Mary has requested that the daily message be given each day to the world. It is read nightly at the prayer service from her Image Building in Clearwater, Florida, U.S.A. This is according to her request. All attempts will be made to publish this daily message to the world at 11 p.m. Eastern time, U.S.A.


We acknowledge that the final authority regarding these messages rests with the Holy See of Rome.


I appear my children on this former bank building in Florida, Our Lady Clothed with the Sun.

January 27, 2001


A Prayer for Intimacy with the Lamb, the Bridegroom of the Soul

Oh Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, come and act on my soul most intimately. I surrender myself, as I ask for the grace to let go, to just be as I exist in You and You act most intimately on my soul. You are the Initiator. I am the soul waiting Your favors as You act in me. I love You. I adore You. I worship You. Come and possess my soul with Your Divine Grace, as I experience You most intimately.


Messenger: Include Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in 6:20 prayers.


Messenger: Please pray for 5 urgent intentions!


Messenger: WE URGENTLY NEED FUNDS TO PUT OUT THE NEXT NEWSLETTER, PRAY FOR THIS AND FOR THE NEWSLETTER AND ALL INVOLVED.


Messenger: Our Lord has asked us to pray for a special priest and three other special priests and His designated priests.

                      Please pray for the priestly newsletter and for the intentions on the prayer list at the end of the message.


Messenger: Here are questions concerning friendship in our relationships with others.

Contemplating them may aid us in our relationships with others.

You may consider these questions yourself or talk about them with a friend.

Discussion questions Father Carter gave in class on friendship.


                FRIENDSHIP    

  1. Do you think that women are more capable of deeper friendship than men?
  2. What are some of the characteristics of a good friendship?
  3. Does a particular age group need more friendship than others?
  4. What do you think are the main benefits of friendship?
  5. Why is friendship a good preparation for marriage?
  6. Some say deep friendships for any one person are necessarily few. Do you disagree? Give reasons.
  7. Do you think it is rare for a deep friendship to last over a lifetime?
  8. How can prayer on the part of friends help the friendship?
  9. Do you think a person who does not have friends in the workplace can function just as well as the person who does have friends in the workplace?
  10. What are some of the main reasons for the break-up of friendships?
  11. What are some of the joys and hurts experienced in friendship?
  12. What are some of the ways you like your friends to show love to you?

Messenger: Today at the instruction of Jesus, we include several chapters from The Pain and The Joy.

We include the following chapters. (Chapters 17-22.)         


Excerpt from The Pain and the Joy, by Father Edward Carter, S.J.

17

Intellect, Will, Emotions

   The proper balance of our intellects, wills, and emotions is most important. Overemphasis, or neglect, regarding any of these three dimensions creates hindrances to Christian living.

   We can overemphasize the intellectual aspect of human nature. One example of this goes back to the time of Socrates. This famous Greek philosopher taught that to know the good is to achieve it. How many times human nature has proved him wrong! Another fallacy concerning the intellectual dimension is to think that the more we reason about an issue or problem, the better we can handle it. This approach fails to realize that not by intellect alone do we live and cope.

   If our intellectual faculty can be overemphasized, it can also receive too little attention. Anti-intellectualism assumes many forms and exists in various degrees. To be intellectual beings is a great gift. To grow in proper knowledge concerning our existence and growth is a duty, not an option.

   The faculty of will can also receive improper emphasis. There is a favorite axiom in our American culture—and, no doubt, in other cultures also—which says that if a person wants something badly enough, he or she can achieve that goal. This is not always the case, and unnecessary frustration and unhappiness have entered the lives of many because they have accepted this axiom and acted upon it without proper qualification.

   We must not, however, underestimate the importance of the will. To use free will properly is crucial for human existence. Ultimately, our salvation depends on the correct use of this marvelous faculty called will. With our wills cooperating with God's grace, we can accomplish wonders for Christ, the Church, and the world. Not all possess great intellectual ability; this does not mean, however, that they cannot achieve great things. Our fundamental task is to conform our wills in love to God's will. The more we do this, the greater Christians we become, and the greater our achievement for Christ.

 
   The emotions—how often they have been misused in the course of human existence. For example, uncontrolled anger has been responsible for so many human wrongs—for murder, for other acts of unjust physical violence, for all sorts of verbal slander, calumny, and vitriolic abuse. In considering another emotion, that of fear, we see a long list of human misery resulting from its improper activity. Many things have been done which should not have occurred, and many things have been omitted which should have been accomplished, because fear reigned improperly in people's lives. We also could give examples regarding other emotions, but I think the point has been made—the improper use of the emotions has caused much human misery.

