share our JOY

JOY{filled}family

striving to radiate Him always

A Day of Purification,Renewal, and Hope

by Filed Under: 02 February Saints, Candlemas, Chruching of Women, Marian, Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Candlemas) The Feast of Candlemas, which derives its origin from the local observance of Jerusalem, marks the end of the Feasts included in the Christmas cycle of the liturgy. It is perhaps the most ancient festival of Our Lady. It commemorates, however, not only the obedience of the Blessed Virgin to the Mosaic Law in going to Jersualem forty days after the birth of her Child and making the accustomed offerings, but also the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, and the meeting of the Infant Jesus with the old man Simeon — the Occursus Domini, as the Feast was originally termed. This is the principal theme of the liturgy on this day: Jesus is taken into the Temple "to present Him to the Lord." So the Lord comes to His own Temple, and is met by the aged Simeon with joy and recognition.
The procession on this day is one of the most picturesque features of the Western liturgy. The blessing and distribution of candles, to be carried lighted in procession, preceded the Mass today — a symbolic presentation of the truth proclaimed in the Canticle of Simeon: Our Lord is the "Light for the revelation of the Gentiles." The anthems sung during this procession, eastern in origin, well express the joy and gladness of this happy festival, and the honor and praise we give to our Blessed Lady and her Divine Son by this devout observance.

Lumen ad revelationem gentium: et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
   A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: and for the glory of Thy people Israel.

[CandlemasDay.jpg]Today we are celebrating the Purification of The Blessed Virgin Mary – Candlemas(Extraordinary form).  We are reflecting on the day of purification, renewal, and hope. 

Today is the end of the Christmas season in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.  We will be taking down our Christmas Tree and Nativities.

We were blessed to be able to attend morning Mass at a local Novus Ordo parish, as a family but are sad that we will not be able to  attend the evening High Mass (in the Extraordinary Form) at our Parish.  I posted a video below of a Candlemas Procession.  It is a beautiful tradition (that we will miss today).

Anthem sung During the Procession

Adorn thy bridal-chamber, O Sion, and welcome Christ the King: with loving embrace greet Mary who is the very gate of heaven; for she bringeth to thee the glorious King of the new light: remaining ever a Virgin yet she bearest in her arms the Son begotten before the day-star: even the Child, whom Simeon taking into his arms, declared to the peoples to be the Lord of life and death, and the Savior of the world.

image

~~~

~~~

On this day, I’m are also giving special thanks for the blessed custom of Churching of Women. 

Churching of Women is imitative of the day, which we commemorate on 2 February (Candlemas), that Mary underwent her "purification” (ceremonially speaking and in obedience to the Old Law) and presented her Son in the Temple to Simeon.  ~ Fisheaters

June 4, 2010

Churching of Women Ritual ~ Baptism of Dragonfly

Churching of Women:

Churching is the woman’s way of giving thanksgiving to God for the birth of her child, and predisposes her, through the priestly blessing that is a part of the ritual, to receive the graces necessary to raise her child in a manner pleasing to God.

churching 2010 057

churching and consecration 2010 058

The Ritual

The woman will make arrangements with her priest (ideally, the priest should know the women of his parish and make the offer to her).

At the appointed time, she will kneel in the Narthex, holding a lighted candle. The priest, wearing a white stole, will bless her with holy water, and say:

  • V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
  • R. Who made Heaven and Earth.

ANT. She shall receive.

Psalm 23 1

The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein.  For He hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.  Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in His holy place?  The innocent in hands and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Savior.  This is the generation of them that seek Him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.  Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.  Who is this King of glory? the Lord Who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.  Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of glory shall enter in.  Who is this King of glory? the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.  Glory be to the Father.

ANT. She shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God her Savior: for this is the generation of them that seek the Lord.

The priest places the end of his stole in the woman’s hand and leads her into the church while saying:

Enter into the temple of God, adore the Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, who gave you fruitfullness of offspring.

