Happy Father's Day

BEADS OF JOY 06-16-13

“Happy Father’s Day”

©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today is a most blessed day to celebrate. Happy Father’s Day to all the Father’s I know personally and to all of you who read my blog. Father’s Day is a very special day; we need to celebrate those heroes that wake up every day giving us protection and security.

Consider this: How many dads quietly very willingly live unselfishly taking care of their families? How many never want even an acknowledgement for all their sacrifices? How many continue to work hard, day in and day out, never complaining, only giving? How many wife’s and children see this and respond with constant continuous love? You know that’s all us guys (us dad’s) really want... LOVE from those we love… That’s all. Most guys are simple. Most guys don’t see the sacrifice in taking care of their families. Most guys embrace fatherhood with a badge of love from those we love, that’s all…

St. Joseph (foster father to Jesus) is the patron saint of fathers. There are actually four aspects to this patronage; the first is as an example to fathers of a protector and provider. Next, he is an example as a worker that not just money and wealth are important, but equally important is to provide quality of life to the family. St. Joseph also reminds fathers about the importance of commitment to marriage and the importance of living an unstained moral life in terms of reading, movies, etc. Lastly, examples abound of fathers that prayed to Saint Joseph and received overwhelming and unexpected help. As an earthly foster-father himself, St. Joseph understands the role of fatherhood, and he is a very powerful intercessor. All you need to do is truly believe, pray devoutly, and St. Joseph will be there for you.

Would you believe that Father's Day came from a woman?

So thankful to her father was Mrs. John B. Dodd, born Sonora Smart, of Spokane, Washington, that she pushed for an annual Father's Day Observance in 1909.  Her own father was a civil war veteran and was widowed when his wife died in childbirth.  He was left with six children to raise. 

Mrs. Dodd began circulating petitions and within a year, the city of Spokane agreed to honor Fathers on the 3rd Sunday in June, close to her father's birthday.  Meanwhile, cities and towns all across America began to celebrate Father's Day.  The idea became so popular that others joined in her crusade.  Harry C. Meek even began to travel the country speaking and campaigning on behalf of a nationally recognized Father's Day.

In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge backed the idea of a national Father's Day and in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared Father's Day a national holiday. It was signed into the books in 1972 by President Richard Nixon.

Mrs. Dodd even designated a flower for Father's Day: the rose.  Red roses are given for a living father and white ones are for remembrance if he has passed away.

That excerpt came from FOX26 News online…

Quotes for Dad’s…

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” ~Author Unknown

"The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." ~Solomon - Proverbs 20:7

“It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.” ~Pope John XXIII

“The greatest gift I ever had -Came from God; I call him Dad.” ~Author unknown

“Good fathers make good sons.” ~Author unknown

“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” ~Author unknown

“It is a wise father who knows his child.  But maybe it's a very wise child who takes time to know his father.” ~Anonymous

“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” ~George Herbert

“And DAD, my DAD.. High 5 for being such an awesome DAD. Your example of devotion and dedication to MOM and our family, no matter what -has laid down a great foundation for me; when it comes to me taking care of Chrissy.. Love you Dad!!!” ~ Jim Dacey Jr OFS

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
Come PRAY THE ROSARY with us every evening Monday through Friday 9pm EST with our 
"Our Lady's Rosary Text Vigil Group"…

Invitations posted daily… and throughout the evening…
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Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

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Bible Study is Exciting

BEADS OF JOY 06-15-13
“Bible Study is Exciting”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS


My Friends,



Well I guess it's no secret that I enjoy bible study. But I will say that it's time for everybody to take out a pen and paper and begin to write. LOL. Why study the bible you ask? Yes I did hear you say that. There are so many reasons why, but today we will only reflect on just a few ideas. Here's a super powerful scripture that will help magnify the power of bible study for all of us. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. See what I mean! It is so important that we fill our minds and hearts and conscious and sub-conscious with scriptures. There is so much evil and bad in the world today that we all deal with every day. It is so important to empty all that junk out so that we can be filled with what is good and meaningful - God's word.

