REPOST - June is the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart

 
Taken from https://youngcatholicadults-latestnews.blogspot.com/search?q=sacred+heart in 2017:-


From https://www.catholicculture.org/

"Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of June is set apart for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "From among all the proofs of the infinite goodness of our Savior none stands out more prominently than the fact that, as the love of the faithful grew cold, He, Divine Love Itself, gave Himself to us to be honored by a very special devotion and that the rich treasury of the Church was thrown wide open in the interests of that devotion." These words of Pope Pius XI refer to the Sacred Heart Devotion, which in its present form dates from the revelations given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673-75. 

The devotion consists in the divine worship of the human heart of Christ, which is united to His divinity and which is a symbol of His love for us. The aim of the devotion is to make our Lord king over our hearts by prompting them to return love to Him (especially through an act of consecration by which we offer to the Heart of Jesus both ourselves and all that belongs to us) and to make reparation for our ingratitude to God. 

Prayer:

INVOCATION

O Heart of love, I put all my trust in Thee; for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

Devotion to the Sacred Heart was the characteristic note of the piety of Saint Gertrude the Great (1256-1302), Benedictine nun and renowned mystic. She was, in fact, the first great exponent of devotion to the Sacred Heart. In our efforts to honor the Heart of Jesus we have this prayer as a model for our own: Hail! O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and quickening source of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, and burning furnace of divine love. Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary, 0 my amiable Savior. Consume my heart with that burning fire with which Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things be conformed to Thine. May Thy divine will be equally the standard and rule of all my desires and of all my actions. Amen. Saint Gertrude

FOR THE CHURCH

O most holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon Thy holy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the holy souls in purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

A PRAYER OF TRUST

O God, who didst in wondrous manner reveal to the virgin, Margaret Mary, the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart, grant that loving Thee, after her example, in all things and above all things, we may in Thy Heart find our abiding home. Roman Missal

ACT OF LOVE

Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus, and show me Its attractions. Unite me to It for ever. Grant that all my aspirations and all the beats of my heart, which cease not even while I sleep, may be a testimonial to Thee of my love for Thee and may say to Thee: Yes, Lord, I am all Thine; pledge of my allegiance to Thee rests ever in my heart will never cease to be there. Do Thou accept the slight amount of good that I do and be graciously pleased to repair all m] wrong-doing; so that I may be able to bless Thee in time and in eternity. Amen. Cardinal Merry del Val

MEMORARE TO THE SACRED HEART

Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought it mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushes beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Hear. of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests."

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

June - the Month of The Sacred Heart

 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacred_heart_of_Jesus_in_Arco.jpg

 From https://www.catholicculture.org/

"Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of June is set apart for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "From among all the proofs of the infinite goodness of our Savior none stands out more prominently than the fact that, as the love of the faithful grew cold, He, Divine Love Itself, gave Himself to us to be honored by a very special devotion and that the rich treasury of the Church was thrown wide open in the interests of that devotion." These words of Pope Pius XI refer to the Sacred Heart Devotion, which in its present form dates from the revelations given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673-75. 

The devotion consists in the divine worship of the human heart of Christ, which is united to His divinity and which is a symbol of His love for us. The aim of the devotion is to make our Lord king over our hearts by prompting them to return love to Him (especially through an act of consecration by which we offer to the Heart of Jesus both ourselves and all that belongs to us) and to make reparation for our ingratitude to God. 

Prayer:

INVOCATION

O Heart of love, I put all my trust in Thee; for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

Devotion to the Sacred Heart was the characteristic note of the piety of Saint Gertrude the Great (1256-1302), Benedictine nun and renowned mystic. She was, in fact, the first great exponent of devotion to the Sacred Heart. In our efforts to honor the Heart of Jesus we have this prayer as a model for our own: Hail! O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and quickening source of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, and burning furnace of divine love. Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary, 0 my amiable Savior. Consume my heart with that burning fire with which Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things be conformed to Thine. May Thy divine will be equally the standard and rule of all my desires and of all my actions. Amen. Saint Gertrude

FOR THE CHURCH

O most holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon Thy holy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the holy souls in purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

A PRAYER OF TRUST

O God, who didst in wondrous manner reveal to the virgin, Margaret Mary, the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart, grant that loving Thee, after her example, in all things and above all things, we may in Thy Heart find our abiding home. Roman Missal

