Confession : Exorcism Of The Soul

They call confession exorcism of the soul. And it literally is. Exorcists hv found that confession is one of the most important steps to get rid of a demon.

Psychologically one could say that confession makes one face one's faults, weaknesses or mistakes. And thus take the first step towards recovery.

But so many saint priests like Padre Pio and St John Vianney took confession very seriously. They used to hear confessions from 13 to 17 hours a day. And ppl would queue for hours. The priests hardly stopped to eat or drink. There were reports of casting out of demons during confessions. Ppl said they heard animal growls etc inside the confessional.

If you read about the lives of Padre Pio and St John Vianney, your hair would stand on end. Padre Pio was constantly beaten up ... but nobody could see the attackers. St John Vianney too reported being dragged about by his feet and was persecuted by very loud noises, his bed was shaken violently... the poor man had little peace.

I used to wonder about this... about the power of confession... until one early morning experience I will never forget.

I was at 6am mass at Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Sacred Heart Cathedral. I came too late to get a seat so I stood at the back together with other ppl. We all stood with our backs against the walls and doors of the two confessionals at the back. Praying like normal.

Then... during the Eucharistic liturgy... all of a sudden, a loud vibrating slam shook the glass walls and wooden doors of the confessionals. The whole row of shocked people jumped a step forward.

I was standing in front of the glass section. When I looked back, I half expected the glass to be broken because it was as if someone big inside the confessional had bodyslammed the wall.  But there was nobody inside the confessional. The whole row of people was very quiet. We went for communion and didnt say anything at all. But we looked at each other.

Till today I wonder who went for confession early that morning.  Was anything exorcised out of him or her? The slam took place at the Transubstantiation of Christ at the altar. The very moment bread and wine were transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.

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."

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 

First Week Of Lent 2012

It's now the first week of Lent.  I need to reset priorities (focus more on God and realign time allocations).

Some of the things in my List Of Lenten Observances has got to be :
a) The Way of The Cross
b) Daily rosaries
c) Charity
d) St Bridget of Sweden's Fifteen Prayers

Yes, St Bridget remains one of my top favourites, if only because saying the prayer has such tangible effects on my life.
 

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.

Reading The Lives of The Saints

In the beginning of my quest to learn more about God and to become closer to Him, I came across a suggestion by someone.  That person suggested that one can read the lives of the saints.  I forgotten who said it but I also came across the same thing in Sr Emmanuel's book where she wrote that the Gospa wishes us to read about the lives of the saints.

Since then I have read countless books and articles on saints such as :

St Bridget of Sweden
St Therese of Lisieux
The Cure of Ars
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
St Anne
St Joachim
Blessed Mary of Agreda
St Gertrude

and many more!

What I have found is the great love they all had for God.  The way they lived their lives were done as closely as possible to what they thought God wanted.  And as a result, they put into word and action their love for their fellow men, in whose faces they saw Jesus.

In the beginning, I found it hard to accept some of the things I read, for I am a product of this world... I have read the magazines & books and I have watched thousands of hours of television programs that keep on telling me, in a sort of mantra :

Put yourself first.
Go for success.
Money is king.
Image is important.
Be assertive and don't let others push you around.
Don't let others cheat you.

But all of these things are WRONG for...

How can I put myself first when God wants me to put myself least?
Success in this world is symbolized by bank account total and size of assets...but how can I accumulate all that if I am required to be charitable and to share what I have with those in need??  And there are so many more people in need than there is money in my pocket :(
To have the right image for this world requires a certain amount of vanity and money invested in hair saloons makeup studios boutiques.
The saints accepted all their suffering and even calumny in silence.  They didn't hit back and just offered their suffering up to God. 
The best part yet, all the suffering offered up to God were able to save souls!

But it's been three years now... and I have not stopped reading the lives of the saints.  Amazingly my way of thinking is also changing.  For once in my life, I now understand the bible verses Matthew 5:38-40. 

I will tell anyone that reading the lives of the saints would be very very beneficial... just read with an open heart and you'd be amazed at the gems you will discover.

The Hungry Souls of Purgatory

Recently I got myself a Kindle (ebook reader).  One of the first few ebooks I read on it was entitled 'Hungry Souls - Supernatural Visits, Messages and Warnings from Purgatory' written by Dr Gerard J.M. van den Aardweg, who is a Dutch psychotherapist in private practice.

From this book I learned about the 100-year-old Little Purgatory Museum in Rome (Piccolo Museo Del Purgatorio) which was set up by a French priest called Victor Jouet.  The priest collected relics.. proof left behind by the holy souls of Purgatory.  Finger prints burned into a prayer book, a handprint burned into a table, Similar marks on shirt sleeves, an apron, a night cap.  And all investigated thoroughly by critical personages.  You can read more here.

