Monday May 13, 2024
OUR LADY OF FATIMA (Opt. Mem.)
Office: Psalter Week 3
Mass of the day or Memorial
Preface of Easter or Ascension
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mysteries
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
Tomorrow is the 36th Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Most Revd Camilus Etokudoh of Port-Harcourt, 14th May, 1988.
Tomorrow is the 27th Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Most Revd John Afareha of Warri, 14th May, 1997
9 Day Novena with fasting and prayers to the Holy Spirit in Preparation for Pentecost
DAY 4: THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Acts 1:8
You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be my witnesses, even to the ends of the earth, alleluia.
COLLECT
May the power of the Holy Spirit come to us, we pray, O Lord, that we may keep your will faithfully in mind and express it in a devout way of life. Through our Lord…
FIRST READING
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 19:1-8)
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptised?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.
The word of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Sunday, May 12th, 2024
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 68:2-3.4-5ac.6-7ab (R. 33a)
R/. You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or: Alleluia.
Let God arise; let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee from his face.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
like wax that melts before the fire,
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God. R/.
But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God;
they shall exult with glad rejoicing.
O sing to God; make music to his name.
The Lord is his name. R/.
R/. You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or: Alleluia.
Father of orphans, defender of widows:
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the desolate a home to dwell in;
he leads the prisoners forth into prosperity. R/.
ALLELUIA Colossians 3:1
Alleluia. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 16:29-33)
At that time: The disciples said to Jesus, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
The Psalmist speaks of God as “the Father of the orphan and the Defender of the widow.” This beautiful designation is in consonance with the very essence of God, whose love for is truly indescribable, for He can never disappoint those who place their trust in Him. There are troubles, conflicts, oppressions, hunger, insecurity and all forms if inhumanity in the world, but in all these the Lord Jesus, who is the visible face of the invisible Father, says that we must be of good cheer and remain brave, for He has conquered the world. Send forth Your Spirit on us, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth!
BLESSING FOR THE NEW WEEK
A very good morning to you my dearest friend. I hope your night was cool and you are ready to conquer this new week. May God lead you as you begins this new week and may His presence and glory shield you from every harm.
As God promised Jacob that he will go with him and not to leave him, I pray that he shall lead you to where you will find favour and pasture and your coming back to your home shall be in Joy and with lots of testimony. May the heavenly dew fall upon the labour of our hands so that it shall blossom and flourish super – abundantly.
Just maintain your stand before God in adoration and he will make everything well for you. Go out with faith, put in your best and let God surprise you with His blessings
Let the place of your encounter with God be the cancel of your blessings may God be with you and help you to conquer the challenges that his week will bring. Have a wonderful week ahead. Amen.
9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST
DAY 4: THE ROLE of the HOLY SPIRIT in God’s Plan of Salvation
INTRODUCTION – The story of mankind is a story of God’s mercy and goodness. Mankind’s rejection of grace was followed by God’s promise of new life through the Saviour to come. God’s offer of grace and our rejection of it are the pattern of life even today. God’s love is everlasting. If we want to realize the deepest desires of our hearts, we must begin by opening ourselves to His love. We do this by admitting our wrongdoing and asking pardon for our failures.
PRAYER POINT:
– Ask for the grace to die to flesh and its passions.
– Spend time in worship to the Holy Spirit. (Pray as the Spirit leads)
1. OPENING (Hymn to the Holy Spirit)
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
V/. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
R/. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let Us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Our Lord.
R/. Amen
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (3x)
2. ACT OF CONTRITION – O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ, and, most of all, because they offend your infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of your grace, never to offend you again, and carefully to avoid the occasion of sin.
3. PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST:
O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
4. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Breathe into me Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit that my work too, may be holy.
Attract my heart Holy Spirit that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit that I may always be holy.
5. BIBLE READING: Gen 1: 26-27 and Luke 1:26-38
6. CONCLUDING PRAYER:
LET US PRAY:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I know that my body is Your Temple. I believe and trust that You are the source of life, Almighty God, our Creator. My whole body is filled with Your life and love. Lord Jesus, touch me with Your Precious Blood and wash away all my sins.
I ask Your forgiveness for every sin of mine. Heal me of all the hurts, anger, guilt feelings and all painful memories that linger in my deepest being. I have sinned, Lord, against You and against my neighbour. Jesus, You are present in the Eucharist. Lord, do come into my heart. While You are in my heart, I have nothing to fear, for You are the Son of God, and in my heart You are near.
In You is life, and in Your life, Lord Jesus, I find life. You touched the bleeding woman and healed her. Have mercy on me, Lord. It is You Who guide me with Your strength and make me righteous in Your presence. Lord, God, You are almighty. You are merciful. You have touched me and healed me of all my ailments of soul, mind and body. I thank You specially for bringing me closer to You, for loving and protecting me and for healing me completely. With deep faith in my heart, I adore You my loving Jesus Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are God for ever and ever. Amen.
7. Closing / Concluding Hymn
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL IN HONOUR OF B.V.M
If we cannot pray, then, we are not true children of our Father in heaven who has taught us through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ that prayer is the key.
As Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples, so is our Mother Mary helping us with her maternal intercession before her Son and she has also taught us to pray the Rosary always. Learn from her not to joke with your prayer life and you will definitely receive God’s blessings in abundance when you do.
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, pour out the Spirit of prayer upon me. May I be ready at all times to go on my knees and call upon your name for my needs and for the needs of others just as our Mother Mary does on a daily basis. Amen. And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Meditation: John 17:11-19
M A Y D E V O T I O N
Proposed Program of Daily Events for May Devotion (Personal / Group)
1. Introduction: Sign of the Cross + / (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament optional)
2. ACT OF CONTRITION:
O my God because you’re so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you and by the help of your grace I will not sin again.
3. ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
O most pure heart of Mary, full of goodness, show your love towards us. Let the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend on all people. We love you immensely. Impress on our hearts true love so that we may long for you. O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we sin. You know that all we sin. Grant that through your most pure and motherly heart, we may be healed from every spiritual sickness. Grant that we may always experience the goodness of your motherly heart, and that through the flame of your heart we may be converted. Amen.
4. Rosary Recitation and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Begin with the invocation of the Holy Spirit: Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the heart……….
5. ART OF REPARATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
O Most Holy Virgin, and Our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of your immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns placed therein at every moment by the blasphemies and ingratitude of ungrateful humanity. We are moved by the ardent desire of loving you as Our Mother and of promising a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart. We therefore kneel before you to manifest the sorrow we feel for the grievances that people cause you, and to atone by our prayers and sacrifices for the offenses with which they return your love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. Hasten the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus Christ and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended. Turn your eyes of mercy toward us, that we may love God with all our heart on earth and enjoy him forever in Heaven.
6. Brief talk on Blessed Virgin Mary (optional).
7. Gift of candle light and offering of petition. (Lighting of candles and submission of petition).
8. MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
[05:20, 13/05/2024] Dennis Wealth: 9. Prayers for the intention of Our Holy Father (One Our Father, One Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father).
10. Closing / Benediction
