Friday, July 27, 2012

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/

Monday, July 23, 2012

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.



Tuesday, July 17, 2012

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.



Thursday, July 5, 2012

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.




















Tuesday, July 3, 2012

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.