Rogation Days: May 23, 24, 25
by VP
Posted on Monday May 23, 2022 at 12:00AM in Prayers
Today is the beginning of three days of prayers and fasting that
were traditionally known as Rogation Days. Below you will find
historical information I gathered from different sources:
"Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday were
instituted by the Church to appease God's anger at man's
transgressions, to ask protection in calamities.
These Rogation Days are of French origin, coming about in the 5th
c., when St. Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne, Dauphiné instituted them
after a series of natural calamities. Rogation is simply an
English form of the Latin rogatio, which comes from the verb
rogare, which means "to ask". The Rogation Days were marked by the
recitation of the litany of the Saints which would normally begin
in or at a church.
After Saint Mary was invoked, the congregation would proceed to
walk the boundaries of the parish, while reciting the rest of the
litany (and repeating it as necessary or supplementing it with
some of the penitential or gradual Psalms). Thus, the entire
parish would be blessed, and the boundaries of the parish would be
marked. The procession would end with a Rogation Mass, in which
all in the parish were expected to take part.
If your parish does not celebrate the Rogation Days, there's
nothing to stop you from celebrating them yourself. You can mark
the days by reciting the Litany of the saints.
We could also pray the Litany to obtain Holy Priests:
Finish it all off by attending daily Mass and praying for good
weather and a fruitful harvest."
Rogation Days , Pray without ceasing
By Hazel Gillmore Alden Rogation Days
Rogation Days, Prayer without Ceasing
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 22, 2022 at 12:00AM in Prayers
May 23, 24, and 26 2022 are three days of prayers and fasting that were traditionally known as Rogation Days.
Below you will find historical information I gathered from different sources:
"Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday were instituted by the Church to appease divine justice, to ask protection in calamities, and invoke Godʼs blessing on the harvest .
These Rogation Days are of French origin, coming about in the 5th c., when St. Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne, Dauphiné instituted them after a series of natural calamities.
Rogation is simply an English form of the Latin rogatio, which comes from the verb rogare, which means "to ask". The Rogation Days were marked by the recitation of the litany of the Saints which would normally begin in or at a church.
After Saint Mary was invoked, the congregation would proceed to walk the boundaries of the parish, while reciting the rest of the litany (and repeating it as necessary or supplementing it with some of the penitential or gradual Psalms). Thus, the entire parish would be blessed, and the boundaries of the parish would be marked. The procession would end with a Rogation Mass, in which all in the parish were expected to take part.
If your parish does not celebrate the Rogation Days, you may mark the days by reciting the Litany of the saints and fasting.
Meditation by Bishop Challoner:
Rogation Sunday on the Devotion of the Time:
" Consider first, that these days, between this Sunday and the ascension of our Lord, are days of devotion, and are called rogation-days, because they are set aside by the church for solemn prayers and supplications, joined with abstinence and penance, in order to turn away the wrath of God, provoked by our sins; and to remove far from us his scourges of wars, plagues, famines, &c.; to implore his mercy for ourselves, and for all his people; and to beg his blessing upon the fruits of the earth. As the first institution of the devotion of these days was occasioned by a terrible scene of disasters and visible judgments of God upon the people, to which a stop was put by dedicating these three days to prayer and penance; so the success that attended this first essay has encouraged the church to an annual practice of the like devotion ever since. Hence we may learn, with what dispositions of soul we ought to present ourselves before the throne of grace at this time; with what a lively sense of the guilt of our sins, and of the judgments we deserve for them both here and hereafter; with what desire to return to God from our sins, and to offer him the sacrifice of a contrite and humble heart for them, and to join, as it were in a body, at this time, with the whole people of God, in suing in a proper manner for his mercy, with most humble supplication and fervent prayers. See, my soul, if these be thy dispositions.
Consider 2ndly, that although we do not every day feel the heavy hand of divine justice by the experience of public calamities, or other visible judgments, yet if we consider the guilt of so many crying sins, not only of particular persons, but even of whole nations, which are continually calling to God for vengeance, we shall find too much reason to apprehend that the sword of God’s justice is even now hanging over our heads and that the worst of his judgments will quickly fall upon Christendom in general, if not averted by prayer and penance. This consideration ought to determine all Christians in general (even the most innocent, if they have any concern for the public danger, or true charity for the souls of their neighbors,) gladly to embrace so happy an opportunity as this of joining with all the children of God in humiliations and prayer, in order to prevent the thunder of heaven from suddenly breaking over our heads, and hurrying away thousands into the bottomless pit. And as for every particular sinner, now is the most favorable time for him to sue for mercy, because at this time the whole church joins in a particular manner in praying for all sinners. And if he should neglect this opportunity, what may he not justly fear from his repeated treason; from the wrath of God above, ready to fall upon him; from the mouth of hell below, gaping to devour him; from the devil, to whom he has sold himself; and from that monster, mortal sin, (which is even worse than the devil,) which he always carries about with him? O sinners, neglect not these days of salvation, lest they never return to you any more. Now is your time - hereafter there may be no time for you.
