​All You Need To Know About St. Michael the Archangel.

Saint Michael the Archangel isn’t a saint in the traditional sense, but rather he is an angel and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title “Archangel” means, that he is above all the others in rank.

However, Michael the Archangel is still called a saint because he resides in heaven in communion with God. Michael the Archangel has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.

The first is to combat Satan. The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death. The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself. And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment. Very little is known about Michael the Archangel other than what we know from scriptures, which themselves are sparse. In Daniel, he is mentioned twice.

The first time as one who helped Daniel, and the second time he is mentioned with regard to the end times of the world, a time when he will stand and defend the righteous. His next mention comes in the Epistle of St. Jude, where he is said to guard the tombs of Moses and Eve and has contended with Satan over the body of Moses.The final mention is in Revelation, where St. Michael and his angels, do battle with the dragon.

There are other scriptures where St. Michael is implied, but not mentioned by name, such as the angel; who defends the gate to Paradise.

Today, St. Michel the Archangel is invoked for protection, especially from lethal enemies. He is also the patron of soldiers, police, and doctors.

St. Michael the archangel, Pray For Us! 

A PRAYER FOR FIDELITY TO WORK

The patron saint of work is Saint Joseph.

Have you every thought about the work you do? Have you prayed the Saint Joseph the Worker prayer?  Try it, you might begin to feel better about the work you are involved in . . .When you feel tired or bored about your work offer your works and sacrifices, time and energy spent for the forgiveness of your sins for the conversion of sinners and for the forgotten Souls in Purgatory.

"A Prayer for Fidelity to Work," is a prayer during those times that you find it hard to convince yourself to do the work that you need to do. Seeing a spiritual purpose in that work can help. This prayer to St. Joseph, patron of workers, helps you to call to mind that all of your labor is part of your struggle on the road to heaven.

Here is the prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker composed by Pope St. Pius X:

O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watch-word in life and in death. Amen.

PRAYER FOR WORKERS TO SAINT JOSEPH

This beautiful prayer was composed by Pope Saint John XXIII (1958-63). It places all workers under the patronage of Saint Joseph the Worker and asks for his intercession so that we may regard our work as a means of growing in holiness.

A Prayer for Workers

O glorious Joseph! Who concealed your incomparable and regal dignity of custodian of Jesus and of the Virgin Mary under the humble appearance of a craftsman and provided for them with your work, protect with loving power your sons, especially entrusted to you.
You know their anxieties and sufferings, because you yourself experienced them at the side of Jesus and of His Mother. Do not allow them, oppressed by so many worries, to forget the purpose for which they were created by God. Do not allow the seeds of distrust to take hold of their immortal souls. Remind all the workers that in the fields, in factories, in mines, and in scientific laboratories, they are not working, rejoicing, or suffering alone, but at their side is Jesus, with Mary, His Mother and ours, to sustain them, to dry the sweat of their brow, giving value to their toil. Teach them to turn work into a very high instrument of sanctification as you did. Amen.

PRAYER TO THE THREE HOLY WISE MEN

Tradition says that the "Three Kings" were converted and became holy saints.

It is said that the Three Kings who traveled to Bethlehem to adore the newborn King were radically changed by the experience and abandoned their pagan ways. According to one account, the Magi traveled to India and were eventually baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle before their deaths.

Tradition has since held Balthasar, Melchior and Caspar as “saints,” and throughout the centuries various prayers have been composed to them. Below is one such prayer, part of a longer novena to the Magi that is often said in preparation for the feast of Epiphany.

O Holy Magi, you were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Son of justice; obtain for me an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding, one day, the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy.

(Share your request …)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Prayer to the Infant Jesus:
Infant Jesus, meek and mild,
look on me a little child.
Pity mine and pity me,
suffer me to come to Thee.

Heart of Jesus, I adore Thee.
Heart of Mary, I implore Thee.
Heart of Joseph, pure and just.
In these three hearts, I put my trust.

Help us Joseph in our early strife,
ever to lead a pure and blameless life.

