Part 2 of the book
Help from Heaven
(Answers to Prayer)
copyright 2008 Mary Ann Matulis
Ditching the "shopping list" (Letting Go)
If you have been praying for a lengthy period of time for a favour, and it is not coming about, you need to stand back and examine your petition. In general it may be good, but you may have surrounded it with all your own unnecessary specifications. It might be a bit like an item on a shopping list: ice cream (not any kind of ice cream mind you, but Neapolitan with three layers: chocolate, strawberry and vanilla).
What is wrong with this approach is that you are no longer the passenger in the car. One is grabbing the steering wheel from the driver (God) and trying to drive the car the way that you want it to go. It is fine to pray for something, but let Our Lord do the driving.
Imitation of goodness
When God grants a miracle or favour, He is showing His goodness and mercy towards us. He expects us to imitate Him by also showing goodness and mercy to all the people that we come into contact with.
How to say a novena
The word novena is Latin for nine. A novena is a prayer or good work which is said for nine days in a row. There are also various kinds of emergency novenas e.g. The Mother Teresa Emergency Novena. In an emergency say the Memorare prayer nine times in a row. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said this novena whenever she needed a favour. Sometimes it brought about fast dramatic results.
The Eight Hour Novena to The Holy Infant Jesus of Prague is said at approximately the same time every hour until the novena is finished. (The prayer is said nine times during the eight hours.)
Information on the history of the devotion of the Nine Tuesdays Novena in honour of Saint Anthony is located at:
http://missionbell.homestead.com/anthonycustoms.html
The 54 Day Rosary Novena: In this novena the Rosary is said for 54 consecutive days i.e. 3 novenas in petition (27 days) and 3 novenas in thanksgiving (27 days). The 54 day Rosary Novena was revealed by Our Lady herself.
All of these novenas receive marvelous results. If you choose any of them, please also pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory and help them, and ask them to obtain the favours that you need. Saint Catherine of Bologna assured her sisters that: she obtained many favours by the prayers of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, which she had asked for in vain, through the intercession of the saints. Saint Theresa affirms that she always obtained the favours which she asked from God, through the intercession of the Poor Souls.
The following link has accounts of favours granted through the intercession of the Holy Souls in Purgatory for their benefactors and ways in which we can help the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
It is important when making a novena to be in a state of grace, to have faith that God will help you, and to persevere in the prayer. It is recommended that you give a donation to a charitable organisation: such as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
The Memorare
Remember O most loving Virgin Mary that never was it known in any age that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided, inspired by this confidence, therefore I fly to thee O Virgin of Virgins my Mother, to you do I come, before you I stand sinful and sorrowful, do not O Mother of the Word Incarnate despise my prayers but in thy mercy graciously hear and answer them. Amen.
The Miraculous Responsory of Saint Anthony
If you seek for miracles,
death, error, all calamities,
The demons fly and leprosy,
and health succeeds infirmities.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
whilst treasures lost are found again,
when young and old
thine aid implore.
All dangers vanish at thy prayer,
the direst need doth quickly flee.
Let those who know thy power proclaim,
let Paduans say these are of thee.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
whilst treasures lost are found again,
when young and old
thine aid implore.
To Father, Son
may glory be
And Holy Ghost
eternally.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
and lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
whilst treasures lost are found again,
when young and old
thine aid implore.
V. Pray for us, Blessed Anthony.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, may the votive commemoration of Blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and deserve to enjoy eternal happiness, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Holy Souls in Purgatory are suffering in great pain.
Please send them your good works and prayers
So heaven they'll attain.
Ask them for all the favours of which you are in need;
And now; just as later when in heaven;
For you they’ll intercede.
When at last they behold God and see Him face to face;
Gratefully they’ll obtain all you ask
And even some more grace.