Outside the sanctuary, the mother kneels before the Altar and prays, thanking God for her child.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. (Now the Our Father is said silently)

  • V. And lead us not into temptation.
  • R. But deliver us from evil.
  • V. Save your handmaid, Lord.
  • R. Who hopes in Thee, my God.
  • V. Send her help, Lord, from the sanctuary.
  • R. And defend her out of Sion.
  • V. Let not the enemy prevail against her.
  • R. Nor the son of iniquity approach to hurt her.
  • V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
  • R. And let my cry come to Thee.
  • V. The Lord be with you.
  • R. And with thy spirit.
  • V. Let us pray.

Almighty, everlasting God, through the delivery of the blessed Virgin Mary, Thou hast turned into joy the pains of the faithful in childbirth; look mercifully upon this Thy handmaid, coming in gladness to Thy temple to offer up her thanks: and grant that after this life, by the merits and intercession of the same blessed Mary, she may merit to arrive, together with her offspring, at the joys of everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The priest sprinkles the mother with holy water in the shape of a Cross.

The peace and blessing of God almighty, the Father + and the Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.

R. Amen.

~~~

St. John Bosco

by Filed Under: 01 January Saints, St. John Bosco 2 Comments

"It is not enough that you love them, they must know they are loved."  ~ Don Bosco

SAINT JOHN BOSCO

Confessor

Traditional & New Calendar January 31

St. John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815, in a small town not too far from Turin, Italy. His father died when he was two years old. He was raised with tender love, yet firm discipline, by his mother, Margaret. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1841 and went to work in Turin, where the industrial revolution was attracting waves of young people to the city. The misery and abandonment of these youngsters moved John Bosco deeply.

He dedicated his life to them and began youth clubs for them. He then started hostels and boarding schools, where he taught them trades.  In 1854 he founded the Salesian Society and in 1872, the Salesian Sisters to work for girls. Three years later, he sent the first missionary group to Argentina. His work spread throughout the mission world and today more than half the Society works in mission lands.

The educational philosophy of John Bosco can be condensed in three words: reason, religion, and kindness. The basic principle of his system was a deep understanding and love for young people and their problems.

John Bosco died on January 31, 1888. Today the Salesian Family numbers 40,000 members working in over 100 countries.

Patron: Apprentices; boys; editors; Mexican young people; laborers; schoolchildren; students; young people.

RESOURCES:

~~~

"Receive the sacraments often; be devoted to the Blessed Virgin; consider bad books worse than a plague; avoid bad companions even more than poisonous snakes." ~ Don Bosco

04-S Giovanni Bosco-8

Prayer To Our Lady, Help Of Christians

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christian,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children, 
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you, 
your perpetual help in all my necessities, 
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life. 
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.

~ St. John Bosco

~~~

Never send negligent pupils out of the classroom. Be patient with their light-mindedness." ~ Don Bosco

"The Salesian way of educating the young is quite simple. Basically, I insist on letting boys be boys. Let them play and enjoy themselves as much as they want as long as God is not offended. But if I have a philosophy of education, it consists in discovering a boy’s best qualities and then exploiting them to his advantage. You must admit, sir, that any person is at his best when he is doing what he likes and does best. Children are the same. Promote their positive qualities and they will thrive. As for discipline—love and respect for the young is the answer. In the 46 years I have worked among children, never once have I had to resort to corporal punishment, which by the way is very much in vogue. And if I may say so, all those children who have come under my care have always continued to show me their love and respect." ~ Don Bosco

