Pope Leo XIIIâs prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Saint Michael, pray for us.
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In the Tridentine Calendar, May 8 is the feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael, the Archangel. Â
Consecration Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, invincible Prince of the Angelic hosts and glorious protector of the universal Church, I greet thee and praise thee for that splendor with which God has adorned thee so richly. I thank God for the great graces He hast bestowed upon thee, especially to remain faithful when Lucifer and his followers rebelled, and to battle victoriously for the honor of God and the Divinity of the Son of Man.
Saint Michael, I consecrate to thee my soul and body. I choose thee as my patron and protector and entrust the salvation of my soul to thy care. Be the guardian of my obligation as a child of God and of the Catholic Church as again I renounce Satan, his works and pomps.
Assist me by thy powerful intercession in the fulfillment of these sacred promises, so that imitating thy courage and loyalty to God, and trusting in thy kind help and protection, I may be victorious over the enemies of my soul and be united with God in Heaven forever.Â
Amen.
Saint Michael, pray for us and protect us.
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Might have a little too much going on here. Â But grey herringbone blazer with a purple-and-blue striped shirt and a dark blue/black tie with little purple owls on. Â The Citizen watch is uncluttered, if a little larger than I like (I have a small wrist). Â I do love the blue hands.
The blazer and tie were both thrift store finds. Â
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Divine Mercy Novena
Day 4
Fourth Day
"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me, I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."Â
Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.Â
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Then pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, using a standard rosary.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostlesâ Creed.
Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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Happy Easter!
Divine Mercy Novena
Day 3
Third Day
"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."Â
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.Â
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Then pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, using a standard rosary.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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Divine Mercy Novena
Day 2
Second Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."Â
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.Â
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Then pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, using a standard rosary.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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It's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flying
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire's gone out but the light is never dying
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Carrying a dead man's shield
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' with a toothache in my heel
â Bob Dylan, âAinât Talkinââ
Bob Dylanâs epic, apocalyptic ballad âAinât Talkinââ is a brilliant look at the history of salvation from the Garden of Eden to the garden tomb.  Dylan blends American folk idiom with Biblical narrative.  The above verses capture the despair of Jesusâ followers after Good Friday.  Dylan also masterfully uses absurd doggerel from the folk tune âOld Dan Tuckerâ (âdied with a toothache in his heelâ) to express Godâs promise to Eve in Genesis 3:15 (Satan would strike Christâs heel, but He would crush Satanâs head).
Take a listen to the song--and donât stop until you get to the last verse!
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Divine Mercy Novena
Day 1
First Day
âToday bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.â
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Then pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, using a standard rosary.
Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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I wish you all a meaningful Good Friday!
The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christâs cross its timbers were chosen.
Being distressed at the use of the wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
âNot ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so
Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown
And in the blossomâs center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be
A reflection to all of My agony.â
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âShortly we will reenact the Washing of Feet. But could we not say that our priests wash feet in the Sacrament of Penance? Isnât a good confession an experience of having the Lord himself remove the dirt of our sins from us with the purifying power of his goodness, his mercy â so that we might come to the table? Godâs love really knows no bounds, but man can put a limit on it. That is certainly also remembered tonight in Judasâ betrayal. What was his betrayal but the rejection of love, of not wanting to be loved, of not loving. Such betrayals come about through human pride â and by thinking that what counts is not love but power and success. May nothing become more important than our communion with Jesus, nothing more important than God and his love.â
â Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami Â
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Jesus to Saint Faustina (Diary, 301):
âProclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy â
The Divine Mercy Novena begins tomorrow!
Jesus, I trust in You!
Saint Faustina, pray for us.
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Returning once again to our regularly scheduled broadcast, let us once again remember Egypt during what must be a terrifying Holy Week. Â Saint Mary of Egypt is the patroness of penitents, which should be all of us this week. Â Let us ask her intercession for Egypt and for ourselves.
Prayer of St. Mary of Egypt while standing in front of the icon of the Theotokos at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem
O Lady, Mother of God, who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word, I know, O how well I know, that it is no honour or praise to thee when one so impure and depraved as I look up to thy icon, O ever-virgin, who didst keep thy body and soul in purity. Rightly do I inspire hatred and disgust before thy virginal purity. But I have heard that God Who was born of thee became man on purpose to call sinners to repentance. Then help me, for I have no other help. Order the entrance of the church to be opened to me. Allow me to see the venerable Tree on which He Who was born of thee suffered in the flesh and on which He shed His holy Blood for the redemption of sinners an for me, unworthy as I am. Be my faithful witness before thy son that I will never again defile my body by the impurity of fornication, but as soon as I have seen the Tree of the Cross I will renounce the world and its temptations and will go wherever thou wilt lead me.
Saint Mary of Egypt, pray for your homeland, pray for us, and pray for all penitents during this Holy Week.
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So letâs do this again!  Hopefully Smackdown Live reloads tonight.  I especially want to see The Club reunited with AJ Styles.  Stay tuned for my reactions as the night goes on.