ACT OF LOVE

Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus, and show me Its attractions. Unite me to It for ever. Grant that all my aspirations and all the beats of my heart, which cease not even while I sleep, may be a testimonial to Thee of my love for Thee and may say to Thee: Yes, Lord, I am all Thine; pledge of my allegiance to Thee rests ever in my heart will never cease to be there. Do Thou accept the slight amount of good that I do and be graciously pleased to repair all m] wrong-doing; so that I may be able to bless Thee in time and in eternity. Amen. Cardinal Merry del Val

MEMORARE TO THE SACRED HEART

Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought it mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushes beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Hear. of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests."

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of all connected to Young Catholic Adults

 

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of all connected to Young Catholic Adults:-
                                             
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate  all connected to the Young Catholic Adults association to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Amen.

YCA Weekend Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary                                                               Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world. Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully. We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home. Amen. --Venerable Pope Pius XII

Young Catholic Adult 2014 Weekend at Douai Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary                                               Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world. Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world. O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully. We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home. Amen. --Venerable Pope Pius XII

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of all connected to Young Catholic Adults

 

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary of all connected to Young Catholic Adults events and media sites:-
                                             
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families (and all connected to Young Catholic Adults) to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Amen.

RE: FSSP-served Sunday Mass in Northampton diocese moving from Bedford 4pm to Flitwick 5pm as of 1st Advent Sunday 2008.

Please see the following announcement from the Fraternity of St. Peter in England and Wales:-

Dear Friends,

The FSSP-served Sunday Mass in the Northampton diocese will move from Bedford 4pm to Flitwick 5pm as of 1st Advent Sunday 2008. The new parish church is 5mn from the M1 motorway, junction 12.

Motive: Unlike our previous location in Bedford, Sacred Heart church Flitwick has a hall with kitchen and a car park, which will enable us to meet after Mass (and possibly before) for social gathering and catechism according to the needs. We are also very glad that Parish Priest Canon Denis McSweeney is supportive of the traditional Mass and will kindly provide matching vestments, vessels and liturgical items for a dignified offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Acknowledgments: I would like to express our gratitude to Rt Rev Peter Doyle, Bishop of Northampton, who has kindly approved of the FSSP’s request to relocate in Flitwick its regular ministry in his diocese, as well as to Canon Denis McSweeney and his parishioners for their friendly welcome into the parish. We will not forget in our prayer the clergy and parishioners at the Polish parish in Bedford who had kindly welcomed us in our previous location.

Your support: Please kindly forward this information to whoever might be interested. All are welcome to come and attend, and offer their services for singing, serving, setting up the parish hall etc. I am looking forward to meeting you in Flitwick for the beginning of the liturgical year on Sunday 30th November at 5pm. We will begin Advent with a Sung Mass. Please bring cakes, tea and coffee.

Flitwick Mass announcements:
· due to previously scheduled parish event, the Mass on Sunday 14th December 2008 will exceptionally start at 4pm instead of 5pm
· please email me back if you would wish to attend Mass in Flitwick on Christmas day (Thursday 25th December 2008) at 5pm, as this Mass might be added only if there is sufficient interest.

Details:
· Parish website: http://www.sacredheartflitwick.co.uk/
· Postal address: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pope Close, Flitwick MK45 1JP, England
· Location: The Sacred Heart Catholic church is located on the southern outskirts of the Bedfordshire town of Flitwick on the A5120 trunk road that leads to the M1 motorway.
· Directions from the M1 motorway: Exit the motorway at junction 12 and follow the signs to Flitwick, you will now be on the A5120 trunk road. Continue on through the village of Westoning, at the Bell public house carry on over the mini roundabout. Continue on for one mile and turn right into Vicarage Hill. Pope Close is immediately on the right. There is ample parking in the church car park.

Wishing you a good preparation for Advent,
Cordially yours in Our Lady,
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP

P.S. 1. Reminder: a few places are still available for the Advent retreat I will preach at Douai Abbey, Berkshire, 8-11 December 2008, on “Our Lady and the Incarnation” (global price all included full board single room : £137) – contact me soon for booking.
P.S.2. December 25th in Reading: Christmas Sung Midnight Mass at MIDNIGHT, and at 11am.

