Pope Francis!

                March 25, 2013 - Annunciation
 

                R. Adam and Eve sinned –

                There-by the harmony on earth was
                    lost.
                    There was friction between man
                        and woman.

Genesis 3: 1-6

    Now, the snake was the most subtle of all the wild animals that Yahweh God had made. It asked the woman, 'Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?' The woman answered the snake, 'We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden. But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, "You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death." ' Then the snake said to the woman, 'No! You will not die! God knows in fact that the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good from evil.' The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, and that it was enticing for the wisdom that it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

                R. We see from the beginning after the
                    sin of Adam and Eve that Cain's offering
                    was not respected as Abel's was.

                Abraham was tested by God –
                Abraham proved his faith in God.

                God made a Covenant with Abraham
                    to make him the Father of many
                    nations.

                We see that we can give God what He
                    wants or refuse to give Him
                    what He wants rebelling against God.

                Sin is ingratitude to God.

                We offend a good God when we
                    sin.

                We offend and hurt others
                    when we sin.

                We hurt the dignity of the person
                    offended when we sin
                    against them.

                God dwells in the graced, baptized
                    soul.

                We do to Jesus, what we
                    do to others when we
                    sin against them.

                Jesus was whipped for our sins and
                    His flesh torn from His body –
                    Jesus was unmercifully
                    crowned with thorns and
                    forced to carry the cross.

                When we sin, we are responsible
                    for what we did to make
                    Jesus suffer – His hands
                    nailed to the cross, His
                    feet nailed to the cross.

                God gives us commandments –
                    God commands us to love –
                    Satan is hate –

                    God promised to send a Messiah.

                The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary,
                    Mary was conceived without sin.

Luke 1: 26-38

Luke 2: 1-7

                R. Jesus taught us
                Jesus worked miracles.
                Jesus chose Apostles to carry
                    out His work.

                Peter denied Christ, but he
                    suffered for offending God
                    and repented –
                    God made him vicar of the
                    Church.

                Judas was chosen too, but
                    he betrayed Jesus and
                    he did not go to Jesus
                    and tell Him how sorry
                    he was.

                God asks us today –

                    How are we betraying
                    Jesus in our lives when
                    Jesus calls us –

                How are we betraying Jesus
                    in our lives today –

                Why do we offend God –

                Because of our sins
                    Jesus was whipped
                    and put to death –

                Jesus told them to serve God –
                Jesus was eager for His
                Passion to serve God –
                Jesus wants us eager to serve
                God – not to be attached
                to inordinate attachments –
                power, affections, wealth –
                for our own vain glory among men.

                Jesus came to do His Father's will!

                In St. Luke's Gospel we are
                    asked are you betraying
                    the Son of God with a kiss.

                St. Luke wants us to do God's
                    will –

                We are to serve God for His glory –
                    not be selfish and seek
                    power, affections for
                    vain glory and control.

                Why did they hate Jesus?
 

                R. Remember May 13, 1993 –
                    20 years ago –

                Jesus says He wants to be one
                    in us.

                In the song
                    I Am Your Sacred Heart 

                R. Jesus said - a person not
                    realizing this gift of
                    being pure inside, telling
                    the truth - can be like
                    a pigeon flapping in a
                    dark forest.

                Jesus: Instead of being a flapping
                    pigeon in a dark forest –
                    one can come and dwell in
                    My Heart. Find refuge in
                    My Heart. My Heart is on
                    fire for love of you, I died for
                    your sins.

                But I warn you, the more you
                    lie to yourself about sins and
                    anger and envy and jealousy –
                    the more angry you become
                    for you were created for
                    intimacy with God and
                    distancing yourself in
                    unrepented sin makes you
                    hard and angry in your hearts –

                Hypocrites - those who give bad
                    example by acting as if
                    they are witnesses to Christ
                    and bear witness to
                    Beelzebub –

                When I went to be judged by
                    the men - they screamed
                    crucify Him –
                    Barabbas was freed –

                Did you take the hammer and
                    hammer My hand and
                    watch My hand pierced
                    by the nails –

                I am forgiving the person who
                    is truly sorry for offending
                    God and others and making
                    recompense for their sins,
                    but to he who laughs while
                    they disrespect others –
                    I spit out their bitter
                        hatred from My mouth.
                    What you do to others, you
                        do to Me –

                Jesus: The Mighty Medicine is the
                    Eucharist.

