Lord Jesus Christ, watch over your missionary Sisters and Nuns who leave everything to give testimony to your word and your love. In difficult moments, sustain their energies, comfort their hearts, and crown their work with spiritual achievements. Let the image of you crucified on the Cross, which accompanies them throughout life, speak to them of heroism, generosity, love and peace. Amen. Read more
This prayer appeared in a similar version for Sisters and Nuns on Tuesday: St. Michael the Archangel, defend and protect our Priests and monks in this time of great danger in Iraq. As they are persecuted for their faith, and in their fleeing from Islamic extremist, keep anger and hatred from damaging their souls. Help them to be a candle in this chaotic night of oppression that they may draw to themselves other Christians who, for the love of Jesus, have... Read more
For those of us called to an anchoritic life, the silence of solitude teaches interior repose and perseverance in prayer, turning towards the Spirit within as the sunflower turns towards and follows the sun. The perspective and peace brought of silence is, rarely, an opened parcel in daily life. We twirl about stepping over it, directing ourselves towards yet another distraction—injustices, persecutions, disordered behaviors, family life where we spin plates on poles and try to keep them from falling,... Read more
St. Michael the Archangel, defend and protect our Sisters and Nuns in this time of great danger in Iraq. As they are persecuted for their faith, and in their fleeing from Islamic extremist, keep anger and hatred from damaging their souls. Help them to be a candle in this chaotic night of oppression that they may draw to themselves other Christians who, for the love of Jesus, have lost everything, fleeing genocide. Guard the souls of our Sisters and Nuns... Read more
Like most gardeners I like a lot of flowers all season. If you’re not a fan of annuals, you probably search for the few perennials that bloom all summer. You can also extend the bloom period of perennials by deadheading. Deadheading is the maintenance practice of removing spent flowers. By deadheading you keep the plants looking tidy, redirect the plant’s energy from seed production to roots and top growth, minimize reseeding, and for most perennials prolong the flowering period for... Read more
Most loving Jesus and our Lord, who have redeemed the world at the price of your Most Precious Blood, look mercifully on poor mankind, which in a greater part, lies in the darkness of error and in the shadow of death. Shine on it the fullness of the light of truth. Multiply, Lord, the apostles of your Gospel. Make them fervent and fruitful. Bless with your grace their zeal and their pains so that through them all unbelievers may come... Read more
I stooped at the waist to pull a few weeds. A twinge in my back caused me to stagger a bit so I lowered to kneeling and moved closer the flowers—a familiar intimacy. The rose next to me was Tuscany, a maroon heirloom rose, its richly perfumed center was fluffy with gold pollen. The base of the dark velvety petals were tipped with white where the keel connected to the calyx. It gave the illusion of light radiating from its... Read more
Almighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church as Sisters and Nuns. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people May their lives and service call your people to respond to the presence of your Spirit among us that, faithful to the Gospel and hope of Jesus the Christ, we may: announce glad tidings to the poor... Read more
I love to prune. It’s like art to me, a hope filled art. Each cut is intended to produce either a directional growth, to form and shape hardwoods for beauty, or to enhance the bearing of fruit. Sometimes with ornamental trees a whole section of limb that rubs against another will need to be removed, allowing the stronger limb to develop more fully. At other times the interior has become so cluttered with unnecessary branches that they block the light from reaching... Read more
On July 11th is the memorial of St. Benedict. This prayer prayed in our time could as easily have been prayed in his: Father, be with the leaders of your flock in their needs today. Help your Bishops and priests to interpret the Gospel message with clarity and urgency, witnessing in their own lives to the teaching and example of Christ. Fortify and encourage those among them who are fearful and confused; be truly a Father to those who have fallen... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
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