Daily Updates
Pope Benedict XVI Emeritus announced The Year of Faith on October 16th 2011.
It began on October 11th 2012, and ends on November 24th 2013.
Ordained: May 16, 1964
Starting Saturday May 11th in preparation for the feast of Pentecost!
Catholic Prayer:
Novena to the Holy Spirit
The Novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the original novena, of which all other novenas are only imitations. Our Lord Himself instituted this novena when, on the day of His ascension, He sent His Apostles back to Jerusalem to pray for nine days that they might be ready on the tenth day, which was Pentecost, to receive the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
First Day Holy Spirit, Lord of light, From thy clear celestial height, Thy pure beaming radiance give.
Let us pray
O God who hast taught the hearts of thy faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Second Day Come thou father of the poor, Come with treasures which endure, Come thou light of all that live.
Let us pray
O Holy Spirit, thou father of the poor, come fill my poverty-stricken soul out of the plenty of thy eternal riches. Warn me, I beg thee, of every opportunity in my daily round of duty, to lay up treasures where no thief approacheth nor moth corrupteth, that I may enjoy them together with thee forever. Amen
Third Day Thou of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.
Let us pray
O Divine Consoler, and of all Comforters the best, to thee do we come in trouble and distress. Do thou, in the all-powerful name of Jesus, our Redeemer, and out of love for Mary, our sorrowful Mother and thy chaste Spouse, come to our assistance and comfort us in all our trials and tribulations. Amen
Fourth Day Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, Solace in the midst of woe.
Let us pray
O God, who didst give the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, grant to thy people the effect of their pious prayers, that on those to whom thou hast given grace, thou mayest also bestow peace. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
Fifth Day Light immortal, light divine, Visit thou these hearts of thine And our inmost being fill.
Let us pray
May the Paraclete, who proceedeth from thee, enlighten our minds, we beseech thee, O Lord; and even as thy Son hath promised, may he lead us into all truth. Amen
Sixth Day If thou take thy grace away, Nothing pure in man will stay; All his good is turned to ill.
Let us pray
Send down, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit in his might, to the merciful purifying of our hearts and to our sure deliverance from all danger. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen
Seventh Day Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour thy dew; Wash the stains of guilt away.
Let us pray
Burn up, O Lord, our reins and our hearts in the fire of the Holy Spirit; that chaste of body and clean of heart, our service may be well pleasing to thee. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen
Eighth Day Bend the stubborn heart and will, Melt the frozen, warm the chill, Guide the steps that go astray.
Let us pray
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our hearts; give to all peoples the brightness of thy light, that they may be well pleasing to thee in unity of faith. Amen
Ninth Day Thou on those who evermore, Thee confess and thee adore, In they sevenfold gift descend.
Give them comfort when they die Give them life with thee on high, Give them joys which never end.
Let us pray
Send down upon us, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, that, inspired and encouraged by him, we may comply with the duties of our state, carry our daily crosses patiently, and grow daily in Christian perfection. Grant us, we beseech thee through the same Divine Spirit, the intentions of this novena or what is most conducive to our eternal salvation and they glory. Amen
Liturgical Year : Prayers : Novena to the Holy Spirit – Catholic Culture
Gospel Jn 21:20-25
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
MAY 17
Optional Memorial of St. John I, pope and martyr
Old Calendar: St. Venantius, martyr
John I was elected Pope in 523. The Arian King Theodoric sent him as his ambassador to Emperor Justin in Constantinople. On John I’s return, he was captured by the king, who was displeased at the outcome of the embassy, and cast him into prison at Ravenna where he died a few days later. As pope he was responsible for introducing the Alexandrian computation of the date of Easter; it came to be accepted throughout the West.
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Venantius, who was born at Camerino in Umbria, and was led at the age of fifteen before Antiochus, governor of the town under the Emperor Decius. He was made to suffer cruel torments, but angels came and assisted him. His tormentors were touched with repentance by his constancy and many were converted. He was beheaded around the year 250. His body lies at Camerino in the church dedicated to him. St. John I’s feast in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on May 27.
