes below
Brothers,
A reminder and a some notes:
Reminder, Holy Thursday at Our Lady of Lebanon in Lewisville at 7pm.
http://www.ourladylebanon.com
You can find the address and a map at their website. I hope to see
many of you there.
Three main notes for those of you who have never attended a Maronite
service:
1. Communion is by Tincture. That means the Priest dips the Host in
the wine and puts the Host in your mouth. So don't hold your hands up
because you will look silly. :)
2. The sign of peace starts at the Altar and then is spread to the
congregation. Basically the Priest gives the sign of peace to the
Altar servers and then the Altar servers go to the first person in each
row and it spreads from there. Just don't sit in the first row and all
you have to do is watch and do what everyone else does.
3. The standing, sitting, kneeling is a little different. Again just
watch and follow. You will want to note in the Maronite rite, the proper form is to STAND and not knell for the Consecration so follow the book and STAND when it says too--or look to the Lebanese who know the way and not the Western rite visitors who will try to bend everyone to their will as being the only true and right way--oh those Anglos, what will we do with you.
I hope each of you has a blessed Holy week.
YBIC,
Daniel and boys
Holy Week 2009
Receive my prayers for you and your family as you have a very meaningful Holy Week. May God grant you peace and blessings this Holy season.
I have taken a very reflective Lenten Journey with all that has happened in our family since the First Friday of Lent with the unexpected death of my dear sister, Alicia. Remembering my recent horror of the violent death of my brother, Bryan last Holy Thursday makes these three Holy Days and events of this week of Passion all the more deep and real to me. I have long been struck down by the image of the emptying of the Tabernacle during Holy Thursday--they have taken My Lord and I know not where they have placed him... the scattering of the disciples/Apostles, the great beginning of the Church, holy orders, the Eucharist--the Mass, the re-presentation of Calvary, of the Bread of Heaven, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Beloved Lord Jesus continually given to us on all the alters of the Church and in Heaven.
If I have any influence on you at all may I urge you to not miss the Holy Thursday mass. And if you can make all three--Good Friday the Adoration of the Cross and the Exhaultant of the georgeous Easter Vigil--fire, water, light, dark, renewing of the baptismal vows, the renoucing of Satan...this is our Catholic faith---we believe....
After Holy Week I do hope to see more and more of you who my heart has been missing. The meals, the prayers and mass cards, the condolences and love have been very dear to our hearts during this time. I have sat often on my couch in front of the fire in this extended cool of Spring and gone over each mass and held strong the hope I find in each promise of the goodness of God in the land of the living and in the arms of God. Thank you and please continue to extend your HOPE bead to our entire Vinzant family. The comfort and peace I find from the beads of our Faith.
Each year I try to take a few special friends to a very special event--Holy Thursday and Good Friday in Lewisville at our Lady of Lebanon-I believe the numbers are great enough at our home parish, that no one will miss us for a couple of evenings eh. And I will be back to St. Ann's for the Easter Vigil. Do try to come and call if you have any questions. Our beloved Father Pacwa from EWTN is due to be there for Holy Week. You will love meeting him and they have Confessions till after 2 AM with him. If you would like to go to Father Pacwa for Confession on these two evenings after the mass and adoration of the Cross each night, you will find it a great blessing.
God bless,
Daniel
see notes below
Brothers,
A reminder and a some notes:
Reminder, Holy Thursday at Our Lady of Lebanon in Lewisville at 7pm.
http://www.ourladylebanon.com
You can find the address and a map at their website. I hope to see
many of you there.
Three main notes for those of you who have never attended a Maronite
service:
1. Communion is by Tincture. That means the Priest dips the Host in
the wine and puts the Host in your mouth. So don't hold your hands up
because you will look silly. :)
2. The sign of peace starts at the Altar and then is spread to the
congregation. Basically the Priest gives the sign of peace to the
Altar servers and then the Altar servers go to the first person in each
row and it spreads from there. Just don't sit in the first row and all
you have to do is watch and do what everyone else does.
3. The standing, sitting, kneeling is a little different. Again just
watch and follow. You will want to note in the Maronite rite, the proper form is to STAND and not knell for the Consecration so follow the book and STAND when it says too--or look to the Lebanese who know the way and not the Western rite visitors who will try to bend everyone to their will as being the only true and right way--oh those Anglos, what will we do with you.
I hope each of you has a blessed Holy week.
YBIC,
Daniel and boys
Holy Week 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Dear Ones,
Come and join me and many others as we spend time in prayer at perhaps the most sacred ground in Dallas--The Chapel, The Tabernacle, and the Blessed Sacrament literaly are looking down through a wall of windows on one of the most active killing centers in Dallas, Texas. For the whole 24 years the White Rose has been in the same building across the street or now side by side to this killing center and the Blessed Sacrament actually shared a common wall with the actual rooms where the killing went on for over 8 years.
I can think of no better place to spend a day of prayer as we going into this most holy time of our Lord's Passion--Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Silence of Holy Saturday and the marvelous Exalutant of Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.
I personally plan to be there for Mass until 11:00 and then return from 2:00--4:30. I look forward to sharing some special time of prayer with each of you and thank you for your continuing to offer up you HOPE bead for the Vinzant family--those here in this Valley Tears and those in the arms of God.
Joining you in Standing Just for the Gospel of Life at the very gates of the Culture of Death here in Dallas Texas and praying for the good work done at the White Rose.
Daniel
214-566-2298
Come join the White Rose family and friends as we begin our 25th year with a visit from The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady will be in the White Rose chapel (our chapel overlooks the entrance to Routh Street abortion center) on April 8th, from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. There will also be a Mass at 9 a.m. This is a very special event and we hope you will stop by and pray for our ministry, our city, and our nation. We are seeing more young women than ever and we need your prayers. Parking for clients is limited, so please park on one of the side streets. Let others know of Our Lady's visit.
White Rose address: 4313 N. Central, Dallas 75205
For other locations and times go to prolifedallas.org.
Thursday, April 2 through Easter Sunday, April 12 -Traveling Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dallas
olg.jpgThe traveling Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will travel by day to all five Dallas abortion centers and by night to diocesan parishes.
Testimonials
In Wichita, Kansas, the Missionary Image was taken to an abortuary where late-term babies are being killed and cremated in an incinerator on the premises. As the image was processed around the killing center, people smelled a strong fragrance of roses. Then, they saw rose petals miraculously flaking from the image in all directions. An eyewitness to this extraordinary event experienced an overwhelming peace and said that it seemed as if heaven had come down to earth and Our Lady was saying, "It is good for you to be here, as I, too, stood at the foot of the Cross silently watching and praying as my innocent Son was crucified."
On several occasions the image has wept tears of oil. Once it wept on Christmas Day before an entire congregation. The priest told the people, "Our Lady is weeping on her Son's birthday for all of her children who have no birthday because of abortion."
Many people have shared that they felt the heartbeat of an unborn child in Mary's womb on the image. This sound was heard by a nurse with a stethoscope!
Our Lady is teaching us that abortion is about a child and not a choice.
Click here for the schedule, novena and more information. .
Come and join me and many others as we spend time in prayer at perhaps the most sacred ground in Dallas--The Chapel, The Tabernacle, and the Blessed Sacrament literaly are looking down through a wall of windows on one of the most active killing centers in Dallas, Texas. For the whole 24 years the White Rose has been in the same building across the street or now side by side to this killing center and the Blessed Sacrament actually shared a common wall with the actual rooms where the killing went on for over 8 years.
I can think of no better place to spend a day of prayer as we going into this most holy time of our Lord's Passion--Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Silence of Holy Saturday and the marvelous Exalutant of Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.
I personally plan to be there for Mass until 11:00 and then return from 2:00--4:30. I look forward to sharing some special time of prayer with each of you and thank you for your continuing to offer up you HOPE bead for the Vinzant family--those here in this Valley Tears and those in the arms of God.
Joining you in Standing Just for the Gospel of Life at the very gates of the Culture of Death here in Dallas Texas and praying for the good work done at the White Rose.
Daniel
214-566-2298
Come join the White Rose family and friends as we begin our 25th year with a visit from The Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady will be in the White Rose chapel (our chapel overlooks the entrance to Routh Street abortion center) on April 8th, from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. There will also be a Mass at 9 a.m. This is a very special event and we hope you will stop by and pray for our ministry, our city, and our nation. We are seeing more young women than ever and we need your prayers. Parking for clients is limited, so please park on one of the side streets. Let others know of Our Lady's visit.
White Rose address: 4313 N. Central, Dallas 75205
For other locations and times go to prolifedallas.org.
Thursday, April 2 through Easter Sunday, April 12 -Traveling Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dallas
olg.jpgThe traveling Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe will travel by day to all five Dallas abortion centers and by night to diocesan parishes.
Testimonials
In Wichita, Kansas, the Missionary Image was taken to an abortuary where late-term babies are being killed and cremated in an incinerator on the premises. As the image was processed around the killing center, people smelled a strong fragrance of roses. Then, they saw rose petals miraculously flaking from the image in all directions. An eyewitness to this extraordinary event experienced an overwhelming peace and said that it seemed as if heaven had come down to earth and Our Lady was saying, "It is good for you to be here, as I, too, stood at the foot of the Cross silently watching and praying as my innocent Son was crucified."
On several occasions the image has wept tears of oil. Once it wept on Christmas Day before an entire congregation. The priest told the people, "Our Lady is weeping on her Son's birthday for all of her children who have no birthday because of abortion."
Many people have shared that they felt the heartbeat of an unborn child in Mary's womb on the image. This sound was heard by a nurse with a stethoscope!
Our Lady is teaching us that abortion is about a child and not a choice.
Click here for the schedule, novena and more information. .
Saturday, February 28, 2009
My Dear ones in Standing Just,
I was just preparing my mind to sit down in a few days and write on the one year anniversary of my younger brother Bryan Keith Vinzant sudden and tragic death last Holy Thursday. Following in the longstanding Jewish tradition of honoring their dead with an annual Candle lighting at Synagogue, I have maintained yearly anniversary Masses and Candles for my dead, and often on the first anniversary I find myself writing one of my long missives to my dear social network friends and loved ones.
This year will have to wait, as I share my family's sorrow in adding to those who have gone before us--my older sister Alicia Joy Vinzant Bell. I stood in prayer, agony, and tears last night at the Baylor Trauma Emergency room C 30 where they lost my dear sister after a valiant effort trying to bring her back from sudden onset cardiac arrest. She was 56, the mother of two-Robert and Sherri and lived in our Waco family home. She had been here with my brother in Carrollton this last week recouping from a respiratory aliment. We had all had wonderful visits with her this week, and she was in route home to Waco to see her doctor when she felt ill and was re-routed to Baylor Emergency.