Consider 3rdly, she encouragement we have both in the Epistle and the Gospel of the Rogations, to look for mercy and for all good, both for ourselves and for our neighbors, from humble and fervent prayer. In the epistle (St. James v.) we are taught the great efficacy of continual prayer, with an exhortation to pray for one another, in order to salvation and a declaration of what the reward will be of them that contribute to the salvation of others. In the gospel (St. Luke xi.) we are exhorted by Christ our Lord to a holy importunity and perseverance in prayer; and we are taught by the example of a friend, and of a father, to look for good gifts from our heavenly Father by the means of earnest prayer. O what a friend indeed, what a parent have we in him! or who is like to him in bounty and mercy? Let us then be encouraged by these divine oracles, ‘To go with confidence at this time to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid.’ Heb. iv. i6.
Conclude to join at this time with the whole church of God in prayer and penance, that thou mayest obtain mercy both for thyself and for thy neighbors. Heaven can never resist a general assault made by the whole people of God by the means of prayer, when joined with a contrite and humble heart."
Source: LiturgiaLatina
Rogation Days: Pray without Ceasing
The Litany to obtain Holy Priests
sources:
Ember & Rogation Days ~ Fr Ripperger
Rogation Days
Reparation to the Holy Face
by VP
Posted on Tuesday May 10, 2022 at 12:00AM in Prayers
Offering of the Holy Face
Oh, my beautiful Immaculate Mother Mary, Queen of Sorrows, I beg of you, by the inexpressible agony you did endure at the foot of the Cross, to offer to the Eternal Father, in my stead, the Holy Face of your Divine Son, my Jesus, covered with Blood, wounds, and other indignities heaped upon Him during His Sacred Passion, and beg of Him to grant … (Here mention the grace or favor you desire). Amen. (by St. John Vianney, The Curé of Ars)
Prayer to Obtain the Settlement of all Our Needs
" Oh, Eternal Father, since it has pleased our Divine Savior to reveal to mankind in our present century the power residing in His Holy Face, we now avail ourselves of this treasure in our great needs. Since our Savior Himself promised that by offering to You, oh Eternal Father, the Holy Face disfigured in the Passion, we can procure the settlement of all our affairs, and that nothing whatsoever will be refused us, we now come before Your Throne.
Offering to You, oh God, this adorable Countenance, disfigured with painful bruises and covered with shame and confusion, we beg through the merits of this Holy Face to obtain these, our pressing needs.
Grant us pardon, Eternal Father, for the worst crimes of our age, which are atheism, blasphemy, and the desecration of Your holy days. May this offering of the Holy Face of our Savior before Your throne obtain for us deliverance from these evils.
Send us, oh God, many vocations to the priesthood and to the religious life, so that by their prayers, their works, and their sacrifices, they may spread the blessings of Your Church and confound Your enemies. Amen."
Source: Discalced Carmelites Nuns of Sacramento Holy Face Devotion
Prayer to the Good Shepherd
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 08, 2022 at 11:38AM in Prayers
Divine Savior Jesus Christ, Thou are the
Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep. Oh, be in a very
special way the Good Shepherd of those poor lost priests who are also
appointed by Thee to be leaders of Thy people, but who have broken the
oath of their holy ordination and have become unfaithful to their
exalted calling. Bestow upon these poorest of the poor the very fullness
of that pastoral solicitude with which Thou dost so faithfully seek the
sheep that are lost! Touch their hearts with the irresistible ray of
grace which emanates from Thine all-merciful love! Enlighten their minds
and strengthen their wills, that they may turn away from all sin and
error and come back to Thy holy altar and to Thy people. O most
compassionate Savior! Remember that Thou didst once redeem the souls of
Thine erring priests with Thy Precious Blood and in infinite
preferential love didst impress upon them the indelible character of the
priesthood. Put wholly to shame those miserable helpers of Satan who
lay snares for the virtue of priests and endanger the holy ideal of the
priesthood. Most graciously accept our prayers and sacrifices for poor
priests who have gone astray and hear our earnest petition. Amen
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests.
