Tag Archives: Faith

Prayer for Deliverance by Pope John Paul II

Prayer for Deliverance from Evil

Immaculate Heart! Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths towards the future!

From famine and war, deliver us.

From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.

From sins against the life of man from its very beginning, deliver us.

From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.

From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.

From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.

From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.

From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.

From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us.

Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies.

Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the Redemption: the power of merciful Love!

May it put a stop to evil! May it transform consciences!

May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope!

This prayer is from the consecration of all individuals and peoples of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1984 by Saint John Paul II.  It took place in St. Peter’s Square on March 25, 1984.

Prayer for Deliverance by Pope John Paul II

Prayer for Deliverance from Evil

Immaculate Heart! Help us to conquer the menace of evil, which so easily takes root in the hearts of the people of today, and whose immeasurable effects already weigh down upon our modern world and seem to block the paths towards the future!

From famine and war, deliver us.

From nuclear war, from incalculable self-destruction, from every kind of war, deliver us.

From sins against the life of man from its very beginning, deliver us.

From hatred and from the demeaning of the dignity of the children of God, deliver us.

From every kind of injustice in the life of society, both national and international, deliver us.

From readiness to trample on the commandments of God, deliver us.

From attempts to stifle in human hearts the very truth of God, deliver us.

From the loss of awareness of good and evil, deliver us.

From sins against the Holy Spirit, deliver us, deliver us.

Accept, O Mother of Christ, this cry laden with the sufferings of all individual human beings, laden with the sufferings of whole societies.

Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite saving power of the Redemption: the power of merciful Love!

May it put a stop to evil! May it transform consciences!

May your Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of Hope!

This prayer is from the consecration of all individuals and peoples of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1984 by Saint John Paul II.  It took place in St. Peter’s Square on March 25, 1984.

7 Holy Spirit Prayers from the Saints

Pentecost is almost here!  When the Holy Spirit arrives on Pentecost, confusion is replaced with confidence, joy and knowledge.   The following prayers to the Holy Spirit were written by the Saints.  They give us the insight into the lives of men and women in search of God’s will in their lives.   Meditating on these prayers is a wonderful way to grow closer to God during this holy season.

 Prayer Before Study

by St.  Thomas Aquinas

Come Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom.  Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness, which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance.

Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself.

Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion.

This I ask through Jesus
Christ, true God and true man, living and regning with You and the Father, forever and ever.

Amen

St. Thomas Aquinas
Blessing Prayer

St. Dominic

May God the Father who made us bless us.

May God the Son send his healing among us.

May God the Holy Spirit move within us and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, and hands that your work might be done.

May we walk and preach the word of God to all.  May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the Kingdom.  Amen

St. Dominic
Public Domain Image
Prayer of St. Benedict

O gracious and holy God,

Give us wisdom to know you,

intelligence to understand you,

Diligence to seek you,

Patience to wait for you,

Eyes to behold you,

A heart to meditate upon you,

A life to proclaim you,

the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Amen

St. Benedict
Public Domain Image
Come into my Heart

Saint Catherine of Siena

Holy Spirit, come into my heart.

Draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God,

and grant me charity with filial fear,

Preserve me, O beautiful love, from every evil thought;

Warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love,

And every pain will seem light to me.

My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all my actions.

Jesus, love,

Jesus, love.

Amen

St. Catherine of Siena
Come Holy Sprit

St. Bernard

O Come, Holy Sprit

fill the hearts of your faithful

and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful

by the light of the Holy Spirit,

grant that by the gift of that same Spirit

we may be always truly wise

and ever rejoice in His consolation.

Amen

St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Public Domain Image
Prayer for the Help of the Holy Spirit

St. Anthony of Padua

O God, send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart that I may perceive, into my mind that I may remember, and into my soul that I may meditate.

Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy.  Teach guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end.

May your grace ever help and correct me, and may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high, for the sake of your infinite mercy.  Amen

St. Anthony of Padua
Prayer to the Holy Spirit

St. Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be Holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work too, may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

You have created us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

St. Augustine

Twenty Five Quotes from the Saints on Humility

 

1.  Once humility is acquired, charity will come to life like a burning flame.

St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Vincent Ferrer
 
2.  As patience leads to piece and study to science,
so are humiliations the path that leads to humility.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Bernard Clairvaux
Public Domain Image
3.  The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is Humility.

St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul
Public Domain Image
4.  Humility, humility, and a always humility.  Satan fears and trembles before humble souls.

St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio
Public Domain Image
5.  If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace,
because you know what you are.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
U.S. Stamp
Public Domain Image
6.  A humble soul does not trust itself, but places all its confidence in God.

St. Faustina

St. Faustina
Public Domain Image
7.  It was pride that changed angels into devils; It is humility that makes men as angels.

