Pray for the Souls in Purgatory

 

 Pray for the Souls in Purgatory

Dawn Pisturino

November 1, 2025

Sampaguita

 

Sampaguita

by Dawn Pisturino

The palm grove steams with summer heat.

Sweat glistens on my skin

As I race along the path,

Searching for you.

Banana leaves wave at me,

Urging me on.

The Sampaguita throw blossoms at my feet,

Perfuming my path with holy fragrance.

I stop to pick them up

To string into a garland of sweet innocence.

I will lay it at the feet of the Virgin

On Sunday morning,

Who will smile at the pure whiteness of the petals.

I see you now, standing in a bed of orchids,

Inhaling the heady odor of their scent.

You turn and smile,

Drawing me close.

From your pockets,

You pull shiny white blossoms

Of Sampaguita.

We will pool our gatherings together

To make the finest garland

The Virgin has ever received.

[NOTE: Sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines]

Mary at the Foot of the Cross

 

From the very beginning, Mary was a voluntary witness to God's majesty and omnipotence. She accepted the angel's announcement that she would become the Mother of Christ, although it meant hardship and disgrace, encouraged Jesus on his journey to adulthood, stood by him through his sufferings, and gave him her unwavering love and strength while standing at the foot of the cross, watching him die.

Mary believed in God's goodness despite the evil around her. She did not question the angel's message that Jesus would do great things. She knew in her heart that something momentous was happening despite her personal heartbreak.

Mary believed and had faith. 

One of the things lacking in America right now is FAITH. Every time something happens, people react with doomsday predictions and fear. Protesters take to the streets, denouncing things they don't even understand. They have an agenda with an ultimate goal, and they use shrill voices and violence to try and fulfill that goal.

Sometimes, we have to have faith that things will work out according to God's plan. After Jesus's death, the Apostles were devastated, feeling uncertain about where to turn. God did not fail them. Jesus appeared to point them in the right direction. 

How is your faith? Do you trust in God to do the right thing? 

This Easter, embrace the message of renewal and rebirth. God is in control.

Beatus Pascha!

Dawn Pisturino

Sacred and Immaculate Heart of Mary

 

What does the Virgin Mary represent to you?

For me, she signifies Love: Love for God, Love for her Holy Son, Love for Joseph and the Holy Family, Love for all human beings, and Love for the world as the abode of all humans. Her love is boundless, reaching through the corridors of Time to embrace all souls in Heaven, hell, and purgatory. She only wants the best for everybody. She wants everyone to find, embrace, and be one with God. Her goal is peace, happiness, strength in adversity, and heavenly rewards.

Don't we all want that? 

Let the Mother enfold you and bring you to Christ. Love God with all of your heart and soul.

Love one another.

STOP THE HATE!

Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (EWTN)

"O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thine Immaculate Heart.

"We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life; all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families, our country. We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee, and may share in the benefits of thy motherly benediction. And that this act of consecration may be truly efficacious and lasting, we renew this day at thy feet the promises of our Baptism and our first Holy Communion.

"We pledge ourselves to profess courageously and at all times the truths of our holy Faith, and to live as befits Catholics who are duly submissive to all the directions of the Pope and the Bishops in communion with him. We pledge ourselves to keep the commandments of God and His Church, in particular to keep holy the Lord's Day. We likewise pledge ourselves to make the consoling practices of the Christian religion, and above all, Holy Communion, an integral part of our lives, in so far as we shall be able so to do.

"Finally, we promise thee, O glorious Mother of God and loving Mother of men, to devote ourselves whole-heartedly to the service of thy blessed cult, in order to hasten and assure, through the sovereignty of thine Immaculate Heart, the coming of the kingdom of the Sacred Heart of thine adorable Son, in our own hearts and in those of all men, in our country and in all the world, as in heaven. so on earth."

This Valentine's Day, embrace ALL of your brothers and sisters.

Dawn Pisturino

Prayer of Thanksgiving to Mary

 

(Madonna on Floral Wreath by Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder, circa 1619)

Prayer of Thanksgiving to Mary

By St. Augustine of Hippo

O Blessed Virgin Mary, who can worthily give you the just dues of praise and thanksgiving, you who by the wondrous assent of your will rescued a fallen world? What songs of praise can our weak human nature recite in your honor, since it is by your intervention alone that it has found the way to restoration?

