I Get To

 It's funny how you can learn great lessons in the most unlikely places and unexpected times. While watching Say Yes To The Dress on TLC one day, I learned an unexpected lesson about being grateful for our many everyday blessings and privileges. The show featured a young woman who was just discharged from the hospital for a gunshot wound to her back that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She was just crossing the street with a friend one day, then bang! her whole life was changed by one stray bullet. Now here she was, her first day out of the hospital, looking for her wedding dress for a life with her soon to be husband that was going to be very different from what she had planned. She said something about how she would give anything to just be able to stand up one more time again and I suddenly felt very guilty for the many, many things I take for granted every moment of my life. Like the use of my legs and being able to stand and walk whenever I want to. It really opened me up to the fact that I have so much more to thank God for with each new moment, than I will ever be able to truly thank Him for. So now, as an attempt to have a more grateful attitude, when I run through the things I have to do or get done each day, I try to say, "I get to" instead of "I have to". I get to make the beds. I get to do the laundry. I get to change my sons diaper. I get to clean the house. I get to make dinner. I get to raise my children. I don't have to do these things, I get to do them and I am blessed with an endless amount of these beautiful burdens.

Free Family Advent Activity Calendar List

I was inspired by St. Teresa of the Andes to make this little Advent Calendar thing. Please feel free to print it out to your hearts desire. :)
My family has always had the tradition of putting one piece of hay into a little manger for every kind act we do during Advent to prepare a soft place for Jesus on Christmas day. This Calendar is a variation of our tradition but gives specific ideas of things to do for Jesus.(and you can still incorporate the tradition of putting hay in the manger.) It is nice because it works with any schedule. You can do as many or as few things a day as you want and there is no one set thing to do each day.
As Mother Teresa said, let us take God at His word, What we do to the least of our brethren, we do it to Him.

I wish everyone a very hopeful Advent and a Joyful Christmas this year!

God blessings and Peace to all!

After reading a book that listed Mary's 10 primary virtues, I got an itch to write them down somewhere I could see them and meditate on them. Here is where I decide to write them, on an old piece of Oak floor board. When I read them, it feels like a prayer and I hope they inspire and touch your heart like they have mine.

An early Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We have so much to be grateful for. God please help us to always have a grateful heart, especially when it is hardest for us.

All Saints Day

Happy All Saints Day! 

All you good and holy Saints, Pray for us!

 

October Month of Mary and the Holy Rosary

This month is dedicated to Our Lady and The Holy Rosary. Saying the rosary daily is one of the ways we can celebrate this month and there are more ideas at this Link. The rosary is a wonderful gift and powerful prayer. And please remember to continue to pray for life until November 4th with people around the country and 40 days for life.

Here is a great link for more information about this month and how to pray the rosary: http://www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com/month-of-the-holy-rosary.html

Childlike

Recently we have started saying evening prayers as a family. It has been a blessing for our family, but sometimes during our prayers (which we try to keep very short and simple) my kids seem to turn into uncontrollable blobs of energy and are very fidgety and unfocused and can't seem to stay in one place for 5 seconds. Well, as surprising as it may be, this tends to drives me crazy and I start to say silent prayers for more patience in between our evening prayers. Especially since it's the end of the day and I'm ready for bed too. So there I am trying to get through one short prayer and I feel like I am trying to say grace with 2 hungry, wild, playful and adorable puppies instead of children. Anyway, I was thinking this morning and all the sudden I realized how very much like a my children, I pray at times. Now, I may be able to stay still and say the prayers I want to, but really, there are many times my thoughts seem to run around and jump and are just plain old noisy while I am saying my prayers. All too often I allow my thoughts get in the way of really praying my prayers. I'm sure it will be a ongoing battle, but I pray for the grace to really be present and quiet in body and mind when I pray. And for the patience to pray with my kids! :)

A Thought

If we suffer much, we have been given the opportunity to love much. Jesus proved His love for us as he hung upon the cross for our sins and He invites us to imitate Him and offer our little sufferings for our brothers and sisters.

