Ijournal entry 023017 # 05. January, Month of the Holy Name of Jesus. Truffles, The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, St. John Chrysostom, and Fr. Simon Devereux. "What is mental prayer and how you can do it?", by Connie Rossini.
Article: "Believing in the Gospel" , by Fr. Tadeusz Daiczer. Anthony Mullen at St. Michael's Church, Exeter, NH, talk on the Flame of Love Cenacles (Part 2)
Article: "Believing in the Gospel" , by Fr. Tadeusz Daiczer. Anthony Mullen at St. Michael's Church, Exeter, NH, talk on the Flame of Love Cenacles (Part 2)
INVOKING THE NAME OF JESUS
"Invoking the name of Jesus in an ejaculatory and reverential manner is so powerful that it has historically been associated with the granting of indulgences by various Popes such as Pope Sixtus V, Pope Benedict XIII, Pope Clement XIII, and Pope Pius X. It was even common in some places in the Middle Ages to greet one another in the name of Jesus, and to spontaneously exclaim, “Praise be to Jesus Christ!” with the response, “For evermore”, or “Amen”.
Invoking the name of Jesus goes back even further to the Early Church in the form of the “Jesus Prayer”. This penitential prayer very simply says, “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,” which can be repeated on a prayer rope or Jesus Beads just as the Hail Mary is prayed on the Rosary.
It’s a shame that the lovable name of Jesus, so powerful and salvific, is so often invoked in vain or in blasphemy. To more greatly honor the name of Jesus ensure that you and your family avoid making this mistake yourselves, and, whenever you hear the name of Jesus said in vain or blasphemed, make up for the sacrilege by praising the name of Jesus either in your heart, or even better, out loud. Jesus is the King of Kings, and this small act of love for His Name will not go unrewarded by him".
"Invoking the name of Jesus in an ejaculatory and reverential manner is so powerful that it has historically been associated with the granting of indulgences by various Popes such as Pope Sixtus V, Pope Benedict XIII, Pope Clement XIII, and Pope Pius X. It was even common in some places in the Middle Ages to greet one another in the name of Jesus, and to spontaneously exclaim, “Praise be to Jesus Christ!” with the response, “For evermore”, or “Amen”.
Invoking the name of Jesus goes back even further to the Early Church in the form of the “Jesus Prayer”. This penitential prayer very simply says, “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,” which can be repeated on a prayer rope or Jesus Beads just as the Hail Mary is prayed on the Rosary.
It’s a shame that the lovable name of Jesus, so powerful and salvific, is so often invoked in vain or in blasphemy. To more greatly honor the name of Jesus ensure that you and your family avoid making this mistake yourselves, and, whenever you hear the name of Jesus said in vain or blasphemed, make up for the sacrilege by praising the name of Jesus either in your heart, or even better, out loud. Jesus is the King of Kings, and this small act of love for His Name will not go unrewarded by him".