For fun I'd like to share some interesting statistics about the bible with you. It's always nice to know fun interesting things about something we love and cherish. Some of the basic things are: 39 books in the Old Testament / 27 in the New Testament, (929 chapters in the OT / 260 NT), (23,214 verses in the OT / 7,959 NT), depending upon your translation there are about: (593,493 words in the OT / 181,253 NT). And here's a fun noteworthy things: A recent survey by Barna Research Group revealed that nearly 92% of American households own at least one Bible. The longest word in the Bible is "Mahershalalhashbaz" (18 letters), found in Isaiah 8:1. A man who lived to be 969 years old can be found in Genesis 5:27. Do you also know that both the Old and New Testaments are entwined with scripture all leading up to Jesus? That is why it is so important when you do study your bible, that you spend time in both the Old and New Testaments. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

Throughout my 30 years of private personal bible study; many priests and fellow Christians have always said to me, and now I say to you: You can write in your bibles. I have many verses underlined, sections circled and dates at different points in my life. I have had to replace two bibles in the past 30 years, I am now officially on my third, though I own about four personally. They were replaced mostly from pages being so worn out, the covers were falling off and they were becoming so frail they were starting to fall apart. Our bibles need to be a place we can come to for wisdom and understanding of God, a place to more deeply know and love Jesus, a place to deepen our faith, a place to embrace hope in our eternity, etc. In my bible I have a blank page dedicated, where I write the names of all those people I pray for (ALL OF YOU). So when I say, I will pray for you, or I have you in my daily prayers. I really mean that. To me it makes the most sense to keep the names of all those I always think of close to the one person I cherish the most: Jesus.

Welcome to my world, here is a list. This list is a list of books I use when I spend two or three or four hours studying. Sometimes on my days off (I work nights), I will spend the entire evening researching and writing as I study scripture. See how simple my list is: My Bible NAB and I also have an NIV, The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (I have had this book for many years. Highly recommended to me by Fr. Mullally, it's a $100 book but it’s well worth the investment.), and The Catechism of the Catholic Church, is a very powerful teaching book/document. And I also use an on-line bible concordance, and I go to the library a lot and take out books that dig into all aspects of our Christianity. But please note that any secular books I use must have the "Imprimatur" in the front pages or I won't read them. The Imprimatur tells me that this writer is on the same page as me in my faith. A priest explained that to me way back in the early 1980's, Fr. Jeff Conway. Also take this advice: In the early years when Fr. Mullally was my Spiritual Director, back in the early 1990’s; I asked Father to allow me to see his collection of bible study books in his library. That knowledge has played a significant role in my bible study habits. My mind and heart are sort of that of a priest; back in the day I really wanted to be a priest. So now in my family life I try to have the study and prayer habits of one.

Bible study never has to be boring to anyone, it can be very exciting every single day.


Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

The Franciscan Crown Rosary

BEADS OF JOY 06-14-13
“Franciscan Crown Rosary”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

The Franciscan Crown Rosary
The Seven Joys of Mary

How to Pray The Franciscan Crown Rosary
1. Using beads for the Franciscan Crown (seven decades), announce the First Mystery and pray the Our Father on the single bead just before the medallion.

2. Pray one Hail Mary for each of the ten beads. (It seems most fitting to proceed around the beads in a clockwise direction.)

3. On the single bead between the decades, announce the next Mystery and then pray the Our Father. Continue as in Step 2 for the remaining Mysteries.

4. After the last Mystery, pray one Hail Mary each on the fourth and third beads from the Cross to complete 72 years of Mary’s Joy.

5. Pray the Our Father and the Glory to the Father (Gloria Patri) for the intention of the Holy Father on the 2nd bead from the Cross.

6. Pray a Hail Mary on the single bead closest to you.


CLICK HERE and FOLLOW THE VIDEO...
http://vimeo.com/28320312

The Seven Joys of Mary

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38 & Isaiah 7:10-14)
May I become your humble servant, Lord.

2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39–45, 56)
Grant us true love of neighbor, Lord

3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1–7 & Matthew 2:1-12)
Give us true poverty of spirit, Lord.