Happy Feast Day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and The Holy Face ( The Little Flower)
St. Therese, Pray for us!

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting Across the United States

one of my baby's precious feet.

 I just heard about this today and would like to welcome and encourage all to join in this worthy cause. People all over the country will be fasting and praying for life over the next 40 days.

If you would like to get involved with a group near you or want more information check out their website at 40 Days For Life.com 

Remember, you can always participate at home and with your family and friends if you don't have a lot of extra time. Please share and spread the word!!

wish I could write more, but wouldn't you know it, I'm holding a baby that wants a little attention. :)

Questions For The Heart

Some thoughts that have found their way to my little ear that I would like to echo back into the world:

Do we allow others to change for the better? Or do we hold who they are now or have been against them?

Do we desire good for others, especially those we do not like or agree with? Or would we rather see some people fail and experience bad things?

Do we accept people as the beautiful creation of God that they are and love them in spite of their faults? Do we pray for those who are in most need of prayer?

Do we strive to love as God loves. Do we love as God asks us to love others and Himself?
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength. [Deuteronomy 6:5]

Are we living what we know to be true? And if we are not, why?


How far above our ways are Your ways, O Lord, and how far above our thoughts are Your thoughts. Help us to love as we should, dear Jesus, and guide us all safely home to you. Grant us the gift to live in your beautiful, and most loving, Sacred Heart. That our hearts may be consumed within yours, burning with Your love for all the world and those in it.

Holy Spirit, move in us and open our hearts to know and do the Father's will.

Blessed Mary, pray for us! We are your children and are always in great need of our Mother.

Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help

 Today is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. Here is a lovely little prayer to honor our Blessed Mother and her Holy name today. Happy feast day everyone!

O Mother of Perpetual Help, 

grant that I may ever invoke Thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. 

O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let Thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. 

Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on Thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on Thee, ever repeating Thy sacred name, Mary, Mary. 

O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce Thy sacred name, or even only think of Thee. 

I thank God for having given Thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name.  But I will not be content with merely pronouncing Thy name: let my love for Thee prompt me ever to hail Thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.

~Recite Nine Hail Mary's.~

Look what I found outside my window yesterday. :)

 

A Quote From Pope John Paul II

"People are made for happiness. Rightly, then you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But he asks that you trust him. True joy is a victory, something which cannot be obtained without a long and difficult struggle. Christ holds the secret of this victory."

                                                                              -Pope John Paul II ~World Youth Day 2002

Fight Bad Habits With Good Habits

If you want to stop a bad habit, start a good habit in place of the bad one.
How often do we try to overcome a bad habit all on our own and eventually just go back to it or replace it with another bad habit? And how much more successful would we be if we asked for God's help and put a good habits in place of bad ones? For example, if I often yell and lose my temper, instead of just trying not to do these things I could add a good habit every time I feel myself getting upset and pray to God to be with me and help me to do what is right.
I heard this idea at Mass on Sunday and it rang true in my heart, like a clear and resounding gong of a church bell calling out to us wherever we may be to remember and think about and adore our God, if not at church, at least in the temple that is our body, in our heart, upon which He has written His law. Anyway, I really wanted to share this because I think it will be very helpful in my life and could be  helpful to others too.
I pray that day by day, we can all spend more time with God, than in the world and with ourselves. That He dwells in our hearts always drawing us closer to Himself. And please, dear God, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, help us to overcome all our bad habits and every evil in our lives. Amen.

Here are some more ideas for good habits:
Praying the Rosary
Morning prayer and offering
Evening prayer and Examination of Conscinece
Spiritual reading, especially the Bible
Smiling :)
Praying for the people we see and hear about throughout the day
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Confession

Something I've been thinking about:
God wants us to be free from sin, but He also wants us to be free to be who He created us to be and to be in union with Him. So really we should get to know Him and build our relationship with Him while we are here on earth and maybe that is a way for us to have Heaven on Earth.