Accept, then, such poor thanks as we have to offer here, though they be unequal to your merit; and, receiving our vows, obtain by your prayers the remission of our offenses. Carry our prayers within the sanctuary of the heavenly audience and bring forth the gift of our reconciliation.

Take our offering, grant us our requests, obtain pardon for what we fear, for you are the sole hope of sinners. Holy Mary, help the miserable, strengthen the fainthearted, comfort the sorrowful, pray for your people, plead for the clergy, intercede for all women consecrated to God.

Be ever ready to assist us when we pray and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it your continual care to pray for the people of God, you who, blessed by God, merited to bear the Redeemer of the world who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Dawn Pisturino

Our Lady of the Rosary - October 7th

 

PRAY THE ROSARY!

O Virgin Mary, grant that the recitation of thy Rosary may be for me each day, in the midst of my manifold duties, a bond of unity in my actions, a tribute of filial piety, a sweet refreshment, an encouragement to walk joyfully along the path of duty. Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary, that the study of thy fifteen mysteries may form in my soul, little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening, and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding, my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being. So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work, without the aid of formal prayers, by interior acts of admiration and of supplication, or by aspirations of love. I ask this of thee, O Queen of the holy Rosary, through Saint Dominic, thy son of predilection, the renowned preacher of thy mysteries, and the faithful imitator of thy virtues. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Dawn Pisturino

The Fifteen Promises of Mary

 

Do you pray the rosary? Here are the 15 promises made by Mary for those who do:

1. signal graces

2. special protection and graces

3. an armor against Hell, vice, sin, and heresies

4. virtue and good works, mercy, and heavenly sanctification

5. the soul will never perish

6. God's favor and eternal life

7. sacraments of the Church 

8. the merits of the saints

9. delivery from Purgatory

10. the highest degree of glory in Heaven

11. blessings and prayers granted

12. aid in time of need

13. heavenly intercession

14. unity in the brotherhood and sisterhood of Christ

15. predestination

from America Needs Fatima

"Give me an army saying the rosary and I will conquer the world." - Pope Pius IX 

Dawn Pisturino

"She who Nourishes with Milk"

 

This painting is part of a larger mural located in the semidome of the Coptic Red Monastery in Sohag, Egypt. Painted around the 6th century CE, it depicts the Blessed Virgin breast-feeding the child Jesus. The Holy Mother was very human, despite her great faith and humility. She performed all the functions that any mother would for her child: feeding, bathing, clothing, educating, protecting, guiding, and nurturing. Life was hard. But her faith in God kept her strong and resilient.

Can we do any less? 

This Mother's Day, we honor our mothers and the deep bond that exists between mother and child. 

Dawn Pisturino

April 29, 2024

Copyright 2024 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Happy New Year

 

A Prayer for the New Year from the Carmelite Fathers

Blessed Mother, as the new year arrives, I ask for your blessing. With you, I can look ahead with courage and faith.

Grant me the strength to handle any challenges I may face and patience as you guide me through.

I ask that you bring me peace, happiness, and hope. And I ask that you embrace me with your love and grace.

Please protect me and my family, dear Mother, so that we can share our blessings with others in need.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for us.

Amen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dawn Pisturino

December 30, 2023

Thanksgiving Prayer

 

(Photo by Gianna B on Unsplash)

Thanksgiving Prayer

Holy Mother,

Please help us today to remember

All the blessings bestowed on us by the Father Almighty.

Please help us draw closer to your son, Jesus Christ,

And remember all his sufferings on the cross.

Please intercede for us 

In granting our prayers

And fulfilling our needs.

Please shower your love upon the people of Israel

And safeguard them from harm.

Please protect our fortress, the Catholic Church,

From obscene changes

And strengthen the resolve of all devout Catholics

To protect her from the devil's influence.

