A Message of Encouragement from Taylor Marshall:

…in the Face of Mandates, Trad Wars and Fatigue

I haven’t been in the best mood today since Biden’s new vaccination mandates are going to affect my husband. It seems, every other day, some terrible stress is coming along…as Leonard Cohen said, it’s “Closing Time.” The whole world is engulfed-I know it is not just my family. My heart goes out to all of you who are also suffering with many things at this hour, some of the normal sufferings of life, along with what the New World Order is dishing out. In a recent post, I asked for prayers for my father-in-law. He was just moved to a Catholic nursing home in New York. We are very concerned about his well-being because they only allow one-hour visits (because of Covid, of course), and he does not like to be alone. This will surely deteriorate his condition mentally, and most likely physically as well. Just one more Covid contradiction. It’s not about saving lives. It never was. Another strange thing about this nursing home is that they make you remove the mask upon entry and put a different one on. Not only have you just theoretically increased Covid exposure by removing the mask, you have also just touched the mask they feel is contaminated, in addition to your face. They also require appointments to visit, which must be made 24 hours in advance. They don’t always pick up the phone (apparently visitation doesn’t need to be a priority in a nursing home) and they ask for all kinds of personal information when you visit (perhaps for tracing if there is a Covid case). “Safe & Healthy!”

All of this makes for great challenge, needless to say. Tonight, as I reluctantly glanced at what the YouTube gods decided to send my way, the video above popped up. It’s exactly what I needed. We all need encouragement right now, and going forward. Marshall gives some very good advice and gives a strong witness about the importance of the Holy Rosary. If you’re feeling down too, please watch…and know Our Blessed Lord is always with us!

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

In this month of Our Lady of Sorrows, if you are not familiar with the “Seven Sorrows Chaplet,” here is where you can purchase one. Mine is shown above, depicting Our Lady with seven swords piercing her Immaculate Heart, the month of which we have just celebrated. It has been such a blessing to pray this chaplet over the years, as a family. In addition to the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, we honor Our Blessed Mother in 4 other major feasts this month.

We celebrate 5 Doctors of the Church in September. As I stated last month, I am now indicating a major work authored by each Doctor. Please consider reading some of these wonderful works of Holy Church’s antiquity. Obtaining good quality hard-cover books is a great idea from a “prepper” point of view. How long before these classics are considered “unessential items?” We have several 20th Century saints this month and also the Ember Days in September, traditional days of penance and prayer for the coming season. Ember Days are wonderful to celebrate with children, incorporating crafts and giving them a love for the Catholic Faith and her traditions.

Let us remember the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001. Let us offer prayers for those departed, along with their loved ones…for those who continue to suffer with physical and mental disability…and for those responsible. Lord have mercy.

Here is a sampling of feasts for this month:

9/3-First Friday / Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church, author Pastoral Care / Pope St. Pius X, 20th Century Saint

9/4-First Saturday

9/5-St. Teresa of Calcutta, Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, 20th Century Saint

9/8-BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

9/12-MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY

9/13-St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, author On the Priesthood

9/14-Exaltation of the Holy Cross

9/15-OUR LADY OF SORROWS (new) / SEVEN SORROWS OF OUR LADY (trad)

9/17-St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church, author The Controversies / St. Hildegard of Bingen, Doctor of the Church, author Scivias (Know the Ways of the Lord) / Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

9/19-OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE

9/21-St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist of Gospel, Martyr

9/22-Ember Wednesday in September (trad meat at one meal)

9/23-St. Pio of Pietralcina, 20th Century Saint

9/24-OUR LADY OF RANSOM / Ember Friday in September

9/25-Ember Saturday in September (trad meat at one meal)

9/27-St. Vincent de Paul, Founder of the Vincentians

9/29-Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael / Michaelmas Day

9/30-St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church, author Latin Vulgate Bible

Litany of the Ascension / Novena to the Holy Ghost

Some dioceses still celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord on Ascension Thursday and some celebrate it today, the following Sunday. Traditionally (and probably in the new as well), the Ascension is invoked in the Mass from Ascension Thursday until the Vigil of Pentecost. So it is appropriate to keep this final event of Our Lord on earth, in our thoughts and prayers through the coming week.