St. Maximilian Kolbe

A new prayer card for a great Saint.The M.I. is what he would sign after his name and it stands for "Soldier of Mary Immaculate".

Patron Saint of prisoners, drug addicts, families and journalists

Today,  August 14th, in the year of our Lord, 2012, is the feast day of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
I read his story recently (St. Maximilian Kolbe, A Man For Others) and was really moved by this dear Saint. He was a Franciscan priest and did amazing and wonderful things. He also did many ordinary things with great love and patience. He loved our Mother, Mary and did all things through her. He called Mary his "little Mother". He spread the love of God, devotion to Mary and the church's teachings through a magazine publications using printing presses, which was cutting edge technology then in the early 1900's. He gave much and asked for little. He was very smart and knew different languages. He trusted himself entirely to our Mother's care and protection and she never let him down. She was with him till the end when he gave his life for another man in a Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941.
Thank you God, for this good and holy Saint.
Little Mother, please help us to walk closely in his footsteps that they may guide us closer to Heaven.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

Here are two prayers I am going to use for his prayer card:

St. Maximilian Kolbe, so patient and full of love for God and our “little Mother” Mary.  Intercede for me that I too, may love without limits and do good to all men. Upon my knees I pray that I may follow your good example, always trusting completely in God, through Mary, who will certainly lead me safely through all difficulties. Help me, good saint, at all times to see the    loving hand of God at work in my life, to answer all things with prayer, and to suffer  every hardship, great of small, willingly for God with patience and love. That I may be a light in the darkness of life.

Amen.

Feast day: August 14th

Patron Saint of prisoners, drug addicts, families and journalists

 

The Immaculata prayer by Saint Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of   sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to  entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.

If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve,  wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and Increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin. Give me strength against your enemies. Amen.

Another prayer by Kolbe:

Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception
Immaculate One of God
Immaculate One of God
My Immaculata
My Immaculata
Our Immaculata
Our Immaculata

"Take Christ's hand in one of yours and Mary's in the other. Now even if you are in darkness you can go forward with the confidence of a child guided by it's parents."
-St. Maximilian Kolbe

This post is dedicated to a dear friend of mine and I wish her a very happy anniversary today!

Precious Blood

Yesterday my son was baptized and during the mass I saw something that words cannot do justice.
Since my son was being baptized  we were sitting right up front in the first row of seats and during communion some of the precious blood happened to spill on the floor just feet away from us near the Eucharistic minister who had the cup. Having just come back from receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus, I looked up and saw the Precious Blood spilled on the ground and watched as the alter boy cleaned up every little drop with great care and respect. The boy was probably about 10 or 11 years old and he carried himself with a level of goodness and maturity that seemed out of place and uncommon for a boy of his age. As he bent down on the floor, he seemed not to be aware of, or concerned about anyone else in the room. Then as he took some white cloth with a small red cross in the middle and gently pressed it into the floor, it quickly soaked up the blood making a striking contrast of deep purple and white. When he had finished cleaning and made sure there was none left behind, he slowly and carefully folded each cloth and took them away. As I watched him do all of this, my heart beheld an image of our Blessed Mother, Mary and how tenderly and sorrowfully she must have done the same thing for her son when she saw His blood spilled out upon the ground. What a mysterious and beautiful gift we have that the very same blood that  bled from Jesus' most Sacred Heart, as it was lifted high on the cross, is the very same blood that he continues to pour out for us to receive at every Mass. I am so thankful to have seen this with my heart and not just my eyes as i have many times before. I will keep this memory like a precious little jewel and lock it away in my heart. It will be a fragrant reminder of God's love and goodness, much like the holy oil that is still on my son's head that is  reminding me of of his happy baptism. It smells so GOOD! :)

Wanted to share a prayer that was given to me yesterday and some words from our Lady. 

