NATIONAL PRAYER FOR THE PAPAL VISIT

Pope Francis will visit the Philippines from January 15-19, 2015.

According to Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, “the central theme of the Papal Visit is Mercy and Compassion. It has been a recurring theme from the symbolic actions of the Father. We can prepare best for his coming through our spiritual renewal, returning to the word of God, frequenting the Eucharist and Adoration and returning to God through the sacrament of Reconciliation. Another way is to do works of mercy; the Corporal and Spiritual works of mercy.”

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBPC) came up with the “national prayer for the papal visit” starting on Friday, August 1 until January 14 of next year. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, said the prayer is to be recited “before the post communion prayer of every Mass.”

Here’s the full text of the prayer:

NATIONAL PRAYER FOR THE PAPAL VISIT

Leader: God of mercy and compassion, we come to you in our need and lift up to you our nation as we prepare for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis.

L: That we may be faithful to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth
All: Bless your Church Lord!

L: That we may be eager to meet and listen to Pope Francis
A: Bless your Church Lord!

L: That we may be compassionate with the poor and the needy
A: Bless your Church Lord!

L: That we may be merciful with the weak and the lost
A: Bless your Church Lord!

L: That we may humbly confess our sins and return to God
A: Bless your Church Lord!

L: That we may frequently and devoutly receive Holy Communion
A: Bless your Church Lord!

Leader: Let us pray: God our Father, we are all your children. Make of us a nation of mercy and compassion eager to meet Pope Francis. Make us a nation of holiness and heroism through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Note: *The prayer is to be recited before the post communion prayer of every Mass.

READ: http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=39046

Prayer to Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria de Jaro, Iloilo

Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria of Jaro (Iloilo) 

 Photo by Noli Yamsuan

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF CANDLES*

Lord Jesus, You are the light of the world;

we praise You, and ask You to guide our steps each day.

Help us to love You, and serve You faithfully,

and to carry our daily  cross with You.

As I light this candle, let it always remind me

that You are our Light in darkness, and our Protector in danger

our saving Lord at all times.

Our Lady of Candles, give me a mother’s protection

for I need your watchful care.

Comfort me in my discouragements,

solace me in my fatigues,

raise me after my falls,

reward me for my successes.

Our Lady of Candles, bearer of Jesus, the Light of the world,

please obtain for me this favor… (silently mention your petition here).

I shall always rely on your help,

to be what Jesus wants me to be.

I am His; I am yours, my good Mother. Amen.

Source: Our Lady of Candles National Shrine

*The feast of Our Lady of Candles is celebrated every February 2. 

Mass Readings and Reflections Here!

Saint Sebastian, patron of athletes, soldiers and the Diocese of Bacolod

Sebastian was born at Narbonne, Gaul. He became a soldier in the Roman army at Rome in about 283, and encouraged Marcellian and Marcus, under sentence of death, to remain firm in their faith. Sebastian made numerous converts: among them were the master of the rolls, Nicostratus, who was in charge of prisoners and his wife, Zoe, a deaf mute whom he cured; the jailer Claudius; Chromatius, Prefect of Rome, whom he cured of gout; and Chromatius' son, Tiburtius. Chromatius set the prisoners free, freed his slaves, and resigned as prefect.

Sebastian was named captain in the praetorian guards by Emperor Diocletian, as did Emperor Maximian when Diocletian went to the East. Neither knew that Sebastian was a Christian. When it was discovered during Maximian's persecution of the Christians that Sebastian was indeed a Christian, he was ordered executed. He was shot with arrows and left for dead, but when the widow of Saint Castulus went to recover his body, she found he was still alive and nursed him back to health. Soon after, Sebastian intercepted the Emperor, denounced him for his cruelty to Christians, and was beaten to death on the Emperor's orders. 

 Saint Sebastian was venerated at Milan as early as the time of St. Ambrose and was buried on the Appian Way. He is patron of archers, athletes, and soldiers, and is appealed to for protection against plagues.

[He is patron saint of athletes because of his physical endurance and his energetic way of spreading and defending the Faith. Sebastian is also patron to all soldiers. He entered the Roman army under Emperor Carinus in 283 in order to defend the confessors and martyrs of his day without drawing attention to himself. His efforts kept the Faith of Marcus and Marcellian firm during their persecutions, right up to the time of their martyrdom. He was declared patron of plague sufferers of his reported cures of those afflicted with many diseases.] 

Source: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=103

PRAYER IN THE HOUR OF DISASTER AND TREMBLING

God the Father, when your Son is still with his chosen ones, he stilled the storm of the sea, and he imparted a valuable lesson: that in the midst of trembling, one has to foster faith above all else. He showed to us what we must fear above all else: doubt, since doubt is our way of not trusting you, Who is above all else.

Now we experience the familiar trembling in our hearts. In these hours of fear, we turn again to you, in the name of Jesus, that we may face the storms of life with faith and trust in You. We turn to you as nature accuses us of its weary lot, since we profess ourselves as your children, and You as our Father.

We invoke the most powerful name of Jesus, to calm the storms of life. And may every storm lead to the restoration of peace, and most of all -- to our unshakable faith in you.

We ask the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, that they may send you their sweetest supplications. Look with love and mercy to us, who with them, are co-heirs to the heavenly promises. May your protection be ever felt like never before.

We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Source: 100% Katolikong Pinoy