Novena of Novenas VII: Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Joseph

Today begins the Seventh of the Nine Novenas for Justice, Peace, and Creation, and this one is dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Joseph. It runs from August 13 through August 21, 2020. I will not post this every day as the prayers and intentions are the same for each day. I’ll just …

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A Novena of Novenas for Justice, Peace, and Creation I: to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin

And so begins the First of the Nine Novenas for Justice, Peace, & Creation, and this one is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. It runs from June 20 — June 28, 2020. I will not post this every day as the prayers and intentions are …

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An Exhortation to Persevere from the Book of Sirach

While doing my morning meditations today I read the following passage from the Old Testament “Wisdom” Book, the Book of Sirach (Chapter 2, Verses 1-13). I found it to be a very good and hopeful exhortation to persevere in keeping faith with the Lord; for those who persevere to the end will be saved (as …

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My 2015 Resolutions

I don’t make resolutions, namely because I’ll never keep them. Except for some fundamental basic convictions, I do not “resolve” to do anything just to start off the year. I also think that making resolutions on January 1st elevates the secular year above the Church’s Liturgical year, which began a month ago with Advent. If …

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Do not spurn a broken heart

Finally, in the 19th verse of Psalm 51, the penitent offers up themselves: Psalm 51:19: “My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.” (Via USCCB.) The penitent’s soul and very being is offered as a sacrifice. The penitent is stating that their entire self depends upon God for …

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No sacrifice

The 18th verse of Psalm 51 reminds us of the need for sincerity in repentance. Psalm 51:18: “For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.” (Via USCCB.) True repentance is needed as outward signs are insufficient. By outward signs I mean the actions that imply a changed behavior or a …

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Let the words pour forth

The 17th verse of Psalm 51 is also the beginning of the Church’s prayer day in the Divine Office (See the Universalis link at the top of the page, should be a yellowish bar.) Psalm 51:17: “Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.” (Via USCCB.) Every day the Church begins her prayer …

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I will teach

The series on Psalm 51 resumes… The 15th verse of Psalm 51 illustrates one of the benefits to others of the penitent’s conversion: Psalm 51:15: “I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.” (Via USCCB.) Because of the experience and happiness over their conversion, the penitent will go and teach …

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Restore my joy

In the 14th verse of Psalm 51 the penitent looks towards their destiny: Psalm 51:14: “Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit” (Via USCCB.) Happiness is being on the path to Heaven, it is the true joy that fills your soul and gives your life its meaning. This particular happiness …

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Don't send me away from you

The penitent pleas with the Lord in the 13th verse to keep him close: Psalm 51:13: “Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.” (Via USCCB.) A persistent fear that the sin was so grievous that God may cause banishment as a consequence of the penitent’s action motivates the …

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