"Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a wonderful historical expression of the Church’s piety for Christ, her Spouse and Lord: it calls for a fundamental attitude of conversion and reparation, of love and gratitude, apostolic commitment and dedication to Christ and his saving work." (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy §172)
She’s 7!
Sparkles turned 7 on May 18, the day after her new brother was born. She is now part of the club. Each child shares a birth month with another family member, in fact they are each 1 day apart from their “b
irthday buddy.”
Rose – March 29
Mom – March 30
Baby G – May 17
Sparkles – Ma7 18
Papi – August 24
Sweetie – August 25
Dad – Nov. 18
no “birthday buddy”
Don’t ask me how this happened. It’s beyond us but the kids sure do enjoy sharing a month with one another.
Sparkles prayed that her baby brother would be born on her birthday. She saw the special surprise that Sweetie received from my parents when Papi was born, an impromptu birthday at Chuck E Cheese. We do not go to Chuck E Cheese so this has been a real treat.
Sparkles started planning her celebration early on and was a little bummed when I went to the hospital on Sunday, May 16. Nonetheless, she continued to pray and her faithfulness was my cross. Baby G was born 1 day later on May 17.
Sparkles celebrated as planned when we arrived home from the hospital on May 18. Baby G and I stayed home. 
Mediatrix of All Graces
My First Communion JOY Party was scheduled to end today (June 8, 2010) but the deadline has been extended for another year, God willing!
The Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mediatrix of All Grace
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 Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us!
Mother of God, and our Mother, pray for us!
True Mother of the living, pray for us!
Mother regenerating men in Christ unto God, pray for us!
Mother of piety and of grace, pray for us!
Mother of pardon and remission, pray for us!
Partner in human redemption, pray for us!
Recoverer of a lost world, pray for us!
Recoverer of the ages, pray for us!
Petitioner of all graces, pray for us!
Suppliant all-powerful, pray for us!
Advocate with thy Son for thy sons, pray for us!
Obtainer of the divine mercy, pray for us!
Dispenser of heavenly treasures, pray for us!
Handmaid of divine blessings, pray for us!
Fullness of grace to overflow upon all, pray for us!
Succor of the Church Militant, pray for us!
Ready helper of those in peril, pray for us!
Devoted consoler of the sorrowful, pray for us!
Conqueress of all error, pray for us!
Protectress of the world, pray for us!
Impregnable protection, pray for us!
Propitiation of the divine wrath, pray for us!
Refuge of all the unhappy, pray for us!
Shelter of orphans, pray for us!
Assured safety of the faithful, pray for us!
Hope of all who despair, pray for us!
Stay of the falling, pray for us!
Uplifter of the fallen, pray for us!
Cheer and comfort of the dying, pray for us!
Peace and joy of mankind, pray for us!
Our life, our sweetness and our hope, pray for us!
Gate of Paradise, pray for us!
Mystical stair of Jacob, pray for us!
Key of the heavenly kingdom, pray for us!
Channel of divine graces, pray for us!
Throne of divine clemency, pray for us!
Fountain of living waters, pray for us!
Fountain sealed by the Holy Spirit, pray for us!
Unfailing stream of mercy, pray for us!
Asylum of the erring, pray for us!
Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us!
Shining star of the sea, pray for us!
Light of those who sit in darkness, pray for us!
Chamber of spiritual nuptials, pray for us!
Mediatrix of men with God, pray for us!
Mediatrix after the Mediator, pray for us!
Mediatrix reconciling us to the Son, pray for us!
Mediatrix of sinners, staunch and true, pray for us!
Mediatrix of all beneath the sky, pray for us!
Mediatrix ever pleading for us, pray for us!
Mediatrix set between Christ and His Church, pray for us!
Mediatrix who hast found favor with God, pray for us!
Mediatrix to win salvation for the world, pray for us!
Mediatrix of the mysteries of God, pray for us!
Mediatrix of all graces, pray for us!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, our powerful Mediatrix,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ!
Let us Pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Mediator with the Father, Who hast deigned to appoint the Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also and our Mediatrix with Thee, graciously grant that whosoever goes to Thee in quest of blessings may be gladdened by obtaining them all through her, Thou Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.
Prayer of Petition
O Ever-Virgin Mother of God and Mediatrix of Grace who art the House of Gold within which dwells thy Son, our Mediator, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech thee to grant our requests for our salvation and the salvation of the entire world. (Here pause and make your requests) Keep us close to the Vicar of thy Son in the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church. Hear our prayer and grant the requests we make to thee.
St. Joseph, Intercede for us.
St. Jude Thaddeus, Pray for us.
St. Mary of Cleophas, Pray for us.
St. Philip Neri, Pray for us.
St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Pray for us.
St. Maximillian Kolbe, Pray for us.