The family of course is rallied together here this weekend and we will go to Waco Tuesday afternoon. There will be a family visitation on Tuesday night from 7-9 PM and then a Baptist funeral service Wednesday at 10:30 both at the Pecan Grove Funeral Home out on Hgwy 77 off the Circle in Waco, Texas.
Doubtless, I will at a later date write more on both these dear ones who have been in my family since the beginning, and yet who sadly I was just learning to really love at the hour of their deaths. You can be sure they are in my thoughts and prayers and that this Lenten journey has an even deeper, more urgent urging to dig in deep to our Jesus.
Although I can say with sad certainty I had not yet done all I should have or wanted to do for my dear sister--I do thank God for the privilege to be there at the hour of her death standing just outside her trauma room door praying, hoping, crying, agonizing, waiting, longing for Jesus for her. By the time they had her presentable in that same hour with my sons Andrew and Lewis, my remaining brother Michael-who when he got there fell on my neck not letting me go with his strong comfort and saying it is just the two of us now- and his dear wife Sandy, Alicia's daughter Sherri and son Robert and his wife Alicia, a couple of their friends and the Protestant Clergy staff all steps away in the Viewing Suite the hospital offers families--I entered into the adjoining room and laying my hand on her head and stoking her hair for the last time sang and prayer the songs and prayers of our faith:
I will lift up my eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my help,
My Strength cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and earth
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, He that keepth thee will not slumber
behold He that keep Israel will not slumber or sleep
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
T he LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121--I have now sung this same song at the hour of death for my dear Grandmothers, Grand Dad, Father and Mother, dear daughter Sarah Ruth, and now my sister Alicia and the grave of my brother Bryan.
With many tears I stumbled forward through hymns of my shared childhood:
He Leadth Me O Blessed Thought
He leadeth me, O bless'd thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, to let the world go by,
tis by Thy hand that leadeth me.
If That Isn't Love
He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing His Destiny
It was the Lonely
hill of Golgotha
There to lay down His life for me
if that isn't Love
Then the ocean is dry
There's no stars in the sky
And the little sparrows can't fly
if that isn't love
Then heaven's a myth
There's no feeling like this
If that isn't love
Even in death He remembered
The thief hanging by His side
Then he spoke of love and compassion
And He took him to paradise
Children of the Heavenly Father
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
I prayed the Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Hail Holy Queen, and the Memorare softly over her and placed my Scapular over her shoulders-- made the Sign of the Cross on her sweet forehead, kissed her forehead and stroked her hair for the last time.
When we chose a lonely grove of trees to safe keep Sarah Ruth's mortal body till the Resurrection, I had no idea she would have such company. Now we will lay Alicia to her side, by her brother Bryan.
You know you will hear more from me later. The others are napping now, and I am soon to follow. Jan is here with the boys and my family and me and is such a comfort. Her brother Tim, the Baptist minister will sing at the funeral and a former co-laborer when I was a pastor, will come and do the Baptist service. And I will suffer in silence, but continue to receive much comfort from your many prayers--my strong consolation. I know that there are many who have suffered much more than we do--really the tender mercies of Our God have been my Good, His many kindnesses have been my Good. But, how good to have you to share my thoughts and to receive your prayerful offerings of grace upon grace.
Our Merciful Savior loved Alicia all the days of her life, and He loved her last night at Baylor, and he will love her long after we leave the graveside, and long after I leave this life--we can Trust His Love and His Goodness--there is no better place to commend those we love in this life or in the life to come then to the Loving Arms of God. Thank you for sharing in my passions and in my triumphs, and more in my sorrows.
your friend,
Daniel and boys--Andrew and Lewis
the pictures were taken on February 19th in Jan's kitchen when Lewis drove me down to Waco to pray with Alicia
i am just shooting this out to a quick few--forward to any you think would have an interest or pray for our family
This is one of our childhood family hymns--I will leave theology for later and revel in the Promise and power of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our dearly Beloved Lord Jesus Christ
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave
I was just preparing my mind to sit down in a few days and write on the one year anniversary of my younger brother Bryan Keith Vinzant sudden and tragic death last Holy Thursday. Following in the longstanding Jewish tradition of honoring their dead with an annual Candle lighting at Synagogue, I have maintained yearly anniversary Masses and Candles for my dead, and often on the first anniversary I find myself writing one of my long missives to my dear social network friends and loved ones.
This year will have to wait, as I share my family's sorrow in adding to those who have gone before us--my older sister Alicia Joy Vinzant Bell. I stood in prayer, agony, and tears last night at the Baylor Trauma Emergency room C 30 where they lost my dear sister after a valiant effort trying to bring her back from sudden onset cardiac arrest. She was 56, the mother of two-Robert and Sherri and lived in our Waco family home. She had been here with my brother in Carrollton this last week recouping from a respiratory aliment. We had all had wonderful visits with her this week, and she was in route home to Waco to see her doctor when she felt ill and was re-routed to Baylor Emergency.
The family of course is rallied together here this weekend and we will go to Waco Tuesday afternoon. There will be a family visitation on Tuesday night from 7-9 PM and then a Baptist funeral service Wednesday at 10:30 both at the Pecan Grove Funeral Home out on Hgwy 77 off the Circle in Waco, Texas.
Doubtless, I will at a later date write more on both these dear ones who have been in my family since the beginning, and yet who sadly I was just learning to really love at the hour of their deaths. You can be sure they are in my thoughts and prayers and that this Lenten journey has an even deeper, more urgent urging to dig in deep to our Jesus.
Although I can say with sad certainty I had not yet done all I should have or wanted to do for my dear sister--I do thank God for the privilege to be there at the hour of her death standing just outside her trauma room door praying, hoping, crying, agonizing, waiting, longing for Jesus for her. By the time they had her presentable in that same hour with my sons Andrew and Lewis, my remaining brother Michael-who when he got there fell on my neck not letting me go with his strong comfort and saying it is just the two of us now- and his dear wife Sandy, Alicia's daughter Sherri and son Robert and his wife Alicia, a couple of their friends and the Protestant Clergy staff all steps away in the Viewing Suite the hospital offers families--I entered into the adjoining room and laying my hand on her head and stoking her hair for the last time sang and prayer the songs and prayers of our faith:
I will lift up my eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my help,
My Strength cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and earth
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, He that keepth thee will not slumber
behold He that keep Israel will not slumber or sleep
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
T he LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121--I have now sung this same song at the hour of death for my dear Grandmothers, Grand Dad, Father and Mother, dear daughter Sarah Ruth, and now my sister Alicia and the grave of my brother Bryan.
With many tears I stumbled forward through hymns of my shared childhood:
He Leadth Me O Blessed Thought
He leadeth me, O bless'd thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, to let the world go by,
tis by Thy hand that leadeth me.
If That Isn't Love
He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing His Destiny
It was the Lonely
hill of Golgotha
There to lay down His life for me
if that isn't Love
Then the ocean is dry
There's no stars in the sky
And the little sparrows can't fly
if that isn't love
Then heaven's a myth
There's no feeling like this
If that isn't love
Even in death He remembered
The thief hanging by His side
Then he spoke of love and compassion
And He took him to paradise
Children of the Heavenly Father
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
I prayed the Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Hail Holy Queen, and the Memorare softly over her and placed my Scapular over her shoulders-- made the Sign of the Cross on her sweet forehead, kissed her forehead and stroked her hair for the last time.
When we chose a lonely grove of trees to safe keep Sarah Ruth's mortal body till the Resurrection, I had no idea she would have such company. Now we will lay Alicia to her side, by her brother Bryan.
You know you will hear more from me later. The others are napping now, and I am soon to follow. Jan is here with the boys and my family and me and is such a comfort. Her brother Tim, the Baptist minister will sing at the funeral and a former co-laborer when I was a pastor, will come and do the Baptist service. And I will suffer in silence, but continue to receive much comfort from your many prayers--my strong consolation. I know that there are many who have suffered much more than we do--really the tender mercies of Our God have been my Good, His many kindnesses have been my Good. But, how good to have you to share my thoughts and to receive your prayerful offerings of grace upon grace.
Our Merciful Savior loved Alicia all the days of her life, and He loved her last night at Baylor, and he will love her long after we leave the graveside, and long after I leave this life--we can Trust His Love and His Goodness--there is no better place to commend those we love in this life or in the life to come then to the Loving Arms of God. Thank you for sharing in my passions and in my triumphs, and more in my sorrows.
your friend,
Daniel and boys--Andrew and Lewis
the pictures were taken on February 19th in Jan's kitchen when Lewis drove me down to Waco to pray with Alicia
i am just shooting this out to a quick few--forward to any you think would have an interest or pray for our family
This is one of our childhood family hymns--I will leave theology for later and revel in the Promise and power of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our dearly Beloved Lord Jesus Christ
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave
Friday, February 13, 2009
13, February 13, 2009
I believe in getting into hot water, it keeps you clean
G.K. Chesterton
As we approach another Lenton journey, I have been asked by some who come to me for all things Catholic about why some parishes empty the Holy Water font during Lent. It occurred to me that you might enjoy the answer I have given. Please note, that if your parish is doing this practice incorrectly that an appeal in a loving and kind manner is always the Catholic way. God bless as you prepare your hearts for the many comings of Christ that we should find ourselves experiencing in these wonderful days of metanoia and penance.
Daniel
Holy Water Fonts and Lent
One practice that has become somewhat popular is to remove the water from the font or cover the font completely during the Lenten season. While this may be a dramatic sign of thirsting and dryness, this practice does not in fact support one of the main themes of Lent:
Lent is marked by two themes, the baptismal and the penitential. By recalling or preparing for baptism and by repentance, this season disposes the faithful…to celebrate the paschal mystery. The baptismal and penitential aspects of Lent are to be given greater prominence in both the liturgy and liturgical catechesis. Hence, more use is to be made of the baptismal features proper to the Lenten liturgy. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 109)
If your parish is considering emptying your baptismal font and holy water stoops for the season of Lent, respectfully ask them stop.
