aeternus

Reporting from the little town of Bethlehem (Pennsylvania that is…)

The family is on the move and has traveled Eastward in our Bi-annual pilgrimage to the “larger family” which exists in a constant state of activity in the Philadelphia-”ish” area.  Our little lives in St. Louis, Missouri are blessed and full of soulful companionship but it is hard to live away from brothers and sisters and Nannas, Grandmas and Pappys.  The good news is though, when you come for a visit, it is a cherished time and everyone is on their best behavior and ready for fun and excitement!

Our traveling this year co-insides with my husbands youngest nephew’s wedding.  While I would have loved to see them united in holy matrimony in a beautiful mass ceremony it was instead a wedding on the beach in Delaware.  I know it is a special place for them and that both are naturalists and quite “green” (in fact the bride is a Ranger in the National Park system) but certainly as they love and appreciate the beauty of “Creation” I know that by default they must indeed also love the “Creator of the creation”.  They are Christians and have a great love for our Lord.  My prayer, however,  is that that little by little they will come to know and love God through His almighty works and He will shower down His graces on them from above.  Perhaps then they will desire a Sacramental life with Him.  Certainly the couple are both sincere in their love.  This was witnessed by all on the beach as the couple were so sweet in saying their wedding vows that they were hardly able to say them as tears streamed down their faces!  It was also wonderful later at the wedding reception when the groom took up his troubadour guitar and sang a song he composed for his bride.  The best line was “I can’t wait to have lots and lots of babies and they will all be like you”.  Now dear reader, I must admit that I hope if my children get married one day it will be a prayerful and sacramental event.  Having said that, I also admit that it is also a blessing to witness the true good, happiness and joy of love when ever and where ever it may be found.  I pray that their love will continue to grow and come to reflect the Blessed Trinity in their new lives as man and wife (and hopefully as they are excited for, lots and lots of babies).

On the way back from the wedding we decided to take a short cut and use the Cape May Ferry.  That was a great experience too.  I made my way back to the stern and pulled my iPhone out of my pocket to launch up iBreviary for Vespers.  (In case you don’t know about iBreviary it is a most wonderful tool for your iPhone.  It is a program developed by an Italian Priest which loads up the Daily Office including Lauds, Daytime, Vespers and Compline at the users request.  It is so great because now I don’t worry if I do not have my own “hard copy” Breviary if I am out of my daily routine.  I am pretty well certain to have my phone with me.)

Anyway, as I stood on the third deck a stern and looked out onto the churned up waters which were left in the big vessels wake I could not help but remember the final scene of one of my most favorite teenage years movies – Yentle.  I used to LOVE that film!  I guess even then I had a fascination with my religious heritage and on top of writing High School term papers on the Talmud I also fell in love with that film and all its beautiful cinematic beauty.  So I really had to laugh when I was able to recall and sing the entire final song of the movie as I stood on the deck!  I am no Barbara Streisand for sure and so my outburst allowed the children another opportunity to be embarrassed by their mother (even though no other person was in the stern with us) and so they exited my location to explore and I was left to pray vespers as the sun set on the Delaware Bay.  You can see a glimpse of my vision in the photo above as when I was through praying they appeared in perfect composition for an iPhone photo (darn it that I didn’t have my Nikon with me at the time!)

My husband sidled up to me a few minutes later and I thought maybe he was also inspired by the beauty of the evening sunset.  I hoped he  thought his wife looked like she might want a loving arm around her as he remembered his own wedding day so MANY years ago.  However, he just wanted my iPhone.  Not to pray Vespers mind you, but just to have a look at Google maps to see if it would track our location in the middle of the Bay.  It did.  He was happy.  And that is the story of our day.  Oh, except our dog “texted” us from her location at our friend’s house in St. Louis to say she missed us.  Well, perhaps it was our dogs minder and not her own paws which did the actual texting.

O.K.  This is a crazy techno world!

History:

This Traditional Pentecost Novena to the Holy Ghost comes from a 1912 version from the Holy Ghost Fathers.  These Fathers are also known by the title of the Spiritians, a community founded in Paris by Claude Francis Poullart des Places, an affluent businessman and lawyer.  Poullart’s life changed direction when he developed relationships with and began assisting the homeless and poor chimney sweeps of Paris.  In 1703 the Spiritians were born for the purpose of preparing missionaries for the most abandoned souls. In 1848 the Spiritians merged with the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and the Congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary and together, with the aid of St. Katherine Drexel’s Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament founded Duquesne University.

