20 Ways To Pray For The Souls in Purgatory

(Source : http://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/20-ways-to-pray-for-the-holy-souls-in-purgatory/)

20 WAYS TO PRAY FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

1. Pray the Novena to the Holy Souls.

2. Offer up your Holy Communions for the souls in purgatory.

3. Have Masses said for your departed loved ones, especially on the anniversary of his or her death.

4. Pray The Way Of The Cross for Souls in Purgatory.

5. Pray the special Holy Souls Rosary. After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Holy Rosary is the most powerful prayer.

6. Obtain indulgences:  Indulgences reduce or cancel the temporal punishment that we incur through sin.* There are many ways to obtain indulgences through pious actions, and we can apply their merits to the dead. If you visit a church or oratory on All Souls Day and recite there the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed, you can earn a plenary (full) indulgence applicable only to the souls in purgatory (under the usual conditions).

7. Give alms: The giving of material assistance to the poor has always been considered a penance that can be offered for the Holy Souls. "For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin" (Tobit 12:9).

8. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the intention of the Holy Souls.

9. Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great: tradition holds that St. Gertrude was told that piously reciting this prayer releases 1,000 souls from purgatory.

10. Sprinkle holy water on the ground: St. John Macias, a great friend of those in purgatory, would often sprinkle holy water on the ground for the spiritual benefit of the suffering souls.

11. When passing by a cemetery, pray the short Eternal Rest prayer: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen." This prayer carries a partial indulgence applicable to the poor souls.

12. Practice the tradition of praying the Eternal Rest prayer (above) before and after your meals as an easy way to pray for the holy souls daily. You can also pray the prayer between the decades of your daily rosary.

13. Visit a cemetery: Pray over the graves of your departed loved ones, or visit a random graveyard and pray for those who may have no one to pray for them. Simply doing this gains a partial indulgence for those in purgatory.  While you're there, sprinkle holy water on the graves. If you make this visit daily during the octave of All Souls Day (November 2-9) you can gain a plenary indulgence* applicable to the souls in purgatory.

14. Eucharistic Adoration: make reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for those in purgatory.

15. Sacrifices: practice acts of self-denial and offer these penances up for the poor souls.

16. Pray the Office of the Dead. You can find this in your volume of the Liturgy of the Hours or online here.

17. Ask for the intercession of saints who were known to be great friends of the Holy Souls during their lifetime: St. Nicholas of Tolentino, St. Gertrude the Great, St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Padre Pio, St. Philip Neri, St. John Macías, St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Joseph, Our Lady, and others.

18. Special prayers: Throughout your day, offer up short and spontaneous prayers for the holy souls. Consider buying purgatory books with more prayers and special devotions for the Holy Souls.

19. Repent go to confession: Confessing your own sins makes your prayers for souls more effective.

20. Spread devotion to the Holy Souls: Make others aware of the great need these suffering souls have for our prayers.

Miracle Prayers

A friend (who I have never met!) gave me some prayers over Facebook one day and said that recited daily, the prayers would help me.  I read through them and found them pretty sound.  And started using them in my daily prayers.

And YES THEY ARE TRULY MIRACLE PRAYERS.  I will blog my experiences later but here are the prayers for all to use.

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The Miracle Prayers

Prayer To Apply the Blood of Jesus

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over my life – spirit, soul and body. In the name of Jesus, Father I thank You for the benefits and the provision of the Blood of Jesus. I cover my spirit, soul, mind, heart and body with the blood of Jesus. I cover my past, present and future in the precious blood of Jesus. Father, by the blood of Jesus, let every physical and spiritual burden on my life and shoulders be lifted now in Jesus' name. I apply the blood of Jesus upon my body – from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I cover my thoughts, words, dreams, and actions with the blood of Jesus. I cover every desire of my heart with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover every conversation of mine whether on phone, in person, on chat, sms and emails with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover all my relationships with the blood of Jesus. I cover (name all your immediate family members – i.e. your father, mother, etc) with the blood of Jesus. I cover my marriage with the blood of Jesus (If you are married) I cover all my vehicles (if you have any) with the blood of Jesus I cover all those connected with me with the blood of Jesus. I apply the blood of Jesus all over my house and upon each and everything in my house. I cover the surroundings of my house with the blood of Jesus. I cover all the vehicles and every mode of transport that I and my family will be travelling today with the blood of Jesus. I cover all our travel plans with the blood of Jesus. Father, in the name of Jesus, I cover all my finances and possessions with the blood of Jesus. I apply the blood of Jesus on all that belongs to me, and on all over which You have made me responsible. I cover all my clothes and everything that I will wear and use with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover all my food, water and drink and everything that I will consume today with the precious blood of Jesus. I cover my (business, job, studies, ministry of Jesus, etc – choose what applies to you) with the blood of Jesus. Let every door that I have ever opened to demonic powers be closed; be sealed forever with the blood of Jesus. 

Amen.

Prayer Before Reading The Bible

Loving Heavenly Father, Pour out Your Spirit upon me and make Your Word known to me. Please speak to me through Your Word today. Open my eyes to see the truth of Your Word as You meant it to be. Grant me Your wisdom to understand all that You want me to understand about this matter. Let Your Word be the joy of my heart and the light to my feet. Give me the strength to build my life on Your Word. Take away all hindrances and bondages that would in any way prevent Your Word from bearing fruit in my life. Let it be done to me according to Your Word. Teach me O Lord the way of Your will and I will observe it.

