Seeking Prayer Warriors

I would like to invite all of you to join us in the mission of Hannah’s Tears. Please feel free to join our mission of prayer as we seek to support one another each day lifting high the cross!
Please take notice that prayers and devotions have been added to this site as part of our mission for Hannah’s Tears.

I pray you have enjoyed the meditations and thoughts from the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns, they are a great support to this ministry.

May Our Lord bless and keep you in his loving care.
Hannah’s Tears

Poor Clare Colettine ~ thoughts, prayers, meditations…November 10

Dear Little hearts,

There are many ways in which we can come into communion with our God, there are many ways of praying and focusing on God and his Kingdom…. being human we need that focus, that word, that picture, sound, fragrance that will touch us from another world…. and it is through our senses that we so often perceive him.

The world of Christian art is one that we would do well to explore, we are bombarded with so many images of violence, decadence and horror, we can see it daily in our papers and on cyberspace, we need to make our contribution in redeeming this as it were by our own turning to the good, the beautiful, the divine.

If we look around at the world of art there are literally thousands of religious images, paintings etc…. of varying degrees of beauty, much may not be to our personal taste, but if we look for good we will find it, if we seek we will find and even the poorest presentation can speak to us simply because the Holy Spirit can use anything in this world for good.

I have thinking that if one were involved in an earth tremor and everything fell around one, the world closing in on us like a box, or if we were caste into a prison camp or other evil experience, the very poorest of presentations of God, Jesus, Mary, the angels would in fact speak to us… this would not be a time for the great and beautiful pictures of say the renaissance or a work of a great master…. but we could have to hand the cheapest, poorest of images… and it would speak!!!

All religious paintings can speak if we allow them too.

The point I am trying to make is let there be room for all in our appreciation, for God can speak through all and in fact He often does.

There are for instance if we explore the matter thousands of images of Mary the Mother of God, no one picture can fully capture her beauty, indeed the sum of them all can only ever captivate a slight reflection of all she is, and this is certainly true of images of Our Lord, but they can sew good seeds in our minds and they can be a very good point of mediation.

Especially when we are tired and not terribly able for one reason or the other to attend to the written word, or even the silence because we are restless and unfocused. At such times take a picture, and just rest in its presence. Note the content, the form, the colours, and see how it relates to you now.

I am going to share some pictures with you over the next few days, they may well not be pictures I am personally initially attracted to but that is besides the point…. lets see what we will find.

God bless you all.

The picture below is a depiction of the Sacred heart of Jesus, the very first thing one notices is the beautiful red garment of love, the Robe of Christ, not only is the garment a luminous red, but the whole image seems to be drenched in light. The light emulating not only from the symbol of Gods heart but from above as the forehead of Christ is crowned with light. Not only is Christ holding his heart out to you, irrespective of who you are or where you are on your journey, but he is drawing attention to the fact it is a crucified heart and if we too are going to be his followers and lovers we too will know suffering. The Blue green of the background is a symbol of Hope and Life and through his love he came to give us life in abundance. May God grant you some blessing through this image and if anything in it speaks to you, do feel free to share it.

This was sent to us by the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns from Wales, be sure to look them up on the internet, they are very faithful prayer warriors for anyone in need. Thank you dear sisters for all of your support!

Josepha Naval Girbes

Josepha Naval Girbes was born at Algemesi in the Archdiocese of Valencia, Spain, on December 11, 1820. As a very young woman she consecrated herself to the Lord by a perpetual vow of chastity. Josepha’s life was simple. She stood out for her ardent love, and she made progress along the way of prayer and evangelical perfection while dedicating herself generously to apostolic works in her parish community. In her own home she opened a school where she taught needlework, prayer, and the evangelical virtues. She formed many young girls and women and shared with them her wisdom and spiritual understanding. She was a member of the Third Order Secular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Teresa of Jesus and had a special love for the Virgin Mother of God. Her holy death took place on February 24, 1893. She is buried in her parish church of St. James in her native city.

Opening Prayer

O God,
through the new leaven of the Gospel,
You call men and women and empower them
to serve You faithfully in secular life.
Grant that they may fervently imitate
the example of Blessed Josepha,
and, through her intercession,
work tirelessly as true Christians to build up Your kingdom
by fulfilling their duties in the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,
we see the wonder of Your love
in the life of the virgin Josepha
and her witness to Christ.
Accept our gifts of praise
and make our offering pleasing to you.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon
The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord God,
may this Eucharist renew our courage and strength.
May we remain close to You like Bl. Josepha
by accepting in our lives
a share in the suffering of Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with You for ever and ever.

First Reading
Corinthians 1: 26-31
For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.”

Responsorial Psalm
R/. Keep my soul in peace before You, O Lord.
Psalm 130

Gospel
Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Our Lady Who Brings Victory!

Prayer to the Virgin Mary as Untier of Knots

Holy Mary, full of the presence of God during your life you accepted with great humility the Holy Will of the Father and the legacy of your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evil never dared to entangle you with its confusion. Since then you have interceded for all of our difficulties. With all simplicity and patience you have given us example on how to untangle the knots in our complicated lives. By being our Mother forever, you arrange and make clear the path that unites us to Our Lord. Holy Mary, Mother of God and ours, with your maternal heart untie the knots that upset our lives. We ask you to receive in your hands ( mention who or prayer request) and deliver us from the chains and confusions that have us restrained. Blessed Virgin Mary, through your grace, your intercession and by your example, deliver us from evil and untie the knots that keep us from uniting with God, so that once free of every confusion and error, we may find Him in all things, have Him in our hearts and serve him always in our brothers and sisters. Mother of Good Counsel pray for us . Amen

All Souls Day

Let Him Guide You!
“Jesus Christ, the true light that enlightens everyone”

Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope that all
our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen

“Be Not Afraid”

Jesus carries You!

“Be Not Afraid”

What Pope John Paul II taught us.

Although this article was written in 2005, I feel that this is what we all need to be reminded of, “Be Not Afraid!” We must place our entire trust in Our Lord and in his mother, who is our mother. This is so important that we turn our minds and hearts to our family in Heaven, Jesus, Mary all the Saints and Souls that have gone before us. There is so much fear and distress these days, let us lift our hearts and minds to Christ who is our hope, our eternal hope.

As we waite for the elections in the U.S., let us turn our hearts to Jesus and Mary in our prayers. We ask those that are not U.S. citizens to please pray for Americans these next few days, please lift us in prayer, that we have hope in the Lord and a faithful trust. Let the act of our very will unite our heart and our sufferings to the body and blood of Christ in holy Eucharist.

If you are interested in reading “Splendor of Truth”, please go to the vatican web site and click here http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor_en.html .

Something else that I would like to share is the song (click here) “Be Not Afraid“, these lyrics have been ringing in my heart for many months, I felt they were important to share with you.

“Be Not Afraid”

1. You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. Youshall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speakyour words in foreign lands and all will understand. You shall see the faceof God and live.

R. Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will giveyou rest.

2. If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown. Ifyou walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand before the pow’r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with youthrough it all.

3. Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are youthat weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. And if wicked men insultand hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!

May God bless you!

Poor Clare Colettine Nuns ~ Meditation Litany 19

Shrine of the Spirit, pray for us.

Vas spirituale, ora pro nobis.

In the shadow of any Christian shrine we can make the experience of it being a blessing, a source of new life, a renewal in God… a Shrine is a geographical place that is especially graced of God for our good, for our consolation, and it enables us to re-focus our lives.

It is a place of pilgrimage a place of grace. The same can be said of Our Most Holy Mother Mary, she is the shrine supreme, the perfect shrine of the Holy Spirit….. if we turn to her, trust her Gods Spirit within her will bless us too.

She is Mother yes, she walks with us through this vale of tears, yes, but she is also the very Queen of Heaven and her eyes draw us upward.

Prayer for Saint Hannah

Many of you may be searching for a prayer to Saint Hannah. I am not sure that there is one for St. Hannah of the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, St. Anne the mother of Mary is also known as “Hannah”.

So, if you are looking for a prayer to St. Hannah, we would recommend praying the “Old Testament Litany” and also the novena to Saints Anne and Joachim, this novena is a prayer for faith and perseverance and also for those who are desiring to conceive new life.

Prayer links:

Old Testament Litany

Saints Anne & Joachim Novena

Patron Saint of Infertile Men

PRAYER TO ST. NICHOLAS OF MYRA O Saint Nicholas, bountiful Father and special Patron of our Byzantine Catholic Church. You are a shepherd and teacher to all who invoke your protection, and who, by devout prayer, call upon you for aid. Hasten and save the flock of Christ from ravenous wolves; and by your holy prayers protect all Christians and save them from worldly disturbances, earthquakes, attacks from abroad, from internal strife, from famine, flood, fire, sword, and sudden death. As you had mercy on those three men in prison and saved them from the king’s wrath, now also have mercy on me who by word, deed, and thought have sunk into the darkness of sin. Save me from the just anger of God, and from eternal punishment. Through your intercession and aid as well as through his own mercy and grace, may Christ our God allow me to lead a tranquil and sinless life, and save me from standing at “his left,” but deem me worthy to stand at “his right” with all the saints. Amen.

Mary Mater Dolorosa

Stabat Mater Dolorósa

At the cross her station keeping
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing
now at lenght the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother highly blessed,
of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
‘whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
she beheld her tender Child
All with scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation,
saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O sweet Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord.

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all our sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live.

By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;

Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
by Thy Mother my defense,
by Thy Cross my victory;

While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
safe in paradise with Thee. Amen.