June 2009 Archives

We're on our way to Lake Tahoe so I'll post more when I return. Have a great week! Love, b

Happy feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here is a post Brian wrote for RoL.

Twelve Promises from God
by Brian

On June 19th the Universal Church will celebrate the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In fact, the whole month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

In December of 1673, Jesus appeared for the first time to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) a Visitation sister living at the Order's convent in Paray-le-Monial. Over the next eighteen months Margaret Mary received directly from Christ revelations about His Most Sacred Heart.

In the course of these revelations, Jesus gave Margaret Mary "twelve promises" that He would keep, for those who honored His Most Sacred. The "twelve promises" are:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in death.

5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.

9. I will bless those places wherein the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names eternally written in my Heart.

12. In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.

At one time, a friend of mine discovered by chance the "Five First Saturday Devotion" given by Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia in 1925. He told me that he was beside himself, because he could not understand why no one told him about this simple devotion that if practiced faithfully would bring at the hour of death, through Our Lady's direct intervention, the graces necessary for salvation.

When I reflect upon the twelve promises above, I can see my friend's dismay over something so simple, yet not practiced, nor even known, by so many of the faithful. Christ is not asking us to climb Mount Everest or to fast forty days and forty nights, nor is He asking us to make all night vigils. All He is asking us to do is honor his Most Sacred Heart and He will do the rest.

Along with receiving communion on nine consecutive first Friday's we should offer our Holy Communion for those who do not receive Our Lord, who do not love Him and who wound Him by their sinful lives. I have also read that we should make a holy hour on the Thursday before first Friday in reparation for sins committed against the Sacred Heart.

The promises listed above show the power of Our Lord's Sacred Heart. They also show how much he really loves us and wants us in Heaven with Him for all eternity. Therefore, these promises should not be passed over lightly or rejected as pious drivel, but recognized for what they truly are - promises from God.

I have to admit that I have not practiced this devotion faithfully. I also have to admit that after reading about the Sacred Heart and pondering the twelve promises I will begin this beautiful devotion on the next First Friday. I pray for the grace to continue to do so for the rest of my life.

If you are practicing this devotion, keep it up. If not, join me and let's make the most of the promises Jesus offers to those who honor and love His Sacred Heart.

God bless.

Here is an interesting post from Amazing Facts Blog.

Top Ten Unusual Patron Saints

I only knew half of them but I bet Brian recognizes who they are since he seems to know all about the obscure saints!

Brian and I watched the first episode of this season's Next Food Network Star. Brian knew who was going home before the (difficult!) challenge was over. It took me longer to guess. It looks like it'll be an interesting season, although I don't have an immediate favorite. If you want to find out a little bit more about the contestants, the Food Network Addict has mini-interviews with each. Plus, Bob Tuschman's blog is always a favorite for behind the scenes insight and humor. Enjoy (and let me know who you are rooting for!)

it is hard to believe that two years have passed by so quickly but my little baby is growing up - and will be a big brother by the end of summer! Happy Birthday, my sweet little Andrew!

That was then...this is now.

Brian and I love icons and have many in our home. One of our favorite suppliers is the Not of This World Bookstore in Santa Rosa, CA. We live too far to go there in person but fortunately, you can order any of the icons online at http://www.notofthisworldicons.com/index.html. The next time you are looking for a religious gift or an icon for yourself, be sure to check them out.

It seems everyone has been talking about the young girl that saw her dad after a year of him being away in Iraq. It's a heart tugging 30 seconds.

Did a tear escape as you watched it? Me? Heck ya!

Danielle Bean has an interesting post at Faith & Family about Michelle Duggar called The Force of Femininity. Michelle has taken a lot of abuse from the secular world, regarding everything from her giving birth to 18 kids to her hair style. When I first started watching the show I thought she seemed a little fake - how could someone be so "sweet" and calm in the midst of family life chaos? But after watching the show for a year or two, I can see that it is not fake. That's the way she is and how she lives her life as a wife and mother.

It brings to mind the other reality show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I used to love the show when it first started. Watching the kids grow up was fascinating but I had to stop after awhile because I couldn't stomach the nastiness of Kate towards her husband and the lack of charity all around. It is heartbreaking, but not surprising, to see the situation they are in now.

You can't help but notice the stark contrast between these two ladies and how they react to their husband and children. No one is perfect but Michelle is a humbling reminder to me that I need to be more like her... I need to bite my tongue when the sarcastic remark is about to escape or to take a deep breath before I lose my cool when Andrew dumps out the trash can...again. It is a reminder that my vocation as a wife and mother is a gift from God and I serve Him by serving them. I may never be as calm and patient as Michelle seems to be, but Ive learned that adding a little more sweetness to family life can make things run a heck of a lot smoother and happier!

Some of my siblings in So Cal have been telling me about friends who started a band called Love, Resonate. They now have their three song demo online at http://www.myspace.com/loveresonate. The band is also doing some great missionary work. Check it out!