My mom keeps this quote from our lady of Guadalupe on the fridge so I have been reading it often. Her words have been comforting me and uplifting me and I try to hold them in my heart throughout the day. It is easy for me to forget that Mary is here with me and always ready to help and pray for me, so I am grateful for the little reminders that come my way. :)

“Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you.

Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance;

Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.

Am I, your Mother, not with you?

Are you not under the shadow of my protection?

Am I not you fountain of life?

Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in my crossed arms?

Is there anything else that you need?”

-Our Lady of Guadalupe 

O Mary,

bright dawn of the new world. 

Mother of the living,

to you do we entrust the cause of life

Look down, O Mother,

upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born,

of the poor whose lives are

made difficult,

of men and women who are 

victims of brutal violence,

of the elderly and the sick 

killed by indifference of out

of misguided mercy.

Grant that all who believe in

your Son may proclaim the

Gospel of life with honesty and

love to the people of our time.

Obtain for them the grace 

to accept that Gospel 

as a gift ever new, the joy of

celebrating it with gratitude

throughout their lives and the

courage to bear witness to it

resolutely, in order to build,

together with all people of good will,

the civilization of truth and love,

to the praise and glory of God

the Creator and lover of live.

Evengelium Vitae~ Pope John Paul II

Offering Our Suffering

 My husband recently brought home a CD about offering our sufferings daily to God by Kimberly Morey. I was able to listen to it a couple days ago and it really helped me to see suffering in a more positive way. I've known for a while now that suffering can be a very good thing and that we should do it with love, but hearing Kimberly talk about it, gave me a clear way to set about actually doing it and answers to why and how it can be good. I think it could be very helpful for anyone who suffers in small or great ways and help us to draw closer to God and fill our lives with more love.

This is a link to listen to Kimberly Morey talk about her message on a radio show:
http://www.catholic.com/radio/shows/the-act-of-offering-your-suffering-3841

And here is a link to her prayers that have a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur:
http://www.newce.com/suffering/

St. Bridget of Sweden

An image from one of my prayer cards.

So today is the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden. I do not know very much about this saint, but the things I have heard and learned about her are very interesting and helpful to me. In some of the religious reading I have done, I have been fortunate to come across little prayers given to her by Mary or Jesus, or things that have been revealed to her. Learning these little things about her and the prayers and devotions given to her make me want to learn more about her life. There is a book of revelations by her and maybe I will get it one day and read it. Until then, here are a few of her prayers that have made their way to me that I would like to share:

 

Three Remedies Against Temptation

Given To St. Bridget of Sweden

When thou art assailed by thoughts contrary to holy purity, say, “Jesus, Son of God, who knowest all things, help me to take no pleasure in vain and sinful thoughts.”

When the temptation to talk comes to thee, say, “Jesus, Son of God, who were silent before the unjust Judge, restrain my tongue till I have considered what and how to speak.”

When inclined to work, or rest, or take refreshment according to thy fancy, say, “Jesus, Son of God, who were bound with cords, guide my hands and all my limbs, so that my works may all be done according to Thy good pleasure.”

 

Prayers Honoring the 7 Times Jesus Spilled His Precious Blood for Us, as Revealed by Our Lady to St. Bridget, and Approved by Pope Clement XII.

Introductory Prayer:

 
O Jesus, now I wish to pray the Lord's Prayer seven times in unity with the love with which You sanctified this prayer in Your Heart. Take it from my lips into Your Divine Heart. Improve and complete it so much that it brings as much honor and joy to the Trinity as You granted it on earth with this prayer. May these pour upon Your Holy Humanity in Glorification to Your Painful Wounds and the Precious Blood that You spilled from them.

First Prayer: The Circumcision

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the first wounds, the first pains, and the first Bloodshed as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of youth, as protection against the first mortal sin, especially among my relatives.

Second Prayer: The Suffering on the Mount of Olives

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the terrifying suffering of Jesus' Heart on the Mount of Olives and every drop of His Bloody Sweat as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of the heart, as protection against such sins and for the spreading of Divine and brotherly Love.