Face Burned Into The Wood

Relics Preserved In Glass Cases

As I read the book, I felt very moved at the information shared by people, who on the whole were reluctant at first to believe what they were experiencing.  After that, they were reluctant to share with others, for fear of being ridiculed or denounced as liars.  But how on earth would one explain a burn bad enough to sear the flesh down to the bone?  This was experienced by a lady who was visited by her lover on the same night as his death.  He came to tell her that there WAS a purgatory.

But as I read the book, and learned of the purgatory revealed to St Catherine of Genoa, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina and many others, this is what I understood.

Purgatory is a place of purification.  After death, souls will spiral towards a bright beautiful light (a Centre) from which they will feel an all-consuming desire to go to and to belong to.  But then they will sink down into the Purification.  This will happen according to their will for they will feel their unworthiness, their uncleanness to be with the magnificence of God and they WANT to be cleansed of the rust of sin.

The first phase of purification involves flames of cleansing.  One soul showed to his daughter (a nun) a cistern of smoke and flames.  From where he stood near the wll, the nun could feel the pain and overwhelming heat of the flames.  But after masses and Stations of the Cross offered for him, the soul was delivered.

Some souls were delivered from the flames to a place of contentment and peace, but not yet in Heaven.  They were still in Purgatory.  This depends on the sins borne by the souls.  But these souls still feel torment... the torment of longing to be with God that is like a physical pain.

There was even a soul of a man who lived his life far from God but he was saved from hell by the goodness and faith of his wife.  This gives hope to those of us who worry about loved ones.

These souls say that if only the living understand how terrible it is to be in Purgatory, the living would do all things possible NOT to sin.  They would do anything to expiate for their sins on earth.  For a moment on earth is an eternity in Purgatory.  The soul who beseeeched his daughter for help told her that he had been in Purgatory for six years when in fact, he had only died barely three months ago. 

Oh read this book if you can.  I promise you it will touch you and will change the way you think and the way you live.

Postscript :
On the 29th of May 2012, I visited this museum.

How Technology Helps Me In My Faith

I would say that I am quite proficient at using ICT... as I synchronize information between my PDA, my handphone, my notebook and my Google account.  I am also able to use word editors, spreadsheet apps, database managers, music & video editors.  Naturally, I also explore technological ways and methods to help me in my faith.  Now I'd like to share those ways with my readers.

e-Sword helps me in my daily Bible reading.

It's free and easily installed.  Just download, double click on what is downloaded and it will install itself.  e-Sword is very useful for anyone who wants to undertake Bible study.

You can specify what Bible you want to read (I personally read the Douay-Rheims bible and the King James bible). 
You can search for a particular scriptural verse or theme. 
You can also download dictionaries and commentaries to use with the Bible you are reading.  They can be viewed in the same page, without having to deal with tiles. 
You can also create a 'parallel' Bible with up to four translations. 
You can create your own commentaries and study notes, which can then be exported.
You can create handouts from the Study Notes editor.

Besides the bibles and other downloads you can get from the e-Sword website (which is mostly Protestant, according to a Catholic Forum user), you can also get other materials from Esnips Catholic Apologetics and Esnips e-Sword for Catholics.  If you wish to download the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' for e-Sword, just download it from here.

Whatever you may download outside of the e-Sword interface, just copy it into the e-Sword folder and things should run well.  Zip files should be extracted into the same folder. 

Virtual Rosary is a small application I install into my laptop.  Just download and run it.  I like it for four reasons :

I can do my rosary while listening to soothing music and looking at the pictures which depict the current mystery I am meditating on.  Some people find it easy to just visualise the mystery or event in their minds but I find a picture very useful when I focus and meditate.

I can also join the prayer request program which is part of the application.  Praying with others, for their requests and for your own, is a wonderful experience.

I can do the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and its Novena which is also part of the app.

I no longer forget to do my Rosary as it is always on my desktop.  It is easily minimized, in case you have no time for the Rosary at that very moment.

Synodia Holy Rosary for the Pocket PC is a rosary app I installed into my Pocket PC.  Useful for times when you are on the go.  But this rosary does not have the Fatima Prayer that is supposed to be said at the end of every decade.  So I usually need to remember to do the prayer.  On the link, it says the cost is $3.99 but it is freeware.  Trial and full version are the same.

For those how use the Iphone, I read that they can download the iRosary.  Not sure about Symbian users.