                You eat fish and vegetables
                    and fruit and animals to live –
                    you have life because
                    you eat life –

                I feed you with My Body
                    and My Blood –

                You have life and I feed you
                    with My life –
                    You are abundantly
                    filled by Me –

                I give you My Body
                I give you My Blood

                The devil hates the Eucharist.

                You will quit being a flapping
                    bird in the wilderness
                    when you quit lying –

                They bound Me –

                They led Me away whipping Me –
                    I have watched the sinners
                    whip their brothers with their
                    games and dishonesty – what you
                    do to others you do to Me.
                    I am the way, the truth and the life.

                If you want Me to dwell in
                    you and be intimate with
                    Me – you cannot hate
                    and lie and punish
                    your brothers –

                I was innocent and they beat Me –
                    whipped Me, scourged Me –
                    tore My flesh –
                    yelled, "Crucify Him" –

                They rebelled against God and
                    I was innocent – they
                    beat Me and beat Me –
                    My eyes full of Blood –
                    My teeth in My tongue

                They led Me away to be crucified.

                Did you wash your hands
                    of any crime, when I
                    was whipped for how you
                    lied to Me and lied and
                    disrespected your brother –
                    rebelling against the
                    Father's will –

                They put the cross on My back
                    and My shoulders felt
                    as if they were breaking –
                    Women wept for Me –
                    Weep for your own sins and
                        those you offended
                    when you were commanded
                        to love –

                They stretched My arms until
                    they pulled them - to nail
                    My hands –
                    pounding nails into My hands
                        and My feet –

                I hung for 3 hours with nails
                    holding Me –
                    My body in pain you could
                    not even know – what
                    did I do – I was
                    innocent and I prayed
                    to the Father to forgive these
                    men – the men I loved –

                I loved you and you betrayed
                    Me by lying to Me and your
                    brothers and making Me bleed.

                I hung –

                The good thief asked to be forgiven,

                The bad thief like Judas
                    was hard in heart –
                    like Cain his heart was
                    hard – jealousy for his
                    brother – Cain killed
                    his brother in cold blood.

                Did you nail My hands to
                    the cross with your
                    sins?

Genesis 1: 24-31

    God said, ‘Let the earth produce every kind of living creature in its own species: cattle, creeping things and wild animals of all kinds.’ And so it was. God made wild animals in their own species, and cattle in theirs, and every creature that crawls along the earth in its own species. God saw that it was good. 

    God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.’ 

    God created man in the image of himself, 
    in the image of God he created him, 
    male and female he created them. 

    God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all the living creatures that move on earth.’ God also said, ‘Look, to you I give all the seed–bearing plants everywhere on the surface of the earth, and all the trees with seed–bearing fruit; this will be your food. And to all the wild animals, all the birds of heaven and all the living creatures that creep along the ground, I give all the foliage of the plants as their food.’ And so it was. God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good. Evening came and morning came: the sixth day.     

                Jesus: I see all things –
                I know your anger and
                    your lies against your
                    brother –

Genesis 1: 26-27

     God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.’

    God created man in the image of himself,
    in the image of God he created him,
    male and female he created them.

                Jesus: I give you the Eucharist –
                    I feed you with Myself –

                I have written My Blue Book
                    Messages about the
                    Mighty Medicine to all
                    My beloved, I died for –

                Why would you not give the
                    ones, I died for, the Mighty Medicine
                    Mary's children are sick –
                    They need their medicine –
                    Feed the hungry –
                    Mary's children are hungry –

                I give them Myself to feed
                    their souls –
                I died for them –
                I rose on the 3rd day –
                I give you the Church –
                I give you the sacraments –
                I give you a sharing in
                    My life in baptism.

                I showed Myself to them in
                    My glorified body after
                    the resurrection –

                R. Jesus is the Teacher –

                Jesus: I give these writings –
                    I am your teacher –
                    Cursed for your iniquities –
                    I died for your sins –
                    By My wounds you are healed –

                I give you a sharing in My
                    life in baptism –
                    and I feed that life
                    with Myself –

                I feed your soul with
                    Myself –

                The devil wants you to serve
                    Him –

                The devil wants to drive you
                    from intimacy with
                    Me by getting you to
                    lie and with your
                    distorted vision, see
                    through the eyes of evil.

                I give you:

                    Blue Book 8 See Through the
                                    Eyes of Mary –

John 15: 5-6

I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is thrown away like a branch
—and withers;
these branches are collected
     and thrown on the fire
and are burnt.