The novena in honor of the Holy Ghost is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

MANNER OF PRAYING THE NOVENA

Each day the meditation and prayer for the particular day is said, followed by one (1) Our Father, one (1) Hail Mary and seven (7) Glory be to the Fathers, the Act of Consecration and the Prayer for the Seven Gifts.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY GHOST

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. / I adore the brightness of Your purity the unerring keenness of Your justice and the might of Your love. You are the Strength / and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart! To be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light: and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You / by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds / and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart / I implore You / Adorable Spirit I Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere / “Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.” Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul / the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth / the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You I and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God find know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable / the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples / and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

FIRST DAY OF THE NOVENA

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light!
From Your clear celestial height,
Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Ghost

Only one thing is important — eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared — sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.”

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

SECOND DAY OF THE NOVENA

Come. Father of the poor.
Come treasures which endure
Come, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear

The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. “They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls.”

Prayer

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

THIRD DAY OF THE NOVENA

Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father 7 TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

FOURTH DAY OF THE NOVENA

Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. “He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.”

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

FIFTH DAY OF THE NOVENA

Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge

The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth–in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it.”

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

SIXTH DAY OF THE NOVENA

If Thou take Thy grace away,
nothing pure in man will stay,
All his good is turn’d to ill.

The Gift of Understanding

Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Ghost, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

SEVENTH DAY OF THE NOVENA

Heal our wounds–our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew,
Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Gift of Counsel

The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

EIGHTH DAY OF THE NOVENA

Bend the stubborn heart and will,
melt the frozen warm the chill.
Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written “all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: “Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

NINTH DAY OF THE NOVENA

Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee Adore,
in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend;

Give Them Comfort when they die;
Give them Life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen

The Fruits of the Holy Ghost

The gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Ghost. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

(Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES. Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts)

Mary, maiden of pity,
All pity is thine. Have pity on me.

Gracious and fair in our sight,
Mother and maid our light,
Full moon new risen in our night,
Sweet Lady, hearken to me.

O lily of fragrant breath,
Thy sweetness whispereth
Our law ; Christ beckoneth
Us, for His love of thee.

Thou dost not turn away
Thy face, our hope, our stay,
Our fountain at midday,
Our fruitful olive tree.

Mother and bride of the King
Men not disdaining,
In heaven is holy dancing,
We will tread a measure with thee.

O Mary, path to the skies,
Gateway of Paradise,
Let love be strong as our cries
That we may come unto thee.

Up thy high stair we wind.
Grant now that heaven we find.
Lady gentle and kind,
Call us now unto thee.

Go, ballad, out from me,
And humbly greet
Her, rose of all roses sweet,
Queen and mother and maid.
Our Lady everywhere is she.
Hail her with duty meet.
So, all men may entreat
Her potent royal aid.

Lost on the sea, or in the dark road strayed,
Long be the way or short,
She the safe guide, and she the friendly port.
Mary, now pray we for thy comfort
In our so anxious day.

Fine rose in flower,
Thy womb was sheltering bower
For the Pilgrim Divine.

Wert beyond bearing blest,
When He chose thee for His nest,
And fed upon thy breast,
Thy Son Divine ?

Didst thou near pass away
As near thy heart He lay,
Taking thy kisses ? Say,
O heart so fond and fine!

– Jacopone da Todi, lay brother of St. Francis of Assisi

To celebrate his day here are a few quotes I found from St. Bernadine… (my favorite is the last one…)

“Prayer is the best preparation for Holy Communion. Prayer is the raising of the mind to God. When we pray we go to meet Christ Who is coming to us. If our Creator and Savior comes from heaven with such great love, it is only fitting that we should go to meet Him. And this is what we do when we spend some time in prayer.”

“There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being.  Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, god adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.”

“All gifts, virtues, and graces of the Holy Ghost are administered by the hands of Mary to whomsoever she desires, when she desires, and in the manner she desires, and to whatever degree she desires. ”

‘Every grace granted to man has three degrees in order: for by God it is communicated to Christ, from Christ it passes to the Virgin, and from the Virgin it descends to us.’