   The emotions are good—they come from God's creative act. Although we must be aware of their misuse, we must not fail to recognize the importance of the emotions. To fail to give the emotions their legitimate role in human existence can cause havoc to the personality. Psychology books are replete with descriptions of what happens when the emotions are morbidly suppressed. Buried in the subconscious, the emotions can give rise to various kinds of aberrant behavior. We must not be afraid, then, to admit that we are in part emotional beings. We must not neglect to give proper expression to the emotional dimension of one person. Properly following the guidance of the intellect and will, emotions add a certain lustre, a certain vibrancy to our activity and our life.

 
   Intellect, will, emotions—let us always strive to give each its proper place in our Christian existence. The more we do so, the more closely we follow Christ who perfectly balanced these three aspects of His human nature. As Jesus walked this earth, He showed Himself to be perfectly intellectual, perfectly volitional, perfectly emotional. Let us ourselves strive to respect the type of being God has made us—persons of intellect, will, and emotions.


18

To Be Free

   If we are to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as we should, we must possess a distinct spiritual freedom. By this I mean we must be free enough relative to persons, places, occupations—to everything—so that we might hear the voice of the Spirit and respond as we should. To put it another way, we must always be striving to relate to all things according to God's will. To do so is already to follow the Spirit's lead; to do so is also to make ourselves more free, more sensitive to the Spirit's guidance.

   Some possess enough of this freedom (with its proportionate sensitivity), to hear what the Spirit is saying; but here and now they are not free enough to do what the Spirit is asking. It may be a question of ridding oneself of a particular practice, or of initiating a certain course of action. The person, however, is not free enough to respond to the Spirit's lead.

   In the way I am using the phrase "spiritual freedom," I do not mean to imply the person is not responsible when this freedom is not operative. I simply mean that because of inordinate attachments, the person does not use free will properly regarding the Holy Spirit's requests.

   Sometimes the shackles of our captivity possess such strength that it is only with extraordinary effort that we break loose from them. Once free, we seem overwhelmed with a new sense of spiritual vitality. We resolve to preserve our new-found freedom at all costs.

 
   Those who have been deprived of political or other types of freedom cherish these freedoms once gained or regained. The freedom we speak of here, the freedom to do whatever God may ask, is one which calls for the deepest rejoicing; for in possessing this freedom, we are fulfilling the purpose of our existence. Is this not reason to rejoice from the depths of our being?


19

To Dwell in Peace

   The necessity of maintaining ourselves in a basic spirit of peace is a key principle of the spiritual life. If we are striving to follow Christ, if we are earnest in trying to accomplish His will, then peace is meant to be ours.

   There are three basic kinds of peace. One type is more of a rare occurrence. It is that which we can feel, as it were, vibrating throughout our entire being. Enjoying this particular type of peace, we feel completely alive with a joyous serenity, one which we can almost taste.

   As indicated above, however, we do not often experience this exhilarating kind of peace. Our usual state is a more subdued sense of peace, one mixed in with the ordinary difficulties, discomforts, and sufferings of everyday life. If this kind of peace is more subdued, it nevertheless is a solid one which provides a proper atmosphere for walking in the way of the Lord.

   The third kind of peace is similar to the first in that it is of relatively rare occurrence. For the rest, it is strikingly different from the first that we described. The peace we now speak of is that which can and should exist even in the midst of great suffering. The suffering may be some intense interior trial, or one inflicted by an outside source—which, of course, also penetrates to our interior. Whatever the intense suffering may be, and whatever its source, we should not allow it to rob us of the fundamental peace which is meant to be ours. Although we may be very troubled in the more peripheral aspect of our spirit, we can make the effort to go deep within ourselves, to the center of our being where we more directly contact God, the source of all peace. Here we stir up the well-springs of peace within us, allowing that peace to make us stable and strong despite the great suffering we are currently experiencing.

   It is in the atmosphere of peace that we can best listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, that we can more assuredly be open to the Spirit's touches. The more we open ourselves to the Spirit, in turn, the more we will experience peace.

   Whichever kind of peace is ours at any particular juncture of our spiritual life, let us treasure it, let us pray for its increase, let us rejoice in it from the depths of our being.


20

Spiritual Guidance

   Spiritual guidance is an aspect of the communal dimension of Christianity. We go to God with the help of others, and we in turn aid others in various ways along the spiritual journey. A spiritual guide is, then, one who helps us achieve Christian maturity.

