Saturday, July 14, 2012

Lilly of the Mohawks

A novena for the upcoming canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekawitha.


In advance of Blessed Kateri’s canonization
by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012,
we invite you to join in this novena of prayers
for her intercession and for the success of
the pilgrimage to Rome.

Pray each day’s special prayer, followed by one Hail Mary and the Prayer for Canonization.

Days 1, 4, 7: Blessed Kateri’s Charitable Spirit
Father in heaven, you gave Blessed Kateri a spirit of charity that mirrored your own love for the poor and disadvantaged. Grant us, we beseech you, the same love for our brothers and sisters around the world, especially the victims of injustice
and oppression. May we have the grace to reach out to them in your name with the gifts you have so generously given. We ask this through Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and your Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Hail Mary, Prayer for Canonization

Days 2, 5, 8: Blessed Kateri’s Penitential Spirit
O God, who sent your Son to live and suffer and die with us and for our sins, grant us the grace
to imitate Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in her penance and her obedience. May her example inspire
us to lives of simple and fervent devotion to the sufferings of Jesus, always aware that just as His
suffering and death culminated in His resurrection, our trials, joined with His, will lead us to the
same fullness of life forever. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and your Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Hail Mary, Prayer for
Canonization

Days 3, 6, 9: Blessed Kateri’s Prayerful Spirit
Lord God, you called the virgin Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha to shine among the American Indian
people as an example of innocence of life and a prayerful spirit. Through her intercession, may
all peoples of every tribe, tongue and nation, having been gathered into your Church, proclaim
your greatness in one song of praise. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who
lives and reigns with you and your Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Hail Mary,
Prayer for Canonization

Prayer for Canonization
God, who, among the many marvels of your grace in the New World, did cause to blossom
on the banks of the Mohawk and St. Lawrence Rivers, the pure and tender Lily, Kateri Tekakwitha, grant we beseech you, the favors we beg through her intercession: That this young lover of Jesus and His Cross may soon be counted among her saints by Holy Mother Church, and that our hearts may be enkindled with a stronger desire to imitate her innocence and faith. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the sick he saw the person of Christ*...

St. Camillus is a constant reminder of why we need comprehensive health care for ALL persons in this country. "He was known to see in all peoples who were sick, other "Christs". The mere sight of the sick was enough to melt and soften his heart."* Because for anyone who dares to call themselves a "Christian", it is the right thing to do.  We continue to skirt the issue by politicizing the truth that we don't have the best health-care system if millions cannot participate.  If we don't like what has been proposed and passed, lets get busy with some good alternatives; not to continue the status quo hidden in a new name, but a real life-giving plan that will make our nation shine as a light in the world.  Others will know us by our deeds.  St. Camillus, pray for our conversion so to see Christ in our sick, and to truly become who we claim to be.

*from the Life os St. Camillus, by his companion/

Sunday, July 1, 2012

I Don't "Say Mass"!!!

I rather "serve the Liturgy".  To be able to be of service to God's people as the unworthy servant to feed those who hunger for heavenly food. As one who enters into the "the source and summit" I liken these summer days of Ordinary Time as time to reflect and enter the liturgy more intimately.  Most gospels during the summer teach us discipleship in our daily lives.  Even the most simple daily mass invites us to enter this most divine and supernatural experience.  Can we live what we believe and pray? How many of us accept the truth that Christ asks us to be bound to him in charity?  Perhaps this prayer before any daily decision we make may offer guidance:

"May this divine sacrifice we have offered and received
fill us with life, O Lord, we pray,
so that, bound to you in lasting charity,
we may bear fruit that lasts for ever.
Through Christ our Lord."  
Prayer after Communion, 13 Sunday in Ordinary Time. Roman Missal-third edition

If Jesus in the Eucharist is the pinnacle of this source and summit, the liturgy, then God allow me to serve what you have deigned holy for your holy people. That is charity par excellence; Christ.