| Peace be with you!
Dear Members, Benefactors and Apostles of the Living Rosary, During this time of the Synod on the Family in Rome, we pray that the Sacrament of Marriage will be held up in all holiness, unity and indissolubility. We pray for you, parents, that you may spend and be spent for the purpose of sanctifying one another and the offspring that God brings into the world through your mutual love and obedience to His command: be fruitful and multiply. The sacrifice required of you is total, not 50:50 or 75:25. Each must give 100% or the union will be one of great unhappiness and failure. The Church has not erred and does not err in teaching that the bond of marriage cannot be loosed even on account of the sin of adultery and, thus, it is evident that all other weaker excuses cannot be just cause for annulment. Imperfect separation of the parties is allowed, but the bond is never severed! The most essential ingredient of a successful marriage is Humility! Peace in marriage is a Gift of the Holy Ghost, which must be protected even in the midst of anxieties, contradictions and opposition. A gentle look can repress a quick temper; a difference of opinion can be arrested by a single word. If we are to conquer and keep an inner peace, we must be prepared to accept with calm and courage whatever happens. Pain, opposition, misunderstandings, even calumnies, all are possible and, being human, we cannot but feel them keenly; still, we can always turn for comfort to Jesus. Kneeling before His Tabernacle, we can pour out our troubles, all that has upset us and made us lose our balance. He alone knows all, understands our weakness and, if we humbly ask, He forgives us. Childlike, we lay our faults and troubles at His Feet, and obtain His pardon and promise. We leave comforted and strengthened to try again tomorrow. How we must be filled with gratitude to God for His divine assistance at every turn! All our suffering and pain can be a source of peace. Many sick people arise in the morning, make again their FIAT, take up their cross and greet the new day in peace. Once they have finally accepted their lot, perhaps after years of struggle, with God’s help, they have peace. Such individuals, often without knowing it, pass on their peace to others. Goodness and kindness are love in action. Christ healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, made lame men walk, and brought the dead back to life. He comforted those who mourned, fed the hungry, changed water into wine, forgave sinners, died for His enemies and prayed for them with His last breath. Pray that peace may flourish in your soul and ask for the humility needed in order that your home may be a happy one, whose center will always be the Meek and Merciful Hearts of Jesus and Mary. My benediction is extended to you throughout the month as we remember, during November, the Holy Souls in Purgatory. These dear souls cannot help themselves, so the Masses you arrange for them is a gift both infinite and essential. May God reward your great charity! I impart to all of you, my priestly blessing: + In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Fr. IVAN KOLODIY Click here to download a full color .pdf version of this article |
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| Dear Mrs. Melvin,My nephew and I just returned from Lesotho. Our eighty-five year old translator had a stroke last month and without her to cook for us in Lesotho, we arrived with no one knowing we were coming; the stove had to be connected to a propane tank, silverware found, dishes with insects crawling on them were rinsed (we had to buy dishwashing soap), the sink had no running water or drainpipe and the freezer had no fuel. We worked with flashlights as the solar lights were not connected. We gave someone money to buy propane for the freezer (there is no refrigerator) and he came with it the next morning, balancing the large tank on the back of a mule coming from town. The milk could then be cooled but on the last day was frozen, so we had to melt it in boiling water to have some for breakfast on the cereal. Our first meal was instant noodles cooked in boiling water. We could not make tea since we turned off the flame after boiling the water for the noodles and did not have matches at hand to relight it. Two ladies helped with the cooking beginning the next day, when they found out that we were there. I must admit that I wanted to abandon ship and return home when no one came to the Mass the next day and I lost a contact somehow in the hut where we stayed. I said to my nephew that this bad start is a sign that special graces are on the way, and so it happened. We never had so many people at the Mass and a good number of people wanted either to be received into the Church or receive the Sacraments.
