Category Archives: Faith

With Grateful Hearts

With Grateful Hearts

With grateful hearts

we contemplate

the beauty of the world.

The sunsets, mountains and beaches,

its flowers and its wildlife.

The mysteries of creation are too great to understand.

With Grateful hearts we thank you Lord for each and every day.

With grateful hearts we thank you Lord

for our family and our friends.

They bring us both joy and companionship.

For all who are near and dear to us, whether near or far,

With grateful hearts, 

We thank you Lord for the priceless gift of Love.

With grateful hearts we thank you Lord

for the journey we call life.

The twists and turns, the ups and downs

both victories and defeat.

With grateful hearts we thank you Lord

for walking at our side,

always present, always loving,

showing us the way.

With grateful hearts we thank you Lord

for your mercy and your love.

Always kind and forgiving

planting seeds of love and wisdom

Helping us to grow.

With Grateful Hearts, We Thank you Lord.

Messages of Hope from the Saints

 

Messages of Hope from the Saints

The following quotes are messages from the saints to encourage during times of trouble.

St. Faustina
Public Domain Image
1.  Hope is the lifeline that connects us to God’s mercy and grace.
St. Faustina
St. Augustine
2.  There is no love without hope, no hope without love, and neither hope nor love without faith.
St. Augustine
3.  Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage.  Anger at the way things are,  and courage to see that they do.
St. Augustine
4.  He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, who whether it be far off or near, awaits with sincere faith, steadfast hope and fervent love.
St. Augustine
5.  For in our Hope we are saved.
St. Augustine
6.  Hope is the dream of a waking man.
St. Augustine
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Public Domain Image
7.  Hope is the gift that God bestows on those who seek Him with a sincere heart.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Padre Pio
Public Domain Image
8.  Pray, hope and don’t worry!  Worry is useless.  God is merciful and will hear your prayer.
St. Padre Pio
9.  I feel a great desire to abandon myself with greater trust to the Divine Mercy and to place my hope in God alone.
St. Padre Pio
St. Francis of Assisi
Public Domain IImage
10.  Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love.  where there is injury, pardon. where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope, where there is darkness, light. and where there is sadness, joy.
St. Francis of AAssisi1
11.  Hope is the key that unlocks the door of possibilities.
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
12.  Faith lifts the soul.  Hope supports it.  Experience says it must and Love says, “Let it be?”
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Ignatius Loyola
Public Domain IImage
13.  Hope is the sign of a soul that trusts in God’s promises.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Leo the Great
14.  The cross of Christ is the true ground and chief cause of Christian hope.
St. Leo the Great
St. Bonaventure
Public Domain IImage
15.  Hope is the beacon that shines in the darkness reminding us of God’s love.
St. Bonaventure
St. Thomas Aquinas
Public Domain Image
16.  Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.
St. Thomas Aquinas  
17.  Hope is the anchor of the soul.
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Maria Goretti
Public Domain Image
18.  He loves, he hopes, he waits.  Our Lord prefers to wait for the sinner for years rather than keep us waiting for an instant.
St. Maria Goretti
 
St. John of the CCross
19.  Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul.  Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you.  Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.
St. John of the Cross
St. Therese of Lisieux
Public Domain IImage
20. God would never inspire me with dreams which cannot be realized!  So in spite of my littleness, I can Hope to be a saint.
St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Teresa of Avila
Public Domain IImage
21.  Hope is the virtue that sustains us in times of trial.
St. Teresa of Avila
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Public Domain Image
22.  Hope is the seed that grows into a flourishing garden of faith and love.
St. Jane Frances de Chantel
St. Jerome and the Angel
by Simon Vouet
Public Domain IImage
23.  Hope is the courage to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain.
St. Jerome
St. John Paul II
Public Domain IImage
24.  Although I have lived through much darkness, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young…Do not let that hope die!  Stake your lives on it!  We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son.
St. John Paul III
25.  The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope.  There is no dark without dawn, no storm without haven.
St. John Paul II
26.  Apart from the mercy of God, there is no other source of hope for mankind.
St. John Paul II
27.  To humanity, which sometimes seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, the risen Lord gives the gift of His love which forgives, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope.
St. John Paul II
28.  Believers know that the presence of evil is always accompanied by the presence of good… by grace…Where evil grows, there the hope for good also grows…In the love that pours forth from the heart of Christ, we find hope for the future of the world.  Christ has redeemed the world.  By His wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5
St. John Paul II
29.  I plead with you…never ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged.  Be not afraid.
St. John Paul II