We should also keep in mind, novenas to the Holy Ghost are often said during the 9 days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost. Catholic Online states: “This is the prototype of all novenas. It commemorates the nine days between the Ascension of Our Lord and the Descent of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost Sunday. During this time Our Lady and the twelve Apostles prayed in the Cenacle for the coming of the Paraclete. Our Lord Himself instituted this novena, and it is celebrated every year by the whole Church.” The Novena to the Holy Ghost for the Seven Gifts is well-known, quite beautiful, and there are indulgences attached. Certainly, it can be said anytime, and if you’re a few days late, don’t let that discourage you!

I wrote the following litany on Ascension Thursday and published it here on May 5, 2016. I haven’t published it since, so here it is again. According to canon law, there is no problem with posting a private prayer on the internet (I have consulted a canon lawyer about this). For a meditation on the Ascension, please see “Rosary Meditations” button to the right >>>

Litany of the Ascension of Our Lord

Lord, have mercy on us.  Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.  Lord, hear us.  Lord, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

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Lord, Ascended to the right Hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Lord, Ascended forty days after Thy Resurrection, etc.

Lord, Ascended in the company of angels,

Lord, Ascended in the company of Thy Holy Mother,

Lord, Ascended in the company of Thine Apostles,

Lord, Ascended before us, where we are to follow,

Lord, Ascended with a shout and the sound of a trumpet,

Lord, Ascended with great song,

Lord, Who shall so come as we have seen Thee going up,

Lord, Who calls us to mindfulness of heavenly things,

Lord, Who sent Thine Apostles to the uttermost parts of the earth,

Lord, Who was raised up into a cloud,

Lord, Who led captivity captive,

Lord, Who saves the believer and the baptized,

Lord, Who condemns the unbeliever,

Lord, Who glorifies Thy children,

Lord, Who protects Thy children,

Lord, Who mercifully grants Everlasting Life,

Lord, Who mounts above the Heaven of Heavens to the east,

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Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.

Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

Lord, hear us.  Lord, graciously hear us.

LET US PRAY

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said:  "Go ye into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature," grant we beseech Thee, to wage a fearless war for souls, ever defending the truth of the Good News, that we may one day follow Thee to the place of Thine Ascension, beyond the clouds.  May we keep this vision before us always, making all our burdens light, all the darkness of this present life bearable.

Make us, O Lord, to reverence and keep pure, our sacred bodies, a reflection of which ascended in glorified form to the Father, Who lives and reigns, world without end.  Amen.

Printable Version

From the “Catholic Prepper” perspective, it is advisable to gather as much printed material as possible. This is due to the possibility of electrical grid failure or the disruption of the availability of what we now take for granted. Keep books and papers in a cool dry place away from the threat of flooding. Consider keeping print-outs organized in files or binders.

Indulgences for the Year of Saint Joseph

“The Year of Saint Joseph” has been given, by the Apostolic Penitentiary, a number of ways to obtain the plenary indulgence. The Year extends from December 8th, 2020 to December 8th, 2021. The Penitentiary, in the Decree, In the Year of Saint Joseph The Gift of Indulgences, states that the faithful have “the opportunity to commit themselves, with prayers and good works, to obtain with the help of St. Joseph…comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that today afflict the contemporary world.” Not mentioned in the Decree above, the Consecration to Saint Joseph is an additional way to obtain the plenary. This is an exciting new devotion in the Church, which takes about one month to perform.

A plenary indulgence requires the Sacrament of Penance, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father and detachment from sin. According to the Penitentiary’s General Remarks on Indulgences (most recent, from the Jubilee Year 2000), “it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.”

After doing some initial research, I saw the need for a more concise listing of these indulgences. I have looked carefully at the text of the Decree and have compiled this simplified list to the best of my ability. I encourage you to read the text for yourself as well. Note, quotes below are taken from this Decree. Don’t forget the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker is coming up on May 1st-what a fabulous time to perform one of these wonderful devotions and bring a soul you love into the Abode of Eternal Joy!