On Sunday, a tent was hired by the daughter of our sick translator, even though she is Anglican. She heard that we were overcrowded and decided to help solve the problem. There were between 100-120 faithful at the outdoor Mass, double of the last Mass two months ago. The tent was not big enough for the crowd. My nephew counted 45 small children sitting on a tarp in the front of the tent. There were seven Baptisms of small children after the Mass. I was expecting only two but twenty candidates showed up. The translator came to the Mass in a wheelchair and told me which small children were from families who are practicing Catholics. After the Baptisms, I spoke to the families who wanted their children baptized and decided that I could baptize the same number next month. But I do not know if we will have use of the tent and most likely the numbers will be even higher than this time. There were many new people who came, and one lady asked to be received into the church. There were many new voices singing at the Mass and they broke out in song when the actual Baptisms took place and the giving of the candles. (They all brought candles for the ceremony; instead of taking them home, they gave them for the church to use at Mass). The translator’s sister-in-law went to confession after having been going to her husband’s Anglican Church. Now, her husband wants to join the Catholic Church along with her daughter (who is married to a Catholic) and her teenage grandson and granddaughter. The grandmother said that she will teach them all. She cooks for us and leads the singing very enthusiastically. A Catholic lady who entered a “natural” marriage with her husband asked to be married in the Church and her husband wants to be baptized. Numerous children are now getting catechism from an older lady in the “parish,” who is preparing them for their first Communions. The faithful asked again for a chapel, but I told them that the superior is not in favor of it, but would rather that a mission be established in Maseru, the capital city. We gave out most of the remaining religious literature in Sesotho and the Sacramentals that you gave us in the previous months. See the picture of the children holding up the holy cards that you sent. May I ask the cost of getting more religious article for our faithful in Lesotho? We have Scapulars and Rosaries, but not the Sesotho flyers for the Miraculous Medals, etc. that you sent. Your support has encouraged more souls to come to the Masses now and to be baptized. May God bless you for your zeal for souls in far corners of the world! Sincerely yours in Christ, < Fr. Paul Kimball, Our Lady of Sorrows Priory, Roodepoort – South Africa > Click here to download a full color .pdf version of this article |
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| FIFTH DAY
Light Immortal! Light Divine! The Gift of Knowledge The Gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. “Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it.” PRAYER: Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the Will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen. SIXTH DAY If Thou take Thy grace away, The Gift of Understanding Understanding, as a Gift of the Holy Ghost, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By Faith, we know them but, by Understanding, we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and, through them, to be quickened to a newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to “walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” SEVENTH DAY Heal our wounds, our strength renew; The Gift of Counsel The Gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. “Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth.” PRAYER: Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all ways that I may always do Thy Will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy Commandments to that goal of Eternal Life for which I long. Amen. EIGHTH DAY Bend the stubborn heart and will, The Gift of Wisdom Embodying all the other Gifts, as Charity embraces all the other Virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the Gifts. Of Wisdom, it is written, “All good things come to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.” It is the Gift of Wisdom that strengthens our Faith, fortifies Hope, perfects Charity, and promotes the practice of Virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which, earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: “Take up thy cross and follow Me, for My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” PRAYER: Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them forever. Amen. NINTH DAY Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee adore, THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST The Gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Ghost. These Fruits, in turn, render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God. PRAYER: Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly Fruits: Thy Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Benignity, Goodness, Longanimity, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Continency and Chastity that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen. O, Holy Ghost, I offer Thee the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, His most Precious Blood, the sorrowful, humble, pure, obedient and Immaculate Heart of Mary, to repair for all my offenses and negligences. I consecrate myself unreservedly to Thee. I place all my trust in Thee. Help me to make Thee better known and loved throughout the world. Give me an intense zeal for souls to console Jesus, strengthen my love and confidence in our Blessed Mother. THE