mercy Archives

SP#3 The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization with Fr. Scott Traynor

SP#3 The School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization

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Fr. Scott Traynor talks about the darkness that can be found in our lives. How can we experience the overwhelming love and mercy of God, even in our suffering? How can we live out the teaching of St. Paul:

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

In Father Scott Traynor’s book, Blessed John Paul II’s memorable call to make of the parish a school of prayer takes on flesh and becomes concretely attainable. Those you read these faith-filled pages will find renewed desire to create such parishes and a clear road-map toward this goal.

–Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV

Father Scott Traynor received his STB from the Pontifical Gregorian University and his JCL from Catholic University of America. He has been an instructor and spiritual director for many of the programs at the Institute for Priestly Formation.

Father Traynor is a retreat master and spiritual director who has travelled the country as a speaker at various conferences, diocesan gatherings and national conferences.. He is especially sought after to present on the topics of prayer, discernment and priestly identity and mission.

He serves the Rector of the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver Colorado.

Day 5 St. Catherine of Siena Novena

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Day 5

To Monna Agnese wife of Francesco, a tailor of Florence

I desire to see thee clothed in true and perfect humility–for that is a little virtue which makes us great in the sight of God. This is the virtue which constrained and inclined God to make His most sweet Son incarnate in the Womb of Mary. It is as exalted as the proud are humbled; it shines in the sight of God and men; it binds the hands of the wicked, it unites the soul with God, it purifies and laves away the soil of our sin, and calls on God to show us mercy.

Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honor her merits and hear her prayers for each of us. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbor of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men’s souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.

For the complete novena visit the St. Catherine of Siena Novena Page

St. Ambrose…father, and one of the four original doctors, of the Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts

“Remember always…a tranquil conscience and an assured innocence produce a blessed life”

Saint Ambrose (c. between 337 and 340 – 4 April 397), was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential Church figures of the 4th century. Mariologist, heresy buster, emperor tamer, lover of hymns, an answer to a mother’s prayer (ask St. Monica), you name it, St. Ambrose fills the bill…

Did you know that St. Ambrose was one of the first recorded instances of someone reading silently? Interesting…

Did you know that he received, essentially, the sacramental Grand Slam all at once? Wonder what that is?

…well let’s ask Mike Aquilina. Take a listen

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For a fuller a rendering of his life, visit New Advent

So, so much from St. Ambrose! First, better to hear from the man himself (sort of…)
On Holy Mary

Next on Holy Repentance

A prayer of St. Ambrose

Lord Jesus Christ, I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth but only on your goodness and mercy. I am defiled by many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words.

Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek your protection, I look for your healing. Poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to You, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear your judgment, but I trust in your salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to You and uncover my shame before You. I know my sins are many and great, and they will fill me with fear, but I hope in Your Mercies, for they cannot be numbered.

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in You. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of your compassion never ends.

Praise to You, saving sacrifice, offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, your creature, whom You have redeemed with Your Blood. I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.

May Your Body and Blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts. May it incite meto do the works pleasing to You and profitable to my health in body andsoul, and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies.

St. Ambrose…father, and one of the four original doctors, of the Church with Mike Aquilina

“Remember always…a tranquil conscience and an assured innocence produce a blessed life”

Did you know that St. Ambrose was one of the first recorded instances of someone reading silently? Interesting…

Did you know that he received, essentially, the sacramental Grand Slam all at once? Wonder what that is?

…well let’s ask Mike Aquilina. Take a listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:21 — 39.7MB) | Embed

For a fuller a rendering of his life, visit New Advent

So, so much from St. Ambrose! First, better to hear from the man himself (sort of…)
On Holy Mary

Next on Holy Repentance

A prayer of St. Ambrose

IP#169 Shannon Dietz on Exposed on Inside the Pages

“Exposed: Inexcusable Me… Irreplaceable Him” by Shannon Dietz is a compelling book which chronicles her experiences growing up in her devout Catholic home, dealing with realities of brokenness that results from the assaults that come from the world, from the enemy and from our own negative choices, and the healing that comes from surrendering completely to the love of Jesus Christ. Shannon shares her story of being raped, not once but twice, and the devastating effect it had on her life and self-image. She would run from God and her Catholic faith for a time, which only led her to experience a greater period of isolation and despair. Eventually she turned to Him and found the peace and strength she had been aching for in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. That moment would provide a powerful encounter of grace and mercy and would set her once again on the path home to the loving embrace of the God the Father. Her story is one that speaks to the hearts of several generation of women. A powerful story and witness that there is indeed a beautiful “light at the end of the tunnel”. Shannon is the founder of “Hopeful Hearts Ministry“…be sure to visit the website!

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You can find the book here

Patrice Fagnant–Macarthur, Sr. Editor of Catholic Lane, Author of “Letters to Mary from a Young Mother”
“It took great courage for Shannon to share her story. It is an important one for young people who are struggling with addiction or abuse and those who question whether God still cares for them.”

C.A. Webb, President of Conversations Book Club, Host of Conversations Live!
“A powerful book that helps us to live a life that is open to receive all that is meant for us.”

“Shannon’s candid sharing will prove to be a blessing to victims and those that care about them.”
Fr. Gavin Vaverek, Maria Goretti Network

Salve Regina…favorite prayer, favorite hymn…beautiful

English translation

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy
[Hail] our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished chidren of Eve,
To thee do we send up our sighs,
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn, then, o most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy and after this our exile
Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary.

Latin text

Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae,
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve!
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii [H]evae,
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,
In hac lacrimarum valle.
Eja ergo, Advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
Nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende,
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Salve Regina…favorite prayer, favorite hymn…beautiful – Discerning Hearts

English translation

Turn, then, o most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy and after this our exile
Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary.

Latin text