Missionbell
(The Living Rosary information/rules are near the bottom of this webpage)
If you would like to join the Living Rosary run by Missionbell, please email me (Mary Ann) at:
(Our family website with information on saints, novenas, devotions, poems, novena to St Philomena the Wonder Worker for the healing of autism, stories of the intercession of the saints, the powerful intercession of the Holy Souls in Purgatory for their benefactors and ways to help them, prayer petition page and other useful topics).
The following poem is based on the revelations of St Philomena to Mother Luisa and also on the historical finding of her relics and the flood of miracles which followed that event.
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 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 M. Matulis
Miracles constitute St Philomena’s main history. She has been invoked by people in every walk of life and for every kind of need and the efficacy of her intercession has been found to be in a number of cases to be nothing short of marvellous. St. Philomena's relics were discovered in the catacomb of St. Priscilla in Rome on May the 24th, in l802. St. Philomena was declared a saint in l837 and she was also declared the patroness of the Living Rosary.
A favour granted by the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Holy Souls in Purgatory are not able to pray for themselves or do anything at all to relieve their suffering: They rely on our prayers and efforts to help them. It is permissible to believe that they can pray for their benefactors.
A lady who I know was in a desperate situation where she faced bankruptcy. The local council was hell-bent on making her property a "heritage listed property" which means that she would not be able to do any changes to it without their permission and that she would not be able to sell it either. This case dragged on at council meetings for a whole 18 months. On the day of the final showdown council meeting she was advised to offer her merits for the month to the Holy Souls in Purgatory and to ask their intercession in her property case with the council. At the meeting that night one of the council members suddenly remembered a similar case where the council got their fingers burned financially when the owner of the property took the case to a higher court and won the case. The council got "cold feet over the matter" and she won the case and was allowed to sell her property. (She did not have the money to pay the next month's mortgage that is why it was so important for her to sell the property almost immediately).
A Prayer to the Poor Souls in Purgatory
O holy souls in Purgatory, thou are the certain heirs of Heaven. Thou are most dear to Jesus, as the trophies of His Precious Blood and to Mary, Mother of Mercy. Obtain for me, through thine intercession, the grace to lead a holy life, to die a happy death and to attain to the blessedness of eternity in Heaven. Dear suffering souls, who long to be delivered in order to praise and glorify God in Heaven, by thine unfailing pity, help me in the needs which distress me at this time, particularly (here mention your request), so that I may obtain relief and assistance from God.
In gratitude for thine intercession, I offer to God on thy behalf the satisfactory merits of my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day (week, month, or whatever space of time you wish to designate). I also make this offering in honour of the whole court of heaven (especially St Rita, Saint of the impossible) and I ask them to grant me these favours also. Amen.
A Speedy Recovery (Favour of The Holy Souls in Purgatory)
Susan’s husband Steve* was seriously injured. He sustained many broken bones, and was in lots of pain, because of an accident, in which he knocked off his push-bike by a car.
Susan and her husband made a Novena for the relief of: The Holy Souls in Purgatory, and her husband made a remarkable recovery in a short period of time. Four weeks later Steve’s father was involved in a serious car accident. The Holy Souls in Purgatory were again invoked to help him. He is coping well.
Susan’s mother had been cool towards Susan and Steve because of their interest in religion. Her attitude towards her daughter and son-in-law has improved a lot, after she saw the wonderful recovery of her son-in-law Steve.
Susan’s brother Luke who is twenty-four, was very impressed with the recovery of his brother-in-law. He is now seeking instruction in The Catholic faith, with a view to receiving the sacrament of Baptism.
There has been a domino effect on the attitudes of Susan and Steve’s relatives toward religion, since they have seen the results of the intercession of: The Holy Souls in Purgatory, for Steve.
*(Susan and Steve are not their real names).
How Pius IX cured a bad memory
The venerable Pontiff Pius IX appointed a holy and prudent religious bishop of a diocese. The priest alarmed at the responsibility put on him begged earnestly to be excused.
His protests were in vain. The Holy Father knew his merits. Overcome with apprehension the humble religious solicited an audience with the Pope, who received him most graciously. Once more he pleaded earnestly to be excused but the pope was immovable.
