Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena begins June 7th

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The Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus begins June 7th this year so as to end on the day before the Feast day, which is June 16th this year. On the day of the Feast it is customary to consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart. The following is a popular prayer that can be used for a novena – it is even recommended to be said every day (which I do.) 

Efficacious Novena
 to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all those who asked for prayers.
The faithful are invited to recite it daily, so as to be spiritually united with the prayer of Padre Pio.

I. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of [insert your intention.] 
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask any thing of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of [insert your intention.] 
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.” Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of [insert your intention.] 
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender mother and ours.

Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Since I have been writing about the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary as a part of my Sacred Heart Friday series, here are two novenas to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

Here is an EWTN Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Here is another Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Pray More Novenas.

You can say it one day after the Sacred Heart. Some years I simplify things by saying the Sacred Heart Novena so that it ends on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, meaning it goes along day-for-day with the Immaculate Heart Novena. You can do whatever you wish. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 4

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For this Sacred Heart Friday I will relate another way the Two Heart of Jesus and Mary are allied.

They are allied at the Foot off the Cross.

Luke 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.

 And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

John 19:25-27 And standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

 Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.”

 Next, he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own.

John 19:34 Instead, one of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and immediately there went out blood and water.

Source: Sacred Bible: Catholic Public Domain Version

 

Screenshot 2023 06 01 at 1 15 47 PM

Source: Diary of St. Faustina

Simeon prophesied that Mary’s heart will be piece by a sword; and she witnessed the emotional sword of seeing her Son on the Cross, tortured and dying. It must have been a final indignity to see Him pierced with a lance. What more could they do to Him? At that moment, the sacraments of mercy were made manifest as the blood and water represent Baptism and the Eucharist. 

There is a lot to meditate on in this post. If you’re doing First Saturday tomorrow, perhaps you can dwell on the sorrowful mysteries, keeping in mind Mary at the foot off the Cross, her heart pierced…

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

June and the Sacred Heart

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June is dedicated in the public arena to celebrating ‘Pride.’ Given the nature of of the sins celebrated by ‘pride,’ it makes you wonder whether ‘they’ intentionally picked June for it or is this just ironic ignorance? June is dedicated in the Catholic Church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and if you’ve been reading this blog’s Sacred Heart Friday posts, you’d have picked up by now that the devotion to the Sacred Heart is in part a way of making reparations for such sins.

 

PC983

Apparently the ‘tolerance and diversity’ crowd that gets all triggered when they are offended have little problem reserving a right to offend others when it suits them. Who gets to pick who is acceptable to be offended? Hypocrisy at work? Anyway, ‘illegitimi non carborundum’ as they say in Latin (“Don’t let the dirty b******s get you down.”) If you are familiar with the Bible, we win in the end. Take this month and increase your devotion to the Sacred Heart. Tomorrow, June 2nd, is a First Friday. Go to Mass if you can, receive Holy Communion and offer it up in reparation for all the sins that will be committed in excess this month. Since Saturday the 3rd is a First Saturday, hopefully you can continue or start that devotion which is also in reparation for sins of ‘pride.’

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 3

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For this Sacred Heart Friday post, I’m going to set aside what I had originally written for Part 3; mainly because I don’t like what I’ve got. So, I’m taking this opportunity to remind everyone of certain upcoming feasts that relate to both the Sacred Heart and the Heart of Mary. 

Aside from the Solemnity of Pentecost this Sunday (this birthday of the Church!) we have this Monday the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. This is a new feast day, instituted by Pope Frances just a few years ago. I like it! Any increase in liturgical observances to Mary is all right with me! Mary IS the Mother of the Church; her heart nurtured it in the Church’s early years, after Christ’s Ascension and Mary’s own Assumption. She knew that the Church was the creation her Son, and just as His Sacred Heart beats in the Sacraments, her Immaculate Heart lovingly guided and taught the Apostles and disciples just like she taught Him during His first 30 years. 

This an example of how the Two Hearts operate. They work in tandem for the salvation of souls. Christ’s love for humanity leaves behind the Church to instruct the faithful until He returns; Mary’s love for us helps build up the Church.