~~~

~~~

 "Make the Exercise for a Happy Death every month; make it well, make it unfailingly well!" ~ Don Bosco

St. Peter Nolasco

by Filed Under: 01 January Saints, Mother of Mercy, St. Peter Nolasco

Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~GOSPEL  Luke. 12. 32-34

peternolasco8

SAINT PETER NOLASCO
Confessor

Traditional Calendar January 28

Saint Peter Nolasco

Peter Nolasco was born of a noble family at Recaudun, near Carcassonne, in France, and lost his parents while still young. In consequence of his horror of the Albigensian heresy, he sold his estates and withdrew into Spain.  Here, as he was praying one night, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him in a vision, and gave him to understand that it would be most pleasing to her Son and herself, if he would found an order of religious men, whose chief duty it should be to effect the redemption of Christian bondsmen out of the hand of the infidels.  And so, together with St. Raymund Pennaforte and King James I of Aragon, who had been told the same thing by the Mother of God on the very same night, he founded the Order of the Blessed Mary of Ransom for the Redemption of Captives.  The members add a fourth vow that they will be ready to remain as hostages in the hand of the infidels if this were needed to free Christians.  He was refreshed by frequent apparitions of his Guardian Angel, and of the Virgin Mother of God ; and when he had attained a good old age, he died a holy death at midnight between the 23rd and 24th of December, in the year 1256. ~Roman Breviary

REOURCES

~~~

Practice of Merciful Charity – The passion for freedom creates in Mercedarians the mystique of the liberation of those brothers and sisters who are in the power of the enemies of the faith. The first Mercedarian Constitutions insist repeatedly on affirming that the mission or goal of the Institute is to visit and to free Christians who are in the power of the Saracens or other enemies of the faith. In order to liberate Christian captives, this mystique encourages the use of every licit recourse, including the one inspired by the greatest charity: Giving one’s own freedom and life!

~~~

St. John Chrysostom

by Filed Under: 01 January Saints, 09 September Saints, Patron Saint, St. John Chrysostom

"He became what we are, that we might become what He is." ~ St. John Chrysostom 

St. John Chrysostom Holy Card

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Traditional Calendar January 27 ~ New Calendar September 13

Archbishop of Constantinople in the fourth century, John was surnamed Chrysostom, "the golden-mouthed," because of his moving eloquence. His gifted pen, as well as his sermons drew many to Christ. The saint’s courageous condemnation of sinfulness brought him exile and all manner of ill-usage from his persecutors. Solicitous for the poor of Constantinople, St. John also looked beyond the boundaries of his episcopal see, and sent out missioners among the Scythians, Persians, and Goths. With the praise of God on his lips, this great Doctor of the Eastern Church died in exile on September 14, 407.

~~~

crisosto

“Prayer is the light of the soul, giving us true knowledge of God. It is a link mediating between God and man. By prayer the soul is borne up to heaven and in a marvellous way embraces the Lord. This meeting is like that of an infant crying on its mother, and seeking the best of milk. The soul longs for its own needs and what it receives is better than anything to be seen in the world.” ~ St John Chrysostom (Hom 6 on Prayer)

~~~chrysostom16

“True Peace comes from God” ~ St. John Chrysostom, PG 61:14

RESOURCES

 

 

"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar." ~ Saint John Chrysostom

chrysostom28

St. Agnes ~ Love of God

by Filed Under: January Saints, Little Flowers, Love of God, St. Agnes

“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.

st_agnes

“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

+++

stagnespainting

“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

+++

 

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.

theological virtues on the board JOY

Theological Virtues Flowers

“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.

bracelets JOY

bracelets table 1 JOY

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!

group pic JOY

St. Agnes, Ora Pro Nobis

+++

 image

HANDOUTS:

+++

 stAgnes1

“Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve.” ~  Saint Agnes

+++

RESOURCES:

RESOURCES FOR KIDS

CRAFT:

heart bracelet

+++

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]

8 months

by Filed Under: Dragonfly

  8 months on tummy88 8 months happy

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

by Filed Under: Crafts, Little Flowers, Love of God, St. Agnes, St. Valentine's Day

heart 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

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.bowl of hearts v2

push needle 

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. hearts on a string
4. tie the two ends of floss together to make a bracelet.  trim the ends. cut floss
5. tie short pieces of ribbon in between the hearts. Love of God bracelet

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).

love of God bracelet on little girl 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

by Filed Under: Blessed Mother Teresa, Charity, Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa of Calcutta

MC Profession 2010 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.

Subscribe to our Newsletter