 

John 15: 9-17

I have loved you 
just as the Father has loved me. 
Remain in my love. 
If you keep my commandments 
you will remain in my love, 
just as I have kept 
    my Father’s commandments 
and remain in his love. 
I have told you this 
so that my own joy may be in you 
and your joy be complete. 
This is my commandment: 
love one another, 
as I have loved you.
No one can have greater love 
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends, 
if you do what I command you. 
I shall no longer call you servants, 
because a servant does not know 
the master’s business; 
I call you friends, 
because I have made known to you 
everything I have learnt from my Father. 
You did not choose me, 
no, I chose you; 
and I commissioned you 
to go out and to bear fruit, 
fruit that will last; 
so that the Father will give you 
anything you ask him in my name. 
My command to you 
is to love one another.

                Jesus: I call you to love –
                    to give to others freely –
                    to serve God in love and with zeal.

John 17: 20-23

I pray not only for these
but also for those
who through their teaching
will come to believe in me.
May they all be one,
just as, Father, you are in me
   and I am in you,
so that they also may be in us,
so that the world may believe
it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory
   you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so perfected in unity
that the world will recognise
   that it was you who sent me
and that you have loved them
as you have loved me.

                Jesus: I died for you!!

                What more do you want?

                Accept Me as your Savior.

                Do you even hear My
                    voice?

                You grow by obeying My Word.

                 By being happy to spread this
                    Good News –

                Satan wants you to hate and
                    be caved in –

                Stephen was martyred
                    by Paul –

                Stephen died for his faith –

                The Apostles were fearless
                    to their death – to bring
                    this good news –

                Will you not spread the Blue Books?

                R. Jesus washed their feet.

                Satan hates the Eucharist –

                Satan doesn't want people –
                    praying before the Eucharist –

                Satan wants hate when others love –

                Jesus: When the just man speaks, the devil acts
                    to oppose the truth. 

                R. Why did men hate Jesus?
                Why did Jesus have enemies?

                When the just man acts, the
                    devil works through others
                    to oppose him.

                A person who love's God, wants
                    not to offend God, the
                    good beautiful God.

                    The early Christians were
                hunted down and persecuted,
                martyred for their belief in
                Jesus Christ.

                    In the world today – Jesus
                is denied – What are we
                doing for those today who
                are hungry?

                Are we spreading the Good News?
                Are we spreading the Blue Books?

                Many of the Christians of the early Church
                    were sought out to
                    renounce their faith in
                    Jesus Christ or be put to death.

                Jesus rose from the tomb –
                Jesus appeared to the Apostles
                    after His Resurrection.

                The Apostles were afraid and hid
                    in the upper room
                    after Jesus' ascension –

                The Holy Spirit came upon them and the
                    Blessed Mother and there
                    appeared over their head
                    parted tongues of fire.
   

                R. The Apostles were imprisoned
                    and they cried out –
                    "Thy will be done" –
                    They followed in Jesus' footsteps.
                    The Holy Spirit strengthened them.

                What a story –

                So great was their faith in
                    Jesus many of the followers
                    of Jesus suffered martyrdom
                    and shed their blood for
                    Jesus –

                The light of Jesus –

                Jesus is the Light of the World.

                The Apostles were imprisoned.
                The Apostles were joyful –
                The Apostles did not give into temptation.

                Peter's discourse
  

Acts 10: 34-43

                R. The Earthquake

Acts 16: 25-34

In the middle of the night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners. When the gaoler woke and saw the doors wide open he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, ‘Do yourself no harm; we are all here.’

    He called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, and escorted them out, saying, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They told him, ‘Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too.’ Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all his household. Late as it was, he took them to wash their wounds, and was baptised then and there with all his household. Afterwards he took them into his house and gave them a meal, and the whole household celebrated their conversion to belief in God.

                R. The devil tempts –

                Peter was tempted and denied Jesus
                    3 times –
                    Look at Peter after the
                    Descent of the Holy Spirit

                Satan is there – trying to tempt us.

                Christ cast out demons.

                Peter denied Christ.

                Jesus was tempted by the devil.

                The devil wants men today to
                    ignore him so he can keep
                    working in secret.

                St. Ignatius tells us about the
                    discernment of spirits in
                    the Spiritual Exercises –

                How did Paul do all he did
                    after he was converted –

                Jesus, the Son of God, was a
                    man – He had flesh
                    and blood.

