Today I visited an old haunt of mine, Mount Mellary abbey, which is about 20 minutes from my home. On my way up to the monastery, I noticed a large gathering in the grotto, and me being inquisitive, thought I'd drop in on my way down. When I did, a group from Northern Ireland were praying the Rosary, so I plonked myself in the middle and away went the beads! It was my first time reciting the Rosary as part of a group, and it could not have come at a better time for me, since I was looking for a way to build my faith in the Rosary, since I had a bit of a setback about a week ago. We prayed about two sets of mysteries and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The grotto was beautiful and peaceful, despite the rain that was bucketing down. There was a night prayer session led by a priest at 8pm and I returned for that and a group of over 60 or so people, including myself, recited the Joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. The priest that led the prayers was exceptionally good and he gave his own thoughts on each mystery, and how they relate to the state of the world today. He frequently referred to many great mystics of the church, including prophecies made about the world today, and the near future. I was amazed, since this was the first time in a while I have heard a priest talk about Hell, purgatory and the evils of society today. It really added a greater depth to our prayers. We finished up after about two hours of prayer, and it was a wonderful day of prayer. I'm going back tomorrow again! (It is part of a novena which began on August 15th)
Alleluia! Sean, What a marvelous nudge by the Holy Spirit! For myself, too much time alone is not helpful after experiencing a setback. I'll usually start slipping into a pity-party. So not only did he bring you to others, but to a faith-filled bunch of Mary's children led by an inspiring priest! God is so good! Praise his holy name! Sound the timbrel! Dance joyously before the Lord! (just following your lead, Padraig. ).May Our Lady bring us before the throne to worship! Alleluia!
Sean I have been tp Mount Mellary many times but not so much in recent years. I for one do believe it is a special place where Our lady appeared in th 80's. I went a lot to these grottos in the early 80's with my young family. I think these places helped us to keep faith during the onslaught of the 80's. I know things look bad now but Satan's face is becoming more visible and people are realising that they dont want to follow him so the 80's was really critical time as everything(i.e. right to choose etc.) was presnted as progress and we were a backward country. I think I would love to go there again some day soon. God bless Mary
Sean, it's sounds as though you had a Divine Appointment! I have a group who says the rosary together regularly and it's always a joy to me. Glad you got to experience it and I hope there's much more.
Protection with the Armor of God [align=center]Today in a prayer group we were discussing the Armor of God and the prayers that surround it. I ran across this one and it spoke to me, it's very plain and simple, I think that's why I liked it. ARMOR OF GOD Good Morning, Father! Good Morning, Jesus! Good Morning, Holy Spirit! Today Heavenly Father, according to Your Word, I present my body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in Your sight. Because I am not contending against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, world rulers of this present darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, I take the whole armor of God so that I may be able to withstand in the evil day. So today I stand and gird my loins with truth. I put on the breastplate of righteousness. I shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all these, I take the shield of faith to quench ALL the flaming darts of the evil one. I take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I pray at ALL times in the Spirit with ALL prayer and supplication for ALL God's family and for me that I may open my mouth boldly TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL. The weapons of my warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Today I destroy arguments and EVERY proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and take EVERY thought captive to OBEY Christ. Thank you, Father, that according to Your Word the glory of the Lord is my rear guard. I praise You and thank You for the armor of light You've provided for me this day. I am completely covered now. Upon Jesus I have built my life. The gates of hell shall not prevail against me. Jesus, I apply Your Precious Blood to my life, my family, my home, and all my possessions. You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. For You have supplied ALL my needs according to Your riches in glory. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. I praise You for walking in divine health, for You are my God who heals ALL my diseases. I praise You and thank You for my prosperity and good health even as my soul prospers. For the joy of the Lord is my strength. Father, I have prayed according to Your Word. You said You would watch over Your Word to perform it. I am reminded that every word spoken becomes a living thing - either to minister life or death and destruction. Lord Jesus, let my meditation be sweet to You as I will rejoice in You all day. Just rise up and live big within me. For I am Yours and You are mine in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen[/align]
Meditate on the wounds of Jesus! by Bernard Gallagher September 2, 2009 Dear Family of Mary! Recently the Lord seems to be leading Denis and I to pray for healing in our family tree. We have never seriously done this kind of prayer. But it seems to be the Lord's timing for us now. We attended a workshop with Fr. John Hampsch, C.M.F., at which we were taught how to incorporate our prayer for healing of the family tree within the offering of Holy Mass. What power there is in the Mass! Anyway, I am including Fr. Hampsch's prayer for healing of the family tree in this email. You can also order his book, Healing Your Family Tree, on his website. (http://claretiantapeministry.org/home.asp ) I recommend this kind of prayer highly. Our Lady also recommends it! "Dear children! Today, in a special way, I invite you to take the cross in the hands and to meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Ask of Jesus to heal your wounds, which you, dear children, during your life sustained because of your sins or the sins of your parents. Only in this way, dear children, you will understand that the world is in need of healing of faith in God the Creator. By Jesus' passion and death on the cross, you will understand that only through prayer you, too, can become true apostles of faith; when, in simplicity and prayer, you live faith which is a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call." (March 25, 1997) PRAYER FOR HEALING THE FAMILY TREE REV. JOHN H. HAMPSCH, C.M.F. Heavenly Father, I come before you as your child, in great need of your help; I have physical health needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own failures, neglect and sinfulness, for which I humbly beg your forgiveness, Lord. But I also ask you to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tendencies, behavior patterns and defects in body, mind and spirit. Heal me, Lord, of all these disorders. With our help I sincerely forgive everyone, especially living or dead members of my family tree, who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders. In the name of your divine Son, Jesus, and in the power of his Holy Spirit, I ask you, Father, to deliver me and my entire family tree from the influence of the evil one. Free all living and dead members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage. By your loving concern for us, heavenly Father, and by the shed blood of your precious Son, Jesus, I beg you to extend your blessing to me and to all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations, and prevent such negative effects in future generations of my family tree. I symbolically place the cross of Jesus over the head of each person in my family tree, and between each generation; I ask you to let the cleansing blood of Jesus purify the bloodlines in my family lineage. Set your protective angels to encamp around us, and permit Archangel Raphael, the patron of healing, to administer your divine healing power to all of us, even in areas of genetic disability. Give special power to our family members' guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let your healing power be released at this very moment, and let it continue as long as your sovereignty permits. In our family tree, Lord, replace all bondage with a holy bonding in family love. And let there be an ever-deeper bonding with you, Lord, by the Holy Spirit, to your Son, Jesus. Let the family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with its tender, warm, loving presence, so that our family may recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships. All of our unknown needs we include with this petition that we pray in Jesus' precious Name. Amen. St. Joseph, Patron of family life, pray for us. Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us. In Jesus and Mary! Cathy Nolan Mary TV