Prayer Source: Prayers from Various Websites
QUOTES:
“It is accepted as certain and irrefutable in the Catholic Church, although it is not yet declared as a dogma, that the Mother of God is the Mediatrix of All Graces." ~ St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe-Franciscan Martyr of Auschwitz
… in suffering with Him as He died on the cross, she cooperated in the work of the Savior, in an altogether singular way, by obedience, faith, hope, and burning love, to restore supernatural life to souls. As a result she is our Mother in the order of grace. ~ The Second Vatican Council (Lumen gentium ## 61-62)
"To Mary, His faithful spouse, God the Holy Ghost has communicated His unspeakable gifts; and He has chosen her to be the dispensatrix of all He possesses, in such sort that she distributes to whom she wills, as much as she wills, as she wills and when she wills, all His gifts and graces. The Holy Ghost gives no heavenly gift to men which does not pass through her virginal hands." ~St. Louis De Montfort
"All the saints have a great devotion to Our Lady: no grace comes from Heaven without passing through her hands. We cannot go into a house without speaking to the doorkeeper. Well, the Holy Virgin is the doorkeeper of Heaven.” ~St. John Vianney
Corpus Christi
Sunday, June 6, 2010
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Corpus Christi Procession
AUDIO SANCTO – Corpus Christi: Reverence for the Real Presence
Communion Prayers
A collection of prayers for First Holy Communicants
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life everlasting and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (John 6:55-56)
A Prayer for those who are preparing Children for their First Holy Communion
O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding great love
as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist,
inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory
by preparing worthily the little children
who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.
Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
these young souls from the assaults of evil,
strengthen their faith,
increase their love and endow them
with all the virtues that will make them worthy to receive
Thee.
Amen.
Saint John the Baptist, forerunner of the Messias, prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of these children.
Saint Tarcisius, keep safe the children who are making their first Communion.
My First Holy Communion
The first time I received Jesus was a wondrous day for me! To be united with Christ my Savior Who dies for us on Calvary. This card reminds me to thank Him for the special gift He gave. The sacrament of Holy Eucharist through which we are all saved. It helps me think of the first time Jesus came into my heart and if I follow His message He and I will never part. As Jesus said on that holy night so many years ago if we take and eat this bread Eternal Life we will know. Each time I receive communion I’ll think of His love for me and I’ll thank Him for giving to us the greatest miracle in history.
Prayer at a Child’s First Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of
the Eucharist You left us the outstanding manifestation of your limitless love for us.
Thank You for giving our child the
opportunity to experience this love
in receiving the Sacrament for the first time.
May your Eucharist presence keep him/her ever free from sin, fortified in faith, pervaded by love for God and neighbor, and fruitful in virtue, that he/she may continue to receive You throughout life and attain final union with You at death. Amen.
To My Godchild on your First Holy Communion
My prayer for you is one of love. May you know our Father above Will always be your guide. As you travel life’s path seek His ways, May the peace and joy of His love Be with you all of your days.
Additional Resources:
The Holy Father speaks to Children: Your First Holy Communion
Pope comments on 1st Communion, Fatima intercession
Preparing for First Holy Communion – Catholic Culture
Saint Thérèse’s First Communion, 8 May 1884
St Gemma Galgani -A Patron Saint for children and First Communion
He’s Here…Our Newest Gift From God (GFG)
It’s been about two weeks since we welcomed our newest blessing. Our blessing was born on Monday, May 17. He weighed in at 9.14 pounds of yuminess. Yes, he was a big boy.
I’ve been too busy loving on him, resting and sharing my JOY with my family to be able to post on the blog. However, I have been able to find time here-and-there to write in my journal.
I completed my birth story and began to log pictures. I want to do my best to record all life’s precious moments that have been gifted to us by our most loving Father. Not to mention, the journaling helps when your memory becomes shady and begins to mix up events of the children. Yes, I’m speaking from experience.
Time for me to go, baby beckons and this nursing and typing with one hand is not working for me. I hope to be back soon with more pictures.
I Want To Be….
Join Us for Kids say the Darndest things
Rogation Day
May 11, 2010
"Rogation" comes from the Latin "rogare," which means "to ask," and these are days on which we seek to appease God’s anger, ask His mercy, avert His chastisements, and ask for His blessings, particularly with regard to farming, gardening, and other agricultural pursuits. ~FISHEATERS
Farmer & Field
The liturgy, during which the priest is vested in purple, begins with Psalm 43:26, which is followed by the Litany of the Saints. At the Litany’s "Sancta Maria," all stand and the procession begins, which in older times was usually around the border of the parish, giving to the procession the name of "beating the bounds."
The Litany is followed by Psalm 69, a series of petitions, and the Mass, with readings from James 5:16-20 and Luke 11:5-14.
~~~
In places where the Rogation Days are not kept, all Catholics should pray that God blesses the earth and renders it fruitful for us.