Bible Verse Popup is another freeware that can be installed into a computer.  I noticed that the default verses (there are no many) are from a bible I do not use.  So every time it pops up, I edit the verse and replace it with a verse from the Douay-Rheims bible I have in e-Sword.  Very easy, just copy and paste.  I can add my favourite verses.  Over time, the app on my computer should be a powerful one :)

So far, those are the basic apps I have.  I'm not listing the ones I use to help me create my ebooks of prayers and stories of saints that I like to carry in my Pocket PC.  For that, I use Microsoft Reader and Calibre.  I also use Audacity for sound editing (music and prayers) and Free Video to MP3 Converter for all the songs and prayers I have in my Mediafire folder.

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.

My Experience With The Divine Mercy Chaplet

I'd known about the Divine Mercy Chaplet for a while now... and most especially after Bro. Stanley Villavicencio's visit but I never really put it into practice until recently.

A month ago, an old friend (a member of the local Divine Mercy Apostolate) sent a strange sms.  Without any preliminaries whatsoever, she asked me to please do a 9-day Divine Mercy novena at 3 a.m. and the 3 o'clock prayer & chaplet if possible.  She urged me to get my whole family (also my sister-in-law's family) to do it.  She specified praying for the breaking of ancestral bondage, conversion of family members, spiritual and physical healing of every member of our families.

My reaction was 'Wow.'  It seemed a bit strong.  I looked around me.. things seemed okay at home.  Well, one family member was facing a bit of a hard time at work and in her personal life.

So, at first, I didn't start straightaway.  A day later, I began.  I already had this Virtual Chaplet tool on my notebook so it wasn't a difficult thing to do.  Then when I mentioned this to my relative, she told me that she had issues with God & religion.  I also felt as if she had a spirit of failure hanging onto her life.  Nothing in her life seemed to be working or improving.  So I recommended that she go for confession.  But she didn't look enthusiastic.

By the third day of my novena (this relative didn't know I was doing it), she suddenly mentioned that she wanted to go for confession.  Oh joy!  I was so happy!  So far she hasn't gone yet but at least the thought had come to her. 

Strangely on the ninth day of my novena, I woke up around midnight and couldn't go to sleep.  So I read a book until 3 a.m.  When I realised the time, I remembered how The Lord Jesus promised St Faustina Kowalska regarding the time 3 o'clock :  "In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice" (Diary, 1572) 

I thought that there was a reason I couldn't sleep till 3 a.m. for I didn't have the intention to stay awake till then.  And so I finished my novena at 3 a.m. on the ninth day.

By then, I had gotten used to the chaplet.  It is remarkably soothing and comforting to recite.  The Divine Mercy Chaplet audio I had is also very beautiful to listen to.  The very next day, some trouble resurfaced in that relative's life.  So I decided to do another novena.  I am now in the fifth day of that second novena and I am beginning to truly believe that there is a unseen struggle going on in that relative's life.   Yesterday, I made the resolution to take her for confession at 3pm.  But just as she walked in through the gates at 2.50p.m., a headache I'd been nursing spiked so badly I could barely walk.  I took a pill and went to sleep.  By the time I awoke at 6p.m., the time for confession was past.

I will continue saying this chaplet for her sake until she goes for confession.  I truly believe that confession is exorcism of the soul.  May God grant my wish.

Latest Update :
Today is 10 Feb 2011.  I finished the second novena..at EXACTLY 3pm.  And this wasn't by design.  So that makes the second novena that finished at that special hour.  Coincidence?  Well, I stopped believing in coincidences about two years ago.  AND today is also the day I got some insight into the possible source of this relative's problems. 

So I am starting another novena.  I will do this until she is back on her feet.  They say that persistence gets prayers answered :)

I'm getting questions answered too... as I move from novena to novena.

Revelations Revelations Revelations

Just an hour into surfing the net, I found myself with almost twenty opened tabs of different revelations.  This also included their supporters and detractors.  I even found a list of 'true' and 'false' private revelations compiled by Ron Conte, the administrator of the Catholic Planet forum. Ron Conte lists Stanley Villavicencio (who I have blogged about) as false.

Most confusing.  And frustrating.

But why am I so surprised? 

Matthew 7:15 (King James Version)¹⁵Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 24:11 (KJV)
¹¹And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

1 Timothy 4 (KJV)
¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

So now what am I to do?  What am I to believe in?  WHO am I to believe in?

The answer is very simple.  Ask a question and answer it..LOL.I will believe in God.

He speaks to us all and has been speaking to us all via his prophets... His words are all in the Bible. Not that I will confine myself purely to the Bible.

