Happy Feast Day

Gabriel is the angel of the Annunciation. He carries a horn as a symbol of his role as God's herald. He is dressed in the vestment of a deacon, a servant of the church. The wind which swirls his garments around him represents the presence of God. The lilys are his attribute and refer to the virginity of Mary. The spear is a symbol of his heavenly authority.



Today is the Feast of St. Gabriel the Archangel.  Please take the time to pray your new chaplets.  If you are interested in purchasing one here is the link.

Let us all continue to hear God's call in our lives and to take on the challenges he brings us.

Here is some information on our group Patron.  Enjoy!

My thoughts on falling out of minivans

Since last week felt like it turned into my own personal therapy session I'd like to touch base on what we didn't cover.  The questions at the end of the chapter were wonderful and should be addressed. We'll try to post our thoughts on these questions weekly, so please feel free to participate by posting your own thoughts on one or all of the questions.

Last weeks discussion was based on Chapter 1 in "Style, Sex and Substance" by Hallie Lord.  This chapter entitled 'How I Fell Out of My Minivan and Found Myself' was written by Blogger Jennifer Fulwiler.  I'd like to preface that the discussion for the week was loosely based, because my poor emotions got the best of me and we didn't cover much of it. So here goes!

Reflection Questions: In what area of your life do your sins and quirks collide? How can you accept your God-given temperament in this area without rationalizing your sins?
This was a difficult task for me to think of.  As I mentioned when we met last week my mind and emotions have been consumed by my daughter.  Her strong willed nature and difficult temperament are exhausting.  So when I tried to think of "quirks" and sins colliding they all centered on her.  It feels appropriate to focus on this because we are a mother's group after all.  
I would consider my quirk to be my constant envisioning of the worst.  There have been several accidents/health issues involving loved ones in the past 10 years that have caused me to simply jump to the worst case scenario in my head.  My husband was in a serious accident while I was pregnant with our first child and was thankfully brought back to me! This accident is one of the main reasons I always envision the worst.  Where this translates into a sin is my response to this on the opposite extreme with our children.  As parents we are blessed with this amazing opportunity to be responsible for another human being: safety, health, food, comfort, education, etc.  For someone who envisions the worst possible outcome this is a daunting endeavor to undertake.  So my sin has been to push this impulse of mine to the back of my mind.  I have forced myself to let go of my fears in order to not become a helicopter parent.  I've discovered however this truly has become a sinful behavior because my husband has pointed out there are activities I let my children do (nothing too major or maybe that is me just rationalizing this down again) that I really shouldn't.  Quite frankly pushing aside this fear has made me a lazy parent. 

Do you tend to compare yourself to other women? If so, what kind of characteristics do they have? Are these traits that you should work on adopting as well, or should you accept that that's not how God made you?
Who doesn't compare themselves to other women?  Honestly, this is something we cannot help but do.  What we can help ourselves with is not to compare down.  Meaning to never compare to make yourself feel better by feeling as though you are above anyone else.  I strive to compare up, or admire, others and their abilities.  There are women who handle their families, their husbands, their situation in life with such grace that they are to be admired and compared to in strife of attaining that for ourselves. 

What aspect of your personality that you may have considered a fault, but is actually a strength? How might God use that to bless others through you?
One fault is my inability for things to function out of any semblance of order or too slowly.  If I'm in a situation that I feel could go better, or run more smoothly I cannot help but jump in. Lack of structure or leadership in a group setting simply drives me crazy.    I must admit this taught me a few lessons in the corporate world.  Learning to tame that fault took a few knocks along the way. 
However this desire/ability to lead has helped Deanna with this group.  In the beginning I kept asking Deanna if I was over stepping my bounds in assisting or creating new ideas for HER mother's group.  I now get the impression this fault of mine has come as a blessing to her in easing the load she bares as being our group leader.

What saint has challenged your ideas about what holy are like? What did he or she do that surprised you?
This question took a bit because frankly, I'm not familiar with many saints.  So I went with the first person who came to mind: Blessed Mother Teresa.  She challenged me with her personal admission on a lack of intimacy with the Lord.  I envision these holy men and women as perpetually living with the love of God in their hearts.  To hear that this remarkable, humble, servant of the Lord didn't feel a strong connection with God is enough to shock most.  I cannot say if I'd have the courage to live the difficult life she did without the intimacy of God in my life. Honestly, there are days I wonder if I'll make it through my own mundane existence with our God's help.