Third Prayer: The Flogging

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the many thousands of Wounds, the gruesome Pains, and the Precious Blood of the Flogging as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of the Flesh, as protection against such sins and the preservation of innocence, especially among my relatives.

Fourth Prayer: The Crowning of Thorns

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the Wounds, the Pains, and the Precious Blood of Jesus' Holy Head from the Crowning with Thorns as atonement for my and all of humanity's sins of the Spirit, as protection against such sins and the spreading of Christ's kingdom here on earth.

Fifth Prayer: The Carrying of the Cross

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You the Sufferings on the way of the Cross, especially His Holy Wound on His Shoulder and its Precious Blood as atonement for my and all of humanity's rebellion against the Cross, every grumbling against Your Holy Arrangements and all other sins of the tongue, as protection against such sins and for true love of the Cross.

Sixth Prayer: The Crucifixion

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You Your Son on the Cross, His Nailing and Raising, His Wounds on the Hands and Feet and the three streams of His Precious Blood that poured forth from these for us, His extreme tortures of the Body and Soul, His precious Death and its non-bleeding Renewal in all Holy Masses on earth as atonement for all wounds against vows and regulations within the Orders, as reparation for my and all of the world's sins, for the sick and the dying, for all holy priests and laymen, for the Holy Father's intentions toward the restoration of Christian families, for the strengthening of Faith, for our country and unity among all nations in Christ and His Church, as well as for the Diaspora.

Seventh Prayer: The Piercing of Jesus' Side

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, then:

Eternal Father, accept as worthy, for the needs of the Holy Church and as atonement for the sins of all Mankind, the Precious Blood and Water which poured forth from the Wound of Jesus' Divine Heart. Be gracious and merciful toward us. Blood of Christ, the last precious content of His Holy Heart, wash me of all my and others' guilt of sin! Water from the Side of Christ, wash me clean of all punishments for sin and extinguish the flames of Purgatory for me and for all the Poor Souls. Amen.

Promises for the St. Bridget 12-Year Prayers

Our Lord made these promises to anyone who recited/prayed these Prayers for 12 entire years**:
1. The soul who prays them will suffer no Purgatory.

2. The soul who prays them will be accepted among the Martyrs as though he had spilled his blood for his faith.

3. The soul who prays them can choose three others whom Jesus will then keep in a state of grace sufficient to become holy.

4. No one in the four successive generations of the soul who prays them will be lost.

5. The soul who prays them will be made conscious of his death one month in advance.

** If the soul praying these prayers dies before the entire 12 years of prayers have been completed, the Lord will accept them as having been prayed in their entirety, because the intention of the soul was to complete them as directed.
If a day or a few days are missed due to a valid reason, they can be made up for later, at the soul's earliest opportunity.

Weeding And Bad Habits

Out in the garden a short time ago, I noticed the little weeds that had been growing and decided it was time to pull them out before they grew any bigger. After pulling a few here and there, I realized that there were much more weeds than I thought there were and it was so much more work to get down in the dirt to pull them out than expected. I could've pulled most of them out a lot earlier and had a much easier time of weeding had I stayed on top of it. But I didn't. :( While I was paying the price of procrastinating, it struck me at how my bad habits are very much like weeds. If I don't stay on top of them and try to pluck them out as soon as they arise, they stick around and I get too comfortable with them. You could say they start to grow on me. Then it's much harder to get rid of them and I have to really, really work at putting an end to my bad habit. If only I stopped all my bad habits in their tracks, it would be so much better for me. That's not to say it would be a walk in the park, it's still work to do the right thing, it's just less than if you let your bad habits stick around and get out of control.

I pray to our Blessed Mother, Mary, that we may overcome all our bad habits with the help of her prayers and the Grace of God.