St. John I
This Tuscan was destined to be glorified not only during his lifetime but after his death as well. Although peace with the East had been restored, a suspicious Theodoric grumbled in his castle at Ravenna. An Arian, the king saw the new friendliness between East and West as a serious threat to his reign. To further alarm him, Emperor Justin had reinstated the laws against heretics, Arians included, and had embarked on a campaign of confiscating churches and excluding heretics from public office, causing many Arians to abandon their faith. Infuriated, Theodoric summoned John to Ravenna and ordered him to head a delegation to the orthodox emperor to ask that the persecution stop and allow forced converts to return to Arianism. At first John refused, then fearing that the king’s wrath would be taken out on Western Catholics, he agreed to do Theodoric’s bidding on every count save one. He boldly told the king that he would not ask the emperor to allow converts to return to heresy.
The pope arrived in Constantinople shortly before Easter in 526, and since he was the first pope to leave Italy, his reception was more than he could have dreamed. He had been met by the entire city at the twelfth milestone, where the clergy led the procession carrying candles and crosses, and even the emperor prostrated himself before the Holy Father. 
The day of Easter, John was seated in a throne higher than the one occupied by the patriarch, in the church of Sancta Sophia, where he celebrated Mass in the Latin tradition. John was accorded the highest honor when he placed the customary Easter crown on the head of Emperor Justin.
After meeting with Justin on Theodoric’s behalf, the pope made the exhausting trip back to Ravenna. The king’s fury raged. Jealous of the pope’s grand reception in the East, Theodoric accused the pope of failing his mission by not securing all of the demands put to Justin. The king then ordered John to remain in Ravenna at his disposal. The aged pope was spent; the prospects before him were dismal. Already ailing, Pope John died and was hastily buried outside the castle walls. Pope John’s body was exhumed and on May 27, 526, was returned to Rome and placed in the nave of St. Peter’s.
— Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett
St. Venantius
When still a boy of fifteen, Venantius was martyred for his faith in his native city under the Emperor Decius (249-251). With heroic steadfastness he endured many and unspeakably cruel tortures. According to legend, he was scourged, burned with torches and hung headfirst over a smoking fire. He was then thrown to the lions; while they lay like lambs at his feet, he preached the Gospel to the people. This induced many pagans to accept the faith. Finally he was beheaded.
— Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.
Patron: Camerino, Italy.
Symbols: Roman armour; banner; plan of Camerino; fountain.
Often portrayed as: Young man crucified upside-down with smoke coming from his head; young man holding the citadel of Camerino; young man holding the city of Camerino, a palm, and a book; young man with a banner holding a city wall.
John 21:20-25
Saint John I, Pope and Martyr
“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’” (John 21:21)
Didn’t Peter have a right to wonder what would happen to John? After all, Jesus had asked him to pastor the infant Church, beginning with the apostles. But Jesus gently rebuked Peter. “If I want him to remain until I come, what concern is it of yours?” Only one thing mattered: “You follow me” (John 21:22).
We too are often tempted to wonder about others.
“Lord, what about my mother, who has lived such a holy life? You may be ready to welcome her into heaven, but I don’t want to say good-bye just yet!”
“Be at peace. I’m working out my perfect plan for your mother and for you. Are there things you need to say or ask her before that time? Focus your attention there.”
“Lord, what about that man I so often pass begging on the street corner?”
“Don’t turn away as if you don’t see him. Know that I love him, and look on him with compassion. Bless him in your heart, and look carefully to see if there’s anything you should do to help.”
“Lord, what about my fellow parishioner who seems to be good at everything?”
“Guard your heart against envy. Be grateful when you are invited to work alongside him. Be alert to his hidden needs and concerns, and pray for him, even if you think he’s got it all together.”
“Lord, what about my neighbor, who seems so wounded by his divorce that he has stopped going to Church?”
“I have him in the palm of my hand. I understand his pain and anger. His story isn’t finished yet, and I may have a part for you to play. But for now, just stay close to me, and pray for him. When the time comes, you’ll know what to do.”
“Lord, your sheep are all so different!”
“That’s right. And I love each one in a unique way. Set your heart on loving me, entrust others to me, and I’ll show you the way.”
“Jesus, I want to follow you with all my heart. Show me the way!”