O, Holy Magi, Pray for Us

DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH FOR PROTECTION

The devotion promises St. Joseph's "efficacious protection in life" when said with a contrite heart.

Among the many devotions in honor of St. Joseph, one that is not often mentioned is the tradition of the “Five Psalms.” The devotion can be found in the Raccolta, a collection of prayers that dates to the early 19th century.

Pope Pius VII authorized this custom in 1809 “to encourage Christian People to practice this devotion to St. Joseph, thereby to obtain his efficacious protection in life, and still more in death.”

It consists of saying the following Psalms, along with various antiphons, all with the intention of honoring St. Joseph.

Ant. Joseph virum Maria, de qua natus est Jesus, qui vocatur Christus (Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ).

Psalm 100

Ant. Joseph virum Maria, de qua natus est Jesus, qui vocatur Christus (Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ).

Ant. Joseph de domo David, et nomen Virginis Maria (Ant. In the name Joseph of the house of David, and the Virgin Mary).

Psalm 47

Ant. Joseph de domo David, et nomen Virginis Maria (Ant. In the name Joseph of the house of David, and the Virgin Mary).

Ant. Joseph vir ejus, cum esset justus, et nollet eam traducere (Ant. Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to expose her).

Psalm 129

Ant. Joseph vir ejus, cum esset justus, et nollet eam traducere (Ant. Joseph her husband, being a just man and not wanting to expose her).

Ant. Joseph fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam (Ant. Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife).

Psalm 81

Ant. Joseph fili David, noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem tuam (Ant. Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife).

Ant. Joseph exurgens a somno fecit, sicut praecepit ei angelus (Ant. And Joseph rising up from sleep did as the angel said.)

Psalm 87

Ant. Joseph exurgens a somno fecit, sicut praecepit ei angelus (Ant. And Joseph rising up from sleep did as the angel said.)

Then it concludes with the following prayer.

V. He made him lord over His house.
R. And prince of all that was His.

Let us pray.
O God, who in Thine ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the husband of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom on earth we venerate as our holy protector. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

There is also a hymn that concludes this devotion with the opening stanza.

Seek ye the grace of God,
And mercies from on high?
Invoke St. Joseph’s holy name,
And on his aid rely.

It is a rather unknown devotion of St. Joseph, but is one that draws a person deeper in relationship with God, through the example of St. Joseph.

THREE WISE MEN AND THE THREE GIFTS

Three Gifts – based on the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to baby Jesus.

Gold: symbolize something of value.  Something you really want.  Easy enough. 

Frankincense: symbolizes something spiritual.  Something that helps you grow in your spiritual walk.  We have used our “Family Gift” in this category as a way to foster our family time and quality time together.  Building in memories and opportunities for important conversations.

Myrrh: symbolizes something for the body.  Something you need.  This could be clothing, perfume, shoes…

*These are the general guidelines you could of course take it many different directions.  The goal after all is simplicity.Each year the kids also get to open a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve.  I started this tradition when they were babies and have kept it going.  I try to match as much as possible too, because that’s just what I like to do.  

What is one thing YOU really want this year?

SAY A PRAYER WHEN YOU TAKE DOWN THOSE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AWAY

Adapted from unknown author for the purpose of sharing to inspire others. May we live the grace of Christmas every day ..

Traditionally, Catholics do not take down their Christmas trees and holiday decorations until January 7, the day after Epiphany. The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day; the period before that is known as Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas. The 12 days of Christmas end on Epiphany, the day that the three wise men came to pay homage to the child Jesus.

Catholics have different strategies for putting Christmas decorations away, but it is always a bittersweet day.Some choose the Octave Day of Christmas, January 1. Some choose the 12th day of Christmas, the eve of the Epiphany, or January 6, the feast of the Epiphany.Others wait all the way until the last feast of the infancy of Christ — the Presentation, February 2. Some families, on the last day of the liturgical Christmas Season, the feast of the Baptism of Christ (January 13 this year)Here is a prayer you can print it out and hung it as a reminder all year long.