   The guide in spiritual matters is not out front, as it were, directing us according to some pre-conceived plan concerning how the Spirit will guide us. Of course, we must properly understand this statement. We all must follow the teaching and example of Christ. However, since we are unique individuals, the assimilation to Christ will always differ in various ways according to each one's personal uniqueness.

   A key task of a spiritual guide, consequently, is to try to determine how the Spirit desires to lead this particular individual. A person seeking spiritual direction, therefore, must be willing to share his or her prayer life with the guide. This allows the guide to help the person discern the Spirit's action. A guide should not discern the Spirit's action in order that he or she may make decisions for the person being directed, but that the person himself or herself may make the proper decision in the Spirit.

   And another important task of a spiritual director is to be ready to offer correction when needed. When the directee is going astray, the guide must gently but firmly point out the person's errant ways.

   A common difficulty in the spiritual life, especially for beginners, is encountering discouragement. A further responsibility of the guide, then, is to help the person in coping with this obstacle. The guide must assist in developing the virtue of trust in the Lord. As trust grows, so does one's conviction that the Lord is present to us to help us deal with the various difficulties we encounter in the quest for spiritual maturity.

 
   What about the frequency of spiritual direction? This will vary somewhat between individuals. For beginners in the spiritual journey, sessions will be more frequent than for persons more advanced. This is to be expected. There are numerous principles and practices of the spiritual life. The beginner not only must become aware of these, but must also learn how to incorporate them into his or her personal life. This is not an easy task, and the help of a spiritual director or guide is most advantageous. Sessions with a director will also be more frequent at critical points along the spiritual pilgrimage—when severe trials enter a person's life, or when one must make crucial decisions.

   A good spiritual director should possess requisite knowledge concerning spiritual matters. Different degrees of knowledge are necessary depending upon the types of persons one directs. A guide who directs persons blessed with mystical prayer should be conversant with the ways of mysticism, whereas such knowledge is not strictly necessary for the guide who works with those traveling the more ordinary paths.

   In choosing a director one must determine as best as possible whether that person seems to possess the knowledge requisite for giving competent advice.

   Good spiritual guidance is a gift of God. If such guidance is not reasonably available, God will compensate. If it is available, one should not disdain it, but utilize it as one of the providential means afforded us in the quest of putting on Christ.


21

Our Weakness and Our Strength

   St. Paul tells us, I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me (2 Cor. 12:9). This brief passage contains one of the greatest lessons of the spiritual life. As we progress along our spiritual journey, we become increasingly aware of how weak we are in ourselves, but how strong we are in Christ.

   To experience our weakness involves suffering. The degree of suffering can vary, culminating in the very painful experience of the classical "dark night" of the spirit or its equivalent. St. John of the Cross has vividly described the sufferings of this classical dark night.

 
   One of the main purposes of the dark night is to make a person keenly aware of his or her helplessness without God. This is a most necessary point that mystics must pass through if the spiritual marriage, or transforming union with God, is to occur. In this transforming union, there is a profound exchange between God and the mystic. God's self-communication to the mystic is most profound, and the mystic makes a profound gift of self to God. In this state the mystic is supremely aware of living by the life of God, and without experiencing one's helplessness without God, this lived awareness does not occur.

   If not all on the spiritual journey experience the classic dark night, all must undergo a proportionate purification which includes increased awareness of personal weakness. In this process one more and more abandons the self to Christ and increasingly lives by His life, by His strength. St. Paul says,

 
. . . I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.
(Gal. 2:20).

 
   How much the Christian process of growth differs from that which many psychologists propose for personality fulfillment, a process which depends, say these psychologists, solely on the efforts of one's own will power. The Christian, omitting the errors of psychology, can, of course, utilize what is helpful from psychological teaching and properly integrate it into the Christian theology of personality growth. This theology teaches that God's grace is absolutely necessary. Though our efforts are indeed indispensable along the spiritual journey, the human effort can only be correctly understood as a response to God's loving initiative. This very response is God-assisted, made possible by God's love-given grace.

 
   Our sense of weakness is not a paralyzing one. It does not hinder our performance of duty. On occasion, athletes and other performers may, for various reasons, feel very inadequate regarding the exercise of their particular skill. This sense of inadequacy, in turn, can detract from performance. In the spiritual life, however, our sense of weakness does not impair our capacity to function as Christians. On the contrary. If, sensing our helplessness, we increasingly abandon ourselves to Christ, we act with greater spiritual vitality. We do this with a basic peace of which the world knows not.

