I dreamed of Our Lady of Guadalupe years ago; maybe many years ago but I still remember. I was in a church I had never been in before but in the dream it was familiar. I was praying in front of a beautiful image Our Lady of Guadalupe that seemed alive in some way. The church was fairly dark, mass not having begun. There were people scattered in the pews praying and waiting.
An old man in a middle pew started talking loudly about how there were too many (insert slur for Latinos here) in the Church and we needed to “get them all out of here.” He went on and on about this. I felt such horror that he would speak this way at all but especially in the Church. I looked back at him, then back at the image of Our Lady and noticed it was smoldering in the corner and the burnt part was spreading. I ran to the man and begged him to stop. “Please Sir, don’t speak like that! Please! Not in this holy place!”
I don’t remember anything else about that dream, though I think I may have asked the angry old man to come outside with me and talk about it there.
Given what’s going on now though I wonder if it was kind of a warning or a premonition.
Today on her Feast, as Queen of the Americas, I pray for an end to the violent hatred and rage toward her Latino children living in the U.S., and end to the hateful speech, the cruelty and disregard toward them. In this holy place, this temple of the hearts of men and women, let there be love and respect, humility and understanding.
I promise to help you, Mother Mary, to pray and intercede for your immigrant children in my country.
I associate you as Our Lady of Guadalupe with love and protection, compassion for all who weep, solidarity with the lowly, conversion of heart and reconciliation between people who were once enemies. God has entrusted the Americas to you. Mother of Tepayak, of roses given in winter snow, you choose the little ones the world disregards to speak to us all and reveal to us your sweet face, your presence, your love.
Allow us to bring you the roses of dedication and celebration. Remain with us now as evening draws near. Tell us the story of Jesus, your Son.
When she was 15, my eldest daughter, Maire, getting ready for Confirmation, volunteered for the Children’s Liturgy at our parish. Small children would file out of mass with cute music just before the readings. They would be led into a little side room where volunteers read the Gospel to them in a way they could understand. My daughter, Maire loved little kids. She was perfect for this ministry. She loved little kids she met or played with so much she would write their names on her notebooks with hearts and other designs equally sweet.
She came in to teach the kids when it was her turn. It was nearing the end of Advent. The adults looked nervous when this little goth girl came in to work with the kids. The first thing she did is ask them what they wanted for Christmas and let them talk about that. Then she asked them, “What does Jesus want for Christmas? It’s his birthday! What do you think he would like best?” Visible relief on adult faces around the room.
But this is a really good question. What does he want? I think one thing leads to another and covers everything and that’s “making time to be alone with the One who [you] know loves [you.”] (St. Teresa of Avila). I think this because making that time, being with him, leads us to all of the other things he likes, such as transformation in him, generosity, love that leads to service. He wants YOU for Christmas.
As Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote:
The fruit of Silence is Prayer. The fruit of Prayer is Faith. The fruit of Faith is Love. The fruit of Love is Service. The fruit of Service is Peace.
When we make time to be alone and quiet with the One Who we know loves us, our faith is deepened as we come to know Jesus more intimately. Love expands in us as we cultivate a deeper relationship with him, and this love pours out naturally in service.
So what does Jesus want for Christmas? You, of course. Your time, your love, your attentiveness, your quiet heart (yes you can have a quiet heart), your receptivity to him.
Do we have to pray at Church to carve out this time for Jesus? In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is always a great place to pray. However, no. Anywhere you can be alone for a while is good.
As someone who was a single parent for many years, I know how hard it can be to find any alone time. You can, though. You just have to be creative and flexible that’s all. He can work withy whatever time you have. You can pray in the car if you arrive early somewhere. I love it when I am ten minutes early. Since I have social anxiety it helps a lot to get someplace early and take that time to sit with Jesus for a while before dealing with people.
I confess I also hid in the tree house sometimes once the kids were older. Just for a while. I could still hear them.
I did all this getting up early so I had time to pray, or staying up late to do so, or praying in silence on my break at work because once you get in the habit of silent prayer, it’s something you want very much to do. I cherished that time with Jesus, even if out of necessity it had to be short.
After a while I came to love prayer because I knew he wanted me there. He really was the One who I knew loved me and it made him happy for me to stop what I was doing and set aside time for him.
St. Teresa of Avila said that if we can get into the habit of the Prayer of recollection we will “attain what we desire in six months.” What do we desire from prayer? What do we long for most from God?
I love this quote from the poet Hafiz
Ask the Friend for love.
Ask him again.
For I have learned that every heart will get
What it prays for
Most.
I think we are made for love and we know God is love. Any trouble we could take to give the Lord our time is infinitely worth it. As St. Teresa says, “life is like a night at a bad inn.” But Jesus is forever.
So go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father in secret. The Son and the Holy Spirit will come and live with you.
*I am including a guide to the Prayer of Recollection I wrote some years ago. My new little book about the Prayer of Recollection is out right now, Meeting the One Who loves you; the way of prayer of St. Teresa of Avila, and available from Our Sunday Visitor Bookstore as well as Amazon and Barnes and Noble or whatever you buy books.
One of the best tools I have ever found to form new habits is the book Atomic Habits by James Clear
I am quite neuron-divergent in several ways and forming a new habit is sooooooo difficult for me. My favorite idea from that book was to commit to two minutes daily to this new thing you want to start doing. You won’t be overwhelmed by two minutes at all for anything. It won’t see like such a big deal to you to sit down with Jesus for only two minutes at the same time each day. Stay with the two minutes until you are into the swing of it and then you’re off! Start adding to it little by little.
How long should you pray? My personal goal has always been thirty minutes at a time daily. After years of the practice of interior prayer, it’s not a big deal to pray that long. In fact I add in little snippets of it where I can through the day. I think of them like flowers tucked into a rock wall here and there with a little moss. You have the nice strong wall at the cornerstone of your 30 minutes of interior prayer, and then these pretty little flowers modestly adorning it; your few minutes here and there in the car in a parking lot, between jobs, a few minutes before bed, or after evening prayer or after mass.
