Mexican actor pledges to build largest pro-life women’s clinic in US.
“I will not use my talents except to elevate my Christian, pro-life and Hispanic values.” ~ Eduardo Verastegui
St. Agnes ~ Love of God
“Jesus Christ is my only Spouse.” ~ St. Agnes
St. Agnes’ Feast Day is January 21st in the Traditional and New Calendar
Patron: Affianced couples; betrothed couples; bodily purity; chastity; Children of Mary; Colegio Capranica of Rome; crops; engaged couples; gardeners; girls; rape victims; diocese of Rockville Centre, New York; virgins.
Symbols: Lamb; woman with long hair and a lamb, sometimes with a sword at her throat; woman with a dove which holds a ring in its beak; woman with a lamb at her side.
“This is a virgin’s birthday; let us follow the example of her chastity. It is a martyr’s birthday; let us offer sacrifices; it is the birthday of holy Agnes: let men be filled with wonder, little ones with hope, married woman with awe, and the unmarried with emulation. It seems to me that this child, holy beyond her years and courageous beyond human nature, received the name of Agnes (Greek: pure) not as an earthly designation but as a revelation from God of what she was to be.” ~ St. Augustine
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“May God’s little lamb, St. Agnes of Rome, intercede for us that we would be loyal to the faith she professed! And should we ever be disloyal, may God’s grace bring us to repentance!”
~ Fr. Miguel Marie Soeherman, MFVA
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St. Agnes is the patroness of young girls and her symbol is, naturally, a lamb.
This month’s Little Flowers meeting was on St. Agnes and Love of God. There were 27 girls in attendance. The girls attended Mass with their families. A few were accompanied by Mrs. K and Mrs. C.
Father L was not available this week. He was missed by all.
I opted out of coordinating stations this month. It turned out great.
We recapped last month’s saint and virtue – St. Catherine Laboure & Humility.
The girls then learned about this month’s virtue, Love of God. It is the third theological virtue.
“If I . . . have not charity,” says the Apostle, “I am nothing.” Whatever my privilege, service, or even virtue, “if I . . . have not charity, I gain nothing.”103 Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: “So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” ~ CCC 1826
We recalled the two previous theological virtues that were studied. I drew the flower, stem and root diagram to help the girls better understand the three theological virtues.
“Every flower has a root, a stem, a blossom; this last is the fairest of the the three. And it is just the same with the glorious flower which the three theological virtues combine to form. From the root, which is faith, springs the stem, which is hope, and the lovely flower of charity crowns them both.” ~ Father Lasance’s Catholic Girls Guide
The girls also took some time to recollect on ways that they show their love for God. I emphasized God’s call for young children, as stated by Father Lasance.
“If you do not now, in the golden days of youth, obtain the mastery over the devil, the world, and the flesh, you will find it difficult, if not impossible, later on to gain the victor’s crown.” ~ Catholic Girl’s Guide
We also went over how to know God’s will. Father Lasance states, “Sermons, religious instructions, and pious books, will teach you what His will is.”
I tried to hone in on God’s love for us. We discussed the most profound way that He shows His love for us, each day, the sacrifice of the Mass. We also reflected on the fact that Jesus would have been sent to this earth to die for each one of us, even if we were the only one on earth – that’s how much He loves us.
Mrs. S graciously offered to read the brief bio of St. Agnes. The girls were enthralled with Agnes name meaning Lamb in Latin and that she was 12 when she was killed. Her pious youth and profound Love for God was not easy to convey in such a short time. I encouraged all the girls to go home to further discuss the life of St. Agnes with their families.
We made edible heart bracelets for the craft of the month. The hearts were to represent the virtue of Charity – Love of God. The girls enjoyed sewing their bracelets together. They were instructed to perform an act that showed their Love of God, in order to eat a heart from their bracelet. I’m sure their bracelets were gone in no time!
Thank you to all the moms who lent a helping hand. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to serve you and your girls. I appreciate all you do!
