Our Lady of Perpetual Help

BEADS OF JOY 06-27-17

“Our Lady of Perpetual Help”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional:  Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The name of Our Lady of Perpetual Help derives from one of the most famous of all pictures of Mary, an icon of the fourteenth century painted on walnut wood perhaps in Crete; from where it was thought to have been stolen by an Italian merchant and brought to Rome.

It was venerated, famous for miracles in the Roman Church of Saint Matthew, in charge of the Irish Augustinians for a century, when the church was destroyed by fire. The picture was saved, however, and in 1866 it was set up in the Redemptorist Church of Saint Alphonsus, on the site of Saint Matthew’s. In the following year, it was crowned. Since then numberless copies and reproductions of the icons have gone all over the world, some of them themselves wonder-working.

Two angels in the picture, Michael and Gabriel, are showing the instruments of the passion to the Child, who clings to the Mother’s hand, shaking loose a sandal. The Mother reassuringly holds tightly to the Child’s hand.

One cannot look at the picture without being struck by the anxious, pained expression on the face of Our Blessed Mother. On the child’s face is seen the same shrinking fear He had during His agony in the garden – a shrinking fear not incompatible with a perfect resignation to God’s will. And in His fear, He turns to His Mother for help.

What does the loosened sandal mean? All babies manage to kick off their shoes, and the Christ child was a perfectly human baby. There is a meaning in his act, however, for His is more than just a human baby. If it were not for this loosened sandal, the picture would not be a complete one. In the Old Law, the putting off of the shoe meant (1) the yielding of one’s right to another, (2) the wish to be treated as a servant or a captive, (3) readiness for reproach or infamy.

As the Child looks at the frightening instruments, and clings to His Mother’s hand, the little shoe slips from His baby foot and He says His Fiat – “Not my will but Thine be done.” We may even imagine the two archangels going back to heaven and being asked, “What did He say?” – and their reply would be something like this: “He was very frightened and clung to His Mother, but He took of His little shoe.”

*from The Woman in Orbit

Prayer To:
Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Behold, O Mother of Perpetual Help, at thy feet a wretched sinner, who has recourse to thee and trusts in thee. O Mother of mercy, have pity on me; I hear all men call thee the refuge and hope of sinners: be therefore my refuge and my hope. Help me for the love of Jesus Christ: hold out thy hand to a fallen wretch, who commends himself to thee and dedicates himself to be thy servant forever. I praise and thank God, who of His great mercy hath given me this confidence in thee, a sure pledge of my eternal salvation. Alas, it is only too true that in the past I have fallen miserably, because I did not come to thee. I know that with thy help I shall conquer; I know that thou wilt help me, if I commend myself to thee; but I am fearful lest in the occasions of sin I shall forget to call upon thee and so I shall be lost. This grace, then, do I ask of thee; for this I implore thee, as much as I can and know how to do; namely, that in the assaults of hell I may ever run to thy protection and may say to thee: Mary, help me; Mother of Perpetual Help, permit me not to lose my God.

Hail Mary

O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant me ever to be able to call upon thy powerful name, since thy name is the help of the living and the salvation of the dying. Ah, Mary most pure, Mary most sweet, grant that thy name from this day forth may be to me the very breath of life. Dear Lady, delay not to come to my assistance whenever I call upon thee; for in all the temptations that assail me, in all the necessities that befall me, I will never leave off calling upon thee, ever repeating: Mary, Mary. What comfort, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness fills my soul at the sound of thy name, at the very thought of thee! I give thanks to our Lord, who for my sake hath given thee a name so sweet, so lovable, so mighty. But I am not content merely to speak thy name; I would utter it for very love of thee; it is my desire that love should ever remind me to name thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.

Hail Mary

O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of every grace that God grants us in our misery; it is for this cause that He hath made thee so powerful, so rich, so kind, that thou mightest assist us in our miseries. Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners, if they but come unto thee; come once more to my assistance, for I commend myself to thee. In thy hands, I place my eternal salvation; to thee I entrust my soul. Enroll me among thy most faithful servants; take me under thy protection and it is enough for me: yes, for if thou protect me, I shall fear nothing; not my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me their pardon and remission; not the evil spirits, for thou art mightier than all the powers of hell; not even Jesus, my Judge, for He is appeased by a single prayer from thee. I fear only that through my own negligence I may forget to recommend myself to thee and so I shall be lost. My dear Lady, obtain for me the forgiveness of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance and the grace to have recourse to thee at all times, O Mother of Perpetual Help.

