From the voice of the holy Father of the Passionists, from the Passionist Bulletin of the Holy Cross Province, number 7, 9 July 1944:

“As regards the Lenten Devotion before the Feast of the Assumption in honor of our Blessed Lady, I say that it begins on the day after the Feast of St. Peter; during this time, with the merit of obedience, you may abstain from fruit; this will also be well for your health. Every day you may recite three Paters and three Aves to thank the Blessed Trinity for the graces and gifts and favors bestowed upon Mary at her Assumption into heaven.” Letters of St. Paul of the Cross, III, 390.

“Pray for me and for the Congregation, especially during this Lent of the Blessed Virgin.” Letters of St. Paul of the Cross, III, 190.

 

 

I was finally able to see a printed hardcover copy of my newest publication Flowers of the Passion: Saint Paul of the Cross.

It is a beautiful devotional that brings to light the treasures of intimate letters and writings of the holy founder of the Passionists. This particular devotional organizes the writings according to different aspects of the spiritual life in relation to the Passion of Christ. Suffering. The Blessed Sacrament. Devotion to Mary. Humility. The Will of God…

There is currently a code for 20% from Lulu – TWENTY18. The code ends July 19th. In addition, I have put a $3 discount on the work. Please take advantage of this offer. I can’t exaggerate on how helpful this will be for your spiritual life or that of a friend or even your parish priest. Hardcover copy: HERE for $3 off AND another 20% off from LULU with code TWENTY18

I also put an additional 20% discount on the pocket-size edition, wonderful for carrying with you and having at your disposal any time of the day. Pocket-size: HERE for 20% off AND another 20% off from LULU with code TWENTY18

Click HERE for the First Friday Devotions

Happy Feast of Saint Maria Goretti!

Today begins Our Lady’s Lent. St. Francis of Assisi kept this Lenten Fast from July 1st until the Feast of the Assumption. It is also suggested that St. Peter Damian, an Umbrian, might have brought this practice about with the reform of clergy and religious during the 11th century in Italy. Another Umbrian kept this fast, as well, (one of my favorites) Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. It was from his life I first learned of this period of penance, which in his time was kept from the Feast of the Precious Blood to Our Lady’s Feast. He would abstain from fruits, most particularly figs (his favorite), during these summer months.

On the first of the year, we recall the first shedding of the Blood of Christ, in His circumcision. We now have this reminder halfway through the calendar year of the salvation that alone comes through the Blood of Christ! Most will not keep this Lent. It will be a hidden Lent, a humble Lent, in imitation of Our Lady of Humility. Join me if you are able. We have much to pray for. In these turbulent times, let us focus primarily on our friendship with Christ!

We hear in the encyclical Inde a Primis:

How truly precious is this Blood is voiced in the song which the Church sings with the Angelic Doctor (sentiments wisely seconded by our predecessor Clement VI) :

Blood that but one drop of has the world to win

All the world forgiveness of its world of sin.

Unlimited is the effectiveness of the God-Man’s Blood — just as unlimited as the love that impelled him to pour it out for us, first at his circumcision eight days after birth, and more profusely later on in his agony in the garden, in his scourging and crowning with thorns, in his climb to Calvary and crucifixion, and finally from out that great wide wound in his side which symbolizes the divine Blood cascading down into all the Church’s sacraments. Such surpassing love suggests, nay demands, that everyone reborn in the torrents of that Blood adore it with grateful love.

In addition to taking on some fasts and penance from today’s feast and in preparation for the Assumption of Our Lady, I suggest the daily recitation of the Litany of the Most Precious Blood. Recite the Litany humbly and with true adoration.

Today I will be making the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, offering with my intentions and prayers those of everyone who has helped and prayed for the endeavor of Filii Passionis, along with offering the pilgrimage as an act of reparation for all the offenses to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

For more on the pilgrimage of the Seven Churches: Seven Churches Pilgrimage

Following the Sunday Vespers at the Basilica of San Marco, I was able to partake in a procession with the Canons of the Basilica to the icon of Our Lady, not painted with human hands:

Audio Recording of the Litany of Loreto at San Marco, Venezia

Novena Prayer: Day 9

O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore Thee, I love Thee and with a lively sorrow for my sins, I offer Thee this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Thy will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in Thee and for Thee. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Thy blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Within Thy Heart I place my every care. In every need let me come to Thee with humble trust saying, Heart of Jesus help me. Especially in this need,

[Mention intention]

Merciful Jesus, I consecrate myself today and always to Thy Most Sacred Heart.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I implore, that I may ever love Thee more and more.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy love for me.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom Come.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, convert sinners, save the dying, deliver the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Offering

My God, I offer Thee all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Thy favors, in reparation for my sins, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the needs of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory. Amen.

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth the fulness of the Divinity, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Whose fullness we have all received, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee, Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints, Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thine most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.