We aren’t fasting from water
In light of CSL’s statement and encouraged by the Congregation for Divine Worship (see below), removing water from the font or preventing the faithful from touching the water in the font would be detrimental to the sign of baptism that is a focus of Lent. The baptized remain a baptized people throughout all of Lent. We do not pretend to be unbaptized as though we were catechumens, just as we do not pretend that Christ is not risen during Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Our Lenten practices should more explicitly emphasize our baptism so that we can recognize those areas in our lives when we are not living out the promises of that baptism. What the faithful should be hungering and thirsting for is not the symbol of their baptism but rather a world in which the faithful living out of that baptism is evident. For the catechumens, their hunger for baptism may even be heightened when there are full fonts of water, just as a person who fasts is more aware of their hunger when food is placed before them.
It would be appropriate, as is our Western Church’s tradition, to remove the water from the font after the Holy Thursday celebration, keep it empty during Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and fill it with new water at the Easter Vigil. One possible Lenten option is to use a smaller piece of purple fabric that does not fully cover the font but adds some color to the area. In this way, the Lenten color signifies the season while the water in the font is still accessible as a reminder of baptism for the faithful and a sign of God’s promise for the elect.
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/holy_water_fonts_and_lent.htm
While the holy water fonts are emptied from the Mass of the Lord's Supper until they are refilled with water blessed at the Easter Vigil, they should not be emptied prior to Holy Thursday. The following letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments rejects this practice. Note the strong bias (reason 1) against inventing practices not called for in the liturgical law. Forcibly rejected is the argument used by some to justify their abuses that "It is not forbidden, so I can do it." In reality, no one may do in that liturgy that which is not prescribed by the Church, specifically the Apostolic See, who alone has authority over it (SC 22, canon 838.
CONGREGATION DE CULTU DIVINO ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot. N. 569/00/L Dear Father:
March 14, 2000
This Congregation for Divine Worship has received your letter sent by fax in which you ask whether it is in accord with liturgical law to remove the Holy Water from the fonts for the duration of the season of Lent.
This Dicastery is able to respond that the removing of Holy Water from the fonts during the season of Lent is not permitted, in particular, for two reasons:
1. The liturgical legislation in force does not foresee this innovation, which in addition to being praeter legem is contrary to a balanced understanding of the season of Lent, which though truly being a season of penance, is also a season rich in the symbolism of water and baptism, constantly evoked in liturgical texts.
2. The encouragement of the Church that the faithful avail themselves frequently of the [sic] of her sacraments and sacramentals is to be understood to apply also to the season of Lent. The "fast" and "abstinence" which the faithful embrace in this season does not extend to abstaining from the sacraments or sacramentals of the Church. The practice of the Church has been to empty the Holy Water fonts on the days of the Sacred Triduum in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil, and it corresponds to those days on which the Eucharist is not celebrated (i.e., Good Friday and Holy Saturday).
Hoping that this resolves the question and with every good wish and kind regard, I am,
Sincerely yours in Christ, [signed]
Mons. Mario Marini Undersecretary
Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL
I believe in getting into hot water, it keeps you clean
G.K. Chesterton
As we approach another Lenton journey, I have been asked by some who come to me for all things Catholic about why some parishes empty the Holy Water font during Lent. It occurred to me that you might enjoy the answer I have given. Please note, that if your parish is doing this practice incorrectly that an appeal in a loving and kind manner is always the Catholic way. God bless as you prepare your hearts for the many comings of Christ that we should find ourselves experiencing in these wonderful days of metanoia and penance.
Daniel
Holy Water Fonts and Lent
One practice that has become somewhat popular is to remove the water from the font or cover the font completely during the Lenten season. While this may be a dramatic sign of thirsting and dryness, this practice does not in fact support one of the main themes of Lent:
Lent is marked by two themes, the baptismal and the penitential. By recalling or preparing for baptism and by repentance, this season disposes the faithful…to celebrate the paschal mystery. The baptismal and penitential aspects of Lent are to be given greater prominence in both the liturgy and liturgical catechesis. Hence, more use is to be made of the baptismal features proper to the Lenten liturgy. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 109)
If your parish is considering emptying your baptismal font and holy water stoops for the season of Lent, respectfully ask them stop.
We aren’t fasting from water
In light of CSL’s statement and encouraged by the Congregation for Divine Worship (see below), removing water from the font or preventing the faithful from touching the water in the font would be detrimental to the sign of baptism that is a focus of Lent. The baptized remain a baptized people throughout all of Lent. We do not pretend to be unbaptized as though we were catechumens, just as we do not pretend that Christ is not risen during Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Our Lenten practices should more explicitly emphasize our baptism so that we can recognize those areas in our lives when we are not living out the promises of that baptism. What the faithful should be hungering and thirsting for is not the symbol of their baptism but rather a world in which the faithful living out of that baptism is evident. For the catechumens, their hunger for baptism may even be heightened when there are full fonts of water, just as a person who fasts is more aware of their hunger when food is placed before them.
It would be appropriate, as is our Western Church’s tradition, to remove the water from the font after the Holy Thursday celebration, keep it empty during Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and fill it with new water at the Easter Vigil. One possible Lenten option is to use a smaller piece of purple fabric that does not fully cover the font but adds some color to the area. In this way, the Lenten color signifies the season while the water in the font is still accessible as a reminder of baptism for the faithful and a sign of God’s promise for the elect.
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/holy_water_fonts_and_lent.htm
While the holy water fonts are emptied from the Mass of the Lord's Supper until they are refilled with water blessed at the Easter Vigil, they should not be emptied prior to Holy Thursday. The following letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments rejects this practice. Note the strong bias (reason 1) against inventing practices not called for in the liturgical law. Forcibly rejected is the argument used by some to justify their abuses that "It is not forbidden, so I can do it." In reality, no one may do in that liturgy that which is not prescribed by the Church, specifically the Apostolic See, who alone has authority over it (SC 22, canon 838.
CONGREGATION DE CULTU DIVINO ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot. N. 569/00/L Dear Father:
March 14, 2000
This Congregation for Divine Worship has received your letter sent by fax in which you ask whether it is in accord with liturgical law to remove the Holy Water from the fonts for the duration of the season of Lent.
This Dicastery is able to respond that the removing of Holy Water from the fonts during the season of Lent is not permitted, in particular, for two reasons:
1. The liturgical legislation in force does not foresee this innovation, which in addition to being praeter legem is contrary to a balanced understanding of the season of Lent, which though truly being a season of penance, is also a season rich in the symbolism of water and baptism, constantly evoked in liturgical texts.
2. The encouragement of the Church that the faithful avail themselves frequently of the [sic] of her sacraments and sacramentals is to be understood to apply also to the season of Lent. The "fast" and "abstinence" which the faithful embrace in this season does not extend to abstaining from the sacraments or sacramentals of the Church. The practice of the Church has been to empty the Holy Water fonts on the days of the Sacred Triduum in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil, and it corresponds to those days on which the Eucharist is not celebrated (i.e., Good Friday and Holy Saturday).
Hoping that this resolves the question and with every good wish and kind regard, I am,
Sincerely yours in Christ, [signed]
Mons. Mario Marini Undersecretary
Answered by Colin B. Donovan, STL
Thursday, January 08, 2009
As you are reading this I am off for my annual 4 day Silent Retreat with the wonderful Jesuits over at Montserrat. You can imagine there is no coincidence why I would chose this weekend every year to offer up my holy silence to Our Loving God, the Father of All Mercies, and HIS SON, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
I continue to thank you from the fullness of my heart for how you have taken me and the boys into your hearts, families, rosaries, and for the HOPE beads you offer up for the Vinzant family.
Please be assured that you and your family and your intentions will be offered up in my Holy Hours especially these next 4 days.
And because so many of you know me only since 2000 or less with our arrival on the Dallas scene, I must give you some sweet remembrances, so that in your hearts and minds eye she will be real to you too. I give you updates on me and the boys when I share our holy days, our new recipes and such. She is the best part of who we are as a family--in our loss, our hopes, our dreams, who we are, and who we strive to be. The boys call her Sis--always have, and till refer to her today the same as if she were in the same room with us, Sis this, Sis that...as we pray our mass today and light our candles, please come a little inside our hearts. With all the people I know, with all the family I have left-- do not think there are more than 3 people who really know me. My regret is that Sarah Ruth knows me now so much better, than she did when she was here face to face. She has the benefit of so much more true knowledge--seeing things more and more the way those in the Arms of God can see and know things. I hear her laughter more and more these days as through her prayers I see the fleeting parts of my life, my defects, my failures, an my lack as temporary and transitory--and as through her prayers of HOPE I catch glimpses of that which is really TRUE,Eternal, and Worthy.
And for those of you who have children now older than the magical age of 3-4,even though in this Valley of Tears, these last 8 years, although she is more real to me then you could ever understand, in my head, in my heart, in my thoughts, in my conversations, in my laughter--in these "conversations" of LOVE we now have, she has never once argued with me. And now, because I am more comfortable in sharing my heart with you then ever before--here are a few snippets of our Sis, Sissy, Ruthie, Ruby,Sandra Sue, Lovey, Sara, Baby Doll, Sister--Sarah Ruth Leigh Vinzant.
When she was less than 3 and still riding in the child seat in the back--she and I were off on a specific errand and it took us past all the Mall shops. We were listening to music and I heard Sarah Ruth speak up, "Daddy I am hungry." We were in our early, poor as church mice working on my Seminary Graduate degree days and while I was contemplating the money situation, SR piped up with the sweetest, gentle question, "Daddy, do we have money today?" and as I shook my head no, she said with definitiveness, "Daddy, then I am not hungry anymore."
I went to school Tuesday through Thursday and had time off on Monday and Friday, so we would pack up and go out to a lovely, old cemetery in the country that had a lot of empty acreage filled with old Oak trees where she would play on the low hanging limbs while I said my daily prayers. Then she would line up her dolls and animals and she would play hair dresser--Sandra Sue. Often on trips to see the in-laws, Jan would drive and I would lean the passenger seat back and SR would work on my hair for the trip asking Bible questions all the way. If she was not asking questions, she would fill the car with song. I still have never seen a Veggie Tale show because we did not have TV at the time,but know the songs as Sarah Ruth had her two favorites from watching them at friends ---"I'm so blue, I'm so blue, I'm so blue,ue,ue, ue ue, blue.... and, I love my hairbrush, I love my hairbrush....."