Philippians 2:9-11 "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father". |
The Rule of St. Benedict
"The second degree of humility is that a man love not his own will, nor delight in fulfilling his own desires, but carry out in deed the saying of the Lord: I came not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.1 It is written also: Self-will hath its punishment, but subjection winneth a crown"
MC= In regards to this, we will be in good spiritual shape if we adhere to Scripture in the book of James:
"The second degree of humility is that a man love not his own will, nor delight in fulfilling his own desires, but carry out in deed the saying of the Lord: I came not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.1 It is written also: Self-will hath its punishment, but subjection winneth a crown"
MC= In regards to this, we will be in good spiritual shape if we adhere to Scripture in the book of James:
🔵 "It is not our economics which have failed; it is man who has failed - man who has forgotten God. Hence no manner of economic or political readjustment can possibly save our civilization; we can be saved only by a renovation of the inner man, only by a purging of our hearts and souls; for only by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His justice will all the other things be added unto us". By Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
🌕 "Tell me, if someone should say he was a Christian but should then apostatize and act like a Jew, would his testimony be sufficient? No, not at all; for people would look for testimony through his actions. Likewise, if we say that that there is a resurrection and ten thousand good things but then look down upon them and prefer the things here, who will believe us? For all people pay attention not to what we say but to what we do. 'You will be a witness,' [Christ] says, 'to all.'1 That is, not only to the friends, but also to the unbelievers. For this is what witnesses are for: they persuade not those who know but those who do not. Let us become trustworthy witnesses. How will we become trustworthy? By the life we lead." By St. John Chrysostom
⚫️ "God is our Father and wants to protect and provide for us. He feeds us with His Eucharist which strengthens our soul and enables us to follow Him wherever He is leading us today". By Fr. Simon Devereux
🌕 "Tell me, if someone should say he was a Christian but should then apostatize and act like a Jew, would his testimony be sufficient? No, not at all; for people would look for testimony through his actions. Likewise, if we say that that there is a resurrection and ten thousand good things but then look down upon them and prefer the things here, who will believe us? For all people pay attention not to what we say but to what we do. 'You will be a witness,' [Christ] says, 'to all.'1 That is, not only to the friends, but also to the unbelievers. For this is what witnesses are for: they persuade not those who know but those who do not. Let us become trustworthy witnesses. How will we become trustworthy? By the life we lead." By St. John Chrysostom
⚫️ "God is our Father and wants to protect and provide for us. He feeds us with His Eucharist which strengthens our soul and enables us to follow Him wherever He is leading us today". By Fr. Simon Devereux
Upon awakening one morning, the regular prayer routine was begun. A hiccup in the routine would involve a plan by The Holy Spirit to help me make one the prayers my own. A new experience for the day. The early morning prayers first said, for the most part, are theses ten:
🙏🏽1. The Fatima prayer = I believe, I adore, I hope, I love, I trust thee. I beg forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, do not love, and do not trust thee. Amen.
🙏🏽2. St.Michael the Archangel prayer= St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the Divine power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
🙏🏻3. Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side,To light and guard, Rule and guide. Amen.
🙏🏻4. Come Holy Spirit prayer = Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
🙏🏻 5. A Prayer to the Holy Spirit (by Cardinal Mercier)= O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will.
🙏6. The Memorare= Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do 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.
🙏🏻7. The Angelus = The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, (spread the effect of grace of thy flame of love over all of humanity) now and at the hour of our death. Amen. {Flame of Love Hail Mary being shared with you all}
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary . . .
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary . . .
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
3 Gloria prayers
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.
🙏🏿8. Magnificat Prayer
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.
🙏🏽9. The Divine Praises = Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Amen.
🙏🏽10. The Armor of God Prayer = Putting on the Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sword which is The Word of God, the Shield of Faith, the Belt of Truth and justice, and the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Everyday the Holy Spirit is speaking in a helpful way to make it possible for me to have a heart truly prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus at Eucharist. It's something that can be taken day by day to another level. Not only is there the concern about being prepared to receive the Holy Sacrament, most importantly, it is to shore up and secure the place for His permanent residence. Without the interferences of evil spirits influencing our thoughts, words, and deeds, our hearts will be purer and a more fitting resting place, pleasing unto the Lord. This is where making a prayer my own comes into play. The prayer to Holy Michael, the Archangel, for the first time ever, was prayed in an individualized way:
O Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend me/us in the day of battle, the constant battle day by day. My/Our desire is not to be influenced by darkness, but that I/we allow the light of Jesus Christ to penetrate the depths of my/our being so that the truth may be revealed. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil, those evil spirits operating in my/our lives. Against evil spirits like, pride, impatience, intolerance,and those things that identified by you alone. May God rebuke him, and all the evil spirits operating undercover in my/our lives, especially those responsible for deceiving me/us left and right, inhibiting me/us from receiving Jesus with the proper reverence, reception, and adoration He truly deserves, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the Divine power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls, not only trying to drag my/our soul into hell, but keeping me/us from doing God's perfect will by leading me/us to a good thing at the wrong time or in a bad way.Amen.
Individualizing prayers can help you mean what you say, and say what you mean. It helps shorten the distance between the head and the heart.
🙏🏽1. The Fatima prayer = I believe, I adore, I hope, I love, I trust thee. I beg forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, do not love, and do not trust thee. Amen.
