Reflections / Inspirations

Novena for Family Intentions to St. Joseph
- St. Teresa of Jesus
“I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious Saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival and have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good.” 

NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

Saint Joseph, man of prayer, help us to stand with you before God, humble, attentive, faith-filled, awaiting the loving mercy of His providence. Teach us to pray as you did, with the inner simplicity and trust of silent prayer and the purity and strength of worship in union with our brothers and sisters.

The whole world is your child, Joseph. Be protector and advocate for the searching and the sorrowing, the struggling and the straying, for all of us who long for peace and the fullness of life.

We ask you to intercede for our needs and in particular for the following intention. (Mention your intention.) We also place all the concerns of our relatives and friends in your care.

Enfold us and those we love in your prayer, Father Joseph. Obtain for us the daily bread we need for this life, so that we may come at last in your company to the eternal joy of heaven. Amen.

Wisdom from above is, first of all, innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, and docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who culture peace.

~ James 3:17-18

Feeling, Seeing, Listening

There are many ways that we can respond to Scripture in our quiet reflection. Often we are distracted. When extraneous thoughts come, always return back to Jesus, or go back to the line in Scripture you last remember. Gently return to Jesus. At first, the most difficult part of prayer is to listen, get out of the way, and let God lead the prayer session!  This is not the time for petitioning God; just allow oneself to be led from Scripture to Jesus Himself. In silence He reveals Himself; between the words. His love for you cannot but help draw Himself to you ... and you to Him.

Frances Chamberlin, OCDS

Exemplary Mother of the great Augustine,

you perseveringly pursued your wayward son

not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to Heaven. 

Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn

to draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain

close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have

sadly gone astray.

Amen
St. Monica: Patron Saint of Mothers

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow your plans, and perfectly accomplish your holy will.
Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You may require of me.
Help me to respond to the slightest promptings of your grace,
so that I may be your trustworthy instrument, for your honor. 
May your will be done in time and eternity -- by me, in me, and through me.
Amen

 ~ Thérèse of Lisieux

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  Mark 12:29-31

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa):

"Lets always meet each other with a smile, for a smile is the beginning of LOVE."

"Be faithful in all things because it is in them that your strength lies."

"Spread LOVE everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls."

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep my Word.  And my Father will love him; and We will come to him and make our abode with him."  John 14:23

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” — Saint Pio of Petrelcina

“For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” — Saint Therese of Lisieux

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…So Faith, Hope, Love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.”  1Corinthians 13: 1-8, 13

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, on 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 

" 'Be still and know that I am God'. God requires us to be silent to discover Him.  In the silence if the Heart, he speaks to us." St. Teresa of Calcutta

"You may be exhausted with work, even kill yourself, but unless your work is interwoven with love, it is useless." St. Teresa of Calcutta

"The important thing is not how much we accomplish, but how much love we put into our deed every day. That is the measure of our love for God." St. Teresa of Calcutta

"Instruct me, Lord in your way, on an even path lead me." Mark 14:57