We had visitors through our house all the time in those days. SR was the great delight of all our adult visitors, and one time this dear lady in her early 60's
was visiting with her 84 year old retired professor father. He had the beautiful unkempt, white hair of an academic and a full white beard. We left him in the recliner to his daily nap, toured the house, and came back to find SR aka Sandra Sue, giving Mr. Floyd a haircut with real scissors. In due time she also gave her little brother a haircut, and then finished her early budding carrier by giving herself a haircut that did not go well with her Mom's first inspection.
From earliest life, Sarah Ruth was fearless in sharing her faith. We were walking the mall before she was 4 years old towards the end on an evening and there were a few walkers, not a lot of shoppers, and Mall Security--an off duty policeman. Suddenly I heard a little voice say, "Why do you smoke? You should not smoke." only to look over to the policeman with his lit cigarette--and before I could quite her she was in for the kill, "Do you want to be like Jesus? Did Jesus smoke? No, then you should want to be more like Jesus and not smoke." I just knew I was going to get creamed, when we watched the policeman put out his cigarette, get down and thank Sarah Ruth face to face, and then stand and tell Dad, to not be ashamed when his kids shared their beliefs with others. And then he spoke of wanting to return to the Church of his youth. Years later, I stood with amazement and great admiration as Sarah Ruth begin her carrier going inside abortion centers pretending to be a client in crisis--going into the facilities and leaving brochures, putting them in magazines, handing them out quietly to others waiting, and then standing to her feet, screaming "you mean you kill the babies, you want to kill these babies..." until she was arm-handled outside, screaming all the way, "please do not let them kill your babies."
From the time she was 15-19 Sarah Ruth traveled with me to pro-life events far and wide, and never tired of doing her part to save babies. She was part of pro-life prayer sessions, walk-ins to confront clinic workers the girls in the waiting rooms,Sidewalk counseling, and a pro-life Drama group. She was very involved in a National campaign to convince American Express to stop giving direct grants to Planned Parenthood. She gave talks and wrote papers on the virtues of St. Athanasius in fighting Infanticide in the 4Th Century. She would stand toe to toe to the locked arms of the Little Rock SWAT team on the sidewalk and walk hours in prayer vigils and walks singing the haunting refrain,"Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, turn the hearts of the children to their parents, turn the hearts of us all to one another, turn the hearts of us all to the Lord--hear their cry, won't someone save the children, hear their cry,oh Christian,please, don't let them die..."
My friend, Miss Norma made a prayer Garden in her back yard, and dedicated it to Sarah Ruth and another pro-life hero who left us too soon. She says those children taken from their mothers womb before birth--in the Arms of God--cry out and speak up for those who cared,who showed up, who prayed, who wept, who tried--on their behalf. I believe that. And I believe that though my missing her and my longing for her has not diminished these eight years, that in the Arms of God she is a strong advocate to pray for us for the rest of my life, even as I spend my life living better, believing stronger, loving deeper--in prayer, teaching, reparation,and Hoping that in the hour of my death she, and those voices that cry out, and the Holy Family will all speak out on my behalf.
In her death, Sarah Ruth taught me to grab hold of HOPE. Women of faith came to me after the funeral to say that Sarah Ruth would ask them for their HOPE bead when they prayed their Rosary. I had never thought of such a thing, but asking those I meet and connect with has been the strength of my heart these many years and I find from these prayers my greatest single comfort. If you have not yet dedicated yours for the Vinzant family--those in the Arms of God, those not yet reconciled with the Church, and those still here pressing on to stumble heavenward--please pray for us.
I heard from the young man who was one of Sarah Ruth's longest friends--they had their first date with each other, the went through home-school Coop and Music together and his family and ours have been close since our Andrew 25 was five months old. He dropped a line today reminding me that she is not forgotten and I am grateful. Now more and more, I want to share my missed opportunities to love her in the normal triumphs and trials of life-by loving His people deeper and deeper in the LOVE of Jesus. This is what we all must do as we draw deeply from the Wells of Love. Every day I hear of your heartaches and struggles with children you still have on this side of the Vail. Many I know and hear of bear much greater sadness and burden then I could ever imagine--burden that would surely make this grown man cry--you and yours are in my prayers. I do believe that we shall see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living while we yet live--wait I say upon the Lord and let your heart take courage--HE is Good and doth Good.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
This is one of the hymns of my youth--we Sing Truth, sometimes with smiles and sometimes through many tears--and at my local church in Coppell we sing the same truth, month after month---lest I forget the Cross--
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away You give and take away
My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name
Your friend,
Daniel and the boys,
January 8, 2009
I continue to thank you from the fullness of my heart for how you have taken me and the boys into your hearts, families, rosaries, and for the HOPE beads you offer up for the Vinzant family.
Please be assured that you and your family and your intentions will be offered up in my Holy Hours especially these next 4 days.
And because so many of you know me only since 2000 or less with our arrival on the Dallas scene, I must give you some sweet remembrances, so that in your hearts and minds eye she will be real to you too. I give you updates on me and the boys when I share our holy days, our new recipes and such. She is the best part of who we are as a family--in our loss, our hopes, our dreams, who we are, and who we strive to be. The boys call her Sis--always have, and till refer to her today the same as if she were in the same room with us, Sis this, Sis that...as we pray our mass today and light our candles, please come a little inside our hearts. With all the people I know, with all the family I have left-- do not think there are more than 3 people who really know me. My regret is that Sarah Ruth knows me now so much better, than she did when she was here face to face. She has the benefit of so much more true knowledge--seeing things more and more the way those in the Arms of God can see and know things. I hear her laughter more and more these days as through her prayers I see the fleeting parts of my life, my defects, my failures, an my lack as temporary and transitory--and as through her prayers of HOPE I catch glimpses of that which is really TRUE,Eternal, and Worthy.
And for those of you who have children now older than the magical age of 3-4,even though in this Valley of Tears, these last 8 years, although she is more real to me then you could ever understand, in my head, in my heart, in my thoughts, in my conversations, in my laughter--in these "conversations" of LOVE we now have, she has never once argued with me. And now, because I am more comfortable in sharing my heart with you then ever before--here are a few snippets of our Sis, Sissy, Ruthie, Ruby,Sandra Sue, Lovey, Sara, Baby Doll, Sister--Sarah Ruth Leigh Vinzant.
When she was less than 3 and still riding in the child seat in the back--she and I were off on a specific errand and it took us past all the Mall shops. We were listening to music and I heard Sarah Ruth speak up, "Daddy I am hungry." We were in our early, poor as church mice working on my Seminary Graduate degree days and while I was contemplating the money situation, SR piped up with the sweetest, gentle question, "Daddy, do we have money today?" and as I shook my head no, she said with definitiveness, "Daddy, then I am not hungry anymore."
I went to school Tuesday through Thursday and had time off on Monday and Friday, so we would pack up and go out to a lovely, old cemetery in the country that had a lot of empty acreage filled with old Oak trees where she would play on the low hanging limbs while I said my daily prayers. Then she would line up her dolls and animals and she would play hair dresser--Sandra Sue. Often on trips to see the in-laws, Jan would drive and I would lean the passenger seat back and SR would work on my hair for the trip asking Bible questions all the way. If she was not asking questions, she would fill the car with song. I still have never seen a Veggie Tale show because we did not have TV at the time,but know the songs as Sarah Ruth had her two favorites from watching them at friends ---"I'm so blue, I'm so blue, I'm so blue,ue,ue, ue ue, blue.... and, I love my hairbrush, I love my hairbrush....."
We had visitors through our house all the time in those days. SR was the great delight of all our adult visitors, and one time this dear lady in her early 60's
was visiting with her 84 year old retired professor father. He had the beautiful unkempt, white hair of an academic and a full white beard. We left him in the recliner to his daily nap, toured the house, and came back to find SR aka Sandra Sue, giving Mr. Floyd a haircut with real scissors. In due time she also gave her little brother a haircut, and then finished her early budding carrier by giving herself a haircut that did not go well with her Mom's first inspection.
From earliest life, Sarah Ruth was fearless in sharing her faith. We were walking the mall before she was 4 years old towards the end on an evening and there were a few walkers, not a lot of shoppers, and Mall Security--an off duty policeman. Suddenly I heard a little voice say, "Why do you smoke? You should not smoke." only to look over to the policeman with his lit cigarette--and before I could quite her she was in for the kill, "Do you want to be like Jesus? Did Jesus smoke? No, then you should want to be more like Jesus and not smoke." I just knew I was going to get creamed, when we watched the policeman put out his cigarette, get down and thank Sarah Ruth face to face, and then stand and tell Dad, to not be ashamed when his kids shared their beliefs with others. And then he spoke of wanting to return to the Church of his youth. Years later, I stood with amazement and great admiration as Sarah Ruth begin her carrier going inside abortion centers pretending to be a client in crisis--going into the facilities and leaving brochures, putting them in magazines, handing them out quietly to others waiting, and then standing to her feet, screaming "you mean you kill the babies, you want to kill these babies..." until she was arm-handled outside, screaming all the way, "please do not let them kill your babies."
From the time she was 15-19 Sarah Ruth traveled with me to pro-life events far and wide, and never tired of doing her part to save babies. She was part of pro-life prayer sessions, walk-ins to confront clinic workers the girls in the waiting rooms,Sidewalk counseling, and a pro-life Drama group. She was very involved in a National campaign to convince American Express to stop giving direct grants to Planned Parenthood. She gave talks and wrote papers on the virtues of St. Athanasius in fighting Infanticide in the 4Th Century. She would stand toe to toe to the locked arms of the Little Rock SWAT team on the sidewalk and walk hours in prayer vigils and walks singing the haunting refrain,"Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, turn the hearts of the children to their parents, turn the hearts of us all to one another, turn the hearts of us all to the Lord--hear their cry, won't someone save the children, hear their cry,oh Christian,please, don't let them die..."
My friend, Miss Norma made a prayer Garden in her back yard, and dedicated it to Sarah Ruth and another pro-life hero who left us too soon. She says those children taken from their mothers womb before birth--in the Arms of God--cry out and speak up for those who cared,who showed up, who prayed, who wept, who tried--on their behalf. I believe that. And I believe that though my missing her and my longing for her has not diminished these eight years, that in the Arms of God she is a strong advocate to pray for us for the rest of my life, even as I spend my life living better, believing stronger, loving deeper--in prayer, teaching, reparation,and Hoping that in the hour of my death she, and those voices that cry out, and the Holy Family will all speak out on my behalf.
