Ladybug Lights: Prayers & Devotions

Joyful Mysteries with Padre Pio

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:13:42 GMT

My daughter asked me to put these meditations on my blog. She has a little pamphlet with Rosary meditations from Padre Pio that she really likes and wanted to share them. All of these quotes are from Padre Pio.

The Annunciation

"Mary became the Mother of the Most High, willing to be His maidservant. Because of that 'yes' spoken by Mary Most Holy, the world obtained salvation and humanity was redeemed. Let us always do God's will and always say 'yes' to the Lord."

The Visitation

"May Mary guide you to Heaven, the secure port of eternal salvation. May she be your gentle model and inspiration in the virtue of humility."

The Nativity

"Mother Mary, lead me to the grotto of Bethlehem, so that I may contemplate the great and sublime event that took place in the silence of the most beautiful night the world has ever seen."

The Presentation

"Like Mary, do your best to conform always and in everything to the will of God in all eventualities, and do not fear. This is the sure path to Heaven."

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

"The Heart of our Divine Master is filled with sweetness, humility and charity. Often place your confidence in Divine Providence, and be assured that Heaven and earth shall pass away sooner than that the Lord would neglect to protect you."

Spritiual Adoption Prayer

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:22:09 GMT

Since January is the month when we celebrate Respect Life Sunday and January 22, 2008 is the 35th Anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision that made abortion legal, here is a prayer you can easily memorize and pray often. It was written by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love You very much. I beg You to spare the life of the unborn baby I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.

CHRISTmas Prayers

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:23:58 GMT

Blessing of the CHRISTmas Tree:

Lord, our God, the Heavens are the work of Your hands, the moon and the stars You made; the earth and the sea, and every living creature came into being by Your Word. And all of us too. May this tree bring cheer to this house through Jesus Christ Your good and holy Son, who brings life and beauty to us and to our world. Lighting this tree, we hope in His promise. Amen.

Blessing of the Nativity Scene:

O God, whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem those days long ago, lead us to that same poor place, where Mary laid her tiny Child. As we look on in wonder and praise, make us welcome Him in all new life, see Him in the poor and care for His handiwork, the earth, the sky and the sea. May this manger remind us of the First CHRISTmas and help us to look forward to His coming again. O God, bless us in Your great love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing Before the Exchange of Gifts:

Father, You gave us Your Son to show us that giving has no meaning unless we give ourselves and our love together with the gift. As we share these presents with one another, help us to learn how to give not just what we have, but what we are; how to be thankful for what we recieve; and how to make every day a CHRISTmas for one another and for all Your children. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fourth Week of Advent

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:32:43 GMT

The Fourth Week of Advent is only 2 days long this year!

Fourth Sunday of Advent:

How excited Mary and Joseph must have been as the day of Jesus' birth grew closer! Their hearts must have been full of joy and thanksgiving. As we light the 4th candle on our Advent wreath and CHRISTmas day comes closer, we too have become more excited and joyful. Be with us loving God and help us continue to keep Jesus in our hearts as our Advent path takes us closer to CHRISTmas. Amen.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent:

O Lord, stir up Your might and power! Rescue us with Your strength. Fill our hearts with Your love. Forgive our sins and heal us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3rd Week of Advent

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:38:30 GMT

3rd Sunday of Advent:

The journey to Bethlehem must have been very hard for Mary and Joseph. A long donkey ride on a rough path must have seemed to go on forever, but Mary and Joseph trusted God and knew that God would be there to take care of them. We are so thankful that God is always there for us, during the good times and bad. We remember this when we light the third candle on our Advent wreath. As we continue on the Advent path we ask God to be with us in all we do each day. Amen.

Prayer during the rest of the 3rd Week:

O Lord, listen to our prayers! Light up the darkness of our minds with Your grace! Fill our hearts with the joy of salvation. We look forward to the birthday of Christ. Help us to experience the joy of salvation and to celebrate His birth with love and thanksgiving. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2nd Week of Advent

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:05:01 GMT

Prayer for 2nd Sunday of Advent:

Mary and Joseph were people of great love. They were chosen to be the parents of Jesus because of their love for God. We are thankful to have their obedience, kindness, and deep faith as our examples. As we travel on our Advent path and light the 2nd candle on the Advent wreath, we pray that we too will love God as much as Mary and Joseph. Amen.

