Tag Archives: prayer

Faith, Spirituality

Advent: The Season of Waiting

Advent Wreath

The period of four weeks before Christmas is called Advent. It is a period of anticipation and hope. In today’s culture it is a busy time, filled with shopping and socializing. However, in ages past, it was a quiet and sacred time of prayer and waiting… anticipating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, we look with hope to our salvation. Jesus was born of Mary. He became man to redeem us. By the cross, we are saved from our sins and have the hope of eternal life. What a tremendous mystery! How can a little baby be both human and divine?

The omnipotence of God is shown by his humbling himself and becoming a man. His humble beginnings, being born in a manger, tells us of his connection to the poor and lowly. He was not the type of king the Jewish people were expecting. The kingdom of God is an important thing to reflect on during the Christmas Season. Are we trying to follow the teachings of Jesus…to love not only our neighbor but our enemies? Are we helping the poor and downtrodden?

God is love. When we look at a little baby it is easy to define love. However, we need to be loving our neighbor at all times. Celebrating the incarnation (God becoming Man) this year, let’s try not to lose sight of the spiritual nature of Christmas. Waiting helps us to slow down. Hopefully, we will be spending time in prayer… sharing with God our hopes, difficulties, fears and love.

 

A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul.

Quote of St. John of the Cross

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Faith, Prayer, Quote, Spirituality

Twenty Five Quotes from the Saints about Truth

 

Many in the world today are discovering that not everything we believe is actually true.  The following quotes are attributed to the Saints.  Hopefully they will help us to understand the meaning of Truth.

1.   Anyone who seeks Truth seeks God, whether or not he realizes it.

St. Edith Stein

St. Edith Stein
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2.  Truth is not private property.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
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3.  Truth suffers but never dies.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila
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4.  Proclaim the Truth and do not be silent through fear.

St. Catherine of Siena

4.  Proclaim the Truth and do not be silent through fear.

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena
5.  Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.

St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul
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6.  He is an all-powerful God, who is Truth

St. Faustina

St. Faustina
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7.  Faith and Reason are like two wings of the human spirit, which it sours to the Truth.

St. John Paul II

8.  There is no true peace without fairness, truth, justice and solidarity.

St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II
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9.  I can nourish myself on nothing but Truth.

St. Therese of Lisieux

10.  Jesus said, ” I am the Truth” and it is your duty and mine to speak the truth, then it is up to the person who hears it whether to accept or reject it.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
U.S. Stamp
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11.  When lies have been accepted for some time, Truth always stands with an air of novelty.

St. Clement of Alexandria…Church Father

12.  True happiness is to rejoice in the Truth, for to rejoice in theTruth is to rejoice in you, O God, who are the Truth, you my God, my true Light, to whom I look for salvation.

St. Augustine

13.  To lovers of the Truth, nothing can be put before God and Home in Him.

St. Basil

St. Basil the Great
14.  Do not accept anything as Love which lacks Truth.

St Edith Stein

15.  If I do not speak the truth, I become a slave of the father of lies and beome a member of the Father of lies.

St. Jerome Emiliani

St. Jerome Emiliani        Patron Saint of Orphans
16.  Speak the Truth in a million voices.  It is silence that kills.

St. Catherine of Siena

17.  Sin makes a man a coward, a life in the Truth of Christ makes him bold.

St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom Icon
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18.  For He who is true God is also True man; and there is no deception in this union, where the loftiness of God and the lowliness of man are brought together.

St. Leo the Great

St. Leo the Great
19.  No one in the world can change Truth.  What we can do and should do is to seek Truth and to serve it when we have found it.

St. Maximilian Kolbe

St. Maximilian Kolbe
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20.  Serve the Lord in fear and Truth.

St. Polycarp…Church Father

St. Polycarp
21.  God is supreme Truth; and to be humble is to walk in Truth.

St. Teresa of Avila.

22.  Charity and kindness unwedded to Truth are not charity and kindness but deceit and vanity.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius Loyola
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23.  My longing for truth was a single prayer.

St Edith Stein

24.  Seek the Truth, Do the Good,  Love the Beautiful!

St. John Henry Newman

St. John Henry Newman
25.  What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips?

St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom Icon
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Discernment, Pope Leo XIV, Prayer, Prayer Intention

July Prayer Intention and Prayer For Discernment by Pope Leo XIV

 

Pope Leo invites us to pray with him for his monthly prayer intention.