Speak Lord, Your servant is listening. In Jesus' name, I pray. 

Amen.

Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord Jesus, I bow before You to acknowledge You as my Lord and Saviour. I humble my heart before You. I believe You are the Son of God. You died for my sins. You were buried and God the Fa- ther raised You from the dead. I am sorry for all the things I have done to hurt You. Have mercy on me. Forgive all my sins. Come into my heart and take total charge over every area of my life.

I renounce all activities and beliefs which are contrary to Your Word (the Bible). I will from this day onwards follow You, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. I am a new creation. Old things have passed away; now all things have become new in Jesus' name. 

Amen

Prayer of Healing

Loving and Compassionate Jesus, Surely You have borne my griefs and carried my sorrows; Yet I esteemed You stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But You were wounded for my transgressions, You were bruised for my iniquities; the punishment that brought me peace was upon You, and by Your wounds I am healed. I fully believe that it is Your will for me to be healed. According to Your Word, "heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved."

Lord, Your Word also says "You will strengthen the person who looks upon You on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed." So now according to Your Word, be merciful to me, strengthen and sustain me. Lord Jesus, when You physically walked this earth, You healed every single sick and deceased person that came to You. Please listen to my cry and heal me. Lord Jesus, wash me in Your precious blood. Please forgive all my sins that block Your healing power from touching me. I forgive all those who have hurt me or rejected me in any way. Come into my heart Lord Jesus. I claim the healing and now by faith I thank You for this healing. 

Amen.

Prayer To Break Generational Curses

In the name of Jesus Christ and the Blood of Jesus Christ, I break every form of generational curse that dates back to four generations in my family that is hindering me from entering the purpose of God for my life. Every evil pronouncement made over my life and fami- ly bloodline be cancelled in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. I believe and confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is good for He has redeemed me and my family members from the curse of the law having become a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is he who hangs on a tree. Now the blessing of Abraham is upon me and my family members in Christ Jesus. I and my family are no longer un- der the law but under grace, hence sin shall not have dominion over us. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Prayer Against Fear

In the name of Jesus, I declare that God has not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced sound mind, discipline and self-control. I declare that the Lord is on my side; I will not fear.

What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side and takes my part. He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see Your desire established upon my enemies who hate me. If God is for me, who can be against me? Who can be my foe, if God is on my side? I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be seized with alarm. I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me?" The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the refuge and stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? Even though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though wars arise against me, even then, in this, will I be confident in my God.

Father, I thank You that I have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Your own dear Son Jesus. I thank You Father that Your perfect love drives out all fear and torment. I choose to think on and fix my mind upon those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and deserving of praise. My mind is stayed on You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast down every lying deceptive thought and imagination, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of You, Lord. I capture every thought and make it obey the Lord Jesus Christ. I resist all fear, in the name of Jesus Christ. I apply the Blood of Jesus on my mind and soul. Fear, you bow to the name of Jesus! You are a defeated foe. You have no more dominion over me.

I am free, in the name of Jesus. I am rooted and grounded securely in God's love, in the mighty name of Jesus. God's perfect love drives out all fear, in Jesus' name. Father, I pray and believe that Your peace which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. I thank You Lord that the angels who are my ministering spirits are hearkening to the voice of Your Word right now and enforcing the breakthrough and the victory for me.

Hallelujah! The victory is mine! I give You Lord all of the praise and glory for setting me free! Amen.

House Dedication Prayer

By the blood and in the name of Lord Jesus Christ, I bind all evil and darkness that is in this room and command it to go right now under the feet of Jesus. "For all things are under the feet of Jesus." I claim by faith that this room is covered under the blood of Jesus Christ and no evil can enter it. (Prayin every room of the house.)

After going through every room in the house, pray:

I dedicate and consecrate this home to the Lord Jesus Christ. I declare satan has no hold on it. I surrender everything in this house to the Lord Jesus Christ and claim it under His protection.

In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, I bind every evil and darkness that is in this house and against this house. I command it to go under the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I claim by faith that everything in this house is covered under the blood of Jesus Christ from the top of the roof to the bottom of the footing and everything in between. I claim by faith that this house is surrounded by two walls of fire, and covered under the blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray that you send Your Holy Angels to come and protect this house and everyone inside. Thank You for the complete victory we already have in Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

Devotion to the Five First Saturdays

"The following is an explanation of the conditions contained in Our Lady's request regarding the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays of the Month."

Confess and receive Holy Communion

On February 15, 1926 the Child Jesus alone came to visit Sr. Lucia and asked if the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was being propagated. Sr. Lucia spoke of a difficulty some people have in confessing on the first Saturday, and asked if they might be allowed eight days in order to fulfill Our Lady's requests. Jesus answered: "Yes, even more time still, as long as they receive Me in the state of grace and have the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary."
Recite the Rosary

Five decades of the Rosary may be recited at any time or place; yet, since one will be attending Mass in order to receive Holy Communion, a very desirable time and place would be before or after Mass in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Meditation on the mysteries according to one's capacity is an essential condition for praying the Rosary. Yet, involuntary distractions do not rob the Rosary of fruit if one is doing the best he can.
"Keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary."