St. Agnes, Ora Pro Nobis
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HANDOUTS:
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Activity Sheet
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Love of God Memory Verse
- Coloring Page – St. Agnes from Curmudgeonry
- Act of Charity
- Love of God Info Sheet (pictured above)
- Theological Virtues Flower (pictured above)
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“Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve.” ~ Saint Agnes
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RESOURCES:
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St. Agnes Love of God Info Page – inspiration found here by Jessica
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St. Agnes Bio – Catholic Culture
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St. Agnes Bio – New Advent
RESOURCES FOR KIDS
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St. Agnes Bio for Kids – Holy Spirit Interactive
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St. Agnes Bio for Families – Domestic-Church.com
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St. Agnes Crafts – Catholic Icing
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St. Agnes Coloring Page – Paper Dali
CRAFT:
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Prayers to St. Agnes of Rome
O glorious St. Agnes, you served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific Vision in heaven because you persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the dangers that surround me in the vale of tears, and intercede for me in my needs and troubles. Amen.
~~~
O sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, source of all virtue, lover of virgins, most powerful conqueror of demons, most severe extirpator of vice! Deign to cast Thine eyes upon my weakness, and through the intercession of Mary most blessed, mother and virgin, and of thy beloved spouse, St. Agnes, glorious virgin and martyr, grant me the aid of thy heavenly grace, in order that I may learn to despise all earthly things, and to love what is heavenly, to oppose vice and to be proof against temptation; to walk firmly in the path of virtue, not to seek honors, to shun pleasures, to bewail my past offences, to keep far from the occasions of evil, to keep free from bad habits, to seek the company of the good, and persevere in righteousness, so that, by the assistance of thy grace, I may deserve the crown of eternal life, together with St. Agnes and all the saints, forever and ever, in thy kingdom. Amen. ![[St.+Agnes.bmp]](https://joyfilledfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/St.-2BAgnes-212x300.jpg)
8 months
crawling. standing. monkey walking. teething (again). likes to play at night when all he’s siblings have gone to bed. quite except in in church. dumps mom in a sec. to play with dad. dimples that melt his mama’s heart. no longer interested in table food. drinks water from a sippy cup. loves his bedroom (dad’s large walk in closet). still prefers all males to women. waves bye bye (when he wants to). has his sister, sweetie wrapped around his finger. exercises with mama and dada. not fond of grass. enjoys a a long run in the stroller. loves the outdoors. is pure JOY!
Love of God Bracelet
These bracelets were made for our last Little Flower’s meeting ~ St. Agnes & Love of God. The girls were thrilled to have an edible craft and motivated* to find new ways to show & grow in their Love of God.
I found my inspiration from Brown Paper Packages.
SUPPLIES:
- candy hearts ($1.99/bag. ea bag yields 4 – 8 piece bracelets)
- dental floss ($0.88/55 yards of floss. 55 yards yields 30+ bracelets)
- needle, with large eye ($0.97/18 needles)
- ribbon ($0.57/yard. 16 yards needed for 30 bracelets. 8 – 3in ribbon cuts/bracelet)
- scissors
$0.88 per bracelet
DIRECTIONS:
1. cut a long piece of floss. thread the needle.
2. insert the threaded needle into the heart at the widest part of the candy. these candies are firm and it takes some effort to push the needle completely through the hearts. push the needle down on the table to fully insert it through the candy. continue to pull the needle completely through and push the candy further down the floss. don’t worry about the floss and needle getting sticky. it’s all part of the fun.
3. repeat the above step until there are enough hearts threaded for the desired length. be certain that the bracelet will be able to fit over the hand once tied. girls 5-7years old needed 8 hearts on each of their bracelets. 
4. tie the two ends of floss together to make a bracelet. trim the ends. 
5. tie short pieces of ribbon in between the hearts. 
each girl was encouraged to wear their bracelets often.
*they were instructed to complete an act to show their Love of God, before eating a candy (and checking with mom).