The rewards of this little habit are like water to the soul. All your other practices of faith are immeasurably deepened. Your faith will mean more to you than ever and not in a weird way that makes you annoying to other people, but in a way that flows out with honest love to everything and everyone in your life. Most of all it makes the Lord so happy and you will grow so much closer to him.
As St. John of the Cross wrote, “In the evening of your life you will be judged on love; so love, the way God wants, and leave off your own way of acting.” This makes me chuckle a little. We all have our own little ideas about what is the most holy thing to do and sometimes it’s not what we thought. He seems to like the simple things. “Sit down with me, and let yourself be loved.” Or as our St. Teresa said, “I am only asking you to look at him.”
Come, and you will see. Advent is the perfect time for this; to cherish Jesus within you as Mary did, to ponder the Lord in our hearts, to reflect him as she did, love him as she did. Right here. It’s the perfect gift.
I’m still processing the experience I think. But it was a lovely day. We had lunch with a friend, walked along the river, hung out in a coffee shop a bit and went over to the basilica. We joined the silent line of people going around the left side of the Church to pray in front of St. Terese’s relics. People knelt and touched the glass around her reliquary. They touched their rosaries, their crucifixes from home, or laid a hand on the glass. I didn’t know how I would feel. But when I knelt there beside her what I felt was all my love for her. I felt clear and present. I prayed for everyone who asked and everyone I offered to pray for and everyone and everything I could think of. I cried a little bit which surprised me. I almost never cry. My daughter prayed there and touched a rose petal to the reliquary. She has been having a hard time. The day before we left though, a friend who doesn’t know who St. Therese is left her a bouquet of roses on our front porch. I told my girl they had to be from St. Therese. ♥️
We stayed for mass. It was in Spanish but we could understand a little and the mass is the mass. It’s easy to know what’s going on in any language. I thought how beautiful the mass sounds in Spanish.
We went outside to see my friend Fr. Gregory. He was in a great mood. It was so good to see him. I gave him a copy of my new book. They have my other one at their book store and they will get this one too. I also might go do another talk down there in January or maybe during Advent.
They had a booth where people were telling stories about the impact of St. Therese in their lives. So I told our family story about her. * (I will put that at the end as notes. )
Then we found out they had relics of St. Therese’s parents Zellie and Louis Martin so we went down to see them and pray with them a while. They had a special table for prayer requests about child loss and about marriage. They had large prints of some of their letters and pictures of them with their family.
We prayed there with the relics a while then filed upstairs with others to visit Therese again. I remember the lady I saw on our second visit who was holding up her dog to St. Therese, even pressing him against the glass and bowing her head, praying fervently. She was praying for him it looked like. That’s good because I prayed for my dog Joey too and a sick dog (Lucy) of a friend along with everything else. I prayed that all the people there would be touched by St. Therese, that she would hear them all and comfort them, that she would help them. ♥️
My daughter and granddaughter fell asleep on the drive home. I smiled a lot in the dark, continuing to pray, feeling grateful and happy.
*Our best St. Therese story:
My first husband, and the father of my children lost his life in a car accident when my eldest, Maire, was almost five. My youngest, Roise, was a newborn. Maire wanted her first Communion early. I explained that she would do that with her class in second grade. She was upset. She used to cry at mass and after mass. She would say, “But I NEED the Body and Blood of Jesus!” We talked to our priest, Father Dean, about this. He agreed that if I would teach her what she needed at home that summer, he would allow it. We set the date for July 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. She had wanted Immaculate Heart of Mary but we had to be in a wedding that day.
We started our lessons and as the day drew nearer she started worrying that maybe she shouldn’t do it, but go with her class. Maybe God didn’t want her to do this early. After all it was a very big deal. So we started a novena to St. Therese. Every night we prayed at bed time and Maire asked her to send a yellow rose if she should take this step now, and an orange one if the answer was to wait.
Then we went on a trip to visit her dad’s family in Wisconsin. It was a good visit. When we got home she got in the shower while I unpacked. There was a bouquet of yellow roses in our suitcase. I couldn’t believe it. I called them and asked if any of them had done that. Nobody had. So I took the roses and poked them through to the other side of the shower curtain. The sight was received with much rejoicing.
Little Maire received First Holy Communion that July. She had not even known you get a dress and a party. My mom hand made her dress from scraps of my wedding dress. It was a great day. We still talk about the roses St. Therese sent to reassure Maire that even at her young age she was welcome at God’s table.
*St. Therese has been on U. S. tour. She was in San Antonio from October 31-November , 2025
When I don’t know what to do, I take up the rosary. And this makes total sense because praying the rosary is like holding Mary’s hand. It’s a way to pray in every style and on every level. It’s the prayer of the people. Our Lady urges us to pray it. St. Jacinta of Fatima said it was able to stop wars. It’s an offering to God, an offering to Mary.
October is the month of the Holy Rosary. The awful things that have happened this week have been horrifying and broken my heart, probably yours too.
All I can do with this is run to Mary in the rosary. She knows what to do.
She knows how her migrant children are being treated. She knows about what’s happening in the land she lived her earthly life in. She loves Ukrainians and Russians alike. She loves her MAGA children and her children on the opposite side. She loves us all. She is our mother, our sister, our friend.
Today I have written reflections and prayers for the rosary that go with Catholic values and the things that have concerned me the most this week as I took in current events. I plan to keep doing that for the month of October until I cover all of the mysteries. So I will add to this each week of October. I’m praying for everyone though, for the whole world, asking that God’s will be done, that the Kingdom will come, for the promised triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that love will win and start winning now, and if not, that at the very least it will win in me.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Come by means
Of the powerful intercession
Of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Thy well beloved spouse.