Please give us the strength and will

To stand up to all evil in the world.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Dawn Pisturino

November 23, 2023

Copyright 2023 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

I STAND WITH ISRAEL!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Virgin Mary Tattoos

 

Arm Tattoo by Tattoo Me Now

http://www.tattoomenow.com

Some Catholics express their faith by getting tattoos of the Virgin Mary on their bodies. As the Mother of Jesus, she plays a special role in Jesus' life and the Catholic faith. People look to her for faith, hope, love, and comfort. She is the symbol of virginal purity, unconditional motherly acceptance, and miraculous events in places like Fatima and Lourdes. She embraces the whole world and all people with her positive energy and affection. She is OUR MOTHER who cares for our needs and gives us strength to keep going in a difficult world.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!

Blessed art thou amongst women,

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

PRAY THE ROSARY!

Dawn Pisturino

October 28, 2023

Copyright 2023 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Painting by Francesco Botticini

St. John Damascene fully supported the idea of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul, into Heaven because he believed that her "pure and sinless body" should not be consigned to the earth. Although the idea is not supported by the Bible, it is a reasonable assumption that Mary would be taken into Heaven in a way similar to that of her Son, Jesus Christ, who was transfigured and taken into Heaven. On August 15th, we honor and celebrate Mary's death and journey home to God the Father.

Prayer for the Assumption of Mary

1. Catholic Online
 
2. Prayers

Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

~

Dawn Pisturino

August 15, 2023

The Secret of the Rosary

 

Long before I converted to Catholicism, I loved the Virgin Mary. Although my mother was Catholic, she was not a practicing one. I never saw her pray or recite the rosary. She only attended mass if I begged her to go with me. She never taught me anything about the Catholic religion. She did let me take her ivory rosary, which she had kept from her youth, and later gave me her old, tattered Catholic prayer book, which I still treasure.

As a teenager, I fell in with a group of fundamentalist Catholics, and that's where I learned about the Virgin Mary and the rosary. They gave me St. Louis de Montfort's book, The Secret of the Rosary, and I was hooked for life. I fell in love with the Virgin Mary. Later on in life, I went through RCIA and officially converted.

During one of the most difficult periods in my life, when God severely tested me, I relied on the Virgin Mary, the rosary, and St. Louis de Montfort's book to keep going. The alternative would have been suicide. And even though I suffered greatly during that time, God pointed me in the right direction and made sure that my life turned around. He blessed me with a beautiful and productive life. I have learned a lot from all of my mistakes. I have learned a lot from all of my suffering. The Virgin Mary never left me. She lifted me up and made me whole. I found redemption and salvation in Christ. I found safety and security in my Catholic faith. And even though it is easy to be discouraged with the world and its current direction, we must all as Catholics stand fast and pray and put our faith in God, Jesus Christ, and the Virgin Mary.

I highly recommend St. Louis de Montfort's book to every Catholic. It is just as relevant today as when he wrote it.

St. Louis de Montfort's Prayer to Mary

  Hail Mary, beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father! Hail Mary, admirable Mother of the Son! Hail Mary, faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost! Hail Mary, my dear Mother, my loving mistress, my powerful sovereign! Hail my joy, my glory, my heart and my soul! Thou art all mine by mercy, and I am all thine by justice. But I am not yet sufficiently thine. I now give myself wholly to thee without keeping anything back for myself or others. If thou still seest in me anything which does not belong to thee, I beseech thee to take it and to make thyself the absolute mistress of all that is mine. Destroy in me all that may be displeasing to God, root it up and bring it to nought; place and cultivate in me everything that is pleasing to thee.

     May the light of thy faith dispel the darkness of my mind; may thy profound humility take the place of my pride; may thy sublime contemplation check the distractions of my wandering imagination; may thy continuous sight of God fill my memory with His presence; may the burning love of thy heart inflame the lukewarmness of mine; may thy virtues take the place of my sins; may thy merits be my only adornment in the sight of God and make up for all that is wanting in me. Finally, dearly beloved Mother, grant, if it be possible, that I may have no other spirit but thine, to know Jesus and His Divine will; that I may have no other soul but thine, to praise and glorify the Lord; that I may have no other heart but thine, to love God with a love as pure and ardent as thine. I do not ask thee for visions, revelations, sensible devotion or spiritual pleasures. It is thy privilege to see God clearly; it is thy privilege to enjoy Heavenly bliss; it is thy privilege to triumph gloriously in Heaven at the right hand of thy Son and to hold absolute sway over Angels, men and demons; it is thy privilege to dispose of all the gifts of God, just as thou wilIest.