4. The Adoration by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–2, 9b–11)
Help me obey all just laws.

5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41–51)
May I never lose you through serious sin, Lord.

6. The Resurrection (Luke 24:1–8 & Mark 16:1-8)
May we share your glory, Lord.

7. The Assumption (Judith 13:18 and Revelation 12:1; 21:1-6 and John 11:17-27)
Mary, may we share your crown of eternal life.

According to Franciscan tradition the Seven Joys of Our Lady are recited throughout the year. However, in recent years, some substitute the Seven Sorrows of Mary during penitential seasons.

SEVEN SORROWS OF OUR LADY

First Sorrow: The prophecy of Simion. “When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicts that a "sword”(of sorrow) will pierce her soul. Luke 2: 25-35.

Second Sorrow: The flight into Egypt “When King Herod orders the death of all male children age two or younger, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with the infant Jesus.” Matt 2:13-15.

Third Sorrow: The Child Jesus Lost in the Temple “Mary and Joseph search for the child Jesus for three days, finding him at last in the temple.” Luke 2; 41-50.

 Fourth Sorrow: Mary meets Jesus carrying the cross “Mary shares Jesus' suffering as He carries the cross through the streets of Jerusalem.” Luke 23: 27-29.

Fifth Sorrow: Mary at the foot of the cross. “Mary witnesses the crucifixion and death of Jesus.” John 19: 25-30.

Sixth Sorrow: Mary receives the body of Jesus. “Jesus is taken down from the cross and his body is placed in Mary's arms.” Psalm 130.

Seventh Sorrow: Mary witnesses the burial of Jesus. “The body of Jesus is laid in the tomb and Mary awaits the Resurrection.” Luke 23: 50-56.

A Bit of History

The Franciscan Crown, or "Rosary of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary" -- also known as the "Seraphic Rosary" -- is a 7-decade Rosary that focuses on the 7 Joys of Mary. It's an ancient Franciscan sacramental that has its origins in A.D. 1422, when a young man, whose name is unknown to us, joined the Franciscan Order. He'd had the practice of crowning a statue of Mary with garlands of fresh flowers, but couldn't continue the practice during his novitiate. When he was tempted to leave the Order, he had a vision of Our Lady, who told him, "Do not be sad and cast down, my son, because you are no longer permitted to place wreaths of flowers on my statue. I will teach you to change this pious practice into one that will be far more pleasing to me and far more meritorious to your soul. In place of the flowers that soon wither and cannot always be found, you can weave for me a crown from the flowers of your prayers that will always remain fresh."
She then asked that the novice say one Our Father and 10 Hail Mary’s in honor of each of her Seven Joys -- the Annunciation; Visitation; Nativity; Adoration of the Magi; Finding Jesus in the Temple; Resurrection; and Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin.

The young friar began his prayers as instructed, and when he was deep in the middle of it, the novice master noticed him, and watched as an Angel wove a garland of fresh roses, inserting a golden lily after each tenth rose. When the novice's prayers were finished, the Angel crowned him with the garland.

The novice master asked if the novice knew anything about the vision he'd just seen, and after it was explained to him, he told the rest of his brothers what he'd seen. Thereafter, the practice of reciting what became known as the "Franciscan Crown" spread.

Seven decades of 10 Hail Mary’s equal 70 Hail Mary’s, but two Hail Mary’s were later added to make the total of the Hail Mary’s equal to seventy-two, the number of years that Our Lady is said to have lived on earth.

To pray the Franciscan Crown, one simply prays an Our Father, and then 10 Hail Mary’s, for each decade, in honor of each of the 7 Joys at each decade (meditation on those Joys isn't necessary). Then add two Hail Mary’s at the end. One may also add an Our Father, Hail Mary, and a Glory Be at the very end for the intentions of the Holy Father.

There are many variations of the Seraphic Rosary: some add the Apostles Creed, three Hail Mary’s, and an Our Father before beginning, as in the Dominican Rosary; some add Glory Be's to the Our Father in between the decades, etc.

