The Divine Mercy Novena

The Divine Mercy Novena

The Feast of the Divine Mercy should be preceded by the Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begins on Good Friday.

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: 
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls." 

 

FIRST DAY
SECOND DAY
THIRD DAY
FOURTH DAY
FIFTH DAY
SIXTH DAY
SEVENTH DAY
EIGTH DAY
NINTH DAY

Jesus gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:

"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

Photo Credit Fr. Lawrence Lew, OP

Divine Mercy Novena Ninth Day

NINTH DAY

"Today bring to Me souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of my mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."

Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena Eight Day

EIGHTH DAY

"Today bring to Me the souls who are detained in Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart pour out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg you, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena Seventh Day

SEVENTH DAY

"Today bring to Me the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God; Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena Sixth Day

SIXTH DAY

"Today bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble my Heart.

They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthy Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars, I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said, "Learn from Me that I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstacy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closes resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Divine Mercy Niovena Fifth Day

FIFTH DAY

"Today bring to Me the souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at my Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their error. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which he underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena Fourth Day

FOURTH DAY

"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet 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."

Most Compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the 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.

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.

Divine Mercy Novena Third Day

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. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."

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.

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.

Divine Mercy Novena Second Day

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."

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 all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

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 Your salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena First Day

FIRST DAY

"Today bring 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."

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 your 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.

The Praises of the Divine Mercy

The Praises of the Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Heart, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I Trust in You.

Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I Trust in You.

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

The Divine Mercy Stations

The Divine Mercy Stations

Begin each Station with 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.

Pause briefly, meditating on the Passion of Jesus. Then say the first invocation given below.

  

 1. For the sake of His institution of the Eucharist as the memorial of His Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

2. For the sake of His agony in the garden, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

 3. For the sake of His being scourged and crowned with thorns, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

 4. For the sake of His being condemned to death, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

 5. For the sake of His carrying the Cross, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

 6. For the sake of His falling under the weight of the cross, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

7. For the sake of His meeting His afflicted Mother, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

8. For the sake of His accepting help in carrying the Cross, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

  

9. For the sake of His receiving mercy from Veronica, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. For the sake of His consoling the women, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

11. For the sake of His being stripped, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

12. For the sake of His being crucified, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

13. For the sake of His death on the Cross, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

14. For the sake of His being buried, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

15. For the sake of His being raised from the dead, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Repeat the following three times:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Photo Credit Vincent Brassini

Divine Mercy Chaplet

Divine Mercy Chaplet

(Using Regular Rosary Beads)

Our Lord Jesus said to Saint Faustina,

"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy..."

"...When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior".

How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet

The regular Rosary of five decades is used for the prayer devotion of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. As implemented at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 2 opening prayers may preceed the Chaplet Devotion, this followed by a closing prayer.

Opening Prayers

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fountain of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

Begin with the following prayers:

Our Father
Hail Mary
The Apostles' Creed

Prior to each decade (ten small beads), you say the following prayer on the large bead:

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 each of the ten small beads, you say the following prayer:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Upon the completion of the 5 decades, you say the following prayer 3 times:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Closing Prayer

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion - inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Exorcism Prayer to St. Michael by Pope Leo XIII

Exorcism Prayer to St. Michael by Pope Leo XIII

“O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

“Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory.

This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.  “These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be. “Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations.  Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.

R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered the root of David.

V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.

R. As we have hoped in Thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls.  Amen.”

By Pope Saint Leo XIII
From the Raccolta
Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons
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The History Of The Miracle Picture Of Our Lady Of Quito

  


The History Of The Miracle Picture Of Our Lady Of Quito

On April 20, 1906. thirty-six boys attending the boarding school of the Jesuit Fathers at Quito, Ecuador , together with Father Andrew Roesch. witnessed the first miracle of this famous picture. While in the refectory they saw the Blessed Mother slowly open and shut her eyes. The same miracle occurred several times after this. once more in favour of the boys at the school, but this time in the chapel to which the picture had been taken. Subsequently, the Canonical process of examination was carried out by the ecclesiastical authorities . The Vicar General ordered the picture to be transferred in procession from the College to the church of the Jesuit Fathers. At the church, the prodigy was repeated several times before the crowds gathered there and many conversions took place. And again the wonder repeated itself, at one time for three consecutive days. At Riobamba, the same wonder was witnessed before a reproduction of the picture by more than twenty persons, among whom was the president of the municipality . In Quito, this picture is known as Dolorosa del Colegio

Rosary of Our Lady's Tears

Rosary of Our Lady's Tears

THE ORIGIN OF THE CHAPLET

This rosary or chaplet was revealed in 1929 and 1930, by Our Lord and His most holy Mother to Sister Amalia in Campina, Brazil, and was confirmed as supernatural by Bishop Campos Baretto.