New Year Blessing

 

May peace fall like snowflakes on our wounded world.

May the New Year bring rest and healing for all those who suffer.

Wash me… make me whiter than snow.

May joy and happiness once again fill our hearts.

May the lost be found and serenity reign.

May we all say goodbye to the pain of the past.

The New Year is here…finally…at last!

The road is long and sometimes filled with pain.

May we learn from mistakes and begin again.

Out with the old and in with the new!

May our journey be upward …may all be renewed!

Blessings to all…may our faith only grow.

May the Peace of Our Lord be with us this year!

Help Me to Forgive

9

 

God of Love, God of Mercy,

Help me to forgive.

 

I have been wronged; I have been hurt.

I feel angry and bitter.

Help me to forgive.

 

God of Love, God of Mercy

Help me to forgive.

Not only are you the God of Love and the God of Mercy;

You are also the God of Truth and the God of Justice.

Help me to forgive.

 

God of Truth, God of Justice

I put this matter into Your hands.

Only YOU can see into people’s hearts.

Only YOU know the entire Truth.

Help me to forgive.

 

God of Love, God of Mercy

lift my anger, lift my bitterness.

Replace it with compassion.

Replace it with trust in YOU.

Help me to forgive.

 

God of Truth, God of Justice

lead all souls to repentance.

Help me to forgive.

 

as I ask to be forgiven by You

for all I have done wrong.

 

Grant all who seek YOU with a sincere heart…

Forgiveness, Peace, Love, Mercy and Trust in YOU.

AMEN

Spiritual Warfare

 

I ask myself…

Are there evil spirits?

Yes, I know there are…

Stirring doubt and confusion within me.

My moral compass seems

to have been stolen…

Replaced by Tolerance!

Tolerance of vice

Tolerance of evil!

Evil Spirits tell me

Turn a blind eye to what you see

Pretend you see nothing

DO NOTHING!!!

Evil seems to surround me.

I feel I am at war…

What can I do?

I seem powerless

But I am not

My moral compass seems to awaken

I CAN do something

But first I must Pray!

It is good to be kind

but I cannot tolerate evil.

I pray and I pray some more

I pray for virtue

I pray for justice

I pray for peacemakers

I pray for the armor of God (which is FAITH)

Tell me what to do Lord.

I seem to be at war..but with who?

 

Lord, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

 

Only through prayer will I know what to do.

The confusion is replaced with serenity and peace and wisdom.

All things are possible with God.  Our God is a Mighty God.

The storm within me is calmed.   The peacemaker has answered me.

 

 

 

 

 

By the Power of Your Grace

By the Power of Your Grace

 

Grace is the presence of God’s presence!

Guide me Lord,

May Thy will be done.

I feel confused and lost.

I  need FAITH.

Lift my anxiety Lord…

Grant me FAITH.

By the Power of Your Grace.

 

The world is chaotic, Lord.

Help me to see Your face.

Especially in dark and trying times, Lord

I want to trust in You.

Grant me Hope…

By the Power of Your Grace.

 

Perhaps I am anxious

because I need to ask

for Your forgiveness.

You are Love.

You are Mercy.

Grant me your Love and Mercy Lord…

By the Power of Your Grace.

 

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE

All three do I need.

I hear You say..

“Be not afraid!”

Heal my heart, Lord

that I may do Thy will always.

Grant that I may

grow old gracefully…

By the Power of Your Grace.