                Jesus called the Apostles –
                Judas was called too --
                But Judas betrayed Jesus –

                It was what was in the heart.

                How is the interior offering in
                    the heart?

                Jesus called Peter, a fisherman.

                Peter and Paul were martyred.

                Paul said before his execution

2 Timothy 4: 6-8

                R. God wants us to control ourselves –
                    To not give into temptation.
                    If we keep sinning we become
                        a slave to sin.
                    We are free when we choose Christ.

                God must give us grace for
                    self-control – we depend
                    on God – we have tendencies
                    to sin –

                We have a free will to resist
                    and reject sin which
                    comes from our lower
                    nature –

                We must pray for grace to resist
                    temptation –

                We can't do whatever we feel!
                We can't follow our whimsical
                    impulses and pleasures.

                We must curb and control our
                    passions to sin.

                We must struggle against
                    temptation and sacrifice,
                    doing what is right.

                We must act by right reason,
                    not oppose right reason –
                    man has a distorted vision
                    of God and others and oneself.
                    Sin hurts our vision –
                        we become blind and
                        dull to the truth, the
                        more we sin.

                The body exists for the soul.

                We must control ourselves
                    control our bodies –
                    impulses, desires

Galatians 5: 24

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 

    Do you not realise that, though all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, only one of them gets the prize? Run like that — to win. Every athlete concentrates completely on training, and this is to win a wreath that will wither, whereas ours will never wither. So that is how I run, not without a clear goal; and how I box, not wasting blows on air. I punish my body and bring it under control, to avoid any risk that, having acted as herald for others, I myself may be disqualified.

 

                R. We are given these saints to
                    encourage us and to follow
                    their self-discipline and
                    denial –

                Jesus gives us Himself in the
                    Eucharist: Body, Blood,
                    Soul and Divinity.
                    Jesus outpours His grace
                    to us, this helps us curb
                    temptation – Spread the
                    Blue Books!
                    The Mighty Medicine!

                Jesus gave us the Last Supper –

John 3: 16

                R. Our quest for happiness is
                    in God –

                    This is our goal –
                    In heaven we will have the
                        beatific vision

                Baptism takes away original
                    sin and other sins, but we
                    suffer from tendencies
                    toward sin –

                Confirmation strengthens us
                    spiritually

                The Holy Eucharist

                    "Take and Eat, this is My Body,
                        do this in remembrance
                        of Me"

                    "This is My Blood of the
                        New Covenant, which
                        is shed for the forgiveness
                        of sins –
                        Do this in memory of Me"

                Jesus feeds the life we
                    receive in baptism with
                    Himself –
                    We eat His Body and
                        Drink His Blood.

                Satan intends to sift us like
                    wheat.

                Peter denied Jesus –

                We have the sacrament
                    of Penance –

                We have the other sacraments:
                    Anointing of the Sick,
                    Holy Orders and Matrimony.

                Christ instituted these 7
                    sacraments.

                R. The devil works against God's
                    light –

                The devil tries to turn men
                    against each other –
   

John 1: 11-12

                R. Our knowing and loving capacity
                    is elevated in baptism.

                VIRTUES – Good Habits

                We must pray for an increase of the theological
                    virtues of faith, hope and love.
                    Also the moral virtues are
                        prudence, justice,
                        fortitude, temperance,
                        (humility, meekness
                        and chastity).

                    (adoration, piety, reverence, gratitude)

                BAD Habits – Vices –
                    Capital sins
                    (1) pride - excessive love of self –
                        loving oneself above God –
                        this is the beginning of all sins –

Ecclesiastes 10: 15

A fool finds hard work very tiring,
he cannot even find his own way into town.

                    R. seeking power etc. –
                        grasping for power –
                        from pride comes false ambition –
                        disobedience, snobbery, hypocrisy.

                    (2) Covetedness
                        love and desire of worldly goods
                        hard-heartedness to the poor –
                        lying
                        cheating

                    (3) Lust – inordinate liking
                        for self or indulgence
                        of the flesh –
                        loss of faith
                        chastity
                        lack of purity

                    (4) Anger –
                        St. Thomas says
                        "disordered desire of vengeance"
                        opposed to justice
                        opposed to love –
                        selfishness leading to
                        quarreling,
                        hatred,
                        fighting
                        this leads to great unhappiness
                        misery

                    Satan deceives

                    The virtues opposite of anger
                        is meekness (not combatal)
                        mildness
                        patience
                        peaceful dealing with ones neighbor

Matthew 11: 29

                        Judas fled

                    (5) Gluttony:
                        inordinate desire for
                        food and drink

                    (6) Envy:

                        Unhappiness at another's
                            good and accompanied
                            by hatred and desire
                            to wish them harm

                        Envious of another's
                            success

                        also
                        – joyful at another's misfortune –
                           laughing at another's misfortune –

                        Envy leads to hatred and other sins

                        It is selfish –
                        It is connected to pride
                            (a sister to pride)

                        Wanting to destroy the happiness
                            of others

                        God wants us, commands us
                            to love like brothers.

