Blessed Are You Who Believed

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.  
From this day all generations will call me blessed:  
the Almighty has done great things for me, 
and holy is His Name."

Luke 1: 45-49

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Almighty ever-living God,

who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb,

inspired her to visit Elizabeth,

grant us, we pray,

that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,

we may magnify your greatness

with the Virgin Mary at all times.

Collect, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Listen, my faithful children:  open up your petals,

like roses planted near running waters;

send up the sweet odor of incense,

break forth in blossoms like the lily.

Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise;

bless the Lord for all He has done!

Proclaim the greatness of His name,

loudly sing his praises...

Sirach 39: 13-15 

May this Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary fill your heart with joy to overflowing!

May God grant us the grace to do His will, give Him all the glory, and share our blessings with all we meet.

God bless you!

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The Holy Spirit Has Been Poured Out Upon Humanity

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end.

Amen.

Alleluia.

 Excerpt from the Sequence

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From the immense gift of love which is Jesus’ death on the cross, the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon humanity like a vast torrent of grace. Those who by faith are immersed into this mystery of regeneration are reborn to the fullness of filial life.

“I will not leave you orphans”. Today, on the feast of Pentecost, Jesus’ words remind us also of the maternal presence of Mary in the Upper Room. The Mother of Jesus is with the community of disciples gathered in prayer: she is the living remembrance of the Son and the living invocation of the Holy Spirit. She is the Mother of the Church. We entrust to her intercession, in a particular way, all Christians, families and communities that at this moment are most in need of the Spirit, the Paraclete, the Defender and Comforter, the Spirit of truth, freedom and peace.

His Holiness Pope Francis

Homily, Solemnity of Pentecost (Excerpt)

For more information, please visit: 

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20160515_omelia-pentecoste.html

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You were especially remembered in prayer during Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Francis on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta.  My husband and I were blessed to be present, thanks be to God.  It was a joy to greet our Holy Father after Mass!  Pope Francis said to us, "Please pray for me," which we assured him we were already doing and I know that you are also united in spirit and prayer.

God bless you!

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