Amen
The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays, Saturdays and the Sundays of Advent)
Every Hail Mary is a beautiful rose offered to Our Lady. So for these Joyful Mysteries we will offer her perfect pink rosebuds to commemorate and participate in her joy.
The Annunciation (rose hip: humility)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior. (Luke 1:46-47)
Young Mary, I place myself with you as you hear the most astonishing message anyone on earth has ever heard, as you accept a mission and a life you never expected, displaying a strength, courage and humility we find impossible to imagine. And you conceived of the Holy Spirit, the Savior of the world. Maybe you cried after the angel left. You are overwhelmed. Maybe you will let me hold you.
Thank you sweet Mother, for your acceptance with joy even though you were scared. You had faith.
I pray in special reference to vulnerable and marginalized people especially immigrants being terrorized in my country, and those who do the terrorizing or support it. Open our hearts to humbly accept Jesus in everyone. I pray for all of us. Pray for us to know God’s will for us.
The Visitation (rose bud: charity/love of neighbor).
A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
(John 13:34)
Let me accompany you, Mary, when you immediately left to visit your kinswoman, Elizabeth, who was part of the Secret you carried, and who needed support in her late in life pregnancy. You didn’t hesitate. You went straight there.
Pray for me, Mary my sister and friend. Pray for me that I will never hesitate to help where I can, to be in community with those who have the same purpose of charity and love of neighbor. Help me find strength, hope, encouragement and peace among people united for this. Gather us and guide us, St. Elizabeth, Holy Mary, that we may serve those in need of help and justice that they may live in dignity.
The Nativity(rose bud: poverty of spirit)
Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20)
Holy Mother, you traveled late in your pregnancy to Bethlehem on a donkey beside a husband on foot, a poor man with little means. In the sight of barn animals, on the floor of a cave, you endured the pains of birth. No one would let you stay with them. You had nowhere else to go. Let me give you water. Let me hold your hand, hug Joseph when things get hard. Let me share your joy and generosity when Jesus is born and you shared him with those who sought him.
Mother of God, pray for me that I can be in solidarity with the poor and marginalized, with immigrant women whose babies are ripped from their arms, with pregnant and birthing women who are poor and don’t get the care they need, with all people suffering from the injustices pf poverty. Show me Jesus there among them, and in them. Show him to all of us, especially those who can’t see him. There will be our peace and their prayers answered.
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple (rose hip: love of God/obedience)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.
(Matthew 22:37)
You emerged from the Mikva and with Joseph presented your Child in the Temple, offering him to God as required by your faith. Let me submerge in the water of purification with you, pray with you. Let me walk the steps with you and hear the blessings and prayers of the priests. Let me hear with you Simeon and Anna as they say amazing things about the Baby you hold and what he will be and do. I want to support you when you hear of his future rejection, when you are told your heart will be pierced through. How terrible for you and Joseph to know. What did you do with that? What does it mean that because of the piercing of your heart the secret thoughts of many will be revealed?
Mother pray for me that my own heart will be revealed so that I can repent of anything I should repent of. Pray for me that I can withstand the shock I feel when the hatred of so many is revealed. You see us all. Your heart us pierced for us. Pray for us Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of your young Son, innocent and free to serve. Pray for us to be wise as serpents but innocent as doves as he taught. Always may we live in the truth, especially in a time of so many lies and so much violence justified by lies. When we can’t find him, lead us to the Temple of our hearts where he is always.
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
With burning love I have been zealous for the Lord our God (1Kings:19:10)
Oh Mary, St. Joseph, how awful it was to lose your Child for three straight days. You looked for him everywhere. Nobody could tell you anything and God was silent. No angel spoke. You were desolate. You didn’t know whether this was the sword Simeon spoke of or not. “Mary please eat something,” Jospeh would beg you. “At least sleep a little bit.” How great your joy when you found him in the Temple asking questions and answering them from the teachers. You still confronted him on the spot like any Mother would. “Why have you done this to us?” Even as you embraced him and led him home. He insisted he had been in his Father’s house all the time and was surprised they didn’t know.
Mother of God, so many children of immigrants are having their parents taken away, and being taken from their parents. The parents are sometimes unable to find their children or ever see them again. Pray for them, Holy Mother. You know how they feel. You hear the screams of the children, the cries of parents. Pray for me when I can’t see God at work, when I can’t see anything but Jesus being persecuted and dragged away. Help me also to the joy you knew in finding your Son. Tell me he is at work helping these people now. Tell them. O God these are ugly days. Help me still find beauty and love. Help me find you. You are there. Doing the Father’s work all the time.
Closing Prayers
Queen of the Holy Rosary, I offer you these of pink rose buds I have woven into a crown to place on your sweet head. I love you. I love you so much. I just want to sit with you a while and be happy with you.
O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor haughty my eyes; I have not gone after things too great,
or marvels beyond me.
Truly I have set my soul
In silence and peace like a weaned child in its mother’s lap even so my soul.
Oh Israel, hope in the Lord forever!
Psalm 131
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
For these Luminous Mysteries we will offer her these bright yellow roses to represent the Light of Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Come by means
Of the powerful intercession
Of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Thy well beloved spouse.
The Baptism of the Lord (rose hip: dedication to God’s will)
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:6-8
Jesus, you accepted baptism from John humbly as a dedication, a consecration, a willingness do do the will of your Father, to give yourself to us to teach, heal and save us. Reflecting your dedication, and in memory of my own baptism, I pray:
God, I offer myself to thee, to do with me and build with me as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do thy will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to thy power, thy love, thy way of life. May I do thy will always. Amen.
3rd Step Prayer, Alcoholics Anonymous
*Go down into the river Jordan with Jesus, and hear with him the words of the Father, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” and know these words are meant for you too. Let Jesus dry your face and hair. Maybe you would like to hug him.
