The Triumph and the Sorrow

Posted on by

This weekend was a special one; yesterday was the feast of the Triumph (or Exaltation) of the Cross and today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. 
Both are important inasmuch as the Triumph of the Cross can be compared to our triumph over our addictions. Alcoholism and drug addiction would have been our death, but we survived. Whether it was through a Twelve Step program of we ‘found religion’ or a combination, we triumphed over that which was crucifying us. We nailed or addictions to the Cross and rose again as new people, clean and sober.

Our Lady of Sorrows present another dimension to the suffering: just as Our Lady suffered throughout her life because she knew through the prophecy of Simeon that Jesus was to suffer a death that would pierce her heart and soul, to so did the people in our lives suffer over our addictions and the behaviour we acted out. As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross watching her Son die, so to did many of our loved ones (those that did not abandon us) watch us, often helplessly, as we strode towards death. And they rejoiced as we beat the addiction and rise again.

I found an old post that, like this, was written about these feast days late. From 2009:

Earlier this week (September 14th and 15th) the Church celebrated two feasts which I had written about before in these two posts: Triumph of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows.

I think it is intentional that these 2 feasts are linked by being placed a day apart.

The triumph of Jesus on the Cross was His death. Death is usually a defeat but His liberated us from the prison that was ours. He opened the gates of Heaven for us. Heaven is now attainable, whereas previously it was prohibited to us by the Original Sin of Adam. The Sorrows of Mary were many but in tying these dates together, the Church is perhaps emphasizing Jesus’ suffering, death and burial and how they must have ripped apart the heart of Mary as she witnessed them.

Both Jesus and Mary are marked in their obedience to God the Father’s will. Jesus accepted that His role and mission was to suffer and die for our sins. Mary accepted hers as being the bearer of the Messiah, the Savior of Humanity. Her willing submission to God’s will linked her life to that of Jesus.

So it can be said of us. If we accept that our duty as Christians is to submit ourselves to God’s will in our lives, looking to the Church for guidance, then we open ourselves to the sufferings and sorrows about us. In accepting God’s will for us, it is necessary for us to “die to ourselves” so that the inspirations and beckoning of the Holy Spirit can be felt. We decrease, so it can increase. In so dying, we are reborn into the person God intended for us to be and therefore are able to fulfill His plan for our lives. The sufferings and sorrows we feel are our compassion for others.

As addicts and alcoholics, we are especially attuned to this. Our old selves died when we gave up drinking and using. Our truer selves were resurrected from the Cross we nailed our addictions to. And in our new lives we see others about us differently. We see others and broken and wounded souls, as we are also. Our hearts are pierced by the swords of their pain and suffering. 

As Jesus on the Cross gave Mary to each of us to be our Mother, we, in our recovery, are given to others to nurture and sustain them.

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 Holy Face of Jesus Chaplet for Alcoholics and Addicts

Posted on by

In this post: “Books on the Holy Face Devotion. And a chaplet,” I introduced to you the Holy Face Chaplet. 

The chaplet of the Holy Face is comprised of 33 beads divided into five groups of six beads, headed by another bead, with three extra ones at the end. At the head of the Chaplet are an image of the Holy Face of Jesus and a Cross. The chaplet of the Holy Face has the purpose of honoring of the five senses of Our Lord Jesus Christ, all of which were abused during His Passion. The 33 beads represent the 33 years He spent on Earth.

I’ve become a little addicted to reciting it, it is quite comforting. On the cross you recite the prayer: “God, come to my assistance; Lord, Make haste to help me,” and then the “Glory be…” Then on the each first large beads announce the sense of our Lord (for the first section, “Touch”) and say “My Jesus, Mercy,” followed by the “Glory Be.” Then on each of the six smaller beads say, “Arise, O God, let thy enemies be scattered and let those who hate thee flee before Thy Face.” Then repeat this for each of the next four sections, each one representing the senses of hearing, sight, smell and finally taste. After “Taste,” say “My Jesus, Mercy,” followed by the “Glory Be” on the next large bead. After follows three small beads which you would probably be curious about what to do about them, if you had the chaplet already. You recite on each bead, “Arise, O God, let thy enemies be scattered and let those who hate thee flee before Thy Face.” Then on the image of His Face dangling from near the cross you say, “O God, Our Protector, please look upon us and cast your gaze upon the Face of Thy Christ.” And that’s it! It doesn’t take long to say.

I say it every morning, right after my Chaplet of St. Maximilian Kolbe.

Now, I am working of a new book of prayers for Sober Catholics, and I am including material on the Holy Face Devotion. While attending to that chapter, I got the idea that we can say the chaplet ourselves with the intention of making reparation for the abuses of our senses during the time of our addictions. Each one was abused by us during our addictions; for with each we committed sins against ourselves and others. 

Take some time to reflect on they ways by which you sinfully used touch, hearing, sight, smell, and taste during your active addiction. You can find the Hoy Face Chaplet available at most vendors who sell Catholic goods and books. I bought mine through EWTN Religious Catalog.

NOTE: there is a sequel to this post at “Using the Holy Face Chaplet as a “sobriety’ or “recovery” chaplet.”

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!!)

A Prayer to the Holy Face from EWTN

Posted on by

I ran across this prayer to the Holy Face of Jesus from EWTN on my Facebook feed a few minutes ago. I had been planning on writing a post on the Holy Face Chaplet as it can be used by alcoholics, so I took this as a reminder to get around to it (which will be the next post in a little while after this.)

The Holy Face | EWTN

I included a screenshot in case the link vanishes (as does happen quite a lot with EWTN links after several years pass.)

If you read the prayer, it invokes the Sorrowful Mother (“piercing sorrow of Our Lady as she beheld You in Your cruel Passion”) and that line served as yet ANOTHER reminder to ME to remind YOU that today kicks off the month of September, which is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Her Feast Day is September 15, which is a Sunday this year which means there will be no Mass honoring Our Lady under that title this year. 

Nevertheless, I will post a few things about the Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows over the next two weeks. 

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!!)

Devotion to St. Dismas

Posted on by

A little while ago I wrote about St. Dismas, the “Good Thief.”  This is another post on him, as part of my promise to him to help spread his devotion. 

So I took a look around the Internet and found this bit of history of him, along with a “Good Thief Prayer.”

There is even more information on St. Dismas over at Pray More Novenas: Novena to St. Dismas. 

While looking up stuff, I found that I had written about him way back in the early days of this blog. Take a look at “Remember Me…”

As I find more stuff on the Good Thief, I’ll post more; if he interests you, bookmark the St. Dismas Post Archives.

Why should I write about him? Like I said in the post linked to in the first sentence:

I think St. Dismas would be a great saint for us alcoholics and addicts to know. He left behind no writings and nothing for certain is known about him apart from the Gospel accounts. But, he was a ‘last minute,’ ‘deathbed’ conversion. And he led a life of sin, some say he was a robber, others a revolutionary. These do not contradict each other; revolutionaries often commit crimes to serve the rebel cause. But the point I am trying to make is that at the very end, when he was facing eternity, he grasped salvation from the lips of the Saviour. There is hope for everyone. Maybe pray to St. Dismas for the conversion of another whom you feel may have too ‘hard a heart’ to convert? Many prisoners in jail are alcoholics and addicts. Conversion is difficult in that environment; perhaps St. Dismas can do what others cannot. 

His feast day is March 25, the traditional date for the Crucifixion. 

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 Annual Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe begins August 5th

Posted on by

An annual post:

August 5th begins a novena to St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, one of my favorite saints for a myriad of reasons. One of them, and not the primary one, even, is his patronage of addicts. He was not an addict himself, but the Church in Her thinking has anointed him for that role by virtue of his death, for he was executed by a lethal injection.

His Feast Day is August 14th.

The following are links to a novena to him I wrote near the time when I began this blog:

The Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe for Alcoholics and Addicts:

Novena Day 1

Novena Day 2

Novena Day 3

Novena Day 4

Novena Day 5

Novena Day 6

Novena Day 7

Novena Day 8

Novena Day 9

There are numerous posts on Sober Catholic about him, the archive of them is here: St. Maximilian Kolbe Post Archive

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!!)

Prayer to St. Dismas

Posted on by

I found in a little used prayer book a prayer card to St. Dismas, known these past 2,000 years as ‘The Good Thief,” one of two men crucified along with Jesus, but this one somehow discerned Who Jesus was, repented of his sins and asked forgiveness. Whereupon Jesus promised that he would be in Paradise with Him that day.

The prayer reads as follows:

O good St. Dismas, who are in Heaven enjoying the beatific vision of God because of a contrite and humble heart and a kind and forgiving crucified Saviour whose parched lips uttered the assuring words of salvation on Calvary’s Cross, “Verily I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise,” plead my cause before the court of Heaven and present my spiritual and temporal requests to Our Blessed Lord, with the help of Our Sorrowful Mother and good St. Joseph.

(Here state your request.)

In return for these kind favors, O good St. Dismas, I promise to amend my own life, do penance, and to help spread your blessed devotion far and near, so that at the end of life’s journey I may thank you, personally, in Heaven. Amen.

I think St. Dismas would be a great saint for us alcoholics and addicts to know. He left behind no writings and nothing for certain is known about him apart from the Gospel accounts. But, he was a ‘last minute,’ ‘deathbed’ conversion. And he led a life of sin, some say he was a robber, others a revolutionary. These do not contradict each other; revolutionaries often commit crimes to serve the rebel cause. But the point I am trying to make is that at the very end, when he was facing eternity, he grasped salvation from the lips of the Saviour. There is hope for everyone. Maybe pray to St. Dismas for the conversion of another whom you feel may have too ‘hard a heart’ to convert? Many prisoners in jail are alcoholics and addicts. Conversion is difficult in that environment; perhaps St. Dismas can do what others cannot. 

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!!)

Ghosts of the Apocalypse on Kindle Vella is LIVE and awaiting you!

Posted on by

Well, it’s done! My first piece of published fiction has gone live on Amazon’s Kindle Vella serial self-publishing platform! You can get it here: Ghosts of the Apocalypse on Kindle Vella.

It is Episode 1 (or ‘first installment’) of… offhand I don’t know how many episodes it’ll be. Probably around 20.

 

The first ten episodes are free, to unlock anymore afterwards, you have to buy tokens, but they are not expensive. I would be very grateful if you would at least follow the story and read the first ten (they should appear every 1-2 days; it is a serial format) and ‘follow’ the story, as well as ‘like’ it, any maybe even comment on it (constructive criticism/suggestions are welcome.) And perhaps, if you like it, continue to support it by buying the tokens need to unlock the premium ones.

This is my entry in the Kindle Vellys, a fiction contest. First place is $25,000, second is $10,000 with a nmber of $1,000 also rans. I doubt I’ll win, given the criteria for becoming one of the 25 semifinalists, but miracles do happen!

Thank you!

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!!)

Well, it’s done!

Posted on by

The first episode of “Ghosts of the Apocalypse” has been uploaded to Amazon KDP and the Velly’s writing contest. I almost forgot to tick the box to make it a contest entry. 

It has not gone ‘live,’ yet, that should take up to 72 hours. But my experience with uploading books indicates it should be live within a day; maybe later tonight?

Sebastian Haydock is one of several survivors of a sudden apocalyptic attack on Calafiya, a remote colony world known mostly for its pastoral beauty, back-to-nature colonists, and flosarantius – a miracle herb that causes users to have a reverie that cures addictions. Not a threat to anyone! Making their way across the lands in hopes of escaping, they encounter reclusive villagers who claim a special relationship with flosarantius and other beings, and these beings have a particular need for it.

It is a debut story set within a much larger story universe. Additional stories set within that universe might appear as Vella series later on.

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!!)

My fiction debut

Posted on by

Sometime later this evening (Monday July 29th) I should upload the first “episode” of my Kindle Vella serial, “Ghosts of the Apocalypse” unless I have a panic attack. The title is subject to change, the current one is the third or fourth version. The first version was “A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to the Spaceport,” which I changed to “The Trains Were Still Running the Day the World Ended,” because nothing funny actually happened to my protagonist on the way to the spaceport. I changed it to “The Trains…” because it’s evocative of a mood, but decided on “Ghosts of the Apocalypse” because that’s more encompassing of the plot and trains don’t factor in as much as I thought. It was called very briefly ‘The Odd Thing That Happened to Me on the Way to the Spaceport,” but it didn’t last because it’s just dumb. 

Kindle Vella is an initiative of Amazon that began about two years ago. It features episodic, serial fiction. Writers can upload stories with a minimum of  500 words (or is it 600?, I don’t care ‘cos I won’t be having episodes that brief) and a maximum of 5,000 per episode. The number of episodes is up to the writer. Mine may be 15-20 episodes of an average of 3,000 words each. 

Why am I boring you to tears with these details? Because I’m freaking out and this comforts me. This is an historic moment for me on a personal level. This will be my first piece of published fiction, ever. I  have always has aspirations of writing. I wrote and submitted terrible short stories to all the major science-fiction magazines way back in the 1980s. They were mercifully rejected. One never even merited a rejection letter. I guess they thought it was so bad that they weren’t going to waste postage on telling me so.  In 1991 I moved to Southern California to hopefully become a writer for television. I even submitted a script for “Star Trek: the Next Generation,” but it was rejected. I piddled with a few more but but never submitted them and then alcohol happened and I gave up writing for almost a decade. (The stereotype of writers is that they drink a lot. When I wrote, I didn’t drink. When I began drinking, I gave up writing. When I gave up drinking, I returned to writing. I sometimes do things backwards, I guess.)

I never entertained thoughts that my writing would be a Catholic spirituality blog along with devotional booklets. No, I was going to be a beloved writer of soft sci-fi novels and stories, and maybe a bunch of Star Trek episodes, to boot! But, no. Not that I am resentful. I never gave up the dream and have been working on miscellaneous pieces for the past 10+ years. 

Until a couple of weeks ago when my wife found out about the Kindle Vellys. 

It’s a writing contest. Unlike most contests where a group of judges read and analyze contest entries and select a winner, the Vellys are a popularity contest. The top 25 most popular stories based on subscription rates and other reader engagement metrics become finalists and then the judges read those. First place is $25,000. I think second place is $10,000 and there’s a bunch of $1,000 also-rans. 

I doubt I’ll get anywhere near the top 25 (which is why I’m fuzzy on the not-first-place prize monies) never having written a Vella story before; I am assuming the more experienced writers who have a following already have the advantage. 

But it isn’t gonna hurt for me to try. If I enjoy the experience, as well as the engagement (a key strategy in raising the visibility of your story is the writer engaging with their readers through the comment section. Readers can reply to the story, and writers respond) then I may continue with additional stories (I have many in various states of incompletion that may make for decent serials.) 

How is money earned? The writer gets paid royalties from the readers purchasing of tokens to unlock the episodes (the first 10 episodes are free, starting with the 11th, you gotta pay to read the rest of it.) I have not heard of anyone getting rich off of writing Vella stories. But, thirty days after the story is marked “completed,” I can package it up as a book and upload it to Amazon KDP ebook and paperback. But, if this is viable, it may prove to have decent revenue. Especially since I can “double dip” from Vella royalties and royalties on the book versions (which, I think, can be edited versions of the Vella. This story may approach novel-length, but it will juuuuuuuuuussssssssssst make the 40,000 word count that makes a story a novel. So, I may revise the serialized version after the contest is over. 

I would love to get your support. After I upload each episode, I will announce it here, and across my social media accounts. If you woud be so kind as to read each episode and make nice comments to boost the engagement metrics, I would love you all until the Second Coming and then some. The first ten episodes are free, and then you’ll have to buy tokens to get the rest, but  they’re not that expensive.  See:

So, if my story is 20 episodes, all you need to pay is $0.99 to unlock the episodes after the 10th. If it lasts longer than 20, it’ll cost you another $0.99 to get 10 more (I seriously doubt my story will be much longer than 20ish eps. So, you may have to spend $1.98 on me. I’m worth a buck ninety-eight? Right? Yes? Sniff. I think the writer’s royalties are 50% of the tokens purchased to unlock their episodes. (I’m focusing on the $25,000 prize money for First Place. The ordinary details I’ll figure out later.)

Anyway, it’s almost 2AM where I live and I must wrap this post up and go to bed. Or watch TV for a bit. But I’m done with the computer for now. Tomorrow, I’l reread a few times the first episode, make any needed changes and upload it. Check back here later tomorrow, or if you follow me or Sober Catholic on social media. If you scroll down these Pages: About me and About this blog, all my social media account are listed where I post blog updates and the Vella announcements.

Thanks, I really would appreciate the support.

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 apparitions of Our Lady as “Rosa Mystica”

Posted on by

Tomorrow, July 13th, is a new feast day in honor of the Blessed Virgin under a new title, that of “Rosa Mystica” (Mystical Rose.) I am posting this today to give you a head’s up on it. Tomorrow I’ll be posting information on devotions.

The apparitions of Our Lady as “Rosa Mystica” occurred between 1947 and 1976 in Montichiari, Italy, to Pierina Gilli, a nurse. The primary purpose was the reform of clergy and religious houses, continuing the message of Fatima by urging prayer, penance, and the Rosary. Today is the feast day of the Apparition. Interestingly, July 13th is the anniversary of the Fatima Apparition when the three seers were given a vision of Hell as well as three secrets. What is really intersting is that this newly approved apparition taken as a extension of Fatima. 

The Church had doubts about the apparition’s supernatural character. After initially refusing to acknowledge the apparition, about a decade after the seer’s death in 1991, the investigation was reopened and only within the past few years “gained steam” leading to its official approval this past Monday, July 8th.

This is the story of the Apparition, gleaned from several sites listed in the link in the previous sentence.

The first Apparition ocurred in the Spring  of 1947. Our Lady appeared to Pierina Gilli  in a hospital room, wearing a violet dress and white veil about her head. She also appeared to be sad, with tears and three swords in her chest. She called for “Prayer, Penance, Expiation.”

During the second Apparition on July 13, 1947, Our Lady appeared in a white dress with three roses (white for prayer, red for sacrifice, yellow for penance and conversion) instead of swords. Our Lady said:

“I am the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of you. Our Lord sends me to bring you a new Marian devotion to all religious orders and institutes, male and female, and to the priests of the world. I promise to protect those religious orders and institutes who will venerate me in this special way, increase their vocations, and achieve a greater striving for saintliness among the servants of God.”

She also requested Marian devotion on the 13th of each month, with July 13th being celebrated in honor of her under her title of Mystical Rose.

In the third Apparition on October 22, 1947,  Mary emphasized her role as, quote:

“I have placed myself as the mediatrix between my Divine Son and mankind, especially for the soul consecrated to God. Tired of the continuous offenses, He already wanted to dispense His Justice.”

Our Lady concluded her visit with saying:

“Live out of love!”

The fourth Apparition on November 16, 1947, Our Lady appeared in the Basilica of Montichiari, saying:

“Our Lord can no longer watch the many grievous sins against purity. He wants to send a flood of punishments. I have interceded that He may be merciful once more! Therefore, I ask for prayer and penance to atone for these sins.”

The Blessed Virgin added:

“I lovingly ask the priests to express their great love and stop the people from committing those sins. Whoever will atone for those sins, will receive my blessing and graces.”

In reply to the Pierina Gilli’s question as to whether we may hope for forgiveness, Our Lady said:

“Yes, as long as these sins are no longer committed.”

With these words, she went away.

In the fifth Apparition on November 22, 1947, Our Lady appeared in the Basilica of Montichiari and said:

“I descend on this place, for many great conversions will happen here,”

and in a sad voice she continued:

“The Christians of your Italian nation belong to those who offend most my Divine Son, Jesus through their sins of unchastity. Our Lord demands, therefore, PRAYER, GENEROUS SACRIFICES, AND PENANCE!”

Pierina asked: “What do we have to do to fulfill your demands for prayer and penance?”

Our Lady replied full of tenderness:

“Prayer!”

After a short, silent pause, she explained:

“Penance means to accept every day all the little crosses and the duties too, in the spirit of penance.”

Thereupon, she promised solemnly:

“On the December 8th, at noon, I shall appear again here in the Basilica. It will be the Hour of Grace.”

Pierina asked: “Please explain to me the meaning of the “Hour of Grace?””

This Hour of Grace will produce great and numerous conversions. Hardened and cold hearts resembling this marble will be touched by Divine Grace, and they will become faithful to Our Lord in loyal love.” 

For sixth Apparition onDecember 7, 1947, Our Lady appeared at the Basilica of Montichiari with the two deceased Fatima children, Jacinta and Francisco Marto (now saints), emphasizing her connection to the message of Fatima and the devotion to her Immaculate Heart, along with her desire to be venerated under the title of  “Rosa Mystica.” Another reason for appearing with the two Fatima seers was revealed when Our Lady said:

Jacinta and Francisco” they will help you in your trials and suffering. They too, suffered. I wish from you the simplicity and goodness of these two children.

On the seventh Apparition on December 8, 1947, Our Lady appeared on a large white staircase, decorated with a white, red and yellow rose. She said with a smile:

I am the Immaculate Conception. 

And descending several steps with great majesty, she continued:

I am Mary, full of grace, Mother of my Divine Son, Jesus Christ.

Descending even more, she said:

Through my coming to Montichiari, I wish to be known as the Rosa Mystica. It is my wish that every year, on the 8th of December, at noon, the Hour Of Grace for the World be celebrated . Many divine and bodily graces will be received through this devotion. Our Lord, my Divine Son Jesus, will send His overflowing mercy if good people will pray continuously for their sinful brothers. One should very soon notify the Holy Father of the Church, Pope Pius XII, that it is my wish that the Hour Of Grace for the World be made known and spread throughout the world. If anyone is unable to visit his church, yet will pray at noon at home, he will also receive graces through me. Whoever prays on these tiles and weeps tears of penance, will find a secure heavenly ladder and receive protection and grace through my motherly heart.

Then Our Lady showed Pierina her heart and said:

Look at this heart, which loves mankind so very much, but most people only shower offenses upon it. If the good and the bad unite in prayer they will obtain mercy and peace through this heart. The Lord is still protecting the good and is holding back a great punishment because of my intercession.

Our Lady smiled again and went on:

Soon one will recognize the greatness of this Hour of Grace.

(More on this “Hour of Grace” in this post.)

In 1966, a new series of apparitions  ocurred at Fontanelle, on the outskirts of Montichiari. These focused on the healing powers of a spring where pilgrims gather water for pious uses. Our Lady touched the water twice with her hands and said to Pierina.

My Divine Son sent me here to bestow healing power on this water. I want the sick and all my Children to come to this miraculous well. children must first ask pardon for their sins and draw the water lovingly from the well.

There were more apparitions in the ensuing years, as this post is long enough already, I will just refer you to: The History Of Apparitions Mary Appears As “Rosa Mystica” In Montichiari And Fontanelle

So, there it is. We have a new day to honor Our Lady with some new devotions (see the links in the Vatican approval post of mine I linked to way up above.)

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!!)