Hail Mary

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1^. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2^. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3^. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4^. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5^. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…

Rosary Man Jim’s Sorrowful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sorrowful-mysteries_11.html

Divine Motherhood of Mary

BEADS OF JOY 06-25-17

“Divine Motherhood of Mary”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional: Divine Motherhood of Mary
At the council of Ephesus in 431, they declared that the Blessed Virgin must be called Mother of God. Archbishop Cyril stated, “The Word was made flesh” can mean nothing else but that he partook of flesh and blood like to us; he made our body his own, and came forth man from a woman, not casting off his existence as God, or his generation of God the Father, but even in taking to himself flesh remaining what he was. This the declaration of the correct faith proclaims everywhere. This was the sentiment of the holy Fathers; therefore they ventured to call the holy Virgin the Mother of God, not as if the nature of the Word or his divinity had its beginning from the holy Virgin, but because of her was born that holy body with a rational soul, to which the Word being personally united is said to be born according to the flesh.”

The title of Mother of God with which the Catholic Church honors Mary, is not only the source of incomparable greatness in her, it is also a potent means to ground us firmly in the possession of the true Faith, and to bring us to a more perfect knowledge of God.

The Divine Maternity is the starting point of the work of salvation. In believing Mary to be the Mother of God, we believe also that the Word was made Flesh.

A faithful Christian cannot do better than follow the example given us by the Church, which never tires of proclaiming the truth of the Divine Motherhood of Mary to the universe at large. She does this by erecting shrines and churches in Mary’s honor, by the establishment of sodalities consecrated to her, by the approval of religious orders devoted to her service, and by the institution of practices of piety in her honor.

To Mary we can apply the words addressed to Judith of old: “Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the Most High God, above all women upon the earth.”

*from The Woman in Orbit and other sources of my studies.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Sunday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. The Assumption of Our Lady
(Grace of a Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!

Rosary Man Jim's Glorious Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-glorious-mysteries.html

Our Lady of The Rosary

BEADS OF JOY 06-23-17

“Our Lady of The Rosary”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional: Our Lady of The Rosary

It was in the year 1214 that the Rosary took its present form; in accord to the way we pray the Rosary today. The Virgin Mary gave St. Dominic the Rosary as a means to convert the Albigensians and other sinners.

“At this point, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, accompanied by three Angels of heaven, and she said: “My dear Dominic, do you know which weapon the Blessed Trinity has used to reform the world?” “My Lady,” replied St. Dominic, “you know better than I because next to your Son Jesus Christ you were the chief instrument of our salvation.” Our Lady added: “I want you to know that the principal means has been the Angelic Psalter, which is the foundation of the New Testament. That is why, if you want to win these hardened hearts for God, preach my Psalter.” The Saint arose, comforted. Filled” ~St. Louis de Montfort

Then our Lady said, "I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the principal weapon has always been the Angelic Psalter, which is the foundation-stone of the New Testament. Therefore, if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter."

St Dominic was inspired by the Holy Spirit, instructed by the Blessed Virgin as well as by his own experiences. St. Dominic preached the Holy Rosary for the rest of his life (a truly blessed man). He preached it by his example to people of high standard and low, before the educated and the uneducated, to Catholics and unbelievers, all over the country. St. Dominic lived a life I so try to emulate in so many ways, the more I share the Rosary my whole life. The Rosary, which he prayed every day, was his preparation for every sermon.

Ever since Blessed Alan de la Roche re-established this blessed devotion, the voice of the people, which is the voice of God, gave it the name of The Rosary, which means "crown of roses." That is to say, that every time people say The Rosary devoutly, they place on the heads of Jesus and Mary 153 white roses and sixteen red roses. Being heavenly flowers, these roses will never fade or lose their beauty. Our Lady has approved and confirmed this name of The Rosary; she has revealed to several people that each time they say a Hail Mary they are giving her a beautiful rose, and that each complete Rosary makes her a Crown of Roses.