The Wedding at Cana (rose hip: trust in Mary’s intercession)
Do whatever he tells you
John 2:5
Jesus, your mother sees our troubles, and she comes to you to intercede for us. In some towns during your ministry you didn’t work many miracles because people had no faith. It was Mary’s faith that led you to perform your first public miracle. She turns to me and says, “I have prayed for you to my Son, now do whatever he tells you.” Sometimes I even know what you want but we’re scared to do it. But you and Our Lady look at me and your presence gives me strength. May I always trust in her motherly, sisterly love and her friendship. The paths of her heart always take me back to yours- all good, all beautiful, all love. Trace in my heart the lines of her love for you, and transform me as water to wine.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
(rose hip: Love of the Poor, the Outcast, the Persecuted of the world)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor… to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.
Luke 4:18-19
Lord there are so two different meanings to your Word here, at least two. I know that you came to set us free from sin and from the grip of the devil’s oppression. You also say to me in these words that you want to see actual captives free, actual sight returned to the blind, for the oppressed of our world to be free. To me this means that I am to be part of this work in both ways. I should be part of the salvation of every soul I come across, and I should pray for all to be saved, be an example, answer questions of faith and spread love always. I understand that the Kingdom is also about social justice, about people being free from prison and migrant detention, about wrongs set right, the poor being free of poverty, the sick being cared for and healed. Lord help me to love my brother, my sister, you. Let me rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). This is what your Sacred Heart does and I want to share the love you have for everyone, to be one with you.
The Transfiguration of the Lord (rose hip: a spirit of prayer)
One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple
Psalm 27:4
How beautiful you are, Lord Jesus. Your beauty will always draw me after you, making me long to contemplate your face. Your loveliness and glory, your divinity and at the same time, you feet standing on the earth that day, maybe with muddy toes, satisfy my soul. Never may I deny you, Lord, nor you me. I with you, you with me, may we abide always together. May it be revealed to me who am devoted to you, the holy truth of the Gospel, of your glory and love, that you complete all things, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Even if I fall asleep, even if I say ridiculous things, never leave me. Console ,me and prepare me for the difficulties before me so that I will always stay with you and stand up for love.
The Last Supper, and the Institution of the Eucharist(rose hips: a spirit of humble service, love of the Eucharist)
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 12b-15
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks,* and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,
for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28
Jesus, you have washed my feet and taught me to let myself be loved. You have inspired me to wash the feet of my brothers and sisters. Help me to serve humbly as a matter of course, without needing gratitude or any other return, and to go on to the next feet, the next person to love and to serve. The Eucharist is in the Poor as well, we know (Matthew 25:40) so we are nourished when we receive them, and when we serve.
Jesus you feed me yourself in the Eucharist. This truth is my bedrock that lives at the heart of my faith. With gratitude I adore you there and receive you into myself to cherish. And now let me be a little pyx to carry you to everyone as I go about my life. Fill my day with reminders of your presence among us.
Closing Prayer
Holy Mother, I bind these bright yellow roses of the Luminous Mysteries into a pretty crown for your hair. Please accept it as a symbol of my love for you, and of my prayers for all people, along with your own.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Each Hail Mary of these mysteries is a deep red rose presented to Mary in honor of her Son’s Passion and her co-offering of him to God as the sword of sorrow pierced her heart.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Come by means
Of the powerful intercession
Of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Thy well beloved spouse.
Amen
The Agony in the Garden(rose hip: courage)
Lord I am in straights! Be my surety!
Psalm 119:122
Jesus, you know what it is to be in terror of violent men on their way to arrest you and take you away, and the horrible things that would follow. You know what it is to be taken from your family and friends, to lose everything, to be betrayed to the authorities who have no mercy at all. You sweated blood mixed with tears and you cried out to your Father. Hear the cries of those who live in fear now. Go to them quickly with your aid. Add my prayers to theirs. Help them face this moment. Open the hearts of those who know not what they do, and especially those that know exactly. Convert us all to the compassion your mother had that night as she prayed for you and your friends even as everyone else slept. Help us to stay awake in prayer.
The Scourging at the Pillar (rose hip: nonviolence)
For the insolent rise up against me, and violent men seek my life.
They have no fear of God before their eyes.
But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
Psalm 54:3-4
Oh Lord Jesus, you were tortured, whipped and beaten almost to death. May I never forget what you endured for love. Allow me to be there with you. When the soldiers finally leave, let me come and anoint your wounds with the balm of compassion and love, with my commitment to nonviolence. This is reparation to you; never to act with cruelty or violence of any kind, remembering you and your suffering at the hands of violent men and the indifference and justification of others for your unjust and excessive punishment. May I have the courage to defend others by sacrifice and not force, as you would have me do. You have set the example.
The Crown of Thorns(rose hip: reverence for the dignity of the human person)
A faithful God, without deceit,just and upright is he!5Yet his degenerate children have treated him basely,a twisted and crooked generation!
Dueteronomy 23:5
Oh Lord, you are the only King, the most beautiful, holy, humble and gracious, all powerful and glorious King. I can’t imagine hurting you. And yet I do. Every time I dehumanize anyone, I forget they are yours and made in your image. The least among us are you. And yet at times I act like their suffering is an inevitable part of who they are, as if it is acceptable. Forgive me, forgive us all for all the times we caused you pain, disrespect or humiliation in our fellow human beings. Lord may I always adore you everywhere I find you – in the Eucharist, in prayer, in my brothers and sisters – especially the least of these who are suffering. Let me be there to love you wherever you can be loved. Allow me to console you and make living reparation to you for all that you suffered in the Crowning with Thorns and the mockery of the men who tortured you.