By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. Charity, the form of all the virtues, "binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Col 3:14). ~ CCC 1844
The Just Person Falls Seven Times A Day
Charity Litany
by Father Sebastian Vazhakala M.C.
Charity is the queen of all virtues. “If you see Charity, you see the Trinity” says St. Augustine. Without it even if one speaks the language of angels it is like “sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (Cf. 1 Cor 13: 1-13). It is a very delicate virtue which is like salt in the food. No wonder saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux resolved to do ordinary things with extraordinary love and not the other way round. The following is a litany to ask forgiveness for the many daily failures in charity, as we know that even the just person falls seven times a day.
For all my uncharitable thoughts, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable looks, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable behaviors, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable attitudes, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable dealings, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable words, Lord have mercy on me
For all my uncharitable telephone conversations, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable judgements, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable criticisms, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable conversations, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable actions, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable reactions, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable works, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable charity, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable prayers, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable undertakings, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable works of mercy, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable service to the poor, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable feelings, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable omissions, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable cares, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable preoccupations, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable anxieties, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable sharing, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitable encounters, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my uncharitableness, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my negligence, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my anger and bitterness, Lord have mercy on me.
For all my lack of forgiveness, Lord have mercy on me.
Let us pray:
“Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work too may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy”.
God bless you.
Sancta Familia
THE HOLY FAMILY
January 9
Why is this Feast celebrated today, instead of closer to Christmas? Because in Old Testament Law, a child wasn’t a son of Abraham or a true part of the family until his circumcision at 8 days of age, an event of Christ’s life that we celebrated on 1 January (from 25 December to 1 January are 8 days). ~ Fisheaters
From eternity, the Son of God had lived the family life of the Blessed Trinity. At Nazareth, as the Redeemer both of individuals and of families, He lived and made holy the home life that guards divine life in every baptized person.
Problems of family life center mainly in personalities. But social pressures and poverty also add disturbing tensions. Happily, God made marriage a sacrament, which is ministered by husband and wife to one another. Through the sacrament, they communicate to one another those special graces they need for living their enduring and sometimes difficult obligations.
God remains the third partner in every marriage, with His own inalienable rights. In the Holy Family, God Incarnate was the third member. In a Christian family, anywhere in the world, the father is the spiritual head who takes the place of Christ.
INTROIT (Prov. 23:24, 25)
The Father of the just one greatly rejoices. Let your father and your mother be joyful, and let her who bore you be glad.
Ps. 83:2, 3. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns and faints for the courts of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
O Lord Jesus Christ, You sanctified home life with untold virtues by being subject to Mary and Joseph. May they assist us to imitate the example of Your Holy Family, so that we may share with them their eternal happiness; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .
Commemoration of the First Sunday After The Epiphany
O Lord, mercifully hear the plea of those who call upon You, that Your people may understand their duty and be strengthened to fulfill it. Through Our Lord . . .
EPISTLE (Col. 3:12-17)
Brethren: Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience: Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another. Even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
GRADUAL (Ps. 26:4; 83:5)
One thing I have asked of the Lord; this will I seek after: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. V.Happy they who dwell in Your house, O Lord! They shall praise You forever and ever.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Isa. 45:15)
Verily You are a hidden king, the God of Israel, the Savior.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL (Luke 2:42-52)
And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: "Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said to them: "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business?"
And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace with God and men.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Luke 2:22)
The parents of Jesus took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
SECRET
O Lord, we offer You this sacrifice in atonement for our sins. May the intercession of the Virgin Mother of God and blessed Joseph, ever bestow Your peace and grace upon our families. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration
May the sacrifice we offer You, O Lord, bring us new life and keep us safe. Through Our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 2:51)
Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.
POSTCOMMUNION
We are refreshed by Your heavenly Sacrament, O Lord Jesus. Help us always to follow the example of Your Holy Family, that Your glorious Virgin Mother and blessed Joseph may meet us at the hour of our death, and find us worthy to enter with You into Your eternal home; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .
Commemoration
Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may live a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . .
~~~
Prayer to the Holy Family
Domine Iesu Christe, qui Mariae et Ioseph subditus, domesticam vitam ineffabilibus virtutibus consecrasti: fac nos, utriusque auxilio, Familiae sanctae tuae exemplis instrui et consortium consequi sempiternum: Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.
Meditation On The Epiphany OF Our Lord
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord.
DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
The mystery of the Christ-birth is a rich and glorious beginning, splendid with promise. Today we worship a partial fulfillment when Jesus, as an Infant King, is manifested to wise men of the Gentile world and through them to all peoples. His royalty is neither frightening nor pompous, for the kingly majesty of the sovereign Redeemer is robed in babyhood. Coming in the simplicity of true greatness, Jesus makes Himself acceptable and at home to the little and the great of every nation under heaven.
~~~
The Introit of the Mass brings us at once into this spirit, presenting Jesus to us in the full majesty of His divinity. "Behold the sovereign Lord is come; in His hands He holds the kingdom, the power, and the empire." The Epistle (Is 60, 1-6) breaks forth in a hymn of joy, announcing the vocation of the Gentiles to the faith; they too will acknowledge and adore Jesus as their God: "Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come…. And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and the kings in the brightness of thy rising…. All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, and showing forth praise to the Lord." We no longer gaze upon the lowly picture of the shepherds at the manger; passing before us now is the resplendent procession of the Wise Men from he East, representing the pagan nations and all of the kings of the earth, who come to pay homage to the Child-God……
You have shown me that You want my poor cooperation in order to bring about the coming of Your kingdom. You wish me to pray, suffer, and work for the conversion of those who are near and of those who are far away. You wish that I, too, place before the manger of gifts of the Wise Men: the incense of prayer, the myrrh of mortification and of suffering borne with generosity out of love for You, and finally, the gold of charity, charity which will make my heart wholly and exclusively Yours, charity which will spur me on to work, to spend myself for the conversion of sinners and infidels, and for the greater sanctification of Your elect…..
O my loving King, create in me the heart of an apostle. If only I could lay at Your feet today the praise and adoration of everyone on earth!
O my Jesus, while I beg You to reveal Yourself to the world, I also beseech You to reveal Yourself more and more to my poor soul. Let Your star shine for me today, and point out to me the road which leads directly to You! May this day be a real Epiphany for me, a new manifestation to my mind and heart of Your great Majesty. He who knows You more, loves You more, O Lord; and I want to know You solely in order to love You, to give myself to You with ever greater generosity.
~Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene, OCD
Reflections For The New Year
It’s a new year and I desire to be transformed, to live each day as though it were my last. I pray to die to self and become a true slave to Jesus through Mary.
A new year, a new creation in Christ. – Time is a Treasure!
A word was imprinted on my heart many years ago…….JOY. I was called to embrace the JOY of Christ and share it with all those around me, especially my family. I’m nowhere near where I need to be but continue to pray for this grace on a daily basis.
I desired (for some time) to add an additional word, virtue to my journey. This word has come to the forefront of my heart and mind for the past several months. I delayed in embracing it because I doubted my readiness and sought perfection with the need to create a JOYfilled heart. Then I surrendered and was reminded that perfection is not possible while on this earth. I must continue to prayerfully move forward and treasure each moment that I have been blessed with, to grow closer to Him. I trust that my new word will help me on this journey. My word is…….CHARITY.
Thanks to a providential friend, I was motivated to take action. She came up with a simple list that summed up our prayers and recent meditations. I adopted it for myself and immediately posted it in my kitchen, for all to see.
Thank you God for sending me Melody, to offer me inspiration and accountability, on this journey!
~~~
2011 Motto
Be Charitable.
Be Useful.
Be Gentle.
Be Joyful.
Forget about yourself.
ALL FOR!
~~~
You too can be inspired my Melody. Here’s a recent fav of mine and here she is at CatholicMom.com.
