I’ve been praying the Divine Mercy Novena since Good Friday. (I’m grateful to those who are praying along with me!)
Those praying the novena know it ends on April 27th, the day before the Feast of Mercy.
Have you heard of this feast?
I’d like to tell you about this special day because I don’t want you to miss out!
I’ll explain:
Have you ever heard of the Divine Mercy Novena?
St. Faustina wrote,
“The Lord told me to say this chaplet for nine days before the Feast of Mercy. It is to begin on Good Friday” (Diary, 796).
Jesus explained,
“I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw therefrom strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death.
On each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy, and I will bring all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the next. I will deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My mercy. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls” (1209).
Pray with Me
I’ll be praying the Divine Mercy Novena, and I want you to join me!
The Stations of the Cross — also known as the Way of the Cross, Way of Sorrows and Via Dolorosa — is one of the most popular Roman Catholic devotions. It consists of fourteen events that took place during Jesus’ Passion.
History
Do you know where this tradition comes from? (I didn’t but discovered it while researching this post!)
After Jesus’ death, the Blessed Mother walked the path of His Passion daily. When she moved from the Holy Land, she created a similar outdoor route near her home. She used stones to mark each event and prayed while she walked.
Once Christianity became legal in the year 312, the “stations” were marked along the original route in Jerusalem. For centuries, people traveled to the Holy Land to honor these sacred locations.
About a year ago, I wrote a post on the cross. I decided to resurrect the post (with a few edits) since we’re in the season of Lent, journeying toward the cross with Christ.
If you’ve been following my blog from the beginning, you probably read it. However, you may not remember what you read a year ago — I sure don’t!
Even if you do remember, I recommend reading it again. The cross teaches us many lessons, and it’s essential that we continue to learn from it…
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent for Christians.
During the next forty days, the Lord calls us to increased prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Have you reflected on what you’re being called to do this Lent?
Thus says the LORD:
In Ramah is heard the sound of sobbing,
bitter weeping!
Rachel mourns for her children,
she refuses to be consoled
for her children—they are no more! (Jeremiah 31:15 NABRE)
A Day to Mourn
As you probably know, the “Reproductive Health Act” (RHA) was passed in New York State on January 22, 2019.
The law permits “late-stage” abortions, which could be performed up to the moment of birth in some cases. It also allows abortions to be performed by any licensed health practitioners, rather than full doctors. The law removes all legal protection for unborn children and those born alive after attempted abortions.
It was passed on the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States.
I believe the NY vote took place on this anniversary intentionally. I believe it was meant to be a slap in the face to those of us who are pro-life.
When I heard about the law, I felt extremely angry and upset; and I wasn’t the only one.
Today, January 24th is the feast day of St. Francis de Sales.
In my first post — First Post, First Blog! — I mentioned this saint. Those who have been following from the beginning may remember that I prayed a Novena to him for guidance, and the fruit of that prayer was this blog.
