Prayers for Our Catholic Priests
Reflections
Contemplation is not always easy, but sometimes it is exactly what we need after a day of Go, Go, Go. Also, it is a good way to learn more about our Faith and about God. Mary has become Queen of Angels and Saints, yet she says very little in the Gospels. When she does speak in Luke 2:48, she listens to her Son's answer... seemingly not an answer at all, for she didn't understand what He said. She accepted the answer though, for it was God who spoke and He would enlighten her if He chose. Instead of insisting on another answer, she "kept all these words in her heart." Maybe Mary will help us in our contemplation if we ask. Here are a few of my reflections:
Short Reflection on the Angelus
The Angelus prayer, like all Catholic prayers, is far richer if you contemplate the meaning behind the words. In a personal contemplation, here is what I found in the Angelus.
The Angelus is the story of the wonder of Christmas, when a most full and complete "yes," the "yes" of the most pure and holy woman, led to the coming of the Saviour. This is also the story of how God works wonders through us if we let Him. Mary's "yes" was the supreme example, but through God's grace, we too can allow God to work wonders in our life. In the prayer of the Angelus we ask Mary to pray for us to follow her example. We ask for the grace to say "yes" to God's Will and to place our trust completely in Him
The sign of the cross is is a powerful weapon against evil. While we call upon the Name of God most holy in the three Divine Persons, we cross ourselves with the sign of our salvation! One can just imagine the devils running in fright when we say just one sign of the cross devoutly. God has also granted so many graces from this simple prayer
"When you pray Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now....., the Blessed Mother comes instantly to your side to pray with you. And she does not come alone. She brings angels with her. And not just one or two for she is the Queen of Angels, so choirs of angels come with her. And she and Jesus are joined at the heart and cannot be separated so she brings Jesus with her. And Jesus cannot be separated from the Trinity so He brings the Father and the Holy Spirit with Him. And where the Holy Trinity is all of creation is and you are surrounded by such beauty and light as you cannot imagine in this life. Your Mother comes as Our Lady of Grace with her hands out-stretched. Rays of light emit from her hands piercing your body, healing you and filling you with graces. This is your inheritance which was poured out from the heart of Jesus on the Cross, when the centurion pierced His Heart with the spear, into the only pure vessel ready to receive such graces at that time,Your Mother. Now as you pray the Rosary, or even just recite one Hail Mary, you receive your portion of these graces."He also said at this time, "Anyone who goes to Mary and prays the Rosary cannot be touched by Satan." Is it any wonder that anyone who prays the Rosary from the heart is so blessed and protected and powerful in their prayers for others?"
Father Gabriel Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican
http://christianbooksmalaysia.myshopify.com/blogs/frontpage/1994242-good-reasons-for-praying-the-rosary-often
An important prayer which many of us, including myself, do not usually say properly: the Sign of the Cross. The Sign of the Cross is said at the beginning and end of Mass, night or morning prayers, etc. The sign of the cross said devoutly has been the cause of many miracles. St Francis of Assisi healed a paralytic with a simple sign of the cross. St. Hyacinth made the sign of the cross over a fast flowing stream when he needed to cross in order to protect a statue of Mary and the Holy Eucharist from desecration; he then walked on the water like it was dry ground. St. Benedict made the Sign of the Cross over a glass of poisoned wine; the glass shattered. St. Padre Pio blessed almond trees infested with caterpillars; the next day the caterpillars were gone, but the trees looked like sticks; amazingly enough, the harvest was the most abundant ever. Maybe we should try to say the sign of the cross more devoutly.
St. Louis Marie de Montfort said that one Hail Mary said properly is better than a whole rosary. What than is praying properly?
According to the Baltimore Catechism, we should pray:
First, with attention;
second, with a conviction of our own helplessness and our dependence upon God;
third, with a great desire for the graces we beg of Him;
fourth, with loving trust in His goodness;
fifth, with perseverance.
