Catholic Prayers: A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas

Catholic Prayers: A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas: A Prayer for Those Alone During the Holidays While many people are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends...

A Prayer for Those Alone During Christmas

A Prayer for Those Alone During the Holidays

While many people are fortunate enough to spend the holidays with family and friends, there are also many people who are going to spend much or all of the holiday season alone. No matter the reason that you or someone else you know many be alone for the holidays, you can make it wonderful through prayer and intention. If you are alone this Christmas, pray this pray:

Heavenly Father, the holiday season can be quite a trial and even a deep sadness to many people, especially those that are alone at this time. Draw very close we pray to those that are alone and lonely over this holiday time and may they discover closeness in their relationship with You that perhaps they did not enjoy before. Amen.

BABY JESUS IN THE ARMS OF PADRE PIO DURING CHRISTMAS MASS

Witnesses attest to seeing a vision of the Baby Jesus in the arms of Padre Pio. 

This article is adapted from unknown author for the purpose of sharing to inspire and uplift our Catholic spiritual life. 

St. Padre Pio loved Christmas. He held a special devotion to the Baby Jesus ever since he was a child.

According to Capuchin priest Fr. Joseph Mary Elder, “At his home in Pietrelcina, he prepared the crib himself. He would often begin working on it as early as October. While pasturing the family’s sheep with friends, he would search for clay to use to fashion the small statues of shepherds, sheep, and the magi. He took particular care in crafting the infant Jesus, making and re-making it continually until he felt he had it just right.”

This devotion remained with him during his entire life. In a letter to spiritual daughter, he wrote, “When the Holy Novena begins in honor of the Baby Jesus, it felt as though my spirit were being born again to a new life. I felt as though my heart were too small to embrace all our heavenly blessings.”

Midnight Mass in particular was a joyous celebration for Padre Pio, who celebrated it every year, taking many hours to carefully celebrate the Holy Mass. His soul was lifted up to God with great joy, a joy that others could easy see.

Additionally, witnesses have recounted how they would see Padre Pio holding the Baby Jesus. This was not a porcelain statue, but the Baby Jesus himself in a miraculous vision.

Renzo Allegri recounts the following story.

We were reciting the rosary while waiting for the Mass. Padre Pio was praying with us. All of a sudden, in an aura of light, I saw the Baby Jesus appear in his arms. Padre Pio was transfigured, his eyes gazing upon the glowing child in his arms, his face transformed by an astonished smile. When the vision disappeared, Padre Pio realized from the way I was looking at him that I had seen everything. But he drew close to me and told me not to mention it to anyone.

A similar story is told by Fr. Raffaele da Sant’Elia, who lived next to Padre Pio for many years.

I had got up to go to the church for the Midnight Mass of 1924. The corridor was huge and dark, and the only illumination was the flame of a small oil lamp. Through the shadows I could see that Padre Pio, too, was making his way to the church. He had left his room and was making his way slowly along the corridor. I realized he was swathed in a band of light. I took a better look and saw that he had the Baby Jesus in his arms. I just stood there, transfixed, in the doorway of my room, and fell to my knees. Padre Pio passed by, all aglow. He didn’t even notice I was there.

These supernatural events highlight the deep and abiding love of Padre Pio for God. His love was further marked by simplicity and humility, with a heart wide open to receive whatever heavenly graced God had planned for him.

May we too open our hearts to receive the Baby Jesus on Christmas day and let God’s unfathomable love overcome us with Christian joy.

SAY THIS MIRACULOUS PRAYER TO THE INFANT JESUS

It was revealed to a priest in a private revelation he had of the Virgin Mary.

The famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague has a long and very complex history, one that involves a miraculous discovery by Carmelite priest, Venerable Cyril of the Mother of God, in 1637.

He was the priest who restored the statue after it was badly damaged and, in the process, experienced a private revelation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the vision, Our Lady gave to Cyril a powerful prayer to the Infant Jesus, one that has been known to be “efficacious” and secure that which is petitioned. It has been passed down through the ages and remains a staple in any devotion to the Infant Jesus.

O Child Jesus, I have recourse to You through Your Holy Mother; I implore You to assist me in this necessity, for I firmly believe that Your Divinity can assist me. I confidently hope to obtain Your holy grace. I love You with my whole heart and my whole soul. I am heartily sorry for my sins, and entreat You, O good Jesus, to give me strength to overcome them.