“When you say your Rosary, the angels rejoice, the Blessed Trinity delights in it, my Son finds joy in it too, and I myself am happier than you can possibly guess. After the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there is nothing in the Church that I love as much as the Rosary.” ~Our Lady to Blessed Alan de la Roche

“To say the Holy Rosary to advantage one must be in a state of grace or at the very least be fully determined to give up mortal sin.” ~St. Louis de Montfort

“All the gifts, virtues and graces of the Holy Ghost are distributed by Mary, to whom she wishes, when she wishes, the way wishes and as much as she wishes.” ~St. Louis de Montfort

"If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins 'you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.' Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if-- and mark well what I say-- if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins." ~St. Louis de Montfort

I think you may enjoy this link:
Treatise On True Devotion 
To The Blessed Virgin
By: St. Louis de Montfort
https://www.ewtn.com/library/Montfort/TRUEDEVO.HTM

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Friday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1^. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2^. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3^. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4^. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5^. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…

Rosary Man Jim’s Sorrowful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sorrowful-mysteries_11.html

FRIDAY’S
I share this meditation I wrote back in 2010. Here I share my own personal insight and experience, as I journey with our Lady from station to station.

Many Franciscan groups around the world use this for their own group gathering while they meditate the Stations with our Lady. http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2010/03/marys-way-of-cross.html It is unique and emotionally very moving as you move from station to station… From my heart to yours.

Our Lady of Consolation

BEADS OF JOY 06-20-17

“Our Lady of Consolation”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional: Our Lady of Consolation

The story of Our Lady of Consolation is really one of amazement and one of deep faith. The year was 1034, Robert the Magnificent was sailing from England, he was the Duke of Normandy at the time. He was in a very bad, violent storm at sea. As he prayed for safety, he promised to build 3 chapels devoted to the Blessed Virgin. Once the storm ended, he returned home and began to fulfill his promise to our Lady.

One of the chapels were built near his castle, he dedicated that one to Our Lady of Mercy. Then he built the second one near Caen, he called that one Notre-Dame de la Deliverance. Then the third chapel was built on a plateau overlooking Honfluer, he named that one Notre Dame de Grace. 

A Prayer for Patience
Blessed Mary, Mother of Consolation, pray with me for the virtue of patience. There are so many times when my lack of patience keeps me from becoming the kind of person God wants me to be.

Guide my thoughts to you and the example we have in your own life. Help me to become patient, as you were patient. Through your guidance, may I become more accepting of others around me. Assist me to welcome difficult times with a patient heart.

May I be patient, Mary, as was your beloved husband, Joseph. His quiet acceptance of the will of Our Loving Father should be an example for me always. His patience was most wonderful in the eyes of God.

Pray for me, dear Mother of God, that I will allow the Father to come into my heart and help me grow in patience. Amen.


PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION

O God, who through the Virgin Mary has willed to give to your people the true consolation, Jesus Christ; grant to us who venerate her, under the title of Our Lady of Consolation, the grace to co-operate with her in the work of Redemption, we ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

Rosary of Our Lady of Consolation

This rosary consists of 13 beads with a medal of St. Augustine. On each bead, you say an Our Father and a Hail Mary, then at the end of these you say the Hail Holy Queen. The 12 Our Fathers and Hail Mary’s are said in remembrance of the 12 Apostles. The other Our Father and Hail Mary are said in remembrance of Our Lord, King of the Apostles. While reciting these prayers you should also be praying for the safety of our Holy Father, the Pope, and for the welfare of our Church.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1^. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2^. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3^. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4^. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5^. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…

Rosary Man Jim’s Sorrowful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sorrowful-mysteries_11.html

Our Lady of Monte Senario

BEADS OF JOY 06-19-17

“Our Lady of Monte Senario”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional: Our Lady of Monte Senario

It is in 1233 in the city of Florence, Italy that a group of men (who became Hermits) retired from the world to live a life of prayer and devotion, fully focusing on our Lady; they began a group called the Seven Holy Founders. It was in 1240 that Our Lady of Monte Senario presented them with the habit of their new order. An angel stood nearby and read the scroll:

“You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings.”

From that day forth, they have been called the Order of Servants of Mary. They take special honor in The Seven Sorrows of Mary. The names of the Seven Holy Founders are Saint Alexis Falconieri, Saint Bartholomew degli Amidei, Saint Benedict dell’Antella, Saint Buonfiglio Monaldi, Saint Gherardino Sostegni, Saint Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni, and Saint John Buonagiunta Monetti.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)

2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)

3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43-45)

4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Via Dolorosa)

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25)

6. The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross (Matthew 27:57-59)

7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40-42)

It is a common for Catholics to pray one Our Father and seven Hail Mary’s for each.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Monday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind & Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Monday mornings, because every morning begins with the Rosary.