St. Augustine

8.  The truly humble reject all praise for themselves and refer all to Go.

St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori

St. Alphonsus Liguori
Public Domain Image
9.  Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
Public Domain Image
10.  If you elevate yourself, God distances Himself from you. 
If you humble yourself, He leans towards you.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
Public Domain Image
11.  Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword, wear humility rather than fine clothes.

St. Dominic

St. Dominic
Public Domain Image
 
12.  Remember that true humility consists in being ready for what the Lord wants to do with you and happy that we should do it, and in considering yourselves unworthy to be called His servants.

St. Teresa of Avila:  The Way of Perfection

St. Teresa of Avila
Public Domain Image
 
13.  Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor troubles nor disturbs the soul; 
it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquility.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila
Public Domain Image
14.  Do not be afraid to be holy.  Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since true full Freedom is born from holiness. 

St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II
Public Domain Image
 
  15.  Humility is dependence on God as pride is independence of Him.
The humble soul is always the thankful soul.

Venerable Fulton Sheen

Venerable Fulton Sheen
16.  The first degree of humility is prompt obedience.  

St. Benedict

St. Benedict
17.  Consider often that it is only the humble of heart who can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

St. Margaret Mary
Public Domain Image
18.  Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.

St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul
Public Domain Image
19.  Humility means seeing ourselves as God sees us;
knowing every good we have comes from Him as pure gift.

St. Thomas Aquinas

20.  From humility of heart proceeds serenity of mind, gentleness of conduct, interior peace and every good.

St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross
Public Domain Image
21   Christ the Master of Humility manifest His truth only to the humble 
and hides Himself from the proud.

St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Vincent Ferrer
22.  Nothing so humbles the proud sinner as the humility of Jesus Christ’s humanity.

St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony of Padua
23.  The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey,
and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit.

St. Anthony Padua

24.  Humility drives Satan away and cherishes the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit within us.

  St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales
25.  Let all the brothers strive to follow the humility of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi
Public Domain Image

Top 25 Articles of 2024 for the Mystery of Faith

Top 25 Articles of 2024 for the Mystery of Faith

 

The following articles are YOUR favorite articles on the Mystery of Faith.  I have listed them in order of popularity.  The year of 2024 is gone.   I want to thank everyone for reading the articles I have posted. 

May  each of you have a blessed 2025!

 I have listed the articles in order of popularity.

The most read article of 2024 is…….

  1. Twenty Five Popular Patron Saints Women May Select For Their Confirmation Name
  2. Twenty Five Popular Patron Saints For Men To Consider As Their Confirmation Name
  3. Five Famous Hymns Written by St. Thomas Aquinas
  4. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Brigid of Ireland, Feast Day Feb. 1
  5. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Helena, Feast Day August 18
  6. Twenty Five Quotes for Peace from the Saints
  7. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rita of Cascia  Feast Day May 22
  8. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Barbara, Feast Day Dec. 4
  9. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Valentine, Feast Day Feb. 14
  10. Prayers, Quips and Quotes; All Soul’s Day, November 2
  11. Seven Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  12. Prayers Quips and Quotes: St. Monica, Feast Day August 27
  13. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Maria Goretti, Feast Day July 6
  14. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine Laboure, Feast Day November 28
  15. Prayers, Quips and Quotes; Feast of the Holy Family
  16. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Alexandria, Feast Day Nov. 25
  17. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Dominic, Feast Day August 8
  18. Messages of Hope from the Saints
  19. How Much Do You Know About The Apostles?
  20. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Feast Day Nov. 17
  21. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Scholastica, Feast Day Feb. 10
  22. Prayers, Quips ad Quotes: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Feast Day Nov. 27
  23. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Feast Day July 16
  24. Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Lourdes, Feast Day Feb. 11
  25. Saints from the United States of America

The Creation of Man by Michelangelo Sistine Chapel

Washed Clean

Baptism

Washed Clean

by living water

The stain

of sin

has been

removed

Redeemed

by the Spririt

My Soul is renewed

  No longer

constantly confused

My soul is

as white as snow

All fear and despair

are removed

Faith, Hope and Love

has filled my soul

Born again

by the Spirit

I am called

to love

and serve

the Lord

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.

 

Author:  Vicki Scheenstra

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.

 

 

 

The Mystery of Easter Joy


Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio public domain image
Doubting Thomas Painting by Michaelango Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)

What does Easter mean to You?

When I think of Easter, I think of the surprise those who loved Jesus expressed.  Mary Magdalene exclaimed, “I have seen the Lord!”  When Jesus appeared to the apostles while Thomas was absent, Thomas declared his disbelief saying he needed to “see with his own eyes the wounds of the Lord”

To me, Easter means Hope.  Easter means new life.  Easter means new beginnings.  Most of all, Easter means Joy!  Joy that Jesus is alive in our life.  Jesus takes away our fear and doubt.  Jesus leads us in a mysterious way to new beginnings and gives us joy at the same time.