   Indeed, to those who are unspiritual, the concept of striving to grow through the sense of our weakness is complete folly, utter craziness. To those who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, however, being properly aware of one's weakness is strength and peace and consolation.

 


22

Creativity

   To be creative is one of the great joys of being human. We should resolve to more consistently stir up the spark of creativity which each of us has in various degrees. Most of us cannot be magnificently creative as was Michelangelo in sculpting his Pieta, which still attracts marveled attention of thousands as it sits majestically in Rome's St. Peter's Basilica. Most cannot stir the emotions with the musical genius of a Beethoven, or breathtakingly portray the inner depths of a person as does a Rembrandt portrait. We cannot move the minds and hearts of countless people as do the magnificent literary pieces of William Shakespeare.

   These are all obvious examples of the human capacity for creativity. There are, however, many other less brilliant possibilities. Being less brilliant does not mean they are not greatly worthwhile.

   There are numerous ways we all can be creative. One person arranges a yard in very ordinary fashion. A more creative individual does so in a manner which presents flowers, shrubs, and trees in a most attractive setting. One teacher presents material in a clear, but unimaginative way. Another, using diverse and creative methods, stirs up the students' interest in a manner which makes learning a joy. One director stages a play in competent but rather uninspiring fashion. Another, directing the very same play more creatively, draws out the talent of the actors to a maximum degree, and the applause of the audience to thunderous proportions. One person is not particularly creative in his or her personal relationships; another manages to add ongoing vitality with ingenious touches of newness, of creativity.

   We do not all have the same talents. Nor will we find satisfaction in just trying to imitate the special talents of others. We all need to discover what gifts the Lord has given to us—each of us.

   Whatever we do, then, let us strive to bring a sense of creativity to the task or activity. God has given us a creative capacity. Let us resolve to use it. In doing so, we will be more alive, and we will also help those we contact to grow in the appreciation of the vitality of human existence.

(End of Excerpt from The Pain and the Joy)


Sorrowful MotherMary's Message from the Rosary of August 27, 1996

Mary speaks: I stood beneath the cross of my Son, and my Heart was in such pain for I saw Him before my eyes. I saw Him covered with blood. I saw Him die. My Heart, my children, my Heart to watch my Son, but my Heart, my Heart, how I suffered for my little children of the world that give in to this world and give up the love of my Son. O my little children of light, I give you this message. Carry this light into the darkness for your Mother Mary, for I stood beneath the cross and I cried. I cried for the little ones. I cried for the young ones, the ones that do not care and will lose their souls. How do I make you see for you will not listen to me? What can I do? I come. I appear. I beg. I plead. I give you these gifts from my Son, and you reject me. I do not deliver messages very often anymore for I have been ignored. The message is the same. You do not read the messages I have given to you. Please help me. Help the little children. I appear. I appear. I appear, and I am ignored. I stood beneath the cross, and I cried. I cried, and my Heart was in such anguish for my little children, for I am searching for them this day as I searched for the Child Jesus. Please, please help me. I cannot hold back the hand of my Son any longer. I am Mary, your Mother. I ask you to help my children. You are my children of light.

Song: O Lady of Light, shining so bright, be with us this day, guiding our way, O Lady, O Lady of Light.

Mary speaks: I appear to you as Our Mother of Sorrows.

(End of Mary's Message)


         

A rosary can be used to pray for healing. It is powerful to unite our prayers to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and pray through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Clearwater.

In times of trouble, for special prayer, we can use our rosary and pray as follows.

A Rosary for Healing or for Someone with Cancer.

On one Hail Mary bead or as many as you desire, say: 

May God heal                     through the intercession of Our Lady of Clearwater in union with the Mass and all the Masses being celebrated around the world.

Pray the Hail Mary or Hail Mary's then pray this after the Hail Mary.

May the cancer be uprooted and thrown into the sea.

We believe with all our hearts.

After the Glory Be — pray the following petition.

May                     be healed through the intercession of Our Lady of Clearwater if it be the holy will of God.

Note: You can look at Mary on the image rosary while you pray this rosary.

Note: The above section can be printed out from a PDF file, and you can pray the rosary looking at the pictures.


December 17, 2000, Mary speaks:

Help me to circulate my red and blue
    Rosary Books and the
    prayers my Son gives to you.

This is a gift we give you.
All the revelations are gifts given to you.
My Son is the Light of the World.
He is Jesus born in a stable.
Will you help me?
He is the Light of the World. Help me, help me
    reach my children of the world.