– St. Bernadine of Sienna

****

Old Ascension parish church in Chesterfield, Mo

Here is the rest of the Novena to Mary Queen of Apostles…

DAY TWO

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,  and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;  therefore the child to be born will be holy;
He will be called Son of God” (Lk 1:35).  The grace in a soul is like a root  from which a plant develops with its branches,  leaves, flowers and fruits.

Virtues grow in a soul in proportion to grace.  Thus, we understand why  Mary reached the highest degree of virtue and holiness:  because she was full of grace.  She possessed the theological,  cardinal and moral virtues,  the beatitudes  and the fruits of the Holy Spirit  to an eminent degree. Mary is full of grace,  the creature most intimate with God,  the Blessed Mother  who gives Jesus to us  and helps us to love him.  She makes us conceive a great fear of sin  and of dangerous occasions.  She inspires in us the desire for purity and for sacrifice.

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY THREE

“She gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk 2:7). Mary fulfills her apostolate: to give Jesus to the Father, to humanity, to heaven. She presented Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi who came to the crib in Bethlehem. Mary always gives Jesus. She is like a fruitful branch. She always carries Jesus and offers him to us: the Way, the Truth and the Life of humanity. Let us pray to Mary, the Mother of the infant Jesus, that through her maternal intercession we may all welcome the message from the crib: ”Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Lk 2:14).

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example.  Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY FOUR

“This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed… and a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Lk 2:34-35). Jesus Christ saw Mary at the foot of his cross, sharing in His passion. The Christian possesses an inexhaustible strength and is able to endure great sufferings without breaking. In suffering, a person can attain great nobility of character; indeed, suffering becomes a real apostolate.

Let us always trustfully invoke Mary: ”Pray for us, now and at the hour of our death.” All to Mary, from Mary, with Mary. She shows everyone on earth her Son. Let us pray: ”After this our exile, show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.”

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY FIVE

“His mother treasured all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:51). The presentation of the Lord enlightens us to live in holiness, detachment from worldly things, and purity of thoughts and actions. The child Jesus enters the temple, takes possession of it and will live in the Eucharist until the end of time. Once we have known our vocation, we must follow it and live it faithfully until we are called to heaven.

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY SIX

“Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (Jn 19:25). Let us look at Jesus, He sacrificed himself on the cross. Let us look at Mary, she shared Christ’s mission and passion with Him. The essence of the redemption is on Calvary, Jesus offers himself; Mary offers herself and her Son, whom she loves more than herself. Jesus is the Redeemer; Mary, the co-redemptrix.

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY SEVEN

“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ’Woman, here is your son.’ Then He said to the disciple, ’Here is your mother’” (Jn 19:26-27). When human perversity had reached its height and had brought about the death of our Lord; when the Shepherd was smitten and the entire flock of apostles and faithful were dispersed, Jesus Christ offered hope, salvation, his Mother: ”Here is your mother” (Jn 19:26).

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY EIGHT

“All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer,  together with certain women,  including Mary the mother of Jesus,  as well as his brothers” (Acts 1:14). It is clear that we have to consider  and follow Mary as our model.  She is the most holy Virgin,  the co-redemptrix and the Queen of Apostles.  She offered Jesus on Calvary,  and together with the apostles  she prayed in the cenacle to obtain the Holy Spirit. She took care of the Church,  newly born and already persecuted.  As Mother of the Church,  she became the outstanding member  of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles  as they were united in prayer with Mary,  the Mother of Jesus.  May the Queen of Apostles,  the same Mother of us all,  help us to serve your majesty faithfully,  and to spread the glory of Your Name  by word and example.  Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

DAY NINE

“Mary Immaculate,  the ever-virgin Mother of God,  having finished the course of her earthly life,  was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (Pius XII, November, 1950). After the death of her Son, Jesus,  Mary took care of the apostles,  especially St. John, the youngest.  She accompanied them with her prayers,  good example and maternal comfort.  Thus, Jesus willed that Mary  be with them during their first years of evangelization,  as she had accompanied him.  After her earthly pilgrimage,  her mission fulfilled,  she was assumed into heaven.  Let us think about the last day of the world.  All the elect will gloriously enter heaven,  body and soul;  thus they will have an eternal reward.

