So thankful for all the work the kids put into making our evening so special and
for 25 Years of Marriage to my best friend!
A Morning Prayer ~
This Lent I added a new morning prayer. It is actually my sign in page on my computer so I have to pray it before I do anything else! St. Therese has become very special to me. You see, she is my daughters confirmation saint. This sweet daughter is off this week discerning a religious vocation. Oh, how my heart is torn! She is my baby. I love her and want to always be with her! She has been a source of joy since we first learned that God had blessed us with a new one to love.
She is also God’s! He has a perfect plan for her. I can’t and won’t hold her back from that! He gave her to us to hold – to nurture – to teach to love HIM above all things. She is more His than she is ours.
This morning prayer is helping me to die to my desires.
Especially the last paragraph…
O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity.
Amen.
My Girl’s Beautiful Blogs ~
I have been so “busy with my blessings” lately that I haven’t had much time for blogging, but I wanted to bless others through my blessings and share my beautiful girls’ blogs with you all!
Alleluia! He is Risen!
Happy Easter!
Lent is Coming ~
A Strong Woman vs. A Woman of Strength
Written by Father Wade Menezes
A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face . . . but a woman of strength is adorned with the beauty of God’s grace working in her life.
A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything . . . but a woman of strength exhibits the virtues of courage and fortitude in the midst of her very trials and fears.
A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her . . . but a woman of strength is other-centered and so gives the very best of herself – indeed, all she’s got – to everyone.
A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids those same in the future . . . but a woman of strength realizes that life’s mistakes can also be unexpected blessings from God and so capitalizes on them and learns from them.
A strong woman works out everyday to keep her body in shape . . . but a woman of strength prays daily and builds solid relationships to keep her soul in shape.
A strong woman believes that she is strong enough for life’s journey . . . but a woman of strength has the faith to know that it is through life’s journey – with all of its ups and downs – that she will become strong and fully live her vocation whether single, married, or as a consecrated religious, in the midst of the modern world.
This was shared by Father Wade during his homily given on EWTN on the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. It’s definitely worth taking the time to watch!
Beautiful O’Antiphon Reflections ~
The O’Antiphon’s, also called the Golden Nights, begin on December 17th and last until December 23rd.
The O’Antiphons are prayers that come from the Breviary’s Vespers during the Octave before Christmas Eve, a time which is called the “Golden Nights.”
Each Antiphon begins with “O” and addresses Jesus with a unique title which comes from the prophecies of Isaias and Micheas (Micah), and whose initials, when read backwards, form an acrostic for the Latin “Ero Cras” which means “Tomorrow I come.” (taken from Fish Eaters.)
They are as follows…
*Antiphons taken from Roman Catholic Daily Missal 1962, pg. 151-152
** Reflections written by my lovely daughter.
December 17th ~ O Wisdom, Which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: come and teach us the way of prudence. *
Mercifully visit us, O Lord, in our lack of right judgment, and shed the light of Thy true wisdom on our hearts. Strengthen our home in virtue; take possession of all that is disordered within us–our affections, our desires, our thoughts and our actions–and put them into proper and holy order. Instill in our family a true zeal for righteousness. Come and sweeten our domestic church with Thy presence, and reign over us in prudence and justice.**
December 18th ~ O Adonai, and Leader of the House of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and didst give unto him the law on Sinai: come and with an outstretched arm redeem us.
Come, O Lord, and rule over our domestic church as if it were Thy mountain. Keep the ears of our hearts attentive to Thy law. Bestow on us Thy grace, that we may delight in Thy commands and help one another in following them. Send angels to instruct us, and the saints to inspire us. May our home and family be Thy throne; may our lives glorify Thy mighty kingdom.
December 19th ~ O Root of Jesse, Which standest for an ensign of the people, before Whom kings shall keep silence, Whom the Gentiles shall beseech: come and deliver us, and tarry not.
O Root of Jesse, come and be the steadfast Root that anchors our home in the soil of Thy Love and Truth. Hold us firmly upright against the capricious winds of the spirit of the world. Secure us on the narrow path as we journey through this vale of tears. Make our home into a holy flower of praise and adoration that stems from Thy merciful presence and grows forth to honor Thee.
December 20th ~ O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth: come and bring the prisoner forth from the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Be the only Key of our home, O Lord. Stand watch over the door of our domestic church; usher in all that is good and blessed, so that we may continually grow in holiness, and drive out with Thy rod all that is dangerous and perverted. Keep us forever open to Thee, and shut to Satan. Rescue us from our transgressions through Thy holy Sacrament of Penance, and keep us ever mindful of Thy mercy which alone has brought us out of the dark prison of our sins.
December 21st ~ O Day-spring, Brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice, come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Flood our home with Thy light, O Lord, that with illuminated hearts, we may strive to do what is right and just. Capture our hearts with the joy that comes from seeking to behold Thy goodness, Thy justice, and Thy beauty. May Thy light be in our countenances and in our souls, that we may draw others to Thee, letting Thee shine forth from us as light from a lamp.
December 22nd ~ O King of the Gentiles and the desire thereof, Thou cornerstone that makest both one, come and deliver mankind, whom though didst form out of clay.
Come, O Lord, into our home and family, and here be our only desire. Show to us daily that everything in the world is fading and fickle apart from Thee. Remind us of our constant longing for Thee, which has been knit into our bones from when we were in the womb. Keep us ever mindful that Thou art our First Beginning and our Last End. Let us love nothing except for Thee.
December 23rd ~O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the desire of the nations and the Savior therof, come to save us, O Lord our God.
Come to our home and be our God-with-us, O Lord. Help us to marvel at Thine Incarnation, and to revere the Virgin who bore Thee. Instill in our home and family a deep reverence and love for Thee in the Holy Eucharist. May we defend It as our greatest prize; honor It through frequent reception; and love It through profound adoration. May Thy Eucharist be the very Flesh and Blood that secures our domestic church and sustains our family on the way of holiness.
Amen.
National Novena for Election October 30th – November 7th ~
The Knights of Columbus (KOC) is encouraging Catholics around the nation to join in a special novena of prayer for the election which will begin on October 30 and extend through the eve of the election on November 7.
According to a press release (KOC) the prayer is addressed to the Holy Trinity through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, under her title of the Immaculate Conception.
Individuals, families, councils and parishes are all invited to participate.
“The Church teaches that Catholics are called to form their consciences based on Church teaching and vote in accordance with that well-formed conscience,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. He added: “Pope Francis has said in reference to the U.S. election that we should ‘study the proposals well, pray and choose with your conscience,’ and this novena is designed to help Catholic Americans do that.”
The Novena ~
Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your Spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as your Mother, in union with Mary we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.
Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage.
Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy, born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the tempted, sinners – on all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give ourselves to you. Protect us from every harm. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.
Homeschool Tracker
I am loving using Homeschool Tracker!! It was a little tricky getting it all set up, but thanks to an old friend it is up and running and helping me tremendously!!!!
If you need help staying on task, getting things done and feeling accomplished in your homeschooling, I highly recommend giving it a try!
Busy With Blessings 