To order your Rosary Book fill out this form and send your donation to Shepherds of Christ Ministries, PO Box 193, Morrow, Ohio 45152-0193, Telephone: (toll free) 1-888-211-3041 or (513) 932-4451.

Name: _________________      Street: _____________________________

City:   _________________      State:   _________________ Zip: ________

Donation price:  $7 A   $15 A   $25 A   $50 A   $100 A   Other $_____ A


Messenger: Mary wants the Red Rosary Book printed. It will cost $12,000 - $14,000 to get them reprinted. We are out of Red Rosary books. Mary has asked us to always circulate them. They go with the apparition in Florida.

ROSARIES from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Messenger: The new Blue Rosary Book Volume II of Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary has been printed. It cost $21,000. Please pray with us for funds.


Messenger: CAN YOU HELP US BY GIVING US ROSARIES FOR THE SCHOOLS REQUESTING THEM?

Mary speaks: PLEASE MAKE WALTER'S ROSARIES. THE SCHOOLS WANT ROSARIES AND THERE ARE NOT ANY ROSARIES LEFT.


Messenger: Pray for Perry, Ron, Fernando, Hank, Ed.


Prayer List for apostles for interior use in the Movement. Pray hourly.

Spread the Blood of Jesus on everyone, consecrate their hearts, cast the devil out, pray for coming of the Holy Spirit in a special way for all people involved on this list.

Pray for the priestly newsletter, for funds for it and for all involved.
Pray for the taping of the priestly newsletter.
Pray for Father Carter and the Jesuits, the people at Colombiere.
Please pray for one new very important intention.
Pray for all involved in buying the building.
Pray for 2 special priests.
Pray for designated priests, Fr. Mike, Fr. Joe, Fr. Lou B., Fr. Smith, Fr. Ken, all priests involved in the Imprimaturs translations including all bishops. Pray for Bishop Ed, Fr. Don, Father at Tuesday Masses, Fr. Tom, Fr. Bill, all priests involved with Walter, Fr. Hagee and special priests, priests who help us in China, and priests who help us in Florida.
Pray for Father's sister Merle, for all of us servants, handmaids, apostles and vocations to all 7 categories.
Pray for prayer book.
Pray for all book covers, pray for Cathy.
Pray for all translations and all involved.
Pray for the elected officials.
Pray for an audience with the Pope.
Pray for all Jesuits involved, all those over us. Pray for the 4 urgent intentions.
Pray for the rights to the books.
Pray for the process of getting Father's books on the Internet.
Pray for money to reprint the books.
Pray for the Imprimatur on the Priestly Newsletter Book II.
Pray we can send it to all bishops and Jesuits.
Pray for Perry and family and discernment.
Pray for all sub-centers and all out-of-state rosaries.
Pray for the sisters' mailing, nursing home mailing, bus mailing.
Pray for Rosary Factory.
Pray for Genevieve's daughter and Sheila's mom and the repose of the soul of Jerry's dad, Bernice's daughter.
Pray for Paul and Joan discernment.
Pray for B & M and Tina and Terry, all printing jobs, companies involved.
Pray for 5th, the 13th, the 17th.
Pray for the Internet team and the daily messages.
Pray for building up of Morrow, Ohio, Dale, Indiana, other sub-centers.
Pray for the Holy Spirit Center and all involved.
Pray for all our families, children in school, college mailing.
Pray for lots of rosary makers and rosaries for the schools.
Pray for funds and grace.
Pray for Paul C., Margaret Mary, Steve and Sheila, Monica, Angie, Marian, Cathy, Joe, Nick, Mary, Emily, Joe, Doris, Glaci, Dunkers, Joan R., Morgan, Mark, Walter, Janice, Mike A., Margaret, Ron, Harold, Scott, and Nathan.
Pray for Fred doing the paper and all involved in priestly "start-up".
Please pray for all Shepherds of Christ children.
Pray for Victor's son, Michael. (Victor and Frances)
Pray for Delores and organization of writings and other material.
Pray for Diane A.'s dad.

Last revised January 19, 2001


(Please copy and pass out to family and friends.)


MY VALENTINE FOR JESUS AND MARY
AND THE WORLD

I _________________ give my heart to
You Jesus and Mary on this day

_________________
I promise to help spread the devotion to
the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

          


Question for married couples and others in intimate relationships:

Q: What do I feel is my biggest fear about our relationship?

Jesus speaks: Go deep in your heart and pray to see this and answer the question.


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All scripture quotes are from the New Jerusalem Bible, July 1990, published by Doubleday.
Revised: January 28, 2001
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