Meditations on SORROWFUL MYSTERIES of the Rosary

SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

The Agony in the Garden – conformity to God’s willJesus knows torture and death lie ahead and he prays that the cup will pass. He also prays God’s will be done. In his agony, he carries the weight of our sins so that we may be saved. I imagine the courage it took to give himself to God’s plan. We too suffer and while we may pray the suffering will end, we are given support from Our Lord to endure, as Jesus received strength from the angel in the garden. I pray for the courage to conform to God’s will especially when it may be difficult.

The Scourging at the Pillar – MortificationJesus is brutally tortured to near death. Scourging was more than mere beating; it involved using instruments to inflict the most pain and blood loss possible without actually killing. Jesus was beaten for our sins. His mother watched as her son’s blood spilled on the ground. I imagine the horror she felt watching her precious child be brutalized, and how hard it must have been to not run to his rescue. I pray for forgiveness for my sins, the sins that contributed to the torture of my Lord.

The Crowning with Thorns – Moral CourageJesus is stripped, reclothed with a scarlet robe and crowned with thorns. He is mocked and spit upon by the soldiers. The people demand his crucifixion. Despite his innocence, he does not defend himself. He is strong in the face of hatred. I imagine his sadness at the people’s ignorance, his sorrow at their contempt. I pray for courage to defend God’s truth and strength to withstand the criticism and hatred of others. 

The Carrying of the Cross – PatienceJesus’ humiliation continues as he carries the Cross he will be crucified on through the town and people continue to mock him. I imagine the pain of the heavy wood against his back, rubbing against the open wounds from the scourging, the hot sun on him, the thirst, and hunger. I imagine his grief at seeing Mary, knowing she is watching her son die. Jesus is patient in enduring this suffering for us. I pray for more forgiveness, knowing my sins add to the weight of that Cross. I pray for patience in my own times of difficulty.

The Crucifixion – Salvation
Jesus arrives and is nailed to the cross. As he hangs, slowly dying, he is comforted by the presence of Mary, her sister, John and Mary Magdalene. Mary is strong. She has watched him suffer and now die and she never leaves him. I imagine her heartache. In his words to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son” all of us are entrusted to her love. I pray in thanksgiving for Christ’s suffering and sacrifice so that I may be saved.

Meditations on JOYFUL MYSTERIES of the Rosary

JOYFUL MYSTERIES

The Annunciation – Fruit of Humility

Mary said yes. God was asking a great amount of her. She could face disapproval. Joseph could abandon her. She might not be believed. Mary risked a lot because she had faith in God’s goodness. I imagine her kneeling in wonderment at the angel Gabriel, his hands encompassing hers, his forehead pressed against hers as he tells her of God’s great plan. She whispers “yes” knowing that her life is forever changed and possibly going to be much harder. She allows God’s will to be done and with that fiat the salvation of the world is set in motion. I pray that I can put God’s will before my own.

The Visitation – Love of Neighbor
Newly pregnant, Mary walks several days to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She is greeted with great joy and exclaims her Magnificat. While knowing that all will call her blessed, she spends several months serving Elizabeth. I imagine her performing the tasks of life so that Elizabeth, in her third trimester when the physical burden of pregnancy is greatest, can rest. Despite her own possible exhaustion and morning sickness, she serves her cousin. I imagine them at the end of the day sitting together and sharing their feelings about these two miraculous babies. I pray that I can serve as Mary did.

The Nativity – Poverty of Spirit

Mary and Joseph are far from home and she is about to give birth. They find nowhere to stay. Rather than panicking, they rely on God who leads them to a safe, warm place for his son’s birth. I imagine their worry but also their sense of calm. They know God cares for them and he will not abandon them on this holy journey. As the angels announce Jesus’ birth and the shepherds come to pay him homage, Mary and Joseph are surrounded by God’s love. I pray for the grace to depend on God completely.

Presentation in the Temple – Obedience

Mary and Joseph obey the law and bring their newborn son to the temple and offer a sacrifice. There they meet Simeon who has waited many years to meet the Messiah. I imagine Simeon gazing at Jesus. The Christ for whom he has waited has arrived just as God promised. He raises his eyes to heaven in thanks. He also warns Mary that her own heart will be pierced. She continues to trust God, not knowing what lies ahead. I pray for trust in God’s plan and patience in waiting for it to unfold.

Finding Jesus in the Temple – Piety

After not knowing where he was for three days, Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple. I imagine the fear they felt when they realized Jesus was not with them as they returned from Jerusalem. I imagine how scared they felt as they looked for him and the increasing anxiety they experience as time passed. At last they find him in his father’s home. What relief and joy. We look for Jesus too and we can always find him in church. He is there waiting for us. I pray that I will not find reasons to avoid visiting Jesus regularly.

The sign Of The Cross

The sign of the cross 

is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, lower chest or stomach, and both shoulders, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead In the name of the Father (or In nomine Patris in Latin); at the stomach or heart and of the Son (et Filii); across the shoulders and of The Holy spirit.