 

 

 

Author’s Pick…Book Review #1…Prayer Styles

 

Their is a different prayer style for each person.  Each of the saints also prays in a way that is special to that saint  If you are searching for the type of prayer that works for you a wonderful book to read is Six Ways to Pray from Six Great Saints by Gloria Hutchinson.

 

This book introduces you to six different saints:  St. Francis of Assisi (Franciscan), St. Clare ( Poor Clares), St. Teresa of Lisieux (Carmelite), St. Therese of Avila (Carmelite), St. John of the Cross (Carmelite ) and St. Ignatius of Loyola (Jesuit).   You will learn not only their story but also their prayer style.

Each chapter contains exercises to help you  discover what type of prayer works best for you.  When I read this book, I learned about the “Prayer of Detachment” taught by St. John of the Cross.  The exercises helped me to practice and meditate in a way I had never tried before.  I encourage everyone to read it and discover their own prayer type.

 

 

https://www.catholiccompany.com/six-ways-pray-six-great-saints-i104691/

 

Six Ways to Pray from Six Great Saints

 

 

 

Feast Days and Saint of the Day; NOVEMBER CALENDAR

1   All Saints Day

2.  All Soul’s Day

3.   St. Martin de Porres…Peru…Dominican…Incorrupt

4.   St. Charles Borromeo…Bishop of Milan…Oblates of St. Ambrose

5.   St. Elizabeth...  relative of Virgin Mary

6.   St. Theophane Venard...France…Vietnam…Missionary…Martyr

7.  St. Carina and her companions...Martyr

8.    St.  Elizabeth of the Trinity…France…Carmelite…Patron Saint of the sick and the loss of parents

9.    Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome…Pope’s cathedral

10.   St. Leo the Great...Bishop of Rome…Doctor of the church

11.   St. Martin of Tours...Bishop…Patron Saint of soldiers and beggars.

12.  St. Josephat…Poland…Martyr…Bishop…Incorrupt

13…St. Frances Cabrini...Italy…U.S…Patron Saint of immigrants, orphans and against malaria…Incorrupt..Sisters of the Sacred Heart

14,  St. Laurence O’Toole…Ireland…Bishop

15.  St. Albert the Great...Germany…patron saint of scientists and philosophers…Dominican…Bishop…Doctor of the Church

16.  St. Gertrude the Great...Germany…Patron Saint of West Indies, Nuns and travelers…Benedictine…Mystic

17,  St. Elizabeth of Hungary...Third Order Franciscan…Patron Saint of widows, charities, bakers and young brides.

18,  St. Rose Philippine Duchasne…France…U.S.A….Patron Saint of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri

19,  Bl. Raphael Kalnowski…Poland…Carmelite

20,  St. Edmund...King of East Angles…Martyr…Patron Saint of kings and against plaque and torture

21,  Presentation of the Virgin Mary...Jerusalem

22,  St. Cecelia...Rome…Patron Saint of musicians…Martyr

23.  St. Clement of Rome...Bishop of Rome…Martyr

24.  St. Andrew Dung and companions...Vietnam…Martyr

25.  St. Catherine of Alexandria…Egypt…Martyr…Patron Saint of Christian philosophers, teachers and librarians

26.  St. John Berchomans...Belgium…Patron Saint of altar boys.

27.  Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal...Vision in France

28.  St. Catherine Laboure’...France….Visionary…Incorrupt

29.  Bl. Denis of the Nativity...France…Carmelite Priest…Martyr

30.  St. Andrew...Apostle…Brother of Simon Peter…Patron Saint of Fishermen, Russia, Scotland, and Greece

Crucifixion of St. Andrew the Apostle by Mattia Petri

Twenty Five Quotes for Peace from the Saints

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; I do not give to you as  the world gives. Do no let not your heart be troubled, and do not  be afraid.” John 14:27.