Prayer during the 2nd Week of Advent:

O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for the coming of Jesus! Take away the things that keep us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share His wisdom and become one with Him when He comes in glory. Help us to serve You with pure minds and hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

All Soul's Day

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:10:16 GMT

November is the month of the Holy Souls, when we remember those who have died and pray for them. We cannot just assume that we will go straight to Heaven just because we believe...Jesus told us we must follow the Commandments as well. When we sin by disobeying God & His Commandments, our sin is like a wound...that wound may heal (through asking for forgiveness) but we have a scar...purgatory cleanses even the scars so we are perfect when we enter Heaven, for we know that nothing imperfect can enter in Heaven.

The souls in purgatory can be our advocates as well! We can be sure that if we pray them out of purgatory, our time there will be much shorter too, because they will remember us!

This is a good month to visit the graves of our relatives and friends. Have your kids make crayon rubbings of their tombstones/markers, then display them during the month to remind you to pray for them.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:36:02 GMT

We are going to be out of town this weekend (mom & I are giving my SIL a baby shower on Saturday, she is due to have a baby girl in November ; we are celebrating my brother's and my mom's birthdays; and we are going to the Ringling Brothers Circus! Sounds like a fun weekend to me!!!), so I am going to post the last 3 days of the Novena today. Hope you have a fun & blessed weekend!

DAY SEVEN: FOR THE CHURCH

Meditation - With the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the Catholic Church began. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, for nearly 2000 years, in season and out, the Church has steadfastly proclaimed the Good News of the Gospel of Life. In every age, the Church has raised up voices of priests, bishops, and popes in defense of life and in opposition to abortion. Thanks be to God.

Prayer - O Mary, Mother of the Church, you were there with the Apostles when the Church was born. Accept our prayers for the Church. Fill the clergy and the faithful with a burning love for life, especially the unborn, and a craving to support the unborn through prayer and action.

Daily Prayers (see below)

DAY EIGHT: FOR ABORTION PROVIDERS

Meditation - Doctors, nurses, counselors, and others who work in the abortion industry are our brothers and sisters. So are pro-abortion politicians and others who work to keep abortion available. We are called to see the image of God in all of them. We are also called to love them. Most importantly, we are called to pray for them. We are called especially to pray for those filled with rage, those who are in most need of God's healing grace.

Prayer - O Mary, Mother of Mercy, accept the prayers we offer for those who provide or support abortions. Through your powerful intercession, touch abortion providers and supporters with the amazing grace which has the power to save and transform lives. Help them to see the truth of their actions, and having seen the horror of their deeds, help them to come to your Son for forgiveness and mercy.

Daily Prayers (see below)

DAY NINE: FOR THE END TO ABORTION

Meditation - As believers in the Risen Lord, we know already that the victory is ours. The sacrifice of children in abortion will end. The final victory won't be a legislative or legal victory; it will be a conversion of heart for those who seek, perform, and support abortion. In our times, it has pleased God that many conversions of heart have come through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother. That is why we confidently imiplore Mary, Our Blessed Mother, to grant our request. End abortion.

Prayer - Mary, Our Blessed Mother, hear our plea. Touch the hearts of those who seek, perform, or support abortion. With your gentle hand, lead them to your Son.

Daily Prayers (see below)

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

*Recite the Memorarae: Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer them. Amen.

Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:28:28 GMT

I apologize for being a day behind on posting this Novena. For some reason it wouldn't let me publish entries yesterday. So here is Day 5 & Day 6...God understands.

DAY SIX - FOR FAMILIES

Meditation: In God's loving plan of salvation families were entrusted with the special responsibility of bringing new life into the world. God's gift of human sexuality as well as a husband's and wife's love for each other become an invitation to be co-creators, with God, in new life. The use of artificial contraception is a rude rejection of this invitation. Using God's gift of human sexuality outside of marriage is a rejection of His plan of salavation. Both lead, inevitably, to the rejection of life itself in abortion.

Prayer: O Mary, Queen of families, it was through your intercession at the wedding feast at Cana that your Son's public ministry began. Accept our prayers for families. INterced for us with your Son and ask for the graces we need to use our human sexuality only in ways which bring honor and glory to God.

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

DAY FIVE: FOR BOYS AND MEN

Meditation - Boys and men, too, were made in God's image and thus what is truly masculine is also a reflection of a wonderful God. However, there are boys and men who have a false masculinity which exalts lust and conquest, unfaithfulness and callousness, irresponsibility and deceit. The magnitude of the abortion tragedy is a direct result. No greater gains can be made in ending abortion than embracing true masculinity.