The question is often asked: Does the meditation while reciting the Rosary fulfill this condition, or is there required an additional fifteen minutes of meditation? That an additional 15 minutes of meditation is required was recently confirmed by Sr. Lucia of Fatima. It is clear too from a statement by the first Bishop of Fatima.

The last entry in the chronology of Fatima, published in the official Calendar of the Sanctuary for the year of 1940, and signed by Dom Jose Correia da Silva, the first Bishop of Fatima, gave a summary of Our Lady's requests concerning the Five First Saturdays. From that official statement in the Calendar of the Sanctuary, we read the Bishop's enumeration of the various items that pertain to the devotion of the five Saturdays:

It consists in going to Confession, receiving Communion, reciting five decades of the Rosary and meditating for a quarter of an hour on the mysteries of the Rosary on the first Saturday of five consecutive months. The Confession may be made during the eight days preceding or following the first Saturday of each month, provided that Holy Communion be received in the state of grace. Should one forget to form the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, it may be formed at the next Confession, occasion to go to confession being taken at the first opportunity.

The meditation embraces one or more mysteries; it may even include all, taken together or separately, according to individual attraction or devotion; but it is preferable to meditate on one mystery each month.

Speaking of the requirement of "keeping me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary," the Bishop's comment that "it is preferable to meditate on one mystery each month" could apply only to an extra fifteen minutes, for each decade of the Rosary must have its own particular meditation. This is clear from the definition of the Rosary given in the official document of the Church on indulgences, the ENCHIRIDION OF INDULGENCES published by Pope Paul VI in 1968. It describes the Rosary as follows:

"The Rosary is a certain formula of prayer, which is made up of fifteen decades of HAIL MARYS with an OUR FATHER before each decade, and in which the recitation of each decade is accompanied by pious meditation on a particular mystery of our Redemption." (n. 48)
* * * * * * * * * *

"Like the Rosary, this meditation may be made any time or place during the first Saturday. Yet again, like the Rosary, a very fitting time and place would be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament before or after Mass. The question has been asked: "Would an extra Rosary, which would require about fifteen minutes, fulfill this request? It would seem, if fruitfully meditated, that it would. Or again, the time could be spent reading meditatively on one of the fifteen mysteries, which is a form of mental prayer that involves reading with frequent pauses to reflect on the matter read.
With the intention of making reparation."

All of the conditions mentioned above - in numbers 1 to 3 - should be fulfilled with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On the occasion of the visit of the Child Jesus to Sr. Lucia (Feb. 16, 1926), she asked: "My Jesus, what about those who forget to make the intention?" Jesus answered: "They can do so at their next confession, taking advantage of their first opportunity to go to Confession."

"The above are the minimum requirements for fulfilling the conditions of Our Lady's promise to obtain for us "at the hour of death the graces necessary for salvation." Yet, these Communions of reparation, as has been pointed out, are only a portion of the devotion of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These few pages are meant to help bring about a frame of mind and heart that will make us aware of the need of reparation all through the month, and not just on the first Saturday."

WHY FIVE SATURDAYS?

"It is sometimes asked why Our Lady asked for Communions of reparation on five first Saturdays, instead of some other number. Our Blessed Lord answered that question when He appeared to Sr. Lucia May 29, 1930. He explained that it was because of five kinds of offenses and blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, namely: blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception, against her perpetual virginity, against the divine and spiritual maternity of Mary, blasphemies involving the rejection and dishonoring of her images, and the neglect of implanting in the hearts of children a knowledge and love of this Immaculate Mother."

The Five First Saturdays Devotion

(Source : http://www.themostholyrosary.com/appendix2.htm)

"Whether the world has war or peace depends on the practice of this devotion, along with the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is why I desire its propagation so ardently, especially because this is also the will of our dear Mother in Heaven." -Sr. Lucy (March 19, 1939)

During her July apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said to Lucia, “I shall come to ask... that on the First Saturday of every month, Communions of reparation be made in atonement for the sins of the world.” Although she made no further mention of this devotion at Fatima, on December 10, 1925, our Blessed Mother again appeared to Lucia at Pentevedra, Spain, where the seer had been sent to the Dorothean Sisters to learn to read and write. It was there Our Lady completed her request for the Five First Saturdays and gave her great promise.Appearing with the Queen of Heaven in that apparition was the Infant Jesus, Who said to Lucia: “Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation.”

Our Lady then spoke: “See, my daughter, my Heart encircled by thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Do you, at least, strive to console me. Tell them that I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.”

The elements of this devotion, therefore, consist in the following four points, all of which must be offered in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One should make this intention before carrying out Our Lady’s requests. A renewal of the actual intention at the time is best; however, if such an intention is made now, it will fulfill the requirements if, for instance, the actual intention is forgotten at the time of confession.

Confession: This confession can be made before the First Saturday or afterward, provided that Holy Communion be received in the state of grace. In 1926, Christ in a vision explained to Lucia that this confession could be made a week before or even more, and that it should be offered in reparation.

Holy Communion: Before receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer it in reparation to Our Lady. Our Lord told Lucia in 1930, “This Communion will be accepted on the following Sunday for just reasons, if my priests allow it so.” So if work or school, sickness, or another just reason prevents the Communion on a First Saturday, with this permission it may be received the following Sunday. If Communion is transferred, any or all of the other acts of the devotion may also be performed on Sunday if the person so desires.

Rosary: The Rosary is a vocal prayer said while meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord’s life and Passion and Our Lady’s life. To comply with the request of our Blessed Mother, it must be offered in reparation and said properly while meditating.