Quote of Jesus

Peace and serenity of heart are difficult to acquire.  The world is a chaotic place to live. Our emotions can make us feel quite helpless.  How do we find peace?  How do we live in peace?  Faith is a gift.  With faith, we can pray for peace.

The following quotes of the saints are ‘pearls of wisdom’ to help us in our journey.

  1. Lord, Make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

 St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi
Public Domain Image

2.  Keep your soul at peace, in order to be able to be attentive and very faithful to the inner movement of the Holy Spirit.

St. Peter Julian Eymard

St. Peter Julian Eymard
Public Domain Image

3.  Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

St. Gerard Majella

4.  Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales

5.   From humility of heart proceed serenity of mind, gentleness of conduct, interior peace, and every good.”

 St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross
Public Domain Image

6.   While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it more fully in your heart.

Saint Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi
Public Domain Image

7.   If you want peace, work for justice. If you want justice, defend life.
If you want life, embrace truth.

St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II
Public Domain Image

8.  Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio
Public Domain Image

9.  Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.

St Faustina

St. Faustina
Public Domain Image

10.  Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Public Domain Image

11.  Let us not be justices of the peace, but angels of peace.

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Therese of Lisieux…The Little Flower

12.  But above all preserve peace of heart.  This is more valuable than any treasure.

St. Mary Margaret Alacoque

St. Margaret Mary
Public Domain Image

13.  Peace in the society depends on peace in family.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
Public Domain Image

14.  Be at Peace.  What God has started He will finish.

St. Faustina

St. Faustina
Public Domain Image

15.  Let peace be your quest and aim.

St. Benedict

St. Benedict
Public Domain Image

16.  Be peace loving.Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal.  Live your life that you may receive the blessings of the Lord.  Then the peace of God the Father will be with you always.

St. Francis of Paola

St. Francis of Paola

17.  Maintain a spirit of peace and you will save a thousand souls.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

18.  Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.

St. Jerome

St. Jerome and the Angel
by Simon Vouet
Public Domain Image

19.  The only way to peace is forgiveness.

St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II
Public Domain Image

20.  What can you do to promote world peace?  Go home and love your family.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa
Public Domain Image

21.  Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to His good pleasure and rest in Him.

St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross

22.  If you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world and forever in the next.

St. Jerome

St. Jerome and the Angel
by Simon Vouet
Public Domain Image

23.  We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.

St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales

24.  Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of the world disturb it.

St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross

25.  Peace demands four essential conditions:  Truth, Justice, Love, and Freedom.

St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II
Public Domain Image

Feast Days and Saint of the Day; SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

Our Lady of Sorrows

September 1…St. Giles the Abbot...Greece…St. Giles is the Patron Saint of the mentally ill, the disabled, epileptics, childhood fears, and depression.

September 2…St. Ingrid of Sweden…Dominican Nun

September 3…St. Gregory the Great...Italy…Bishop of Rome…Patron Saint of musicians, students, singer and teachers

September 4…St. Rose of Viteho...Italy…Incorrupt

September 5…Teresa of Calcutta…Missionary…Sisters of Charity…Patron Saint of the poor and dying

September 6…Bl. Bertrand...France…Dominican…Incorrupt

September 7…St. Regina…France…Martyr…Patron Saint against poverty and abuse victims

September 8…Birth of the Virgin Mary

September 9…St. Peter Claver...Spain…Patron Saint of African missions.

September 10…St. Nicholas of Tolentino…Augustinian Monk…He is the patron saint of the souls in purgatory and the dying.

September 11…St. John G. Perboyre...France…Vincentian Priest…Missionary in China…Martyr

September 12…Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

September 13…St. John Chrysostom...Bishop of Constantinople…Doctor of the Eucharist…Patron Saint of preachers, speakers and epilepsy.

September 14...The Exaltation of the Cross

September 15…Our Lady of Sorrows…12th century

September 16…St. Cyprian...N. Africa…Bishop of Carthage…Martyr

September 17…Stigmata of St. Francis...Founder of Franciscan Order

September 18…St. Joseph of Cupertino…Italy…Capuchin Mystic…Patron Saint of air travelers, pilots, astronauts, and those with learning disabilities.

