Virgo Potens

Prayer to St. Anne July 17 - 25 (may be said as a Novena) Glorious St. Anne, who is filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee, under thy special protection. [Name your request.] Vouchsafe to commend it to thy daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face and with thee and Mary and all the Saints, praising and blessing Him for all eternity. Amen. Good St. Anne, mother of her who is our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, pray to her for us, and obtain our request. (3 times) The New Key of Heaven, 1955

Month of the Precious Blood ~ July 19th The Mystery of the Precious Blood Had it not been for Jesus, the case of earth would have been hopeless, now that sin had come. God would have let it go, as he had let the angels go. It would have been all hateful and dark in His sight, as the home of the fallen spirits is. But it was not so. Earth was dimmed, but it was not darkened, disfigured but not blackened. God saw it through the Precious Blood, as through a haze; and there it lay with a dusky glory over it, like a red sunset, up to the day of Christ. ~ Frederick William Faber, D.D., The Precious Blood: or, The Price of Our Salvation (1860)

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus~ July 19th God accepted with complacency the sacrifice of Noe after the Deluge, but forbade him the use of blood. “Flesh with blood you shall not eat” (Gen lX, 4). Moses received the same command and God gave him the reason for this prohibition of blood. I have given it to you that you may make atonement with it upon the altar for your souls, and the blood may be for an expiation of the soul (Lev. XVII, 11). But why was blood held so sacred? How could the blood of animals offered on the altar become so pleasing to God ? St. John Chrysostom answers : “God caused it to be held sacred and considered Himself honored by it, not simply because it was blood, but because it represented in type the Blood of Jesus Christ.” ~ Rev. M. F. Walz, C. PP. S., Why Is Thy Apparel Red? or Glories of the Precious Blood (1914).

Prayer to St. Anne July 17 - 25 (may be said as a Novena) Glorious St. Anne, who is filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee, under thy special protection. [Name your request.] Vouchsafe to commend it to thy daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face and with thee and Mary and all the Saints, praising and blessing Him for all eternity. Amen. Good St. Anne, mother of her who is our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, pray to her for us, and obtain our request. (3 times) The New Key of Heaven, 1955

Month of the Precious Blood ~ July 18th The Mystery of the Precious Blood Sin came. With sin came many fearful consequences. This beautiful earth was completely wrecked. It went on through space in the sunshine as before: but in God's sight, and in the destiny of its inhabitants, it was all changed. Jesus could no longer come in a glorious and unsuffering Incarnation. Mary would have to die; and, though she was sinless, she would need to be redeemed with a single and peculiar redemption, a redemption of prevention, not of rescue. She also, the immaculate Mother and Queen of creation, must be bought by the Precious Blood. ~ Frederick William Faber, D.D., The Precious Blood: or, The Price of Our Salvation (1860)

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus~ July 18th When St. Paul writes : “God chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. I, 4), “according to the eternal purpose which he made, in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. Ill, 11), he, too, reminds us of this eternal decree of the Precious Blood as the price of our redemption, for he says distinctly: “Without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. IX, 22). Hence, mankind participated from its creation, in some measure, in this pre-ordained world-redemption of the Cross. ~ Rev. M. F. Walz, C. PP. S., Why Is Thy Apparel Red? or Glories of the Precious Blood (1914).

Prayer to St. Anne July 17 - 25 (may be said as a Novena) Glorious St. Anne, who is filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee, under thy special protection. [Name your request.] Vouchsafe to commend it to thy daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face and with thee and Mary and all the Saints, praising and blessing Him for all eternity. Amen. Good St. Anne, mother of her who is our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, pray to her for us, and obtain our request. (3 times) The New Key of Heaven, 1955

Month of the Precious Blood ~ July 17th The Mystery of the Precious Blood To God's eye earth was all the more beautiful because it was innocent, and the dwelling-place of innocence. Then sin came. Why God let it come we do not know. We shall probably know in heaven. We are certain however that in some way or other it was more glorious for Him and better for us, that evil should be permitted. Some people trouble themselves about this. It does not trouble me at all. Whatever God does must of course be most right. ~ Frederick William Faber, D.D., The Precious Blood: or, The Price of Our Salvation (1860)

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus~ July 17th Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, stands eternally before the throne of God as the “lamb that was slain from the beginning”, as the “lamb that shall take away the sins of the world.” As soon as this divine decree to redeem the world with the Blood of Christ was made known to the angels, the Precious Blood had to become to them an object of veneration. “The lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and divinity.” Lucifer and his followers who in their pride refused obedience and worship, were cast into hell. “Michael and his angels fought with the dragon . . . and they overcame him by the blood of the lamb (Apoc.XII,7-11). ~ Rev. M. F. Walz, C. PP. S., Why Is Thy Apparel Red? or Glories of the Precious Blood (1914).

✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ July 16th ~ Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel This feast commemorates the favors granted by our Lady on Mount Carmel and was extended to the Universal Church in 1726 by Benedict XIII. The Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Order of Carmelites, holding in her hand a scapular, and directed him to found a Confraternity whose members should wear this scapular and consecrate themselves to her service. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us. ~ St. Joseph Daily Missal, 1950 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧

Month of the Precious Blood ~ July 16th The Mystery of the Precious Blood We know what an intense pleasure men take in looking at beautiful scenery. When we feel this pleasure, we ought to feel that we are looking at a little revelation of God, a very true one although a little one, and we ought to think of God’s complacency when He beheld the scenery of the primaeval earth, and rejoiced in what He saw. There was no sin then. ~ Frederick William Faber, D.D., The Precious Blood: or, The Price of Our Salvation (1860)

2 of 2 Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus ~ July 16th Looking upon devotion to the Blood of our Redeemer as founded in Sacred Scripture, we are at once amazed at the mystery of this Precious Blood, conveyed in the words of the Prince of the Apostles telling us that it lay in the mind of God from all eternity to redeem us by the Blood of Christ. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold and silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefined, foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in the last times for you” (I Peter I, 18-20). This is the mystery that fills us with awe: before the foundation of the world, before the air which we breathe, before the water which we drink, before the food which we eat, before Adam was created, it was ordained by the mercy of God, Who foresaw the downfall of our first parents with all the evil consequences of their sin inherited by the whole human race, that man should again receive his heavenly heritage, or the right and means to merit entrance into heaven, through the bloody passion and death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. The Precious Blood is the visible token and pledge of God’s eternal love and mercy for fallen mankind, and going forth to accomplish this purpose Jesus is called by the Prophet Isaias “this beautiful one in his robe.” ~ Rev. M. F. Walz, C. PP. S., Why Is Thy Apparel Red? or Glories of the Precious Blood (1914).

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus~ July 16th With what exuberance of joy our holy Redeemer is hailed by the Father and the Holy Ghost and the whole choir of the angels and the elect upon His return to heaven as Man with the emblems of His victory, His glorious Five Wounds ! And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction’” (Apoc. V, 11-12). The Precious Blood is glorified in heaven in “the Lamb that was slain.” (continued below)

2 of 2 NOVENA to OUR LADY of Mt. CARMEL Day Nine continued) I hope in Thee, and I trust that Thou wilt pardon my faults and give me Thy grace, together with perseverance in it; and that at last Thou wilt bring me to the glory which Thou hast promised to those who continue in Thy love. I love Thee, above all things, for Thine infinite goodness; I give Thee thanks for all the benefits which Thou hast conferred, and still continuest to confer, upon me: I confess my great ingratitude towards Thee, and all my sins and offences against Thee; I am sorry for them, and beg that Thou wilt pardon me: it grieves me much that I have thus offended Thee, because Thou art the Infinite Being that Thou art. I repent with all my heart, because Thou art my God, infinitely good and worthy of my love: I am firmly resolved, by the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid all occasions of offending Thee; to confess my faults, and to make satisfaction for them: I hope in Thee, O Lord, and that in Thine infinite mercy Thou wilt pardon me, so that with a pure heart I may praise Thy most holy Mother, and obtain by Her holy intercession what I ask in this Novena, if it be for Thy greater glory and the good of my soul. Amen. Prayer O Virgin of Carmel, Most Holy Mary, who hast promised thine especial assistance at the hour of death to those who wear thy Holy Scapular, so that by means of true penitence they may leave this life in a state of grace: I beseech thee, O Lady, to assist and console me at the hour of my death, and to obtain for me a true and perfect contrition for all my sins, an ardent love of God, and great desire of seeing and enjoying Him, so that I may arrive securely at eternal happiness; and I beg of thee to obtain for me the grace I ask in this Novena, through thine intercession, saying, Hail Holy Queen . . . Here the Hail Holy Queen is recited, followed by the Litany of Loreto (pinned at Virgo Potens). Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us.