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11:4-5, 7
Month of May
The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary. The first 19 days of the month fall within the liturgical season of Easter, which is represented by the liturgical color white — the color of light, a symbol of joy, purity and innocence (absolute or restored). The remainder of the month (beginning the Monday after Pentecost) is in Ordinary Time which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection.
The Eight Beatitudes form the core of the Christian life. As Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., writes in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, they are the “promises of happiness made by Christ to those who faithfully accept his teaching and follow his divine example.” That happiness is not in the future but now for those who conform their lives to Christ.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”
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“You can reach heaven
from any place on earth.”
St. Samthann
Feast Days and Holy Days of Obligation for 2013
The Holy Days of Obligation are the days (outside of Sundays) on which Catholics gather together to celebrate the mysteries of our faith as a community. This “obligation” is familial because we are responsible as a family of faith in mutually supporting one another. Gathering together in our parishes and communities on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation helps us to “encourage one another and build one another up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Holy Days for 2013*
- Tuesday, January 1, 2013 - Mary, Mother of God – a holy day of obligation
- Sunday, May 12, 2013 - Ascension of the Lord – a holy day of obligation
- Thursday, August 15, 2013 - Assumption of Mary – a holy day of obligation
- Friday, November 1, 2013 - All Saints – a holy day of obligation
- Monday, December 9, 2013 - Immaculate Conception – transferred to Monday, not a holy day of obligation
- Wednesday, December 25, 2013 - Christmas – always a holy day
- Wednesday, January 1, 2014 - Mary, Mother of God – a holy day of obligation
*Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.
Other important liturgical days:
- Ash Wednesday: February 13, 2013
- Palm Sunday: March 24, 2013
- Holy Thursday: March 28, 2013
- Good Friday: March 29, 2013
- Easter Sunday: March 31, 2013
- Pentecost Sunday: May 19 , 2013
- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: Sunday, June 2, 2013
- The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: Friday, June 7, 2013
- First Sunday of Advent: December 1, 2013
“Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory! Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you…”
BOOK OF TOBIT 12:6
Powerful Daily Prayer
This is the famous painting about a famous prayer:
In this 19th century work by the French painter Jean-Francois Millet, a farming couple prays the Angelus.
the “Angelus”
This prayer is well suited to the artist’s subject matter: two humble people paying homage to our Lord and His Blessed Mother in the Hail Mary, as well as in Gospel verses recalling His Incarnation as the Word entered the World. Its name comes from its opening words in Latin, “Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.”
This wonderful prayer evolved from a recitation of three Hail Mary’s following an evening bell around the 12th century to its present form (with morning and midday recitations) in the 16th century.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
May the Divine assistance remain always with us and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
When prayed in a group setting a leader recites the verses and everyone recites both the responses and the Hail Mary’s in between each verse, as shown above.
Although the Angelus has been traditionally said three times daily, at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, you can pray it at anytime especially at NOON. It is still accompanied by the ringing of a bell (the Angelus bell) in some places such as Vatican City and parts of Germany and Ireland.
Suggestion: Set the alarm on your cell phone for 12:00 noon, to remind you to stop the busyness of the world for a moment to pray this powerful prayer.
A PRAYER BY ALPHONSUS LIGUORI
BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
My LORD Jesus Christ, Who because of Your love for men remain night and day in the Blessed Sacrament, full of pity and of love, awaiting, calling and welcoming all who come to visit You, I believe that You are present here on the altar. I adore You, and I thank You for all the graces You have bestowed on me, especially for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me Your most holy Mother Mary to plead for me, and for having called me to visit You in this church.
I now salute Your most loving Heart, and that for three ends: first, in thanksgiving for this great gift; secondly, to make amends to You for all the outrages committed against You in this Sacrament by Your enemies; thirdly, I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are present in the Blessed Sacrament and in which You are least honored and most abandoned.
My Jesus, I love You with my whole heart. I am very sorry for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness. With the help of Your grace, I purpose never to offend You again. And now, unworthy though I am, I consecrate myself to You without reserve. I renounce and give entirely to You my will, my affection, my desires and all that I possess. For the future, dispose of me and all I have as You please.