September 19…Our Lady of La Salette…France…Approved 1851

September 20…The Korean Martyrs

September 21...St. Mathew…Apostle…Martyr…Patron Saint of accountants and bankers.

September 22…St. Thomas of Villanova…Spain…Bishop of Valencia

September 23…St. Padre Pio...Italy…Confessor…Stigmata

September 24…St. Gerard…Bishop of Csanad…Patron Saint of Hungary…Martyr

September 25…Bl. Herman the Cripple...Germany…Benedictine…Patron Saint of the unborn child and the disabled

September 26...St. Terese Couderc...France…Cenacle Sisters

September 27…St. Vincent de Paul...France…Founder of Vincentians…Patron  Saint of charities, hospitals and volunteers.

September 28…St. Weneslaus of Bohemia...King of Bohemia

September 29…Feast of the Archangels...St. Michael…St. Gabriel…St. Raphael

September 30…St. Jerome...Syria…Patron Saint of Bible scholars…Doctor of the Church

 

The Archangels    St. Michael, St. Gabriel and  St. Raphael

 

 

Feast Days and Saint of the Day; JULY CALENDAR

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

 

July 1…St. Junipero Serra…Spain…Franciscan

July 2…St. Bernadino Realino...Italy…Jesuit Priest…Incorrupt

July 3…St. Thomas...Apostle…Martyr

July 4…St. Elizabeth of Portugal...Queen…Third Order Franciscan

July 5…St. Anthony Zaccarra...Italy…Priest…Incorrupt

July 6...St Maria Goretti...Italy…Martyr…Patron saint of rape victims, purity, chastity, forgiveness, and youth

July 7…St. Peter To Rot...New Guinea…Martyr

July 8…Bl. Eugene III...Bishop of Rome…Cistercian

July 9…St. Veronica Giuliani...Italy…Poor Clare…Incorrupt

July 10...Bl. Emmanuel Ruiz & Companions...Franciscan Priest…Spain…Martyr

July 11…St. Benedict...Founder of Benedictine Order…Patron saint of students and Europe.

July 12…St. Veronica…Follower of Jesus…patron saint of photographers.

July 13…St. Henry II...King and Emperor of Rome…Reformer

July 14…St. Kateri Tekakawitha...New York, U.S.A…Patron of the environment and ecology

July 15…St. Bonaventure...Latium…Franciscan…Philosopher…Author

July 16…Our Lady of Mount Carmel...Jerusalem…Carmelites…Brown Scapular

July 17…Bl. Rose Chretien...France…Carmelite…Martyr

July 18…St. Camillas...Italy…Priest…Order of St. Camillas

July 19…St. Macrina the Younger…Cesarea…Contemplative

July 20...St. Joseph Barsabas … Follower of Jesus…one of first disciples

July 21…St. Lawrence of Brindisi…Italy…Capuchin Order…Doctor of the Church

July 22...St. Mary Magdalene...Friend and Follower of Jesus…Patron of penitent sinners

July 23…St. Bridget of Sweden…widow…visionary

July 24…St. John Boste…England…Priest…Martyr

July 25...St. James the Greater…Apostle…Martyr… Patron saint of laborers and Spain.

July 26…St. Joachim & St. Anne…Parents of the Virgin Mary…Grandparents of Jesus…Patron saints of parents and grandparents.

July 27…Bl. Titus Brandsma...Netherlands…Carmelite…Martyr

July 28…St. Alphonsa...India…Poor Clares

July 29…St. Martha...Friend and follower of Jesus…Patron saint of cooks, housewives and domestic workers

July 30…St. Peter Chrysologus ..Italy…Bishop…Doctor of the Church

July 31...St. Ignatius of Loyola...Spain…Jesuit…Patron Saint of Catholic soldiers, and retreats…Mystic

St. Kateri