Take a moment to imagine the Blessed Mother looking just like you and having your exact life.  What is the number one thing she'd do differently on a daily basis?
Now this one went back to my daughter.  Our loving Mother would do so many things differently.  She would embrace the mundane tasks of housework knowing her children would learn better, be healthier, and be safer in a cleaner environment.  Or she wouldn't complain about staying up a bit later than normal to finish a task such as folding the last basket of laundry or starting the dishwasher. Shoot she'd just be thankful to have the dishes we do that require the cleaning.  This means her children and family are well fed.   More important that this, she would empty herself completely to her children.  "Me Time" wouldn't be a concern for her.  There would be no wasted time on the new show on USA or updating her "status" so everyone knew she was having a rough day with her kids or husband.  She wouldn't even consider them bad days with her family.  Mother Mary would view the challenges of the day as ways to grow in God's love.  What lesson is God teaching me by my daughters constant challenges? Seeing the Lord ever present in her children would allow her the strength and love to thrive during each day.

Imagine the Blessed Mother with your life again.  This time, consider what she would do the same as you do.  This about the occasions when you've shown the love of Mary to the people around you.  how did that effort influence a situation or help someone?
I feel she'd be home with her children the way I am.  (Although there is much to be said about carrying of a profession outside the home. I'm just trying to relate this to my world.)  Mary would make the effort go go to Mass the way I do with/without her husband.  Although I will admit she'd have a much better attitude about doing so alone than I do. 

So these are my responses to the thought provoking questions raised in this chapter.  To relate them all back to my daily existence is difficult.  Giving up my laziness in housework, and mothering skills requires work.  Viewing my situations through the eyes of the Mother of God is another shift in life that will take time.  However, learning to merge the two together will be the answer to overcoming the obstacles I create for myself.  

I hope my candidness raises some food for thought in your own life.  I know I'll spend my entire life trying to reconcile these areas in my life.

Updated Audio of Novena to St. Peregrine

We had two additional names to add, so here is the new audio and text.

St. Peregrine Novena
Oh great Saint Peregrine,
you, who have been called "The Mighty"
and "The Wonder-Worker"
because of the numerous miracles
which you have obtained from God
for those who have had recourse to you.
For so many years you bore in your own flesh
this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being,
and who had recourse to the source of all grace
when the power of man could do no more.
You were favored with the vision of Jesus
coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction.
Ask of God and Our Lady,
the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you.

Eldon Barr
Will Troxel
Ben Henderson
Sue Remmington
Els de Kievit
Carol Miller
Anna Gorman
Kamden Phillips
Marlee Moe
Steve Foiles

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession,
we shall sing to God,
now and for all eternity,
a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

Audio of St. Peregrine Novena

Novena to Saint Peregrine for the healing of the terminally and chronically ill.  

Please ignore my English enunciation of his name.  I'm sure I could have sounded Italian, however I chose to not humiliate myself. :D


St. Peregrine Novena

Oh great Saint Peregrine,
you, who have been called "The Mighty"
and "The Wonder-Worker"
because of the numerous miracles
which you have obtained from God
for those who have had recourse to you.
For so many years you bore in your own flesh
this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being,
and who had recourse to the source of all grace
when the power of man could do no more.
You were favored with the vision of Jesus
coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction.
Ask of God and Our Lady,
the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you.

Eldon Barr
Will Troxel
Ben Henderson
Sue Remmington
Els de Kievit
Carol Miller
Anna Gorman
Kamden Phillips

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession,
we shall sing to God,
now and for all eternity,
a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

Novena for Terminally/Chronically Ill

There have been so many in our circle suffering from chronic and in some cases terminal illness.  So I found it appropriate to combine our prayer forces in hopes of a miracle for these individuals in our lives.  Thank you for joining me, and it is my fervent hope that all of the men, women and children will be healed and live long, fulfilling, Christ-filled lives!