Prayer - O Mary, most chaste wife of St. Joseph, accept our prayers for boys and men. Help them to see in St. Joseph a model of true masculinity. Ask your Son for the grace to help boys and men lead pure and holy lives and to avoid temptations of the flesh.

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:04:43 GMT

DAY FOUR - FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN

Meditation - Genesis declares that men and women were both created in God's image. To celebrate what is feminine and the unique role of girls and women in giving and sustaining life brings honor to both God and womankind. Abortion denies this reflection of God in girls and women. So does immodesty, pornography, and other activities which exploit girls and women.

Prayer - O Mary, Mother most Pure, accept our prayers for girls and women. Help girls and women to see God's image more clearly in their femininity. Ask your Son for special graces for girls and women so that they may remain modest in dress and action.

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:32:38 GMT

DAY THREE - FOR OUR CHILDREN

Meditation - A battle is raging over the souls of our children. Being chaste and pure is presented to our children as only one of many equally viable options for living; an option often ridiculed by the media. Organizations actively obstruct parents' efforts to be involved in essential decisions in the lives of their children. Whether for cigarettes, birth control devices or abortions, our children are seen as 'market opportunities.'

Prayer - O Mary, Mother of the Son of God, you know well the love your Son had for little children. Accept our prayers and unite them with your own and use these prayers to crush the head of the serpent who is waiting to devour our children and separate them from your Son.

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:57:20 GMT

DAY TWO - FOR CHILDLESS MOTHERS

Meditation - Abortion takes more from a mother than the life of her child. More than the smiles, the first words, the first steps, the love, and the hugs are lost. Abortion is unnatural. The emptiness a mother feels after an abortion is also the loss of her 'humanness.' It is a loss which leaves mothers with a profound sense of loneliness and abandonment.

Prayer - O Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, through the power of the Holy Spirit, humanity and divinity were united in your womb. Accept our prayers for childless mothers and intercede with your Son to restore these mothers in His grace. In their lonliness, reveal yourself to them as their loving Heavenly Mother.

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 22:53:52 GMT

Respect Life Sunday is October 7. I will be posting one day of a Novena to Our Blessed Mother to End Abortion each day for the next 9 days. Feel free to copy the prayers to say at another time as well. This Novena is from the American Life League.

DAY ONE: FOR CHILDREN SACRIFICED

Meditation - The greatest challenge a child faces is surviving the first nine months of life. One in three children don't live until their 'birth' day. In abortion, they die never knowing a mother's smile or her tender touch. Their cries, never heard on earth, resound throughout all of Heaven.

Prayer - O Mary, Our sweet and loving Mother, you hear the cries of your children sacrificed in abortion. Accept our prayers for aborted children as a soothing balm for their wounds. Comfort them and comfort us who mourn their loss.

Daily Prayers -

*Complete the Meditation & Prayer for the day

*Say one Our Father, One Hail Mary, and One Glory Be

Feast of the Archangels is September 29

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:18:41 GMT

The Feast of the Holy Archangels is Saturday, September 29. Below are a couple of my favorite prayers to the Archangels. They angels are God's special gift to us...for protection and inspiration. Call on them often, they are waiting to hear from us! The Feast of the Guardian Angels is October 2. We each have a Guardian Angel who is especially assigned to us...forever! From conception through eternity...wow! They are always there waiting for us to ask them for help and protection.

St. Michael Prayer:

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan, and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Holy Angel Prayer:

Holy Angels come to our aid, St. Michael come with legions of Holy Angels to occupy and surround our homes, our property and whatever place we may be. Surround us with your Heavenly protection and drive far from us Satan, and every evil spirit, interference or influence. Free us from every curse and bondage, along with their effects, we humbly pray. May St. Gabriel give us the strength of God and St. Raphael heal our woundedness. All you Angels of God under your Heavenly Queen, help us, defend us, and rescue us from the snares of Satan. St. Ariel, pray for children and young people, as well as for us. Amen.

Guardian Angel Prayer:

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day (night) be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Amen.

St. Therese Novena

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:46:27 GMT

The feast of St. Therese the Little Flower is October 1. I found a couple of neat Novenas if anyone is interested...we need to start today...can you believe October 1 is only 9 days away??? Here are the links: http://www.cdop.org/files/cdop_documents/therese_novena.pdf and http://www.ewtn.com/therese/novena.htm. I was looking for one especially for children, but couldn't find one, so if anyone does, let me know. Have a blessed "Lord's Day!"