The prayer intention for July is for Discernment in Formation.

“Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.”

Prayer for Discernment by Pope Leo XIV

Holy Spirit, you, light of our understanding,
gentle breath that guides our decisions,
grant me the grace to listen attentively to your voice
and to discern the hidden paths of my heart,
so that I may grasp what truly matters to you,
and free my heart from its troubles.

I ask you for the grace to learn how to pause,
to become aware of the way I act,
of the feelings that dwell within me,
and of the thoughts that overwhelm me
which, so often, I fail to notice.

I long for my choices
to lead me to the joy of the Gospel.
Even if I must go through moments of doubt and fatigue,
even if I must struggle, reflect, search, and begin again…
Because, at the end of the journey,
your consolation is the fruit of the right decision.

Grant me a deeper understanding of what moves me,
so that I may reject what draws me away from Christ,
and love him and serve him more fully.

Amen.

Prayer, Quote

Quote for Today Pope Leo XIV

Unity in the Church and among the Churches is fostered by forgiveness and mutual trust, beginning with our families and communities. If Jesus can trust us, we can certainly trust one another in his name.                                                                                                 

 June 29,2025    Pope Leo XIV on X.   

                                                                                               

The history of Peter and Paul shows us that the communion to which the Lord calls us is a unison of voices and personalities that does not eliminate anyone’s freedom. Our patron saints followed different paths, had different ideas and at times argued with one another with evangelical frankness. Yet this did not prevent them from living a living communion in the Spirit, a fruitful harmony in diversity.                                                                             

 June 29,2025. Pope Leo XIV on X

Prayer, Quote

Quote for Today Pope Leo XIV

Quote

Unity in the Church and among the Churches is fostered by forgiveness and mutual trust, beginning with our families and communities. If Jesus can trust us, we can certainly trust one another in his name.                                                                                                 

 June 29,2025    Pope Leo XIV on X.   

                                                                                               

The history of Peter and Paul shows us that the communion to which the Lord calls us is a unison of voices and personalities that does not eliminate anyone’s freedom. Our patron saints followed different paths, had different ideas and at times argued with one another with evangelical frankness. Yet this did not prevent them from living a living communion in the Spirit, a fruitful harmony in diversity.                                                                             

 June 29,2025. Pope Leo XIV on X

Faith, Pope Leo XIV, Prayer, Quote

Quote for Today Pope Leo XIV

Unity in the Church and among the Churches is fostered by forgiveness and mutual trust, beginning with our families and communities. If Jesus can trust us, we can certainly trust one another in his name.                                                                                                 

 June 29,2025    Pope Leo XIV on X.   

                                                                                               

The history of Peter and Paul shows us that the communion to which the Lord calls us is a unison of voices and personalities that does not eliminate anyone’s freedom. Our patron saints followed different paths, had different ideas and at times argued with one another with evangelical frankness. Yet this did not prevent them from living a living communion in the Spirit, a fruitful harmony in diversity.                                                                             

 June 29,2025. Pope Leo XIV on X

Pope Leo XIV
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

 

Pope Leo XIV, Prayer, Sacred Heart

Prayer to the Sacred Heart by Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV has released the following prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  June is considered to be month of the Sacred Heart.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope Leo XIV

Lord, I come to your tender heart today, to you who have words that set my heart ablaze, to you who pour out compassion on the little ones and the poor, on those who suffer and on all human miseries.

I desire to know you more, to contemplate you in the Gospel, to be with you and learn from you and from the charity with which you allowed yourself to be touched by all forms of poverty.

You showed us the Father’s love by loving us without measure with your divine and human heart.

Grant all your children the grace of encountering you.  Change, shape, and transform our plans, so that we seek only you in every circumstance, in prayer, in work, in encounters, and in our daily routine.

From this encounter send us out on mission, a mission of compassion for the world in which you are  the source from which all consolation flows.

Amen

Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us!  
Pope Leo XIV during the Regina Caeli prayer on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican on May 11, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV, Prayer, Sacred Heart

Prayer to the Sacred Heart by Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV has released the following prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  June is considered to be month of the Sacred Heart.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope Leo XIV

Lord, I come to your tender heart today, to you who have words that set my heart ablaze, to you who pour out compassion on the little ones and the poor, on those who suffer and on all human miseries.

I desire to know you more, to contemplate you in the Gospel, to be with you and learn from you and from the charity with which you allowed yourself to be touched by all forms of poverty.