About St. Peregrine

Since he was Beatified on 9/11/1702 I found it fitting to begin this Novena on that day.  Additionally, Eldon is planned to have surgery on the 19th so we would finish this Novena on that day.  (The family is hoping he'll be in sooner!)




St. Peregrine Novena

Oh great Saint Peregrine,
you, who have been called "The Mighty"
and "The Wonder-Worker"
because of the numerous miracles
which you have obtained from God
for those who have had recourse to you.
For so many years you bore in your own flesh
this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being,
and who had recourse to the source of all grace
when the power of man could do no more.
You were favored with the vision of Jesus
coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction.
Ask of God and Our Lady,
the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you.

Eldon Barr
Will Troxel
Ben Henderson
Sue Remmington
Els de Kievit
Carol Miller
Anna Gorman
Kamden Phillips

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession,
we shall sing to God,
now and for all eternity,
a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

The Mullberry Bush?

The other day the kids and I were listening to the kids music channel on DirecTV.  The song the Mulberry Bush came on and the lyrics really hit me.  Having just finished Smart Martha's Guide I had to share this with you!

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush.
Here we go 'round the mulberry bush,
So early in the morning.

This is the way we wash our clothes,
Wash our clothes, wash our clothes.
This is the way we wash our clothes,
So early Monday morning.

This is the way we iron our clothes,
Iron our clothes, iron our clothes.
This is the way we iron our clothes,
So early Tuesday morning.

This is the way we mend our clothes,
Mend our clothes, mend our clothes.
This is the way we mend our clothes,
So early Wednesday morning.

This is the way we sweep the floor,
Sweep the floor, sweep the floor.
This is the way we sweep the floor,
So early Thursday morning.

This is the way we scrub the floor,
Scrub the floor, scrub the floor.
This is the way we scrub the floor,
So early Friday morning.

This is the way we bake our bread,
Bake our bread, bake our bread.
This is the way we bake our bread,
So early Saturday morning.

This is the way we go to church,
Go to church, go to church.
This is the way we go to church,
So early Sunday morning.

Who knew that for years children have been taught how to run a home? Maybe if I just apply this to my weekly routine I too can go "round the mulberry bush" with ease!

E-Book Sale

For the e-book lovers among us, Ave Maria Press is having an E-Book Sale on selected items.  You can get Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila, Chasing Joy by Edward Hays, Living the Rosary by John Phalen, C.S.C. and others for only 99 cents.  The sale ends tomorrow, so check it out today.

Tackling the Toys

Tami Kiser's book Smart Martha's Catholic Guide for Busy Moms is full of practical ideas for getting our homes and families organized so that we can experience real life.  And what is that?  An deep, joy-filled relationship with God and others, in our case, our husbands and children.  In her introduction, Tami tells us that her ways will not necessarily be ours, nor our ways hers.  But we might discover a little gem in someone else's experience.  In the first chapter, Tami tackles the toys.  In the last couple of years, I have become a minimalist in regards to toys, and I am not entirely unhappy.  Because the floors are easier to clean and to keep clean, my children tend to play with the toys rather than throwing them around the house.  But I am rethinking my strategy just a bit after reading this chapter.  We have Legos, Duplos, and Brio Trains, but I am thinking that I might add some other building sets, perhaps K'nex and Lincoln Logs, so that I can rotate them.  And with John's fifth birthday just a month away, this is the perfect time to buy some new toys.  I also liked Tami's idea of chests for dress up clothes and weapons (gotta love the boys).  I had purged the dress up clothes selection over the past year, but I am thinking that it might be time to add some new items.  

How do you tame the toys in your house?

Hating with Calmness

Many of you know that my husband and I have gone to see a behavioral specialist to help us understand and work with our daughter.  We know that she has the makings of an amazing adult: strong willed, creative, out going at times, loving, and fiercly intelligent.  However getting us to adulthood without killing eachother is the problem.  Our next appointment with her is today.

Many of you are aware of the "Small Steps for Catholic Moms" book by Danielle Bean & Elizabeth Foss.  We I decided last night to pick up the book again and read what today's inspiration was.  Much to my suprise it fit quite well.