St. John-Mary Vianney, model of sacerdotal holiness, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionary priests, obtain for us holy priests.
St. Therese of the Child-Jesus and of the Holy Face, victim offered for the sanctification of priests, obtain for us holy priests.
Saints and Servants of God, obtain for us holy priests.
Imprimatur - Bishop John F. Null (April 18, 1948)
#8 Acts of Adoration Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for all the offenses committed against Him by mankind
by VP
Posted on Thursday May 05, 2022 at 12:00AM in Prayers
8. We adore Thee, Sovereign Lord of the universe, to Whom all knees
both in heaven and earthy should bend, all reverence be paid! And in
order to repair the many blasphemies against thy honor, we offer up to
Thee the praises and homage of the Principalities. Eternal praise and thanksgiving be to the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament.
O Queen of heaven and earth, hope of mankind, who adores thy Divine
Son incessantly! We entreat thee, that, since we have the honor to be of
the number of thy children, thou would interest thyself in our behalf
and make satisfaction for us, and in our name, to our Eternal Judge, by
rendering to Him the Duties which we ourselves are incapable of
performing. Amen
Prayer to Saint Joseph for the Church
by VP
Posted on Sunday May 01, 2022 at 12:50AM in Prayers
Saint Joseph, God has appointed you
patron of the Catholic Church because you were the head of the Holy
Family,
the starting-point of the Church. You were the father, protector, guide
and support of the Holy Family. For that reason you
belong in a particular way to the Church, which was the purpose of the
Holy Family's existence.
I believe that the Church is the family of God on earth. Its government
is represented in priestly authority which consists above
all in its power over the true Body of Christ, really present in the
Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, thus continuing Christ's life in the
Church. From this power, too, comes authority over the Mystical Body of
Christ, the members of the Church -- the power to teach
and govern souls, to reconcile them with God, to bless them, and to
pray for them.
You have a special relationship to the
priesthood because you possessed a wonderful power over our Savior
Himself. Your life and office were of a priestly function and
are especially connected with the Blessed Sacrament. To some extent you
were the means of bringing the Redeemer to us -- as it is
the priest's function to bring Him to us in the Mass -- for you reared
Jesus, supported, nourished, protected and sheltered Him.
You were prefigured by the patriarch Joseph, who kept supplies of wheat
for his people. But how much greater than he were you! Joseph
of old gave the Egyptians mere bread for their bodies. You nourished,
and with the most tender care, preserved for the Church Him who
is the Bread of Heaven and who gives eternal life in Holy Communion.
God
has appointed you patron of the Church because
the glorious title of patriarch also falls by special right to you. The
patriarchs were the heads of families of the Chosen People, and theirs
was the honor to prepare for the Savior's incarnation. You belonged to
this line of patriarchs, for you were one of the last descendants of
the family of David and one of the nearest forebears of Christ according
to the flesh. As husband of Mary, the Mother of God, and as the
foster-father of the Savior, you were directly connected with Christ.
Your vocation was especially concerned with the Person of Jesus;
your entire activity centered about Him. You are, therefore, the
closing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, which took
its rise with the Holy Family of Nazareth. Because the New Testament
surpasses the Old in every respect, you are the patriarch of patriarchs
, the most venerable, exalted, and amiable of all the patriarchs.
Through
Mary, the Church received Christ, and therefore the Church
is indebted to her. But the Church owes her debt of gratitude and
veneration to you also, for you were the chosen one who enabled Christ
to enter into the world according to the laws of order and fitness. It
was by you that the patriarchs and the prophets and the faithful reaped
the fruit of God's promise. Alone among them all, you saw with your own
eyes and possessed the Redeemer promised to the rest of men.
Saint Joseph, I thank God for your privilege of being the Patron of the
Church. As a token of your own gratitude to God, obtain for me the
grace to
live always as a worthy member of this Church, so that through it I may
save my soul. Bless the priests, the religious, and the laity of the
Catholic Church,
that they may ever grow in God's love and faithfulness in His service.
Protect the Church from the evils of our day and from the persecution of
her enemies.
Through your powerful intercession may the church successfully
accomplish its mission in this world -- the glory of God and the
salvation of souls! Amen.