Our Lords words to Sister Amalia on November 8, 1929 were:

"My daughter, whatever I am asked through the tears of My Mother, I shall give lovingly."

On March 8, 1930 the most Pure Mother stated:

"Through this rosary the devil will be subdued and the power of Hell will be destroyed. Prepare yourself for this great combat."

Today the devil has much power because we have forgotten sin and no longer believe that Satan exists.

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY OF TEARS:
 

The Chaplet is prayed with Regular Rosary Beads if you do not have the special Chaplet beads, except you say seven decades.

INSTEAD OF THE CREED, SAY:
 

Crucified Jesus! We fall at Your feet and offer You the tears of her who with deep compassionate love accompanied You on Your sorrowful Way of the Cross. Grant, O Good Master, that we take to heart the lessons which the tears of Your most holy Mother teach us, so that we may fulfill Your holy will on earth, that we may be worthy to praise and exalt You in Heaven for all eternity.

INSTEAD OF THE OUR FATHER, SAY:

V. O Jesus, look upon the tears of her who loved You most on earth
R. And loves You most ardently in Heaven.

INSTEAD OF THE HAIL MARY, SAY:

V. O Jesus, hear our prayers
R. For the sake of Your most holy Mother's tears.

At the end repeat three times on the small beads the invocations that replace the Our Father.

Concluding Prayer:  

O Mary, Mother of love, sorrow and mercy, we beg you to unite your prayers with ours so that Jesus, your Divine Son, to Whom we turn may hear our petitions in the name of your maternal tears and may give us in addition to the favors we ask, the crown of everlasting life. Amen.

Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother and the Four Graces

Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother and the Four Graces

The graces which Our Lord promises to those who are devoted to the sorrows of His Blessed Mother are very great. St. Alphonsus, in his discourse on the dolors of Mary, states: It was revealed to St. Elizabeth that some years after the Blessed Virgin was assumed into Heaven, St. John, the beloved disciple, was seized with an ardent desire to see her again. This favor was granted him. His dear Mother appeared to him in company with our Divine Lord. Then St. John beard Mary asking of her Son some special graces for those who were devoted to her dolors. Our Lord promised the four following graces:

1. Those who invoke the Heavenly Mother through her sorrows will obtain true sorrow for their sins before death.

2. Our Savior will protect them in their tribulations, especially at the hour of death.

3. He will impress upon them the memory of His Passion, and will reward them for it in Heaven.

4. He will commit such devout servants to the hands of Mary, that she may dispose of them according to her pleasure, and obtain for them all the graces she desires.

Besides these great graces, Father Faber enumerates others which are obtained through devotion to Mary's sorrows:

• This devotion has a remarkable connection with great interior holiness.
• It reveals the emptiness of worldly joys. Worldliness finds no soul harder to attack than one entrenched in the sorrows of our Blessed Lady. The world can graft itself upon nothing in this devotion.
• It gives us a permanent share in the sorrow for sin which Jesus and Mary felt.
• It keeps our thoughts close to Jesus Christ, and to Him Crucified.
• It communicates to our souls the spirit of the Cross, and gives us strength to endure our own sufferings with resignation to the holy will of God.
• This devotion is wholly covered with the Precious Blood of Jesus and leads us directly into the depths of the Heart of our Savior.

Anyone who during his lifetime has cherished compassion for this afflicted Mother may consider this as a most assured sign of predestination.

Source: Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother
TAN BOOKS, with Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, 1958  
Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

The Message Confided by our Lord to Berthe Petit

THIS MESSAGE WAS CONFIDED BY OUR LORD 
TO BERTHE PETIT, A HUMBLE FRANCISCAN TERTIARY, 
BORN JANUARY 23, 1870 IN BELGIUM:

"Teach souls to love the Heart of Mary pierced by the very sorrows which pierced Mine." (Dec. 25, 1909)

AT THE HOLY HOUR (MARCH 25, 1912) THE BLESSED VIRGIN SPOKE THUS:

"I have called myself the Immaculate Conception. To you I call myself Mother of the Sorrowful Heart. This title willed by my Son is dear to me above all others. According as it is spread everywhere, there will be granted graces of mercy, spiritual renewal and salvation." 