Such is, O Heavenly Mary, the "best part," which the Lord has given thee and which shall never be taken away from thee, and this thought fills my heart with joy. As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine: to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures; to suffer joyfully without human consolation; to die continually to myself without respite; and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death as the humblest of thy servants. The only grace I beg thee to obtain for me is that every day and every moment of my life I may say: "Amen, so be it, to all that thou didst do while on earth. Amen, so be it, to all that thou art now doing in Heaven. Amen, so be it, to all that thou art doing in my soul, so that thou alone mayest fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity." Amen.

~

Dawn Pisturino

September 6, 2022

Copyright 2022 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Mary was a Strong Woman

 

There have been many stories on the news lately about mothers who have lost children to violent crime, illness, suicide, and accidents. Whenever I listen to these mothers, I wonder: how would I handle a similar situation? Could I hold up under all the grief and guilt? Could I survive the death of my child? I'm not sure that I could. After my brother died of cancer, my mother was so consumed with grief, she died four years later. She simply could not live with it.

Our Mother, the Blessed Virgin, was very human, in spite of all the blessings showered down on her by God. She experienced a wonderful miracle - bearing God's Son - and fully accepted all responsibilities and consequences that came with it. From the very beginning of her agreement with God, she was beset with hardship, ostracization, criticism, worry, sorrow, and deep emotional pain. She experienced stress, physical pain, the loss of her husband, and old age - just like the rest of us.

She also experienced some of the most horrific experiences that anyone can experience. As a Jewess, Mary lived under Roman oppression and rule. She saw first-hand how the Jewish people suffered. She was given in marriage to a man that was chosen for her by her family, according to Jewish custom. When Mary agreed to bear the Son of God, she was jeopardizing everything in her life, including her family and her husband. She was risking her very life, as she could have been stoned as an adulteress.

But Mary's faith in God was greater than her fear of retribution and death. She trusted in God to take care of her and her child. Joseph proved to be a tender, loving, and loyal husband. He was the perfect stepfather for Mary's child. Nonetheless, Simeon warned Mary that "a sword of sorrow will pierce your soul" when Jesus was presented in the Temple, and the Holy Family was forced to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's death threat.

As a mother, Mary felt all the worry and anxiety that mothers feel when their children fall ill, get injured, or become lost. Imagine her anxiety when Jesus embarked on his great ministry. He traveled long distances, and so many things could have gone wrong! Now, put yourself in Mary's shoes during Jesus' arrest and trial. How she must have suffered at the falling of each lash across his back! How she must have wept over every cut, bruise, and drop of blood!

What was Mary thinking as she watched her only son carry the cross through the streets of Jerusalem? Was she praying for a miracle to save him - or was she trusting in God's plan? How much heartache and mental anguish did she feel in those moments? We can only imagine.

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, did she feel every strike of the hammer? Did she cry out in pain? The reality of his death must have struck her then. There was no going back.

I don't know if I could watch my child suffer in such pain and agony without striking out at the guards and the people who cheered on his death. I don't know if I could experience such pain and anguish without falling completely apart. I don't know if I could watch my only child die in such a horrific manner without dying myself. 

Yet, Mary stood at the foot of the cross with courage and strength. She trusted in God's essential goodness and love. And when Jesus' body was taken down, she caressed him like a loving mother and buried him in the tomb with the promise that God would take care of him.

What joy Mary must have felt on the day of her son's resurrection!

Not only did God keep his promise to Mary, but He kept His promise to the whole world. Mary was renewed with new strength and courage - and so must we be. We must trust that no matter what happens, God's plan is in place, and He will take care of us and our loved ones. And we will be reunited in a better place.

Dawn Pisturino

July 16, 2022

Copyright 2022 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Fatima and Russia

(Photo by Andreas Praefcke)

Sister Lúcia wrote in her third memoir of August 1941 that the Virgin Mary told the three children at Fatima on July 13, 1917:

"God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The [First World] war is going to end; if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that He is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the communion of reparation on the first Saturday's. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world." 