My Redbubble

Just updated my Redbubble portfolio for anyone who would like to stop by and check it out.

http://gian.redbubble.com/

And just for fun, here is a picture of most of the embroidered patches I've made for my shop.

A Prayer and an Update

So I have been very busy with daily things and the new baby. Jude is doing very well by the way and growing just as fast as he can. He smiles in his sleep and it's the best. :)
I have a custom order I am working on and many new ideas and projects I would like to set in motion when the baby and time allows. One idea is for a St. Maximillan Kolbe prayer card. I just read a book about him called, "A Man For Others". It was very good and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading inspiring books about good and holy Saints.  Hoping to get the card done by next month so I can surprise a friend of mine with it. He is her favorite saint and his feast day is Aug. 14th.

Have to get back to housework and the kiddos. Wishing everyone a happy week taking care of all the blessing God has given us which we are so lucky to have.

Now for a prayer.

Prayer to the Santo Bambino
Divine Bambino,
In my difficulties; Help me
From the Enemies of my soul: Save me
In my errors: Enlighten me
In my doubts and pains: Comfort me
In my solitudes: Be with me
When others despise me: Encourage me
In temptations: Defend me
In difficult hours: Strengthen me
With your Sacred Heart: Love me
With your immense power: Protect me
And, into your arms when I die: Receive me.
Amen.

Hey Jude

I am very happy to announce the birth of my baby, Jude.
He arrived on June 5th at 11:41am. He is a beautiful, precious little boy and words cannot express or convey the bond, connection and love I felt for him the moment I first saw and held him in my arms.
I thank God for the gift of life and all that He has blessed our family with!
Thank you also to all my family and friends for your wonderful support and prayers throughout my pregnancy and especially during my labor and delivery!
I have been getting great rest thanks to my beloved husband and hope to get back to writing more soon.

Mary's Song, The Magnificat, Canticle of Mary

A beautiful mosaic that appears in the nave of Chyde adoration chapel of the Benedictine Sisters of perpetual adoration.

The Magnificat 

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

(Luke 1:46-55 )

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

Feast Day: May 31st

Mary, Help Me,

I have been nesting and cleaning and getting everything ready for when the baby comes all day today, and since I'm on a roll, here are prayers for the next few days in case the baby comes early. :) So sad this month of Mary is almost over. I'll miss the daily prayers to her.

These prayers are from my book, Mother of Mothers, Devotions and Prayers.

Mary, Help Me

O Holy Queen, Mother of Mothers, consolation and protectress of all Christian motherhood-Mother Mary, help me.
When all looks dark and I find none to speak a consoling of cheering word, dear Mary, help me.
When I have tried hard and others do not seem to understand, dear Mary, help me.
When a thousand worrisome distractions and annoyances come into my day and it seems so hard to keep my peace of heart, dear Mary, help me.
In all things, Mother, assist me! That I may, like yourself, with patience turn all my trials into spiritual treasures; that I may grow ever more like you, the cherished Queen of the most Holy Family, dear Mary, help me! 
Amen.

Mother Mary

 Holy Mother Mary, who by virtue of your divine motherhood have become Mother of us all, I place the charge which God has given me under your loving protection. Be a protection mother to my children. Guard their bodies and keep them in health and strength. Guard their minds and keep their thoughts ever holy in the sight of their Creator and God. Guard their hearts and keep them pure and strong and happy in the love of God. Guard always their souls and ever preserve in them faithfully the glorious image of God they received in holy Baptism. Always, Mother, protect them and keep them under your mothering  care. Supply in your all-wise motherhood for my poor human deficiencies and  protect them from all evil. 
Amen.
Queen of the most Holy Family,
Pray for us!
Mother of Mothers,
Pray for us!


And this one is for my little one on the way:

For Protection of the Child

I put my little babe under you protection, Mary, my Mother. Make its tiny mind grow up to love the truths of faith; consecrate its will to the service of God; fill its heart with love for its Creator.
Fashion its little body in all perfection:
let its organs be sound, its senses acute, all its members strong and healthy. You can obtain this favor for me and my child, most powerful Mother. I put my trust in you. Amen.