You showed us the Father’s love by loving us without measure with your divine and human heart.

Grant all your children the grace of encountering you.  Change, shape, and transform our plans, so that we seek only you in every circumstance, in prayer, in work, in encounters, and in our daily routine.

From this encounter send us out on mission, a mission of compassion for the world in which you are  the source from which all consolation flows.

Amen

Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us!  
Pope Leo XIV during the Regina Caeli prayer on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican on May 11, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Faith, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; The Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a moveable Feast day.  It is held on the second Friday after Pentecost.

In 2025, this day falls on Friday, June 27th.

This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.

Quote of St. John Paul II

The history of this Feast Day is attributed to St. Margaret Mary..    The Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is always the day following the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

17the Century:  St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was instrumental in beginning devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus after having visions.  This devotion involves receiving communion on the first Friday of each month for mine consecutive months to honor the Sacred Heart.  Jesus revealed His heart to her and emphasized the need for people to return His love through prayer and devotion.

In 1899 Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is often shown with a crown of thorns and a flame.  This symbolizes Jesus’s infinite love, compassion and suffering for humanity.

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The following prayer is from St. Leo XIII when he consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart.

Issued with the Encyclical Letter Annum Sacrum, 25 May 1899

Most sweet Jesus, redeemer of the human race, look down upon us, humbly prostrate before your altar. We are yours and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most sacred heart. Many, indeed, have never known you, many too, despising your precepts, have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to your sacred heart. Be you king, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their father’s house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be you king of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one shepherd. Be you king also of all those who sit in the ancient superstition of the Gentiles and refuse not you to deliver them out of darkness into the light and kingdom of God. Grant, O Lord, to your Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor forever.
Amen

Immaculate Heart, Our Lady, Prayer, Spirituality

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.

Featured, Immaculate Heart, Our Lady, Prayer, Spirituality

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.

Faith, Prayer, Quote, Spirituality

Twenty Five Quotes about Prayer from the Saints

Prayer is important in our faith journey.   There are many prayer styles.  Spending time with God is important whether it be alone, with nature, or with a group of many.  We pray in our actions and in silence.   We also make a joyful noise in praise and thanksgiving.

The following quotes help us to discover the prayer styles of the saints.

1.   Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.

St. John Vianney

St. John Vianney
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2.  I pray like little children who do not know how to read.  I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences and He always understands me.  

St. Terese of Lisieux

St. Terese of Lisieux
3.  Pray, Love, and don’t worry.

St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio
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4. Prayer is the place of refugefor ev for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.

St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom
5.  Prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition ofand of love, embracing both trial and joy.  

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Therese of Lisieux…The Little Flower
6.   Joy is prayer!    Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

St. Theresa of Calcutta

Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
U.S. Stamp
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7.  Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.

St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio
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8.  We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi
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9.  He prays best who does not know that he is praying.

St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony of Padua

 

10.  Those who pray from the heart do not think about the prayer they are saying, but about the God to whom they pray.

St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales
11. Without prayer, it is impossible to resist temptations and to keep the commandment.

St. Alphonsas Liguori

St. Alphonsus Liguori
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12.    Be Good.  Love the Lord.  Pray for those who do not know Him.  What agreat grace it is to know God!  

St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Josephine Bakhita
13.  He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.

St. Benedict

St. Benedict
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14.  Prayer is the wing, wherewith the soul flies to heaven, and meditation the eye wherewith we see God.

St. Ambrose

St. Ambrose
15.  Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.

St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom Icon
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16.  The test of sincerity of one’s prayer is the willingness to labor on its behalf.

St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom Icon
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17.  For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila
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18.  Prayer is an act of love.  Words are not needed.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila
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19.  I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn, I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.

St. Patrick

St. Patrick
20.  I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Mother Teresa
Public Domain Image
21.  Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart.  You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart.  In fact on certain occasions, you should only speak to Him with your heart.  

St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio
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22.  To sing is to pray twice.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo
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23.  Prayer is to the spiritual life, what the beating of the pulse and the drawing of the breath are to the life of the body.

 St. John Henry Newman

 

St. John Henry Newman
24.  Prayer begins by talking to God but it ends by listening to Him.  In the face of Absolute Truth, silence is the soul’s language.

Ven. Fulton Sheen

Venerable Bishop Fulton 25.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.Sheen
25.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

St. Rita

St. Rita De Cascia
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