In her death, Sarah Ruth taught me to grab hold of HOPE. Women of faith came to me after the funeral to say that Sarah Ruth would ask them for their HOPE bead when they prayed their Rosary. I had never thought of such a thing, but asking those I meet and connect with has been the strength of my heart these many years and I find from these prayers my greatest single comfort. If you have not yet dedicated yours for the Vinzant family--those in the Arms of God, those not yet reconciled with the Church, and those still here pressing on to stumble heavenward--please pray for us.
I heard from the young man who was one of Sarah Ruth's longest friends--they had their first date with each other, the went through home-school Coop and Music together and his family and ours have been close since our Andrew 25 was five months old. He dropped a line today reminding me that she is not forgotten and I am grateful. Now more and more, I want to share my missed opportunities to love her in the normal triumphs and trials of life-by loving His people deeper and deeper in the LOVE of Jesus. This is what we all must do as we draw deeply from the Wells of Love. Every day I hear of your heartaches and struggles with children you still have on this side of the Vail. Many I know and hear of bear much greater sadness and burden then I could ever imagine--burden that would surely make this grown man cry--you and yours are in my prayers. I do believe that we shall see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living while we yet live--wait I say upon the Lord and let your heart take courage--HE is Good and doth Good.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
This is one of the hymns of my youth--we Sing Truth, sometimes with smiles and sometimes through many tears--and at my local church in Coppell we sing the same truth, month after month---lest I forget the Cross--
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away You give and take away
My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name
Your friend,
Daniel and the boys,
January 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Dear Ones,
How marvelous to be Catholic and to know that the wonders of Christmas do not end in a single day—the Octave of Christmas is this wonderful 8 days that encompass such beautiful days as St Stephen the Martyr, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, and the Feast of the Holy Family—and culminating on the First with our Feast of the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy and the Circumcision of our Lord.
And then of course extends to the 12 Days of Christmas which will culminate on January 6th for The Epiphany of our Lord. And then of course the Christmas season lasts for 40 Days—how wonderful to be Catholic. You should really get into the tradition like I do, I do not mail my Christmas cards till after the 25th and keep on writing them through the whole 40 day Christmas Season. giggles
Please do not miss this wonderful opportunity:
Two Plenary Indulgences are available as follows:
1. Reciting the Te Deum (privately) on December 31.
2. Reciting Veni Creator Spiritus on January 1st.
If you want to share my New Years Eve Celebration plans you can join me at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus of the Discalsed Carmelite Sisters on Flowers Street in Oak Cliff for Midnight Mass--you need to get there by 11:30 to be ready to do the Te Deum before Mass and then end Mass on the morning of the First with the Veni Creator Spiritus--you get your Holy Day of Obligation and the two Plenary Indulgences all in one fell swoop--what a deal--after some prayers of thanksgiving and Adoration, you are off to a good sleep and wake to your Black Eyed Peas for New Years Day Brunch. And of course we will all be keeping up our decorations and creche sets till January 6th--my Wise Men are still Traveling from Afar across the Living Room and Dining Room till that happy day--and I am still listening to my 25+ Christmas CD collection as I sip hot tea or Scotch as the mood requires in front of the the fireplace--ah the fireplace chats.
Those who claim that indulgences are no longer a part of the Church's teachings today are misinformed Indulgences are the enactment of the authority given to Peter and to the Church, which Christ established to extend the mercy of God to the Christian faithful. Temporal punishment due for sins is a Doctrine of the Church as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1471 thru 1479., and Code of Canon Law, c. 994.
Te Deum, also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because if its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (4th century). It is used at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.
TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates;
To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
The glorious choir of the Apostles,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
the wonderful company of Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
the Father of infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te.
V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.
R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.
R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.
Veni Creator Spiritus is a hymn normally sung in Gregorian Chant and is considered the "most famous of hymns." It was written by Rabanus Maurus in the 9th Century . The hymn is often sung at occasions such as the entrance of Cardinals to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope, as well as the consecration of bishops, the ordination of priests, the dedication of churches, the celebration of synods or councils, the coronation of kings and other solemn events. It means "come Holy Spirit Creator" and commemorates the feast of Pentecost. The hymn was probably first assigned toVespers. Its use at Terce commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost at the third hour of the day. Below is the original Latin and its English translation:
Latin
English
Veni, Creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita
Imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.
Qui Paraclitus diceris,
Donum Dei Altissimi,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
Tu septiformis munere,
dextrae Dei tu digitus;
tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.
Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque duces protinus,
ductore sic te praevio,
vitemus omne noxium.
Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Sit laus Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito:
nobisque mittat Filius
charisma Sancti Spiritus.
Amen.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our senses from above,and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
God bless you and yours and the very merriest of Christmas to you and all of yours. I look forward to many more stirring chats by the fire in 2009.
Daniel
Eve of the Feast of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, and our Mother
If you're confused about the Church's publications of several books on indulgences over the past 200 years, allow me to give a brief teaching:
The new 'Manual of Indulgences' or Enchiridion Indulgentiarum is a hardcover English edition of the 1999 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum published by the Holy See. It replaced the the 'Enchiridion of Indulgences' published by Liberia Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City in l968 and authorized by Pope Paul VI after Vatican II in the Apostolic Constitution on the 'Revision of Indulgences.' However, the Vatican's new l999 Enchiridon Indulgentiarum lists only 33 indulgences, instead of earlier 74, that one may gain. Before the Enchiridion of 1968, there was 'The Raccolta' or original manual of indulgences. 'The Raccolta' was translated into English in l950 from the official l807 edition 'Enchiridion Indulgentarum' issued by the Sacred Penitentiary Apostolic, with the latest revision being done in l898 by the Sacred Congregation of the Indulgences. 'The Raccolta' contains prayers and pious exercises to which indulgences have been attached by the popes; also the decrees granting these indulgences and the conditions necessary for gaining them.
I have both of these indulgence books in my home Catholic library. All of the indulgences in each book have been approved by the Popes of the Church, so they are all still valid and licit to use. I take the Raccolta with me to my Holy Hour. You can get a reprint easily on the Internet.
How marvelous to be Catholic and to know that the wonders of Christmas do not end in a single day—the Octave of Christmas is this wonderful 8 days that encompass such beautiful days as St Stephen the Martyr, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, and the Feast of the Holy Family—and culminating on the First with our Feast of the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy and the Circumcision of our Lord.
And then of course extends to the 12 Days of Christmas which will culminate on January 6th for The Epiphany of our Lord. And then of course the Christmas season lasts for 40 Days—how wonderful to be Catholic. You should really get into the tradition like I do, I do not mail my Christmas cards till after the 25th and keep on writing them through the whole 40 day Christmas Season. giggles
Please do not miss this wonderful opportunity:
Two Plenary Indulgences are available as follows:
1. Reciting the Te Deum (privately) on December 31.
2. Reciting Veni Creator Spiritus on January 1st.
If you want to share my New Years Eve Celebration plans you can join me at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus of the Discalsed Carmelite Sisters on Flowers Street in Oak Cliff for Midnight Mass--you need to get there by 11:30 to be ready to do the Te Deum before Mass and then end Mass on the morning of the First with the Veni Creator Spiritus--you get your Holy Day of Obligation and the two Plenary Indulgences all in one fell swoop--what a deal--after some prayers of thanksgiving and Adoration, you are off to a good sleep and wake to your Black Eyed Peas for New Years Day Brunch. And of course we will all be keeping up our decorations and creche sets till January 6th--my Wise Men are still Traveling from Afar across the Living Room and Dining Room till that happy day--and I am still listening to my 25+ Christmas CD collection as I sip hot tea or Scotch as the mood requires in front of the the fireplace--ah the fireplace chats.
Those who claim that indulgences are no longer a part of the Church's teachings today are misinformed Indulgences are the enactment of the authority given to Peter and to the Church, which Christ established to extend the mercy of God to the Christian faithful. Temporal punishment due for sins is a Doctrine of the Church as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1471 thru 1479., and Code of Canon Law, c. 994.
Te Deum, also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because if its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (4th century). It is used at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.
TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates;
To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
The glorious choir of the Apostles,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
the wonderful company of Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
the Father of infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te.
V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.
R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.
R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.
Veni Creator Spiritus is a hymn normally sung in Gregorian Chant and is considered the "most famous of hymns." It was written by Rabanus Maurus in the 9th Century . The hymn is often sung at occasions such as the entrance of Cardinals to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope, as well as the consecration of bishops, the ordination of priests, the dedication of churches, the celebration of synods or councils, the coronation of kings and other solemn events. It means "come Holy Spirit Creator" and commemorates the feast of Pentecost. The hymn was probably first assigned toVespers. Its use at Terce commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost at the third hour of the day. Below is the original Latin and its English translation:
Latin
English
Veni, Creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita
Imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.
Qui Paraclitus diceris,
Donum Dei Altissimi,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
Tu septiformis munere,
dextrae Dei tu digitus;
tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.
Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque duces protinus,
ductore sic te praevio,
vitemus omne noxium.
Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Sit laus Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito:
nobisque mittat Filius
charisma Sancti Spiritus.
Amen.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our senses from above,and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.
God bless you and yours and the very merriest of Christmas to you and all of yours. I look forward to many more stirring chats by the fire in 2009.
Daniel
Eve of the Feast of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, and our Mother
If you're confused about the Church's publications of several books on indulgences over the past 200 years, allow me to give a brief teaching:
The new 'Manual of Indulgences' or Enchiridion Indulgentiarum is a hardcover English edition of the 1999 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum published by the Holy See. It replaced the the 'Enchiridion of Indulgences' published by Liberia Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City in l968 and authorized by Pope Paul VI after Vatican II in the Apostolic Constitution on the 'Revision of Indulgences.' However, the Vatican's new l999 Enchiridon Indulgentiarum lists only 33 indulgences, instead of earlier 74, that one may gain. Before the Enchiridion of 1968, there was 'The Raccolta' or original manual of indulgences. 'The Raccolta' was translated into English in l950 from the official l807 edition 'Enchiridion Indulgentarum' issued by the Sacred Penitentiary Apostolic, with the latest revision being done in l898 by the Sacred Congregation of the Indulgences. 'The Raccolta' contains prayers and pious exercises to which indulgences have been attached by the popes; also the decrees granting these indulgences and the conditions necessary for gaining them.