2017 is the 100th Anniversary of Fatima. "We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete." Pope Benedict XVI

 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Benedictus_XVI#/media/File:Benedykt_XVI_i_Lech_Kaczy%C5%84ski_modlitwa.jpg

A few years ago Pope Benedict gave a sermon in Fatima about the incompleteness of the message of Fatima and how it is still unfolding:-

"We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete. Here there takes on new life the plan of God which asks humanity from the beginning: “Where is your brother Abel […] Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” (Gen 4:9). Mankind has succeeded in unleashing a cycle of death and terror, but failed in bringing it to an end… In sacred Scripture we often find that God seeks righteous men and women in order to save the city of man and he does the same here, in Fatima, when Our Lady asks: “Do you want to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the sufferings which he will send you, in an act of reparation for the sins by which he is offended and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?” (Memoirs of Sister Lúcia, I, 162).

At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart. At that time it was only to three children, yet the example of their lives spread and multiplied, especially as a result of the travels of the Pilgrim Virgin, in countless groups throughout the world dedicated to the cause of fraternal solidarity. May the seven years which separate us from the centenary of the apparitions hasten the fulfilment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity."

Benedict XVI

Sermon

Fatima, May 13, 2010

- See more at: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-prophetic-mission-of-fatima-is-not.html#more

We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete. Here there takes on new life the plan of God which asks humanity from the beginning: “Where is your brother Abel […] Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” (Gen 4:9). Mankind has succeeded in unleashing a cycle of death and terror, but failed in bringing it to an end… In sacred Scripture we often find that God seeks righteous men and women in order to save the city of man and he does the same here, in Fatima, when Our Lady asks: “Do you want to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the sufferings which he will send you, in an act of reparation for the sins by which he is offended and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?” (Memoirs of Sister Lúcia, I, 162).

At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart. At that time it was only to three children, yet the example of their lives spread and multiplied, especially as a result of the travels of the Pilgrim Virgin, in countless groups throughout the world dedicated to the cause of fraternal solidarity. May the seven years which separate us from the centenary of the apparitions hasten the fulfilment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity.

Benedict XVI

Sermon

Fatima, May 13, 2010

- See more at: http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-prophetic-mission-of-fatima-is-not.html#more

LETTER TO CLERGY FOR THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS

VATICAN CITY, 18 JUN 2009 (VIS) - The Pope has sent a Letter to the priests of the world for the occasion of the Year for Priests, which has been called to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney.

Dear Brother Priests,



On the forthcoming Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 - a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy - I have decided to inaugurate a "Year for Priests" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the "dies natalis" of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide.

I still treasure the memory of the first parish priest at whose side I exercised my ministry as a young priest: he left me an example of unreserved devotion to his pastoral duties, even to meeting death in the act of bringing viaticum to a gravely ill person. I also recall the countless confreres whom I have met and continue to meet, not least in my pastoral visits to different countries: men generously dedicated to the daily exercise of their priestly ministry. Yet the expression of St. John Mary also makes us think of Christ's pierced Heart and the crown of thorns which surrounds it. I am also led to think, therefore, of the countless situations of suffering endured by many priests, either because they themselves share in the manifold human experience of pain or because they encounter misunderstanding from the very persons to whom they minister. How can we not also think of all those priests who are offended in their dignity, obstructed in their mission and persecuted, even at times to offering the supreme testimony of their own blood?

St. John Mary Vianney taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life. It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. "One need not say much to pray well" - the Cure explained to them - "We know that Jesus is there in the tabernacle: let us open our hearts to Him, let us rejoice in His sacred presence. That is the best prayer". And he would urge them: "Come to communion, my brothers and sisters, come to Jesus. Come to live from Him in order to live with Him. ... "Of course you are not worthy of him, but you need him!". This way of educating the faithful to the Eucharistic presence and to communion proved most effective when they saw him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Those present said that "it was not possible to find a finer example of worship. ... He gazed upon the Host with immense love". "All good works, taken together, do not equal the sacrifice of the Mass" - he would say - "since they are human works, while the Holy Mass is the work of God". He was convinced that the fervour of a priest's life depended entirely upon the Mass: "The reason why a priest is lax is that he does not pay attention to the Mass! My God, how we ought to pity a priest who celebrates as if he were engaged in something routine!". He was accustomed, when celebrating, also to offer his own life in sacrifice: "What a good thing it is for a priest each morning to offer himself to God in sacrifice!"