The question is: was Russia officially consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

Sister Lucia herself confirmed that Pope John Paul II accomplished this feat during his speech in Saint Peter's Square on March 25, 1984. At that time, he consecrated the world and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, although he did not specifically name "Russia" and spoke of nations in general that were in great need of spiritual help. As a result, many people believe that Russia still has not been consecrated.

The Virgin also requested that First Saturday devotions be made consistently by the faithful. COVID closed many churches that are just beginning to reopen.

Prayer, along with faith, hope, charity, and love, are the tools we have to resist the spread of Russian aggression. Vladimir Putin is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church. Pray that his heart may be converted away from aggression and war and turn to love of Mary and the Church. Pray that he will find renewed faith in God and stop the killing. Pray that he will submit to Our Lord, Jesus Christ, throw down his weapons, and work for peace.

Pray for the people of Ukraine, who have sacrificed everything for their freedom. 

Dawn Pisturino

March 4, 2022

Copyright 2022 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

 

Most Catholics are familiar with the story of Saint Bernadette and the miracles at Lourdes. The Blessed Holy Mother revealed the presence of a healing spring and asked the faithful to pray the rosary. Many people were healed of illness and disability. Those miracles are still happening today. On February 11th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Prayers for healing:

Prayer to be said when using Lourdes Water Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Mother, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Lourdes, heal us for the greater glory of the Holy Trinity. Our Lady of Lourdes, heal us for the greater glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lady of Lourdes, heal the sick, convert sinners. Health of the sick, Help of the suffering, pray for us. Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse in thee. St. Bernadette, pray for us! Amen

Our Lady of Lourdes Prayer for healing O ever-Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. I come, therefore, with complete confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. (mention your petition) Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory. Amen. To Heal a Friend Think, O God, of our friend who is ill, whom we now commend to Your compassionate regard. Comfort him upon his sickbed, and ease his suffering. We beg for deliverance, and submit that no healing is too hard for the Lord, if it be His will. We therefore pray that You bless our friend with Your loving care, renew his strength, and heal what ails him in Your loving name. Amen.   Prayer for Healing I Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy, may your healing hand rest upon me, may your lifegiving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength for service in your Kingdom. Amen. Prayer for Healing II O God who are the only source of health and healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of this universe, grant to me such a consciousness of your indwelling and surrounding presence that I may permit you to give me health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   Prayer for Healing III Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow Your healing Hand to heal me. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, and help me to lead others to You by my example. Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever. Amen.

Prayers from Direct from Lourdes website.

Visit them here:

http://www.directfromlourdes.com/healing-prayers

The Virgin Mary and the Ghent Altarpiece

 

This beautiful painting of the Virgin Mary is part of the Ghent Altarpiece created by the well-known Flemish painter, Jan Van Eyck, in 1432. Rich in exquisite color and detail, the painting shows Mary holding a girdle book and represents her attribution as the "Seat of Wisdom." Girdle books were popular between the 13th and 16th centuries and worn as accessories. A long piece of leather hanging from the book made it possible to secure the book to a garment by means of looping it over the girdle belt. It was then easy to pick up the book and read it whenever the desire hit the owner. Girdle books were popular among monks, clergymen, and aristocrats. Here, Mary is portrayed as an aristocratic woman and represents her role as "Queen of Heaven."

May we all benefit from Mary's wisdom, love, peace, and motherly protection!

Dawn Pisturino

January 20, 2022

Copyright 2022 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.

The Nativity of Christ, the Feast of the Holy Family, and the Solemnity of Mary

 

On December 25th, we celebrate the Nativity of Christ and rejoice that the Messiah has come! He is waiting for us in His Father's house. We celebrate Mary's YES! to God and Joseph's fearless and tender care of Mary and her child.

On December 26th, we honor the Holy Family and look to them for guidance in these troubled and confusing times. May they intercede for us in our prayer intentions. May they serve as a model for the ideal family. May their peace, love, faith, and hope fill our hearts. May their graces shine down upon us and renew our courage and strength.

Prayer to the Holy Family/A Prayer for Families

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

In you we contemplate

The splendor of true Love.

To you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

May families never again

Experience violence,

Rejection, and division.

And may all who have

Been hurt find ready

Comfort and healing.

Amen.

"Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt . . ." Matthew 2:13

Dear Lord,

Please protect us from the politicians who continue to lie and mislead the American people. Please protect us from self-serving corporate leaders who harm American workers. Please protect our children, our elderly, and our families from criminal violence. Please end the COVID plague that has infested the world and expose the truth behind the outbreak. Please expose the lies and corruption of our political leaders, who have forgotten that they are the servants of the people, and not the other way around. Please bring America back to God and his holy commandments. Please strengthen our churches and help us in the fight against Evil. Please help us to restore law and order, strengthen family ties, and bless our children with good teachers and role models. Please renew our faith in the face of adversity. Please help the Catholic Church become a temple of faith for the whole world. Please save her from corruption, sexual degeneracy, and politics. Please bring light and hope to all of your faithful servants.

Amen.

The Feast of the Solemnity of Mary

January 1st marks not only the beginning of the New Year but has been set aside as a day to honor Mary as the Blessed Virgin and the Mother of God. Born without sin, she was chosen by God to bring His Son into the corrupt world and to be a witness to his miracles and message to all the people of the earth. As such, she is considered to be the greatest of all the saints and worthy of honor, respect, and adoration.

God our Father, 

May we always profit by the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary, for you bring us life and salvation through Jesus Christ her Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dawn Pisturino

December 21, 2021

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

 

Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City

On December 9, 1531, Cuauhtlatohuac, an Indian Catholic convert who was baptized Juan Diego, was walking to morning mass when he suddenly heard beautiful music in the air near Tepeyac Hill. A shining cloud appeared. Out of the cloud appeared a beautiful Indian woman dressed like an Aztec Princess. She addressed Juan in his native language and told him to go to the Bishop of Mexico and build a chapel on the spot.

The Bishop did not immediately believe Juan. But on December 12, 1531, Juan returned to the Bishop after visiting with the mysterious lady. When he opened his cloak, roses fell to the ground and an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on the cloth where the roses had been lying. The image remained permanently on the cloth.

A Basilica was built on the spot where the apparitions were seen, more Indians converted to Catholicism, and Tepeyac became a great pilgrimage destination.

Cuauhtlatohuac is now known as Saint Juan Diego, and Our Lady of Guadalupe has become the Patron Saint of Mexico and the Americas. The miracle validated the worth of ALL PEOPLE and served as a reminder and condemnation of the cruelty of the Spanish conquistadores in Latin America.

We all have our Tepeyac,

Our hill we're hurrying over in these December days.

Perhaps, like Juan Diego,

We are even avoiding You.

In our rush to get where we're going --

To finish the shopping,

To hang the decorations,

To prepare the meal.

May each one of us be stunned,

Stopped in our tracks,

By Your call to us in our native tongue.

Alone as we may feel this Advent,

Speak to us once more --

Remind us of this:

That You are here,

That You are Our Mother,

That You love us tenderly and unfailingly.

May we gather Your roses,

So improbably blooming in the winter chill,

And shower them on a weary world,

Hungry for hope.

Amen.

~Cameron Bellm~

from http://www.jesuits.org. 

Cameron Bellm is a Catholic writer.

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

O Virgin of Guadalupe,

Mother of the Americas,

grant to our homes the grace of loving
and respecting life in its beginnings,
with the same love with which
you conceived in your womb
the life of the Son of God.
Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of Fair Love,
protect our families so that
they may always be united
and bless the upbringing of our children.

Our hope, look upon us with pity,
teach is to go continually to Jesus,
and if we fall
help us to rise again and return to Him
through the confession of our faults
and our sins in the Sacrament of penance,
which gives peace to the soul.

We beg you to grant us a great love
of all the holy Sacraments,
which are, as it were,
the signs that your Son left us on earth.
Thus, Most Holy Mother,
with the peace of God in our consciences,
with our hearts free from evil and hatred,
we will be able to bring to all others
true joy and peace,
which come to us from your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

~Pope John Paul II~

May Our Blessed Holy Mother Bless You and Keep You!

Dawn Pisturino

December 11, 2021

Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

 

Painting by Jose Antolinez

Prayer for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th)

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin

prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray,

that, as you preserved her from every stain

by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw,

so, through her intercession,

we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

May we all strive to purify our lives, our hearts, our minds, and our souls, in preparation for the coming of Our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Dawn Pisturino

December 7, 2021