 

PRAYER

Composed by Berthe Petit

Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, dwelling pure and holy, cover my soul with thy maternal protection so that being ever faithful to the voice of Jesus, it responds to His love and obeys His Divine Will.

I wish, O, my Mother, to keep unceasingly before me thy co-redemption in order to live intimately with thy Heart that is totally united to the Heart of thy Divine Son.  Fasten me to this Heart by thine own virtues and sorrows. Protect me always. 

THE REVELATIONS OF BERTHE PETIT FROM OUR LORD JESUS 

In Belgium of 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War a special baby girl was born, who was later to become a mystic. She was named Berthe Maria. Before the received any visions from Our Lord, she had received the invisible stigmata: in her humility she had begged that the marks not be made visible. The wounds were very painful for her, especially on Good Friday and other Fridays. She experienced the pains in her hands and feet and side. The worst pain of all was caused by the torment to her head which was like the pain of thorns pressing into her. This pain was so great and constant she slept but rarely.

It was not until she was 39 years old that the indication of her actual mission was made manifest: During Midnight Christmas Mass she saw the wounded Heart of Jesus and close by was the pierced Heart of His Mother. Then she heard these words:

"Cause My Mother's Heart, transfixed by sorrows that rent Mine, to be loved."

This was her apostolate, to spread devotion to the Sorrowful, Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary. In the following February she had a vision of the two Hearts intertwined with a dove hovering above. Jesus spoke to her again telling her to live in the two Hearts, requesting of her: " . . . you must spread devotion to this Heart so wholly united to Mine." 

A few weeks later, He told her:

"The world must be dedicated to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of My Mother as it is dedicated to Mine." She had other revelations both from Jesus and Mary who told Berthe that she was not only the Immaculate Conception, but the Mother of the Sorrowful Heart. 

In the summer of 1912, Berthe began receiving more political messages or prophecies from Our Lord. He forewarned her about World War I and a coming chastisement later. After the Germans entered Brussels, Jesus revealed to her: "The worst calamities I predicted are unleashed. The time has now arrived when I wish mankind to turn to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of My Mother. 

Let this prayer be uttered by every soul: 

SORROWFUL AND IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, PRAY FOR US 

So that it may spread as a refreshing and purifying balm of reparation that will appease My anger."

Both the Primate of Belgium, Cardinal Mercier and the Primate of England, Cardinal Bourne helped Berthe, the latter writing two pastorals on devotion to the Sorrowful Heart; he went further, consecrating England to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. He then prescribed prayers to be said on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, which was on a Friday of that year, 1916. That same day was a turning point in the War and England had  a great victory.

World War I ended in September of 1918 and Jesus appeared to Berthe again, saying:

"If I had not intervened in answer to the recourse to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of My Mother and through the leadership of My apostle, Francis (Cardinal Bourne), victory would have been on the side  . . . who had ambitions . . . for why should I come to the aid of a France intent on persecuting My Church . . . That is why trials will continue until the day when, humbly acknowledging her errors, this nation will render Me My rights and give full liberty to My Church."

In October of 1920, Our Lord told Berthe of how exalted His Mother's Sorrowful Immaculate Heart was, saying:

"The title Immaculate belongs to the whole being of My Mother, and not specifically to her Heart . . this title flows from My . . . gift to the Virgin who has given Me birth. However, My Mother has acquired for her Heart the title, Sorrowful by sharing . . . all the sufferings of My Heart and My Body, from the crib to the Cross . . .The title of Sorrowful is most dear of all to Me . . " 

The Evil Tongues

The Evil Tongues by Saint John Vianney

There are some who, through envy, for that is what it amounts to, belittle and slander others, especially those in the same business or profession as their own, in order to draw business to themselves. They will say such evil things as "their merchandise is worthless" or "they cheat"; that they have nothing at home and that it would be impossible to give goods away at such a price; that there have been many complaints about these goods; that they will give no value or wear or whatever it is, or even that it is short weight, or not the right length, and so on. A workman will say that another man is not a good worker, that he is always changing his job, that people are not satisfied with him, or that he does no work, that he only puts in his time, or perhaps that he does not know how to work. 
 