To the Most Holy Virgin I entrust this Year for Priests. I ask her to awaken in the heart of every priest a generous and renewed commitment to the ideal of complete self-oblation to Christ and the Church which inspired the thoughts and actions of the saintly Cure of Ars. It was his fervent prayer life and his impassioned love of Christ Crucified that enabled John Mary Vianney to grow daily in his total self-oblation to God and the Church. May his example lead all priests to offer that witness of unity with their bishop, with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary. Despite all the evil present in our world, the words which Christ spoke to His Apostles in the Upper Room continue to inspire us: "In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world". Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence. Dear priests, Christ is counting on you. In the footsteps of the Cure of Ars, let yourselves be enthralled by Him. In this way you too will be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation and peace!

Benedict XVI.

BXVI-LETTER/YEAR FOR PRIESTS/... VIS 090618 (4360)

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Mary's Miraculous Medal

An Unlikely Helper The extraordinary story begins on the night of July 18, 1830, when a mysterious child awakens Sister Catherine Laboure. The child leads her to the convent's chapel. There, Sister Catherine sees the Virgin Mary, sitting in a chair. She kneels beside Mary, and rests her hands in the Virgin's lap. The two speak for several hours. During the conversation, Mary promises she will return and give the young nun "a mission." The child leads Catherine back to her bed. Catherine hears the clock strike 2 a.m., July 19. A little more than four months later, Sister Catherine learns what Mary wants. 

 During her evening meditation on Nov. 27, 1830, Catherine has a vision of Mary standing in a position similar to the depiction on the medal. Later, the vision changes to include the inscription found on the front side of the medal. Mary speaks to Catherine, saying, "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their neck." Iconic Attraction It was as Mary said. The medal's effects were immediate. The first medals were made in 1832 and distributed throughout Paris. According to the Association of the Miraculous Medal, the blessings that Mary promised "began to shower down" on wearers of the medal. The devotion spread rapidly. In 1836, a Church investigation declared the apparitions to be genuine. Since Mary asked Catherine to have the medal struck, devotion to the Miraculous Medal has spread the world over, the image having achieved iconic stature. 

But what does the medal mean? In answering that, one discovers why it works. 

The Front Side 

• Mary stands on a globe, crushing a serpent beneath her feet. Describing the original vision, Catherine said the Blessed Mother appeared radiant as a sunrise, "in all her perfect beauty."

 • Rays shoot out from Mary's hands, which she told Catherine, "... symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them." 

• Words from the vision form an oval frame around Mary: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Seen as a matrix, the elements of the front design encapsulate major Marian tenets: Quality of Our Lady As Illustrated by the Medal 

• Mother Her open arms, the "recourse" we have in her 

• Immaculate The words, "conceived without sin" 

• Assumed into Heaven She stands on the globe 

• Mediatrix Rays from her hands symbolizing "graces" 

• Our Protection Crushes the serpent (Gn. 3:15) 

The Reverse Side 

• A cross-and-bar surmounts a large, bold "M" 

• 12 stars disperse around the perimeter 

• Two hearts are depicted underneath the "M," the left lapped with a crown of thorns, the right skewed by a sword. From each, a flame emanates from the top. Again, employing a grid analysis, we can see how the reverse-side design contains great symbolism reflecting major tenets of the Catholic faith. Design Element and its Catholic Meaning 

• The large letter "M" — Mary as Mother, Mediatrix. 

• Cross and bar — Jesus' cross of Redemption. 

• 12 stars — 12 Apostles, who formed the first Church. 

• Left Heart — The Sacred Heart, who died for our sins. 

• Right Heart — The Immaculate Heart, who intercedes for us. 

• Flames — The burning love Jesus and Mary have for us. The Association of the Miraculous Medal, in Perryville, Mo., notes that there is no superstition or magic connected with the Miraculous Medal, nor is it "a good luck charm." Rather, it is "a testimony to faith and the power of trusting prayer. Its greatest miracles are those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith." ( Association of the Miraculous Medal, 1811 W. St. Joseph St., Perryville, MO, 63775).

Great News! New Oratory at Bournemouth to begin!

