Love is Our Mission

The theme of the World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia, September 22 – 27, 2015, “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” was inspired by Saint Irenaeus, who wrote “the Glory of God is man fully alive.” The glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves—and no better means exists to teach the meaning of love than the family.

The recently unveiled Holy Family Icon (above), which was commissioned for and will be present at the World Meeting, can help us to meditate on our relationship with our loving God especially within the context of family. For more information, please visit:  http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/about-the-event/icon/  

May the Holy Family inspire us to love as God loves!

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Join together in prayer with families from around the world. Pray the World Meeting of Families Prayer for the success of the event and for your family’s personal intentions.

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

For more information, including translations of the prayer, please visit:  http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/about-the-event/prayer/

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For more information on the Synod on the Family convened by Pope Francis, please visit the website of the Pontifical Council for the Family:  http://www.familia.va/  Be sure to sign up on the website to receive the newsletter of the Pontifical Council.

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Blessed are You

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

From the Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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These flowers from the garden I place at thy feet,
O Mother, Immaculate, Virgin most sweet.
O Rose of all roses, O Pure Lily-Maid,
O Flower of God's choosing, that never shall fade.
In all thy fair virtues, give me a part,
And make me forever a child of thy heart.

From Flowers of the Garden of the Precious Blood

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A dear neighbor gave me Stargazer Lily bulbs last summer after she learned in conversation that the lilies were a favorite of our dear Mom who had just died.  This summer the blooming lilies were a reminder of the many blessings God gave us through our Mom and Dad who we know are happy in heaven with the Lord and our Blessed Mother Mary.  

So on this Feast of Mother Mary's Nativity, I hope you will join me in prayer in the garden:  a place from where there is endless inspiration to draw whether in times of drought or when the dew is on the roses... whether we enjoy the scent of lilies or are trying to keep the deer from eating the pea and green bean plants... whether we on our knees pulling out weeds or standing tall looking up into the face of a sunflower, the seeds of which have been sown by birds, not us.... In the garden we find many parallels to what may be happening in our lives and which may make us feel like we are alternately in a parched desert or a thick jungle.  Through it all we need to be constantly aware that we are in the loving arms of God who cares for our every need and nurtures our growth in faith.  Who better than Mother Mary to guide us to her Son's peace by helping us to do God's will every moment of every day?

Let us continue to pray for and with each other as we plant and weed, nurture and trim in all the gardens and seasons of our lives.

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We bring you our offerings, O Lord, and we humbly pray to be given strength by the humanity of your Son, who from the Blessed Virgin Mary was pleased to take flesh.

From  the Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.  Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother.  To thee do I come, before thee I kneel, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer them.  Amen.

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Jesus, Sun of Justice

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary

Jesus, Mighty God

Jesus, Lover of Us

Jesus, Eternal Wisdom

Jesus, Our Way and Our Life

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O Virgin Mary, our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal  Church, salvation of the world; pray for us, and awaken in all the faithful devotion of the Holy Eucharist so that they may render themselves worthy to receive it daily!

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