THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE IN THE PHILIPPINES

I want to share with you an article about the celebration of the FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE IN THE PHILIPPINES. See the link provided below for the whole story and a video.
Here it is:

Jan. 9: FEAST OF JESUS THE BLACK NAZARENE (Philippines). AV prayer & text

Dear brethren in Christ, on Jan. 9, the first novena feast, official transfer and enshrinement of Jesus, the Black Nazarene on 1787 at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila (Philippines) will be commemorated. The yearly celebration showcases the gathering of several millions of Filipino devotees of the image along its almost 4.3 mile processional route, lasting for 19 hours, which most of the attendees do it barefoot.

“The image was carved from a dark wood around the 16th century in Mexico by a group of Spanish Augustinian Recollect friars, and then transported to Philippines in 1606. It depicts Jesus en route to his crucifixion. Pope Innocent X granted to recognition to the lay Confraternity of Santo Cristo Jesus Nazareno in 1650 for the promotion of devotion to Jesus under this image. It was housed in several churches near Manila in the early decades, reaching the Quiapo church in 1787 where it has been ever since. The icon is renowned in the Philippines, is considered miraculous by many Filipino Catholics who believe that just touching it cures diseases.” (1)

The image is currently enshrined in the said Minor Basilica, where it is venerated every Friday with Novena and Holy Masses and is one of the most popular devotions in the Philippines, together with Santo Niño de Cebú and Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Manila.

Below you have a prayer to the Black Nazarene. Cordially inviting you to like our page, www.facebook.com/Catholicsstrivingforholiness so we could have a wider apostolic reach and help more people in their Christian life. Thanks and God bless!
Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.

PRAYER TO OUR BELOVED JESUS, THE BLACK NAZARENE

Beloved Lord Jesus, Black Nazarene,
we come to you to help us.
 Life is a constant struggle,
and we now feel the pain of our journey.

Bless us Jesus and teach us to listen
 to You in all the events of our life,
knowing that nothing happens by chance.
Everything that happens has a reason.


When we feel the pain of sickness,
teach us to cope with loving surrender,
to unite ourselves with You on the Cross,
 and to believe in the power of healing.

When we experience emotional,
financial and psychological brokenness,
and all types of difficulties,
 help us to rise up with belief that with God,
nothing is impossible.

We come to you today,
to pray for healing and
to ask your mercy:
Jesus, to listen to our petitions
(say petitions...)

We pray to You with the help of our Mother Mary
to answer our prayers amen.

Jesus, the Black Nazarene
we put our trust in you!

VIVA, JESUS NAZARENO!

AUDIO CREDIT: Kevin Macleod, Consort Brass, incompetech.com.

Go to this link for the whole article amd to view the video:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1156853737824955&id=428443983999271

8 MORNING PRAYERS TO START YOUR DAY WITH GOD

Prayer is the greatest way to start your day

Rise and shine - the great morning awaits all of God's children.

 This may be a well-known fact ... not everyone is a morning person. Some people really struggle to get out of bed and get their day started. Praying to God is the perfect way to find the needed encouragement, peace and strength for the day's tasks. With hopes of helping those anti-morning believers and further inspiring the go-getters of the world, we present to you a wonderful list of powerful morning prayers.

Arising from Sleep

O Master and holy God, who are beyond our understanding: at your word, light came forth out of darkness. In your mercy, you gave us rest through night-long sleep, and raised us up to glorify your goodness and to offer our supplication to You. Now, in your own tender love, accept us who adore You and give thanks to You with all our heart. Grant us all our requests, if they lead to salvation; give us the grace of manifesting that we are children of light and day, and heirs to your eternal reward. In the abundance of your mercies, O Lord, remember all your people; all those present who pray with us; all our brethren on land, at sea, or in the air, in every place of Your domain, who call upon your love for mankind. Upon all, pour down your great mercy, that we, saved in body and in soul, may persevere unfailingly; and that, in our confidence, we may extol your exalted and blessed Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, always, now and forever. Amen

The Good Morning God Prayer

Good Morning God!
You are ushering in another day,
untouched and freshly new.
So here I am to ask you, God,
if You'll renew me too.

Forgive the many errors that I made yesterday
and let me try again dear God
to walk closer in Your way.

But Lord, I am well aware,
I can't make it on my own.
So take my hand and hold it tight,
for I cannot walk alone.

Morning Offering to the Sacred Heart

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and in particular for the intentions of our Holy Father for this month.

Morning Prayer

I adore Thee, O my God, and I love Thee with all my heart. I give Thee thanks that Thou hast created me, made me a Christian, and preserved me this night. I offer Thee the actions of this day; grant that all of them may be according to Thy holy Will, and for Thy greater glory. Save me from sin and from all evil. Let Thy grace be always with me.
Amen.