15-minute meditation: Also offered in reparation, the meditation may embrace one or more mysteries; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promised to be present when she said “...those who keep me company....”

To those who faithfully follow Our Lady’s requests for the Five First Saturdays, she has made a wonderful promise which she, as Mediatrix of All Graces, will certainly fulfill: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.” This means that our Blessed Mother will be present at the hour of death with the actual grace of final perseverance, (which after the gift/grace of Faith), is the most important grace.

After completing the Five First Saturdays, one may continue the devotion simply to console the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady. A tender love of our Blessed Mother will lead one to do all he can to make reparation for the sins which pierce her Immaculate Heart. Let us remember, too, that although Our Lady made this promise to those who would observe five such First Saturdays in succession, in her July apparition she asked simply that Communions of reparation be made on every First Saturday to atone for the sins of the world.

My Very Own Prayer Booklet!

After years of carrying around various prayer booklets (because I liked two prayers in one, three in another and one in yet another), I suddenly had an idea...why don't I make my own prayer booklet?

I mean, I've been making booklets for various purposes at work...why not for my own use?

And so I got down to work.

And this is the result...I'm very happy with it.  My handbag's so much lighter now.  The best thing is...I can change it any time I want.

Prayer booklet in MS Publisher format

http://www.mediafire.com/view/6nlq3d9ih50wahh/Prayer_Booklet_14_May_2014.pub

Prayer booklet in PDF (single page format, portrait)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/p7y3u16kd34jnp9/Prayer_Booklet_Single_Page_Format_14_May_2014.pdf

Prayer booklet in PDF (side fold, double page, landscape, running pages)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/u3ct5s69n2bdgpw/Prayer_Booklet_Side_Fold_Running_Pages_14_May_2014.pdf

Contents:

St Michael the Archangel prayer                                           

Saints’ Quotations on Prayer                                                          

How To Pray The Rosary                                                   

Mysteries of the Rosary                                                      

Prayers of the Rosary                                                          

Marian Consecration Prayer                                                   
Prayer to the Two Hearts 
Double Great Novena 

The 15 Prayers of St Bridget                                             

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy 

Other Prayers

Prayer of St Gertrude 

Prayer to St Joseph 

The Miracle Prayers

-Prayer To Apply The Blood of Christ 

-Prayer Before Reading the Bible

-Prayer For Salvation 

-Prayer of Healing 

-Prayer To Break Generational Curses 

-Prayer Against Fear 

-House Dedication Prayer 

Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood 

Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ 

Consecration to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ

Prayers in Latin 

Aspirations (Short Prayers)

Sacramentals 

Five Crowns Promised by God 

Armour of God 

Spiritual Communion 

Keys to Heaven 

Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)

Indulgences 

Original St Michael the Archangel Prayer 

Angel of God Prayer 

The Fifteen Promises of The Rosary

Besides the Indulgences attached to the Rosary, Our Lady revealed to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche additional benefits for those who devoutly pray the Rosary. Our Lady's promise is shown in darker blue text. Additional explanation on and doctrinal connections to each promise is shown following in the smaller normal text font and color. Note that the Rosary is the prayer (non-Liturgical) with the most published Magisterial / Papal documents expounding on its excellence. Vatican II's summary on Our Lady is contained in Lumen Gentium chapter VIII.