"Walk with simplicity in the way of the Lord and do not torment your spirit.  Learn to hate your faults but to hate them calmly." St. Padre Pio

The accompanying prayer is what spoke to me. "Padre Pio, you never sease to make me smile. Pray that I can, indeed, hate with calmness.  I want to rid myself of my own faults, to rout them out with gentle ferocity. My children, too, have faults. It is ever so important that I hate those with gentle demeanor, too.  Help me to do it with gentle partience and loving kindness."

The action for today: "When you correct today, do so with extrememe care for gentleness.  Let your posture and your tone reflect calm."

Works well for me today don't you think? 

Novena to Saint Rita: Day 9

Our intentions:
Troubled Marriages
Strained Marriages
Marriages of Different Faiths
Strengthening of all Marriages

Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Day 9St. Rita, come to my aid! Faithful, loving wife and mother, humble, prayerful widow and nun, because of my need, answer my call. St. Rita, come to my aid! Beautiful rose born from the Savior's thorns, lead me far from anger and hate; guide my heart on peaceful paths with charity to all. St. Rita, come to my aid! Helper, healer, holy friend, hear my petitions for troubled marriages, strained marriages, marriages of different faiths, and continued strength for all marriages. To Christ take this prayer, for he is my Lord, my God, my All, my hope in despair, my strength when afraid. St. Rita, come to my aid! St. Rita, answer my call. Amen.

Novena Prayer

St. Rita, God gave you to us as an example of charity and patience, and offered you a share in the Passion of his Son. I thank him for the many blessings he bestowed upon you during your lifetime, especially during your unhappy marriage and during the difficulty you suffered in the convent.May your example encourage me to carry my own cross patiently and to live a life that is holier. By serving God as you did, may I please him with my faith and my actions.May your prayers help me to live in fidelity to my calling as you did and bring me to the deeper love of God and my neighbor until I reach eternal life in heaven. Amen. 

Litany to St. Rita

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, ®
Holy Mary, Mother of purest love, ®
Holy Mary, pierced with a sword of grief, ®
Holy Mary, Comforter of the sick, ®
Holy Mary, Queen of all the saints, ®
Holy Mary, Model of life for St. Rita, ®

O Saint Rita, our advocate and protectress, ®
O Saint Rita, beloved of the Lord, ®
O Saint Rita, given special grace from Heaven,®
O Saint Rita, remarkable in childhood, ®
O Saint Rita,
model of obedience to God's will, ®
O Saint Rita, of untiring patience, ®

O Saint Rita, model of the Christian mothers, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror for Christian spouses, ®
O Saint Rita, heroic in sacrifice, ®
O Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, ®
O Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, ®
O Saint Rita, embracing humility and poverty, ®

O Saint Rita, exemplary as a widow, ®
O Saint Rita, prompt to answer the divine call, ®
O Saint Rita, patient in suffering, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror of religious observance, ®
O Saint Rita, mystical rose of every virtue, ®
O Saint Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ, ®
O Saint Rita, pierced with a thorn, ®
O Saint Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament, ®

O Saint Rita, consumed with Divine Love, ®
O Saint Rita, received into heaven with joy, ®
O Saint Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body, ®
O Saint Rita, advocate of impossible cases, ®
O Saint Rita, persevering in prayer, ®
O Saint Rita, help of those in need, ®

Let us pray

O God, who bestowed on St. Rita such grace that she loved her enemies, and bore in her heart and on her forehead the mark of your love and Passion, grant us, we beseech you, through her merits and intercession, a love for our enemies. Through our contemplation of your sufferings and Passion, may we merit the reward promised to the meek and suffering. You who live and reign forever. Amen.

Novena to Saint Rita: Day 8

Our intentions:
Troubled Marriages
Strained Marriages
Marriages of Different Faiths
Strengthening of all Marriages

Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Day 8St. Rita I rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, you have at last been taken to the throne prepared for you in heaven by the Holy Trinity. Teach me how small earth becomes when viewed from heaven. Make me realize that death in the triumphant gate through which I shall pass my body to Jesus, shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of heaven. From this earth over which I tread as a pilgrim, I look to you for help and ask for these favors healing troubled marriages, strained marriages, strength for marriages of different faiths and continued strength for all marriages. When my hour of death has come, lead me safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together with you. Amen.