I have both of these indulgence books in my home Catholic library. All of the indulgences in each book have been approved by the Popes of the Church, so they are all still valid and licit to use. I take the Raccolta with me to my Holy Hour. You can get a reprint easily on the Internet.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
I have my TIVO filled with Christmas movies and they have already brought more than a few tears as I experience the emotions they hold---I called a dear friend, one I always considered "tough as nails" only to find her sobbing over the Christmas Shoes movie. Too sweet, too wonderful--to let our hearts flow with the many emotions our Dear Saviour has Given unto us as children of men, who HE has now made children of the Heavenly Father. I go from the traditional to Johnny Quest, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the Yogie Bear Christmas....hehehe
This is a sweet email forward--if you have already read it, know that to me it reminds me of you and yours....
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'. The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'.
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this forever good-bye?'
'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back
will be for my funeral,' she said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?
She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to
say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough', we want the other person to have a life filled with just enough
good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from
memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no
matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even
more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive
and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of
joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you
possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final
good-bye.
She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....
To all my friends and loved ones , I WISH YOU ENOUGH.....
This time of year is special in so many ways. I love the 12 hours of darkness, I love coming home to a blazing fire, and a warm pot of tea, with a crystal decanter and glass ready for the bedtime Scotch--just to take the chill off for the night of course. I love the books I keep ready and nestled in every room as I wander as I wander from room to room reading parts of five books at a time. I love working my way through my 25+ CD's filled with Sounds of the Seasons--this year i have added:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (remastered)--favs hearing over and over Christmas is Here, Greensleves, Fur Elise,
Angel Voices-Libera--Silent Night
A Christmas Celebration-Celtic Women--Panis Angelicus
Christmas Memories-Ella Fitzgerald
And of course till I can listen no more--Noel-Josh Groban--Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria, What Child is This?
I am home the next four days and there is a near by mug waiting for you to have a bit of my pot of tea and some shortbread from my ole Irish-Scotch Granny Walker. If you are quick enough a spot of Old Bushmill's Irish Cream, Nucello, or velvety smooth Tequila liquor--but, be fair warned, I can not predict how long they will hold out against the raging North winds of Coppell.
I can assure you that there are plenty of Drunken Raisins and Glogg. You can always bring a fav bottle of your own to share with us---giggles. Or cookies, or fudge, or...we are a household of fend for your self boys---have mercy on us.
I am off to my favorite Costco to close it down at this once a year we close at 5:00PM the only sad sound of the season--and then I am picking up Miss Norma and we are off to a fine steak dinner just the two of us and then to see It is a Wonderful Life in the Theaters at the Angelica at Legacy at 7:30--then I will get her to home in time to make Midnight Mass with all the wonderful sounds, smells, and the Arrival of our lovely Child Jesus in the Manager, in our hearts, in our homes, and in our bellies.
The boys and I sleep in on Christmas Day and then when they are fully roused, I serve them my truly wondrous and made from Scratch---Vanilla pancakes and real Maple Syrup, great bacon and eggs and eggnog and fresh Orange Juice....Andrew will read us the Traditional Gospel Christmas story and we will exchange our gifts and more our stories and laughter before the fire...
Here are a few of my sweet family memories to share with you. I will keep writing my Christmas cards throughout the Christmas Octave, the Twelve Days, and up to the end of the Catholic 40 Days of Christmas---how wonderful that the Church gives us so much times of celebration in our wondrous Church Calendar.
Please, KNOW that you are in my heart so deeply and so fully. YOU as an expression of HIS LOVE the FACE of LOVE have turned my mourning into dancing and turned my sack cloth into JOY. I did not think this was possible, but it is--HE IS.
I would love to hear from you during this wondrous time of peace and Goodwill to men, and on Earth tidings of Glad JOY.
Your friend,
Daniel, Andrew, and Lewis
Christmas Eve 2008 Coppell, Texas
This is a sweet email forward--if you have already read it, know that to me it reminds me of you and yours....
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'. The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'.
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this forever good-bye?'
'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back
will be for my funeral,' she said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?
She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to
say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough', we want the other person to have a life filled with just enough
good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from
memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no
matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even
more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive
and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of
joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you
possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final
good-bye.
She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....
To all my friends and loved ones , I WISH YOU ENOUGH.....
This time of year is special in so many ways. I love the 12 hours of darkness, I love coming home to a blazing fire, and a warm pot of tea, with a crystal decanter and glass ready for the bedtime Scotch--just to take the chill off for the night of course. I love the books I keep ready and nestled in every room as I wander as I wander from room to room reading parts of five books at a time. I love working my way through my 25+ CD's filled with Sounds of the Seasons--this year i have added:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (remastered)--favs hearing over and over Christmas is Here, Greensleves, Fur Elise,
Angel Voices-Libera--Silent Night
A Christmas Celebration-Celtic Women--Panis Angelicus
Christmas Memories-Ella Fitzgerald
And of course till I can listen no more--Noel-Josh Groban--Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria, What Child is This?
I am home the next four days and there is a near by mug waiting for you to have a bit of my pot of tea and some shortbread from my ole Irish-Scotch Granny Walker. If you are quick enough a spot of Old Bushmill's Irish Cream, Nucello, or velvety smooth Tequila liquor--but, be fair warned, I can not predict how long they will hold out against the raging North winds of Coppell.
I can assure you that there are plenty of Drunken Raisins and Glogg. You can always bring a fav bottle of your own to share with us---giggles. Or cookies, or fudge, or...we are a household of fend for your self boys---have mercy on us.
I am off to my favorite Costco to close it down at this once a year we close at 5:00PM the only sad sound of the season--and then I am picking up Miss Norma and we are off to a fine steak dinner just the two of us and then to see It is a Wonderful Life in the Theaters at the Angelica at Legacy at 7:30--then I will get her to home in time to make Midnight Mass with all the wonderful sounds, smells, and the Arrival of our lovely Child Jesus in the Manager, in our hearts, in our homes, and in our bellies.
The boys and I sleep in on Christmas Day and then when they are fully roused, I serve them my truly wondrous and made from Scratch---Vanilla pancakes and real Maple Syrup, great bacon and eggs and eggnog and fresh Orange Juice....Andrew will read us the Traditional Gospel Christmas story and we will exchange our gifts and more our stories and laughter before the fire...
Here are a few of my sweet family memories to share with you. I will keep writing my Christmas cards throughout the Christmas Octave, the Twelve Days, and up to the end of the Catholic 40 Days of Christmas---how wonderful that the Church gives us so much times of celebration in our wondrous Church Calendar.
Please, KNOW that you are in my heart so deeply and so fully. YOU as an expression of HIS LOVE the FACE of LOVE have turned my mourning into dancing and turned my sack cloth into JOY. I did not think this was possible, but it is--HE IS.
I would love to hear from you during this wondrous time of peace and Goodwill to men, and on Earth tidings of Glad JOY.
Your friend,
Daniel, Andrew, and Lewis
Christmas Eve 2008 Coppell, Texas
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Traditional Christmas Pudding
First Sunday of Advent---Stir-Up Sunday also has an earthier meaning: it is the time to stir up the signature Christmas dessert, the pudding (which takes weeks to mature before reaching its peak). The process of making a traditional Christmas pudding has come to abound in allegory and harmless superstition. It should be stirred from East to West, it is said, to commemorate the journey of the Magi; it should have thirteen ingredients in honor of Christ and His Apostles; and every member of the family and guest should stir the pudding while secretly making a wish. Finally, the stirring represents the arousal of our hearts for the Lord’s coming, while the richness of the pudding represents the good things that He brings with Him from Heaven. There is even a little poem to accompany the task:
Stir up, we beseech thee,
The pudding in the pot;
And when we get home
We’ll eat the lot.
Christmas pudding may also include any number of good luck tokens, such as a coin for prosperity, a thimble for luck (or spinsterhood!), and a ring for marriage, with each of these blessings going to the person who finds the relevant object in their share (just make certain to tell everyone to look for it so that no one will choke on their new destiny). The pudding is usually presented to the family at the end of Christmas dinner with great fanfare, such as dousing it with warm brandy and setting it ablaze, where it is then consumed with zest.
1½ lbs. raisins (regular)
1¾ lbs. currants
1 lb. sultanas (golden Raisins)
2 lbs. sugar
2 lbs. bread crumbs
1 oz. cinnamon
6 oz. finely cut citron
grated rind of 2 lemons
1 oz. ground nutmeg
½ oz. ground bitter almonds
2 lbs. finely chopped suet (go to a good Butcher and get some good and fresh Suet please)
16 eggs
¼ pt. brandy, 2 tablespoons dark rum, and 2.5 oz of Stout
1 cup brandy (for the flambé)
Day 1 Chop the raisins but do not grind them. Wash and dry the currants. To the fruits add all the dry ingredients and the suet together, and moisten with the well-beaten eggs and the brandy. Don't forget to tick everything off so as not to leave anything out. This is where it is traditional to gather all the family round, especially the children, and invite everyone to have a really good stir and make a wish. The mixture should have a fairly sloppy consistency – that is, it should fall instantly from the spoon when this is tapped on the side of the bowl. If you think it needs a bit more liquid add a spot more stout. Cover the bowl and leave overnight.
Day 2 Pack the mixture into the lightly greased pudding mold, cover it with a double sheet of silicone paper (baking parchment) and a sheet of foil and tie it securely with string. It's also a good idea to tie a piece of string across the top to make a handle. Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water and steam the pudding for 8 hours. Do make sure you keep a regular eye on the water underneath and top it up with boiling water from the kettle from time to time.
When the pudding is steamed let it get quite cold, then remove the steam papers and foil and replace them with some fresh ones, again making a string handle for easier maneuvering. Now your Christmas pudding is all ready for Christmas Day. Keep it in a cool place away from the light. Under the bed in an unheated bedroom is an ideal place.
To re-heat, fill a saucepan quite full with boiling water, put it on the heat and, when it comes back to the boil, place a steamer on top of the pan and turn it down to a gentle simmer. Put the Christmas pudding in the steamer, cover and leave to steam away for 2 hours. You'll need to check the water from time to time and maybe top it up a bit.
To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife all round the pudding, then turn it out on to a warmed plate. Place a suitably sized sprig of holly on top. Now warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and as soon as the brandy is hot ask someone to set light to it. Place the ladle, now gently flaming, on top of the pudding – but don't pour it over until you reach the table. When you do, pour it slowly over the pudding, sides and all, and watch it flame to the cheers of the assembled company! When both flames and cheers have died down, serve the pudding with rum sauce, or rum or brandy butter.
Brandy Butter
6 tablespoons of brandy
6 oz of unsalted butter at room temperature
6 oz of dark brown sugar, softened
Use mixer and add the brandy slowly. When the right taste and consistency put in tight container and it will last two weeks in the fridge. Always serve cold.