1) Meditate for 30 minutes on “The Lord’s Prayer.” “Saint Joseph…invites us to rediscover our filial relationship with the Father, to renew our devotion to prayer, to dispose ourselves to listen and correspond with profound discernment to God’s will.”

2) Participate in a retreat for one day that includes meditation on Saint Joseph.

3) Perform one Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy. “The virtue of justice practiced by Saint Joseph…is full adherence to divine law, which is the law of mercy.”

4) Recite the Holy Rosary as a family or as an engaged couple. “The primary aspect of Saint Joseph’s vocation was that of being guardian of the Holy Family of Nazareth, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and legal father of Jesus.”

5) Daily entrust your work to the protection of Saint Joseph the Worker.

6) Recite a prayer to Saint Joseph the Worker for the intention of employment for the unemployed and for dignified work.

7) Recite the “Litany to Saint Joseph” for the intention of all persecuted Catholics.

8) Recite an approved prayer in honor of Saint Joseph, especially on his feast days, the 19th of each month and Wednesdays.

9) Perform the new devotion, “Consecration to Saint Joseph.”

If you wish to help this ministry , please print and leave copies at your church or share with your church group. We do not ask for donations at this time, only prayer and sharing our work in whatever ways possible…let us know and you will be added to our prayer list…

Printable Version

+++ Ash Wednesday +++

Ash Wednesday begins with the following words (old rite) from the “Blessing of Ashes:”

“Hear us O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind: look upon us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies. Save me, O God, for the waters have come in even unto my soul.”

This is a very interesting text, “the waters have come in…” Something to meditate upon today. Does this express an interior distress or the corruption of the soul…or both? Certainly this year, our collective distress remains as we look outside our windows. And certainly, in such times, our spiritual condition must be brought forward as never before…and dealt with to the highest degree, lest we perish with the rest, and to obtain mercy for the world. Let us give the Most Holy Trinity our very best this Lent, make ourselves deserving of the great celebration of His Resurrection and leap forward in our quest for the Kingdom of Heaven!

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Beet seeds are starting to do something! :):):) (I soaked them for a whole day and that seems to have helped.)

This was posted one day before Ash Wednesday.

Lesson 4, Part 2B-Prepper Rosary Program

Matthew 6:31 & The Sermon on the Mount

We will deal further with the 3 ideas presented in the last Lesson…

1) Always use common sense combined with prayer.

We need to be careful when interpreting Holy Scripture. The Protestants somehow can read "For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed,” (John 6:56) and still think Holy Communion is merely a symbol. The Jews can somehow read the entire Old Testament and fail to notice how Christ fulfilled every prophecy about the Messiah. We too, can interpret wrongly, if not properly prepared. We need to proceed with prayer and a proper knowledge of the Faith. Being in a state of grace, as should always be our primary concern, will help us as well. If you have not been confirmed for some reason, this is important, to receive all the wisdom of the Holy Ghost. If we are confused, consulting with a good priest or good resource would be in order. It is also important to be well-versed in Scripture as a whole, so all things can be seen in proper context and relation…also, each verse must be carefully taken in its own context.

“Common Sense” is hard to explain these days, in an age where it has completely lost meaning. Several decades ago, there was still a vestige of it, but today it seems utterly lost. However, among the holy, it seems to still exist. Common sense springs forth from the Essence of God Himself. It appeals to an inner-knowing that the world and all its wiles cannot override. It possesses simplicity, reason and balance. It is not a thing that can be taught or over-thought. It is simply there within each of us. Particularly, at this confusing time, we have no other recourse than to appeal to common sense and inner-knowing.

Matthew 6:31 is an important verse from The Sermon on the Mount which contains great wisdom. We must take care to interpret it with the balance of common sense. We are told not to worry about our physical needs. The operative word here is “worry” (“solicitous”). That does not mean do not care for our own physical needs and for those in our care. It is in fact our duty to do so, which brings us to the next point…

2) Do what you can within reason. Beyond this, trust in God.

