Ad te beáte Joseph

During the month of October, in all churches and oratories, the Rosary and Litany of Loreto are recited daily. The prayer, Ad te beáte Joseph, is recited daily. Decree of Pope Leo XIII, August 20, 1885; and Decree S.R.C. May 3, 1960.

To thee, O blessed Joseph, do we have recourse in our tribulation, and, having implored the help of thy thrice-holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength. Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ; keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption: mercifully assist us from Heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness; and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that we may be supported by thine example and thine assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in Heaven. Amen.

Ad te beáte Joseph, in tribulatióne nostra confúgimus, atque, imploráto Sponsæ tuæ sanctíssimæ auxílio, patrocínium quoque tuum fidenter expóscimus. Per eam, quæsumus, quæ te cum immaculáta Vírgine Dei Genitríce coniúnxit, caritátem, perque patérnum, quo Púerum Iesum ampléxus es, amórem, súpplices deprecámur, ut ad hereditátem, quam Iesus Christus acquisívit Sánguine suo, benígnus respícias, ac necessitátibus nostris tua virtúte et ope succúrras. Tuére, o Custos providentíssime divínæ Famíliæ, Iesu Christi sóbolem eléctam; próhibe a nobis, amantíssime Pater, omnem errórum ac corruptelárum luem; propítius nobis, sospítator noster fortíssime, in hoc cum potestáte tenebrárum certámine e cælo adésto; et sicut olim Púerum Iesum e summo eripuísti vitre discrímine, ita nunc Ecclesiam sanctam Dei ab hostílibus insídiis atque ab omni adversitáte défende: nosque síngulos perpétuo tege patrocínio, ut ad tui exémplar et ope tua suffúlti, sancte vívere, pie émori, sempiternámque in cæ lis beatitúdinem ássequi possímus. Amen.

Pope's Intentions March 2012

The Holy Father’s Intentions – March 2012

General Intention – Contribution of Women

That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society.

  

Mission Intention – Persecuted Christians 

That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination, persecution, or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia.

Plenary indulgence reminder: Fridays in Lent

8 §1. A plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who:

8 §1. A plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who:

2° in any Friday in the season of Lent piously recite the prayer En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu, before an image of the Crucified Jesus Christ after communion; ...

(Reference: Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, 4th edition, al. concessiones.)

The En ego is quite well known - it is published in Breviaries and Missals, as well as in all missals for the use of the lay faithful, usually in the section dedicated to thanksgiving after Mass:

En ego, o bone et dulcissime Iesu, ante conspectum tuum genibus me provolvo, ac maximo animi ardore te oro atque obtestor, ut meum in cor vividos fidei, spei et caritatis sensus, atque veram peccatorum meorum paenitentiam, eaque emendandi firmissimam voluntatem velis imprimere; dum magno animi affectu et dolore tua quinque vulnera mecum ipse considero, ac mente contemplor, illud prae oculis habens, quod iam in ore ponebat tuo David Propheta de te, o bone Iesu: «Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos; dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea». (Behold, o good and most sweet Jesus, I fall upon my knees before Thee, and with most fervent desire beg and beseech Thee that Thou wouldst impress upon my heart a lively sense of faith, hope and charity, true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends. And with deep affection and grief, I reflect upon Thy five wounds, having before my eyes that which Thy prophet David spoke about Thee, o good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and feet, they have counted all my bones.")

The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence (for oneself or for a departed soul) are as follows:

• Sacramental Confession (during eight days before or after).
• Participation in the Mass and Eucharist
• Recitation of the Apostle's Creed, Our Father, and a prayer for the pope's intentions.
• Be free from any attachment to sin.

Eucharistic Miracles

Last week I was had a spiritually delightful experience listening to "Our Hidden God" from Holy Family Press, with two of my friends.  It was great to share and learn with others about these miracles that God has provided to us so that we may believe more fully in the Eucharist.  Later the friend who brought the CD, lent it to me to share with my family.  Well I first listened to it twice alone, and it was better each time.  In fact alone, it seemed to bit me like a "ton of bricks".  I think many times we grow complacent to the Eucharist and it is great to have a reminder that it is the "Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ".  I have since shared it with spouse and my eight year old daughter (who will soon receive her first communion), and they loved it too!

Well, as what so often happens, good messages get repeated, I received the "Catholic Family News" last Friday and there on page three was a story about the Eucharistic miracle at Seefeld.  In that miracle a proud knight learned the hard way of the Real Presence. His hand impressions can be seen in the alter, as well as the impression his feet left in the floor of the church.   Here is a link to that and other Eucharistic miracles at angelfire.com.

Forgive Them Anyway

              People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

            If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

            If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

           If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

            What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

            If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

            The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

         In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Great Conversion - Venerable Charles De Foucauld

Regarding his conversion, Charles De Fouchauld said, "The moment I realized that God existed, I could not do otherwise than live for Him alone."

From "Modern Saints Their Lives and Faces - Book One", by Ann Ball

People Impressions of Latin Mass

Good comments from bloggers at Father John Zuhlsdorf's site, giving their impression of their first Latin Mass.