I hope this will be helpful in your devotion. God Bless.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!


Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

MY FIRST BOOK. More to come…

https://www.amazon.com/Marys-Way-Cross-Rosary-Man-ebook/dp/B079TJZFQJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519240799&sr=8-1&keywords=rosary+man+jim

The Beatitudes - Matt. 5:1-12a

BEADS OF JOY 06-10-13
“Matthew 5:1-12a”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

Gospel: (Matthew 5:1-12a / The Beatitudes)

“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Reflection: My Friends,
Here’s how I will share a reflection about the “Beatitudes.” I am going straight to the Catechism of The Catholic Church (CCC) and these excerpts will explain them in a most dynamic, exciting, precise way. I hope this becomes a handy reference point for you to refer to how we are to understand the Beatitudes.

(1716) The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of heaven. (Cross-reference to 2546) Blessed are the poor in spirit. “The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace, of beauty and peace. Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to whom the Kingdom already belongs.”

(1717) The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.

(1718) The Beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness. This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart in order to draw man to the One who alone can fulfill it.

 (1719) The Beatitudes reveal the goal of human existence, the ultimate end of human acts: God calls us to his own beatitude. This vocation is addressed to each individual personally, but also to the Church as a whole, the new people made up of those who have accepted the promise and live from it in faith.

(1721) God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise. Beatitude makes us "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life. With beatitude, man enters into the glory of Christ and into the joy of the Trinitarian life.

(1722) Such beatitude surpasses the understanding and powers of man. It comes from an entirely free gift of God: whence it is called supernatural, as is the grace that disposes man to enter into the divine joy.

(1723) The beatitude we are promised confronts us with decisive moral choices. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God above all else. It teaches us that true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement - however beneficial it may be - such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love.

Pondering these thoughts today: The Joy of Heaven will far exceed any Joy found here on earth. The troubles and challenges and crosses we bear here, only better prepare us for the Joy of the life to come. Thomas Aquinas said it like this, “No one can live without joy. That is why a person deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures.” In this frame of thought, is where Poverty is much better understood. In Poverty we have nothing and we lean on Jesus fully -seeking the Joy that awaits us. Do you seek Jesus in such a way that your hunger and thirst for Him with all your heart? The Beatitudes have been misunderstood for centuries and made fun of recently in their true interpretation. The Beatitudes are really something only the Holy Spirit can help us understand. Worldly people, sadly haven’t a clue.


Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

Immaculate Heart of Mary

BEADS OF JOY 06-08-13
“Immaculate Heart of Mary”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

5^th Joyful Mystery
Gospel: (Luke 2:41-51 / Finding of Jesus in the Temple)

“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.”

Pray -1 Our Father -10 Hail Mary’s -Glory be… - Oh My Jesus…

Reflection: My Friends,

Roman Catholics liturgy celebrates the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a special formulary on the Saturday after the second Sunday after Pentecost. …So today we celebrate the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our gospel focus will be the fifth Joyful Mystery (The Finding of Jesus in the Temple). And the Fruit of this mystery is our Joy in Finding Jesus. This memorial helps us to understand in a biblical sense, the person who is the Virgin, her interior life and her love. She lived a rather unique life, her life was completely focused on living Gods Will, while staying focused on loving and nurturing Jesus her, God’s Son. Staying completely focused on Jesus is something I can relate to. Maybe this will make sense, draw a circle, and in the center of the circle write Jesus’ name; outside that circle write everything else in your life, all around the circle. Now looking at this circle you see the center; everything outside this circle must somehow connect to the center, and the center must come first in those thoughts. Jesus first, Mary most certainly lived a life even more focused than that.

REFLECTION: Have you ever lost someone very close to you? Either in the midst of traveling or at an event or an amusement park; or has anyone close to you ever pass away unexpectedly. When this happens we tend to fell anxious and hopeless, feeling like there is nothing we can do to fix it, at least nothing we can fix instantly. If it’s a lost child, friend, spouse; we frantically look and yell their name, constantly and everywhere we possibly think they may be. Can you image how frantic Mary and Joseph were, when they were looking for Jesus?

