The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

"Mary lived in the divine Eucharist, the center of her love. All her thoughts, words and actions sprang from It like the rays from the sun."
(St. Peter Julian Eymard)

Today - February 17 - we remember the Seven Founders of the Order of Servites, who had an intense devotion to Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows. Please pray the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary today.

The Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary:

"This devotion was originated in the thirteenth century It recalls the Sorrows the Virgin Mother of God endured in compassion for the suffering and death of her Divine Son. The Seven Sorrows rosary consists of seven Hail Marys For each of the seven Sorrows. One Our Father is said before each group of seven Hail Marys: which ore separated by a medal. On the three beads of the rosary at the end three Hail Marys are said in honor of the Tears of Our Sorrowful Mother. While reciting the prayers meditate upon.

1. Prophecy of Simeon - reflect on and sympathize in the sorrow of our Blessed Lady, when she presented her Divine Child in the Temple, and heard from the aged Simeon that a sword of grief should pierce her soul on His account.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

2. Flight into Egypt - reflect on her sorrow when, to escape the cruelty of King Herod, she was forced to fly into Egypt with St. Joseph and her beloved Child.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

3. Three-day Separation from Jesus in Jerusalem - reflect on her grief, when, in returning from Jerusalem she perceived that she had lost her dear Jesus, whom she sought sorrowing during three days.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

4. Meeting Christ on the Road to Calvary - reflect on her meeting her Divine Son, all bruised and mangled, carrying His cross to Calvary, and seeing Him fall under His heavy weight.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus Christ - reflect on her standing by when her Divine Son was lifted up on the cross, and the blood flowed in streams from His sacred wounds.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

6. Our Lord is Taken Down from the Cross (Pieta) - reflect on her sorrow, when her Divine Son was taken down from the cross, and she received Him into her arms.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

7. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is Buried in the Tomb - contemplate her following His sacred body, as it was borne by Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, to the sepulcher, enclosed there, and hidden from her sight.
Our Father, Seven Hail Mary's

3 Hail Mary's in honor of the Sorrowful tears of Our Lady

V. Pray for us, O most Sorrowful Virgin
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, we now implore, both for the present and for the hour of our death, the intercession of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, whose holy soul was pierced at the time of Thy Passion by a sword of grief. Grant us this favor, O Savior of the world, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen."

(Source: Catholic Culture)

Image Source: Image believed to be in the Public Domain

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Seven First Fathers of the Order of Servites

Greater Double (1954 Calendar): February 12
Optional Memorial (1969 Calendar): February 17

Today the Church remembers the Seven First Fathers of the Order of Servites from the 13th Century. As Dom Gueranger relates, "February 11, the day first chosen as their common feast, is not the anniversary of the death of any one of them, but the day on which, in the year 1304, after passing through many vicissitudes, their Order obtained the definitive approbation of the Church."

In the mid-13th Century, morals were low and religion seemed nearly meaningless in the political city of Florence. In 1233, seven men from that city decided to form into a small group and go off to a silent place to serve God direct. The Order was founded that day on the Feast of the Assumption as Mary appeared to the seven men. As such, the Blessed Virgin Mary has always been held as the founder of the Order, which was established with these seven first members.  Two of them were widowers and two were still married and brought their families to live together in faith.

They meant to live in solitude, but the group was continually disturbed by visitors. They all left Florence and went to Monte Senario. In 1244, under the direction of St. Peter of Verona, O.P., this group adopted a religious habit similar to the Dominicans and chose to live in accord with the Rule of St. Augustine. They adopted the name of the Servants of Mary.

The men were beatified on December 1, 1717, and canonized in 1887. The original founders were the following:

1. Saint Alexis Falconieri
2. Saint Bartholomew degli Amidei
3. Saint Benedict dell'Antella
4. Saint Buonfiglio Monaldi
5. Saint Gherardino Sostegni
6. Saint Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni
7. Saint John Buonagiunta Monetti

Learn how to pray the special Servite Rosary today.

The Traditional Divine Office lessons at Matins for this day recount their lives:

When in the thirteenth century the most cultured peoples of Italy were divided by factions, and the schism fostered by Frederic 11, the merciful providence of God raised up many persons remarkable for their holiness, among whom were seven noble Florentines whose union of spirit gave to the world a striking example of fraternal love. They were Bonfilius Monaldi, Bonagiunta Manetti, Manettus dell' Antella, Amadeus de Amadei, Hugo Lippi, Gerard Sostegni, and Alexis Falconieri. The Mother of God appeared to each of them on the feast of her Assumption, 1233, when they were praying fervently in the Chapel of the pious Confraternity of the Laudesi, and exhorted them to embrace a more perfect life. They took counsel with the Bishop of Florence, and at once bade farewell to their wealth and rank, clothing themselves in hair cloth and old and ragged garments. On September 8 they established themselves in a humble retreat outside the city, desiring to begin their new life on the day when the Mother of God began her own most holy life upon earth. 

