Monthly Archives: March 2024

Here we are again, friends… And it seems like only three months ago that I said the last prayers of this wonderful novena.

https://www.impossiblenovena.com/novena-prayers

The above links to one version of the nine month Incarnation Novena. This is a special novena of prayer to the blessed mother, honoring the nine months of her pregnancy. So yes, you did read that right, you will pray this novena every day for nine months ending at Christmas.

I can attest from the past few years that this is indeed a very powerful way to meditate on the incarnation and to beseech the Blessed Mother for your most special requests.

I just discovered that my parish will not be using the venerable pre-1955 Holy Week liturgies this week.

😢

Having experienced the rites from before the wicked Bugnini got his paws on them over the past few years, I am indeed sad.

If you’re not familiar, check this out.

https://www.restorethe54.com/

Or just watch this.

Today I received many blessings. Here is a snapshot of two.

Around quarter to four in the afternoon I was waiting in my car in the parking lot of the parish while my son was inside doing something with the homeschool co-op. I decided to step into the church for some prayer time with Our Lord. Having this availability is a blessing in itself. As I walked in I noticed the usual for a Thursday afternoon when the coo-op is in session. I noticed a handful of people – men, women, and children – scattered about the church kneeling and praying in reverent silence. As I walked to the center aisle I noticed a little buzz of activity coming from the baptistery. It was then that I realized that I had stumbled upon a moment of great grace. An infant in the arms of his parents and godparents was being given the gift of Sanctifying Grace!

I knelt down to pray for this child.

Just a few hours later I returned to the church for an evening Mass. This time it was the other end of life I saw, for this Mass was a funeral. I did not know the deceased. My wife had been one of his students years ago. Unfortunately she could not attend so I went in her place. There came a moment of almost sheer terror as if orchestrated by the Almighty. As the choir sang the Dies Irae, a passing thunderstorm tossed about flashes of lightning and the atmosphere outside the church cracked with the sound of thunder. Day of wrath, indeed. One can’t help but contemplate his own judgment at a moment like that.

I knelt down and prayed for this dead man.

And I thanked God for the reminders this day of my baptism and my ultimate end. I thanked Him for His priests. I thanked Him and asked of Him the grace of final perseverance and a happy death.

St. Joseph, pray for us!

Even my St. Rita “hid herself”.

Others have written well of the need to stay sharp and focused during these final days of Lent. Check out this piece from Non Veni Pacem. I haven’t been doing so well myself. Caught myself snacking recently. The thing is, while we live, we hope. So get back into it and finish strong. Our Lord desires a humble and contrite heart.

Ask the saints and angels every single morning to safeguard you and pray for you. Ask especially your guardian angel, St. Joseph, your patron saints, and of course the Blesses Mother. Tell Our Lord you desire to please Him and ask Him for the grace to do that. When you start to feel like a failure (as I have lately) remember that the devil does not want you to succeed. He hates you so why would you listen to him anyway?

Make spiritual Communions often even on days when you can receive Him sacramentally. And speaking of which, go to Mass every day if you are able. Know that you are in my prayers as I pray I am in yours.

Blessed Mother, Queen of heaven and earth, deign to consent to the graces Thy Son will pour into my heart!

On this 11th anniversary of the “installation” of you know who, let us pray that St. Joseph, Protector of the Church will come to the aid of the Bride of his foster-Son.