In the name of the Father

and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In a way, when we combine this gesture with a vocal prayer, we make two prayers. So, let us recognize the power of what we do when we pray, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It affords us powerful protection against the demons and our own weak nature. As Hispanic Catholics say when they make the sign of the cross, “By the sign of the holy cross, from our enemies, deliver us, O Lord!”

3 Beautiful Prayers To Guardian Angels

"Angel of God" is a Roman Catholic traditional prayer for the intercession of the guardian angel, often taught to young children as the first prayer learned. It serves as a reminder of God's love, and by enjoining the guardian angel to support the child in a loving way, the prayer echoes God's abiding love.

Prayer to our Guardian Angel

Angel sent by God to guide me,
be my light and walk beside me;
be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.
Amen.

Angel of God

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day (or night) be at my side,
to light, to guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael

This prayer is commonly said after the Rosary.

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

Powerful Prayer by St Patrick To Protect Yourself Against Spells and Evil Spirits

Protect yourself with this powerful prayer against enemies of the physical and spiritual worlds

I rise on this day that dawns,
By a great force, by the invocation of the Trinity,
by faith in the Triad,
by the affirmation of the unity
of the Creator of Creation.

I rise on this day that dawns,
by the force of Christ’s birth in His baptism,
by the force of crucifixion and burial,
by the force of resurrection and ascension,
by the force of descent to the Last Judgment.

I rise on this day that dawns,
For the love of the strength of the Cherubim,
In obedience to the Angels,
the service of the Archangels,
For the hope of resurrection and reward,
From the prayers of the Patriarchs
By predictions of prophets, In
the preaching of the Apostles
By faith of the Confessors,
by the innocence of the holy virgins,
by the acts of the Blessed.

I rise on this day that dawns,
By the force of the sky:
Sunlight,
Moonlight,

Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning, Speed of
the wind,
Depth of the seas,
Firmness of the earth,
Rock solidity.

I rise on this day that dawns,
By the power of God to push me,
For the strength of God to support me,
For the wisdom of God to guide me,
For the look of God watching my way,
For the ear of God to hear me,
For word of God in me talking,
by the hand of God to save me,
the way of God before me,
for the shield of God to protect me,
for the host of God who saves me,
of the devil’s traps,
Das temptations of vice,
de all who wish me evil,
Far and near me,
Acting alone or in a group.

Today I call upon such forces to protect me against evil,
Against any cruel force that threatens my body and my soul,
Against the incantation of false prophets,
Against the black laws of paganism,
Against the false laws of heretics,
Against the art of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and magicians,
Against knowledge that corrupts body and soul.

Christ guard me today,
Against poison, against fire,
Against drowning, against injury,
That I may receive and enjoy the reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ to lie down,
Christ when I sit,
Christ the get up,
Christ in hearts of all those who think of me,
Christ in the mouth of all who speak with me,
Christ in every eye that see me,
Christ in every ear that hear me.

I rise, on this day that dawn,
By a great force, by invocation of the Trinity,
by faith in the Triad,
by the affirmation of Unity,
by the Creator of Creation.

Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Authored By: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque


O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen.

. -- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

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The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed is a statement of belief widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because it was originally adopted in the city of Nicaea by the First Council of Nicaea in 325. Wikipedia

"Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity; our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works."

---the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 198

Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed:

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayer For Forgiveness and Guidance

Confident Prayer For Forgiveness and Guidance

 Psalm 25:1-22

 I wait for you, O Lord; I lift upbmy soul to my God.
In you I Trust; do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me.
No one is disgraced who waits for you, but only those who lightly break faith .
Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths .
Guide me in your truth and teach me , for you are God my savior .
For you I wait all the long day , because of your goodness , LORD.
Remember your compassion and love , O LORD; for they are ages old .
Remember no more the sins of my youth ; remember me only in light of your love.
Good and upright is the LORD, who shows sinners the way ,
Guides the humble rightly , and teaches the humble the way.
All the paths of the LORD are faithful love 💕 toward those who honor the covenant demands .
For the sake of your name , LORD, pardon my guilt , though it is great .
Who are those who fear the LORD? God shows them the way to choose .
They live well and prosper , and their descendants inherit the land .
The counsel of the LORD belongs to the faithful; the covenant instructs them.
My eyes 👀 are ever upon the LORD, who frees my feet 🦶 from the snare.
Look upon me, have pity on me , for I am alone and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart 💖; bring me out of my distress .
Put an end to Ma afflictions and sufferings ; take away all my sins .
See how many are my enemies, see how fiercely they hate me .
Preserve my life and rescue me, do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you.
Let honesty and virtue preserve me; I wait for you, O LORD.
Redeemed Israel , GOD , from all its distress ! Amen 🙏

The Glory Be

The Glory Be

(The Doxology)

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.