Source: Saint Joseph: The Family Saint, by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, 1956
#7 Acts of Adoration Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for all the offenses committed against Him by mankind
by VP
Posted on Thursday April 28, 2022 at 09:53AM in Prayers
7. We adore Thee, O source and origin of all sanctity and innocence! And to repair the abominations committed by wicked priests, who consecrate and receive Thee in the state of mortal sin, we offer up to Thee the profound adoration and holiness of the Powers. Eternal praise and thanksgiving be to the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament.
O Queen of heaven and earth, hope of mankind, who adores thy Divine
Son incessantly! We entreat thee, that, since we have the honor to be of
the number of thy children, thou would interest thyself in our behalf
and make satisfaction for us, and in our name, to our Eternal Judge, by
rendering to Him the duties which we ourselves are incapable of
performing. Amen
April 25th: Major Rogations
by VP
Posted on Monday April 25, 2022 at 12:00AM in Prayers
"On the feast of St. Mark rogations take place, which are called the major rogations or Litanies. The word Rogation is of Latin derivation, and means a petition, a prayer. A litany, originally meant a common, alternately spoken prayer. In the course of time this word was transferred to rogation, so that, in the language of the Church, Litany and rogation are synonymous. The rogations of St. Mark?s day are called the major rogations or Litanies, because from the beginning they were held with greater solemnity than the rogations in Rogation Week. These rogations on the feast of St. Mark are of very ancient date, for they can be traced back to St. Gregory the Great, who introduced them in the year 590. Thy have for their object to beg God in the spirit of humility and penance, that He may graciously protect us from all those evils with which natures threatens us. For, on account of the sins by which we have desecrated it, nature is in opposition to us, and causes us many damages. God being the Lord of nature, we supplicate Him by united prayers, that He may avert from us everything dangerous to our person and property." (The Pulpit Orator, page 147, By Rev. John Evangelist Zollner, 1884.)
"The object of these days? devotions is to ask of God, from whom every good and perfect gift proceeds, that He would be pleased to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, and bestow upon His creatures all those temporal blessings that are necessary for them in the course of their mortal pilgrimage. Besides the actual graces received by the devotions of the Rogations Days, the fact itself of being reminded to have recourse to Almighty God for temporal blessings is of great advantage in this material age, when the all-sufficiency of man has become one of the leading dogmas of misguided persons." (The Litanies, The Sacramentals of the Holy Catholic Church Page 197.)
Source: Cure d'Ars Prayer Group
Priest's Saturday
by VP
Posted on Saturday February 26, 2022 at 12:00AM in Prayers
Divine Savior, Sanctify Thy Priests!
"God in heaven and I on earth, we desire nothing more ardently than prayer and sacrifice for priests...
Let us beg God that He may give us holy priests! If we have this, all else will follow: but if this be wanting, all else will avail nothing."
It is something quite simple and easy, yet immeasurably great in its results. You should make it a point to offer the Saturday after the First Friday of each month to your Savior, through the hands of Mary, the great mediatrix of all graces, for the sanctification of all the priests and students for the priesthood throughout the whole world. For this purpose you should give the Saturday wholly and entirely to Him, that is to say, Holy Mass, Holy Communion, all prayers, labors, sacrifices, joys, and sorrows. Whatever you cannot do on this day (Holy Mass and Holy Communion) you ought to supply immediately on Sunday. So there is really nothing new for you to do. You merely offer up this Saturday ( or even every Saturday or some other day) for the sanctification of priests. It is not a case of any sodality or fraternity or anything like that. Like the First Friday in honor of the Sacred Heart, the Priest's Saturday seeks to become something religiously observed by all the Catholics of the world.
Concern about the holiness of priests is the concern of the Heart of the Divine Savior and of His Blessed Mother. Therefore, you should be sure to take part in this apostolate to the apostles.
Source: Priest's Saturday Pamphlet #2, Prayers and Devotions for Priest's Day. Salvatorian Fathers.
" I am the Immaculate Conception!"
by VP
Posted on Thursday February 10, 2022 at 11:28PM in Prayers
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
Be thou blessed, O most pure Virgin, who
didst deign to appear in the grotto of Lourdes as many as eighteen
times, resplendent with light, sweetness, and beauty, and to say to the
humble and simple child who contemplated thee in ecstasy, " I am the
Immaculate Conception!" be thou blessed for the extraordinary favors
which thou dost unceasingly scatter around this place.
By thy
maternal heart, O Mary, and by the glory which the holy Church has
rendered thee, we conjure thee to pray for the Sovereign Pontiff and for
Father [ name ] and to realize the hopes of peace which the
proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception excited in the
breasts of the faithful. Amen.
St. Joseph's Manual ( Rev. James Fitton, 1877)