1 of 2 NOVENA to OUR LADY of Mt. CARMEL (July 7 - July 15) Day Nine ~ July 15th Prayer To be said each day O my God and my Lord, prostrate before Thy Sovereign Majesty, I adore Thee will all my heart and soul. I confess to Thee, praise Thee, bless Thee, and glorify Thee. I acknowledge Thee to be my Lord and my God; I believe in Thee, and in all the mysteries of the Holy Catholic Faith, in which I desire to live and die. (continued)

Month of the Precious Blood ~ July 15th The Mystery of the Precious Blood God made the stars; and, whether the earth was made by itself from the first, or was once part of the sun, and thrown off from it like a ring, God made the earth also, and shaped it, and adorned it, and filled it with trees and animals; and then looked upon His work, and it shone forth so beautifully with the light of His own perfections, that He blessed it, and, glorying in it, declared that it was very good. ~ Frederick William Faber, D.D., The Precious Blood: or, The Price of Our Salvation (1860)

2 of 2 Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus ~ July 15th Immediately after Judas had gone out to betray our Lord, Jesus said: “Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him” (John XIII,31). Like the waters of an impetuous stream His love and desire to shed His Blood for us can no longer be constrained, and He speaks of His impending sufferings in the most glorious terms as His glorification. And again just before going to Gethsemani to begin His Passion, “these things Jesus spoke, and lifting up His eyes to heaven, he said: ‘Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee’“ (John XVII, 1). God is glorified by us in proportion as we come to know, love and adore Him. Christ came into this world to redeem all mankind in His Blood, and we honor Him by applying this Sacred Blood in the holy sacraments for the sanctification of our soul. But should not the price Christ paid for our redemption be extolled also in a particular manner? And should we not love to contemplate our bleeding Saviour in the very ardor and love of His redeeming us? It was thus the prophet must have seen Him in spirit when he exclaims : “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength. I, that speak justice and am a defender to save” (Isaias LXIII, 1). ~ Rev. M. F. Walz, C. PP. S., Why Is Thy Apparel Red? or Glories of the Precious Blood (1914).

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus~ July 15th THIS BEAUTIFUL ONE IN HIS ROBE CLOTHED with the purple of His own Blood how beautiful Jesus Christ must have appeared to His Heavenly Father even at the very time when Pilate showed Him to the people with the words, “Ecce Homo”! “He was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood, and his name is called, the Word of God” (Apoc. XIX, 13). His body covered with bleeding wounds and standing like a culprit about to be condemned to an ignominious death, Jesus is nevertheless the Son of the living God, of Whom He Himself said : “Thou hast loved me before the creation of the world” (JohnXVII,24). (continued below)

2 of 2 Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus ~ July 15th Immediately after Judas had gone out to betray our Lord, Jesus said: “Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him” (John XIII,31). Like the waters of an impetuous stream His love and desire to shed His Blood for us can no longer be constrained, and He speaks of His impending sufferings in the most glorious terms as His glorification. And again just before going to Gethsemani to begin His Passion, “these things Jesus spoke, and lifting up His eyes to heaven, he said: ‘Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee’“ (John XVII, 1). God is glorified by us in proportion as we come to know, love and adore Him. Christ came into this world to redeem all mankind in His Blood, and we honor Him by applying this Sacred Blood in the holy sacraments for the sanctification of our soul. But should not the price Christ paid for our redemption be extolled also in a particular manner? And should we not love to contemplate our bleeding Saviour in the very ardor and love of His redeeming us? It was thus the prophet must have seen Him in spirit when he exclaims : “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength. I, that speak justice and am a defender to save” (Isaias LXIII, 1). ~ Rev. M. F. Walz, C. PP. S., Why Is Thy Apparel Red? or Glories of the Precious Blood (1914).

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus~ July 15th THIS BEAUTIFUL ONE IN HIS ROBE CLOTHED with the purple of His own Blood how beautiful Jesus Christ must have appeared to His Heavenly Father even at the very time when Pilate showed Him to the people with the words, “Ecce Homo”! “He was clothed with a garment sprinkled with blood, and his name is called, the Word of God” (Apoc. XIX, 13). His body covered with bleeding wounds and standing like a culprit about to be condemned to an ignominious death, Jesus is nevertheless the Son of the living God, of Whom He Himself said : “Thou hast loved me before the creation of the world” (JohnXVII,24). (continued below)