The Way of the Cross (rose hip: doing my part)
Two are better than one…For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Lord, you carried your cross alone until your executioners got help from Simon of Cyrene – and only because they didn’t want you to die on the way. With patient endurance let me do my part to carry your criss with you, to help my brothers and sisters carry theirs. May I see where I can help and step in. May I wipe your face with Veronica. May I walk by your side with your Mother. May I help you like Simon. May I take up my own cross and follow you. And if I fall with exhaustion or in the pain of it, lend me your determination to get up again and keep going until the work you have given me is accomplished. All I want is to be with you and share your life.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:36
Lord your mercy is incomprehensible it is so deep, vast, filling the universe and all you have made. It is your greatest attribute and you taught us that it is what you want us to give others as a show of gratitude for what you have done for us. Make my heart merciful, Lord, to be like yours. Let me think merciful thoughts, and let my hands be merciful to serve, my arms to embrace. I want to be with you Lord and see with merciful eyes as you do. Grant that my heart be like your Sacred Heart. Let my unhesitating service be like the flow of your compassion. Allow me to enter into your life, your heart, to live and move in mercy. May I learn to stand at the foot of your cross as your Mother did, in strong support and compassion, offering all to you. Let me ever thankful for your sacrifice and for the way you took my suffering on yourself to share in my life too. If I have to suffer let me do so in a spirit of offering. Never let me close my heart to you. Our Lady never did. Nor did she close her heart to me.
Closing Prayer
Oh Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, I offer you these red roses in memory and in a partaking with you of your Son’s passion and death, for a beautiful crown for your hair. Rejoice forever Mary, because you shared in your Son’s suffering, and now you reign with him in Heaven. Amen.
The Glorious Mysteries
Queen of glory, we offer you these white roses in honor of the glorious mysteries of the life of your Son you shared so deeply in, and of the glory you know now at his side forever.
Come, Holy Spirit,
come by means
of the powerful intercession
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Thy well-beloved spouse.
Amen
The Resurrection of the Lord (rose hip: faith)
…but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:22b
Oh Lord, how intense the joy, relief and incomprehension, the feelings of complete overwhelm your Mother and your friends must have felt. I bet they cried tears of joy and surprise. I bet they had so many questions. In your compassion and love you stayed to answer them all, to give as many hugs and reassurances as they needed. You are all love, and love is stronger than death. I think of the families torn apart and the joy of reunion they will know, Oh Lord, because of your love. You will make all things right. You will make all things new. And we will know that you loved us and protected us all along, that your sacrifice made all things possible.
Grant me the faith to trust in your goodness and the power of your love in all things no matter what happens. It is faith that moves the great reformers and leaders of all times and places. We need that faith now – that faith in Resurrection and renewal possible in you not only in the future but now, in ourselves and in the people you died and rose for.
The Ascension of the Lord (rose hip: hope)
Rise up, O LORD, and go to your resting place
Psalm 138a
She let you go, Jesus. She was joyful, she was grieving, she was proud of you. She let you go in hope. She stayed behind with your family of followers to be a Mother to them. Without her key parts of the Gospel would never have been written. Your friends stood in shock until an angel came to remind them of hope. They all must have needed that reminder badly for an angel to bring them to their senses. They had a commission to carry out, nine days of prayer to pray, the Holy Spirit to receive, your Mother to cherish. You left them the Eucharist and you left them the poor so that they would always have you near to love and be close to. You left them one another and the new Commandment to love one another. They had hope; faith in what they couldn’t grasp or process at the time.
So they continued to meet at the Temple, to break bread, to give thanks, to talk about you, teach about you. To pray and to wait for the Holy Spirit to come as you promised.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (rose hip: love)
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:18
With Mary praying beside us, open our hearts, Lord. Enlighten us and strengthen our love of you and one another. Fill us with the Spirits’ wisdom which is greater than any other. Grant us all that we need to understand the mission you have called us to. Grace us with the courage of the disciples to speak, to go out, to be sent, to hear you better than ever, to give you to the world.
Renew in me the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit; Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.
Holy Spirit, grant me especially the graces I stand most in need of now.
The Assumption of Mary (rose hip: union with God)
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
Song of Songs 2:14
Oh Mother, how could you have anticipated the beauty of this moment? Lifted up body and soul, earth and Heaven, in the trail of your glory you drew us with you, into your union with God. Now you live in the heart of the Trinity where we will one day join you. First of all believers, you went before us in your simple humanity given to God, given to love, given to us your children.
Lord draw me after your Mother, who sees with your eyes, from the vantage point of your arms. Raise my heart to you in unity of love and will with you. Help me be a light in these troubled times when people use religion to justify evil deeds. Help me always to remember love, remember you, remember Mary, and return only good for evil, love for hate and indifference. Then I can spread the joy of you, the joy Mary had, the love she knows in heaven with you.
Queen of Heaven (union with Mary)
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the leader of our enemies.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who recall the might of God.
May God make this redound to your everlasting honor, rewarding you with blessings, because you risked your life when our people were being oppressed, and you averted our disaster, walking in the straight path before our God.” And all the people answered, “Amen! Amen!
Judith 13:18b-20
Mary our Mother, our Sister and our Queen, you gave over your life for Jesus and for us to the Kingdom of God. May we do the same helped by your prayers and your love for us. Be our advocate at God’s throne. Remind is that our tears in the life will be jewels on our clothes in Heaven. Remind is that even now though we can’t see them, we are crowned with stars too, clothed in the sun, laboring to give birth to God in this world filled with violence, greed, lies and hate. Help us see the beauty of God as you know it, all things alive with his loveliness. With his love and mercy we are crowned and clothed and held. Make us one with your participation in the life and love of the Blessed Trinity. We belong to you now and forever. Hear the prayers of your children and wrap us in your grace and protection.
How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave
Lamentations 3:5
God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence.
Deep Focus
To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land,
to deny people their rights before the Most High,
to deprive them of justice — would not the Lord see such things?