From heaven they'll watch over you;
As on the earth you still roam;
and do all in their power to lead you safely
towards your heavenly home.
by Mary Ann Matulis
The Little Chaplet of the Holy Infant Jesus
The origin of this devotion is due to the zeal of the Venerable Sister Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament, religious of Carmel, who died in the odour of sanctity at Beaune (France), on May 26, 1648, aged 29 years. This worthy servant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is remembered for her devotion towards the Divine Infant. Inspired from on high, she made a chaplet composed of three Our Fathers in honour of the Holy Family and twelve Hail Marys in memory of the twelve years of the childhood of Jesus.
Each Our Father and each Hail Mary is preceded by the words: "And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us.
The Infant Jesus deigned to make known to His faithful servant how pleasing this holy practice is to Him, by revealing to her that He would grant special graces, above all, that of purity and innocence, to those who carry this chaplet with devotion and recite it in honour of the mysteries of His Holy Infancy. As a sign of His approval, He showed to her this chaplet all shining with supernatural light.
Prayer to the Holy Infant Jesus
O Divine Infant, source of all good, the goodness of Thy heart is infinite and the bounty of Thy little hand immeasurably great. Like a river, Thou pourest forth Thy gifts over thirsty mankind and fillest us with blessings in time and in eternity. If Thou preservest not our temporal goods our industry is in vain. Almighty Infant, lift Thy little hand and bless our temporal possessions, take them under Thy powerful protection and keep them from misfortune and loss.
Give us the necessary grace to use our temporal goods according to Thy Will, to employ ourselves usefully after Thy pleasure and to give joy to our neighbours through love of Thee, so that we may lay up treasure in heaven, where no thief can enter, nor moth nor rust destroy. Amen.
The Rosary
In the Rosary
There is great power.
Miracles on earth,
It can shower.
Miracles of healing
And every kind of grace,
The Rosary can bestow,
Upon the human race.
Take up the Rosary,
And say it well,
It's a weapon against,
All the powers of hell.
by Mary Ann Matulis
How to say the Rosary
While saying the Our Fathers, the Hail Marys and the Glorias in each decade meditate upon the particular mystery of the Rosary which you are saying.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
(The Five Joyful Mysteries)
1. The Annunciation and the Incarnation of the Word
2. The Visitation
3. The Birth of Our Lord
4. The presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
(The Five Sorrowful Mysteries)
1. The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden
2. The Scourging of Our Lord at the Pillar
3. The Crowning of Our Lord with thorns
4. Jesus carries his Cross
5. The Crucifixion
(The Five Glorious Mysteries)
1. The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
2. The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
4. The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven
5. The Crowning of Our Lady in Heaven
(The Five Mysteries of Light )
1. His Baptism in the Jordan
2. His self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana,
3. His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion.
4. His transfiguration,
5. His institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal
mystery.
The prayers of the Rosary
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty
Creator of heaven and earth
and in Jesus Christ
His only son Our Lord
Who was born of the Virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
was crucified, died and was buried
He descended to the dead
On the third day he rose again from the dead
He ascended into Heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty
From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead
I believe in The Holy Spirit
The Holy Catholic Church
The communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the dead
and the life everlasting. Amen
The Our Father Prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in Heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary Prayer
Hail Mary full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus
Holy Mary Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Gloria
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
As it was
In the beginning is now
and ever shall be
World without end. Amen.
Say the following prayer after each decade
The Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus
forgive us our sins
and save us from the fires of hell
and bring all souls to heaven
especially those who most need
of Thy mercy. Amen.
At the end of the Rosary say the following prayer:
Hail Holy Queen prayer (Salve Regina)
Hail Holy Queen
Mother of Mercy
Hail Our life, Our sweetness, and our Hope!
to thee do we cry
poor vanished children of Eve
To thee do we send up our sighs
Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
Turn then most gracious advocate
Thine eyes of mercy towards us
and after this our exile
Show unto us the Blessed fruit of Thy womb Jesus
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
The fifteen promises of Mary to those who recite the Rosary
1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctity themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly; applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His Justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.
(Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan)
Imprimatur
PATRICK J. HAYES. D.D.
