The Joyful Mysteries

December 17, 2022December 17, 2022 by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Christmas, Joyful Mysteries, Nativity, Rosary

There is something spiritually moving as we journey with Mary in praying the Joyful Mysteries. The process of reflection and visualization, helps in expanding our understanding of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. God’s presence is evident throughout. His hands preparing Mary for her pregnancy and birth in a blessed sequence of events. It’s no coincidence Mary visited Elizabeth and experienced first hand what to expect in a pregnancy and birthing process. God’s hand is also present in providing Mary and Joseph a cave away from the prying eyes of King Herod and his court, the Romans, and the Jewish elite. Those present were the lowliest – poor sheep herders. The three wisemen were foreigners who came from afar.

Not much has changed since the birth of Jesus. Herod went on a killing spree executing all children under 2. It’s not different in our world today – killing babies in the womb via abortion. Where the Romans had conquered and controlled most of the ancient world, our world today is in a similar chaotic state (Ukraine, Russia, China and the USA geopolitics). Today our churches are empty. Those that go to mass are the disenfranchised and the elderly.

Today, the story of Christmas is lost in secular translation. We talk about love, peace and joy, but forget that to attain this means letting go of our brokenness and embracing the grace of God. That means being Christ centred with our own, “yes”.

I dropped by Mary Queen of the World Cathedral (Montreal) for Friday morning mass. As I was early, I wanted to find a quiet spot to pray the Joyful Mysteries. I found the perfect spot in front of a beautiful Nativity Scene.

I share from: https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/the-most-holy-rosary/the-joyful-mysteries/

The Joyful Mysteries

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed
(Prayed on the Crucifix)

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

Our Father
(Prayed on the first large bead)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

3 Hail Mary’s…
(Prayed on the first three beads)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be…
(Prayed before the first decade)

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation

Scripture: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?”

And the angel said to her,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;
therefore the child to be born* will be called holy,
the Son of God.

And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38).

Our Father...
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be…

Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

Scripture: In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would bee a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:39-45).

Our Father...
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be…

Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

Scripture: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:1-14).

Our Father...
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be…

Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple

Scripture: And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit* he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word;
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to thy people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign that is spoken against
(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanu-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:22-38).

Our Father...
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be…

Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding in the Temple

Scripture: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:41-52).

Our Father...
10 Hail Mary’s
Glory be…

Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

Concluding Prayers:

The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Optional closing prayers:

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pour forth we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

God Bless 💕🙏

A Look Back…

December 3, 2022December 3, 2022 by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Advent, Catholic Faith, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Christmas, Mother Mary, Music, prayer, Rosary, Virgin Mary

There is a joy to in the season of Advent as we prepare our hearts and soul to receive God’s gift:

“The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).“
From: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent

Christmas is a season for active preparation through fasting, reading the Bible, and prayer. It is a time to share with our families and communities the love of God. It is a time to express our resounding joy.

Praying the Joyful Mysteries, allows us to follow Mary’s “Yes” to the birth of Jesus. Through Mary’s eyes, we journey along with her in the faith, hope and joy. Reading scripture (Luke 1:26-56). also allows us to focus our minds and hearts on the true reason for the season – Christ, coming to redeem all of humanity.

https://rosarycenter.org/the-joyful-mysteries-without-distractions

Listening to hymns and carols immerses us in the soulful sound of celebration – we become a part of the heavenly choir:

Finally, I want to repost some thoughts I had as we ended the Year of St. Joseph. Christmas is also his story. Our story is no matter how often we fall or tumble, the light of Jesus lights our path.

https://rejoiceandpraise.ca/2021/12/18/a-light-in-my-path/

God Bless 🙏💕

My Superhero is Saint Joan of Arc

September 3, 2022September 3, 2022 by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Chaplet, Christianity, Healing, Novena, prayer, Rosary, Saint Joan of Arc

When I was a youngster, one of my superhero was Saint Joan of Arc. I loved Medieval French history, and Joan of Arc represented a girl who despite all odds was able to lead an army into battle. She lead a country to victory from it’s enemies without killing a soul. The hand of God was upon her!

Joan of Arc was a pious girl from a peasant family. At 13 years old, she had a vision or visitation (Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret) with a message to drive the English from France. Her story was just that, and an incredible journey of God’s divine intervention.

During the cruel days of the medieval Inquisition. She was captured by the English and eventually burned at the stake for heresy.

After a through investigation it was declared that she was accused wrongly, and unjustly so. Joan of Arc after much support from the Catholic Church and community had her beatification in 1909, and on May 16, 1920, Pope Benedict XV canonized her.

As I’m going back to work next week after a year off – I was thinking of St. Joan of Arc for her courage, strength, faith, and commitment to God amidst the chaos and political climate of France and the Church at the time. I am also thankful to God for the time to heal spiritually, mentally and physically.