1.	Whosoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.Signal Graces are those special and unique Graces to help sanctify us in our state in life. See the remaining promises for an explanation for which these will consist. St. Louis de Montfort states emphatically that the best and fastest way to union with Our Lord is via Our Lady [True Devotion to Mary, chapter four].
2.	I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.Our Lady is our Advocate and the channel of all God's Grace to us. Our Lady is simply highlighting that She will watch especially over us who pray the Rosary. (seeLumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62) [a great more detail is available on this topic in True Devotion to Mary, chapter four, by St. Louis de Montfort]
3.	The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.This promise, along with the next, is simply the reminder on how fervent prayer will help us all grow in holiness by avoiding sin, especially a prayer with the excellence of the Rosary. An increase in holiness necessarily requires a reduction in sin, vice, and doctrinal errors (heresies). If only the Modernists could be convinced to pray the Rosary! (see Lumen Gentium chapter V - The Call to Holiness #42) St. Louis de Montfort states "Since Mary alone crushed all heresies, as we are told by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary)..." [True Devotion to Mary #167]
4.	It will cause 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 for Eternal Things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.This promise, along with the previous, is the positive part, that being to live in virtue. Becoming holy is not only avoiding sin, but also growing in virtue. (see Lumen Gentium chapter V - The Call to Holiness #42)
5.	The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.Since Our Lady is our Mother and Advocate, She always assists those who call on Her implicitly by praying the Rosary. The Church reminds us of this in the Memorareprayer, "... never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided ..."
6.	Whosoever 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.This promise highlights the magnitude of Graces that the Rosary brings to whomever prays it. One will draw down God's Mercy rather than His Justice and will have a final chance to repent (see promise #7). One will not be conquered by misfortune means that Our Lady will obtain for the person sufficient Graces to handle said misfortune (i.e. carry the Crosses allowed by God) without falling into despair. As Sacred Scripture tells us, "For my yoke is sweet and my burden light." (Matthew 11:30)
7.	Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.This promise highlights the benefits of obtaining the most possible Graces at the hour of death via the Sacraments of Confession, Eucharist, and Extreme Unction (Anointing of the Sick). Being properly disposed while receiving these Sacraments near death ensures one's salvation (although perhaps with a detour through Purgatory) since a final repentance is possible.
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.Our Lady highlights the great quantity of Graces obtain through praying the Rosary, which assist us during life and at the moment of death. The merits of the Saints are the gift of God's rewards to those persons who responded to His Grace that they obtained during life, and so Our Lady indicates that She will provide a share of that to us at death. With this promise and #7 above, Our Lady is providing the means for the person to have a very holy death.
9.	I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.Should one require Purgatorial cleansing after death, Our Lady will make a special effort to obtain our release from Purgatory through Her intercession as Advocate.
10.	The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of Glory in Heaven.This promise is a logical consequence of promises #3 and #4 since anyone who truly lives a holier life on earth will obtain a higher place in Heaven. The closer one is to God while living on earth, the close that person is to Him also in Heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states "Spiritual progress tends toward ever more union with Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2014)
11.	You shall obtain all you ask of me by recitation of the Rosary.This promise emphasizes Our Lady's role as our Advocate and Mediatrix of all Graces. Of course, all requests are subject to God's Most Perfect Will. God will always grant our request if it is beneficial for our soul, and Our Lady will only intercede for us when our request is good for our salvation. (see Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
12.	All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.If one promotes the praying of the Rosary, Our Lady emphasizes Her Maternal care for us by obtaining many Graces (i.e. spiritual necessities) and also material necessities (neither excess nor luxury), all subject to the Will of God of course.
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.Since Our Lady is our Advocate, She brings us additional assistance during our life and at our death from all the saints in Heaven (the Communion of Saints). See paragraphs 954 through 959 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
14.	All who recite the Rosary are my Sons, and brothers of my Only Son Jesus Christ.Since the Rosary is a most excellent prayer focused on Jesus and His Life and activities in salvation history, it brings us closer to Our Lord and Our Lady. Doctrinally, Our Lady is our Mother and Jesus is our Eldest Brother, besides being our God. (see Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
15.	Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.Predestination in this context means that, by the sign which is present to a person from the action of devoutly praying the Rosary, God has pre-ordained your salvation. Absolute certainty of salvation can only be truly known if God reveals it to a person because, although we are given sufficient Grace during life, our salvation depends upon our response to said Grace. (See Summa Theologica, Question 23 for a detailed theological explanation). Said another way, if God has guaranteed a person's salvation but has not revealed it to Him, God would want that person to pray the Rosary because of all the benefits and Graces obtained. Therefore the person gets a hint by devotion to the Rosary. This is not to say that praying the Rosary guarantees salvation - by no means. In looking at promises #3 and #4 above, praying the Rosary helps one to live a holy life, which is itself a great sign that a soul is on the road to salvation. (See also paragraphs 381, 488, 600, 2782 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.) In fact, St. Louis de Montfort says even more strongly that "an infallible and unmistakable sign by which we can distinguish a heretic, a man of false doctrine, an enemy of God, from one of God's true friends is that the hardened sinner and heretic show nothing but contempt and indifference to Our Lady..." [True Devotion to Mary, #30]

Reminder: these promises mean that, by faithfully and devoutly praying the Rosary, Our Lady will obtain for us the necessary Graces to obtain said promises. It is still up to each individual soul to respond to those Graces in order to obtain salvation.

A Cure For Skin Troubles?

As I travel down the rocky path of spiritual improvement, I come across many puzzling things.

One of them is the curing of skin troubles.  In my case, it was athlete's foot.  I begun suffering from athlete's foot when I was fifteen years of age.  I have no idea how I got it but perhaps it was from the public swimming pool shower cubicles.  That was the year I began going for weekly swimming lessons.

Well, whatever the case may be, I had been struggling for many years with the problem.  If you have never had this problem, you would not understand how bad and how overwhelming the problem can be.  Sometimes the entire sole of my foot would be peeling and raw.  I actually reached the point where a bloody sock would not throw me.  I had to wear shoes that covered my foot and toes.  Sandals, especially those encrusted with crystals and stones, were just a dream that others could have but never me.  My parents dragged me from specialist to specialist.  I was on intimate terms with many types of steroids, such as Betnovate.  At one point, the doctor told me that I couldn't keep on using the steroids as they had an effect on my skin and collagen.  

Fast forward a few decades to 2009.  When I began doing my daily prayers, especially the Fifteen Prayers of St Bridget, the first thing I noticed were the 'aggressive' reactions around me.  I daren't put it down on this blog for fear others would think me crazy.  In my preoccupation with learning to handle the 'obvious' challenges, I didn't realise at first that I no longer had to to tend to my feet.  At that time, one of my most important monthly purchase was of 'Renew' a plantolin-based cream marketed by Cosway.  This cream kept my athlete's foot problem in control.  One day, my stockist asked me why I'd stopped buying.  That was when I realised my problem had cleared up.  After DECADES of pain and difficulties.  I was puzzled but too grateful to think more on it.