8:01pm
They start off with a rather obvious development.  They canât have both secondary titles on Raw and pretend the shows are equal.  KO to SDL!
8:05pm
Baron Corbin picks right up where he left off: secondary title feud. Â
8:07pm
You knew Sami Zayn couldnât be far behind! Â Welcome to Smackdown!
8:08pm
AJ Styles is still here! Â
8:11pm
Wait what?  Chris Jericho can win the US Championship and then go away with Fozzy?  Does Kevin Owens go back to Raw if that happens?  Letâs hope KO keeps the strap and stays on SDL.
8:14pm
Commercial break question: who will Shinsuke Nakamura feud with now that Miz is on Raw?
8:20pm
So what is Erick Rowan doing by himself on Smackdown? Â
8:23pm
I like the idea of a faction with members on both brands, and it does cultivate a mystique for Bray Wyatt. Â But the Wyatt Family is misused more often than not. Â So we shall see...
8:30pm
This is would be a good time for Gallows and Anderson to run in... Â Wishful thinking, perhaps.
8:40pm
I was right about the incoming tag team ambush. Â The Shining Stars were not who I had in mind, however.
8:41pm
Jinder Mahal is coming to Smackdown. Â Woohoo.
8:58pm
Now for the Smackdown Live womenâs division!  Whoâs coming?  Charlotte, Sasha, both, neither?
9:02pm
Tamina is coming to SDL.
9:03pm
The crowd wants Sasha. Â Shane gives them Charlotte. Â Is Sasha still on the way?
9:04pm
Looks like she isnât.
9:08pm
Sin Cara on Smackdown makes no damn sense.  They never found a place for Kalisto.  Rusev will be a good get when he returns.  Rusev and Lana can be an âit coupleâ in lieu of Miz and Maryse.
9:09pm
Aiden English is going to be this roundâs Heath Slater.
9:19pm
Uh, Bob Fosse used bowler hats--not top hats.
9:21pm
SDL answers my 8:14 question with Dolph Ziggler.
9:30pm
Just in case the WWE is reading this, the triple threat match would be a good time to introduce The Club.
9:33pm
The New Day is a good addition. Â They havenât had much to do on Raw recently.
9:37pm
AJ Styles just Too Sweet-ed himself. Â Foreshadowing?
9:59pm
No Gallows and Anderson. Â Ah, well.
10:01pm
Smackdown Live is a decent wrestling show--it wasnât 24 hours ago.  Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Rusev/Lana arenât exactly an equal trade for Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt and Miz/Maryse.  But the newcomers can tell good stories.  It will still be a good show, but I care less for this set of characters/wrestlers.  If they arenât going to put The Club back together with AJ Styles, then they ought to do it on Raw with Finn Balor.
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This popped up on Feedly recently, linking to this sermon by John Piper, a leading evangelical and neo-Calvinist. Â As a convert, it kinda sums up my problem with Protestantism, or at least one of them. Â (Protestants who donât know what theyâre protesting are another story.)
To read this blurb, Christianity seemingly begins in 1517.  Jesus is absent, and St. Paul is only invoked insofar as he was used by Reformers to support their arguments fifteen hundred years later.  Granted, Piper alleges that the Reformers ârecoveredâ the true Gospel, linking them with Christ.  But this is an assertion rather than evidence.  What Piper means is: âThere are various ways to interpret the New Testament.  Lutherâs way hadnât been used by virtually any of the Church Fathers in fifteen hundred years, but I believe it so by gum it must have been the true gospel.â
Ok, then. Â Iâm sure if I listen to the whole sermon that Piper reaches the conclusion above (which most Protestants have, in my previous experience) with a great deal of sophisticated hermeneutics. Â But still.
Small disclaimer: I subscribe to the Desiring God RSS feed because the site frequently does feature good articles. Â And whatever my quibbles with neo-Calvinism, I think it is good for evangelicalism, which is often captivated by theologically vapid and even heretical fads.
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And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...
All jokes aside, let us remember Egypt, where ISIS bombings killed dozens of Christians worshiping on Palm Sunday. Â We pray for the living, that God may grant them strength and courage. Â We pray for the dead, that their souls will receive mercy and rest in peace.
Prayer in Honor of St. Anthony of Egypt
God our Father,
You gave St Anthony of Egypt
the courage and belief of an apostle
to give up his wealth,
living a life of poverty and solitude,
and to found monasteries.
Help us to be zealous in imitating his virtues
and to follow in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grant this through the same Christ Our Lord
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Anthony of Egypt, pray for your homeland.
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Speaking of pro wrestling (as I am in the Superstar Shakeup live blog), Kurt Angle is the current general manager on Monday Night Raw, an Olympic gold medalist, and a Catholic. Â
When CM Punk (currently retired from wrestling) called Pope Benedict XVI âa Naziâ in 2013, Angle came to the Holy Fatherâs defense, albeit a rather earthy manner.  I, for one, have no problem with Pope Benedict âwhip[ping] Punkâs skinny ass.â  I doubt His Holiness has any plans to do so, however.
Saint Sebastian, patron of athletes, pray for us.
Pope Benedict XVI, pray for us.
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