I am firmly resolved never to offend You again and to suffer everything rather than displease You. Henceforth, I wish to serve You faithfully. For love of You, O divine Child, I will love my neighbor as myself. O Jesus, omnipotent Child, I entreat You again to come to my assistance in this necessity. [Mention it here].

Grant me the grace of possessing You eternally with Mary and Joseph and of adoring You with Your Holy Angels and Saints. Amen.

THE POWER OF THE 3 HAIL MARYS DEVOTION NOVENA PRAYER

The custom started in Germany in the 13th century, and it was beloved by many saints, including St. John Bosco.

Among the devotions to Our Lady, there is one that is very special: that of praying three Hail Marys every day. But, where did this devotion come from?

Its origin dates back to the 13th century, and is connected to St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, a German Benedictine nun, to whom Our Lady revealed a way of lifting up a prayer of thanksgiving to the Holy Trinity for the privileges granted to the Virgin Mary.

St. Mechtilde was born in 1241 into a noble family. One day, while thinking about her own death, she fervently begged the Mother of God to help her during the last moments of her life.

She heard Our Lady say to her:

“Yes, I will; but I want you, on your part, to pray three Hail Marys to me each day. With the first, you will ask that, just as God the Father raised me up to a throne of glory without equal, making me the most powerful creature in heaven and on earth, so too I may assist you on earth to strengthen you and drive away from you every power of the enemy. With the second Hail Mary, you will ask that, just as the Son of God filled me with wisdom to such an extent that I have more knowledge of the Holy Trinity than all the Saints, so too may I help you during the last moments of your life, filling your soul with the light of faith and of true wisdom, so that the shadows of error and ignorance may not darken it. With the third, you will ask that, just as the Holy Spirit filled me with the sweetness of His love, and has made me so loving that, after God, I am the sweetest and most merciful, so also may I help you at the hour of your death, filling your soul with such gentleness of divine love that all the sorrow and bitterness of your death may be changed for you into delight.”

This was not the only revelation to a saint regarding the devotion of the the 3 Hail Marys.

Another religious, a contemporary of Mechtilde, St. Gertrude, known as “the Great,” had a beautiful vision containing another revelation. This is how it happened: It was the vespers of the feast of the Annunciation, and when it was time to sing the Hail Mary, St. Gertrude suddenly saw something like three springs of water emerging from the Hearts of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, which then penetrated the Heart of the Blessed Virgin.

At that instant, she heard a voice which said, “After the Power of the Father, the Wisdom of the Son, and the Tender Mercy of the Holy Spirit, nothing compares to the Power, Wisdom, and Tender Mercy of Mary.”

The Virgin Mary promised St. Mechtilde that whoever would pray three Hail Marys every day would receive her help during life and her special assistance at the moment of death; the Virgin Mary would appear to them with such brightness and beauty that the mere sight of her would bring consolation and the joys of heaven.

In addition to these two saints, other saints were special promoters of this devotion, such as St. Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, who frequently recommended this beautiful practice; or St. John Bosco, who suggested it to young people. St. Pio of Pietrelcina also said that many would convert just by practicing this devotion.

How to pray the three Hail Marys:

Mary, my Mother, free me from falling into mortal sin.
By the power granted you by the Eternal Father,

Hail Mary…

By the wisdom granted you by the Son,

Hail Mary…

By the love granted you by the Holy Spirit,

Hail Mary…

You conclude with a Glory be … and the brief prayer,

“Mary, by your Immaculate Conception, purify my body and sanctify my soul.” (This prayer was granted an indulgence by Saint Pius X.)

TRUST IN THE POWERUL INTERCESSION OF OUR LADY

Since we are so little (incapable, incompetent . . . really: nothing), we are in need of help. Thankfully, we have been given free access to all the help we need. We have been given the wondrous gift of a Mother who is completely kind, ever merciful, and all-powerful with God. God clearly foresaw our ineptitude to walk on the Way (which is Christ) to our Goal (our Father in Heaven), and so He has given us His Mother to be our own Mother, so that she (who is so filled with the Holy Spirit) may embrace us in our weakness and carry us along. Truly, she is the Mediatrix of all Graces, mediating the Grace of God to us her little ones.

Perhaps an analogy could help this truth to sink deeper into our hearts. In my growing up family, my dad was the “breadwinner.” My mom, though, was completely free—and even encouraged—to withdraw from their joint bank account any amount she wanted, for whatever purpose she wanted.

