World Day of Prayer for the Sick

February 11th is the annual World Day for the Sick. After our nine-day novena to Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, we arrive at the Feast of Our Lady under the title "Our Lady of Lourdes" today. Our Lady of Lourdes, patron of the sick, pray for us sinners.

Today please pray for the sick, visit them in a hospital, or visit them in a nursing home. Please continue to pray for the healing for our physical and spiritual illnesses, and may Our Lady of Lourdes, Mary Most Holy, join us in prayer to her Divine Son.

Prayer to St. Camillus de Lellis for the Sick Poor 

O glorious Saint Camillus, special patron of the sick poor, thou who for forty years, with truly heroic charity, didst devote thyself to the relief of their temporal and spiritual necessities, be pleased to assist them now even more generously, since thou art blessed in heaven and they have been committed by Holy Church to thy powerful protection. Obtain for them from Almighty God the healing of all their maladies, or, at least, the spirit of Christian patience and resignation that they may sanctify them and comfort them in the hour of their passing to eternity; at the same time obtain for us the precious grace of living and dying after thine example in the practice of divine love. Amen.

Indulgences for World Day of Prayer for the Sick:

Please read up on the many ways to gain a plenary indulgence today which EWTN has made available from the Vatican. Part of that document states the following on today's indulgences:

"[A] Plenary Indulgence will be granted "to the faithful who, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Holy Father), and with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, participate on February 11 at the cathedral of Adelaide, or at any other place decided by the ecclesiastical authorities, in a sacred ceremony held to beseech God to grant the goals of the World Day of the Sick."

The decree continues: "The faithful who, in public hospitals or in private houses, like 'Good Samaritans' charitably assist the sick -especially those with mental problems who require greater patience, care and attention -and who, because of the service they provide, cannot participate in the aforementioned ceremony, will obtain the same gift of Plenary Indulgence if on that day they generously provide, at least for a few hours, their charitable assistance to the sick as if they were tending to Christ the Lord Himself,with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the conditions required for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence."

The faithful who, "through sickness, old age or similar reason, are prevented from participating in the aforementioned ceremony, may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the conditions required, they spiritually participate together with the Holy Father in the aforesaid ceremony, pray devotedly for the sick, and offer - through the Virgin Mary 'Health of the Sick' - their physical and spiritual sufferings to God."

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Gallon of Milk

I got this truly inspirational story in my inbox today. Let me know your feelings. I found great comfort and peace in reading it:

Gallon of Milk

"A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The priest had spoken about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God...If you still speak to people speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

"Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street." This is crazy he thought and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will."

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed. Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."

The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are in bed and asleep, and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid."

Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk. Finally, he opened the door. "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here. He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and t-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk. "Here I brought this to you."

The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway, speaking loudly. Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen, the man following her, holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half-crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk." His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I asked him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?" The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put it in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He now had no doubt that God still answers prayers. "

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Pro-life action needed in Australia

I doubt many readers here are from Australia, but I have been following the legislature there. And, unfortunately, their senate, in a 45-28 vote, passed a bill that would legalize the abortion drug RU-486.

This abortion drug must not be made legal! Abortion is murder. Referring to RU 486, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said, "It’s a pill that brings death. That’s strange medicine."

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2319 - Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.
2322 - From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.
2323 - Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.

Let us pray that this abortion drug will not pass their House of Representatives. The Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, is expeceted to vote against the legalization of the drug.

Read more on the news from Life News. For General information on this murderous "medicine" see this site.

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Last day of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Today is the Last Day of this Novena. Please join me in praying today, and if you are also completing the Novena today, please let me know.

Novena (Feb 2-10):

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted,you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy.

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession.Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.

Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)

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Prayer Request: Joan Pruitt & Bridget Calamari

Would you please join me today and begin to pray for all of the sick that have asked for prayers. Please add these two people to your prayers. I received this email this morning:

I am requesting that you all keep in your prayers 2 very dear and wonderful friends who are suffering terribly at this time. The first, Joan Pruitt, has a severely debilitating back and neck condition which keeps her wheelchair-bound for the most part. She is a diabetic and will be undergoing surgery on her neck on Feb 21st (my deceased mother's birthday--a good sign!) and I would like to ask that, on that early morning you recite the prayer I always say on the occasion of a difficult surgery. Please ask your guardian angel to fly to the tomb of Padre Pio and request his intervention--that he will ask Jesus to guide the hands of the surgeon for Joan Pruitt. The surgeon's name is Marc Arginteanu.

Secondly, a dear friend, Bridget Calamari, who has been battling cancer for at least 7 years and doing well, has just learned that the cancer, despite aggressive treatments, has spread to her lymphatic system.

The Lord healed so many with His very touch. But above all, people were healed according to their faith. Let us pray for the Lord's forgiveness and mercy as well. For it was through sin that death and suffering entered the world.

"Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner"

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Is your Spiritual Life Burdened by Distractions?

If your like most of us including myself, you would have said "yes". It's rather hard at time to live an entire day for Christ. Try to live one day without committing any sins at all. It's certainly not easy.

I hope to begin a series of posts at this blog centered on ways and suggestions of living a Christ-centered life in today's world. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

But until I make those posts, Catholic Culture has a good piece on it entitled "The Cacaphony of Life"

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8th Day of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

We are nearing the end of this novena, so please keep praying. With so many ill people lately, we desperately need Mary's intercession for our healing. May the Lord heal us. Our Lady of Lourdes is the patron for those who are ill. Please join me in praying for the sick.

Novena (Feb 2-10):

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted,you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy.

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession.

Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)

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Hospital Update

Thank you everyone who has been praying for my father and sister, who were in the hospital. Both are home right now and both of the are improving. My father still has to undergo some tests, so please pray keep praying for him.

Thank you

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St. Alphonsus Liguori's Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament

My Lord Jesus Christ, for the love which You bear to men, You remain night and day in this Sacrament full of compassion and of love, awaiting, calling, and welcoming all who come to visit You. I believe that You are present in the Sacrament of the Altar:

I adore You from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank You for all the graces which You have bestowed upon me and in particular for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me your holy Mother Mary for my advocate, and for having called me to visit You in this chapel. I now salute Your most loving Heart: and this for three ends:

1. In thanksgiving for this great gift;
2. To make amends to You for all the outrages which You receive in this Sacrament from all Your enemies;
3. I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are the least revered and the most abandoned.

My Jesus, I love You with all my heart. I grieve for having so many times offended Your infinite goodness. I promise with Your grace never more to offend You in the future. Now, miserable and unworthy though I be, I consecrate myself to You without reserve; I give You my entire will, my affections, my desires, and all that I possess. From now on dispose of me and of all that I have as You please.

All that I ask of You and desire is Your holy love, final perseverance, and the perfect accomplishment of Your will. I recommend to You the souls in purgatory; but especially those who had the greatest devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I also recommend to You all poor sinners. My dear Saviour, I unite all my affections with the affections of Your most loving Heart; and I offer them, thus united, to Your eternal Father, and beseech Him in Your name to vouchsafe, for Your love, to accept them. Amen.

*For those non-Catholics: The Blessed Sacrament (called the Eucharist) is truly the Body, blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is not a symbol but is Jesus. For more information, please see this post.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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The Purpose of Life

A reflection that came upon me today:

The very aim our our lives is to know and love God. In humbling ourselves and experiencing the most radical poverty, we unite ourselves deeper with Our Lord, who became for us all a prison of love. And only through the door of the Cross can we escape our prison of sin and into the loving arms of Our Father, who ransomed us by His own blood.

Many people ask what is love. But I must clarify that love is a person - His name is Jesus Christ.

There comes a time as we journey in life when we realize the utter beauty of our faith. Know that Christ loves you! It was for you that He died. As his hands, which healed so many, and his feet, which walked on water, where pierced with steel, He was thinking and loving you. Only in seeking to become united with Him through faith and the sacraments do we experience an inner love unlike any other. For God is love. Think sit and think about that...God is love.

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