Thursday, April 24, 2008

Beatitudes of Marriage (Author unknown)

Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate,
considerate, and loving after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.

Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to
one another as they are to their friends.

Blessed are they who love their mates more than any other person in
the world, and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow of a lifetime
of fidelity and mutual helpfulness to one another.

Blessed are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of
the Lord.

Blessed are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible and for prayer.

Blessed are those mates who never speak loudly to one another, and who make their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word."

Blessed are the husband and wife who faithfully attend the worship
service of the church, and who work together in the church for the
advancement of Christ's kingdom.

Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out the problems of
adjustment without interference from relatives.

Blessed is the couple which has complete understanding about financial matters, and have worked out a perfect partnership, with all money under the control of both.

Blessed are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and
their homes to Christ, and who practice the teachings of Christ in the
home by being unselfish, loyal and loving.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Analogy on why God allows pain and suffering

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?

If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me." "Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Monday, April 7, 2008

The Mysteries of the ROSARY with Bible references..

The Joyful Mysteries(Said on Mondays, Saturdays)
First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary
read: Luke 1:26-38

Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
read: Luke 1:39-56

Third Joyful Mystery - The Birth of Jesus
read: Luke 2:6-20/Matthew 2:1-12/John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18

Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
read: Luke 2:22-35. 39-40

Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple
read: Luke 2:41-52

The Luminous Mysteries
(Said on Thursdays)

First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
read:Matthew 3:13-17/Mark 1:9-11/luke 3:21-22

The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana
read: John 2:11

The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
read: Matthew 4:13-17. 5:1-12/Mark 1:14-15. 21-28/Luke 4:14-22

The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus
read: Matthew 17:1-8/Luke 9:28-35/Mark 9:2-8

The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist
read: Matthew 26:26-28/Luke 22:14-20/Mark 14:22-24/1st Corinthians 11:23-26

The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Said on Tuesdays, Fridays)

First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony of Jesus in the Garden
read: Matthew 26:36-45/Mark 14:32-41/Luke 22:39-46

Second Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar
read: Matthew 27:15-26/Mark 15:6-15/Luke 23:1-5/John 18:38-19:1

Third Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Crowned With Thorns
read: Matthew 27:27-31/Mark 15:16-20/John 19:2-16

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus Carries His Cross
read: Matthew 27:31-32/Mark 15:20-23/Luke 23:26-31

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus
read: Matthew 27:33-50/Mark 15:22-37/Luke 23:33-47/John 19:18-30

The Glorious Mysteries
(Said on Wednesdays, Sundays)

First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection of Jesus
read: John 20:1-23/Luke 24:1-12/Mark 16:1-11/Matthew 28:1-10

Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension of Jesus
read: Luke 24:46-53/Matthew28:16-20/Mark 16:14-20/Acts 1:1-11

Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
read: Acts 2:1-12

Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
read: Luke 1:26-38. 1:41-55/1st Corinthians 15:20-26/Revelations 12:1-12

Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
read: Matthew 25:31-40/Revelation 7:9-17
-end-

Prayers used in the ROSARY.

Prayers used in the Rosary

Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introductory Prayers
Leader: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.
All: Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
L: O Lord open my lips.
A: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
L: O God come to my assistance.
A:O Lord make haste to help me.
L: Glory be to the father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
A: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into hell.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting.Amen.The Lord’s Prayer/Our FatherOur Father, Who art in heavenHallowed be Thy Name;Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Glory be to the father.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

The Hail Mary.
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Prayer to Jesus Requested By Our Lady. (Fatima Prayer)
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, take all souls to Heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.

Hail Holy Queen.
Hail! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary!

The Litany of the blessed Virgin
Leader: Lord, have mercy on us.
Answer: Lord have mercy on us.
L:Christ, have mercy on us.
A:Christ have mercy on us.
L:Lord, have mercy on us.
A:Lord have mercy on us.
L: Christ hear us.
A:Christ, graciously hear us.
L:God, the Father in Heaven.
A:have mercy on us.
L:God the Son, Redeemer of the world.
A: have mercy on us.
L:God the Holy Spirit.
A: have mercy on us.
L:Holy Trinity, One God.
A:have mercy on us.
L:Holy Mary,
A:pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of the Church,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of Angels,
pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of Prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of Apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of Confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of Virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all Saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.
Queen of the family,
pray for us.
Queen of Peace,
pray for us.
Leader:Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Answer:spare us, O Lord!.
L:Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
A:graciously hear us, O Lord!
L:Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
A:have mercy on us.
L:Queen of the most Holy Rosary, Pray for us,
A: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
All: Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant we beseech thee that meditating upon these mysteries of the most Holy Rosary, of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Closing Prayer.
Leader:May the divine assistance remain always with us.
Answer: Amen.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Answer: Amen.
Leader: May the blessing of almighty God: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, descend upon us and remain with us always.
Answer: Amen.
-end-

How to Pray the ROSARY.

How to Pray the Rosary


1. Make the sign of the cross.
2. Say the our Father.
3. Say three Hail Marys for increase of Hope, Faith and Charity.
4. Say the Glory be to the Father.
5. Announce the Mystery to be meditated upon; pause for a while; announce the intention for which the decade is offered, then say the Our Father..
6. Say ten (10) hail Marys while meditating on the mystery that has just been announced.
7. Say the glory be to the Father and the Fatima Prayer.
8. Repeat steps 5 to 7 for each of the remaining four meysteries.
9. Pray the Hail Holy Queen.
10. Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.
11. Say the closing Prayer.