"If God forgave me all my sins, I should love Him with my whole heart." 

~St. Charles Foucauld 

"No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way.  I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth.  He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest.  He who rose for our sakes is my one desire".
~St. Ignatius of Antioch, A Letter to the Romans

10 Years in a Box

Today would have been my 10 year wedding anniversary. And for 10 years, in a box, on a shelf in my basement I've been holding on to my wedding dress. Initially, the first year of marriage I did this thinking maybe one day Mike and I would have children, and maybe one of those kids would be a girl, and maybe one of those girls would want to wear that same dress one day. But 10 months into our marriage Mike was diagnosed with brain cancer and though we didn't know it then, because we still had dreams of having children, we were unable to conceive. After he died 5 years later, that same dress still sat in the same box, on that same shelf.  I was holding on to that dress, clinging, not wanting to let go. This year, 10 years later, the same year I will enter the monastery to become a bride of Christ, I am ready to let go of that box, the dress.

I first started thinking about it when I saw a friend post something on Facebook, it caught my eye. She posted a website for an organization in Texas that accepts bridal gowns to make "angel gowns" for families who have lost a baby while in the hospital. This spoke to my heart, I liked the idea of giving something that was so dear to me at one point of my life, from a period of my life that had hopes of giving life...that could perhaps give comfort to others in another way. I decided I would pray with this before making a decision. As I prayed I felt peaceful about letting go of the box (that was by now so dusty by the way), with the dress. So I called my mom and we were planning a date to have her help me prepare the dress for shipping. Well, listen to how amazing God is... I was talking to an insurance agent (totally unrelated I know, but stick with me). I got her information from my brother who lives near Columbus. Ironically, she actually lives closer to me. And after we wrapped up our business with insurance she shared with me that well first she loves nuns (bonus) and second, she brings glory to God's Kingdom by doing ministry work in the area of bereavement. I shared with her that I was widowed and she proceeded to tell me some of the projects that she has done. One the specialty projects is taking wedding gowns and turning them into burial gowns for babies that have died. She said she does this locally so they will go to local hospitals here in Ohio, near where I live. I was speechless, but only momentarily. I interrupted her story to tell her what I was planning on doing with my dress and this is incredible that God has brought us together in this way and at this time! Then I asked her if she would accept my dress for her ministry project and she said she would.

So now that dusty box, with my 10 year old wedding dress, that sat on that same shelf will be no longer. I am giving it away for my anniversary and hope it will bring comfort and peace to grieving families here in my town. Praise God!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Pray for Your Sister

"You tell me that you pray very often for your sister. Since you have goodness to do this, I would be very happy if you will agree to say this prayer for her every day. It sums up all her desires.: 'Merciful Father, in the name of our lovable Jesus, of the Virgin Mary and of the Saints, I ask you to set my sister on fire with Your Spirit of Love, and to grant her the grace of making You deeply loved.' " 

(From a letter written by St. Therese of Lisieux to Maurice Belliere, 2/24/1897)

Saint Francis' Vocation Prayer

Most High, Glorious God,

Enlighten the darkness of our minds.

Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity,

so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen.

"I only grow anxious when I think of the future. When I live in God's present, I am at peace." ~St.  Faustina

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

http://www.catholiccompany.com/content/sacred-heart-jesus-novena-prayers.cfm

This novena prayer is attributed to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque
(Repeat the same prayers for 9 days for a particular intention or devotion).

O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of ______ (name your request here).

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of ______ (name your request here).

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of______ (name your request here).

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Hail Holy Queen . . .

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us. Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena Prayer

Divine Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you." Behold me kneeling at Your feet, filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by Your Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to ask this favor: (mention your request).To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all the riches of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the door through which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I have recourse to You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials, and light in doubt and darkness.Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favors, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of You, and Your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for granting my prayer.Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and all Your creatures forever.Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate Heart of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child, and her prayers are all-powerful with You. 

Amen.

Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Lord Jesus Christ,

To your most Sacred Heart,

I confide this intention:

(mention your intention here)

Only look upon me, And then do what your Sacred Heart inspires.

Let your Sacred Heart decide; I count on it, I trust in it.

I throw myself on Your mercy, Lord Jesus! You will not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked you for many favors,

But I earnestly implore this one. Take it.

Place it in Your open, broken Heart;

And, when the Eternal Father looks upon It,

Covered with Your Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.

It will be no longer my prayer, But Yours, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

Let me not be disappointed. 

Amen.

A PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

St. Joseph, God the Father chose you to be the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. You cared for them while on Earth.  It was through you that Jesus learned of His Heavenly Father’s gentleness, compassion and provision. So close were you that He was known as the Carpenter’s son.

We ask your help in our requests. Please intercede before God, help us sell our home and find a new one, suitable for our needs. Grant us harmony and grace, and may we be hospitable to family, friends and neighbors. 

When our time on earth is over, bring us to our heavenly home. St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus and Patron of a Happy Home, pray for us. Amen.

"Let each soul petition that He (the Holy Spirit) breathe through her garden that the divine fragrance might flow." ~St. John of the Cross

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

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 but what is holy. 

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

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

Amen

~Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Anthony's Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, fire of love, come rest over each of us, make our tongue ready to confess our sins, that in revealing everything and concealing nothing, we may attain heavenly life to sing eternal praise with the angels. With your help, you who live and reign through all ages. Amen.

Just finished my last day of school and teaching after 14 years. At dinner last night a priest who has been in the priesthood for 58 years, told me, "You are entering into a beautiful life. May you find much joy. Remember you are not alone, for Jesus said, 'I am always with you'. " My heart is filled with joy and a sense of wonderment in what is to come!! Jesus I trust in you.