Our Blessed Lady of Mercy. (Our Lady of Ransom)
by VP
Posted on Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Maria de Mercede, fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio (c. 1472)
"The religious Order of our Blessed Lady of Mercy for the redemption of captives, was projected by St. Peter Nolasco, in the thirteenth century, for a constant supply of men and means for carrying on so charitable an undertaking. The design met with great obstacles in its execution; but the Blessed Virgin, the true mother of mercy, appearing to St. Peter Nolasco, to James, king of Arragon, and to St. Raymund of Pennafort, in distinct visions on the same night, encouraged them to prosecute the holy scheme, under the assurance of her patronage and protection. St. Raymund was the spiritual director both of St. Peter and of the king, and a zealous promoter of this charitable work. The king declared himself the protector of the Order, and assigned them a large quarter of his own palace for their abode. When St. Raymund went to Rome, he obtained from Pope Gregory IX., in the year 1225, the confirmation of this Order, and of its rules and constitutions. Almighty God was pleased to extend this Order greatly through the Blessed Virgin Mary. It flourished by the influence of many holy men, distinguished for their piety and charity, who collected alms of the faithful, and applied them to redeem poor captives out of the hands of infidels,
often even giving themselves up to procure liberty for others.
In order
that due thanks may be given to God, and his Holy Mother for the great benefit of this holy institution, the holy see has appointed this festival to be observed throughout the Church, Comply with the order of the Church, in returning thanks to God, and his Holy Mother; and heartily pray his infinite Majesty to have compassion on all those unhappy Christians who are in captivity.
Remember likewise all those who are slaves to sin and the world; and though you can bring no relief to those wretched souls, who by death have consummated their slavery, and are past all redemption; still look upon them in their state of despair, and from the sight of their misery, learn to fear all that would lead to it." The Catholic Year by Fr. Gother
"Blessed be thou, O Mary, the honor and
the joy of your people! On the day of your glorious Assumption you took
possession of your queenly dignity for our sake, and the annals of the
human race are a record of your merciful interventions. The captives
whose chains you have broken, and whom you have set free from the
degrading yoke of the Saracens, may be reckoned by millions. We are
still rejoicing in the recollection of your dear birthday, and your
smile is sufficient to dry our tears and chase away the clouds of grief.
And yet, what sorrows there are still upon the Earth where you yourself
drank such long draughts from the cup of suffering! Sorrows are
sanctifying and beneficial to some, but there are other and unprofitable
griefs springing from social injustice: the drudgery of the factory, or
the tyranny of the strong over the weak, may be worse than slavery in
Algiers or Tunis. You alone, O Mary, can break the inextricable chains
in which the cunning prince of darkness entangles the dupes he has
deceived by the high-sounding names of equality and liberty. Show
yourself a Queen by coming to the rescue. The whole Earth, the entire
human race, cries out to you, in the words of Mardochai: “Speak to the
king for us, and deliver us from death!” (Esther xv. 3)." Dom Gueranger
Autumn Ember Days. Wednesday: The day of Judas' Betrayal (Fast and half-abstinence)
by VP
Posted on Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 12:00AM in Ember Days
Prayer for Priests Who Have Become Unfaithful to Their Vocation
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)
Source: Cure d'Ars Prayer Group Devotions- Prayers for Ember Days:
Listen, Almighty God, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which Thy universal Church offers to Thee at this time, beseeching Thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to Thy Holy Service of the Altar, in particular on ..... Give Thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration amongst Thy clergy, and so replenish them with the truth of Thy doctrine, and indue them with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of Thy great name and the benefit of Thy Holy Church. Amen
O God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank Thee for the gifts thou hast bestowed upon us. Continue Thy mercy to us, and give us also so much of Thy temporal blessings as Thou knowest to be for our good. Grant that the fruits of the earth may, by Thy holy favor, increase and multiply. Defend them from all drought, frosts or tempests, or whatever else may be hurtful to them. It is from Thy hand only that we look for succor, and to Thee we have recourse in all our necessities. Amen. Source: St. John's Manual 1856, Archbishop of New York John J. Hugues
Ember Wednesday in September:
Chant (Institute Christ the King)
Introit: Ps. 80.2-5
Lesson: From Amos the Prophet, 9.13-15
Gradual: Ps. 112. 5-7
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy suppliant house hold, that while they abstain from bodily food, they may likewise refrain from sin in their minds. Through our Lord...
Lesson: From the Second Book of Esdras, 8.1-10
Gradual: Ps. 32. 12,6
Gospel: St. Mark, 9. 16-28
Offertory: Ps. 118. 47,48
Secret: May this Victim, we beseech Thee, O Lord, cleanse us from our sins: and sanctify Thy servants both in body and mind to make us fit to offer the Sacrifice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee...
Communion: 2 Edras 8.10
Post communion: As we receive Thy Heavenly gift, O Lord, we humbly pray: that what of Thy bounty we dutifully hold, of Thy bounty too may we worthily keep. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost...