As a last recourse Padre Tomaso told the Holy Father that he had a very bad memory which would naturally prove to be a grave impediment in the high office put on him. Pius IX answered with a smile: “Your diocese is very small in comparison with the Universal Church, which I carry on my shoulders. Your cares will be very light in comparison with mine. I, too, suffered from a grave defect of memory but I promised to say a fervent prayer daily for the Holy Souls, who, in returned, have obtained for me an excellent memory. Do you likewise, dear Father, and you will have cause to rejoice.”
The cure of a Cancer
D. Joana de Menezes thus tells of her cure. She was suffering severely from a cancerous growth in the leg and was plunged into grief. Remembering what she had heard of the power of the Souls in Purgatory she resolved to place all her confidence in them and had nine Masses offered for them. She promised moreover to publish her cure if it were granted. Gradually the swelling went down and the tumour and cancer disappeared.
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 reach heaven; and see God face to face;
Gratefully they’ll obtain all you ask;
And even lots 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
Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great
Our Lord dictated the following prayer to St Gertrude the Great to release many souls from Purgatory each time it is said.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Some reflections on the prayer of St. Gertrude the Great which is displayed in the previous paragraph.
Many souls who are in Purgatory need only one prayer for their release, and unfortunately they are detained until this prayer has been offered for them.
The fact that the "St. Gertrude" prayer releases many souls each time it is said indicates how great the Mercy of God is. It also shows that God is making allowances for weak human nature that tends to run away from anything that looks like penance. The fact that many souls can be released by the "St Gertrude" prayer is a large incentive to the living to say this easy prayer as often as possible; thereby increasing their merit, reducing their own Purgatory, and obtaining the assistance of the Holy Souls in their needs.
The above prayer was given approval in 1936 by the Bishop of Liera, Portugal. This prayer is widely publicised with the claim that 1000 souls are released each time it is said. However, “1000 souls” was replaced from the original word “many” and “those in my own home and within my family” had been added after 1936.
The holy souls in Purgatory can obtain every kind of favour for those who pray for them and ask for their help.
Tan books publish a booklet which details some favours granted by The Holy Souls in Purgatory for those who pray for their release. It is entitled: Read Me or Rue It.
Ways to Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory
If your best friend was in jail, you would welcome the opportunity (if it existed), of negotiating an early release for him or her.
The Holy Souls in Purgatory are in a much worse “prison” than anyone in an earthly jail. Fortunately you do have the opportunity to “negotiate” their release, by having Masses and Holy Communions offered for them, by saying prayers for them; the Rosary, the Saint Gertrude Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, by offering up unpleasant things that come your way e.g. headaches and by gaining Partial and Plenary indulgences for them. You can also invoke Our Lady and the saints to pray for them. They do not pray for The Holy Souls in Purgatory in the same way that we do. The saints pray that more people on earth will help the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Helping the Holy Souls in Purgatory incorporates all the spiritual and temporal works of Mercy.
The Holy Souls in Purgatory are able to obtain favours (both spiritual and temporal) for their benefactors. I have received help though their intercession. Many people throughout the centuries have received their help in difficult situations.
The following three books detail some of these favours granted by the Holy Souls in Purgatory for their benefactors. (A search on the internet will turn up more).
This webpage has some favours granted by the Holy Souls in Purgatory for their benefactors:
Charity for the Suffering Souls
An explanation of the Catholic Doctrine of Purgatory
by Rev. John A. Nageleisen
(distributed by Tan Books)
Purgatory
Explained by the lives and legends of the saints
by Fr. F. X. Schouppe, S.J.
Read me or Rue it
(distributed by Tan Books)
Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory will help shorten or eliminate entirely our own Purgatory and gain us a higher place in heaven.
Mass offerings for the Holy Souls in Purgatory can be sent to: Aid to the Church in Need, which has branches in many countries.
The Mass offerings sent to: Aid to the Church in Need, are distributed to priests in poor parts of the world. More information on Aid to the Church in Need can be found at:
http://www.aidtochurch.org/
Their Australian office contact is: Phone/Fax (02) 9679 1929
The Heroic Act (in favour of the Holy Souls in Purgatory)
There is a way which you can help the Holy Souls in Purgatory after your death. The following is an explanation.
Extract from the book: Read me or Rue It, by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O.P.