Difficult to verbalise... but most reasonable people will know what to do.  If I come across any claims of private revelation, I will consider what is said very carefully.  And I will also consider its effect on me.

Back to Stanley Villavicencio.  He was asked how to tell a false prophet from a true one.  He replied,"By the fruits."  I like that answer very much.  If the effect of a revelation on me is of fervent piety and more attention to my spiritual life, then I will focus on the effect.  People can say whatever they want...what matters is our reaction to it.

Sometimes we need to make our own decisions.  After all, jewels come from the darkest of places.  Didn't 'Amazing Grace' come from a convict?

Confession : Stronger Than Exorcism

Recently I received an email which mentioned the importance of confession.  I'd been wondering why the saints went to confession so frequently...some went DAILY!  The email seemed to answer that question.  

At the same time, I'd wanted to do something special for the month of October.  And as usual, my thoughts were focused on the holy souls in purgatory.  I wanted to offer all the indulgences that I could get in October for them.  However, one of the prerequisites was weekly confession.  

I didn't think the email about confession was a coincidence, so now I'm posting what the email said.  The article can be read here as well.  

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We must insist on the need for frequent confession - in spite of all the difficulties existing today to the frequent reception of this sacrament - since both theologians and exorcists reaffirm its great efficacy.

The exorcist of the Archdiocese of Venice, Fr. Pellegrino Ernetti, of the Order of Saint Benedict, said: "The sacrament of the Confession, we know, is the second best 'safety belt', right after Baptism… Experience teaches us that it is most difficult for Satan to penetrate a soul that washes itself frequently with the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. This Blood becomes a veritable armor against which Satan may force, but never succeeds in opening, not even the smallest breach. The assiduous and constant frequency to this sacrament is a necessity, for both those who perform the exorcism and those who need the exorcism. I am convinced, after my long experience that the priest ought to wash his soul in the Blood of Jesus daily, if he wants to fight against the demon, side by side with Jesus, and be victorious. It is this, truly, the sacrament that Satan fears… Christ defeated Satan with His Own Blood. And the Apocalypse tells us explicitly: 'These are the ones that have conquered Satan by the Blood of the Lamb'."

Fr. Gabriele Amorth, exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, is equally forceful: "I have written many times that one causes much more furor to the demon with Confession - that is expelling the demon from the soul - than with exorcism, that expels him from the body… Confession is much stronger than exorcism."

A sovereign contempt for the demon

The Saints and spiritual authors also encourage a sovereign contempt for the demon.

Let us hear to what Saint Therese says:

"It is very often that these damned spirits come to torment me; but they inspire very little fear in me, because I know them well and they cannot even stir without God's permission… This should be well known by all: every time we show our contempt for the demons, they lose their strength and the soul acquires more predominance upon them… To see themselves despised by weaker beings is, in fact, a severe humiliation for these arrogant beings. Well, as we said before, humbly supported by God, we have the right and the obligation of showing our contempt: if God is with us, who will be against us? They can bark, but they cannot bite, unless in the cases that - by imprudence, or pride - we place ourselves in their power".

Evidently, we must not confuse this contempt for the demon with the vain pretension that we, by ourselves, have any power over the fallen Angels.

By our nature, we have no power whatsoever over them; on the contrary, by their superior nature, they are far more powerful than us. Therefore, the foundation of this healthy contempt for the infernal enemies must not be based on a rash disregard of danger. Rather, it must be supported by the most perfect humility and true confidence in the Creator and in the Most Holy Virgin. If these cares are taken, it is befitting to do what the great Saint Therese indicates with such propriety.

Above all, we should make every effort to live a life of serious and sincere piety, without superstition or sentimentality. This will certainly maintain the demon at a distance, as much as that is possible.

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(By Luis Solimeo, from his book Angels and Demons)

Ways Of Shortening Our Time In Purgatory

If you could shorten your time in purgatory, wouldn't you want to do that?  Here's some information about plenary and partial indulgences.  

1. What is an indulgence?

"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church, which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfaction of Christ and the saints."

2. What is a plenary indulgence?

An indulgence is plenary if it removes all the temporal punishment due to sin.

3. What is a partial indulgence?

An indulgence is partial if it removes part of the temporal punishment due to sin.

4. To whom may an indulgence be applied?

It may be applied by the faithful for themselves or for the dead.

5. What is the basis of indulgence?

Sin has a double consequence – eternal punishment (due to grave sin) and temporal punishment.  The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of eternal punishment, but temporal punishment remains.  Indulgence removes all (plenary) or part of (partial) temporal punishment.