Jesus knew His calling, His purpose, He had to get to His Father’s house and begin the work His Father sent Him to do. Let us take the time to consider, do we know and can we recognize God’s calling in our life? Consider making your own circle and putting Jesus in the center, and live your life keeping Him there.

Excerpt from a blog I wrote about The Joyful Mysteries:
http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-joyful-mysteries.html
  The Fifth Joyful Mystery is The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. We must seek Him out, and do His will. Even if while we do so, it takes us out of the circle of security and familiar surroundings. Sometimes in order for us to do God's will we must “Leave everything to find Him.” The Joyful Mysteries are indeed most Joyous. I pray that you can find that "sweet spot" in your life that in your service and obedience to God you are blessed with an immeasurable amount of joy. Nothing in this world can give us the same abundant joy that is found in God, His word, or His Rosary. Embrace the rosary, allow that chain and those tiny beads to draw you ever so much closer to Jesus.

 

 

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

  

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

BEADS OF JOY 06-07-13
“The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

Gospel: (Luke 15:3-7 / The Parable of the Lost Sheep)

“So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

“There is in the Sacred Heart the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return.” ~Pope Leo XIII

My Friends,

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a moveable feast, which means that it depends on the date of Easter Sunday. It is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday, which falls on the 50th day of Easter. So therefore the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus falls on June 7, 2013, today.

The heart has always been seen as and known as the “center” or essence a person ("the heart of the matter," "you are my heart," "take it to heart," etc.) and the wellspring of our emotional lives and love ("you break my heart," "my heart sings," etc.) Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is devotion to Jesus Christ Himself, but in the particular ways of meditating on his interior life and on His threefold love -- His divine love, His burning love that fed His human will, and His sensible love that affects His interior life. Pope Pius XII of blessed memory writes on this topic in his 1956 encyclical, Haurietis Aquas (On Devotion to the Sacred Heart).Below are a few excerpts which help explain the devotion: 

54. ...the Heart of the Incarnate Word is deservedly and rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that threefold love with which the divine Redeemer unceasingly loves His eternal Father and all mankind.

55. It is a symbol of that divine love which He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit but which He, the Word made flesh, alone manifests through a weak and perishable body, since "in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

56. It is, besides, the symbol of that burning love which, infused into His soul, enriches the human will of Christ and enlightens and governs its acts by the most perfect knowledge derived both from the beatific vision and that which is directly infused.

57. And finally -- and this in a more natural and direct way -- it is the symbol also of sensible love, since the body of Jesus Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, possesses full powers of feelings and perception, in fact, more so than any other human body.

58. Since, therefore, Sacred Scripture and the official teaching of the Catholic faith instruct us that all things find their complete harmony and order in the most holy soul of Jesus Christ, and that He has manifestly directed His threefold love for the securing of our redemption, it unquestionably follows that we can contemplate and honor the Heart of the divine Redeemer as a symbolic image of His love and a witness of our redemption and, at the same time, as a sort of mystical ladder by which we mount to the embrace of "God our Savior."

59. Hence His words, actions, commands, miracles, and especially those works which manifest more clearly His love for us -- such as the divine institution of the Eucharist, His most bitter sufferings and death, the loving gift of His holy Mother to us, the founding of the Church for us, and finally, the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and upon us -- all these, We say, ought to be looked upon as proofs of His threefold love.

60. Likewise we ought to meditate most lovingly on the beating of His Sacred Heart by which He seemed, as it were, to measure the time of His sojourn on earth until that final moment when, as the Evangelists testify, "crying out with a loud voice 'It is finished.', and bowing His Head, He yielded up the ghost. “Then it was that His heart ceased to beat and His sensible love was interrupted until the time when, triumphing over death, He rose from the tomb.

61. But after His glorified body had been re-united to the soul of the divine Redeemer, conqueror of death, His most Sacred Heart never ceased, and never will cease, to beat with calm and imperturbable pulsations. Likewise, it will never cease to symbolize the threefold love with which He is bound to His heavenly Father and the entire human race, of which He has every claim to be the mystical Head.