Rosary Man Jim’s Joyful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-joyful-mysteries_10.html

Feast of Corpus Christi

BEADS OF JOY 06-18-17

“Feast of Corpus Christi”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: John 6:51-58 (Body & Blood of Christ)

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So, Jesus said to them, ", truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever."

Reflection:
Today we shall focus on the magnificence of the Eucharist. It is not a mere representation of Jesus, on the contrary; the bread and wine becomes Jesus. Jesus clearly says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." So, at every single time you go to Mass, a miracle is witnessed. This is why, we must go to Mass as often as we possibly can. Not only to witness the Mass and be there; but more importantly to be in God’s presence.

I Am The Bread Of Life - I Will Raise Him Up

“In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood.” ~St. Francis of Assisi

“Christ held Himself in His hands when He gave His Body to His disciples saying: 'This is My Body.' No one partakes of this Flesh before he has adored it.” ~St. Augustine of Hippo

“O Lord, we cannot go to the pool of Siloe to which you sent the blind man. But we have the chalice of Your Precious Blood, filled with life and light. The purer we are, the more we receive.” ~St. Ephraem

“I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ ...; I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love.” ~St. Ignatius of Antioch

“How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment.” ~St.  John Chrysostom

“He remains among us until the end of the world. He dwells on so many altars, though so often offended and profaned.” ~St. Maximilian Kolbe

“He is The Bread sown in the virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in His Passion, baked in the furnace of the Sepulcher, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies Heavenly Food to the faithful.” ~St. Peter Chrysologus

“My Jesus! What a lovable contrivance this holy Sacrament was - that You would hide under the appearance of bread to make Yourself loved and to be available for a visit by anyone who desires You!” ~St. Alphonsus Ligouri

“Jesus has prepared not just one Host, but one for every day of our life. The Hosts for us are ready. Let us not forfeit even one of them.” ~St. Peter Julian Eymard

“The devotion to the Eucharist is the most noble because it has God as its object; it is the most profitable for salvation, because It gives us the Author of Grace; it is the sweetest, because the Lord is Sweetness Itself.” ~St. Pius X

“Our Redeemer ever present in the most Blessed Sacrament, extends His hands to everyone. He opens His heart and says, 'Come to Me, all of you.” ~St. Raphael Kalinowski

“Put your sins in the chalice for the precious blood to wash away. One drop is capable of washing away the sins of the world. "The Eucharist is connected with the Passion. If Jesus had not established the Eucharist we would have forgotten the crucifixion. It would have faded into the past and we would have forgotten that Jesus loved us. There is a saying that to be far away from the eyes is to be far away from the heart. To make sure that we do not forget, Jesus gave us the Eucharist as a memorial of his love.” ~St. Teresa of Calcutta

Pondering these thoughts today: I have a deep passion and respect for the Eucharist, in a little ministry of my own, with how I receive. Maybe, just maybe this might interest you. Whenever I receive I don’t eat anything before I receive, at all. No matter when it is. Do you follow me? If I am going to 5:00pm Saturday night Mass I won’t eat all day, the ONLY thing that will touch my tongue will be the Holy Eucharist. Obviously the same goes with all Sunday Masses. That’s just me. If I know what Mass I am going to, I refrain from eating till after Mass. Jesus first always! I have been doing this for many many years.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Sunday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. The Assumption of Our Lady
(Grace of a Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!

Rosary Man Jim's Glorious Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-glorious-mysteries.html

Joy of The Holy Mass

BEADS OF JOY 06-17-17

“Joy of The Holy Mass”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional Focus:

Today I am thinking about the joy and the blessings of the Holy Mass. I can’t fully explain how truly happy and excited I get; it’s just the thought of being able to be at Mass, that sends my heart in a flutter. I know it has everything to do with the fact, that I will be receiving Jesus in the Eucharist and that brings so much Joy into my heart. That is why I try my best, when I can, to go to daily Mass as often as I can. If I had a car in my driveway every day I would be at Mass every single morning like I use to.

Today I have listed many of the prayers we pray at Mass. I love to read them and pray them outside of Mass, they are so beautiful. There is something so captivating and angelic that each word and phrase in those prayers have that just tug on my heart. I get so excited and so wound up when I think about Jesus and the Holy Mass and how present He is when I am there.