“Within reason.” This will mean different things to different people, depending on their circumstances. What does “within reason” mean to you? We are familiar with blizzards, blackouts, floods, hurricanes and fires. Now, with the advancement of the New World Order takeover (I am not mentioning covid, because that is the distraction-every twobit magician knows this trick), we are becoming familiar with supply shortages, lockdowns, quarantines and riots. If things continue to escalate, it is not unreasonable to assume access may continue to decrease and self-sufficiency will become more important. Preppers and “truthers” have been predicting these times for years. Only you can answer this question for yourself: What does “within reason” mean to you?” What is your own situation? What are your own responsibilities?

Another point that needs to be said, is that we have been living in unprecedented times for the past century. Normal self-sufficient practices are largely gone from western culture. So something like Matthew 6:31 needs to be taken in that light. In addition, some people have a special calling to a preparedness ministry. These people should not be criticized or judged. In that hour, after the tsunami has hit, those judgers will be thankful they have a safe place to go with their children.

So…do what you can and always trust in God and His Providence. That doesn’t mean bad things can’t still happen to you. “For after all these things do the heathens seek.” We have a fear-obsessed culture which focuses only on this life and physical well-being. When people say to me these days, “Be safe,” I now say to them, “Life is not about being safe.” We must accept that our efforts may at times fail and retain "the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)

3) Avoid extremes.

On one end of the scale is living only in the moment, careless of what tomorrow may bring. The other end is a “Doomsday Prepper” compound, complete with mini-army, booby-traps and underground bunker with a deluxe stereo system. There has got to be a happy medium of sanity, holiness, responsibility and trust in God. This is what we are trying to accomplish here at Nomen Christi Apostolate-to find this balance and encourage resilient communities of love and peace which strive to bring back “The Authentic Life,” life as our Creator intended it. This life is inherently safer and self-reliant.

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“Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.” This is one of the most consoling messages of Our Lord and one we should recite frequently to ourselves. In practicality, this means to focus on the work of the day with peace and simplicity. There are times to address the overarching reality, the Big Plan, but for the most part, our lives involve the “mundane” activities. The key that many never understand, is that some of our greatest intuitions and moments of growth come at these times-because the essence of life is within these little things. There is a blessed peace contained in these moments if they are approached with complete acceptance. God will take care of the Big Plan. We especially must trust in this, at a time when unthinkable things are happening in the Church, such as the suspension of Mass obligation. He’s got this. We are His children, purchased by His Son’s very Blood. "I will not leave you orphans." (John 14:18)

“Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is another quote which should be committed to memory and often meditated upon. How can we expect God’s protection in this chaotic life without first being right with Him? Our Lord is illustrating the primary importance of spiritual well-being, for nothing else matters if you have lost your soul. This does not mean that if you are holy, no hardship will come to you, but it suggests that you will have some measure of protection or at least consolation in your sufferings. Take care of your soul and the rest will fall into place.

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The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous sermon in all history and the longest recorded in the Gospels, spanning Chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew. Our Lord begins by teaching the 8 Beatitudes* and then tells us “You are the light of the world.” We must be detached from the world in order to properly transform it. He then teaches His revolutionary transformations of the Old Law. Now that God’s Son has come into the world, perfection can be attained…”Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.” “The Lord’s Prayer” is taught and then He goes on to the text we have been discussing. Actually, the full verse comprises Matthew 6:19-34, and contains some of the most poetic language of the Gospels:

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith?”

The Sermon concludes with a series of additional admonitions. We can now see the teaching we are focusing on in its context within The Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord is giving us a number of lessons on how to live life, both with respect to God and to man. He is showing us that an evolution is now occurring. God’s revelation of Himself to man has entered its next chapter and greater perfection will be expected. This is understandable, given the great gift of His Son, His Holy Church and the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 6:31 simply expounds upon the Sermon’s themes of detachment and trust in God. The Sermon on the Mount is deeply consoling, especially during times such as our own. These teachings transformed the world once before and can do so once again!