Daily Prayer to the Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart of our Savior, please bless us as the new day dawns. May we grow today in Your friendship, in helpfulness to others, in gratitude for Your benefits beyond number. May Christly love fill our hearts, guard our thoughts, and inspire our actions. Jesus, we believe in Your love for us. We trust in You and want to remain forever in the safe haven of Your loving Heart. Amen.

Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, what ineffable power thy divine Son hath given thee over His own adorable Heart. Filled with confidence in they merits, we come before thee and implore thy protection. O Heavenly Treasurer of the Heart of Jesus, that Heart which is the inexhaustible sourc of all graces, which thou mayest open to us at thy good pleasure, in order that from it may flow forth upon mankind the riches of love and mercy, light and salvation, that are contained therein; grant unto us, we beseech thee, the favors which we seek (name your intentions here). We can never, never be refused by thee, and since thou art our Mother, O Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, graciously receive our prayers and grant our request. Amen.


Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

The Greatest Commandment

BEADS OF JOY 06-06-13
“Mark 12:28-34”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

Gospel: (Mark 12:28-34 / The Greatest Commandment)

“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question.”


Reflection: My Friends,
I'm not sure what part of this scripture you like, but my favorite part is, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" That just says it all and it essence sums up the reality of how we should be spending our lives. A love like this is really beyond human understanding to some degree. We need to be "consumed" by our thoughts of Jesus, never seeking our own. Let us seriously use this Lenten Season to toughen up and be more loyal and devoted to Jesus; like never before.

Questions To Reflect Upon:
-Is Jesus really first in your life?
-And are your neighbors (others) really second?
-Why must we love God, why do think so?
-Do you spend time every day, keeping God first?
(Commit to sometime before the Eucharist,
today is First Friday and tomorrow is First Saturday)
Eucharistic Adoration, one day a month to start.

Pondering these thoughts today:

With all your heart: Love Jesus more than anyone else in a way like no one else. He deserves every piece of love you can give Him. He died for each of us, to save us. He paid for all our sin in full.

With all your soul: Allow your soul (the Holy Spirit) to seek Him out. Fully embracing Him. There is a part inside each of us that is specifically made for Him, Allow Him to consume you.

With all your mind: 24/7/365, I know that may sound over the top, but personally I love it. Do not let a day or en event, or anything go by, without having God, our Lord on your mind.

With all your strength: Never allow anyone to sway you away from God, BE BOLD!!!! That says it all, stop backing off, don't be scared. Let's follow Jesus' lead and boldly proclaim the Father.


Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

Power in Embracing The Cross

BEADS OF JOY 06-05-13
“The Power in: Embracing The Cross”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

How can anyone be expected to show love for us when we constantly reject them and spit in their face? Yes that was a hard sentence to begin this with, but truthful to the heart when you think about it. Jesus died for us, He took on every single sin, every single burden, including a humiliating painful death; and He took it from us, so that through Him we might attain eternal life. My friends, Jesus Christ LOVES us so much. The power that is in that cross is beyond the power of anything, and everyone in this entire world. Almighty God has placed His only Son on a cross to save us, why would anybody do that? It's because He loves us so much. God who is love, who is life, who creates life, who has made male and female in His own image; took His only Son and had Him beaten almost to death, then humiliated and spit upon in order to save all of us from our death; so that we can be with Him for all eternity. It is through Jesus' death on that cross that we can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. We must do all we can in this life to make sure to the best of our ability, that we indeed spend eternity with Him. A huge price has been paid for our salvation. A man, a man of God was put in our place, to die for us.