ROGATION FUN
Social Time With Father 
Animal Feeding
Cows Wanting to Join The Procession
New Life
Milking Cows
Animal Feeding II
Friends
Family In Shades
(following mom’s lead to fighting allergies)
Joyous Day
My Beloved Jesus,
On This Joyous Day,
I Have Been Given
The Opportunity To
Receive In Communion,
Your Body, Your Blood,
Your Spirit And
Your Supreme Divinity:
May I Prove Worthy And
Appreciative Of This Most
Scared Gift Bestowed.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
PRE COMMUNION
Sparkles had an early visit form her Nina & Nino (Godparents). Her Nina presented her with a special glass rosary that she has treasured for Sparkles since she was born.
Sparkles also received other special First Communion items from her Godparents; Gold Rosary, Gold Chalice, Prayer Cards and a custom veil.
Sparkles was delighted!
She was also thankful for all the prayers that were to be offered for her on her special day by her Nina. She was not able to attend Sparkles First Communion because she departed for a pilgrimage (on May 7) to the Shroud of Turin and other Holy ground.
Sparkles decided at the last minute not to wear her sister’s First Communion dress as earlier discussed. Rose was honored for Sparkles to wear her dress but was adamant that it only be for her First Communion not for general Sunday attire. When Sparkles inquired if a spare dress that I purchased earlier in the year could be used for “other Sundays, ” I knew she had her heart set. The dress is hers to wear freely as she chooses in celebration of her blessed day.
Sparkles requested that she go to the Sacrament of Penance one more time before receiving Our Lord in First Communion. Dad made a special appointment since traveling was not an option.
She was also managed to get an early First Communion breakfast with Father D and Dad.
BEFORE MASS
We arrived at church with plenty of time to spare. Sparkles gave thanks. She was anxious the entire week. She initiated and led a rosary on the way to church which is an hour drive.
Praise and thanksgiving for child-like faith.
enjoying the anticipation of receiving JESUS
proud dad
time for girl talk
ready….
MASS
Sparkles was not the first which meant she is no longer the smallest. This in itself yielded a smile.
Sparkles desired to wear her new necklace of St. Bernadette. I agreed but suggested that the necklace be tucked inside her dress. I noticed early on that the necklace worked it’s way out.
St. Bernadette pray for Sparkles. 
Father L recapped on what he instructed the First Communicants on during their lessons. He was able to reach the children in a way that we, their earthly parents can not.
Praise be to God for faithful Priests!
AFTER MASS
The children re-entered the church after Mass for their enrollment in the Brown Scapular.
O God, Who hast honored the Order of Carmel with the special title of Thy most Blessed Mother Mary, ever Virgin: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate her memory this day with solemn office, may be shielded by her protection and deserve to come to everlasting joys: Who livest and reignest.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal
CELEBRATION
JOYfilledfamily
This picture is the best we could do and I’m not complaining. No retakes needed for this 39 weeks pregnant mama.
mom (and baby G) ~ dad ~ papi ~ rose~ sweetie ~ sparkles
Rose & Sparkles
Papa & Nana
Papa and Nana were thrilled to have a personal invite from Sparkles. In fact, Sparkles gave personal invites to all her guests. Unfortunately, they and Father D were the only quests able to attend.
~~~
Dad and I later reflected on how Sparkles so graciously accepted this small cross, limited attendees to a glorious day. She is always putting others first and hardly every allows for a pity party. She focuses on the gifts before her and finds JOY in all things. This occasion was no different. Sure, she was saddened that her intimate guest list was dwindled down to 2 parties especially when one of them called in sick the morning of - but she did not get wrapped up in the details or focus on their absence. Instead she did what Sparkles usually does, offered a prayer for them and moved on JOYfully! Dad and I were touched by her example and continue to pray that this virtue flourish within her and spread through-out our family.
~~~
Papa & Nana do not attend our parish and are sometimes unsure of our willingness to travel so far for Mass and other parish functions. However, this day provided graces for everyone present.
They were exceptionally impressed with the reverence of all those in attendance, especially the new communicants. They couldn’t quite articulate all that they experienced but I got the jest of it.
We pray that Our Lord continues to work on their hearts along with all others who were present on this blessed day.
We were sure not to miss a photo opp with any one of our blessed priests. Thanks Evann for your reminder in your posting, More Traditions.
Father D ~ Father L ~ Father M
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had a nice intimate celebration with 22 First Communicants.
DEO GRATIAS
Communion Edition – Tile Necklaces
I wanted to do something special for my Little Flowers who were scheduled to receive their First Communion. Rose quickly prompted me to make tile necklaces. All of her friends loved the necklaces that they received for Christmas and wear them often.
I chose St. Therese to be the featured saint since she is the patron of our group.
I personalized the back with a First Communion picture and the date of their joyous day.
Lastly, Rose and I made simple rosary/necklace satchels for the gift and future use.
Sparkles had a more personalized necklace since I know her patron saint.
LINKED:
Share the JOY of your First Communicant. This can be a First Communion Post from this year or recent years past. It’s just a simple way to share your JOY and lift one another up in prayer.
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