"What I was telling you there," they will then add, "it would be better to say nothing about it. He might lose by it, you know."

"Is that so?" you answer." It would have been better if you yourself had said nothing. That would have been the thing to do."

A farmer will observe that his neighbour's property is doing better than his own. This makes him very angry so he will speak evil of him. There are others who slander their neighbours from motives of vengeance. If you do or say something to help someone, even through reasons of duty or of charity, they will then look for opportunities to decry you, to think up things which will harm you, in order to revenge themselves. If their neighbour is well spoken of, they will be very annoyed and will tell you: "He is just like everyone else. He has his own faults. He has done this, he has said that. You didn't know that? Ah, that is because you have never had anything to do with him."

A great many people slander others because of pride. They think that by depreciating others they will increase their own worth. They want to make the most of their own alleged good qualities. Everything they say and do will be good, and everything that others say and do will be wrong.

But the great bulk of malicious talk is done by people who are simply irresponsible, who have an itch to chatter about others without feeling any need to discover whether what they are saying is true or false. They just have to talk. Yet, although these latter are less guilty than the others -- that is to say, than those who slander and backbite through hatred or envy or revenge -- yet they are not free from sin. Whatever the motive that prompts them, they should not sully the reputation of their neighbour.

It is my belief that the sin of scandal mongering includes all that is most evil and wicked. Yes, my dear brethren, this sin includes the poison of all the vices -- the meanness of vanity, the venom of jealousy, the bitterness of anger, the malice of hatred, and the flightiness and irresponsibility so unworthy of a Christian.... Is it not, in fact, scandal mongering which sows almost all discord and disunity, which breaks up friendships and hinders enemies from reconciling their quarrels, which disturbs the peace of homes, which turns brother against brother, husband against wife, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law and son-in-law against father-in-law? How many united households have been turned upside down by one evil tongue, so that their members could not bear to see or to speak to one another? And one malicious tongue, belonging to a neighbour, man or woman, can be the cause of all this misery....

Yes, my dear brethren, the evil tongue of one scandalmonger poisons all the virtues and engenders all the vices. It is from that malicious tongue that a stain is spread so many times through a whole family, a stain which passes from fathers to children, from one generation to the next, and which perhaps is never effaced.

The malicious tongue will follow the dead into the grave; it will disturb the remains of these unfortunates by making live again the faults which were buried with them in that resting place. What a foul crime, my dear brethren! Would you not be filled with fiery indignation if you were to see some vindictive wretch rounding upon a corpse and tearing it into a thousand pieces? Such a sight would make you cry out in horror and compassion. And yet the crime of continuing to talk of the faults of the dead is much greater. A great many people habitually speak of someone who has died something after this fashion: "Ah, he did very well in his time! He was a seasoned drinker.

He was as cute as a fox. He was no better than he should have been."

But perhaps, my friend, you are mistaken, and although everything may have been exactly as you have said, perhaps he is already in Heaven, perhaps God has pardoned him. But, in the meantime, where is your charity?

By St. John Vianney
Photo Credit Tangent-Artifact, here...
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The World is Everything and God is Nothing!

The World is Everything and God is Nothing!

If people would do for god what they do for the world, my dear people, what a great number of Christians would go to Heaven! But if you, dear children, had to pass three or four hours praying in a church, as you pass them at a dance or in a cabaret, how heavily the time would press upon you! If you had to go to a great many different places in order to hear a sermon, as you go for your pastimes or to satisfy your avarice and greed, what pretexts there would be, and how many detours would be taken to avoid going at all. But nothing is too much trouble when done for the world. What is more, people are not afraid of losing either God or their souls or Heaven. With what good reason did Jesus Christ, my dear people, say that the children of this world are more zealous in serving their master, the world, than the children of light are in serving theirs, who is God. To our shame, we must admit that people fear neither expense, nor even going into debt, when it is a matter of satisfying their pleasures, but if some poor person asks them for help, they have nothing at all. This is true of so many: they have everything for the world and nothing at all for God because to them, the world is everything and God is nothing.

By St. John Vianney
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