Prayer for Putting Away Christmas Decorations

Lord Jesus, today we have put all of our Christmas decorations away. We are entering into Ordinary Time, and our house looks “ordinary” again, too.But Lord, you know and we know that our house has a secret. Deep inside it, all of our Christmas decorations are still here. The blessing of Christmas is always with us, kept in the deep, quiet places of the house.And Lord, our lives will become ordinary again, too, but you know that each of us has the grace of baptism. The grace you gave us is always with us, in the deep, quiet places of our soul.May we live the grace of Christmas every day, only without all the trappings: May we always give generously, receive gifts gratefully, welcome others, and study your life.Make our house be a home with Christmas at its core, and our souls a home where Jesus always dwells.Amen.

AN EPHIPANY HOUSE BLESSING- How to do it

It is a powerful blessing that lasts the whole year.

Each year around the feast of the Epiphany many parishes throughout the world participate in an annual blessing of chalk. It is an ancient tradition that not only places God at the entrance of your home, it places your entire family under his protection.

The Epiphany blessing of chalk and homes is a centuries old tradition where priests would visit each home in their parish after the Feast of the Epiphany. Over time it became more difficult to accomplish such a feat as parishes became larger and larger and priests were stretched thin. For this reason it became an accepted tradition that a member of the household is able to lead this blessing in place of the priest.

The blessing has biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the book of Exodus.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt … “take some of the blood [of the lamb], and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it … The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (cf. Exodus 12:1-13)

The family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 16. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2016 is the year.

Blessing the Chalk

V. Our help is the name of the Lord:

R. The maker of heaven and earth.

V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in:

R. From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Instructions for Blessing the Home

Using the blessed chalk mark the lintel of your front door (or front porch step) as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 16 while saying:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and fifteen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

Then offer the following prayer: Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

“Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedictat, “May Christ bless the house.”

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and bless each room by sprinkling with Epiphany/holy water and incensing it.

Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for example

20 C+M+B 19

with the “20 “being the millennium and century, the “C” standing for the first Wise Man, Caspar, the “M” standing for Melchior, the “B” standing for Balthasar, and the “19” standing for the decade and year. It is also popularly believed that the Kings’ initials stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat” (“Christ bless this house”).

SAINT DAMASUS PRAYER

From the Decree of Damasus (attributed to Damasus):

The arrangement of the names of Christ, however, is manifold: Lord, because He is Spirit; Word, because He is God; Son, because He is the only-begotten son of the Father; Man, because He was born of the Virgin; Priest, because He offered Himself as a sacrifice; Shepherd, because He is a guardian; Worm, because He rose again; Mountain, because He is strong; Way, because there is a straight path through Him to life; Lamb, because He suffered; Corner-Stone, because instruction is His; Teacher, because He demonstrates how to live; Sun, because He is the illuminator; Truth, because He is from the Father; Life, because He is the creator; Bread because He is flesh; Samaritan, because He is the merciful protector; Christ, because He is anointed; Jesus, because He is a mediator; Vine, because we are redeemed by His blood; Lion, because he is king; Rock, because He is firm; Flower, because He is the chosen one; Prophet, because He has revealed what is to come.

From The Faith of the Early Fathers , by William A. Jurgens, Copyright 1970, the Order of St. Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota

In His Footsteps:

Damasus' love and respect for Scripture is shown in his authorization of the Vulgate translation. Spend 30 minutes today reading and meditating on Scripture. Try to make this a daily habit. One way to do this is keep a Bible open by your bedside and read it first thing in the morning and last thing before you turn out the light at night.

Prayer: Saint Damasus, instead of worrying about the short term of life on earth, you took God's view and looked to the things that last. Pray for me that I may be able to look beyond immediate popularity and fleeting favors, and choose to do the things that God wants me to do. Amen

WHAT IS THE BLACK NAZARENE?

The Black Nazarene is a life-sized image of a dark-

skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the Cross

enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the 

Black Nazarene in the Quiapo district of the City of 

Manila, Philippines. Wikipedia

Location: Quiapo, Manila, Philippines

Holy See approval: Pope Innocent X; Pope Pius VII