Prayers at the Day's Beginning

Lord, one more day to love you!
O Jesus, watch over me always, especially today, or I shall betray you like Judas.
Lord, today is the day I begin!
Jesus, shine through me and be so in me that every person I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul.
My God, send me thy Holy Spirit to teach me what I am and what thou art!
May the Passion of Christ be ever in our heart.
And to be more with Him, more with Him, not merely with oneself.

Father, my heart is heavy. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like "overwhelmed," "distraught," "exhausted" seem to describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my heavy load, so please show me how. Take it from me. Let me rest and be refreshed so that my heart won't be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus' name. Amen.

- Ron Moore, Crosswalk.com 

Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

- Traci Miles, Crosswalk.com

Morning Prayer

We thank you Almighty Father for the gift of seeing another day. We ask you to bless us this day and make this day a blessing for us. Guide us and defend us on all our ways, keep us from every sinful path and guide us to do Your will. Make a way for us o Lord even when there is no way and may the blessing of heaven be upon our labor this day and forever.With confidence in your divine favor o, Lord, we offer up to You all our prayer, works, joys and sufferings of this day for the forgiveness of sins, conversion of sinners and for all the forgotten souls in Purgatory in union with Christ's passion on the cross through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world today.Amen

Prayer For The New Year

O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy blessings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our enemies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judgment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and carried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen.

STOP THAT FEAR BY THIS POWERFUL PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

Dear Lord Jesus,  please surround me (my family/friends/home) with a perimeter of Your Love and Protection throughout the day today and every day a hundred yards in all directions.
Lord Jesus, render any demons that are here, or should try to come, deaf, dumb, and blind. Strop them of all weapons, illusions, armor, power, and authority. Disable them from communicating or interacting in any way. Bind, sever, and separate them, sending them directly to the foot of Your Cross, without manifestation or harm, to us or to anyone, to be dealt with by you Jesus as you see fit.

May Your Precious Blood cover us, the Holy Spirit fill us, Mary’s mantle of love and protection surround us, St. Joseph guide us, the Holy Angels and Saints guard and protect us from all unfortunate events. Protect us from fire, theft, vandalism, flood, storms, ailments and accidents of every sort, distress, hardship, curse, and all untoward things. I ask this all in your Name Jesus, through Mary’s intercession, now. Amen!

St. Michael, St. Joseph, St. Padre Pio, St. John Paul II, and Mother Mary, pray for us!!

TODAY IS HOLY INNOCENTS DAY

How many Holy Innocents were killed by King Herod?

The number may surprise you.

Ever since the 5th century the Church has commemorated a separate day in memory of the children killed by King Herod after Jesus’ birth. Matthew is the only one to record the event and the details surrounding it are slim.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. – Matthew 2:16

This type of senseless action was typical of Herod, a deranged ruler who also killed his wife and two sons during his lifetime. Herod’s immediate response to those who opposed him was to eliminate them.

The biblical episode is usually labeled a “massacre,” to emphasize the ruthless spilling of innocent blood. It was a terrible act, though it pales in comparison to the modern day killing of innocent children throughout the world.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Greek Liturgy asserts that Herod killed 14,000 boys (ton hagion id chiliadon Nepion), the Syrians speak of 64,000, [and] many medieval authors of 144,000.” However, this number of children is greater than the entire population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Professor William F. Albright “estimates that the population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth to be about 300 people. The number of male children, two years old or younger, would be about six or seven.” Other scholars claim the number was between 10 – 20 male children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area.

This low number of deaths is the likely explanation for why there exist no secular historical accounts of the massacre. Simply put, a handful of children killed by a local ruler was not “noteworthy” enough.

Regardless of how many children were killed, their deaths were a horrible atrocity, and Jesus could have been part of that number if Joseph had not been warned to flee beforehand.

The Church’s commemoration of the event reminds us of the sanctity of all human life. In the end it doesn’t matter how many children were killed. The Church honors their memory whether it was 100 children or a single child that was killed.

All life is precious, especially any innocent child killed at the beginning of life.

POPE FRANCIS ON THE POWER OF BABY JESUS

POPE FRANCIS ON THE POWER OF BABY JESUS:

 "The power of this Child, Son of God and Son of Mary, is the power of love. It is the power which created the heavens and the earth, which gives life to all creation. It is the power which gives new birth, pardons faults, reconciles enemies, and transforms evil into good. It is the power of God."

PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS from VATICAN RADIO FB PAGE.

A Prayer to See the World in Jesus’ Light During the Holidays

A Prayer to See the World in Jesus’ Light During the Holidays

It’s easy to get caught up in all the commercial aspects of the holiday season, but the real reason for the season is Jesus. In declaring Himself to be the Light of the World, Jesus was claiming that He is the exclusive source of spiritual light. No other source of spiritual truth is available to mankind. When Jesus Christ was brought into the world, He took out darkness. If you want to reflect on Jesus as light during the holiday season, say this prayer:

Dear Jesus, as we celebrate Your birth may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding You give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship You in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in the season of giving. Amen.

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.