6. WHAT ARE THE OTHER WAYS OF OBTAINING INDULGENCES?

6.1. During the Eucharistic Year (October 2004 – October 2005), indulgences may be obtained "each time the faithful participate attentively and piously in a sacred function or a devotional exercise undertaken in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, solemnly exposed or conserved in the tabernacle."

6.2. Remaining in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at least half an hour.

6.3. Participation in the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday.

6.4. Spiritual exercises of at least three (3) days.

6.5. Making first Communion or assisting at another’s first Communion.

6.6. Praying at least five decades of the rosary in a church or chapel, or with family, religious community or a pious association.  The conditions are:  the five decades must be prayed without interruption; meditation on the mysteries must be added to the vocal recitation, in public recitation, the mysteries must be announced according to approved local customs.

6.7. Celebrating or assisting at a priest’s first solemn Mass, or at his 25th, 50th, or 60th 

anniversary Mass.  The priest should also renew before God his proposal to faithfully fulfill the obligations of his vocation.

6.8. Visiting a church or altar on the day of its dedication, and praying an Our Father and a Creed.

6.9. Renewing one’s baptismal promises during the Easter Vigil or on the anniversary of one’s baptism.

6.10. Reading Sacred Scripture as spiritual reading with the devotion due to God’s Word for at least a half-hour.

6.11. Making the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross.  This must be done at legitimately erected stations, which require fourteen (14) crosses to which other images or statues may be added.

The Way of the Cross usually consists of 14 sacred readings, to which some vocal prayers may be added.

However, to fulfill the pious exercise, it is enough to meditate on the Lord’s passion and death, with no need to make a particular consideration regarding each individual station.  Thus, one may also meditate on episodes of the Passion that differ from the traditional 14 stations

It is also necessary to move from one station to the next, although, if during a public celebration the whole group cannot easily move, it is sufficient that the person who guides the stations move from one station to the next.

If someone is legitimately impeded from doing those stations, he or she may obtain the same indulgence through pious reading and meditation on the Lord’s passion and death for about 15 minutes or so.

6.12. Devoutly receiving a papal blessing, including those imparted "Urbe et Orbi" (To the City of Rome and the World), such as is customary at Easter and Christmas, and received through live transmission by radio, television or internet.

The local bishop may also impart the apostolic blessing three times a year on dates of their choosing, at the end of a specially solemn Mass.

6.13. Each Friday of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to those who piously recite the prayer "Look down upon Me, Good and Gentle Jesus" after Communion, before an image of Christ crucified.  This prayer is among those offered in the missal for thanksgiving after Communion.

6.14. To the faithful in danger of death, who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the sacraments and impart the Apostolic Blessing with its plenary indulgence, Holy Mother Church, nevertheless, grants a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime.  The use of a crucifix or a cross to gain this indulgence is praiseworthy.

6.15. Apart from the plenary indulgences, Catholics do well to be aware that most of their habitual prayers, sacrifices, and habitual service to others, from the sign of the cross to the Hail Mary, are endowed with partial indulgences which increase their weight before God and give them an opportunity to exercise selfless charity in offering their prayers in benefit of the souls in purgatory.

7. WHAT ARE THE USUAL CONDITIONS TO OBSERVE, TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A PLENARY INDULGENCE?

7.1. Sacramental confession, usually within a week before or after obtaining the Indulgence.  One sacramental confession is sufficient for several indulgences.

7.2. Eucharistic Communion.  Unlike confession, only one indulgence may be obtained for each Communion.  Although this Communion may be fulfilled several days before or after obtaining the indulgence, it is preferable that this condition be fulfilled the same day.  Thus, those who practice regular confession and daily Mass may obtain a plenary indulgence practically every day.

7.3. Prayer in keeping with the intention of the Supreme Pontiff. Like Communion. Prayer for the Pope’s intentions must be recited for the gaining of each plenary indulgence.  Although there are not prescribed prayers, the condition is satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary.

7.4. Having the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin.  This is the most difficult condition as even attachment to venial sin precludes the possibility of obtaining the indulgence.  However, note that the condition is not freedom from all venial sin, but from attachment to sin, that is, that there is no sin which the soul is unwilling to renounce.

8. HOW CAN WE HELP THE SOULS WHO ARE STILL IN PURGATORY?

When one earns plenary indulgences, one may have the intention to apply it to a dear departed or to any soul who needs it most. This is like practicing the "heroic act", wherein the person who has earned the plenary indulgence has opted to give the merits earned to a soul in purgatory. This indeed is a great act of love.

(Source of info: CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH)