“Saint Gerard proved to be an unusual man whom God gifted in many ways. He had the humility to recognize that the gifts came from God and so he became a humble and loved saint. May we relish and use well the gifts that the Lord has given to us.”
Today’s shared email from the Poor Clare Colettines TMD, Nottingham England UK
community@marianhouseoftheholyspiritpcc.org
Dear Little hearts,
Personal witness is one of the most powerful way of evangelization and we can learn from the experiences and prayer journeys of others. This does not mean that we have to take on board everything they say or do because at the end of the day we each have a unique path to walk, but certain words, gestures of others can ignite us to a greater zeal.
So in this month of the Rosary let us continue in Mary’s company to seek the Face of God, that is to know his features from and above all others.
It is very true that Rosary beads in recent decades have been very much abused by some celebrities that have no idea what they represent, that many young people wear them as ornaments, BUT……. Even the, even then God can use their presence to say something to someone.
An example can be the presence of the Crucifix, a Miraculous Medal can awake the curious to know more, to at least to know what they stand for…
And let God do the rest.
But for believers, those of faith wearing a rosary can be a constant reminder as to who they really belong to, remind them of the presence of Mary in their lives, they can be a nudge to pray for others or pray full stop.
Nowadays we have Rosary rings, Rosary bracelets, Rosary necklaces, made of everything from string to gold and crystal !! some are even tattoos!
Some people have inherited their beads from a family member, some bought a pair on pilgrimage, some just liked a specific set because of their color and so on. Wherever and however it is part of a persons apparel, God can still use it if he so wishes!
It is a good Catholic tradition to have a Rosary hanging on a wall or space within the house.
Basically it doesn’t matter what type of beads you use, but if they prove to be an absorbing pre-occupation because of glitter, etc. it is better to opt for plain beads, probably wood, so that they become not ornaments but part of oneself personal and loved.
I often think of the Rosaries issued to Catholics in the Military made of string, and yet how prized they are……. Is a situation of war and suffering it’s the pure fact that they can be identified a Rosary that gives strength and consolation. It’s a well known fact that in prison camps they were often made of chewed small pieces of bread !
And think of the case of James Foley who was beheaded by Isis who prayed on his fingers…..
Dear Little hearts there is so much to pray for so much to lay before the Lord, all that you carry in your hearts, all whom your life touches or has ever touched place them all within your Rosary with trust and confidence, Mary doesn’t need all the details, she knows them already….
Email shared from EL Circle of Friends elcause.org@gmail.com
“In Cruce Vita” (“In the Cross is Life”)
Greetings from Pittsburgh on this the eve of the anniversary of Elisabeth’s birth! We will be joined with many in prayers tomorrow. Four masses will be said in the United States for the cause for Elisabeth. We will be attending the early morning mass at the Pittsburgh Oratory which will be said for the cause.
We have missed our monthly reflections, but enjoyed a good rest these past few months. This will be the first October in a few years that we will not spend time in France working on the cause for Elisabeth. We continue to pray that God’s will for her cause be revealed.
I will miss praying at Elisabeth’s tomb. When I pray to Elisabeth I often imagine myself in front of her tomb and reflect on the words on the tomb – “In Cruce Vita” (“In the Cross is Life”). I especially have been thinking about these words as I and a number of our closest supporters are in the midst of challenging health issues. Elisabeth often wrote of joining herself to Christ in all her sufferings and especially when she suffered physically. I borrowed some of the following words of Elisabeth in my own prayers recently and share these for this month’s reflection.
January 9, 1914
Six months of suffering: painful suffering of the body, suffering of the soul, deprivations of all sorts, much pain and humiliation. Oh, so long as it is the divine response to me – is it not so, Lord? And so long as nothing of my pain is lost! Stronger than my poor action, stronger than my imperfect prayer, may it reach your Heart, and become the most effective form of supplication. Do not delay; listen my God, to these desires you know so well. Give great, Christian happiness to these beloved children and make all of them holy. Quickly finish the interior conversion and profound sanctification that I so desire. Unite with mine the souls of all I love, the one I love best of all, and end this sad spiritual isolation that weighs on me so much. And then make me holy, too, through this suffering; bring me close to your heart and teach me to love and serve you better.
I resolve (asking for your grace) in the future to give in no more to the lapses I have had in my most painful hours, to be always be gentle, unassuming, full of love.
Help me, dear Savior.
Prayer Requests
We continue to receive and share prayer requests we receive from around the world. The prayer requests are available on the following page.
With our prayers,
Jennifer and Joe
Reflections from a grieving father….
I originally composed the following letter in response to an inquiry from an old friend regarding the deaths of two of our children. I share it now ? despite much anxiety about such public vulnerability ? in hope that these words may comfort other grieving parents.
Thank you for your message and prayers. The past two years have been very difficult, if I may understate a little. Burying Mary Bernadette was the most painful and sorrowful experience of my life. At 19 weeks in utero, just as we learned her gender, we learned she had a terminal genetic disorder called Trisomy 18. We prayed every day for healing and/or live birth, but God answered our petitions in the most mysterious of ways: He took her to Himself and healed her without granting us the opportunity to hear her cry. Mary Bernadette was born still at 33 weeks on July…
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