All I ask of You is Your holy love, final perseverance and that I may carry out Your will perfectly. I recommend to You the souls in Purgatory, especially those who had the greatest devotion to
the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to You all poor sinners.
Finally, my dear Saviour, I unite all my desires with the desires of Your most loving Heart; and I offer them, thus united, to the Eternal Father, and beseech Him, in Your name and for love of You, to accept and grant them. Amen.
The Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
Love is the flower,
Mercy is the Fruit.
Jesus, believe in me as I believe in You. (petition)
So I can continue to walk on reaching out to others. Amen.
“Try always to advance more in charity; enlarge your heart with confidence for the divine gifts which the Holy Spirit is anxious to pour into it.” St. Padre Pio
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ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA
is often called the Lily of the Mohawks. Born in 1656 near modern-day Auriesville, NY, Kateri converted to Christianity as a teenager. Rebuked by her tribe for her new faith, she fled to Canada, where she spent the rest of her short life living within a Christian mission. Vowed to chastity and devoted particularly to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Holy Cross, Kateri spent long hours in church conversing prayerfully with her Savior. A serious illness toward the end of her life allowed Kateri to conform herself more perfectly to Christ Crucified. Finally succumbing to her illness, Kateri died peacefully just before her 24th birthday.
Pope John Paul II beatified Kateri in 1980, making her the first Native American to receive this honor. On December 19, 2011, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVl signed a decree acknowledging a miracle attributed to the intervention of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, (1656-1680) the first native North American to be raised to sainthood. She was canonized on October 21, 2012.
As a side note, “Kateri” is a French-Indian derivation of “Catherine.” When she was baptized, Kateri took St. Catherine of Siena as her heavenly patron.
Home Page – Kateri Shrine – Fonda, NY
“Make yourself familiar with the Angels, and behold
them frequently in spirit.
Without being seen, they are present with you.”
St. Francis de Sales
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PRAYER TO THE INFANT OF PRAGUEO Infant of Prague, who said, “The more you honor me, the more I will bless you,” give us the strength to bear the burden of daily life in this sinful world. Give us a firm purpose of amendment and a resolve to lead a better life. Help us endure our afflictions and sorrows with patience and courage. Finally, O beloved Infant King if it be your will grant my petition (mention petition here). But whatever you choose, give me the strength to submit to your will in all things. Amen.
HEALING PRAYERLORD, JESUS CHRIST, I AM DEEPLY SORRY FOR MY SINS. HAVE MERCY ON ME. In Your name, JESUS, I ask You for the grace to forgive myself. I ask your forgiveness for hurting others. I ask for the grace to forgive all those who have hurt me in this life, and especially the one person who has hurt me the most. I renounce forever Satan, ALL the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self Lord JESUS, now and forever, you are my Lord, God, SAVIOR AND REDEEMER. Please heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, mind and spirit for my greater service in Your Kingdom. Allow me to lead other souls to You through my good example. JESUS I trust in you! Come Lord JESUS, cover me with Your most precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I praise You, I thank You, I glorify Your name, JESUS. I love You JESUS WITH MY WHOLE HEART, SOUL, MIND, BODY AND MY WHOLE BEING. O’ Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with Holy Raphael the Archangel and all the holy Angels and Saints, pray for us! Amen.
For those who believe in God no explanation is necessary.For those who do not believe in God no explanation is possible.Prologue to The Song of Bernadette.
Holy Raphael says in Chapter 12 in the
BOOK OF TOBIT 12:7-10
7 A king’s secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.
8 Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold;
- 10 but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies.
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Rosary Meditation: to Jesus thru Mary
4th sorrowful mystery in the Domincan rosary Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross.
4th sorrow on the Servite Rosary Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross.
4th Station of the Cross: Jesus meets Mary
“Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”
- “Praise the Lord, who is so good!” (Psalm 136:1)
The A-B-C’s of DIVINE MERCY
A- Ask for Mercy
B- Be Merciful
C- Completely trust in JESUS
“Guard your eyes that they may not look upon anything contrary to purity; your ears, that they may not listen to evil conversation; your mind, by banishing from it all suggestive thoughts; your heart, by stifling impure desires at their very birth.”