🙏🏽2. St.Michael the Archangel prayer= St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the Divine power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
🙏🏻3. Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side,To light and guard, Rule and guide. Amen.
🙏🏻4. Come Holy Spirit prayer = Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
🙏🏻 5. A Prayer to the Holy Spirit (by Cardinal Mercier)= O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will.
🙏6. The Memorare= Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do 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.
🙏🏻7. The Angelus = The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, (spread the effect of grace of thy flame of love over all of humanity) now and at the hour of our death. Amen. {Flame of Love Hail Mary being shared with you all}
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary . . .
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary . . .
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
3 Gloria prayers
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.
🙏🏿8. Magnificat Prayer
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.
🙏🏽9. The Divine Praises = Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Amen.
🙏🏽10. The Armor of God Prayer = Putting on the Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sword which is The Word of God, the Shield of Faith, the Belt of Truth and justice, and the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Everyday the Holy Spirit is speaking in a helpful way to make it possible for me to have a heart truly prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus at Eucharist. It's something that can be taken day by day to another level. Not only is there the concern about being prepared to receive the Holy Sacrament, most importantly, it is to shore up and secure the place for His permanent residence. Without the interferences of evil spirits influencing our thoughts, words, and deeds, our hearts will be purer and a more fitting resting place, pleasing unto the Lord. This is where making a prayer my own comes into play. The prayer to Holy Michael, the Archangel, for the first time ever, was prayed in an individualized way:
O Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend me/us in the day of battle, the constant battle day by day. My/Our desire is not to be influenced by darkness, but that I/we allow the light of Jesus Christ to penetrate the depths of my/our being so that the truth may be revealed. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil, those evil spirits operating in my/our lives. Against evil spirits like, pride, impatience, intolerance,and those things that identified by you alone. May God rebuke him, and all the evil spirits operating undercover in my/our lives, especially those responsible for deceiving me/us left and right, inhibiting me/us from receiving Jesus with the proper reverence, reception, and adoration He truly deserves, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the Divine power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls, not only trying to drag my/our soul into hell, but keeping me/us from doing God's perfect will by leading me/us to a good thing at the wrong time or in a bad way.Amen.
Individualizing prayers can help you mean what you say, and say what you mean. It helps shorten the distance between the head and the heart.
"What is mental prayer and how you can do it?", by Connie Rossini Info from this site:
Info from this site:
contemplativehomeschool.com/2013/02/22/what-is-mental-prayer-and-how-you-can-do-it/
"Catholics divide prayer into 2 broad categories – vocal and mental. Vocal prayer includes prayers written for recitation. Mental prayer is prayer in one’s own words.St. Teresa of Avila wrote, “Mental prayer, in my view, is nothing but friendly intercourse, and frequent solitary converse, with Him Who we know loves us.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux likewise wrote, “With me prayer is an uplifting of the heart; a glance towards heaven; a cry of gratitude and love, uttered equally in sorrow and in joy.” Catholics are generally comfortable with vocal prayer, but mental prayer can leave us at a loss. How can you spend 20 minutes or more in prayer without a pre-written text? How can you keep your prayer from becoming mere rambling? St. Teresa strives to make mental prayer simple and accessible to all. Since each soul is unique, each person’s prayer is unique as well. There is no one-size-fits-all model. The method of mental prayer takes 2nd place to the attitude of the heart. Still, for beginners especially, a general format to follow is helpful.
If you don’t know how to pray, try this. This method is taken primarily from St. Frances de Sales, but also incorporates other authors’ suggestions. Feel free to adapt it to your own situation and temperament .
🌪– Preparation. Place yourself in God’s presence. Think about His omnipotence or His residence in your heart. Quiet your soul and set aside distractions.
🌪– Meditation. This is the key to the conversation. Read a short passage from Scripture or another spiritual book. Or, if you have a vivid imagination, visualize an event from the Gospels. You could even gaze at a holy picture. Although many subjects are suitable for meditation, you should most often focus on Christ. This is how we get to know Him and are inspired to speak with Him. Reflect on the passage or image. You may find it helpful to ask who, what, where, and why. How does your subject affect you?