The Heroic Act, consists in offering to God in favour of the Souls in Purgatory all the works of satisfaction we practice during life and all the suffrages that will be offered for us after death.
If God rewards so abundantly the most trifling alms given to a poor man in His name what an immense reward will He not give to those who offer all their works of satisfaction in life and death for the Souls He loves so dearly.
This Act does not prevent priests from offering Mass for the intentions they wish, or lay-people from praying for any persons or other intentions they desire. We counsel every one to make this act.
Will you be disadvantaged by doing this?
The following story shows that this is unlikely.
St. Gertrude was fiercely tempted by the devil when she came to die. The evil spirit reserves dangerous and subtle temptations for our last moments. As he could find no other ruse sufficiently clever with which to assail the saint, he thought to disturb her beautiful peace of soul by suggesting that she would surely remain long years in the awful fires of Purgatory since, he reminded her, she had made over long ago all her suffrages to other souls. Our Blessed Lord, not content with sending His angels and the thousands of souls, she had released, to assist her, came Himself in person to drive Satan away and comfort His dear saint. He told her that in exchange for all she had done for the Holy Souls He would take her straight to heaven and would multiply a hundredfold all her merits.
The Cord of St. Philomena
Because of the countless favours obtained through the intercession of St. Philomena, her devotees wished to place themselves under her protection. The faithful wore the blessed cord in her honour, to be protected in times of need. The wonderful fruits of this custom spread St. Philomena's fame.
The Cure of Ars (Parish Priest of Ars - St. John Vianney) who had so many times experienced the power of the Saint loved to see the faithful wear the precious cord. Abbot Taccanier, the successor of the Cure of Ars, wrote on November the 26th, l875 that Miss Catherine Lassagne, who had known St. John Vianney for 41 years, had told him that The Cure of Ars had often blessed St. Philomena cords for her devotees.
This devotion was practiced not only to obtain healing for the body, but above all, as a way to defend one's soul against all impurity. With respect to this, you can note that the cinctures of certain Religious orders and ecclesiastical robes are symbols of chastity. In the same way St. Philomena, will preserve chaste and pure, from many dangers, those who honour her purity by wearing her blessed cord.
The Cord of St. Philomena is made with red and white yarn crocheted together in chain stitch. At one end there are two knots in honour of her Virginity and Martyrdom. It is worn underneath clothes like a belt.
The cord is both a symbol and a prayer. It is a symbol because with it we intend to bind ourselves to St. Philomena with sincere devotion. It is a prayer because in wearing it we pray to St. Philomena to protect us in every moment of our lives.
The purposes of this devotion are: 1. To obtain, through the intercession of St. Philomena, the means adequate to conserve purity, in conformity with our own situation: 2. To combat increasing unbelief and to reinforce oneself in the spirit of our faith;
3. To profess a special love for St. Philomena, the wonderworker and deserve her protection against sickness of the body and soul. There is a special blessing for the Cord of St Philomena.
Below is just one of the many examples which could be given to you regarding St Philomena’s powerful intercession. She can be invoked for any need and she has shown herself helpful in many different kinds of needs.
History of St. Philomena (1896)
A very poor mother, named Teresa Bovini, had no clothes to dress the infant she was about to bring into the world. In her distress she sought the aid of St. Philomena, begging her to send her a girl in order that she might name it Philomena; but on condition that the saint should provide for her. A fine little girl, however, was born to her before her prayer had been heard; and they knew not how to clothe it. Seeing the infant naked, the mother was offended with the saint, and grew so excited, that out of compassion, the nurse took off her own white neckerchief, and wrapped the baby in that. Still a girdle was wanting; and the mother said if they would look in a certain trunk, they might find an old rag, which would serve.
The trunk was opened, and to their astonishment was found to contain a complete little outfit, fine and beautifully folded; and giving forth an unknown perfume, which filled their hearts with heavenly consolation. The women present could not cease kissing the miraculous clothes and inhaling this fragrance; and the mother knew not how to thank the holy Virgin and Martyr. The child, thus attired, was borne in triumph to be baptised, and the miracle was spread abroad. Nor did the tenderness and kindness of the saint end here.
