aeternus

The Marian Catechists have put out a call for a Spiritual Bouquet to be prayed for His Excellency Archbishop Raymond L. Burke. Today, June 30 is his 60th birthday and Sunday was his 33rd anniversary of the holy priesthood.

As most people already know, our dear Archbishop is on his way to the Vatican to be the new prefect of the Apostolic Signature, the Church’s supreme court. We taped a television press conference with him the other evening to show the children. It is amazing to me that so many people have been so hostile towards this most humble man and servant of Our Dear Lord . Perhaps they see only his exterior which is strong. But, to look at him with the eyes of the heart, one nearly crumbles with admiration of this holy soul! When he spoke to the press about his new appointment he spoke clearly. However, when asked about leaving St. Louis this dear man actually had to pause he was so choked up. He could then hardly speak because he was so overcome with tears of sadness (which were obviously due to love of the Archdiocese). Oh, how I hope he knows how much we love him here!

My poor little ones were saddened when they saw their dear Archbishop. Young mister looks up to him with such admiration and is very happy for him to be going to Rome. He is taking this news like a good stalwart young man, though I know he is torn between happiness and sadness. He can ‘t help but feel sad he won’t be able to serve mass for him any more. Young Miss was not so tough… she cried. Her words were, “I am so sad”. I said, “That is o.k. you can tell him your sad when you see him at mass”. She said, “No Mommy, if I tell him I’m sad and cry then he’ll be sad and cry and that would not be Christian.” Bless her!

Back to business…

The spiritual bouquet to be offered is specific. The Marian Catechists asks to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Face. This chaplet is a powerful prayer for the triumph of the Church and the downfall of Her enemies. Archbishop Burke has a strong devotion to dear St. Therese of Lisieux and of course we know her religious name was “Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face”. Therese wrote many prayers to express her devotion to the Holy Face. Her poems and prayers helped spread the devotion. She wrote the words “Make me resemble you, Jesus!” on a small card and attached a stamp of the Holy Face to it. She pinned the prayer in a small container over her heart, since at that time the Holy Face Medal did not exist. In August 1895, in her “Canticle to the Holy Face” she wrote:

“Jesus, Your ineffable Image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth. My love discovers the charms of Your Face adorned with tears. I smile through my own tears when I contemplate Your sorrows.”

The Chaplet of the Holy Face

For the Triumph of the Church and downfall of Her Enemies

Make the Sign of the Cross, and say:

God, come to my assistance,
Lord, make haste to help me.

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.

Next, say 33 times:
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;
let those who hate Him flee before His Holy Face.

At the end, say 3 times:
Glory be to the Father…
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The formula that we are using for the Chaplet of the Holy Face is a variation of the original chaplet. If you would like to know more about the Holy Face Devotion, visit the websire: www.holyface.org