Warm Rum Sauce
Place 2½ oz of the butter in a saucepan with 2½ oz flour, pour in the milk, then, using a whisk, beat everything vigorously together over a medium heat. As soon as it comes to simmering point and has thickened, turn the heat to its lowest setting, stir in the sugar and let the sauce cook for 10 minutes. Add the rum, the remaining ½ oz butter and 1 tablespoon cream. Pour the hot sauce into a serving picture, cover the surface with plastic wrap and keep warm until served.
3 (or more) tablespoons dark rum
3 oz butter
2½ oz plain flour
1 pint whole milk
2 oz superfine sugar
1 tablespoon heavy cream
This is great fun for the whole family. Let me know if you try it, and how it works out!
Daniel Vinzant
Coppell--old family recipe
Feast of St. Nicholas
First Sunday of Advent---Stir-Up Sunday also has an earthier meaning: it is the time to stir up the signature Christmas dessert, the pudding (which takes weeks to mature before reaching its peak). The process of making a traditional Christmas pudding has come to abound in allegory and harmless superstition. It should be stirred from East to West, it is said, to commemorate the journey of the Magi; it should have thirteen ingredients in honor of Christ and His Apostles; and every member of the family and guest should stir the pudding while secretly making a wish. Finally, the stirring represents the arousal of our hearts for the Lord’s coming, while the richness of the pudding represents the good things that He brings with Him from Heaven. There is even a little poem to accompany the task:
Stir up, we beseech thee,
The pudding in the pot;
And when we get home
We’ll eat the lot.
Christmas pudding may also include any number of good luck tokens, such as a coin for prosperity, a thimble for luck (or spinsterhood!), and a ring for marriage, with each of these blessings going to the person who finds the relevant object in their share (just make certain to tell everyone to look for it so that no one will choke on their new destiny). The pudding is usually presented to the family at the end of Christmas dinner with great fanfare, such as dousing it with warm brandy and setting it ablaze, where it is then consumed with zest.
1½ lbs. raisins (regular)
1¾ lbs. currants
1 lb. sultanas (golden Raisins)
2 lbs. sugar
2 lbs. bread crumbs
1 oz. cinnamon
6 oz. finely cut citron
grated rind of 2 lemons
1 oz. ground nutmeg
½ oz. ground bitter almonds
2 lbs. finely chopped suet (go to a good Butcher and get some good and fresh Suet please)
16 eggs
¼ pt. brandy, 2 tablespoons dark rum, and 2.5 oz of Stout
1 cup brandy (for the flambé)
Day 1 Chop the raisins but do not grind them. Wash and dry the currants. To the fruits add all the dry ingredients and the suet together, and moisten with the well-beaten eggs and the brandy. Don't forget to tick everything off so as not to leave anything out. This is where it is traditional to gather all the family round, especially the children, and invite everyone to have a really good stir and make a wish. The mixture should have a fairly sloppy consistency – that is, it should fall instantly from the spoon when this is tapped on the side of the bowl. If you think it needs a bit more liquid add a spot more stout. Cover the bowl and leave overnight.
Day 2 Pack the mixture into the lightly greased pudding mold, cover it with a double sheet of silicone paper (baking parchment) and a sheet of foil and tie it securely with string. It's also a good idea to tie a piece of string across the top to make a handle. Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water and steam the pudding for 8 hours. Do make sure you keep a regular eye on the water underneath and top it up with boiling water from the kettle from time to time.
When the pudding is steamed let it get quite cold, then remove the steam papers and foil and replace them with some fresh ones, again making a string handle for easier maneuvering. Now your Christmas pudding is all ready for Christmas Day. Keep it in a cool place away from the light. Under the bed in an unheated bedroom is an ideal place.
To re-heat, fill a saucepan quite full with boiling water, put it on the heat and, when it comes back to the boil, place a steamer on top of the pan and turn it down to a gentle simmer. Put the Christmas pudding in the steamer, cover and leave to steam away for 2 hours. You'll need to check the water from time to time and maybe top it up a bit.
To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife all round the pudding, then turn it out on to a warmed plate. Place a suitably sized sprig of holly on top. Now warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and as soon as the brandy is hot ask someone to set light to it. Place the ladle, now gently flaming, on top of the pudding – but don't pour it over until you reach the table. When you do, pour it slowly over the pudding, sides and all, and watch it flame to the cheers of the assembled company! When both flames and cheers have died down, serve the pudding with rum sauce, or rum or brandy butter.
Brandy Butter
6 tablespoons of brandy
6 oz of unsalted butter at room temperature
6 oz of dark brown sugar, softened
Use mixer and add the brandy slowly. When the right taste and consistency put in tight container and it will last two weeks in the fridge. Always serve cold.
Warm Rum Sauce
Place 2½ oz of the butter in a saucepan with 2½ oz flour, pour in the milk, then, using a whisk, beat everything vigorously together over a medium heat. As soon as it comes to simmering point and has thickened, turn the heat to its lowest setting, stir in the sugar and let the sauce cook for 10 minutes. Add the rum, the remaining ½ oz butter and 1 tablespoon cream. Pour the hot sauce into a serving picture, cover the surface with plastic wrap and keep warm until served.
3 (or more) tablespoons dark rum
3 oz butter
2½ oz plain flour
1 pint whole milk
2 oz superfine sugar
1 tablespoon heavy cream
This is great fun for the whole family. Let me know if you try it, and how it works out!
Daniel Vinzant
Coppell--old family recipe
Feast of St. Nicholas
Monday, October 27, 2008
VOTE EARLY
If you can vote early- do so. If you can vote in person- do so. If there is a neighbor who needs a ride- offer.
I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th.
Full article below:
[to non-Catholics- A Rosary is a nine day prayer. Please join us for these nine days with the prayer of your choice.]
ONE MINUTE PRAYER WITH USA
The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever! If you would like to participate, each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend One minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U. S.[The call is for one minute during this particular time. This time will be a time when we are unified throughout the USA! We will -of course- be praying at other times as well.]
A CALL FOR A ROSARY NOVENA
Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571.
This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peters Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it.
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order a true battle between good and evil.
Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress- a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation.
God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition.
The group singled out for death -unwanted, unborn children. No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.
I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th.
Pray that Gods will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.
May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well-formed Catholic conscience.
God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Martino
http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/martino-respect-life-sunday-2008.htm
"Abortion is the issue this year and every year in every campaign. Catholics may not turn away from the moral challenge that abortion poses for those who seek to obey God’s commands. They are wrong when they assert that abortion does not concern them, or that it is only one of a multitude of issues of equal importance. No, the taking of innocent human life is so heinous, so horribly evil, and so absolutely opposite to the law of Almighty God that abortion must take precedence over every other issue. I repeat. It is the single most important issue confronting not only Catholics, but the entire electorate."
Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.
Bishop of Scranton
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT
Prayer never hurt anyone only those who are against God This is the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced, and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees. Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold.
We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land. This election is the scariest I remember in my life time.
2 Chronicles 7:14...
'If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'
During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.
There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America the United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever! If you would like to participate, each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend One minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U. S.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please let everyone know. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Thank you. Please pass this on to anyone who you think will want to Participate.
THE FEASTOF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2008
The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was instituted by Pope Pius V after the Christian victory over the Turks in 1571 and celebrates the powerful intercession and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary to those who are devoted to praying the Rosary and meditating on the mysteries of the life of Christ.
In the 1570s Pope Pius V had united the Christian armies against the Turks who were invading Europe from the east, and the outcome was the miraculous victory of the Christian fleet in the battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.
The island of Malta was attacked by the Turkish fleet, and nearly every man defending the fortress was killed in battle. The Pope sent out a fleet to meet the enemy, requesting that each man on board pray the Rosary and receive communion.
Meanwhile, he called on all of Europe to recite the Rosary and ordered forty hour devotion in Rome during the time of the battle. The Christian fleet, vastly outnumbered by the Turks, inflicted an impossible defeat on the Turkish navy, demolishing the entire fleet.
In memory of the triumph he declared that day as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary because of her intercession in answering the mass recitation of the Rosary and obtaining the victory. For this reason he has also been called the Pope of the Rosary. Pope Clement XI, after another important victory over the Turks this time gained by Prince Eugene on August 6, 1716 in Hungary, extended the feast of the Rosary to be celebrated by the Universal Church.
THE HOLOCAUST
Jewish columnist Ben Stein sentiment in the May, 1998 issue of American Spectator magazine:... "[Pro-abortionists] cannot look at their handiwork or the handiwork they defend. Across the country, they shrink from photos of the babies killed in abortions.
Through their mighty political groups, the pro-abortionists compel TV stations to refuse advertisements showing partial birth and other abortion artifacts. They will not even allow viewers (or themselves, I suspect) to see what their policies have wrought. They are, at least to my mind, like the Germans who refused to think about what was happening at Dachau and then vomited when they saw -- and never wanted to see again."
EDWARDO VERASTEGUI FROM BELLA
The following video was produced by Edwardo Verastegui from the movie Bella. It is a very powerful video. It does have some of these pictures that are so hard to look at. My question is, will we keep turning our head and closing our eyes to what is going on? Or will we look- get a big dose of reality- and do something to help end this horrific- modern day Holocaust that is happening right under our noses!
http://www.durarealidad.
NOVENA STARTS TODAY- DAY 1ELECTION NOVENA AND ANOTHER ELECTION PRAYER BELOW.
We must pray!
We cannot afford to think that it does not matter!
We cannot presume that God will's evil to win!
We can’t presume that this must be -since we DO deserve it!
We must run to God's mercy!
Imagine what would have happened if Nineveh thought it was just too late!
Imagine what would have happened if praying and fasting did not fit in their busy schedule!
Imagine if Mordecai had decided not to wear sackcloth and ashes.
Imagine if Mordecai and the Jewish people would not have listened to Esther when she asked them to fast for 3 days and nights!
We must do all we can- and then accept God's will as it happens!
PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF VICTORY
Solemn Novena Our Lady of Victory ...
The Novena Prayer ...
Salve Regina ...
The Memorare ...
Father Baker's Prayer To Our Lady of Victory ...
Our Lady of Victory
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The response for the following greetings is Pray for us.