Archbishop of New York
Information about the Rosary
Our Lady has 117 titles. She selected this title at Fatima: I am the Lady of the Rosary.
St. Francis de Sales said the greatest method of praying
is - Pray the Rosary.
St. Thomas Aquinas preached 40 straight days in Rome Italy on just the Hail Mary.
St. John Vianney, patron of priests, was seldom seen without a rosary in his hand.
The rosary is the scourge of the devil" - Pope Adrian VI.
"The rosary is a treasure of graces" - Pope Paul V.
Padre Pio the stigmatic priest said: “The rosary is THE WEAPON".
Pope Leo X111 wrote 9 encyclicals on the rosary.
Pope John XXIII spoke 38 times about our Lady and the Rosary. He prayed 15 decades daily.
St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote: The rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who so loves His Mother."
If you wish to obtain a favour: Pray The 54-day ROSARY NOVENA. Pray 3 nine day rosary novenas - 27 days of petition; Pray 3 nine day rosary novenas - 27 days of thanksgiving.
The Flos Carmeli (Prayer of Saint Simon Stock)
O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O Star of the Sea, help and protect me!
Show me that Thou art my Mother.
O Mary conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our Salvation!
Daily prayer to your guardian angel
Angel of God
My guardian dear
To Whom His love commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide. Amen.
The following poem was based on the revelations to Mother Luisa and also on the finding of the relics of Saint Philomena on May 24, 1802 and the miracles which followed.
Saint Philomena the Wonder Worker
The king and queen no baby had;
They longed to be a mum and dad;
To pagan gods they prayed each day;
But still no baby came their way.
Then good advice was given to them;
It proved to be a priceless gem;
Christians are what you should be;
Then a baby blessing;
You shall see!
When this was done;
The grace was granted;
And with little Philomena;
They were enchanted!
When little Philomena
had reached twelve years;
Bad news filled up their eyes with tears;
On their country small and poor;
The emperor of Rome;
declared a war!
Let's go to Rome;
The King told wife and daughter;
To plead with the emperor;
to prevent this slaughter.
At the mighty
emperor's court;
They pleaded with him;
the war to abort.
The emperor
had a new idea;
He said there's nothing
more to fear.
Give me your daughter;
To be my wife;
And I promise her;
A wonderful life!
The offer took them by surprise;
A refusal would mean;
Their country's demise;
The king and queen were filled with gladness;
But Philomena was overcome by sadness.
To be a bride of Christ;
She'd already taken a vow;
No way would Philomena;
Let it be broken now.
The answer was a steadfast no;
The emperor now his force would show!
To the dungeon Philomena was deployed;
All manner of torture was employed;
It was all to no avail;
The emperor's methods were doomed to fail.
Because God Himself defended her soul;
Philomena kept her eyes on her heavenly goal.
The maiden Philomena;
Was strengthened by faith and grace;
Until the day she could behold;
God face to face.
Finally the maiden Philomena was beheaded;
And the onlookers wept;
For many centuries in the catacombs;
she silently slept.
At last her relics were located;
And the excavators were elated;
When Philomena's relics,
Were bought up to the ground;
Miracles started to abound !
Some folks thought that miracles;
Had stopped with the Bible;
With Philomena;
They had a revival.
The sneering cynics;
Who had announced God's demise;
Were by Philomena's miracles;
Dealt a surprise.
Saint Philomena's fame;
Spread everywhere;
And people ran to her;
Pleading in prayer.
No one was forgotten;
No one was left out;
The cripples;
The dying;
The sad;
And the needy;
All of them found;
Her miracles speedy.
From heaven she surveys;
All of our needs;
And on our behalf;
With God she pleads.
Say a prayer to Saint Philomena;
And light her a candle;
Because there is no problem;
That she cannot handle.
There’s one thing more;
We should not ignore;
From her grave of silent obscurity;
She has come back to teach us;
About goodness and purity.
by Mary Ann Matulis