A Prayer and A Hymn To Mary

Found these in a great little book entitled, "Mother of Mothers, Devotions and Prayers"

Hymn:
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I ask of thee?
I do not sigh for the wealth of the earth,
For the joys that fade and flee;
But Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I long to see,
The Bliss untold which thine arms enfold, 
The treasure upon thy knee.


Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I ask of thee?
I will love thy Son with the whole of my strength,
My only King shall He be.
Yes, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This will I do for thee,
Of all that are dear of cherished here,
None shall be dear as He.

Special Prayer For Mothers

For a True Spirit of Motherhood

Mary, my Mother, grant that my little child may instruct me in the ways of God. Let its innocent eyes speak to me of the spotless holiness of Jesus. Let its open smile remind me of the great love God has for His creatures. Let its helplessness teach me the unbounded power of God. May its first feeble effort to speak call to my mind the wisdom of the Almighty. May its simple trust in me lead me to cherish a like confidence in God. May my love for God be stimulated by the deeprooted affection my child has for me. May I in all these things grow in a greater appreciation of my holy motherhood. Mary, I trust in you to obtain this favor for me. Amen.
Mother of Mothers, 
Pray for me!

This prayer reminds me of all the things I have been happy to learn from my children thus far about God. It is amazing how just having a little baby can open your heart to many things you didn't know or think about before, especially about God. My children have taught me more about God than most books I've read and I definitely hear Him speak to me through their lives. Children are such a blessing! Thank you God for my babies and the wisdom they hold. Help me to love and teach them as I should.

I would love to hear about some of the things others have learned from their children if anyone would like to share?

Hope all have a happy Memorial day!

Making Up My Prayers For The Last 3 Days

Life has been keeping me busy and away from the computer so here are 3 prayers for the last few days:
August Queen of Heaven, Sovereign Mistress of the Angels, who didst receive from the beginning the mission and power to crush the serpent's head, we beseech Thee to send Thy Holy Angels that, under Thy power, they may pursue the evil spirits, encounter them on every side, resist their bold attacks and drive them hence into the abyss of woe.
Most Holy Mother, send Thy Angels to defend us and to drive the cruel enemy from us.
All ye Holy Angels and Archangels help and defend us. Amen

My favorite bible verse:
Revalations 12:1-5
[1] And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars: [2] And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered. [3] And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven diadems: [4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son. [5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne.

O Most Holy One

(O Sanctissima)

O most holy one,

O most lowly one,

Dearest Virgin Maria!

Mother of fair Love,

Home of the Spirit Dove,

Ora, Ora pro nobis.

Mother, Maiden fair,

Look with loving care,

hear our prayer, O Maria!

Our sorrow feeling,

Send us thy healing,

Ora, Ora pro nobis.

Life has been keeping me busy and away from the computer so here are 2 prayers and a bible verse for the last few days:

August Queen of Heaven, Sovereign Mistress of the Angels, who didst receive from the beginning the mission and power to crush the serpent's head, we beseech Thee to send Thy Holy Angels that, under Thy power, they may pursue the evil spirits, encounter them on every side, resist their bold attacks and drive them hence into the abyss of woe.
Most Holy Mother, send Thy Angels to defend us and to drive the cruel enemy from us.
All ye Holy Angels and Archangels help and defend us. Amen

My favorite bible verse:
Revalations 12:1-5
[1] And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars: [2] And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered. [3] And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven diadems: [4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son. [5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne.

O Most Holy One

(O Sanctissima)

O most holy one,

O most lowly one,

Dearest Virgin Maria!

Mother of fair Love,

Home of the Spirit Dove,

Ora, Ora pro nobis.

Mother, Maiden fair,

Look with loving care,

hear our prayer, O Maria!

Our sorrow feeling,

Send us thy healing,

Ora, Ora pro nobis.