Another day coming up is the  Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Right after the Annunciation Mary made haste and went to the hill country of Judea and visited her cousin Elizabeth who was with child. Carrying St. John the Baptist in her womb, Elizabeth was the first human to acknowledge Mary’s Divine Maternity when she greeted her. Not only that, but the unborn child in the womb  also acknowledged the existence of another unborn child, Jesus. St. John the Baptist, upon hearing Mary’s voice and the referencing to the Lord, leapt in Elizabeth’s wombs as he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Another example of how the Two Hearts operate: Mary’s love for her cousin sends her off on a journey and the beating of the Sacred Heart in her womb signals to the Baptist. 

And that’s it for May. June begins next Thursday and that month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! I hope to finish up this series on he Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary as well as come up with some really great stuff. I may even post multiple Sacred Heart Fridays!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Rita of Cascia website!

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I was looking up prayers and litanies to St. Rita of Cascia when I discovered this site I must have missed all these years: St. Rita of Cascia!

We need St. Rita’s prayers now more then ever. She is the patron saint of impossible causes and if you look around at all that is happening in the world today you truly feel the only way back to some kind of peace is through God’s intervention. St. Rita is a beautiful example of keeping your faith throughout any and all difficult situations. Tell us your St. Rita story.

“Tell us your St. Rita story.” Wow! Will I! I am drafting an email to the site’s manager telling her about “my” St. Rita story.

The quote I took from the site is quite appropriate. She is a saint for our times; and not just for women, although it is understandable why she appeals mostly to ladies. She is a patroness of those trapped in abusive marriages, of those with troubled children (if you’re a parent and worried about your kids, pray to St. Rita!!) If you’re a man who is a problem for the woman in your life, you might even ask for the intercession of St. Rita’s husband, Paolo Mancini. Although not a canonized saint, she did receive a signal grace that he was saved. He reformed himself years before his murder and he may be able to assist you in controlling your temper and violent moods. St. Rita can be a powerful intercessor for anyone who had certain plans for life but finds them thwarted; and especially for those who, like me, are ‘impossible causes.’ If you have a religious vocation, she can help you discern it.

Here is the page on that site for prayers and novenas to her.

Now, I gotta go finish that email to that site about my St. Rita story! Later!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Daily Reprieve

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I must at all times maintain my daily reprieve from my addiction. I must put God first every morning; when I am tempted by desire to do something else, like use a computer or my smartipants phone (whatever the rationalization) I must say “No!” and claim victory over temptation. Even if I am not up to reading, there is alway the Rosary, and perhaps Lectio Divina.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

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Gratitude




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Back in the day when I typically attended AA meetings I loathed discussions on ‘“gratitude.” Primarily because a sharer would just run through a laundry list of what they are grateful for. That’s nice, at times, but often I’d be bored out of my gourd.

I have come to realize that gratitude is an essential tool in recovery, for it helps curtail “addictive thinking” elsewhere.

 It is not enough to just maintain sobriety, one also has to express gratitude for it, but for everything else one has in life. If you are truly grateful for what you have, and your needs are consistently supplied, then you will have little desire for the “wants,” as they are rarely what you “need.”

 Focusing on your “wants” is an addictive thought process: it means you are not satisfied with just your needs, and you want more. Just as “one drink” was never enough, whatever you have in life now may not be enough, even though it adequately supplies your needs.

Today is my 21st sober anniversary. Because of this post, I will be spending the day working on some Sober Catholic Book projects (yes, you heard that correctly. After all this time there will be a few new books to add to the Stations of the Cross and Rosary books!) as well as going through some old ‘to do’ lists.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Thoughts on my 21st Soberversary and St. Rita of Cascia’s day

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Today is my 21st Soberversary! On this date in 2002 I had my last drink. Last year I wrote some deep and profound things on this day, given that then it was my 20th.

I have nothing to add to them.

Today is also the Feast day of St. Rita of Cascia, who I think picked me to be her client, talked to me once, and can be a great aid to those of us in recovery, and those who are lost.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 2

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As I stated in Part 1 of today’s Sacred Heart Friday post from last week (this makes sense only you read the conversation I had with the voices in my head that was transcribed in the Part 1 post) an alliance is always serves as a means to an end. Political alliances bolster the political standing of each member on the world stage. Military alliances ensure the security of each member. So, what is the end of the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary?