Our Lady of Victory,
Victorious daughter of the Father,
Victorious Mother of the Son,
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity Victorious in your Immaculate Conception,
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head,
Victorious over all the children of Adam,
Victorious over all enemies,
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel,
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph,
Victorious in the birth of Christ,
Victorious in the flight to Egypt,
Victorious in your exile,
Victorious in your home at Nazareth,
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple,
Victorious in the mission of your Son,
Victorious in His passion and death,
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension,
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit,
Victorious in your sorrows and joys,
Victorious in your glorious Assumption,
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful,
Victorious in the happiness of the saints,
Victorious in the message of the prophets,
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs,
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles,
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists,
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors,
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors,
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women,
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs,
Victorious in your power full intercession,
Victorious under your many titles,
Victorious at the moment of death,
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Novena Prayer
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 your 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, on God, for all the ages to come? Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
Let us pray: 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let us pray: The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Father Baker's Prayer to Our Lady of Victory
let us pray: O Victorious Lady! Thou who has ever such powerful influence with Thy Divine Son, in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays of Divine Grace, they may return to the unity of the true Faith, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE ROSARY FOLLOWS
From:
http://www.ourladyofvictory.org/FrBaker/prayer.html
An Election Prayer to Mary
O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God's law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bishop Robert Herman from St. Louis, Oct. 18, 2008
Bishop Robert J. Herman, the administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has written a column reminding Catholics that their vote will be a decision weighed on the Day of Judgment. He urged Catholics not to treat the unborn as the neglectful rich man treated Lazarus in the biblical parable.
“Judgment Day is on its way,” the bishop wrote in the St. Louis Review. “We cannot stop it. We don’t know when it will come, but just as surely as the sun rises daily, the Son of Man will come when we least expect.”
“For many, this coming election may very well be judgment day, for this election will measure us,” he continued, referencing Christ’s words of judgment in Matthew 10:32-33:
“Everyone who acknowledges Me before others, I will acknowledge before My heavenly Father. But whoever denies Me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
Bishop Herman asked the faithful to consider what kind of witness they give to God when they enter the voting booth on Election Day.
“The decision I make in the voting booth will reflect my value system. If I value the good of the economy and my current lifestyle more than I do the right to life itself, then I am in trouble,” the bishop wrote.
He cited Pope John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Christifideles laici, which said outcry on human rights is “false and illusory” if the right to life is not defended to the maximum.
“The right of our children to be protected from destruction is greater than my right to a thriving economy,” Bishop Herman continued.
“My desire for a good economy cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion. My desire to end the war in Iraq cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion.”
Bishop Herman looked to the spiritual dimension as well. “Those 47 million children our nation destroyed are still living. We have destroyed their bodies, but their souls are still alive. When our Lord comes again, they may very well be there to judge us. Even worse, Jesus tells us that whatever we do to the least of our brethren, we do to Him. We would truly shudder if we heard the words, ‘I was in my mother’s womb but you took my life!’
If you can vote early- do so. If you can vote in person- do so. If there is a neighbor who needs a ride- offer.
I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th.
Full article below:
[to non-Catholics- A Rosary is a nine day prayer. Please join us for these nine days with the prayer of your choice.]
ONE MINUTE PRAYER WITH USA
The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever! If you would like to participate, each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend One minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U. S.[The call is for one minute during this particular time. This time will be a time when we are unified throughout the USA! We will -of course- be praying at other times as well.]
A CALL FOR A ROSARY NOVENA
Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571.
This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peters Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it.
Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order a true battle between good and evil.
Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress- a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation.
God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition.
The group singled out for death -unwanted, unborn children. No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.
I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th.
Pray that Gods will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.
May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well-formed Catholic conscience.
God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Martino
http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/martino-respect-life-sunday-2008.htm
"Abortion is the issue this year and every year in every campaign. Catholics may not turn away from the moral challenge that abortion poses for those who seek to obey God’s commands. They are wrong when they assert that abortion does not concern them, or that it is only one of a multitude of issues of equal importance. No, the taking of innocent human life is so heinous, so horribly evil, and so absolutely opposite to the law of Almighty God that abortion must take precedence over every other issue. I repeat. It is the single most important issue confronting not only Catholics, but the entire electorate."
Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D.
Bishop of Scranton
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT
Prayer never hurt anyone only those who are against God This is the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced, and from the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees. Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold.
We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land. This election is the scariest I remember in my life time.
2 Chronicles 7:14...
'If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'
During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.
There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America the United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever! If you would like to participate, each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend One minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U. S.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please let everyone know. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Thank you. Please pass this on to anyone who you think will want to Participate.
THE FEASTOF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2008
The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary was instituted by Pope Pius V after the Christian victory over the Turks in 1571 and celebrates the powerful intercession and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary to those who are devoted to praying the Rosary and meditating on the mysteries of the life of Christ.
In the 1570s Pope Pius V had united the Christian armies against the Turks who were invading Europe from the east, and the outcome was the miraculous victory of the Christian fleet in the battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.
The island of Malta was attacked by the Turkish fleet, and nearly every man defending the fortress was killed in battle. The Pope sent out a fleet to meet the enemy, requesting that each man on board pray the Rosary and receive communion.
Meanwhile, he called on all of Europe to recite the Rosary and ordered forty hour devotion in Rome during the time of the battle. The Christian fleet, vastly outnumbered by the Turks, inflicted an impossible defeat on the Turkish navy, demolishing the entire fleet.
In memory of the triumph he declared that day as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary because of her intercession in answering the mass recitation of the Rosary and obtaining the victory. For this reason he has also been called the Pope of the Rosary. Pope Clement XI, after another important victory over the Turks this time gained by Prince Eugene on August 6, 1716 in Hungary, extended the feast of the Rosary to be celebrated by the Universal Church.
THE HOLOCAUST
Jewish columnist Ben Stein sentiment in the May, 1998 issue of American Spectator magazine:... "[Pro-abortionists] cannot look at their handiwork or the handiwork they defend. Across the country, they shrink from photos of the babies killed in abortions.
Through their mighty political groups, the pro-abortionists compel TV stations to refuse advertisements showing partial birth and other abortion artifacts. They will not even allow viewers (or themselves, I suspect) to see what their policies have wrought. They are, at least to my mind, like the Germans who refused to think about what was happening at Dachau and then vomited when they saw -- and never wanted to see again."
EDWARDO VERASTEGUI FROM BELLA
The following video was produced by Edwardo Verastegui from the movie Bella. It is a very powerful video. It does have some of these pictures that are so hard to look at. My question is, will we keep turning our head and closing our eyes to what is going on? Or will we look- get a big dose of reality- and do something to help end this horrific- modern day Holocaust that is happening right under our noses!
http://www.durarealidad.
NOVENA STARTS TODAY- DAY 1ELECTION NOVENA AND ANOTHER ELECTION PRAYER BELOW.
We must pray!
We cannot afford to think that it does not matter!
We cannot presume that God will's evil to win!
We can’t presume that this must be -since we DO deserve it!
We must run to God's mercy!
Imagine what would have happened if Nineveh thought it was just too late!
Imagine what would have happened if praying and fasting did not fit in their busy schedule!
Imagine if Mordecai had decided not to wear sackcloth and ashes.
Imagine if Mordecai and the Jewish people would not have listened to Esther when she asked them to fast for 3 days and nights!
We must do all we can- and then accept God's will as it happens!
PRAYERS TO OUR LADY OF VICTORY
Solemn Novena Our Lady of Victory ...
The Novena Prayer ...
Salve Regina ...
The Memorare ...
Father Baker's Prayer To Our Lady of Victory ...
Our Lady of Victory
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The response for the following greetings is Pray for us.
Our Lady of Victory,
Victorious daughter of the Father,
Victorious Mother of the Son,
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity Victorious in your Immaculate Conception,
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head,
Victorious over all the children of Adam,
Victorious over all enemies,
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel,
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph,
Victorious in the birth of Christ,
Victorious in the flight to Egypt,
Victorious in your exile,
Victorious in your home at Nazareth,
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple,
Victorious in the mission of your Son,
Victorious in His passion and death,
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension,
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit,
Victorious in your sorrows and joys,
Victorious in your glorious Assumption,
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful,
Victorious in the happiness of the saints,
Victorious in the message of the prophets,
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs,
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles,
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists,
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors,
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors,
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women,
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs,
Victorious in your power full intercession,
Victorious under your many titles,
Victorious at the moment of death,
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Novena Prayer
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 your 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, on God, for all the ages to come? Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
Let us pray: 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let us pray: The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Father Baker's Prayer to Our Lady of Victory
let us pray: O Victorious Lady! Thou who has ever such powerful influence with Thy Divine Son, in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays of Divine Grace, they may return to the unity of the true Faith, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE ROSARY FOLLOWS
From:
http://www.ourladyofvictory.org/FrBaker/prayer.html
An Election Prayer to Mary
O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God's law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bishop Robert Herman from St. Louis, Oct. 18, 2008
Bishop Robert J. Herman, the administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has written a column reminding Catholics that their vote will be a decision weighed on the Day of Judgment. He urged Catholics not to treat the unborn as the neglectful rich man treated Lazarus in the biblical parable.
“Judgment Day is on its way,” the bishop wrote in the St. Louis Review. “We cannot stop it. We don’t know when it will come, but just as surely as the sun rises daily, the Son of Man will come when we least expect.”
“For many, this coming election may very well be judgment day, for this election will measure us,” he continued, referencing Christ’s words of judgment in Matthew 10:32-33:
“Everyone who acknowledges Me before others, I will acknowledge before My heavenly Father. But whoever denies Me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
Bishop Herman asked the faithful to consider what kind of witness they give to God when they enter the voting booth on Election Day.
“The decision I make in the voting booth will reflect my value system. If I value the good of the economy and my current lifestyle more than I do the right to life itself, then I am in trouble,” the bishop wrote.
He cited Pope John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Christifideles laici, which said outcry on human rights is “false and illusory” if the right to life is not defended to the maximum.
“The right of our children to be protected from destruction is greater than my right to a thriving economy,” Bishop Herman continued.
“My desire for a good economy cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion. My desire to end the war in Iraq cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion.”
Bishop Herman looked to the spiritual dimension as well. “Those 47 million children our nation destroyed are still living. We have destroyed their bodies, but their souls are still alive. When our Lord comes again, they may very well be there to judge us. Even worse, Jesus tells us that whatever we do to the least of our brethren, we do to Him. We would truly shudder if we heard the words, ‘I was in my mother’s womb but you took my life!’
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