                        Not being kind
                        Not helping one's brother for
                            their needs

                    (7) Sloth: Sloth is a capital
                        sin –
                        It is being lazy spiritually
                        Not wanting to strive for
                            spiritual perfection –
                            goodness –

                        Sin against giving God
                            the love we owe
                            Him –

                        A person sins by sloth when
                            they neglect their duties –
                            it can be spiritual
                            and religious too –

                        Puts off doing what God
                            wants them to do

                        Lazy

                        Religious indifference
                        Disinterest in prayer.
                        Disinterest in work.

                        God intends us to do things
                            and help build His Kingdom.

                        The slothful neglect necessary
                            duties that hurt God's Plan –

                        The people that are slothful
                            become a burden to others.

                        Neglect of duties religious
                            and other

                        Zeal is opposite of this.
                        It takes hard work and grace
                            to change.
 

                We are to examine our conscience.

                We want the vice or sin more
                    than we want God and His will for us –
                    like Eve in the garden did.

                We are to examine our conscience.

                Fr. Carter did it twice a day.

                We must root out our faults,
                    one by one to grow in
                    the spiritual life and
                    be more intimate with
                    God –

                The devil is always there –
                    He reads us like a green –
                    He knows our weakness –
                    Vices are bad habits from
                        practicing them over and
                        over again –

                Sin is an act of the will to
                    turn from God –
                    this becomes our goal –
                    offense against God –

                Sin is hateful –
                Sin degrades us –
                So we feel shameful like
                    Adam and Eve –

                Sin is rebellion against God –
                    Sin is rebelling against
                    God, our Creator –

                We are insulting the generosity
                    of a good God –

                God deserves to be loved.

                It is the blackest ingratitude
                    to sin against God –

                We are to honor God –

                Recognize God as our Savior.

                Jesus gives us the ability to have
                    salvation

                Sing: Save Us Oh Lord

                See Eve disobeying God.
                See Cain killing his brother.
                See the corruption at the
                    time of Noah –
                See Abraham's faith –
                See Joseph's brothers – 

Matthew 15: 8

This people honours me
   only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.

John 16: 23

When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions. In all truth I tell you, anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name.

Matthew 7: 7-8

                Jesus: I am the way, the truth and the life

                R. We owe God love –

                We sin when we do not love.

                Hatred of one's neighbor is wrong.

                We are to know, love and
                    serve God.

From The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. p. 12

                        23. FIRST PRINCIPLE AND FOUNDATION

                            Man is created to praise, reverence and serve God 
                        our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.

From The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. p.11

21.                     SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

    Which have as their purpose the conquest of self
    and the regulation of one's life in such a way that
    no decision is made under the influence of any
    inordinate attachment

 

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Chapter Meeting Prayer Format

The prayer format below should be followed at chapter meetings of Shepherds of Christ Associates. All prayers, not just those said specifically for priests, should include the intention of praying for all the needs of priests the world over.

1. Hymns. Hymns may be sung at any point of the prayer part of the meeting.

2. Holy Spirit Prayer. Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting Your inspirations. Amen.

3. The Rosary.

4. Salve Regina. "Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, our mourning, our weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."

5. The Memorare. "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen."

6. Seven Hail Marys in honor of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Mary has promised very special graces to those who do this on a daily basis. Included in the promises of Our Lady for those who practice this devotion is her pledge to give special assistance at the hour of death, including the sight of her face. The seven sorrows are:

(1) The first sorrow: the prophecy of Simeon (Hail Mary).

(2) The second sorrow: the flight into Egypt (Hail Mary).

(3) The third sorrow: the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple (Hail Mary).

(4) The fourth sorrow: Jesus and Mary meet on the way to the cross (Hail Mary).

(5) The fifth sorrow: Jesus dies on the cross (Hail Mary).

