7 Quick Takes

1. I have not posted anything of substance in a long time. My life has taken an interesting path. A very good friend, really a sister, has had her cancer return and last week she needed alot of support. Emotionally it has been a roller coaster for her and her husband, so I have also been there in some ways. Thankfully there is help from the community for all of the family's temporal needs. Another friend and I are there for the other needs.

2. Along with #1, I must say that my husband has been there every step with me, taking care of their children while I was in the hospital with them, listening to me, visiting with the family, even taking a recliner over for my friend since she can't sleep in her bed. He's a keeper.

3. Yesterday was 31 years that my husband and I started dating. I remember trying to convince my mother to allow us to be a couple. My sister, in a then very rare show of sisterly love told her to just go along with it as it "wouldn't last." My mother relented, so I am glad she said that but overjoyed she was wrong.

4. We are getting another priest which will necessitate rearranging our offices. Someone will have to move out into the office in the parish hall or the priests will have to share the pastor's office and the pastor will move into a smaller office. So far, we have no idea and we are all waiting with a bit of apprehension as to who will be displaced and if we'll all be happy with the decision.

5. I have missed being able to post, it is cathartic to let out the thoughts that free float around in my brain all day. I hope this weekend I'll have more time.

6. Starbucks has stopped carrying Chai tea bags. They are only serving Chai lattes, which are too sweet. Why did they do this? My husband suggested I bring my own Chai tea bag and just ask for hot water. Would this work ?
7. Tonight I am going to give a brief talk on my spiritual growth to our Ultreya group. This is a monthly Crusillo group. I hope all goes well.

More "Quick Takes" by clicking on the yellow post it note above!

Pentecost Novena, Day 9

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit


The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues be enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as the Fruits of the Holly Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.




Prayer


Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits. Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.




Our Father and Hail Mary once, Glory be to the Father Seven times




Act of Consecration
(see previous day please)

Godspell - Day By Day

Pentecost Novena, Day 8

The Gift of Wisdom
Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Pentecost Novena, Day 7

The Gift of Counsel
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Pentecost Novena, Day 6

The Gift of Understanding
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Prayer
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.


Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Pentecost Novena, Day 5

The Gift of Knowledge
The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it."
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.
Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Pentecost Novena, Day 4

The Gift of Fortitude
The Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."

Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Pentecost Novena, Day 3

The Gift of Piety
The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.
Prayer
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Pentecost Novena, Day 2

The Gift of Fear
The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

Prayer
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

7 Quick Takes

1. I have enjoyed my time off but the end is near. Wednesday I will go back to work. Hopefully I've benefited from this reprieve and can go back ready and on track. I still have a few days to work on it though, that's good!

2. If you have never done St. Ignatius Spiritual Exercises, take a look and consider it. Ignatian Spirituality is a useful place to begin discerning.

3. Please pray for my dear friend, D. Her cancer has returned after only four months and it is attacking with a vengeance. Her family is suffering with the strain of it all. Pray for physical and emotional healing.

4. I am excited that Pentecost is coming. Here are two novenas, Novena to the Holy Spirit and Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts to consider praying. I will be posting the each day's prayers for the latter as that is the novena I choose to pray.

5. I changed pharmacies and instead of ugly yellow prescription bottles, they use pretty blue ones. I suppose though, it is more important that the medicine works rather than the bottle color. My doctor switched me back to armour thyroid, which works well for me. I've been off of it for about ten months because it was not available for various unknown reasons. I hope this change does the trick to keep my numbers at the correct levels.

6. Here is a favorite Mary image and prayer.

The Memorare

Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought they intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence I fly onto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

7. Sorry, I've run out of profound thoughts. No wait, a cooking tip...there is no reason for weak coffee or mushy pasta.

For more quick takes, click on the Quick Takes logo!

Pentecost Novena, Day 1

Pray this novena and expect an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the apostles received at the first Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit
Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin· Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helps our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asks for us."

Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant hears." Amen.

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Spiritual Exercises, 2

I have not posted much since I have been working on the spiritual exercises. I have truly been so inside myself that it is difficult to put into words what I am learning and finding out about myself. It is very humbling to put yourself into the hands of Mary, Jesus, and the Father in prayer. Within the exercises you read scripture and imagine yourself into the scene. The two overriding words which kept coming to me were trust and humility.
++++++
"Look at the humility of God, pour yourself out before him.
Look at the humility of God, he who gave himself completely waits for all of you." St. Francis of Assisi, also a song by Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR
++++++

Questions to Pray About
What is my personal call?
What should I do for Christ?
Where am I to be to make a difference in the world?
++++++

Come Follow Me
Take A Step
Serve Like Jesus
They may be "sound bites" but they do sum up the Christian ideal. Jesus invites us to follow him, and the rewards and sufferings go hand-in-hand. The call to follow Jesus is integral in my life. It defines me as who I am as a person. Right now though, I feel as if I not taking a step with Jesus but have wandered off and am rather aimlessly going down a path. The question is where is he leading me or am I aimless because I don't accept I am on the right path. So, after more prayer and discernment, I do believe I am where I should be and so now, as a friend tells me, I must "embrace my mission." And it does make sense.
+++++

