Annual Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 4th - 12th

 

Am I not here, who is your Mother?

~ Words of Our Lady of Guadalupe
to St. Juan Diego, 1531

It's that time of the year again... December 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!  In preparation for the feast, and in gratitude to Our Lady for her continued patronage of the Americas, this ministry is praying the the following novena, beginning on December 4th and ending on the Feast Day, itself (the 9th day).

All are cordially invited to participate in the novena; to spiritually join in invoking our Heavenly Mother for the conversion of the USA back to its Christian roots... and whatever our personal prayer intentions may be (feel free to post them below, in the Comments Section, and I will also pray for them).  We hope on December 12th, many will have a deeper devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and perhaps an answered prayer request, too.

Memorare to Our Lady of Guadalupe

  Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, that in thy celestial apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, thou didst promise to show thy compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting thee, seek thy help and call upon thee in their necessities and afflictions.

  Thou didst promise to hearken to our supplications, to dry our tears and to give us consolation and relief. Never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, either for the common welfare, or in personal anxieties, was left unaided.

  Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Mary, ever Virgin Mother of the True God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves in thy august presence, certain that thou wilt deign to fulfill thy merciful promises. We are full of hope that, standing beneath thy shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor need we fear illness, or misfortune, or any other sorrow.

  Thou hast decided to remain with us through thy admirable image, thou who art our Mother, our health and our life. Placing ourselves beneath thy maternal gaze and having recourse to thee in all our necessities we need do nothing more.  O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer us.  Amen.

  [Mention and reflect on your prayer petition(s) here]

(Offer an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

** To learn more about the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her miraculous image, click here. **

Monthly Message of the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: November 25th, 2021

   "Dear children!  I am with you in this time of mercy and I am calling all of you to be carriers of peace and love in this world where, through me, little children, God is calling you to be prayer and love, and an expression of Heaven here on earth.  May your hearts be filled with joy and faith in God; that, little children, you may have complete trust in His holy will.  That is why I am with you, because He, the Most High, is sending me among you to encourage you to the hope; and you will be peacemakers in this peaceless world.  Thank you for having responded to my call."

Coincidence or Something More?

Something big is about to happen in our times, if it hasn't already started - a major shaking up in the world; bigger than Covid-19.  God is simply giving us so many, many remarkable signs these days - it just has to be.  At least that's my personal opinion.

Just this afternoon, while driving home from work, I was praying my St. Michael prayer group's "Cohort Chaplet", which I do daily against the forces of darkness at work in the world.  Reflecting on how evil has such a strong grip on society, I was surprised to see in the sky, ahead of me, a massive image of the Lord formed by a cloud.

It was Jesus' Holy Face in profile and it couldn't be any clearer - features such as an eye, cheekbones, mouth, mustache, and beard were easily recognizable... and his expression was one of intense anguish.  I was awed by the sight but also very disturbed since it brought to my mind the Lord's agony in the Garden of Olives.

The profile of the Holy Face of Jesus, as it

appeared formed by clouds over Honolulu.

I managed to take one photo, which although is not as sharp as I hoped it would be, it at least captures the profile.

   

A closer view of the image: The expression

was one of pain and reminded me of the agony

in the garden like the painting on the left. 

The scene only lasted for a few moments but seeing the image deeply impressed me; inspiring me to finish the chaplet with more fervor... and a nagging sense of urgency.  I asked Jesus the reason for his pain and within my soul it seemed to me that I "heard" the following response:

"I am once again being crucified...

Pray and make reparation."

Somber words; almost ominous... but was this all just a coincidence - another instance of what I refer to as "spiritual serendipity"?  Or was it something more from Jesus that requires serious reflection on our part?  As mentioned at the start, I have my opinions and, if I feel strongly enough about an unusual experience, I'll post about it... but leave it to each reader to discern and respond for him/herself.  In all things, may God bless us and help us.

Jesus, forgive us for we know

 not what we do.  Have mercy on us.

In you we trust, O Lord.  Amen.