Thank You for this Day of Life

O God,

I thank You for this day of life

for eyes to see the sky

for ears to hear the birds

for feet to walk amidst the trees

for hands to pick the flowers from the earth

for a sense of smell to breathe

in the sweet perfumes of nature

for a mind to think about and appreciate

the magic of everyday miracles

for a spirit to swell in joy

at Your mighty presence everywhere.

May it be Beautiful all Around Me

Happily may I walk.

May it be beautiful before me.

May it be beautiful behind me.

May it be beautiful below me.

May it be beautiful all around me.

In beauty it is finished.

OUR LADY, HELP of CHRISTIANS

When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth? St. Luke 18:8 

Today is the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians.  Here's a simple prayer to Our Lady!

Pope Pius VII instituted this feast day in honor of the assistance which Our Blessed Mother had accorded to the Church; this was after his returned to Rome in 1815 from several years of captivity imposed by the emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.  The Pope’s exile and captivity was the emperor’s resistance to the authority of the Vicar of Christ, superior before God to his own.

The sacrilegious seizure of the Pope was executed, and he spent five years in exile in various places, finally at Fontainebleau, France. After 1815 the clemency of the great Pope towards the Emperor and his family is a matter of history; the latter were afforded a secure refuge in Rome itself, when Napoleon was exiled. And for the Emperor himself, relegated to the island of Saint Helena, the Pope pleaded for clemency with the Prince-Regent of England. When Napoleon died, it was with the assistance of chaplains sent to him by Pius VII.

Our Lady, Help of Christians, was made better known by Saint John Bosco, who consecrated his Order of Salesian priests to Her. And in Turin, beginning in 1865, he began to raise in Her honor a vast and magnificent church. Without ever having a penny in advance, always the needed sums of money arrived in time. About three-fourths of the gifts offered were presented in thanksgiving for favors obtained through Her intercession.

We will relate just one of those. A certain Senator of the Kingdom of Italy was ill; Don Bosco went to visit him and found him very discouraged and speaking of his imminent death. “What would you do,” said Don Bosco, “if Our Lady Auxiliatrix obtained your cure from God?” “My cure! Well, I would give two thousand francs a month for Her church, for six months.” “Be of good courage,” said the Saint on rising; “I will see that prayers are said for you.” Three days later, Baron Gotta, perfectly cured, went to Don Bosco to make his first payment, giving more than he had promised; and he did not cease to outdo himself in generosity.


Sources/ref: Prayer to Our Lady, Help of Christians, The Magnificat

A Beautiful Prayer

Forgiveness is one ticket to have a beautiful life; Forgiving those who've hurt you and forgiving yourself will make you feel better. What have you been stewing over lately? It's about time to forget it and move on. Once you commit to forgive and forget then move on with your life,you will be surprised at how fast it can happen.  Forgive others, forgive yourself, move on; a life free of grudge is beautiful: It will make you beautiful inside out.

Dear Lord, 

You raise me up into self-appreciation and beauty,

You fill my life with the beauty of this world;

You love me as I am, Oh Lord my God.

Thank You  for giving me a beautiful life,

Thank You for making my life beautiful inside out,

Thank you for making me worthy of Your love.

Let me reflect Your gentle loving spirit;

 In my voice and in my actions;

Grant me the serenity,

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can,

Wisdom to know the difference

And to believe that I am worthy of your love.

Amen