IMMACULATE SPOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT O Mother of God, sanctified by the Holy Ghost in thy Immaculate Conception, pray for me. O Mother of God, sanctified by the Holy Ghost in the sweetness and brightness of thy Annunciation, O Mother of God, sanctified by the Holy Ghost in the flames of Pentecost and the fire of thy uncreated Love, pray for me O ye Apostles of the Lamb, filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, and crowned with living fire, pray for me. A certain artist has depicted Mary as the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The picture shows Mary standing upon a globe, which represents the world. Above is the Blessed Trinity. Directly over her head hovers the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Graces, represented by rays of light, stream from Him into Mary’s heart, and from thence pour themselves upon the earth in seven streams, symbolizing the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit granted to men through Mary’s mediation. In several passages of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit Himself calls Mary His Spouse. Even at the first instant of her conception, He imparted to her so great a fullness of grace that all the Angels and Saints combined have not attained such a degree of perfection. To enable Mary to fill her new sublime office as Mother of all God’s children, she required another plenitude of grace, and this she received from the Holy Spirit at His coming on Pentecost. Mary had joined the Apostles in the Cenacle and, for nine days, had prayed with them and sighed for the coming of the Divine Comforter. It was due chiefly to her prayers and ardent desires that the Holy Ghost came down with such treasures of grace. Through Mary, we must seek grace, for she is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and all graces are dispensed through her hands. Let us often greet Mary as the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. “Thou art all fair, O Mary, and the stain of original sin is not in thee. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, Thou art the joy of Israel, Thou art the honor of our people.” (Introit of Mass – Feast of the Immaculate Conception) (100 days Indl., every time) Most pure Heart of my Immaculate Mother, be pleased to obtain for me from the Sacred Heart of Jesus that gravity of mind whose fruit is a pure heart, that my soul may harbor none but good thoughts, determine none but generous deeds, keep its eagerness for the things of Eternity, and be so deeply penetrated by the thought of them that all other pre-occupations may seem only as they will appear at the moment of death, as they are in the sight of God, emptiness, vanity, nothingness. (Rev. Mother Goetz, R.S.H.) (300 days Indulgence) “Put you on the armor of God that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore, take unto you the armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in all things taking the shield of Faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one; and take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Click here to download a full color .pdf version of this article |
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| In Memory of Your Departed Loved OnesWhen we love, we remember, and this memory – the effect of love – is not a barren thought. It resolves itself into DEEDS for the loved one. They are at peace for they have escaped Hell forever. But, they are sentenced for a time to expiating fire. Behold their plight and helplessness. Listen to their lamentations. In sympathy and charity, hasten to their assistance.
Enroll your Departed Loved Ones in thirty days of Requiem Masses in Ukraine. Fr. Ivan Kolodiy has arranged for these Masses to be offered from 1st to 30th November. The names you send will be placed upon the Altar during this time. A Mass card will be sent out to you for each one you enroll. SUGGESTED STIPEND DONATION: $5.00 each for Enrollment in the NOVEMBER Bouquet of thirty days of Requiem Masses for your departed Loved Ones: PRINT VERY CLEARLY EACH NAME! 1. Make your payment online through PAYPAL / CREDIT CARD at: www.philomena.org If payment by Check / Money Order / Cash, please mail it directly to the address below: Click here to download a full color .pdf version of this article |
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Share Your Gift of FaithFor centuries, our cherished Catholic faith has been passed from person to person, parent to child, etc. Each of us carries in our heart a special memory of how God first graced us with the knowledge of the faith and how Our Blessed Mother, Saint Philomena, Venerable Pauline Jaricot and other saints changed our lives and brought us closer to Christ. In our work in the Universal Living Rosary Association, we see first hand how millions of souls are currently living without that knowledge of God and are living outside of His grace. We have been given a beautiful opportunity to carry out Christ’s work and pass on our faith and blessings to others who would otherwise never be introduced to Our Lord, the Savior of all mankind. Just as we pray for the souls in Purgatory who have no one to pray for them, we should also make it a part of our life’s mission to pass on our faith to as many souls as possible who have no one else to pass it on to them, who don’t know Our Lord and His promise of salvation.
This is the box we send out to the foreign Missions $77.95. It contains Rosaries, Scapulars, Miraculous Medals, Cord & Oil, Newsletters, Calendars, Catechism books, 2 TAN books, large color prints, lists and encouragement for our Promoters. |
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