Here are a few quotes that may also stir your heart:

“The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross.” ~St. Thomas Aquinas

“For each Mass we hear with devotion, Our Lord sends a saint to comfort us at death.” ~Revelation from Christ to St. Gertrude

“It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.” ~St. Padre Pio

“A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.” ~St. Anslem

“There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.” ~St. John Vianney

"All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man." ~St. John Vianney

"The bread that you see on the altar is the Body of Christ as soon as it is sanctified by God's word. The chalice, or better what is contained in the chalice, is the Blood of Christ as soon as it is sanctified by God's word," ~St. Augustine

Penitential Act
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
  [bow during the next two lines:]
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Sanctus

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Mystery of Faith
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those

who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Fraction of The Bread

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Saturday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind & Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Saturday mornings, because Saturday like every other day of the week -begins with the Rosary.

Rosary Man Jim’s Joyful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-joyful-mysteries_10.html

Rosary For The Faithful

BEADS OF JOY 06-15-17

“Rosary For The Faithful”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional:
Some people agree with the Luminous Mysteries and some people don’t. I say, “to each is his/her own”, I do not mean that disrespectfully. If you want to pray, you will pray. The Luminous Mysteries are all 100% from the Gospels, all 100% about Jesus, all 100% perfectly fit into the Rosary; to make our Rosary complete, highlighting Jesus’ life.

Here, let me take you far off the grid of “The Rosary” and show you how much I love to pray, “Rosary in Style” as I pray privately. I have prayed a complete decade for the following Old Testament scriptures, and I still do. I will only give you two examples. But I have prayed scriptures and events from the Old Testament in decade form for many decades myself in my own private prayer life.

I love the prayer structure of the Rosary and I love having Our Lady involved in my prayers. Please note that all my Old Testament scripture that I pray like this are all, Messianic Prophesies Fulfilled by Jesus. There are dozens of them! I will share that in another blog.

Isaiah 7:10-17 (Isaiah Gives Ahaz the Sign of Immanuel)
“Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask, a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.”

Zechariah 12:10-14 (Mourning For The Pierced One)

“And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. On that day, the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land shall mourn, each family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.”

Let us begin to now pray the Luminous Mysteries. Today I thought focusing on those of us… -who are faithful -who want to be faithful -who desire to be faithful and all who try so hard to be faithful, would enjoy this enlightening devotional.

The Luminous Mysteries For The Faithful

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Openness To The Holy Spirit)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how your heart was so full of joy and love; knowing that your Son was going to be baptized. You have continually listened to God and now Jesus is following God’s Will and purpose in His life. All of this is so exciting, I can’t contain the joy; because now, together you are both working towards God’s Plan. And best of all, you both have the Holy Spirit within you, guiding you along the way. I love you both so much.

I ask Lord,
Please guide me, show me, lead me, I am so hungry and I am so open to the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit. My heart aches, whenever I am not fully focused on You Lord. There are so many distractions in this life, that have no purpose to my life. I want so much, to be more focused on Your Will in my life; please send me the Holy Spirit in such a way, that my eyes remain open and fully focused on You without excuse or distraction. Thank you, Jesus.

2. Wedding Feast of Cana (To Jesus Through Mary)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how blessed it must have been to have attended a wedding feast with your Son. Truly, a most joyous occasion where family and friends gather; to share in the love of a most special couple that everyone loves and cares about. You knew before anyone it was Jesus’ time! You knew before anyone that Jesus was the one to keep the joy in this wedding feast! Through you Mother, Jesus comes to us always.

I ask Lord,
That I always keep my eyes fully focused on You and an open ear to what Your Mother says. For she always directs me to You. She knows that God’s Will in her life, was to bring You to us and to always continue to bring us to You. The Rosary fills my heart with so much joy I can’t explain it or contain it. Every time I pray on these special beads of joy I hear her telling me, “Do whatever He tells you!” and my heart skips a beat and my faith gets so much stronger. Thank you, Lord, for your Mother. She is such a refreshing joy. Amen.

