Prayer For The Conversion of the World

O Almighty and Eternal God, who saves all and wills not that any should perish,
Look we beseech Thee upon the souls of those who are led astray by the deceits
of the devil.
That rejecting all errors the hearts of those who err might be converted, and thus
Return to the unity of Thy truth, through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.
Taken from the liturgy of Holy Thursday.

Advent Reflection

At our parish today we were offered these little blue books to help us on our Advent journey. The concept of this book is to offer God 6 minutes each day during Advent to pray, pray the Holy Scriptures, be still, and listen.
Well today was the first day of Advent, and as I settled down this evening to give God my 6 little minutes, I lit the Advent Wreathe, said a weak prayer, and began to observe the flame of the candle. I noticed how the flame was part of the candle by means of the wick. If the wick was not there to support the flame, there would be no flame. What are you saying to me God? Is my heart the candle without a wick?
If you say yes, I can hardly dispute it. I feel my flame has gone out. I smile on the outside, but my zeal is undetectable on the inside. That is my Advent Quest. I need to find a wick to ignite the flame. I trust that God will lead me in my search for fire.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Amen.

Spiritual Bouquet For Priests

In this Year for Priests as declared by Pope Benedict XVI, a spiritual bouquet for priests has been organized. If you would like to offer your prayers,sacrifices or difficulties for the sanctification of priests, please add them here in the com box and they will be posted with the ongoing "flowers".

Hail Holy Queen...

Mother of Mercy, our life our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us,
And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary,
Pray for us O holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

Who is she that cometh forth like the dawn,
terrible as an army set in battle array?