Lamentations 3:34-36
Beloved Father, you have seen so much worse than what is happening now. You have grieved with and over so many of your children over the millennia, as galaxies slowly spin on their axis, as stars are born and then burn low, you have been all seeing and all pervading. You watch the tiniest births on earth of little mice, the hatching of minuscule spiders from their mother’s wrappings, of every caterpillar spinning its cocoon. As its tiny body is falling asleep in darkness, you are there. You know our human minds and hearts too are so small, and that they are broken for our country and the loss we are going through now of the way it was. Remind us, Lord, show us that we are brave as well as broken hearted, that even our grieving the brilliant experiment of America, that we still believe. We are so little, Lord God, so small. But you make our prayers and our smallest actions BIG. We trust that you will guide us and give us courage and strength through the fight ahead, through the times we need our chrysalis to gather strength from you. This week when we hear about the next awful thing our government has done, we will stop and remind ourselves that those people, too, fall, as they eventually must. You remain You, God of all times and places, of all people and all things, and to you we belong forever in life and in death. Nothing can touch that. Until then may we hope, believe and be courageous in all that we do.
*Take a moment to close your eyes and sit in the midst of the stars with God. What does he show you? Does he say anything to you? What do you want to say to him?
Other Intercessions/headlines of this week
Consider the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence
Psalm 74:20
*Another public shooting, more hideous ICE violence, more violent and hateful rhetoric, Lord, more troops sent to American cities and authorized to shoot. It’s hard not to freak out. Help us cultivate courage every day so that if there comes a time we must meet with violent injustice we will be able to access the inner peace we need to act with bravery and love. Prepare our hearts for nonviolent action. Help us find ways we can help our country, the defenseless, the persecuted, ourselves. May we return again and again to you who are all things good, the source of all life and dignity.
*We thank you for all the times this week that freedom and the truth have prevailed over hate and oppression. It’s been beautiful and Lord we needed that. Remind us of the good news we saw in the world and fill us with hope. There are still wonderful people doing great and caring things. There are still comedians who make us laugh. There is still just enough freedom of the press for us to know what is happening if we want to. We still have friends and love and music. May we lift our hearts daily to you to let the sun shine in and fill our thoughts with all that is good.
*We pray for the hungry and those living with war, especially South Sudan on the verge of famine, Gaza far past the breaking point, and Ukraine fighting for its life against the invading army of Russia.
*We pray for immigrants living in fear of ICE, for God’s cherished black children in America, for LGBTQ people, and our president’s political and personal enemies, all who are persecuted by this administration in various ways. Protect them, Lord, defend them, and show us who are not undergoing persecution how we may be called to join you in the fight.
*Let us remember that hate will never win, that our country is not lost because our country has us. And you have us too, Lord. Show us your will, grant us the power to carry it out, and we will have all we need.
Closing Blessing
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:22
God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen
O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.
Psalm 107:17-18
Opening Invocation
God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence.
Deep Focus
Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.
Proverbs 29:26
Lord, we have had a scare about the possible end of free speech in our country this week. Our media is capitulating to tyranny and even loyalists to the administration are starting to worry. Peaceful protestors are thrown to the ground, comedians who make fun of the president are silenced, newspapers tone down what’s happening and oppression is becoming normalized. We’re kind of freaked out. Real justice comes from you, Lord, as well as the strength to oppose what is wrong. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God. We pray that freedom of speech be protected as part of respecting the dignity of the human person and human rights. Let us never be afraid to speak up when not to do so would disappoint you who love us so much.
*Spend a few quiet moments with Jesus, drawing strength from his presence. Maybe it feels like warmth. Maybe it is like light. Maybe it is like being grounded. Maybe it is living water you drink. However you perceive it, let the Lord share his strength with you.
Other Intercessions/headlines of this week
Thus says the LORD, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the immigrant, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.
Jeremiah 22:3
Again, Lord, our military blew up a boat full of people on the high seas without provocation, without proof of wrongdoing, without due process or warning. This is hard to understand. We pray for the souls of each of those people, and a clear resolution of what is happening. May there be no more killing by our government, God of righteousness, especially without true cause.
Immigrants continue to be rounded up and some are dying in detention when they are denied medical care or medication their lives depend on. These raids are becoming more and more violent. How do we help, Lord? What do we do? Send us your Spirit and give us the peace of inner conviction. Grant us the knowledge of when and how to act on their behalf. Show us openings in our days to do or say something, a mind that is open, a heart that is good. Bless our efforts and open doors before us. Let us run lightly and with great confidence in your paths. Bend our hearts according to your will so that we may be truly free and help you free others.
Protect, Lord, our politicians and leaders, no matter who they are or what they believe in, from political violence. Stabilize our nation. Help us dialog without compromising our values. Help us be open to all that is right whoever it comes from. Grant us peace in our country so we can understand the problems we face.
We are living with a president who loves vengeance and is obviously on a vendetta. Are we taking his attitude toward opposition? Are we becoming mean or hateful? Do we hope for retribution? Lord do not allow us to become bitter but help us to become better. Help us to stand against evil without taking on its characteristics of violence, lies, distortion and hate. We pray for our president also that he will be healed of all the things that make him so hateful and unhappy. Grant him the peace and joy of love and forgiveness instead, and we ask this for ourselves as well.
We continue to pray for the Palestinian people who are being bombed and starved. We pray for those trapped in Gaza City, or who could find no safety anywhere. Lord, speak to your people. May the violent relent. May there be lasting and just peace in Palestine and Israel, in Ukraine and Russia, everywhere there is the hell on earth of war.
We pray for free and fair election, for peaceful transfers of power.
We pray for the protection of protestors and those who resist, that they will be protected from violence and interference, that their voices will be heard.
We pray for free speech, for the freedom of information and knowledge in our schools and universities, for the freedom to learn the history of marginalized people, for the freedom for scientific inquiry.
We pray for the health of the public, for proper information about health so people can make good decisions for themselves and those in their care.
We pray for our Republic which is under great stress right now. May we see freedom reign. May our country stand for everything it thinks it stands for. Amen amen, let us be a free people in all the ways that are good.
Closing blessing
God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen
For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5
God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence.
Deep Focus
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. … Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God… Rather if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21
Jesus you did not use violence. You never hurt anyone. You never struck anyone. You never killed anyone. You did not tolerate injustice, greed, hypocrisy, or untruth. You confronted systemic injustice head on. This is what we are called to do.