3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Repentance and Trust in God)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how exciting it must be to see God’s Will coming together before your eyes. Jesus, your Son, the Son of God is now drawing others to Himself so that through repentance and believing in God the Father, you will be saved. For the Kingdom of God is near! Your Son has begun to Evangelize and that is so exciting, I can’t contain this excitement. Just seeing and knowing Jesus Himself reached out personally like that is incredible, my heart is overflowing with joy. Oh Mother, I can only image the joy that was filing your heart.

I ask Lord,
As I continue to follow You and do all I can to keep my soul cleaner and purer in your sight; that You help me have a greater desire to repent more frequently. I know Lord, that on the day you return or the day I am called, either one is unknown to me; with that said Lord, I must do all I can to keep my soul clean and pure for You. I am not perfect, I am a sinner, but by Your grace and the sacrament of penance I can keep my soul clean as often as I possibly can. I want to be ready for You Lord, at all times, I love you so much.

4. The Transfiguration (Desire For Holiness)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how this news from Peter, James and John must have filled your heart with so much Joy. Another further confirmation of not only Jesus being the Son of God, but that God’s Will is moving forward and more and more people are beginning to see what you already knew. Mother, you are special to Jesus and you are so special to us. God chose you Mother, knowing how important the role a Mother is in the life of a child. Thank you, Mother, for taking such good care of my Lord. I love you so much Mother.

I ask Lord,
For something I have asked for, my entire spiritual journey; a deeper more serious spiritual life. Somehow, someway, help guide me to a place (prayer room in my house) that allows me to dig even deeper inside myself spiritually. But, I also want to be able to share this experience and love for You; so that through Your love for me and our Lady’s Rosary, I can help Evangelize the world for You Lord. I ask this and pray that it is in Your Will Lord, in my life, Amen.

5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Adoration)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and the many times you certainly broke bread with your Son. This joy must have rushed through your heart, every single time bread was broke before you, it must have been exhilarating. How wonderfully blessed, that even before Jesus shared the bread and wine with all of us; He shared it privately and personally with you. Oh Mother, you are truly blessed among women. For you knew from the day the angel Gabriel came to you, that Jesus was the Son of God.

I ask Lord,
That you fill my heart with an exhilarating, exciting, deep love, every single time I am at the Holy Mass. I love experiencing the breaking of the bread on your altar; the prayers during the Eucharistic celebration fill my heart with so much love, I feel this love overflowing. To me Lord, The Holy Eucharist is truly the center of my faith and my love for You Lord. Please Lord, instill in my heart a deeper desire to come to daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration as often as I possibly can. The more I am with You Lord, the more in love with You I am.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Openness To The Holy Spirit) -Matt 3:13-17
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (To Jesus Through Mary) -John 2:1-12
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Repentance and Trust in God) -Mark 1:15
4. The Transfiguration (Desire For Holiness) -Mark 9:2-13
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Adoration) -Matt 26:17-30

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!

Rosary Man Jim's Luminous Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-luminous-mysteries.html

Rosary For Engaged Couples

BEADS OF JOY 06-14-17

“Rosary For Engaged Couples”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Devotional:
Today, let us celebrate the joy and excitement and the love shared when a couple is engaged to be married. This is truly a special, wonderful, most blessed sacrament to be shared by a man and a woman. During this time of engagement, it is a time of preparation and overwhelming joy for them and their families. Just think, the sacrament of marriage awaits you and your lives will never ever be the same again.

As an engaged couple your life becomes a fresh new beginning of combining both of your lives as one. The planning! The dreaming! The excitement! Honestly, it all never really ends, even throughout your married life. There is a mutual sacrifice and devotion to another that is so beautiful. And keeping Christ in the center of your marriage will be the key component, that will keep your love for one another strong and everlasting. Begin now, during this time together to go to Mass together, to pray together, to Pray The Rosary together and be part of several ministries together. This is a great time to begin your spiritual journey together.

“When there is chastity in the love of married persons, their marital life is authentic; husband and wife are true to themselves, they understand each other and develop the union between them. When the divine gift of sex is perverted, their intimacy is destroyed, and they can no longer look openly at each other.” ~St. Josemaría Escrivá

As a married couple your life becomes a sacramental extension of your church in your community and the church as a whole, throughout the world. By God’s grace as a couple you will be able to serve others beyond your families and show your community that through your love for Jesus and each other; that you have a loving and lasting marriage that is both desirable and possible.