Then a colleague who I had been guiding in the Catholic religion shared something with me.  She too struggled with skin trouble on both hands and feet.  I too had the trouble on my palms and fingers but that had resolved itself years ago.  Her problems were so bad that sometimes she couldn't walk.  But her solution was to go up to the mountain to meet her uncle who would use questionable pagan methods to heal her.  I had told her that a Christian could not have other gods and she had cut down on visits to her uncle.  She too was using Renew and in 2010, she stopped asking me to buy the cream for her.  When I asked her, she told me that when she was baptised during Easter Vigil Mass 2010, she felt a wrenching out of her chest.  She suspected it had to do with her previous pagan practices and did not talk about it as she was too embarrassed. But within a week, her feet healed so perfectly that she was able to show off her pretty feet in sandals.

Some may say this is a coincidence.  But since I have stopped believing in coincidences, what else could it be? 

All I can say is, God is truly great.

Hunting for Scapulars

First, a quick intro to the Brown Scapular.

The scapular is a small piece of cloth that is a part of the Carmelite Order, a religious community. Those who wear the scapular are sharing in the order's special devotion to the Mother of Christ. They who wear the scapular in a spirit of true devotion and love have a special claim to Mary's intercession and protection.

On the surface, some people may think scapulars are superstitious "good luck charms" that guarantee our entrance into heaven. They do not. Only living in a state of grace will guarantee us eternal salvation. However, scapulars are a special gift from God by which we attain protective graces.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock in the year 1251. She promised that all who wear the brown scapular "shall not suffer eternal fire; if wearing it when they die, they shall be saved." This assumes, of course, that one does not deliberately lead a sinful life and make a mockery of God's law.

For me, the brown scapular has been a constant source of comfort.  I also believe that when I wear it, I am showing our blessed Mother my faith in Her intercession.

All these years, I've been buying countless pieces of scapulars.  Where I live, the pieces sold are of poor quality.  They fall apart so easily.  The cords are thin and the images on the felt pieces look weird.  One friend even said it reminded him of Chucky.  Brrrr.

This scapular is a better-looking version compared to the ones I can buy in my hometown. 

I tried searching in religious shops for better-looking and more durable scapulars.  Finally I gave up.  Today I ventured online and what a treasure trove of scapulars have I found.  Here are some of the available scapulars... gorgeous!

 The Brown Scapular of Mount Carmel
(the traditional scapular)

 The Scapular of Mount Carmel

 The Divine Mercy Scapular

 The Red Passion Scapular

 

Children's Scapular

 The Crusader Scapular

For more information about the Brown Scapular, read 'Garment of Grace'.

P/S : I have found an absolutely wonderful supplier of scapulars at Rosescapular.net.  I've been buying from them and shipments are prompt.  Requests via email have been handled well (and I've even made friends!).  The scapulars are also of good quality (I'm super satisfied!).  My favourites are the Mount of Carmel scapulars, the St Michael scapular, the Crusader Scapular and the Trinity Scapular.  Friends have been reporting that the scapulars have helped them a lot.  Some have reported better sleep (they had been troubled with restless dreams or nightmares... even actual disturbances in their rooms.).

The Heroic Act of Charity

From my previous post on Indulgences, I quoted from the Cathechism of the Catholic Church something about the Heroic Act.

This refers to the Heroic Act of Charity.

There may be some among us who feel sad for the neglected and forgotten Holy Souls in Purgatory and want to help as much as possible.  Besides the Prayer of St Gertrude, we can also offer all the satisfactory value of our prayers, alms, fasts, penances, and the suffrages given to us after our deaths, without reserving anything at all with which to discharge our own debts. We do not do this of our own, but instead deposit our offering with the Blessed Virgin Mary that she might distribute them, as the Mediatrix of All Graces, according to her good pleasure, to those souls she chooses to deliver from Purgatory.

Since by doing this, we forgo the lessening of our own time in Purgatory, hence the title Heroic Act.  St Gertrude and St Therese of Lisieux made this vow while still alive.

This vow is revocable at any time.

By making this vow, we greatly increase our merits in Heaven, especially because we put our total faith in God's Mercy on us.

The Heroic Act of Charity

O Holy and Adorable Trinity, desiring to aid in the relief and release of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, through my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I cede and renounce, on behalf of these souls, all the satisfactory part of my works, and all the suffrages which may be given to me after my death. In their entirety, I offer them to Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, that she may use them, according to her good pleasure, for those souls of the faithful departed whom she desires to alleviate their suffering. O my God, deign to accept and bless my offering which I make to Thee through the most august Queen of Heaven and Earth. Amen.

For those who may argue against praying 'for the dead'.
II Maccabees 12:43-46 : "And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

Under Attack? Say the Fifteen Prayers of St Bridget!

Do you feel like your life is spiralling out of control?  And the meds aren't helping?
Do you feel unexplained aches and pains?  And the doctors can't figure out what's wrong with you?
Do you suffer feelings of worthlessness and depression?  And you just don't know why because you have a great job, fantastic friends and a marvellous family?
Do you hear voices that tell you to kill yourself?  For whatever reason?  And nothing's wrong with your hearing?

Then perhaps you should stop taking the pills, stop seeing the doctors and stop sitting in a dark room, and STOP feeling panicky because you just don't know what is wrong.

Say the Fifteen Prayers of St Bridget (see tab above) and don't stop even if things seem to be get worse.  They WILL get worse for a day or two before they get better.  And the darkness lifts from your life.

Take it from one who let the darkness stay for ten years.  That was too big a chunk of my life to lose.

Confraternity of The Most Holy Rosary

Three years into my spiritual journey, I reached a point where I felt like making another commitment... other than becoming a member of FOSS. 