"Jesus still calls, acting intimately and powerfully in the life of each person who opens him/herself to his revealed word." For the Greater Glory of God, Fr. Manuel Ruiz Jurado

Pentecost

Yes, I know today is Ascension Thursday, and not Pentecost. But Pentecost will be celebrated in ten days on May 23 and tomorrow is the day to begin the Novena of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Why pray it? A few reasons: 1. It is a reminder to us of the time the apostles and Mary sat locked in the upper room after Jesus ascended to the Father. They spent that time in prayer. 2. Who does not need an infusion of the Holy Spirit? I know I do. If you don't think you need it, pray for someone who does. 3. It is the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. 4. When I pray it, Pentecost is personally more meaningful.

If you'd like to pray the Novena, you can check in here each day. If a printed version is better for you, EWTN has it available.

Sewing

When I am not reading, cooking, or writing, I frequently find myself sewing. This week my daughter has two new dresses to add to her wardrobe. I prefer the blue, it gave me much less trouble and turned out better. The brown though does look very nice on her, since the imperfections then are not as noticeable.

My Daughter

My daughter has been home from college since Sunday. She is going back Saturday with a car and her father. The car she is keeping, her father is needed only for the day so he can help her move into her apartment. This week fro some reason I have been so struck by who she is as a person. And I just love her. I mean, I have always loved her, from the moment I laid on eyes on the dark haired, screaming because she was hungry little baby laid in my arms. But now, as she moves further into becoming an adult, I am awed. And I told her so. I an struck by her lack of materialism, sense of responsibility, ability to make decisions and level headedness. She is also living out her faith and sharing it with others.

The other part of this that awes me is that she and I enjoy being together. I did not experience that with my own mother until I was much, much older. And even now, it is not always easy. So, sometimes, when we are out having lunch or shopping, I sit back and think how wonderful it is to have a daughter that blesses me by being who she is. Actually, I think about it often!

Spiritual Exercises

I have done St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises in the past, both times with others. Today I decided to do them again on my own. I have taken a little leave from work and so I have time. AS I read the book I am using, "For the Greater Glory of God, A Spiritual Retreat with St. Ignatius" by Manuel Ruiz Jurado, S.J., I prayed that the Holy Spirit would be present and help me enter into the questions and prayers. I also hoped my new answers would show some spiritual growth from January of '08.
I will post some questions from the exercises each day. If you are interested in learning more about Ignatian Spirituality this site sponsored by Loyola Press has many resources. There is also an on-line resource of the exercises themselves from Creighton University.

Catherine of Siena

I am reading "Catherine of Siena" by Sigrid Undset and it is amazing. She is an excellent writer with a fascinating topic. Catherine lived an extraordinary life.
She was one of twenty six children, many of whom died at or near birth and few who lived to adulthood. At the age of six she had an encounter with Jesus that profoundly changed her. She was an extremely obedient child until told she was to marry. Then, she cut off her hair! She begged and pleaded to be allowed to dedicate herself to the Lord. At nineteen she was received into the Sisters of Penitence, the Third Order of St. Dominic, even though the order typically was made up of married women or widows.
Her first three years were spent in seclusion in a small room in her parent's home, leaving only for Mass. She became a frequent communicant, though that was not usual for that time period.
For years, Catherine subsisted on the Eucharist as her main source of nourishment for both body and soul. She had bouts of illness during which Jesus would rouse her to go and take care of people in need. She nursed the sick and dying but also gave spiritual advice. A community sprang forth around her.
She was able to read people's souls, pull them from death's door, and convert hardened sinners with her prayers to God.
Her life amazes me. Her dedication to Jesus and complete obedience to him in all things humble me. She lived a life of asceticism for the sake of the kingdom. She inspires me to put my trust more fully in Jesus and turn over more of my life to him.

I am now getting into the section of the book where Catherine's involvement in church affairs begins. Stay tuned for more.

Pushing your Body

I have been noticing a trend with many of the women I know. So many are running 5Ks, mini-marathons, or half marathons. Some are in training for triathlete competitions or play on a sports team. Some are my age, some a bit younger and I wonder what is going on? I also wonder if I should be doing something too? I have stopped exercising and need to start again for many reasons. As a child and teen I never played organized team sports, only my brothers did even though there were girls teams available. In high school I tried to learn racquetball, but my hand eye coordination was awful. I really liked weight lifting and running. Well, when it didn't feel like icicles were in your chest when you were breathing hard, I liked running. I also, embarrassingly enough, liked aerobics class complete with leg warmers. I am OLD!
Okay, so now, this competing keeps popping up on Facebook with my friends. I am intrigued. Not that I am in any shape to run, but maybe I need to consider that I am not too old to become athletic. So what if up to now my favorite sport has been yoga.
Exercising is all about discipline and pushing yourself. I think that could be part of my personal growth, to see if even now, after a lifetime (almost) of a lack of pushing my body I can do something I've never done before.