The world we live in will deceive us, it will mislead us; it will do all it can make sure that we do not spend eternity in Heaven. We must love Jesus before we can love or even forgive anyone else in our lives. This life was never meant to be lived so freely, so safe that getting to Heaven would be such a breeze. On the contrary, satan has been given power of the earth and he has become a master of deceit and destruction. He will make us not believe things that we question. Think of satan as a parasite. Yes a parasite, very small, very unnoticed, yet very destructive over time. Little by little we have doubts, we have questions, we're not sure, life seems like it's going to go one forever. We can always ask for forgiveness, we're not hurting anybody, and we can go on and on. Time to remove the parasites, the poison, the lies; and it's time to stay true to God. It's not going to be easy, we will suffer with Jesus and we will at times feel uncomfortable. But in time and with God's grace we will prevail and we will defeat all that is evil while we are here.

We need to know that our addicts are the devil's greatest weapon against us, along with our attitude that we carry with them. Many people think, myself included, "I'm not hurting anybody, and besides it's not a public thing, I'm home." Meanwhile our lives, our souls, our hearts, and our families are being destroyed from within. Seeds of lies and deceit are filling us with all the acceptable reasons and excuses we give ourselves so that we can continue sinning. Yesterday's gospel is part of todays. How can we be reborn when we are old? How is that possible? How can we change? How can we be any different than the person we have always been? How Lord ??!!! What must I do to inherit eternal life? If I am to be reborn, what should be my first step, how do I know I am reborn in the spirit? My heart and soul scream up to Heaven in a crying, sobbing voice, begging Jesus to guide me, to show me, to almost carry me. I can't do this alone, I am so weak, and my weakness comes from my inability to stop my addiction. Satan has me in a strangle hold and he keeps stabbing and jabbing my heart with his anger towards God. Please Lord, help me break free from this bondage, help me never be squeezed in the hands of satan ever again.

It is only by your love for me Lord that I can break free from this pain. It is only by your death, a horrible, painful, humiliating death on a cross that I will be set free from the strong hold of such an evil being as satan. It is only by my love given back to you and telling and showing others how much I love you. It is only by my humiliation on my knees before the cross begging for your forgiveness of the horrible pain I have inflicted upon you with my sins. I must die to my old self, I must never return to that old wretched miserable, sinful person, I once was. I must turn away and never return to the vomit of my life. Jesus you alone, no one else must remain my only central focus, nothing can or should ever come before you. We all know that life doesn't always make sense. Each day we experience, pain, suffering, joy, loneliness, happiness, no understanding as to why. Then we look around and we see Jesus and in many ways it all makes sense. We must look at Him first, then everything else makes sense. There is so much power in the cross. Don't be afraid to embrace your cross.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
Come PRAY THE ROSARY with us every evening Monday through Friday 9pm EST with our 
"Our Lady's Rosary Text Vigil Group"…

Invitations posted daily… and throughout the evening…
https://www.facebook.com/RosaryManJim

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS


I also invite you to follow me on Twitter and Pinterest: 
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

http://www.pinterest.com/rosarymanjim/

The Body and Blood of Christ

BEADS OF JOY 06-02-13
“His Most Holy Body and Blood”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Gospel: (Luke 9:11b-17 / All Ate and Were Satisfied)

“When the crowds learned it, they followed him; and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place." But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish -- unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.” And they did so, and made them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces.”

Pray -1 Our Father -10 Hail Mary’s -Glory be… - Oh My Jesus…

Reflection: My Friends,

This miracle is great –in that it is evident in what it represents. Jesus is the Bread of Life in a world that is perishing and seeking fulfillment and the hunger pangs of many continue. His body and His blood must be passed around to one another for all to share, for all to eat. In what Jesus has to offer to us, it is more than sufficient to fulfill all our needs. Jesus is the true bread that came down from Heaven; and only His love can satisfy that hunger. We all have that place inside of us. I can’t describe it, or show it to you on an x-ray; but you do know what I am talking about. Well that place inside us for Him alone, nothing else, nor no one else can ever fulfill that place, many try with worldly things, but in the end, they are still empty.

Can you imagine the enthusiasm of a hungry crowd, when the full baskets of food begun to be passed around? How about the young man who offered up what little he had? Isn’t so amazing how his generosity and kindness to help feed everyone turned into a feast for 5,000.  