After going through some questions about the rosary (and getting my answers), I decided to join the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary.  The decision felt so good :) 

All I needed to do was to make sure I did a full fifteen-decade rosary a week, an effort I would be sharing with countless others throughout the world.  I would be making sure that I'd never forget milestones in Jesus' life... especially the sorrowful ones.  Meditating on The Passion of Christ is such an amazing experience... only those who have tried it know what I am talking about.  And everyone who tries it WILL know what I am talking about. 

One of my ongoing discoveries about myself is that the more I read and learn about God, about Jesus and all His Saints and Angels, the more revelations and wonders I uncover and understand.

I had been guilty of thinking of my God as removed from me and my life when the truth is that He is very much part of my life and so are his saints and angels.  And when I read of incidents such as the one below, I feel such a surge of love and warmth... I also wonder just how many times my own guardian angel 'saved' me without my knowledge.  Such 'rescues' may not be as obvious as the one experienced by Michael the soldier but I have no doubt that they were just as critical.

What I repost below comes from another website ... just click on the title below to go to that website.

Incredible Miracle: U.S. Marine Saved by Saint Michael

This is the true story of a Marine wounded in Korea in 1950. Writing to his mother, he told her of a fascinating encounter he experienced in the war.  Father Walter Muldy, a navy chaplain who spoke to the young Marine and his mother as well as to the outfit commander, always affirmed the veracity of this narrative. We heard it from someone who read the original letter and retell the story here in all its details and in the first person to better convey some of the impact it must have had when first told by the son to his mother.

• Click here to print the novena to Saint Michael
• Michael, Michael of the Morning Prayer
• Saint Michael Chaplet
• Prayer to Saint Michael
• Video:  Where Saint Michael Appeared

Dear Mom,

I am writing to you from a hospital bed. Don't worry, Mom, I am okay. I was wounded, but the doctor says that I will be up in no time.

But that's not what I have to tell you, Mom. Something happened to me that I don't dare tell anyone else for fear of their disbelief. But I have to tell you, the one person I can confide in, though even you may find it hard to believe.

You remember the prayer to Saint Michael that you taught me to pray when I was little: "Michael, Michael of the morning,…" Before I left home for Korea, you urged me to remember this prayer before any confrontation with the enemy. But you really didn't have to remind me, Mom. I have always prayed it, and when I got to Korea, I sometimes said it a couple of times a day while marching or resting.

Well, one day, we were told to move forward to scout for Commies. It was a really cold day. As I was walking along, I perceived another fellow walking beside me, and I looked to see who it was.

He was a big fellow, a Marine about 6'4" and built proportionally. Funny, but I didn't know him, and I thought I knew everyone in my unit. I was glad to have the company and broke the silence between us:

"Chilly today, isn't it?" Then I chuckled because suddenly it seemed absurd to talk about the weather when we were advancing to meet the enemy.
He chuckled too, softly.

"I thought I knew everyone in my outfit," I continued, " but I have never seen you before."

"No," he agreed, "I have just joined. The name is Michael."

"Really?! That's mine, too."

"I know," the Marine said, "Michael, Michael of the morning…."

Mom, I was really surprised that he knew about my prayer, but I had taught  it to many of the other guys, so I supposed that the newcomer must have picked it up from someone else. As a matter of fact, it had gotten around to the extent that some of the fellows were calling me "Saint Michael."

Then, out of the blue, Michael said, "There's going to be trouble ahead."

I wondered how he could know that. I was breathing hard from the march, and my breath hit the cold air like dense clouds of fog. Michael seemed to be in top shape because I couldn't see his breath at all. Just then, it started to snow heavily, and soon it was so dense I could no longer hear or see the rest of my outfit. I got a little scared and yelled, "Michael!" Then I felt his strong hand on my shoulder and heard his voice in my ear, "It's going to clear up soon."

It did clear up, suddenly. And then, just a short distance ahead of us, like so many dreadful realities, were seven Commies, looking rather comical in their funny hats. But there was nothing funny about them now; their guns were steady and pointed straight in our direction.

"Down, Michael!!" I yelled as I dove for cover. Even as I was hitting the ground, I looked up and saw Michael still standing, as if paralyzed by fear, or so I thought at the time. Bullets were spurting all over the place, and Mom, there was no way those Commies could have missed at that short distance. I jumped up to pull him down, and then I was hit. The pain was like a hot fire in my chest, and as I fell, my head swooned and I remember thinking, "I must be dying…" Someone was laying me down, strong arms were holding me and laying me gently on the snow. Through the daze, I opened my eyes, and the sun seemed to blaze in my eyes. Michael was standing still, and there was a terrible splendor in his face. Suddenly, he seemed to grow, like the sun, the splendor increasing intensely around him like the wings of an angel. As I slipped into unconsciousness, I saw that Michael held a sword in his hand, and it flashed like a million lights.

Later on, when I woke up, the rest of the guys came to see me with the sergeant.

"How did you do it, son?" he asked me.

"Where's Michael?" I asked in reply.

"Michael who?" The sergeant seemed puzzled.

"Michael, the big Marine walking with me, right up to the last moment. I saw him there as I fell."

"Son," the sergeant said gravely, "you're the only Michael in my unit. I hand-picked all you fellows, and there's only one Michael. You. And son, you weren't walking with anyone. I was watching you because you were too far off from us, and I was worried.