“If you ever feel distressed during your day—call upon our Lady—just say this simple
 prayer: ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a mother to me now.’ I must admit—this 
prayer has never failed me.”   —Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta"

 My father trusted her completely; they were a team. We could apply this to our Lord and our
 Blessed Mother Mary. They are “co-signers” on the “Heavenly Bank Account” (the Graces of Redemption). Our Lady is free—and even encouraged by our Lord—to “withdraw” and distribute Graces and Blessings as she sees fit, to help us on our journey to our true Home: Heaven. And
the Grace she is most particularly pleased to grant, to those who humbly request it of her, is a
deeper union and a closer intimacy with the Sacred Heart of her Son Jesus, who is truly present
in the Eucharist.

Sweet Blessed Virgin Mary, I turn to you as your very poor little child, weak and wounded in 
many ways, asking your compassionate assistance. I trust that our Merciful Lord will not 
deny you anything . . . especially since you never denied Him anything! Therefore, I 
humbly yet confidently lay before you all my needs and concerns. In particular, I give 
you this burden which weighs so heavily upon my heart: ________________. Thank 
you in advance, dear Mother, for hearing this prayer and answering it. Please help me to 
continue to grow in my trust in your powerful intercession, and the Lord’s tender Love, 
which is manifested in a particular way through the gift He gave us of YOU!

—By Fr. Francis of the Redeemer

SEEK GOD IN YOUR HEART AND SPREAD THAT LOVE TO OTHERS

It’s important for everyone to open their eyes and see what’s going on slowly in this world. We just seem to ignore what’s going on because it’s easier that way. We don’t talk about it because we are scared of what people might say or think about us. I know it’s hard because we don’t want weird looks. But, if you love God, then spread his truth boldly but in a way that is loving. Jesus said in the Bible if we witness to others they may turn way from you and you may become a mockery just like what happened to Jesus. But that doesn’t mean to not do it. Your heart and mind must be right if you love God. We will all stand before him. Everyone. It’s important that we are saved and seek God for truth. His spirit is the only one that can lead you. No other. Most of us just go on and focus on the enjoyment that the world has to offer and follow what everyone else is doing. They will not help us go to heaven or improve our relationship with Him. Do we make time to seek God and have a relationship him? Or do we just think about Him when we are going through something. Going to church everyday will not save you. Quoting bible verses in your head will not save you. In fact, just calling on him once in a while will not. It has to be a real relationship. We should always be communicating to Him constantly, reading His word, and asking Him to help understand the truth in his word. Not waiting for a pastor or priest to do it for us. They are human. The Holy Spirit must lead you into it. I wanted to share this with everyone and offer what I have to say. I care for everyone’s souls and well being and hope everyone can see the real God. So turn away from whatever is leading you the wrong way. If you truly seek God in your heart, not emotionally but mindfully, repent (turn away) and do not fall back into old and sinful habits. Be true in your relationship with God. Having. a personally relationship with my creator is the best thing that has happened to me. God bless everyone and have a blessed day. ❤️🙏🏻

THE HOLY FAMILY PRAYER

The Holy Family Prayer

JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THOSE MOURNING THE LOSS OF A CHILD

Today, we pray for families grieving the loss of a child...

“God, bring comfort and peace. Peace is your essence. Peace is your name. Bring peace to this family who has lost their precious child in death.

We come to you, God because we know that you sorrow, and are acquainted with grief. You too have endured the loss of a child. You empathize.We can’t help but ask, “Why?” Forgive our insistence, our confusion, even our anger. We believe that you are just, and we ache to understand how this tragic death is an expression of that justice, how it expresses your love. We also know – in our minds at least – that you seldom answer the “why?” question. We press you, but on these matters you are mostly silent.

What we ask instead is “how?” How can we move forward? How can this bring us together and not tear us apart? How can we now live under the shadow of this untimely death? Answer this prayer with your comfort and guidance.

There is no way to remove the pain. The grief is real. The only sanity is to know, to believe, in a life beyond with you, when all the scales are righted and the sufferings are made good. We trust you and your promise that while this child’s life on earth is done, his life beyond has just begun. With that release we lose him and let him go into your arms, then by faith receive in return the boundless comfort of your presence. That is all, that is enough. In Jesus Name and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.”

ADVENT CANDLES AND THEIR MEANING

Candle  for Advents and their meaning

What is an Advent?

Advent, which begins the Church’s liturgical year, began on Sunday, December 3. Advent encompasses the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation for our hearts and minds for the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.

The use of the wreath and candles during Advent are a longstanding Catholic tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas

Types of Candles for Advent:

The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice.

The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”