This week was a maelstrom of violence; both violent acts and violent speech. It has been hard on nearly everyone, but especially on those who lost loved ones; eleven Venezuelan people at sea struck by an American missile, an influential political figure so divisive the division continues after his death, two children in a Colorado school shot and injured.
Everyone is wounded. We don’t know what to do anymore. It’s as if a Pandora’s box was opened and a slew of evil spirits of hatred and violence were released, swirling around and between us, causing more and more alienation, anger and confusion. But they have no power over us, because we belong to you. We are not at war with human beings but the powers and principalities of darkness, the spirit of murder, of hate and lies. Sometimes they seem so unstoppable. But it’s not true. There is no truth in them. In your tender compassion, Lord, may the dawn from on high break upon us, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)
You are the Friend who we know loves us, all of us.
Let us gather our strength for love and nonviolence from you.
*Spend a quiet moment with Jesus.He is working in his mother’s garden. Join him. What is he doing? See that smile? He is glad you are here. He has something small in hand. He presses it to you heart. What is it? Seeds? A tiny star? A healing warmth? What do you feel?
Other Intercessions/headlines of this week
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
Lord, you hear the cry of the poor. We often do not. Now they are not only being ignored or disdained, some are being rounded up like criminals or trash. An influential media figure suggested the homeless should be euthanized. He is sorry for what he said. However, it was a a shocking moment, a symptom of something so wrong with us. We pray that you purify our hearts of any part of us that looks down on the poor and unhoused. Help us to truly see them. You said they were you. Every time we see them, we have an opportunity to prove our love to you. Let us be humble in our contact with the people the world pushes aside, remembering we have so much to learn. In public discourse, which they are almost always excluded from, inspire us to speak up for them as you would have us do.
Israel attacked Qatar, continues to starve and bomb Palestinian civilians, and Russia continues to attack Ukraine. What can we do about these horrible things so far away? Bring us with you, Lord, to the foot of the Cross. Allow us to carry your Precious Blood to all who suffer violence and war to bring them healing. We kneel before you, Jesus Crucified, and prostrate ourselves in spirit. We ask you on behalf of for parents who have lost children, for children who have lost their families, for the wounded in hospitals, for the doctors without the medicine and equipment they need to ease pain and save lives, for every frightened child waiting for the next explosion, for peace, for a just and lasting, a true peace. May the bombs stop falling. May there be justice and righteousness. May your mercy pour over all. Never let us accept or normalize genocide or the weaponization of hunger.
We pray for immigrants who are still be rounded up violently and detained without due process in terrible conditions. Lord we pray for their dignity and fair treatment. We pray over our country’s need for a scapegoated group of people, that it will be healed of this so that we can love our brothers and sisters as ourselves; the love you have commanded. Guide us to any actions we must take.
Help us to love those who preach hate, those who accept it, or deny what is happening. Help us to bless and not curse our enemies, to pray for them humbly as you want us to, even as we speak out against what we must. Help us to become better rather than bitter.
We pray for an end to racism; the loud kind, or the unconscious and hidden kind; both in others and in ourselves. Help us who are not people of color to listen to those who are about these issues.
We pray for democracy, for the ideals of our constitution of liberty and justice for all.
We pray for Pope Leo XIV on this, his birthday. Bless him with long life and holiness in his strong and gentle rule over the Catholic Church, in his love for all people.
We pray that all people will grow in mercy and compassion.
“Protect us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day.”
Closing Blessing
Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
“With gentle words, tender and kind
Isaiah 40:1a
God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world
St. Teresa of Avila talked about the role of the contemplative as a standard bearer. She described the holder of the guidon of Jesus, of love, as having the one goal to hold the banner high no matter what chaos whirls around him, no matter if he is cut to pieces. If the standard bearer should fall, he must struggle to his feet again to hold high the symbol that urges on those in battle, gives them hope, lets them know their comrades are nearby when their courage flags.
I have thought a lot in the past couple of days about what was wrong with me in the midst of the chaos; meaning the violence of thought word and deed since the public murder of Charlie Kirk. I couldn’t hold the banner so much. It wobbled, as Winnie the Pooh would say of his spelling. It wobbled, shook, slipped as I took in entirely too much of what was going on. I have CPTSD and it’s important for me to guard how much craziness I absorb. Also I am an empath type person. I feel what people are feeling deeply. I don’t know about you but the last couple of days have triggered me badly. I have felt like a microcosm of the macrocosm of horror and rage, of compassion and sympathy, of fear and dread. My fight or flight has been FIGHT as usual. I too want to fill my mouth with argument along with everyone else.
St. Teresa would be the first person to say our real war is against ourselves. she advised us to return again and again to “the room of self knowledge.” Well today I am trying that.
Simeon the Prophet told Mother Mary that a sword would pierce her heart “so that the secret thoughts of many [would] be laid bare (Lk. 2:35). I have thought about that at times of tragedy and reckoning over the last several years. It does seem that the secret thoughts of many are laid bare in the midst of tragedy, of horrific events. Mary’s heart was pierced through by her love and compassion for her Son, and really, for us too. Murder surely pierces her heart. Injustice, people doing harm to one another, these must hurt her terribly. Jesus Crucified by hate. Again and again.
I have had my PTSD triggered by the event itself; a horrible murder. A father and husband with little kids suddenly dead. I lost my first husband in a car accident when my youngest was three months old and my eldest three weeks shy of her fifth birthday. I can hardly stand to think of what Kirk’s widow is going through today and what she will go through in the days, weeks, months, years ahead of her. She will have to watch her children grieve. She will have to be there for them as her world is ending. I can’t imagine people watching video all over the world of my husband dying a gruesome death. I was surprised when the sun still rose the day after my husband died. I watched in shock as the news came on and people went to work and school and drove around as if the sky hadn’t fallen. I feel for her very much.