Novena Prayer

St. Rita, God gave you to us as an example of charity and patience, and offered you a share in the Passion of his Son. I thank him for the many blessings he bestowed upon you during your lifetime, especially during your unhappy marriage and during the difficulty you suffered in the convent.May your example encourage me to carry my own cross patiently and to live a life that is holier. By serving God as you did, may I please him with my faith and my actions.May your prayers help me to live in fidelity to my calling as you did and bring me to the deeper love of God and my neighbor until I reach eternal life in heaven. Amen. 

Litany to St. Rita

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, ®
Holy Mary, Mother of purest love, ®
Holy Mary, pierced with a sword of grief, ®
Holy Mary, Comforter of the sick, ®
Holy Mary, Queen of all the saints, ®
Holy Mary, Model of life for St. Rita, ®

O Saint Rita, our advocate and protectress, ®
O Saint Rita, beloved of the Lord, ®
O Saint Rita, given special grace from Heaven,®
O Saint Rita, remarkable in childhood, ®
O Saint Rita,
model of obedience to God's will, ®
O Saint Rita, of untiring patience, ®

O Saint Rita, model of the Christian mothers, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror for Christian spouses, ®
O Saint Rita, heroic in sacrifice, ®
O Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, ®
O Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, ®
O Saint Rita, embracing humility and poverty, ®

O Saint Rita, exemplary as a widow, ®
O Saint Rita, prompt to answer the divine call, ®
O Saint Rita, patient in suffering, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror of religious observance, ®
O Saint Rita, mystical rose of every virtue, ®
O Saint Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ, ®
O Saint Rita, pierced with a thorn, ®
O Saint Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament, ®

O Saint Rita, consumed with Divine Love, ®
O Saint Rita, received into heaven with joy, ®
O Saint Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body, ®
O Saint Rita, advocate of impossible cases, ®
O Saint Rita, persevering in prayer, ®
O Saint Rita, help of those in need, ®

Let us pray

O God, who bestowed on St. Rita such grace that she loved her enemies, and bore in her heart and on her forehead the mark of your love and Passion, grant us, we beseech you, through her merits and intercession, a love for our enemies. Through our contemplation of your sufferings and Passion, may we merit the reward promised to the meek and suffering. You who live and reign forever. Amen.

Novena to Saint Rita: Day 7

 

Our intentions:
Troubled Marriages
Strained Marriages
Marriages of Different Faiths
Strengthening of all Marriages

Novena to St. Rita of Cascia

Day 7 Heavenly Father, you continually build up your Church by the lives of your Saints. Give us grace to follow St. Rita in her loving concern for the salvation of people and so come to share her reward in heaven. Walking in the footsteps of this devoted servant of yours, may we be consumed with zeal for souls and attain the reward she enjoys in your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena Prayer

St. Rita, God gave you to us as an example of charity and patience, and offered you a share in the Passion of his Son. I thank him for the many blessings he bestowed upon you during your lifetime, especially during your unhappy marriage and during the difficulty you suffered in the convent.May your example encourage me to carry my own cross patiently and to live a life that is holier. By serving God as you did, may I please him with my faith and my actions.May your prayers help me to live in fidelity to my calling as you did and bring me to the deeper love of God and my neighbor until I reach eternal life in heaven. Amen. 

Litany to St. Rita

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, ®
Holy Mary, Mother of purest love, ®
Holy Mary, pierced with a sword of grief, ®
Holy Mary, Comforter of the sick, ®
Holy Mary, Queen of all the saints, ®
Holy Mary, Model of life for St. Rita, ®

O Saint Rita, our advocate and protectress, ®
O Saint Rita, beloved of the Lord, ®
O Saint Rita, given special grace from Heaven,®
O Saint Rita, remarkable in childhood, ®
O Saint Rita,
model of obedience to God's will, ®
O Saint Rita, of untiring patience, ®

O Saint Rita, model of the Christian mothers, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror for Christian spouses, ®
O Saint Rita, heroic in sacrifice, ®
O Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, ®
O Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, ®
O Saint Rita, embracing humility and poverty, ®