“If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven.” ~St. Jerome

“What you see is the bread and the chalice; that is what your own eyes report to you. But what your faith obliges you to accept is that the bread is the Body of Christ and the chalice the Blood of Christ. ... How is the bread His Body? And the chalice, or what is in the chalice, how is it His Blood? Those elements, brethren, are called Sacraments, because in them one thing is seen, but another is understood. What is seen is the corporeal species, but what is understood is the spiritual fruit. ... `You, however, are the Body of Christ and His members.' If, therefore, you are the Body of Christ and His members, your mystery is presented at the table of the Lord, you receive your mystery. To that which you are, you answer: `Amen'; and by answering, you subscribe to it. For you hear: `The Body of Christ!' and you answer: `Amen!' Be a member of Christ's Body, so that your `Amen' may be the truth.” ~St. Augustine, Sermons [272] A.D. 391-430

Pondering these thoughts today: The feeding of the 5,000, a most incredible reading to share, and using it as an example, to explain The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Look at it this way; in this miracle Jesus feed thousands with an abundance that not only fed 5,000 but also the women and the children and then also we can’t forget the left over baskets. At Mass, just like at the Last Supper, bread is broken and wine is poured; and just like here in this miracle Jesus lifted the bread and fish and offered them. At the Last Supper (Matthew 26:28) Jesus described the purpose of His sacrifice, “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” This meal was almost like a pre-sharing of what would happen after His death. Do you hunger for Jesus? Do you go to Mass often to be with Him? Do you prioritize your life around The Body and Blood of our Lord? So much to think about, so much to consider.

 

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim

Marian Feast Days of June

BEADS OF JOY 06-01-13
“Marian Feast Days of June”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

Marian Feast Days of June

1. Our Lady of the Star, Aquileia, Italy (15th Century)

2. Our Lady of Edessa, Asia Minor, in honor of the statue that spoke to St. Alexis (400)

3. Our Lady of Sasopoli, Italy (14th Century)

4. Our Lady of the Hill, Lombardy, Italy (4th Century)

5. Our Lady of Haut, Hainault, France (1428)

6. Institution of the Nuns of the Visitation of Our Lady, by St. Francis de Sales (1610)

7. Our Lady of Marienthal, Germany (13th Century)

8. Our Lady of Alexandria, Egypt (4th Century)

9. Our Lady of Mentorello, Italy/ Our Lady of Ligny, Loraine, France

10. Our Lady of Cranganor, India. The church was built by one of the Magi (52)

11. Our Lady of Esquernes, Flanders (1162)

12. Apparition of Our Lady to St. Herman, France (13th Century)

13. Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of Sichem, Belgium (1604)

14. Our Lady of Arras, France (371)

15. Foundation of Our Lady of the Feuillants, Toulouse, France (1145) /Our Lady of the Taper, England (12th Century)

16. Our Lady of Aix la Chapelle, Germany (804)

17. Our Lady of the Forest, Britanny, France (1419)

18. Appearance of Our Lady to St Agnes of Montepulciano, Italy

19. Our Lady of Monte Senario, Florence, Italy (1240)

20. Our Lady of Consolation, Luxemburg (1624)

21. Our Lady of Matarieh at Grand Cairo, Egypt

22. Our Lady of Narni, Italy (15th Century) spoke to Bl. Lucy

23. Our Lady Justinienne at Cathage (6th Century)

24. Our Lady of Clos Evrard, Trier, Germany (1449)

25. Divine Motherhood of Our Lady, declared at the Council of Ephesus in the year 431

26. Our Lady of Meliapore, East Indies (1542)

27. Our Lady of Perpetual Help (13th Century) /Our Lady of the Dorade, Toulouse, France

28. Institution of the Angelus of Our Lady, Europe, (1456)

29. Our Lady of Buglose, France (1634)

30. Our Lady of Calais, France (1347)

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
Come PRAY THE ROSARY with us every evening Monday through Friday 9pm EST with our
"Our Lady's Rosary Text Vigil Group"…
Invitations posted daily… and throughout the evening…
https://www.facebook.com/RosaryManJim

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Rosarymanjim