In 2014 Pope Francis addressed Engaged Couples Preparing For Marriage with this letter in response to a couple of questions that they asked him: https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2014/february/documents/papa-francesco_20140214_incontro-fidanzati.html

“Human love is a wonderful adventure. What I will tell you is: love each other, talk and listen to each other, get to know each other, respect each other, as though each of you is a treasure that belongs to the other. Don’t forget that God our Lord is with you, that he sees and hears you. Our Lord will bless your marriage, and will fill it with radiance and happiness. And it will be a love that will go all the way to Heaven.” ~St. Josemaría Escrivá

The Glorious Mysteries for Engaged Couple.

1. The Resurrection (Faith)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and the joy and excitement and happiness you most certainly experienced on that day. For on this day your Son, our Lord was risen; He has defeated death and returned as He promised on the third day. Easter morning is one of the joyous, blessed times we celebrate our faith and our love for Jesus Christ. For on that day He is Risen.

I ask Lord,
As I begin this engagement, may I serve You and my spouse to be with a heart that is filled with the same joy and excitement of that blessed day of your resurrection. I ask You this Lord, so that through all the ripples and all the challenges I might always find the sparkles and the sunshine. My faith shall always remain strong and so shall my love for my spouse Lord. I look forward to the day we are unite our love before You on the altar. Amen.

2. The Ascension (Hope)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how the Hope and the real Joy of all that has been told to you, since the first day the angel Gabriel first spoke to you, all comes full circle now. In the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel came from Heaven, sent by God the Father to speak with you; and here in the Ascension, Jesus returns back to the Father in Heaven. God’s plan is always the most wonderful blessed plan.

I ask Lord,

As we continue to prepare our lives together for a marriage that has You at its center; may we always stay focused on Your Will not ours. We want to keep You Lord ever present in our lives knowing that even when we don’t know what to expect; Your Will shall prevail and Your Will shall be what is best for our marriage together forever in Your Sight Lord. We trust fully in You Jesus, we both love You.

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how the Holy Spirit has brought down so much Love upon you. This mystery is more than a mystery for you, isn’t it? The angel Gabriel said to you, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” My Mother, you have always known God the Father, you gave birth to God the Son and now God the Spirit fills your life; how perfect love is possible when God is at the center. Thank you, Mother for your example to follow.

I ask Lord,

As our families unite and our lives begin to bond; may You inspire those closest to You to find us, to come to us, to help guide us as a couple. Family or friend is all the same, we are all family in Your Sight Lord. You know who they are Lord, we embrace the wisdom of those who have gone before us. We want a long-lasting marriage that is fully centered around You and others who have done this before us could help us. We want to be together for the rest of our lives Lord. Direct us Lord and we shall hear the council of those who have true wisdom.

4. The Assumption of Our Lady (A Happy Death)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother how wonderfully blessed you have been, for all the sacrifices you have made. Straight to Heaven you went, to a place specifically made for you. For it was through you that Jesus Christ has come to all of us; for it through your yes to God; that we can all say yes to Jesus. You have shown us Mother how living a life fully trusting in God leads us to a happy death into His arms. Thank you, Mother.

I ask Lord,

As we get closer to the sacrament of marriage as we go through this period of engagement; help my fiancée and I, root our lives deep into loving You even more than we love each other. Show us, lead us, help us to always put our love for You first; we must understand that by loving You first, then each other next, that our love for each other will be even stronger. You Lord, must be the center of our engagement and our marriage.

5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession)

Our Dear Mother,

In this mystery, I think of you Mother and how much you have truly lead me; actually, how much you have always led all of us to Jesus. You most certainly deserve this crown in Heaven, for you are the Queen of Heaven. It is through you that Jesus came to save all of us, so that all of us can return with Him to the Father in Heaven. Mother, it is your faith, your trust, your yes and inevitably your intercession that will help us to continue to follow Jesus. I love you Mother with all my heart, you certainly are an example I wish to follow.

I ask Lord,

As our engagement moves forward and we continue to prepare for our wedding day before you Lord; please show us how we might keep Mary in that most joyous experience. We want her to be there, maybe through the Rosary, maybe through a prayer, whatever You see fit Lord; but we would love to have Mary at our wedding in a prominent way. I also ask Lord that the Rosary, her Rosary about Your life with her presence throughout, be a huge part of our lives together. We ask this in Your Name. Amen.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Wednesday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. The Assumption of Our Lady (A Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!

Rosary Man Jim's Glorious Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-glorious-mysteries.html