By Didier Descouens - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52960412

News was announced yesterday of the start of the new Oratory at the Sacred Heart Church in Bournemouth which will begin on 31 May. Canon Peter Edwards, Fr. Dominic Jacob, and a student brother will form the initial community. The Sacred Heart is an ideal location for an Oratory, being in the centre of town, just off Richmond Hill.

Bournemouth is in the Diocese of Portsmouth and Bishop Egan has given his warm encouragement to the formation of the new Oratory.

Fr David Hutton was to have been one of the members of the oratory in formation but sadly he became seriously ill. He was clothed in the Oratorian habit in January and died on the feast of his patron St David, on 1 March this year. (See: obituary notice.) Please remember him in your prayers and please pray for the success of the new Oratory.

H/t (and welcome back! to the irrepressible Fr. Tim Finigan at http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.co.uk)

How to make the Five First Saturdays Devotion

From Young Catholic Adults Weekend 2017

 The http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com writes:-

 How to make the Five First Saturdays Devotion

The devotion of the first Saturdays consists in four acts: Confession, Communion, five decades of the Rosary, and fifteen minutes of meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary.

Confession:

On February 15, 1926, Sr. Lucia was visited by the Child Jesus who greatly encouraged the Five First Saturdays devotion. However, Sr. Lucia explained that many find it very difficult to confess on the first Saturday, and so asked whether it would be permissible for these to confess within at least eight days of the first Saturday.

Our Lord responded: “Yes. It can even be made later on, provided that the souls are in the state of grace when they receive me [in Holy Communion] on the first Saturday, and that they had the intention of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Mary.”

But Sr. Lucia persisted:“My Jesus! And those who forget to form this intention?”

The Lord: “They can form it at the next confession, taking advantage of their first opportunity to go to confession.”

It is clear that confession need not be made on the very first Saturday itself, nor even (necessarily) within a week – but rather, it is to be made sometime around the first Saturday. This could easily be understood to extend to ten or perhaps even twenty days on either side of the first Saturdays. Surely, however, it is better to confess closer to the first Saturday itself (or at least within the eight days before or after), when possible.

Communion:

We are to receive Holy Communion with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Further, Communion may be received either the Friday before or (as is more likely) the Sunday following, if it is difficult or impossible to receive Communion on the Saturday itself.

Further, the Saturday Mass need not be a specific Mass for the Saturday Devotion – whether a Funeral Mass, a Wedding Mass, or even a Vigil Mass for the coming Sunday, any Mass at all will suffice. This is to be granted by the dispensation of the local priest, generally Communion on the Saturday itself is to be preferred (but, we re-iterate, this is not an absolute).

Finally, if an individual is unable to attend Mass (due to some serious reason), even Communion outside of Mass will satisfy for the First Saturday Devotion, with the dispensation of the individual’s priest.

The Rosary:

It is required that we pray five decades of the Rosary with devotion [apologies for a typo earlier which said fifteen decades]. This must be done on the First Saturday itself.

However, to be sure, even the greatest saints struggled with distractions in prayer – and St. Louis Marie de Montfort, the “Apostle of the Rosary,” says that this is the most difficult of all prayers. Therefore, we need not become scrupulous or excessively troubled if our Rosary is not perfect. Rather, we strive to make our Rosary a true and worthy expression of love – avoiding distractions as much as possible, but also recognizing that such is the human condition. St. Teresa of Avila gives consoling words regarding distractions in prayer (see the Fourth Mansions of the Interior Castle).

Meditation:

Lastly, we are to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary for an additional fifteen minutes. This could be the devout recitation of another portion of the Rosary, or meditative reading of Scripture which pertains to some of the mysteries of the Rosary, or any other of a number of different forms of prayer.

What is most important is that we set aside this additional time for meditation on the mysteries. It will generally be better to chose one or two mysteries to consider – though, technically, we could meditate on any number of them. Together with our Lady, we consider the love of God made manifest in the mysteries of our Savior’s life, death, and resurrection.

In Sum:

Put simply, the following acts of the Five First Saturdays Devotion are to be completed on the first Saturday of five consecutive months: Confession (about eight days before or after), Communion (between Friday and Sunday, preferably on the Saturday itself), the Rosary (five decades), and an additional fifteen minutes of meditation on one or more of the mysteries of the Rosary.

In reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

All of these acts are to be performed in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on account of five offenses she suffers (and hence, it is a devotion of FIVE first Saturdays):

1) For blasphemes against her Immaculate Conception

2) For blasphemes against her perpetual virginity (before, during, and after birth)

3) For blasphemes against her Divine Maternity of Jesus and against her spiritual motherhood of all Christians

4) For the neglect of imbuing children with a knowledge and love of the Immaculate Mother of God

5) For offense against statues and images of Mary

The great promise

Our Lady does not promise that all who make the Five First Saturdays Devotion will go to heaven, but rather that they will have all the graces necessary for salvation provided to them at the hour of death. This is a great promise indeed, and at the same time calls to mind that we must co-operate with God’s grace.

We recall what St. Alphonsus regularly emphasized: The grace of final perseverance is not to be considered alone and separate, but rather is rightly thought of as the final grace in a long line of graces throughout many years of life by which God leads a man to salvation.

The grace of practicing the First Saturday devotions is then seen as an important link in this chain of graces which, God willing, culminates for each of us in final perseverance unto eternal life.

Further, our Lord promises that he will bring salvation to many other souls through our practice of this devotion, and also peace to the world.

Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us! Help us to pray the Rosary daily!

  H/t to the http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2012/05/fatima-devotion-of-five-first-saturdays.html

Fraternity of St. Peter - News from England

Lent 2009 with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint 2009

Wednesday 25 th February, 11:20am and 7pm: Ash Wednesday: St William of York’s, Upper Redlands RoadRG1 5JT, Reading: Holy Mass with imposition of Ashes, Confessions will be heard.

Saturday 28 th February, 3pm-4pm: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London: “Art for Souls” Tour guided by Fr Armand de Malleray: a meditation on several Catholic paintings illustrating the theme “Christ’s saving Passion”. Meet inside the entrance hall of the Sainsbury Wing from 2.40pm until 2.55pm. Informal coffee at the Gallery’s cafeteria after the tour. Free entrance, all invited.

March 2 nd -6 th : Lenten Retreat, Douai Abbey Upper Woolhampton RG7 5TQ, Berkshire, United Kingdom (about1 hour west from London; nearest railway station: Midgham): Starts Monday 2009 March 2009 at 2pm – ends Friday ६th March 2009 at 11am. Cost: £169 - to cover: £155 for accommodation (discount granted on request by the Abbey) + £14 for Retreat Master’s expenses. Theme: "By his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Daily Mass. Possibility of individual meeting with Fr de Malleray for confession and spiritual advice.

Monday 9 th March, 7.30pm: Newman House, Gower Street, London: conference for students on: “Evil, phenomenon or a person?”

Saturday 14 th March, 11am: Day of recollection, Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Edinburgh Road,Portsmouth, PO1 3HG: Talks, Mass (at 12.15pm), Stations of the Cross, time for confessions and benediction .Ends at ४.15pm. Confessions will be heard.

Saturday 21 st March: Lenten day of recollection at Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory parish Warwick Street in London: 10:45am: faithfuls arrival; 11am: Morning conference (in the church); 12 noon: Holy Mass; 1:30pm: bring and share picnic (in the basement room); 2:30pm: Afternoon conference (in the church);3:30pm: Benediction; 4pm. Confessions will be heard during the conferences.

Saturday 28 th March, 3pm : Our Lady of the Assumption and St Edward the Confessor, 14 Empress Road, Lyndhurst, Hants, SO43 7AE: Holy Mass followed with refreshments and Lenten conference, ending with Benediction. Confessions will be heard.

Sunday 5 th April, 11am: Palm Sunday: blessing of palms and procession followed with Holy Mass: St William of York’s, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT, Reading; confessions. And also at 5pm: Blessing, procession and

Holy Mass: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pope Close, Flitwick MK45 1JP. Confessions.
April 9 th - 12 th : Sacred Easter Triduum in Reading (St William of York’s, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT):

April 9 th - 12 th : Sacred Easter Triduum in Reading (St William of York’s, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT):

Also, Sunday 12 th April, 5pm: Also Easter Sunday Mass at Flitwick (cf address above)

Contact : www.fssp.co.uk - Tel: 0118 987 5819 - E-mail: malleray@fssp.org
Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, 179 Elgar Rd, Reading, RG2 0DH, Berkshire, England