The secret thoughts of many have been laid bare haven’t they? I’ve been triggered by some of their reactions as well as the original event. Some people have been sanitizing the murdered man as if he had been a saint when he was a rank racist who said things every day that could get people harassed, threatened and endangered and did. His public life was all about hate. Then people I thought were sane are saying his work should be “continued,” (Gavin Newsom) or that he “did politics the right way.” (Ezra Klein).
Some have been fawning over him. Their hero is dead. Incomprehensible to me. He was horrible. Look up the things he said for yourself if you don’t believe me.
I think of St. Edith Stein’s saying that truth without love or love without truth is a destructive lie. And look. It is. Historically Black campuses have had bomb threats. The DNC had a bomb threat. Why? I guess because Kirk hated black people? Or because they assumed a black person did it? Because he hated Democrats? They assume the culprit is a Democrat? Brawls have broken out. The president wants to give the man a statue in DC and award him the presidential medal of freedom. Of course he does. He hasn’t helped with his incendiary blaming of “radical left Democrats.”
The outpouring of grief and praise for the man must be a gut punch to the people he harmed with his bullying, with his hate and his stirring up more and more hate. I know it’s a gut punch for me. My heart is the most with the vulnerable and persecuted. That’s where I think it should be. However that solidarity of mine has caused me a lot of rage over the last couple of days. A friend said, to my prayer online for peace and an end to political violence, “You’re a good person.” I replied, “Not really.” I noticed one of my kids put a laughing emoji on that. Thanks a lot Roise.
Also triggering to me is the response of people who want to skip the ugly process of truth and reckoning to get to the peace they think would come if we all decided to just get along and lay aside our differences. To me that’s fake peace. After the things I have been through I have seen enough of that. How can we love our enemies if we whitewash and sanitize what they have done? That’s fake love. It’s useless, wrong even.
I see how I have been freaking out about all this; angry, horrified, scared for our country, taking in too much of what everyone is saying and what the news is when I know that makes me so upset.
Maybe I can offer up all the wild inner agony I have had about all this to God to help someone somewhere. Mary’s piercing of the heart was co-redemptive. I can entrust my little offering of a struggling heart to her.
I pray that I’ll be able to love Kirk- who by all accounts would be an enemy of mine at least as a public figure- in the way God wants me to. Right now that seems to me to be to pray for his salvation, for a beautiful forever life with God for him. Whatever he is doing, Charlie Kirk understands more than any of us do now. He has a completely different perspective. He has encountered eternal love and life. May he embrace them, embrace him who is love and life himself with all of his heart and possess them forever. God says he will give us all new hearts instead of our stony hearts. Amen amen.
I need to ask for that for myself, too. For all of us.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh”
Give us joy for the days of our affliction, for the years when we looked upon evil.
Psalm 90:15
God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence.
Deep Focus
May our daughters [be] like columns adorned for a palace.
Psalm 144:12b
Lord, the horror these women went through as girls has sickened us. Only you know the depth of their suffering, of the damage done, how re-traumatized they are after speaking up this week. May they be believed and may they see justice in their lifetimes. May they feel protected now as they should have been then. Jesus, you have said if someone harms one of your little ones it would be better for them to be thrown in the river tied to a millstone. Your compassion is with these women. Send your mother to help them heal. May she pray for Epstein survivors, and for all survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking. May she cover them with her mantle, encircle them in her arms, strengthen and free them of their nightmares and the daily struggles they face in their woundedness. May these daughters more and more continue growing stronger, with grace and beauty like columns holding up our nation.
Lord Jesus, bring your mercy and truth to abusers that they may repent. In the mercy they receive, may they begin to live in righteousness, making amends for what they have done.
*Bring a mental image of the Epstein Survivors into the presence of Mother Mary. She has been waiting for them. Bring each one to her., one by one. What does she do? What does she say? Does she ask anything of you?
Other Intercessions/Headlines to pray over
O Lord, let your kindness rest upon us, for we have placed our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22
We pray that you infuse the CDC and NIH and all government agencies and officials responsible for the health of the American people with wisdom, integrity, and respect for gold standard science. We have nothing to fear from wisdom and truth or the facts the scientific process brings us, for you created it all. Bring the people discernment so we know who to trust about our health. May doctors and nurses follow truth in their care of us all.
We pray for the reasonable prosperity of our country in light of the disappointing jobs report and the unhinged economic policies, chaos and trade wars this administration inflicts on our system. May we find a way and may everyone looking for work find meaningful work that meets their needs and brings them dignity.
We pray for our trans brothers and sisters, who are your children as much as we are, that they will be safe from violence, and free from persecution from society and the law for nothing but being trans. Forgive us Lord for the unkindness and hysteria heaped on them in these dark times of intolerance and hate.
We pray for ICE that they will be led to repentance for their violence and cruelty. We pray that they will seek and find better jobs that help instead of harm others; work they can be proud of. We pray for everyone who lives in fear of them, all who are detained, and all of the deported.
We pray for our national guard and armed forces, that they will be true to their pledge to uphold the Constitution and to protect the American people. Give each of them courage and strength when the time comes to resist any illegal orders.
For the cities the president is threatening, may they be safe and free in the face of injustice, and for the people of our capital city.
We pray for our courts that they will mete out justice wisely and impartially according to the Constitution of the United States.
For a just and lasting peace for Palestine, Ukraine and all people suffering war and violence. For the Palestinian people to be saved from famine. For all who suffer malnutrition to be fed. That we ourselves who are safe and well fed will be motivated to feed the hungry and protect the vulnerable.
We pray for all enemies of justice and peace, that they will be stopped, amend their ways, and work for righteousness.
You who are Love, perfect us in love.
Closing Blessing
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand..
Isaiah 41:10
God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen
Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, Our Mother. To you we come, before you we kneel; sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but on your mercy, hear and answer them. Amen.
Bethany Hang Out 