Reflection and Resolution Prayer:

O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles  as they were united in prayer with Mary,  the Mother of Jesus.  May the Queen of Apostles,  the same Mother of us all,  help us to serve your majesty faithfully,  and to spread the glory of Your Name  by word and example.  Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

The beloved aeternus blog novena secretary just wrote to alert me/us to the following prayerful opportunity and good intention…

The Feast of Mary Queen of Apostles is May 23rd so a novena to her would begin today. It seems like a good idea to offer a novena for all of our Bishops since they are the successors to the Apostles.

DAY ONE

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel” (Gen 3:15). Through God’s loving foresight, Mary was placed, so to speak, on a path different from that on which all the common children of Eve, born with original sin, entered the world. The new path is that of the redeemed. The light of the cross illumined Mary’s conception, infancy and youth. Thus, she was worthy to be blessed among women. Together let us honour Mary Immaculate, Queen of Apostles, and ask her to give Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life, to all of us and to all people on earth.

Reflection and Resolution Prayer: O God, you sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us to serve your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your Name by word and example. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our Father…”

“Hail Mary…”

“Glory be…”

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

About the only thing I know about St. Pancras (Pancratius) is that there is a train station named after him in London so today I decided to try and find out a few more details about this young (14 years old) martyr and saint.  This is a little of what I have found out:

“Not far from the church of San Grisogono, and on a rising ground, stands the church of San Pancrazio, our St. Pancras. In the persecution under Diocletian, this young saint, who was only fourteen years of age, offered himself voluntarily as a martyr, defending boldly before the emperor the cause of the Christians. He was thereupon beheaded by the sword, and his body was honourably buried by the Christian women. His church near the Gate of San Pancrazio, at Rome, has existed since the year 500.

St. Pancras was in the middle ages regarded as the protector against false oaths, and the avenger of perjury. It was believed that those who swore by St. Pancras falsely, were immediately and visibly punished; hence his popularity. We have a church dedicated to him in London, and a large parish bearing his name: French kings anciently confirmed their treaties in the name of St. Pancras. I recollect no effigy of him; but he ought to be represented as a boy of a very beautiful countenance, richly dressed in the secular habit, and bearing his palm and sword.”  –Sacred and legendary art By Anna Jameson , 1794-1860

Another source says it was St. Gregory of Tours who called Pancras “The Avenger of Perjuries” and says that “God by a perpetual miracle visibly punished false oaths made before his relics.”

It is recorded in the “Liber in Gloria Martyrum” that:

A man in Tours tried to perjure himself, but fell over backwards and collapsed.

In Bourges a man called Felix was miraculously up-ended as he tried to swear a false oath.

A girl who swore that she had not stolen an ornament from a merchant was petrified, almost literally, before the shrine of St.Eugenius in Albi.

The “Liber de Virtutibus sancti Julianii” states:

In Brioude a man tried to perjure himself over the return of a gold coin, but dried up.

The “Liber de Virtutibus sancti Martini” says:

A custodian of the shrine at Tours tried to swear that he had not received a gold coin.

The “Liber in Gloria Confessorum” says:

A man showed his rusticity in the cathedral in Limoges by swearing a false oath and was struck mute as a result.

And: A man who broke his oath to Aventinus died.

A poem of British love of St. Pancras:

“The rev’rend spire of ancient Pancras view,
To ancient Pancras pay the rev’rence due;
Christ’s sacred altar there first Britain saw,
And gazed, and worshipp’d with an holy awe,
Whilst pitying Heaven diffused a saving ray,
And heathen darkness changed to Christian day”—Anon.

Here is a prayer to St. Pancras:

O St. Pancras, boy martyr and brave Christian,

Please join me in prayer to relieve the pain.

Ask the lord our God to ease my body’s discomfort

And replace the hurt with tranquility

As your suffering was faced with great faith, St. Pancras,

I confront my affliction knowing God is full of mercy,

Amen.

*** The photo above is from our mother’s day adventure after brunch.  I picture them today as the legs of a young Saint Pancras.

–  Hymns and Meditations Waring, Anna L. (1820-1910)

** photo from my favorite field on the way to mass.

I really don’t have much time to devote to writing today but I don’t need to really because there is something so wonderful to read at a new blog I found called “Beginning to Pray“. I recommend reading Dr. Lilles piece on a great Carmelite – Elizabeth of the Trinity.  It is entitled: “When I can no longer pray, I play!”

Here is the beginning of his post:

Blessed Elisabeth was a Carmelite nun who died in 1906 at the age of 26. Although one of the first to read the Story of a Soul by her contemporary Therese of Lisieux, Elisabeth differed from her older sister in several ways – one of which was her career as a pianist and witness as a lay person in the world before her entrance into Carmel.

In a certain sense, childhood her exclamation about playing piano when she could not pray indicates that prayer is never really impossible, it just takes different forms. Sometimes we just are not able to gather ourselves together to put our hearts into formal times of prayer. Then we offer what we can. If all we can offer is playing the piano – or whatever else is good, beautiful and true – this is exactly what pleases the Lord.

read more.

I am sure every mother who has a son has at some point been overwhelmed with the thought “what to do about that boy of theirs”.  Whether or not they are a young boy, teen-age or full grown a mother can never stop being a mother and worrying.  Some Mom’s are blessed with those good little boys who will never do a thing to offend or distress them.  Oh, how blessed are they!

Sadly, I know so many of the other moms who live with a heart in constant sorrow and worry; their souls are dedicated to fervent prayer and supplication to our Lord for the sake of their boys.  Oh, bless them.  It is like a piece of their heart beats out of unison with the rest of their heart.  Skipping beats and pulsing inconsistently as it is both physically and spiritually given over to God for the love of their sons.  Certainly God knows and cherishes this love and He will send His merciful and beautiful light to shine in the sad crevasse of such injury.

Today’s Saint (well actually this is the old traditional date of her feast)  is a patron to all worrying mothers — Monica.  Monica had the epitome of the good boy/bad boy as a son — Augustine.  Through all the trials he put her through in the end we must realize that Augustine made her a Saint and surely her prayer made him a saint!  What a pair and what an example!

I found this little passage from the Life of St. Monica which I thought so very good for all mothers to read and remember. I believe that God will never leave a Mother’s child without many opportunities for grace and conversion even if they come at the last moments of life on this earth.  And please, as you read, would you  place in your heart a very special intention for a very dear soul?  This dear mother lost her son last week after he distressed his own soul for so many, many years.  His death has not lessened her worry about him and his eternal life.  Both these souls could use a special prayer and I thank you for remembering them.  She will bury him tomorrow and may God’s strength fill her and give her peace.

Now, onto a tale of St. Monica.   In this particular incident Augustine is trying to escape her and flee to Italy.  It is late in the night at the docks of the sea.  After hours of pleading with him to see reason Monica is not making any headway.  Augustine is trying to give her the slip…

“Her son was touched by her grief and her entreaties, but his plans were made: he was to start that very night. ” I lied to my mother,” he says, ” and such a mother !” He assured her that he was not going, that she might set her mind at rest. A friend of his was leaving Carthage, and he had promised to go down to the harbour to see him off.

Some instinct warned Monica that he was deceiving her. ” I will go with you,” she said. This was very awkward for her son; he was at his wit s end to know what to do. They went m down to the harbour together, where they found Augustine s friend. No ship could put out that night, the sailors said, the wind was dead against them. The young men were unwilling to leave the harbour in case the wind should change and they should miss the boat, while Monica was determined not to leave Augustine.

They walked up and down together on the seashore in the cool evening air. The hours passed, and the situation became more and more difficult for Augustine. What was he to do ? Monica was weary and worn out with grief. An idea suggested itself to him suddenly. It was no use waiting any longer, he said, it would be better to take some rest; the boat would certainly not start that night.

Monica was in no mood to rest; but Augustine knew her love of prayer. There was a little chapel on the seashore, dedicated to St. Cyprian. Would she not at least go there and take shelter until the morning? He promised her again that he would not leave Carthage, and she at last consented, for her soul was full of sorrow.

Kneeling there in the stillness of the little chapel, she poured out the troubles of her heart to God, beseeching Him that He would not let Augustine leave her. The answer seemed a strange one. As she prayed the wind suddenly changed; the sailors prepared to depart. Augustine and his friend went on board, and the ship set sail for Rome.

The last thing they saw as the shore faded away in the dim grey of the morning was the little chapel of St. Cyprian lying like a speck in the distance. But they did not see a lonely figure that stood on the sand and stretched out piteous hands to Heaven, wailing for the son whom she had lost a second time.

It was God alone Who knew all the bitterness of that mother s heart. It was God alone Who knew how, after the first uncontrollable outburst of grief, she bent herself in faith and love to endure the heartbreak- silent and uncomplaining. And it was only God Who knew that the parting that seemed so cruel was to lead to the granting of her life-long prayer, to be the first stage in her son s conversion.”