When we are hurting and depressed it  is easy to lose hope, and we can lose our faith.  If everything Jesus tells us is true, than there is a heaven, and it is possible that in spite of my sins I will inherit everlasting life!  How we deal with suffering defines who we are as Christians.   The saints were all willing to suffer for their faith.  They seemed to understand the value of suffering more than those of us in the modern world.

Jesus died on the cross for MY sins.  He died on the cross for YOUR sins.  If we turn to him in faith for guidance, he will lead us home…to heaven.

Lead me Lord is one of my favorite prayers.  It tells the Lord that I do not know the future.  I need His guidance.  If I am quiet and listen,  He will lead me to know His will.  What a difference my life would be if all my prayers had been answered YES!  I heard once that God  has only two answers to our prayers…Yes or …I have a better plan!  I ask God to help me discover what His plan is for me.

Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins.

Help me to know your will and to follow it.

Help me to never be discouraged or to give up hope.

Help me to share my joy that I feel knowing that you love me.

May I joyfully serve you always.

Lead me Lord!

Candle
Christ Be My Light!

The Mystery of Easter Joy

Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio

What does Easter mean to You?

When I think of Easter, I think of the surprise those who loved Jesus expressed.  Mary Magdalene exclaimed, “I have seen the Lord!”  When Jesus appeared to the apostles while Thomas was absent, Thomas declared his disbelief saying he needed to “see with his own eyes the wounds of the Lord”

To me, Easter means Hope.  Easter means new life.  Easter means new beginnings.  Most of all, Easter means Joy!  Joy that Jesus is alive in our life.  Jesus takes away our fear and doubt.  Jesus leads us in a mysterious way to new beginnings and gives us joy at the same time.

When we are hurting and depressed it  is easy to lose hope, and we can lose our faith.  If everything Jesus tells us is true, than there is a heaven, and it is possible that in spite of my sins I will inherit everlasting life!  How we deal with suffering defines who we are as Christians.   The saints were all willing to suffer for their faith.  They seemed to understand the value of suffering more than those of us in the modern world.

Jesus died on the cross for MY sins.  He died on the cross for YOUR sins.  If we turn to him in faith for guidance, he will lead us home…to heaven.

Lead me Lord is one of my favorite prayers.  It tells the Lord that I do not know the future.  I need His guidance.  If I am quiet and listen,  He will lead me to know His will.  What a difference my life would be if all my prayers had been answered YES!  I heard once that God  has only two answers to our prayers…Yes or …I have a better plan!  I ask God to help me discover what His plan is for me.

Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins.

Help me to know your will and to follow it.

Help me to never be discouraged or to give up hope.

Help me to share my joy that I feel knowing that you love me.

May I joyfully serve you always.

Lead me Lord!

Candle
Christ Be My Light!

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Barbara, Feast Day Dec. 4

The Feast Day of St. Barbara is celebrated on December 4.  She is one of the Holy Helpers who are known for the healing power of prayer. She is invoked to prevent sudden death.

St. Barbara was a virgin and a martyr. She lived in Sicily in the third century.  Her father was a wealthy Syrian.  When his wife died he devoted himself to his only daughter.  Because Barbara was so beautiful, her father (Dioscorus) decided he needed to protect her from strangers and built her a tower.  She was educated by pagan tutors.

From the tower, Barbara had a wonderful view of the meadows, hills and river.  She developed a spirituality which focused on the beauty of creation by our creator.  She also decided to devote herself to God and to remain a virgin.  Because of her beauty she had many suitors, but she refused to marry.

Barbara’s father wanted her to marry, so he decided to let her come down from the tower and socialize.  Barbara became friends with some Christians. While her father was away she was baptized after being instructed in the faith by a priest.

At the time, a bathhouse was being built on their property.  It had two windows.  Barbara requested a third window to create a trinity of light.  Barbara traced the sign of the cross on one of the walls and it left an imprint on the marble.  The water in the bathhouse  became known for its healing power.

When her father returned from his traveling, he was furious to learn Barbara had converted to Christianity.  He became enraged and almost struck her with a sword.  Barbara fled into the hills and hid in a cave.  She was eventually found and severely beaten.  She was then turned over to the city prefect.  Barbara was then tortured and had her wounds rubbed with a hair cloth.  During the night, after praying for relief, Jesus appeared to her and healed them.  The next day she was beaten again.  A woman in the crown named Juliana denounced the torturers and she was also seized and tortured.

Barbara and Juliana were both tortured and paraded through town naked.  An angel appeared after hearing Barbara’s prayers and gave them splendid robes.  Both Barbara and Juliana were beheaded.   St. Barbara was beheaded by her own father.  Immediately, after the execution, he was struck by lightning.

The relics of St. Barbara were moved in the sixth century to Constantinople.  Six hundred years later they were moved to Kiev.

St. Barbara is known for protecting against sudden death.

 

“Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received…but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”
Quote of St. Francis of Assisi   Feast Day Oct. 4

 

December is the Month of the Divine                      Â