* From Learn Religions:

The word beatitude comes from the Latin beatitudo, meaning "blessedness." The phrase "blessed are" in each beatitude implies a current state of happiness or well-being. This expression held a powerful meaning of "divine joy and perfect happiness" to the people of Christ's day. In other words, Jesus was saying "divinely happy and fortunate are those who possess these inward qualities." While speaking of a current "blessedness," each pronouncement also promised a future reward.

Lesson 4, Part 2A-Prepper Rosary Program

“Lesson 4” of our Prepper Rosary Program deals with the topic, “Improve Your Spiritual Life ~ The Presentation of Our Lord.” We presented the verse from Holy Scripture below, focusing on the admonition to “Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God.” We dealt briefly with the rest of the quote. Being that this particular verse is sometimes used against the idea of “preparedness,” it is important to focus more deeply on it (which we will do now and also in our next lesson, Part 2B)...

“Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.

Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.”

Matthew 6:31

Looking at the above, from the standpoint of a “Catholic Prepper,” there are 3 basic points that need to be made. I will simply ask you to meditate on these until our next lesson, which will expound upon each point-you may wish to make your own notes.

1) Always use common sense combined with prayer.

2) Do what you can within reason. Beyond this, trust in God.

3) Avoid extremes.

In addition, below is a link to our Scriptural quotes dealing with preparedness. Please review this-it exists nowhere else on the internet. I compiled it myself, through painstaking research-there is also a PDF, which is less comprehensive, since it needed to fit on one page…

…and don’t forget Noah, “The Original Prepper!”

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR PREPAREDNESS

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR PREPAREDNESS PDF PRINTABLE

Christmas Wrap-Up...and going forward....

Christmas morning!

The detail and artistry of this Jim Shore Nativity set captivated me many years ago when I found it in a department store. The price was surprisingly reasonable and I have really enjoyed it all these years. I’ve never seen another one quite like it.

The sweetest Baby Jesus!

Sacred Heart Southern Missions sends Christmas Mass cards every year, which I usually send out. The one above was in the pack this year and I could not part with it. The expression on Baby Jesus’ face as He looks up so lovingly at His Mother, almost brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me of those wonderful days holding my own baby in my arms.

Holy Church now celebrates the traditional 12 Days of Christmas. A family tradition we have is to discuss something theological on each day, that corresponds to the number of that day. For instance, on Day 5, we might discuss the 5 Books of the Pentateuch. I’m not sure if I made this idea up-I think I did:)

After doing an Advent contemplation of my spiritual condition, I was moved with a spirit of mercy and forgiveness towards others…

“And forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.”

Matthew 6:12

Remember the nasty neighbors during the reno? The one I was trying to keep it together with…I gave her a gift for her inconvenience. She accepted it graciously and we are on good terms again. The other who I had despaired of ever speaking to again…I wrote her a personal note to try to make peace. She came over my house a few days later with cookies and a gingerbread cake. A little Christmas spirit can go a long way!

Like I said in my previous post, I need a break after the past few months, so my posting will be light for the next 2 weeks. Look forward to our typical 1st of the month post on January 1st. In the coming days, we will get back into our Prepper Rosary Program and beyond!

Confused prepper Shihpoo-can’t decide if he wants to be seen in the wilderness or not!

Lesson 4-Prepper Rosary Program

“And there came one of the scribes that had heard them reasoning together, and seeing that he had answered them well, asked him which was the first commandment of all. And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment.”

Mark 12:28

“Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for tomorrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.”

Matthew 6:31

Improve Your Spiritual Life ~ The Presentation of Our Lord

It was the Mosaic Law that every firstborn son must be specially consecrated to God. Mary and Joseph brought Our Lord to the Temple to accomplish this, in what we call “The Presentation.” This was a most extraordinary Presentation, since it was the very Son of God, being presented to the Father. This took place in the very city in which He would secure our Redemption on the Cross and was a foreshadowing of this ultimate Presentation. Just as Our Lady and Saint Joseph gave their greatest Gift to the Father, we must also give our very best to Him.