God showed by a miracle that their resolution was pleasing to him. One day shortly afterwards, when all seven were begging from door to door in Florence, they were hailed by the voices of children, among whom was St. Philip Benizi, then only five months old, as the “Servants of Mary,” which was for the future to be their title. This prodigy and their love of solitude led them to choose Monte Senario as a place of retreat, that thus they might avoid great concourse of people. Their life was truly heavenly. They lived in caves, took no food but herbs and water, and subdued their bodies by vigils and penances. The Passion of Christ and the Dolours of his afflicted Mother were the subject of their continual meditations. One Good Friday, when they were absorbed in fervent prayer, the blessed Virgin appeared to them all in person a second time, showed them the sombre habit they were to adopt, and told them that she wished them to found a new Order of Religious, whose mission was to cultivate and spread devotion to the sorrows which she endured at the foot of the Cross. They were aided in this work by Peter, an illustrious Friar Preacher, who died the death of a martyr. He was their intimate friend, and had been instructed about the new Order in a vision by the blessed Virgin herself. The Order received the name of Servites, or Servants of the blessed Virgin Mary, and was approved by Innocent IV. 

The holy Founders were soon joined by many disciples, and began to preach Christ Crucified in the towns and cities of Italy, especially in Tuscany. They brought civil feuds to an end, and recalled numbers of sinners to the paths of virtue. Not only Italy, but France, Germany, and Poland benefited by their apostolic labours, and their miracles made them famous. Finally, after having carried the good odour of Christ into distant lands, they went to God. In life they were one in their love of religion and of the brotherhood, in death they wore united in one tomb and in the veneration of the people. Popes Clement XI. and Benedict XIII. confirmed the cultus which had been paid to them unitedly for many centuries. Leo XIII., having approved this devotion, and recognized the miracles wrought by God in answer to this collective invocation, proceeded to their formal canonization in the fiftieth year of his priesthood, and ordered that their Office and Mass should be said every year throughout the Church.

Prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, to honor the memory of the sorrows of Thy most holy Mother, didst through seven blessed Fathers enrich Thy Church with a new family of her Servants: mercifully grant that we may be so linked in fellowship to them in their sorrows, as to share also in their joys: Who livest and reignest.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Special Rosary Novena

"This comes a little late but you can still begin a nine-day Rosary novena for the intentions of the Holy Father. The novena ends on the feast of the Chair of Peter, next Tuesday, February 22."

Thanks to St. Peter's Helper for this.

Image Source: Pope Paul III

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Pro-life Story on The Inspired Traditionalist

Ginny at the Inspired Traditionalist has posted a truly moving story of how ordinary people fighting against abortion can save lives.

It's worth you time. Please read it.

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Please pray for my father

I posted last week that my father was admitted to the hospital. Well, he's home now, but he is still not feeling well. Doctors found out that one of his veins in his head is rather narrow, so he can easily get a blood clot. Plus, he's been feeling dizzy and sick with headaches this past week.

Please pray for his recovery.

Thank you

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The Cost of Abortion

The South Dakota House just approved a bill February 14, 2006, that would outlaw abortions in the state. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law, though it will certainly be fought in court. With changes in the makeup of the Supreme Court, we can only pray that the court upholds this and overturns Roe v. Wade.

In light of this, we must discuss the cost of abortion since it's legilization on Jan. 23, 1973:

1. Over 46 million surgical abortion have been performed. An entire generation has been murdered and the government allows this. 46 million human lives were murdered! This is more than the casualties of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Iraq War combined. Abortion is the greatest holocaust in our history.
2. Abortion is the leading cause of death for African Americans. 13 million black lives in the last 30 year years has been murdered. 33% of all abortions are performed on African Americans.
3. 24% of pregnancies end in abortions. 1 in 4 of us human beings are murdered by abortion
4. So how many abortions are because of rape...1%! Incent...0.5%! Don't let the lies of the world confuse you. Abortion on demand accounts for nearly 98% of all abortions. These children were murdered because they were unwanted. That could have been any of us.
5. 80% of unborn diagnosed with Down Syndrome are aborted. But, I'm sure you realize how wrong doctors are on these diagnosis half of the time. People are being murdered so that their families won't be burdened by a less than "ideal" person.