I found the following prayer written for her:

“Prayer of Thanks and Gratitude to St. Joan of Arc,” written by Andrea Rau:

Dear Patron Saint,

Thank you for accompanying me throughout the day, and in the work that I did. Thank you also for your guidance and your counsel. Please help me to listen to God and to you, dear Saint, that I may do what I am called to do. Please intercede on my behalf and beg God to take all my faults and turn them into virtues. I thank you for all you have done for me, and all the things you have interceded for on my behalf. Please continue to pray for me and for all the souls who need it.

St. Joan of Arc, Pray for us.

Chaplet Prayer for Saint Joan of Arc

The chaplet may be used as a novena (a prayer repeated once every day for nine days) or prayed at any time for any necessity throughout the year. A total number of nineteen beads on this chaplet commemorates each year of Joan’s life.

How to pray:
On the medal, make the sign of the Cross, recite:
“Incline unto my aid, Oh God! Oh Lord, make haste to help me! Amen.”
Follow this with a: Glory Be.

On the first single bead on the strand, pray an:
“Our Father”.
On the second single bead on the strand, pray an:
“Our Father”, and then continue by saying, “Saint Joan of Arc, immolated as a victim of the burning stake, pray that I may also become a victim by the faithful practice of all my duties as they pertain to me during my whole life.”

On the first group of five beads, say a:
“Hail Mary” for each bead.

On the next divisional bead, Pray an:
“Our Father”, and then recite,
“Saint Joan of Arc, with you, I only wish to find my delight in practicing humility, charity, and penance, and all the virtues necessary to gain entrance into Heaven. Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us!”

On the second group of five beads, say a:
“Hail Mary” for each bead.

On the next divisional bead, pray an:
“Our Father”, and then recite,
“Saint Joan of Arc, be with me in all my struggles. Like the strong men of Israel, experienced in warfare, who constantly carry the sword at their side, to guard against unforeseen attacks during the night, may I ever be prepared for the combat. Together with the protection of the angels and saints grant me also your own; inspire my endeavours; be my help and my light to guide me to Jesus, our Chief, and when my earthly mission is accomplished, may I expire like you, repeating with love, Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!’ – Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us!”

On the third group of five beads, pray a:
“Hail Mary” for each bead.

Conclude the chaplet on the medal, by reciting the following prayer:
“Pray for us, Saint Joan of Arc, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”

God Bless all those starting anew like I am next week, and, to students starting their new semester this September 🙏💕

Never Too Old To Learn To Pray In Latin

August 29, 2022August 29, 2022 by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Ave Maria, Cardinal Burke, Catholic Teaching, Catholicism, Ecclesiastical Latin, Hail Mary, Pater Noster, Rosary, The Lord's Prayer

I have been learning the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary in Latin. My husband and kids think I’ve gone bonkers. “Mom, it’s a dead language!” “How can you learn Latin when your French sucks!” “Sheesh!”

Growing up in Ontario, I recall when Latin was an option available in High School. I never took it. These days, it’s not found in any educational curriculum. Latin is also not used in most mass since Vatican 2. Well, I’m up for the challenge of learning it – with – the help of the Holy Spirit.!

Why learn it? I have been thinking about learning prayers in Latin for a while now, and listening to Shia LaBeouf’s discuss on the mysteries of the Latin Mass, as well as those advocating for TLM, I decided to learn two as part of my daily prayers.

Our Father/Pater Noster

Hail Mary/Ave Maria

Rosary in Latin

I also started to pray the rosary lead by Cardinal Burke:

Joyful Mysteries:

Sorrowful Mysteries:

Glorious Mysteries:

Luminous Mysteries:

God Bless each of us as we journey in knowing Jesus, loving him more deeply, and closely following him.🙏💕

What is the Triumph of The Immaculate Heart

January 24, 2022January 24, 2022 by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, God, Jesus, Personal Reflection, prayer, Rosary, Virgin Mary

Why pray the rosary?

From personal experience, praying the rosary is my spiritual weapon. This is especially needed, for the closer I draw near to God’s embrace, the more sneaky the evil one is in attacking me. Think Eve in the garden of Eden, especially upon how the serpent seduced her with tricky words:

Being on guard to how my wandering thoughts, words and heart can betray God through Satan’s tricky is something I need to be aware off. This is why praying the rosary (“Hail Mary”) stops me before a sinful desire or a licentious thought can entrap or take hold of me. When I want to read a trashy romance, I ask myself – is it worth it to give up heaven for temporal pleasure? Is it worth giving up heaven for my addiction to my devices and spending hours on end on social social media (time once past is gone forever). It’s easy to fall into Satans grasp! That’s why the rosary (a mother’s fighting stance) and verses from the Bible are my spiritual weapon.

Genesis 3:1-5 Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

The First Sin and Its Punishment

3 Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?” ²And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” ⁴But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die. ⁵For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When we invite Holy Mary into our lives through the rosary, we are using a weapon given to us by God – for she will crush Satan’s head with her feet: