Traditional Catholic Grandma & Sewist
November - Dedicated to The Holy Souls
In Purgatory
November is the month that the Church pays particular attention to these souls by Masses , prayers and even sacrifices for their release from the cleansing fires that purifies those whose souls are still in need of complete atonement for venial sins. Remembering these souls not only in prayers and having Masses offered for them, but sacrifices also attend and relieve their suffering.
Father Emile Conseil, OSP
What is Purgatory and who goes there?
Purgatory is simply the place where already saved souls are cleansed of the temporal effects of sin before they are allowed to see the holy face of Almighty God. Revelation 21:27 tells us that “...nothing unclean will enter [Heaven].” Purgatory is God’s way of ensuring that Revelation 21:27 is true and that nothing unclean will enter Heaven. It is only through Christ’s sacrifice that we are shown this mercy! It is Christ and Christ alone Who allows us access to the Father.
Many people ask, “Where is the word purgatory in the Bible?” It will not be found in the Bible, but the concept of a “final cleansing” or “purgation” for those who require it is very evident in the Bible, in the writings of the early Church Fathers, and in the Old Testament religion whence Christianity sprang. Daniel 12:2, Matthew 12:32, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, 2 Timothy 1:16-18, Hebrews 12:14, Hebrews 12:22-23, 1 Peter 4:6 and Revelation 21:10, 27 all speak of purgatory in their telling of the need for purification, prayers for the dead, Christ’s preaching to the dead, and how nothing unclean will see God.
Praying for the Dead
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass freeing souls from purgatory “And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection (for if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead) and because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead and to offer Masses for their souls, that they may be loosed from sins and the fires of love that Purgatory cleanses and purifies the soul who will see God.” – II Maccabees 12:43-46
October
Dedicated to
the Holy Rosary
The rosary is one of the most powerful weapons the Church possesses. We are constantly exhorted by saints, popes, and Our Lord and Our Lady themselves to pray this simple yet profound prayer. Accordingly, Mother Church has set aside a whole month to the promotion of this prayer.
On October 7, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the yearly feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Known for several centuries by the alternate title of “Our Lady of Victory,” the feast day takes place in honor of a 16th century naval victory which secured Europe against Turkish invasion. Pope St. Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was invoked on the day of the battle through a campaign to pray the Rosary throughout Europe.
In Our Lady's favor we carry the Holy Rosary not only for our moments of prayer, but
for protection and as a constant reminder of the power of the Rosary. In many of our
Blessed Mother's apparitions, she appears with the Holy Rosary as a reminder of the intense power that is placed on the recitation of this most favored of sacramentals. Graces and indulgences are received just for kissing the crucifix at the beginning of the chain of beads.
May October be the month you decide to pray the Rosary each day as Our Lady of Fatima has requested, and to keep it by your side at every moment of the day.
Fr. Emile Conseil, OSB
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September - Dedicated to
The 7 Sorrows of Mary
It is fitting this month to remember our Blessed Mother and the seven sorrows that she endured during her life here on earth. In the story that follows which lightly touches on her apparition at La Salette, France, she addressed herself as
The Mother of Sorrows.
Let us begin:
On September 19th, 1846 Melanie Matthieu, 14 and Maximin Giraud 11, were tending cows in the hillside of the mountains of La Salette. At 12 noon they had finished their lunch and as usual began to look for the cows that had scattered while eating. Suddenly Melanie noticed a globe of light more brilliant than the sun and upon opening the youngsters saw a beautiful lady sitting on a stone weeping. The luminous figure arose, her arms crossed upon her breast. “Come near, my children, I have great news for you.”
A dazzling white headdress and diadem covered the lady’s hair. Upon her breast was a golden crucifix and as she spoke her tears fell on the golden crucifix which were burnt away as a fire of love. “If my people will not obey, I shall be compelled to lose my Son’s arm. It is so heavy, so pressing, that I can no longer restrain it. How long I have suffered for you! If my son is not to cast you off, I am obliged to entreat Him without ceasing.”
Turning to each child, our Blessed Mother confides secrets to them that will astound the faithful and the hierarchy of the Church for which the messages imparted were meant to warn and provide remedy for the sins that offend her Son. The warnings were meant for the years to follow her momentous apparition to the children and to which she gave them the task of imparting these warnings. “Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people.”
~From the book,"Light on the Mountain", a must read for the faithful today as Mary's messages are very much meant for the current crisis in the Church that we have been enduring for over 65 years and continues to play out within the clergy as she has warned.
Prayer to Our Lady of La Salette
O Mother of sorrows, what is the meaning of the bright Crucifix which
shines upon thy breast ? Why the stream of tears trickling down thy
heavenly face and rolling over the golden cross? May thy tears always
be before my eyes , may I have a firm resolution to lead a better life,
never to offend thy Son. Convert me O Mother and lead me to your Son. Amen.
August - Dedicated to
The Immaculate Conception
The heart of Mary is a motherly heart, a heart full of love and mercy for her children. The heart of Mary is also the channel through which all the graces of God flow down to us. She is “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.”
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was declared by Pope Pius IX in 1854 in the papal bull "Ineffabilis Deus".
The doctrine that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on August 15th on the Traditional Roman Calendar.
In one of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes, France in 1858, when asked by Bernadette what her name was Mary identified herself as the "Immaculate Conception".
In reflecting on the Mother of God, God's infinite capacity to have Mary as the vessel through which His Divine Son would be brought into the world, one would realize that her role in the salvation of mankind was not to be considered as insignificant by any means. She, under the many titles she has been called, is also known as the "Co-Redemptrix". So vital is her role alongside her Divine Son in the redemption of mankind, that she is the means of great graces necessary for our intervention on our behalf before the throne of Heaven.
Let us turn to Mary during these very dark times in our world and within the Church as our hope in this valley of tears.
Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen
July - Dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ
The Blood of Christ saves us from sin. It is the Blood of Christ that gives us the hope of heaven. St. Paul tells us that Jesus reconciled “to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the Blood of his cross” (Col. 1:20). Without the Blood of Christ shed for us, all would be lost.
A Reflection on the Devotion to the Precious Blood Of Jesus.
July has long been designated the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus in the Liturgical calendar of the Church — for good reason.
Devotion to the Precious Blood has deep historical roots in the Church, dating back to the early centuries of Christianity. This devotion gained prominence over time, leading to the establishment of the Feast of the Most Precious Blood (formerly on the first Sunday of July) in the liturgical calendar.
Designating July as the month dedicated to the Precious Blood provides believers with a specific period to deepen our devotion to Jesus’ sacrifice and to reflect on the salvific power of His Blood. It offers us an opportunity to participate in special prayers, Liturgies, and devotional practices focused on the Precious Blood.
Redemption
Devotion to the Precious Blood is centered on honoring and meditating upon the Blood that Jesus Christ shed during His Crucifixion for the redemption of humanity. This devotion emphasizes the profound spiritual significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the salvific power of His Blood. We believe that through the shedding of His Blood, Jesus offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God and to atone for sin.
Prayer
O Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, we honor, worship and adore Thee.
Heal the wounds of our souls and wash away the sins of the whole world.
O Precious Blood, have mercy. Amen.
Fr. Emile Conseil, OSB
JUNE
Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
In the Gospels, Jesus’ heart is moved with pity for the crowds (see Mt 9:36) and He tells us that He is gentle and humble of heart (Mt 11:29). The Sacred Heart of Jesus that began beating in the womb of the Blessed Virgin more than 2,000 years ago still beats today in the glorified humanity of the Risen Christ. And it will pulsate forever, pumping out the grace, mercy and life of God to all of humanity. In the Heart of the Lord, we experience the overwhelming mercy of God and His infinite desire to be in relationship with us.
Prayer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
truly present in the Holy Eucharist,
I consecrate my body and soul
to be entirely one with Your Heart,
being sacrificed at every instant,
on the altars of the world,
giving praise to the Father
and pleading for the coming of His kingdom.
Please receive this humble offering of myself.
Use me as You will for the glory of the Father
and the salvation of souls.
Most Holy Mother of God,
never let me be separated from your Divine Son.
Please defend and protect me as Your special child.
Amen (by Sister Agnes Sasagawa)
Many thanks to Father Emile Conseil, OSB for his monthly contributions to this website! You and the Community of Saint Benedict in Enfield, CT continue in our daily prayers as well!
May Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
"Well, my children, you will make my teachings known to all my people."
Message of Our Lady of La Salette
O Mother, our days of meditation through Lent have come to an end,
yet we have hardly begun to truly meditate on your Son's teachings
and the mystery of his love.
O Mother of God, how consoling to our wearied hearts,
as we contemplate your Son's Cross and with humble hearts
we pour out our prayers at his feet. Hours spent with you
are but instants that pass like the speed of a lightning flash.
Love rejoices to express itself by sacrifices and devotedness
to Your Son's suffering. Let us teach all we know and love in this world the necessity of serving God. Our duty is to make known the religious observances and the delight found in the service of God in this life, the need to fulfill this sacred duty and to meditate upon thy teachings.
O my child, let your heart be inflamed like that of your Mother with the fire
of holy zeal for God's glory! Remember that by edifying our loved ones
and procuring their salvation, you secure your own. Yes! Heaven is the prize!
O merciful Mother convert me and obtain for me the grace to love Jesus above
all things in this life, so that one day I may see thee in heaven. Amen.
Our Lady of La Salette, pray for us.
Fr. Emile Conseil, OSB
AprilDedicated to the Most Holy Eucharist
Prayer of Consecration to
The Most Holy Eucharist
Jesus, my Lord and my God,
Truly present – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist,
I believe in Thy Real Presence.
I love Thee above all things with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
I thank Thee for giving Thyself
And remaining with us in
The Most Blessed Sacrament.
I worship and adore Thee profoundly.
I wholeheartedly consecrate myself Entirely to Thee today through
Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
And my Mother, Our Lady of
The Most Blessed Sacrament.
Amen.
We pray in the Mass “All glory and honor be yours almighty Father forever and ever. Amen.” It comes from the book of Revelation, (5:13) But God wants us to share in His glory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the Eucharist is a pledge of our future glory with Him. “Having passed from this world to the next world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, andunites us even now to the Church in Heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.” (ccc 1410) Heaven and earth meet in the Eucharist. It’s time to discover all that you are, all that you can be, and all that you will be in Jesus Christ. It’s time to embrace the Most Holy Eucharist in all its glory.
March
Dedicated to Saint Joseph
by Father Emile Conseil, OSB
Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus. The Gospels have very little information on the life of Saint Joseph. We know he was older than Mary and that he was known for his carpentry. He was chosen by God to be the protector of the Holy Family, supporting and caring for both Mary and Jesus and teaching Jesus in the ways of holiness and the trade of carpentry.
He is mentioned as being a practical man and he arranged the trip to Bethlehem for the census and finding safety for the birth of Christ. His quick call by an angel to hasten the departure for the safety of Mary and Jesus into Egypt. His task entrusted to him by God was provided by Joseph in complete giving of his mild and loving nature.
Joseph’s dreams were dreams of God who spoke
to him through these dreams and by angels.
Shortly Before the public ministry of Jesus it said that Joseph died in the arms of Mary and Jesus at his side. For this Joseph is also known for a Happy death.
Saint Joseph is also mentioned in the Cannon of the Mass and many other prayers of the Church.
St. Joseph’s example continues to hold great significance for Catholics and Christians around the world. He is seen as a model of humility, faith, and obedience to God’s will. St. Joseph’s life demonstrates the importance of family, fatherhood, and the sanctity of work.
St Joseph is known under the following titles attributed to him for his intercession:
Patron of the Universal Church, Patron of a happy death, patron of workers, Patron of fathers
and those who are in the carpentry skills.
Ancient Prayer to Saint Joseph
O ST. JOSEPH, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires.
O St. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.
O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me.
January
Reflection & Meditation
The New Year 2025 Interior Prayer
Learning how to pray and meditate is essential not only in the monastic
life of a monk or nun, it is essential also for everyone who seeks God
in their daily life. From the desert fathers who sought out prayer in
silence to the saints who wrote powerful prayers and ways of speaking
to God from the heart through simple interior conversation.
Saint Benedict in his rule taught his monks that prayer and work together
manifest part of the daily life of complete conversation with God each
on their own level of thought. Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross
who are known mystics have written of their daily lives of how speaking to
God as though he was with you in physical form brought a new dimension
of their prayer life and direct completion of their Holy lives.
How do you submit yourself in contemplative prayer so that your thoughts
and words bring that closeness to God in your daily life ? Set aside a quiet
space, a lit candle and speak to God in prayer and simple conversation that
connects your soul and your heart in an intimate way that unites your very
being to He that knows and loves you.
Let us arise, then, at last,
for the Scripture stirs us up, saying,
"Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom. 13:11).
Let us open our eyes to the deifying light,
let us hear with attentive ears
the warning which the divine voice cries daily to us,
"Today if you hear His voice,
harden not your hearts" (Ps. 94[95]:8).
Fr. Emile Conseil, OSB
The Lord Will Not Delay
Isaias 7:14
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel."
Meditation & Reflection For December
Lord Jesus, You invite me to greater recollection, to greater interior and exterior silence, so that I may be able to hear Your voice and prepare for Your coming. Help me, then, to quiet my continual chatter about useless things, the discordant voices of nature, self-love, sensitiveness, the distracting prattle of my fantasies, imaginations, thoughts and useless preoccupations.
Yes Lord, You teach me that interior silence exacts detachment from self and from creatures, exacts interior and exterior mortification. For love of You I will mortify my curiosity, curiosity of my eyes, ears, thoughts, and imagination. I also want to silence my passions and, therefore, I resolve to be more generous in the practice of corporal mortification.
O eternal Word, my Saviour, draw all my powers to Yourself; fasten my interior gaze upon Yourself, so that I shall no longer seek or hear anything or anyone but You alone, eternal Word of my eternal God!
Submitted by Fr. Emile Conseil OSB
Sourced from catholiccritique.com;
"The Greater Interior - Silence of Advent"
By Fr. Gabriel of St Mary Magdalene, OCD