(All stats are from the Human Life Alliance)

Abortion should be illegal! I'll say it until it's illegal. It's 21 days after conception that a baby's heart begins to beat. An unborn child is one of us - a creation of God simply in another part of development. An adult is no more human than a 7 yr old even though the child is not completely developed. The same things applies to an unborn child - just because it can't function outside of the womb doesn't mean it's not a live human being.

Prayer to End Abortion
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life, And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion, Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today I commit myself Never to be silent, Never to be passive, Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, And never to stop defending life Until all my brothers and sisters are protected, And our nation once again becomes A nation with liberty and justice Not just for some, but for all.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen!

(Source: Priests for Life)

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Family Planning Funds Slashed

Some good news with the Federal Budget...

President Bush's has severely slashed funding for family planning (contraceptives). In 2001 President Bush initiated the Mexico City Policy to stop taxpaying funds from being used to perform or support abortions in other countries. At that time, President Bush froze family planning at $425 million each year. This year, the budget calls for $357 million, a 18% slash in funds.

Let us pray for an end to the use of contraceptives. Since the earliest days of the Catholic Church, our fathers have condemned artificial contraception as an offense against God and the natural law. This was the case with all Christians until the early 1900s when other denominations began to allow them. Thank be to God for guiding the Church and keeping it in the Truth, a promise recorded in scripture (Matthew 16:18).

For more information on why contraception is sinful, see "Weekly Discussion Topic One."

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A Prayer Request for a Departed Seminarian

Here is a prayer request sent to me today:

My cousin who was missing for 3 days was found dead early this morning of foul play. He was a seminarian for a long time but was not ordained. Please pray for his eternal repose. The whole family is in shock by this news of his unpleasant death. His name is Jojo. Thank you so much. Suzette

What he truly needs are Masses said in his name. Please, if you can, have a Mass said for him. The value of a Mass is nearly of infinite value. For, at the Mass, the Sacrifice of Calvary is recalled. For the Eucharist is Jesus Christ; He is truly present at each Mass.

Q: When a Mass is said for the soul of a deceased loved one, does this help lessen the soul's time in purgatory?

A: Just as we pray for others here on earth, we are encouraged by the Church to pray for souls who may be in purgatory. Why? We are all in need of grace to come into the perfection of charity. We cannot enter heaven if we have not been completely cleansed of sin and all punishment due to sin. See Catechism of the Catholic Church #1031 and 1472

Since the Mass is the "source and summit" of the Christian Life, we naturally look to that Holy Sacrifice of Christ, containing the perfect prayer, to offer for our deceased relatives and friends who may still need the help of our prayers. Priests are under a strict obligation to remember in a special way the person for whom the Mass is being offered. Often you wil hear the priests say the name of the person in the part of the Mass which specifically remembers those who have gone before us. Sometimes the intention for the Mass is listed in the bulletin or announced before the Mass.

We can't really speak of "time" since the deceased person has entered eternity, but we can speak in terms of "final purification" before entrance into heaven. We believe that a Mass offered for a departed relative or friend may help hasten that final purification which he/she may still be undergoing in purgatory.

For more information on the Mass, see "The Holy Mass."

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Write to St. Padre Pio

St. Padre Pio - "I will never tire of praying to Jesus. It is true that my prayers deserve punishment rather than reward, for I have offended Jesus only too often by my innumerable sins; but in the end, He will be moved to pity."

Would you like to have your prayers requests remembered by the friars, who pray next to his tomb?

You can email your requests for the friars to bring next to his tomb in prayer, or you can mail them. I received this information in my comment box by Mare54n:

"Every evening, at 8:30 pm, the Frati Cappuccini will be gathered to the grave of the blessed Padre Pio to recite the S. Rosario according to the intentions of all those people that ask to be remembered in the prayer. To that time, your prayers and intentions will be deposed on the grave. If you find it possible, anywhere you find yourself, spiritually unite to us with the recitation of the S. Rosario."

Contact Information

Letters can be sent here:

Convento Frati Minori Cappuccini
"Santa Maria Dell Grazie"
71013 S. Giovanni Rotondo (FG)Italy
c/c postale n 189712

Telephone 0882.4171
Fax 0882.417252

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Reversal Decision on Illinois Advertisements

Many blogs have reported that a northern IL newspaper (The Herald News) had refused to publish ultrasound pictures calling them "too graphic". One of them is posted to the left.

I'm pleased to announce the paper has reversed its decision and the paper will allow the ads run. I have even read some of those papers before since I'm from Illinois. I'm glad this paper has reversed its decision though.

For more information and how to write to the paper in order to thank them, please see this link.

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