-- The Life of St. Monica

Oh happy day of St. Joseph, Oh happy month of our Mother!  I found this wonderful excerpt which speaks to the perfection of their souls united completely to the Divine Will of the Father.  It is a great meditation to start this blessed month.

God Does All for a Soul of Goodwill.

“Souls called by God to a life of perfect abandonment resemble in this respect our Lord, His holy Mother, and St. Joseph. The will of God was, to them, the fulness of life. Submitting entirely to this will as to precept and inspiration directly it was made manifest to them, they were always in complete dependence on, what we might call, the purely providential will of God.  From this it follows that their lives, although extraordinary in perfection, showed outwardly nothing that is not common to all, and quite ordinary. They fulfilled the duties of religion, and of their state as others do, and in, apparently, the same way. For the rest, if one scrutinizes their conduct, nothing can be discovered either striking or peculiar; all follows the same course of ordinary events. That which might single them out is not discernible; it is that dependence on the supreme will which arranges all things for them, and in which they habitually live. The divine will confers on them a complete self-mastery on account of the habitual submission of their hearts.

Therefore the souls in question are, by their state, both solitary and free; detached from all things in order to belong to God, to love Him in peace, and to fulfil faithfully the present duty according to His expressed will. They do not allow themselves to reflect, to neglect, nor to think of consequences, causes or reasons; it is enough for them to go on simply, accomplishing their plain duties just as if there did not exist for them anything but their present obligation, and their duty to God. The present moment, then, is like a desert in which the soul sees only God whom it enjoys; and is only occupied about those things which He requires of it, leaving and forgetting all else, and abandoning it to Providence. This soul, like an instrument, neither receives interiorly more than the operation of God effects passively, nor gives exteriorly more than this same operation applies actively.

This interior application is accompanied by a free and active co-operation which is, at the same time, infused and mystical; that is to say that God, finding in this soul all the necessary qualifications for acting according to His laws, and satisfied with its goodwill, spares it the trouble of doing so, by bestowing all that would otherwise be the fruit of its efforts, or of its effectual goodwill. It is as though someone, seeing a friend preparing for a troublesome journey, would go in his stead, so that the friend would have the intention of going, but he spared the trouble of the journey; yet by this impersonation he would have gone himself, at least virtually. This journey would be free because it would be the result of a free determination taken beforehand to please the friend who then takes upon himself the trouble and expense; it would also be active because it will be a real advance; and it will be interior because effected without outward activity; and, finally, it will be mystical because of the hidden principle it contains. But to return to that kind of co-operation that we have explained by this imaginary journey; you will observe that it is entirely different from fidelity in the fulfilment of obligations. The work of fulfilling these is neither mystical nor infused, but free and active as commonly understood. Therefore abandonment to the good pleasure of God contains activity as well as passivity. In it there is nothing of self, but an habitual general goodwill, which like an instrument, has no action of itself, but responds to the touch of the master. While in his hands it fulfils all the purposes for which it was formed. Intentional and determined obedience to the will of God is, in the ordinary order of vigilance, care, attention, prudence, and discretion; although ordinary efforts are sensibly aided, or begun by grace. Leaving God, then, to act for all the rest, reserve for yourself at the present moment, only love and obedience, which virtues the soul will practise eternally. This love, infused into the soul in silence, is a real action of which it makes a perpetual obligation. It ought, in fact, to preserve it faithfully, and to maintain itself constantly in those dispositions resulting from it, all of which, it is evident, cannot be done without action. The action, however, is quite different to obedience to the present duty, by which the soul so disposes its faculties as to fulfil perfectly the will of God made manifest to it exteriorly, without expecting anything extraordinary.

This divine will is to the soul in all things its method, its rule, and its direct and safe way. It is an unalterable law which is of all times, of all places, and of all states. It is a straight line which the soul must follow with courage and fidelity, neither diverging to the right, nor to the left, nor overstepping the bounds. Whatever is over and above must be received passively, as it carries on its work in abandonment. In a word, the soul is active in all that the present duty requires, but passive and submissive in all the rest, about which there should be no self-will, but patient waiting for the divine motion.”

– Abandonment to Divine Providence

Jean-Pierre de Caussade -  Jesuit ascetic writer (1675-1751)

** photo of St. Joseph in the All Saints chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.