Now tell me, son," he repeated, "how did you do it?"

It was the second time he had asked me that, and I found it irritating.

"How did I do what?"

"How did you kill those seven Commies? There wasn't a single bullet fired from your rifle."

"What?"

"Come on, son. They were strewn all around you, each one killed by a swordstroke."

And that, Mom, is the end of my story. It may have been the pain, or the blazing sun, or the chilling cold. I don't know, Mom, but there is one thing I am sure about. It happened.

Love your son, Michael

• Print your novena to Saint Michael
• Michael, Michael of the Morning Prayer
• Saint Michael Chaplet
• Prayer to Saint Michael
• Video:  Where Saint Michael Appeared

Pray, Pray, Pray!

After reading Dr Kelly Bowring's book (Secrets, Chastisement and Triumph of the Two Hearts) and countless other articles, I see so clearly that prayer is a very powerful means to salvation. 

Not only my own salvation but also that of my brothers and sisters.. my neighbours, my friends, my enemies...!

We are being called back to a life of prayer... but how many will respond to this call?

I remember feeling heavy-hearted about praying... I had so many excuses... I was sleepy, tired, sick, exhausted etcetera etcetera.  But knowing the importance of praying and feeling desperate about not being able to pray, I pleaded with God for the strength and grace to pray.  Amazingly, my pleading was answered.

Now, I wonder why I am so amazed.  I wonder if perhaps I no longer had faith in God's responding to my prayer. 

But now I know.  God DOES answer prayers.  But I had to learn how to pray properly.  I had to have the right state of mind and the right sort of request.  I didn't bother to ask for riches, rank or other material things.  I asked for graces, strength and faith.  I asked for protection and mercy.  Not only for myself but for others.  I asked for the clearing of clouded minds, the righting of confused minds and the brightening of darkened hearts.

And now I cannot NOT pray.  Not when I can hear the clock ticking the moments away and the sand in the hourglass sifting away.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet In Action!

My sister is attending a course that may decide her future... but it all depends on her performance in four assessments.  Truth be told, she didn't fare very well in her interview.  Especially in the part where she was supposed to show how she'd sell certain products.  I found this very perplexing as my sister has the so-called gift of the gab.  She can talk and talk and talk.  Plus she'd sold software for an ICT company and also homes for a property developer.  It didn't make sense that she couldn't even do a demo on selling a product.  Interview nervousness?  Perhaps.

Anyway, I asked my mum to tell me the times of her assessments.  The first one was yesterday (Friday).  During the time of her assessment, I was in a car and did one cycle of the Chaplet.  Well, at least that was what I planned to do.  I planned to do a cycle as I picked my little niece up from playschool and brought her home.   The process was supposed to take only about 15 minutes.  However, traffic was extra bad and instead of 15 minutes, it took me more than an hour.  Somehow or other, I ended up doing uncounted cycles in the space of an hour plus.

Later when I called to check on her,  I heard that she did so well, she was held up as an example to the others.  She told me that she felt light and confident.  Unlike her experience during the interview.  By right, if she truly had a problem with nerves, she would've performed worse in front of an audience than in front of a single interviewer. 

I firmly believe that the chaplet helped in keeping her mind clear and her delivery focused.  She's got three more assessments to get through. So I will be doing the chaplet again.

Some may scoff and shake their heads... but please don't do it in front of me.  For I will pity your lack of faith in God.  Well, who knows... if I pity you enough, I'll add you to my list of people to pray for.  LOL.  That can be scary.

Let me explain why I use the word 'scary'.

Previously I mentioned a friend who had a problem with a jealous colleague.  Well, let me tell you the ending to that story.  Over months, that colleague tried to undermine the bosses' belief in her integrity and performance in the office.  She actually fell ill under all the stress and tension.  She suspected him of being the one behind a poison letter that led to an investigation of her office.  All the while, another friend had been counselling her to 'radiate loving kindness.'  In the beginning, she would just shake her head and say,"I can't.  I just can't."  But towards the end, she just caved in under all the pain and just offered all her sufferings up to God.  Let it be.  Thy will be done.  AND she began praying the Divine Mercy chaplet for that colleague.  I was so happy that she had made the journey from anger to forgiveness. 

And you know what?  The man fell sick.  The day she began praying for him, he fell ill and took three days off. 

Well, she was only human, so she doubled her prayers for him.  LOL.

After that, things turned around for her in the office.  The people who supported this man began deserting him.  The investigation turned up many great things that made her star shine even more, while it made him and his cronies look execrably bad.  He was so busy plotting that he neglected to do his job properly.  Stupid man.  Didn't he realise that a poison pen letter would spark off an investigation?  Now he just sits in the office, more alone than ever and gives her perplexed looks.
What I found interesting was that in the beginning, when he was using magic and she responded with prayers, he was informed by his witch doctor that her witch doctor was really powerful.  That was when he stepped up the hostilities.  HOWEVER, the only 'witch doctor' she had was God.

How did she know all this, you may ask?  Well, when rats abandon a sinking ship, they open their mouths really wide.

What I learned from her sharing is that when we call upon God to help us, He responds.  Otherwise what 'presence' was that, that the witch doctor detected??

The further I go on this journey, the more evidence I uncover about how much God loves us and wants to protect us.  So when I come upon a person who questions the existence of God, I really feel sad at the lack of glory in his or her life.

E, S, Z : As I type this, my chest is hurting.