(6) The sixth sorrow: Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in Mary's arms (Hail Mary).

(7) The seventh sorrow: the burial of Jesus (Hail Mary).

7. Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us (repeat after each invocation).
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the Covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of angels,
Queen of patriarchs,
Queen of prophets,
Queen of apostles,
Queen of martyrs,
Queen of confessors,
Queen of virgins,
Queen of all saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech You, O Lord God, that we Your servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and, by the glorious intercession of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

8. Prayer to St. Joseph. St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste spouse of Mary, you passed your life in perfect fulfillment of duty. You supported the Holy Family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly turn to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes; and they turn to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too have known trial, labor, and weariness. But, even amid the worries of material life, your soul was filled with deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with the Son of God entrusted to you, and with Mary, His tender Mother. Amen. –(Pope John XXIII)

9. Litany of the Sacred Heart, promises of the Sacred Heart.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us (repeat after each invocation).
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke You,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, obedient even to death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim of sin,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in You,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints,
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like unto Yours.

Let us pray: O almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Your dearly beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers You in behalf of sinners and, being appeased, grant pardon to those who seek Your mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Promises of Our Lord to those devoted to His Sacred Heart
(these should be read by the prayer leader):

(1) I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.

(2) I will establish peace in their homes.

(3) I will comfort them in all their afflictions.

(4) I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.

(5) I will bestow a large blessing on all their undertakings.

(6) Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.

(7) Tepid souls shall grow fervent.

(8) Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.

(9) I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.

(10) I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

(11) Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.

(12) I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the first Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments; My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

10. Prayer for Priests. "Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the Flock, we pray that in the great love and mercy of Your Sacred Heart You attend to all the needs of Your priest-shepherds throughout the world. We ask that You draw back to Your Heart all those priests who have seriously strayed from Your path, that You rekindle the desire for holiness in the hearts of those priests who have become lukewarm, and that You continue to give Your fervent priests the desire for the highest holiness. United with Your Heart and Mary's Heart, we ask that You take this petition to Your heavenly Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen"

11. Prayer for all members of the Shepherds of Christ Associates. "Dear Jesus, we ask Your special blessings on all members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. Continue to enlighten them regarding the very special privilege and responsibility you have given them as members of Your movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates. Draw them ever closer to Your Heart and to Your Mother's Heart. Allow them to more and more realize the great and special love of Your Hearts for each of them as unique individuals. Give them the grace to respond to Your love and Mary's love with an increased love of their own. As they dwell in Your Heart and Mary's Heart, abundantly care for all their needs and those of their loved ones. We make our prayer through You to the Father, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary our Mother at our side. Amen"

12. Prayer for the spiritual and financial success of the priestly newsletter. "Father, we ask Your special blessings upon the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. We ask that You open the priest-readers to the graces You wish to give them through this chosen instrument of Your Son. We also ask that You provide for the financial needs of the newsletter and the Shepherds of Christ Associates. We make our prayer through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary at our side. Amen"

13. Prayer for all members of the human family. "Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessings on all Your children the world over. Attend to all their needs. We ask Your special assistance for all those marginalized people, all those who are so neglected and forgotten. United with our Mother Mary, we make this petition to You through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit."

14. Prayer to St. Michael and our Guardian Angels:

"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

15. Pause for silent, personal prayer. This should last at least five minutes.

16. Act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

"Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock, I consecrate myself to Your most Sacred Heart. From Your pierced Heart the Church was born, the Church You have called me, as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, to serve in a most special way. You reveal Your Heart as a symbol of Your love in all its aspects, including Your most special love for me, whom You have chosen as Your companion in this most important work. Help me to always love You in return. Help me to give myself entirely to You. Help me always to pour out my life in love of God and neighbor! Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You!

"Dear Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, this Heart which is symbol of your life of love. You are the Mother of my Savior. You are also my Mother. You love me with a most special love as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, a movement created by your Son as a powerful instrument for the renewal of the Church and the world. In a return of love, I give myself entirely to your motherly love and protection. You followed Jesus perfectly. You are His first and perfect disciple. Teach me to imitate you in the putting on of Christ. Be my motherly intercessor so that, through your Immaculate Heart, I may be guided to an ever closer union with the pierced Heart of Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock."

17. Daily Prayers. All members should say the Holy Spirit prayer daily and make the act of consecration daily. They should also pray the rosary each day. They are encouraged to use the other above prayers as time allows.

end of prayer manual