🌪– Conversation. This is the goal of your mental prayer and should make up 20 minutes or more of a half-hour prayer time. Speak to God from your heart about your subject. Thank and adore Him, asking His help in acquiring virtues you have thought about or overcoming related temptations. Examine your conscience. Think of concrete ways you can change your life, and make resolutions. Offer other petitions that are on your heart. If you run out of things to say, return briefly to your meditation for more inspiration.
🌪– Conclusion. Thank God for the time you have spent with Him and the insights you have gained. Consider how to improve your prayer next time. You could add a heartfelt Our Father or Hail Mary or invoke the saints to whom you are devoted or who are connected with your subject. Ask them to help you keep your resolutions, to bring you back to prayer tomorrow, and to maintain a prayerful attitude all day. Remember, as the Catechism says, “[A] method is only a guide; the important thing is to advance with the Holy Spirit, along the way of prayer: Jesus Christ” (#2707).
How do you practice mental prayer?"
Info from this site:
contemplativehomeschool.com/2013/02/22/what-is-mental-prayer-and-how-you-can-do-it/
"Catholics divide prayer into 2 broad categories – vocal and mental. Vocal prayer includes prayers written for recitation. Mental prayer is prayer in one’s own words.St. Teresa of Avila wrote, “Mental prayer, in my view, is nothing but friendly intercourse, and frequent solitary converse, with Him Who we know loves us.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux likewise wrote, “With me prayer is an uplifting of the heart; a glance towards heaven; a cry of gratitude and love, uttered equally in sorrow and in joy.” Catholics are generally comfortable with vocal prayer, but mental prayer can leave us at a loss. How can you spend 20 minutes or more in prayer without a pre-written text? How can you keep your prayer from becoming mere rambling? St. Teresa strives to make mental prayer simple and accessible to all. Since each soul is unique, each person’s prayer is unique as well. There is no one-size-fits-all model. The method of mental prayer takes 2nd place to the attitude of the heart. Still, for beginners especially, a general format to follow is helpful.
If you don’t know how to pray, try this. This method is taken primarily from St. Frances de Sales, but also incorporates other authors’ suggestions. Feel free to adapt it to your own situation and temperament .
🌪– Preparation. Place yourself in God’s presence. Think about His omnipotence or His residence in your heart. Quiet your soul and set aside distractions.
🌪– Meditation. This is the key to the conversation. Read a short passage from Scripture or another spiritual book. Or, if you have a vivid imagination, visualize an event from the Gospels. You could even gaze at a holy picture. Although many subjects are suitable for meditation, you should most often focus on Christ. This is how we get to know Him and are inspired to speak with Him. Reflect on the passage or image. You may find it helpful to ask who, what, where, and why. How does your subject affect you?
🌪– Conversation. This is the goal of your mental prayer and should make up 20 minutes or more of a half-hour prayer time. Speak to God from your heart about your subject. Thank and adore Him, asking His help in acquiring virtues you have thought about or overcoming related temptations. Examine your conscience. Think of concrete ways you can change your life, and make resolutions. Offer other petitions that are on your heart. If you run out of things to say, return briefly to your meditation for more inspiration.
🌪– Conclusion. Thank God for the time you have spent with Him and the insights you have gained. Consider how to improve your prayer next time. You could add a heartfelt Our Father or Hail Mary or invoke the saints to whom you are devoted or who are connected with your subject. Ask them to help you keep your resolutions, to bring you back to prayer tomorrow, and to maintain a prayerful attitude all day. Remember, as the Catechism says, “[A] method is only a guide; the important thing is to advance with the Holy Spirit, along the way of prayer: Jesus Christ” (#2707).
How do you practice mental prayer?"
Article: "Believing in the Gospel" , by Fr. Tadeusz Daiczer
Anthony Mullen at St. Michael's Church, Exeter, NH, talk on the Flame of Love Cenacles (Part 2)
YouTube video link:
youtu.be/JMw06a0_HGk
YouTube video link:
youtu.be/JMw06a0_HGk