O Saint Rita, exemplary as a widow, ®
O Saint Rita, prompt to answer the divine call, ®
O Saint Rita, patient in suffering, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror of religious observance, ®
O Saint Rita, mystical rose of every virtue, ®
O Saint Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ, ®
O Saint Rita, pierced with a thorn, ®
O Saint Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament, ®

O Saint Rita, consumed with Divine Love, ®
O Saint Rita, received into heaven with joy, ®
O Saint Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body, ®
O Saint Rita, advocate of impossible cases, ®
O Saint Rita, persevering in prayer, ®
O Saint Rita, help of those in need, ®

Let us pray

O God, who bestowed on St. Rita such grace that she loved her enemies, and bore in her heart and on her forehead the mark of your love and Passion, grant us, we beseech you, through her merits and intercession, a love for our enemies. Through our contemplation of your sufferings and Passion, may we merit the reward promised to the meek and suffering. You who live and reign forever. Amen.

Novena to Saint Rita: Day 6

Our intentions:
Troubled Marriages
Strained Marriages
Marriages of Different Faiths
Strengthening of all Marriages

Novena to St. Rita of CasciaDay 6Glorious St. Rita, I give myself to your protection that you may always be my mother, my protector, and my guide in the ways of holiness and salvation. Aid me in observing the duties of my state of life. Obtain for me great purity of heart and a fervent love of the interior life after your own example. Great lover of the Blessed Sacrament and the Passion of Jesus Christ, teach me to love the Holy Mass and the Holy Communion as the source of grace and holiness. Grace me with a tender devotion to the Passion of my redeemer.

Novena Prayer

St. Rita, God gave you to us as an example of charity and patience, and offered you a share in the Passion of his Son. I thank him for the many blessings he bestowed upon you during your lifetime, especially during your unhappy marriage and during the difficulty you suffered in the convent.May your example encourage me to carry my own cross patiently and to live a life that is holier. By serving God as you did, may I please him with my faith and my actions.May your prayers help me to live in fidelity to my calling as you did and bring me to the deeper love of God and my neighbor until I reach eternal life in heaven. Amen. 

Litany to St. Rita

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, ®
Holy Mary, Mother of purest love, ®
Holy Mary, pierced with a sword of grief, ®
Holy Mary, Comforter of the sick, ®
Holy Mary, Queen of all the saints, ®
Holy Mary, Model of life for St. Rita, ®O Saint Rita, our advocate and protectress, ®
O Saint Rita, beloved of the Lord, ®
O Saint Rita, given special grace from Heaven,®
O Saint Rita, remarkable in childhood, ®
O Saint Rita,
model of obedience to God's will, ®
O Saint Rita, of untiring patience, ®

O Saint Rita, model of the Christian mothers, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror for Christian spouses, ®
O Saint Rita, heroic in sacrifice, ®
O Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, ®
O Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, ®
O Saint Rita, embracing humility and poverty, ®O Saint Rita, exemplary as a widow, ®
O Saint Rita, prompt to answer the divine call, ®
O Saint Rita, patient in suffering, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror of religious observance, ®
O Saint Rita, mystical rose of every virtue, ®
O Saint Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ, ®
O Saint Rita, pierced with a thorn, ®
O Saint Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament, ®

O Saint Rita, consumed with Divine Love, ®
O Saint Rita, received into heaven with joy, ®
O Saint Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body, ®
O Saint Rita, advocate of impossible cases, ®
O Saint Rita, persevering in prayer, ®
O Saint Rita, help of those in need, ®

Let us pray

O God, who bestowed on St. Rita such grace that she loved her enemies, and bore in her heart and on her forehead the mark of your love and Passion, grant us, we beseech you, through her merits and intercession, a love for our enemies. Through our contemplation of your sufferings and Passion, may we merit the reward promised to the meek and suffering. You who live and reign forever. Amen.

St. Romuald

June 19 is the feast day of St. Romuald, the founder of the Order of Camaldoli.  Paula Huston is an oblate of the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California.  Her experience with the Camaldolese monks inspired her to apply their simple, contemplative practices to her own life, the fruit of which is her book, The Holy Way. St. Romuald's biography can be found at Catholic Online, part of which can read below.  