Our Lord states above, “thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength.” This is a profound statement-we are told to completely relinquish ourselves to Him. The key is to recognize when these moments occur and push through them, with the help of His grace. When we do this, we change in a substantial way. We grow. We ascend one step higher to the Kingdom of Heaven. We also become that much further from the world. What prepares us for these moments is a proper moral formation, a good examination of conscience and a good confession. Only then, can we have the ability to know when the spiritual challenge is taking place, pray for guidance and strength, and win our triumph over temptation. We must love Christ above all other loves.

Our Lord also intructs us to, “Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God.” We see the just consequence of sin coming upon the world. We can mitigate this and secure mercy for the world, only by making ourselves worthy. We will be given what we need on earth, only after seeking Heaven. The lower order always follows the higher. As Catholic preppers, we are not obsessed with the needs of this life, we simply accept that the natural business of life is survival, which our present culture has forgotten. We try within reason, and place our trust in God for what we cannot control. And of course we recognize that spiritual preparedness is always our priority.

Mary and Joseph went to the House of God with their precious Son and showed fidelity to His law. This is an example for the Catholic life: to attend Holy Mass and observe Catholic moral law, presenting to the Holy Trinity, our best selves, out of love. There are many other great riches of the Catholic Faith which we can draw upon to improve our spiritual lives. Pray and gravitate towards what resonates with you. To strive for spiritual perfection is the most exciting life and is the true purpose of life. To become a saint is not unreachable, it is what we were created for!

Please read EWTN’s The Presentation of Our Lord. This is beautifully written and very insightful.

“Lesson 4-Part 2” will deal further with Matthew 6:31…

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Pray 1 decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Mystery of The Presentation, for the intention of enlightenment on the issues discussed today…

Our Father + 10 Hail Marys + Glory Be

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Please fill out #4

“15 Points Preparedness Worksheet”

Thank you for participating ~ spread the word!

Image courtesy fggam.org/2014/07/kellys-word-day-72

Multicultural Byzantine Mass for the "Dormition of Our Lady"

Prayer Before Holy Communion

O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.

Accept me today as a partaker of Your mystical Supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief, I profess You.

Remember me, O Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom.

Remember me, O Master, when You come into Your Kingdom.

Remember me, O Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom.

May the partaking of Your holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your Most Precious Body and Your Life-Giving Blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy of me.

Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.

My husband and I attended our first Byzantine Mass Saturday night, the celebration of the “Dormition of Our Lady,” which parallels our feast of the Assumption. The celebrant, Fr. Daniel Nash, said we look at the same mystery from a different angle. This was a truly unique, multicultural Mass, as it was Eastern Rite, part in English, part in Spanish, and attended by different segments of the Catholic community of Long Island. It took place at St. Patrick Church in Glen Cove, New York.

I must admit, I was confused through the Mass and cannot explain very much about it. My ability to see was limited since I was all the way in the back. Still, I found it greatly enriching. I am now interested in the Byzantine Mass and would like to go again, to a more standard one, and really get my brain around it.

We can see similarities with the Latin Rite prayers, with some interesting differences. I don’t think anyone can say the above “Prayer Before Holy Communion,” and receive Our Blessed Lord unworthily. This prayer effectively accomplishes 3 things:

1) A profession of faith. This takes away any doubt about the Real Presence.

2) Acknowledgment of one’s unworthiness and contrition for sins. This should hopefully prevent any sacrilege and prepare us to receive with proper humility.

3) An appeal to God’s mercy and acceptance prior to the consummation of Holy Communion. This extends from the spirit of humility. We are asking for His agreement before entering into this most sacred union.

You can see in the first picture a similarity with the Tridentine Rite, in the facing away from the people. Also, much of the Mass is sung. There are several customs which are different, which you can see in the two other photos. The overall feel of the Mass was that something extraordinary and other-worldly was happening. There was a sense that our Creator, the Divine Majesty, was being interacted with…that this was not just a worship service, not just a social event, not something that could take place anywhere out in the world…but something reserved for the Elect, the spiritual royalty of the Body of Christ. There was little room for misinterpretation.

Whichever Mass we attend, Holy Church reminds us that there are two worlds and we must choose only one. As the two worlds continue to divide further apart, the choice becomes more and more obvious, and also more difficult.