– St. John Baptist de la Salle
USCCB – (NAB) – New American Bible
Jesus is performing His miracles today as he did when He walked the face of this earth. The following are His documented miracles 2000 years ago. Go to our Testimonial page to read some of His healing miracles today through the intercession of the Holy Archangel Raphael.
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MIRACLES OF JESUS CHRIST Healing Miracles
Other Miracles
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We must work in the Vineyard and not return to GOD
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with empty hands!
- To feed the hungry;
- To give drink to the thirsty;
- To clothe the naked;
- To visit the imprisoned;
- To visit the sick;
- To shelter the homeless;
- To bury the dead.
- To instruct the ignorant;
- To counsel the doubtful;
- To admonish the sinner;
- To bear wrongs patiently;
- To forgive offences willingly;
- To comfort the sorrowful;
- To pray for the living and the dead.
Preparatory Prayer
O most merciful Jesus, with a contrite heart and penitent spirit, I bow down in profound humility before Thy divine majesty. I adore Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee above all things. I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, my Supreme and Only God. I resolve to amend my life, and although I am unworthy to obtain mercy, yet the sight of Thy cross, on which Thou didst die, inspires me with hope and consolation. I will, therefore, meditate on Thy Passion in company with Thy sorrowful Mother and my guardian angel, with the intention of promoting Thy honor and saving my soul.
I desire to gain all the indulgences granted for for this holy exercise for myself and for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. O merciful Redeemer, who has said, “And I, if I be lifted from the earth, will draw all things to Myself”, draw my heart and my love to Thee, that I may perform this devotion as perfectly as possible, and that I may live and die in union with Thee.
Amen.
| Station 1 | Jesus Is Condemned To Death |
| Station 2 | Jesus Is Made To Carry His Cross |
| Station 3 | Jesus Falls The First Time |
| Station 4 | Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother |
| Station 5 | Simon Of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross |
| Station 6 | Veronica Wipes The Face Of Jesus |
| Station 7 | Jesus Falls The Second Time |
| Station 8 | The Women Of Jerusalem Weep Over Jesus |
| Station 9 | Jesus Falls The Third Time |
| Station 10 | Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments |
| Station 11 | Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross |
| Station 12 | Jesus Is Raised Upon The Cross And Dies |
| Station 13 |
Jesus Taken Down From The Cross And Placed In The Arms Of His Mother |
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Jesus Is Laid In The Sepulcher |
For Roman Catholics throughout the world, the Stations of the Cross are synonymous with Lent, Holy Week and, especially, Good Friday. This devotion is also known as the “Way of the Cross”, the “Via Crucis”, and the “Via Dolorosa.” It commemorates 14 key events on day of Christ’s crucifixion. The majority concern His final walk through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying the Cross. The Stations originated in medieval Europe when wars prevented Christian pilgrims from visiting the Holy Land. European artists created works depicting scenes of Christ’s journey to Calvary. The faithful installed these sculptures or paintings at intervals along a procession route, inside the parish church or outdoors. Performing the devotion meant walking the entire route, stopping to pray at each “station.”
Today, images of the Stations (or simple crosses representing them) are on display in almost all Catholic churches. They serve mainly as a focus for Lenten worship services. But the Stations can also be performed privately, at any time of the year, even at home. Many organizations offer free or inexpensive, illustrated pamphlets for this purpose.
PRAYER T0 IMPLORE FAVORS THROUGH
JOHN PAUL II, POPE
graced the Church with Blessed John Paul
II and for allowing the tenderness of Your
Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of
Christ, and the splender of the Spirit of love,
to shine through him. Trusting fully in
Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession
of Mary, he has given us a living
image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has
shown us that holiness is the necessary
measure of ordinary Christian life and is
the way of achieving eternal communion
with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and
according to Your will, the graces we implore,
hoping that he will soon be numbered
among Your saints. Amen.
AGOSTINO CARD. VALLINI
Vicar General of His Holiness
for the Diocese of Rome
For graces received, contact:
Postulazione della Causa di Canonizzazione
del Beato Giovanni Paolo II
Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano, 6/a – 00184 Roma
Totus Tuus