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St. Romuald was born at Ravenna about the year 956. In spite of an infinite desire for virtue and sanctity, his early life was wasted in the service of the world and its pleasures. Then one day, obliged by his father, Sergius, to be present at a duel fought by him, he beheld him slay his adversary. The crime made such an impression upon him that he determined to expiate it for forty days, as though it were entirely his own. For this purpose he retired to a Benedictine monastery of St. Apollinare, near Ravenna, where he became Abbot. After founding several monasteries, he laid the foundations of the austere Order of Camaldoli in Tuscany. Like all the saints, he fought a lifelong battle against the assaults of devils and men.   After a long life of merit, he died in the monastery of Castro, which he founded in Marquisate of Ancona. His death occurred on June 19, about the year 1027.

St. Romuald's Brief Rule For Camaldolese Monks

Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The path you must follow is in the Psalms — never leave it.

If you have just come to the monastery, and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish what you want, take every opportunity you can to sing the Psalms in your heart and to understand them with your mind.

And if your mind wanders as you read, do not give up; hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.

Realize above all that you are in God's presence, and stand there with the attitude of one who stands before the emperor.

Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings him.

Novena to Saint Anne: Day 5

Our intentions:
Troubled Marriages
Strained Marriages
Marriages of Different Faiths
Strengthening of all Marriages

Novena to St. Rita of Cascia
Day 5 Glorious St. Rita, I beg you to help me to master my evil inclinations and temptations, and to avoid all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of never offending God, of fulfilling faithfully all the duties of my state of life, and of practicing all those virtues that are needed for my salvation. Amen.

Novena Prayer

St. Rita, God gave you to us as an example of charity and patience, and offered you a share in the Passion of his Son. I thank him for the many blessings he bestowed upon you during your lifetime, especially during your unhappy marriage and during the difficulty you suffered in the convent.
May your example encourage me to carry my own cross patiently and to live a life that is holier. By serving God as you did, may I please him with my faith and my actions.May your prayers help me to live in fidelity to my calling as you did and bring me to the deeper love of God and my neighbor until I reach eternal life in heaven. Amen. 

Litany to St. Rita

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, ®
Holy Mary, Mother of purest love, ®
Holy Mary, pierced with a sword of grief, ®
Holy Mary, Comforter of the sick, ®
Holy Mary, Queen of all the saints, ®
Holy Mary, Model of life for St. Rita, ®O Saint Rita, our advocate and protectress, ®
O Saint Rita, beloved of the Lord, ®
O Saint Rita, given special grace from Heaven,®
O Saint Rita, remarkable in childhood, ®
O Saint Rita,
model of obedience to God's will, ®
O Saint Rita, of untiring patience, ®

O Saint Rita, model of the Christian mothers, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror for Christian spouses, ®
O Saint Rita, heroic in sacrifice, ®
O Saint Rita, generous in forgiving, ®
O Saint Rita, martyr in penitence, ®
O Saint Rita, embracing humility and poverty, ®O Saint Rita, exemplary as a widow, ®
O Saint Rita, prompt to answer the divine call, ®
O Saint Rita, patient in suffering, ®
O Saint Rita, mirror of religious observance, ®
O Saint Rita, mystical rose of every virtue, ®
O Saint Rita, enamored of the Passion of Christ, ®
O Saint Rita, pierced with a thorn, ®
O Saint Rita, in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament, ®O Saint Rita, consumed with Divine Love, ®
O Saint Rita, received into heaven with joy, ®
O Saint Rita, incorrupt in your chaste body, ®
O Saint Rita, advocate of impossible cases, ®
O Saint Rita, persevering in prayer, ®
O Saint Rita, help of those in need, ®

Let us pray

O God, who bestowed on St. Rita such grace that she loved her enemies, and bore in her heart and on her forehead the mark of your love and Passion, grant us, we beseech you, through her merits and intercession, a love for our enemies. Through our contemplation of your sufferings and Passion, may we merit the reward promised to the meek and suffering. You who live and reign forever. Amen.