Our salvation, of course!

Like I said in the previous post, all authentic Marian devotion leads the soul to Jesus. “To Jesus Through Mary” is the theme of many saints’ writings; especially St. Louis deMontfort and St. Maximilian Kolbe. Even Our Lady said at Fatima that she desired devotion to not just her Immaculate Heart, but of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In Scripture, we’ve seen how Mary “kept all these things pondering them in her heart.” What things? What was being said about Jesus. Her heart was ever united to contemplating Him; she was His first disciple and greatest Apostle. Of course, neither role was mentioned in the Bible, but it stands to reason that she was. 

There is also another reason for the union of the Two Hearts: genetic. Jesus had no human father; He received all His humanity from Mary. What this actually means and its significance may be difficult to understand, but her heart was identical to His. Given His Sacred Humanity and Divinity and her Immaculate Conception, this must mean the union of the Two Hearts had to have supernatural implications.

Maybe we need to spend some time pondering these things in our hearts.

Now to the ‘our salvation’ part. Mary (our Mother and Jesus’) and Jesus (our brother) desire nothing less than we join them in Heaven. The devotion to the Hearts is geared towards that. The Immaculate Heart of Mary has suffered from the indifference of souls air not outright sacrilege and blasphemy. The Devotion of the Five First Saturdays is about reparation for the offenses against her Heart. Read about that here: Five First Saturday Devotions. Similarly, the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is about reparation for our sins and the sins of others. You can read about that here: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Both are about reparation for sin. Who knows how many have been turned back from the path of perdition and now enjoy the blessedness of Heaven because of these?

Next week: “The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 3!” I think it will be on the history of the Alliance, the saints that promoted it and so forth. That might need to carry over into a Part 4. There might be a Part 5, and that might involve Catholic Prophecy!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 1

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Yes, I know this  Sacred Heart Friday post is late.

“What do you mean ‘late,’ Paulcoholic?”

“I mean that it was supposed to be published last Friday.”

“Oh, wow! That IS late! A whole week! What have you got to say for yourself?”

“I wasn’t feeling all that well last week and wasn’t confident of my writing and thinking skills and didn’t finish going over the post to publish it last Friday (it was written over the course of that past week, I just never finished it.) Then I had my laptop off most of the weekend and didn’t feel like editing it. And then the week started and… OK ‘stuff’ happened and I just never got to it. OK?”

“Um, yeah, OK! Just don’t let it happen again!”

“Oh, shut up.” Why do I let the voices in my head get access to the keyboard?

In this week-late Sacred Heart Friday post, I offer you the first of at least two on the union between the two hearts  of Jesus and Mary. It was to have been one long-ish post, but since I’m late enough as it is and I didn’t do much additional research for it this week, and I’m still not feeling all that well, it’s being split up in two. So here goes! And let’s hope that I can get Part 2 out by the end of today the 19th. If there’s a Part 3, that’ll be next week.

All authentic Marian devotion leads to Jesus. The basis for this fact is that Mary is our Mother. Because she loves us so much, she leads us to her Son. We are all her children (Jesus and us) and so she wants us all to be together. Our biological mother gave birth to us in our physical, temporal life and we were thus born into Original Sin. Mary, however, gave birth to us when we were baptized. Our baptism made us members of the Mystical Body of Christ; and as Mary is Christ’s Mother, she becomes ours as she is also the Mother of the Mystical Body. Original Sin was wiped away and we were born anew as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ and children of God the Father. She can be said to be more our mother than our biological mother ever was and she loves us more than our Earthly mother ever could and by reason of her divine motherhood, enables us to gain eternity with Christ. 

It is love which unites the two. The Heart of Mary beats with a love for Jesus and for us; His Sacred Heart beats with love for His Mother and for us. Mary’s Heart has a maternal love for us and so yearns for us to belong to Jesus. His Heart, as I’ve said before in these Sacred Heart Fridays, loves us, since as God He loves His own creation. His love for us is so great that He suffered and died to free us from our sins.

This then, is the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary. An alliance typically is a means to an end. What is the end of this Alliance?

I think I’ll answer that in Part 2, and whatever I was gonna come up with for Part 2 will be Part 3 next week!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)