The next night Teresa was awakened by the voice of her infant. She sought her by her side where she had laid her; but she was not there. Full of fear and doubt, she looked around, when her eyes fell on the saint, seemingly about fourteen years of age, clothed in white, and shining in glory.
She was sitting in a chair holding the little Philomena in her arms and caressing her lovingly. In joy, confusion and gratitude, the mother exclaimed: "Oh! St. Philomena!" and could utter no more. Then the saint kissed the baby and disappeared, leaving the mother filled with consolation.
Mary Habit – The Holy Scapular
He is not Dead, but Sleepeth."
In one of the most sanguinary battles of the Franco-Prussian war, during which so many died of their wounds that they were obliged to bury all the dead in a common grave, we have an instance of how wonderfully God watches over the faithful clients of His Blessed Mother.
Among those who were lying on the field of battle, was a young officer, apparently dead, who was really only in a swoon, consequent on the sufferings produced by his wounds. The Colonel, seeing him in this condition, had hastened to find someone to assist in carrying him to a place of safety; but on his return, he found, to his distress, that the young man had already been borne away to be buried with numbers of his comrades. Greatly afflicted, he hurried to the place where the corpses were piled together, awaiting burial; but, alas! under such circumstances, it was almost impossible to distinguish the features of his friend, in spite of close examination, so disfigured were the bodies which lay before them.
At last a sudden idea came into the Colonel's mind, and he called out: "Examine the clothes, for my friend wore a Scapular, and a medal of the Immaculate Conception." They did what he desired, and our Blessed Lady, guiding their search, they almost immediately found the young officer. He was then placed on a stretcher, and taken to hospital, where he received proper attention, and completely recovered his health.
It is needless to say that, as soon as he was able, he gave due thanks to our Immaculate Queen, who had stayed the awful fate which seemed in store for him.
Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians
0 Mary, powerful Virgin, you are the mighty and glorious protector of Holy Church; you are the marvellous Help of Christians; you are as terrible as an army set in battle array; you alone have destroyed every heresy in the whole world. In the midst of our anxiety, our problems and our distress defend us from the power of the enemy and at the hour of our death receive our souls in paradise. Amen. (St. John Bosco)
It is the office of a mother to give help to her children in all their needs. This title expresses in practice Our Lady's position as our mother. She has all the help we need and she wants to give it to us, if only we will ask for it.
Call on Mary in all your difficulties with the little prayer, Mary Help of Christians, Pray for us, and you will never call in vain. "Spread devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and you will see what miracles are". (St. John Bosco)
NOVENA TO MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be to the Father.
Blessed and praised every moment be the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament.
(3 times).
Hail Holy Queen.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us. (3 times)
Approach the Sacraments at least once during the Novena.
Make a charitable offering towards promotion of Mary, or any other work of charity.
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 M. Matulis
WHAT IS THE LIVING ROSARY?
The Living Rosary Association is a spiritual organisation, which was founded by Pauline Jaricot in France during the 19th Century. The primary aim of its members is to recite a specified decade of the Rosary each day. It is organised into groups or circles. Each circle consisting of 20 people. The obligation of each member of the circle is to recite a specified decade of the Holy Rosary each day. In this way the group collectively prays the complete 20 decades of the Rosary each day. All the members thus share in the graces associated with this whole spiritual undertaking.
RULES OF THE LIVING ROSARY
1. Each group of 20 people forms a circle.
2. The circle is given a name to distinguish it from other circles.
3. Each person in a circle undertakes to say one specified decade each day.
4. The decades are allocated to the members, so that each has a different one to say.
5. The starting date for each circle is the 1st day of a specified month.
6. On the first day of each subsequent month, each member moves onto the next decade of the rosary and says that particular decade until the 1st day of the next month, when they change again and so on.
7. After 20 months, each member is asked for a recommitment and the circle will be restarted when there are again 20 people available to begin this particular Living Rosary circle. (Sometimes this may involve a delay in order to make up the numbers if any of the original members are not continuing).
A special card is given to members of The Living Rosary. On this card is printed the member's name; The Living Circle name and a personal 20 month decade/ chart. Even though each person in the Living Rosary Circle says only one decade each day, They each spiritually gain the whole 20 decades each day. A small newsletter will be sent with your Living Rosary card.