~~~
“Time is a treasure that melts away. It escapes from us, slipping through our fingers like water through the mountain rocks. Yesterday is gone, and today is passing by. Tomorrow will soon be another yesterday. Our lives are so very short. But what a great deal can be done for God in this short space of time!” ~ St. Josemaria Escriva, Friends of God, 52
Prayer Request
My family will offer a Spiritual Bouquet for Edie on her blessed day and during her time of trial.
She is celebrating her birthday today, exactly two weeks after her “life was forever changed.” Edie’s home caught fire early morning on Dec. 21, 2010. Her family made it out unharmed but everything is gone. She prayerfully moves forward.
Please keep Edie and her family in prayer.
~~~
We pray that Edie will be filled with Christ’s peace and that she be given the graces to walk behind Him wherever this journey will lead her.
1 Family Rosary
3 Hail Mary’s
Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Intentions remembered in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament by the Friars of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word
The icon shows the Blessed Virgin protecting Jesus with her arms around him. Her solemn face isn’t looking directly at him, but at us. The two archangels Michael and Gabriel carry instruments of Christ’s crucifixion, a lance and sponge, a 3-bar cross and nails. The letters beside each figure identify their names using the Greek alphabet. She has a star on her forehead, signifying her role as Star of the Sea. The Christ-child has been alarmed by a pre-sentiment of His passion, and has run to his mother for comfort. Jesus is portrayed clinging to His mother. Our Lady’s face is of unspeakable majesty and calm and yet her large eyes, partly closed, express ineffable sorrow and sympathy. Our Lady is not looking at Jesus, but rather to us, her adopted children, as if to express compassion for us in our fears and sorrows.
Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Mother of Perpetual Help, you have been blessed and favored by God. You became not only the Mother of the Redeemer, but the Mother of the redeemed as well. We come to you today as you loving children. Watch over us and take care of us. As you held the child Jesus in your loving arms, so take us in your arms. Be a mother ready at every moment to help us. For God who is mighty has done great things for you, and his mercy is from age to age on those who love him. Our greatest fear is that in time of temptation, we may fail to call out to you, and become lost children. Intercede for us, dear Mother, in obtaining pardon for our sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace always to call upon you, Mother of Perpetual Help. Amen.
Every Knee Shall Bow
Jesus Hominum Salvator "Jesus, Saviour of men"
MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS
Sunday after the Octave Day of the Nativity or January 2
DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
Extraordinary Form: The Most Holy Name of Jesus (Ordinary Form: The Epiphany of the Lord)
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite this feast is celebrated on January 2. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was removed, though a votive Mass to the Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the feast was restored as an optional memorial in the Ordinary Form on January 3. – Catholic Culture
INTROIT Philip. 2:10-11
In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. (Psalm) O Lord our Lord: hoe admirable is Thu Name in the whole earth! Glory be to the Father. In the Name…
At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father.
Ps. 8:2. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
O God, Who didst constitute Thine only-begotten Son the Savior of mankind, and didst bid Him be called Jesus:mercifully grant, that we who venerate His Holy Name on earth, may fully enjoy also the vision of Him in heaven. Through the same our Lord.
Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum! "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"
RESOURCES:
- The Power of the Holy Name of Jesus – Audio Sermon from AudioSancto.org
- Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus – The Church has granted an indulgence of 7 years for the recital of the Litany of the Most Holy Name.
- Prayers to the Holy Name
- St. Bernadino’s Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus
- Story of the Holy Name of Jesus
- IHS Stencil – used to stencil/place the monogram of His Name ("IHS") over our doors for protection, in the same way that the Israelites in Egypt used lamb’s blood during the first Passover. ~Fisheaters
- Devotion to the Holy Name
- I.H.S. Coloring Page – from the Latin "Jesus Hominum Salvator" meaning "Jesus, Saviour of men"
- I.H.S. and Cross Coloring Page
“All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ……” Col 3:17
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