Podcasts about universal prayer

2025 Feb 23 SUN: SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 Sm 26: 2. 7-9. 12-13. 22-23/ Ps 103: 1-2. 3-4. 8. 10. 12-13 (8a)/ 1 Cor 15: 45-49/ Lk 6: 27-38 HOMILIST'S NOTE: I ran afoul of Pope Francis's directive from his general audience of December 4, 2024, when he said that a homily should be in the six-to-eight-minute range.  This one ran over 12 minutes. We all know that at every weekend Mass following the Profession of Faith, we have a prayer that goes by a lot of different names. You've heard it called the Prayers of the Faithful. It's also called the Universal Prayer. If you go to other English-speaking countries, you may hear it called the Bidding Prayers. My favorite term for it is the General Intercessions. Now for some months I have been writing the general intercessions and I believe in keeping them concise and for the lector who has those prayers, I want to make sure it's on just one sheet of paper, one side of the one sheet of paper. And in fact when I'm keeping it concise, I'm able to present it in a pretty good-sized font. So much the better for the lectors. But this weekend they're running a little bit longer and they're in a little smaller font. I had some parishioners of Saint Jerome say to me that they wanted to supply some intercessions of their own for this particular weekend, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, the year of Luke, because of the emphasis we have today on the mercy of God. We've heard this in the first reading. We're aware of how King Saul, the first king of Israel, was obsessed with his belief that David was a rival to him and that he had to kill David. And so we have this Scripture today about that deep slumber that the Lord put Saul and his men into and in which David and his assistant were able to come right up to Saul and they could have killed him, but they did not. We also hear from First Corinthians today about the fact that you and I have to move from being the first Adam to being the second Adam. That is, we need to be transformed by the gift of salvation in Jesus. We must be transformed. We must experience conversion. And, you might say, become a surprise even to ourselves.  So there is an awful lot in the gospel and it starts with love your enemies. Three years ago I think I said that I misread that for a very, very long time. I was thinking it said "don't have enemies" and I put it on myself to go make peace. No, that doesn't work. No, if you are a genuine Christian you will have enemies. And what you can do for them is love them. Particularly as we think about what we're witnessing in our country these days, we do have to ask about God's gift of mercy and about whether it has taken hold. And I'm thinking of two of the principals right now in this process we're seeing. And based on the reading I have done about the upbringing of these two people, it appears to me that in their upbringing they never had mercy shown to them. And that is a serious deficiency in character. They may never have known mercy as they were growing up. And it's possible that in more recent times people have attempted to show them mercy but they didn't understand it. So we need to acknowledge these facts and we need to look at the rest of the things here in this gospel. There's an awful lot.  turning the other cheek and giving to people. These are things that, again, I tended to misinterpret these. I thought it meant I had to be a doormat. Actually when you turn the other cheek you're offering a challenge. You give the attacker something to think about. And then, yes, with giving, it doesn't mean that you abandon any sense that you have rights and dignity of your own. It means that you know that life is much more than your possessions. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Now that's been called the golden rule, but Jesus didn't call it the golden rule. We know that Jesus as an infant received gold but he demonstrated through the course of his life that he was not interested in gold. So I don't know whether calling it the golden rule is any great compliment; but this is something that makes total sense to us as we try to grow in a sense of empathy, to see our neighbor as another self and to respond to them as we would like to be responded to. And I think that keeps us at a level of realistic, kind interaction which does respect the other. And that gifts will be given to you that full measure falling into your lap: For me that is quite simply the sense of peace which I have discovered in myself, and it is a wonderful thing when we discover it, because all of us can enter into an anxious state in which we are placing pressure on ourselves. When we are saying we have to do A, B or C in order to prove that I have the right to be here, that anxiety is existing in all of us and we are greatly blessed when we can come to see that as something that we use to block the very peace of our God. It is wonderful when we can lay that anxiety aside. So we have so much to think about and as we sang in the Psalm, "The Lord is kind and merciful." And we need to reflect on the people who have shown us mercy,  and realize that it [mercy] is real and that it is transforming and that as much as so many people in the world are moved by other influences, we know we give a witness that says peace is possible and peace begins with what is going on in your own heart.

Series: 1 Timothy   |  Sermon Number: 5 of 19 |  Scripture Passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 |  Preacher: Josh Hibbard |  Sermon Date: February 2, 2025

Bhagavad Gita Ch. 11 “Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form” Verses 37,  38, 39, & 40 The lecture discusses the verses described as the most beautiful Universal Prayer to the Lord of all beings and things. The supreme consciousness that pervades everywhere knows everything and is worthy of knowing by all beings. Moksharthi - Please visit YouTube for Bhajans by Neil Bhatt - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8jOW56VdfinQGoaP3cRFi-lSBfxjflJE Gita for Daily Living - Now on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@GitaforDailyLiving

Sharmee Divan, Intuitive Coach, Motivational Speaker, and author, is a lifelong psychic and clairvoyant who has been teaching Angelic Therapy for over a decade. She inspires people to follow the loving, joyful, and abundant spiritual path guided by Angels. https://sharmeedivan.com/ A Meditation a Day is sponsored by Enlightened World Network. Our intention is to come together to surround the planet, humanity, and ourselves with divine healing love. We know when two or more are gathered, that we then amplify the intention and energy for ourselves and for the collective. Enlightened World Network is your guide to inspirational online programs about the spiritual divinity, angels, energy work, chakras, past lives, or soul. Learn about spiritually transformative authors, musicians and healers. From motivational learning to inner guidance, you will find the best program for you. Archangel Raphael's clearing modality: ANGELIC GEMS To learn more about them please check out https://enlightenedworld.online/angelic-gems/ Check out our website featuring over 200 spirit-inspired lightworkers specializing in meditation, energy work and angel channeling www.enlightenedworld.online Enjoy inspirational and educational shows at http://www.youtube.com/c/EnlightenedWorldNetwork To sign up for a newsletter to stay up on EWN programs and events, sign up here:https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/FBoFQef/web Link to EWN's disclaimer: https://enlightenedworld.online/disclaimer/ #Gayatrichant #universalprayer #lightworkers

Title: The Heart of Intercession and Order: Insights from 1 Timothy 21 Timothy 2 is a pivotal chapter in Paul's first epistle to Timothy, a letter rich with guidance for young Timothy, a leader in the early Christian church at Ephesus. This chapter lays a foundational framework for the practice of prayer and outlines principles for worship and leadership within the Christian community. Through these instructions, Paul not only addresses Timothy but also provides timeless directives that have informed Christian practice and ecclesiastical structure for centuries. A Call to Universal Prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-7)Paul begins the chapter with a strong exhortation to prioritize prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving for all people. This call to prayer emphasizes its universality, extending beyond the immediate Christian community to include kings and all those in authority. The purpose of such prayers is to lead a peaceful and quiet life, marked by godliness and dignity. Paul underscores the theological basis for this practice: God desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. He points to the mediatorship of Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, affirming the universal scope of the Christian message and the importance of prayer in God's redemptive plan. Guidelines for Worship (1 Timothy 2:8-10)Paul shifts focus to the conduct within the congregation, specifically addressing men and women's roles in worship. He advocates for men to pray without anger or dispute, highlighting the attitude and disposition suitable for worship. For women, Paul discusses modesty and good deeds as becoming those who profess to worship God, cautioning against ostentatious displays of wealth and instead promoting works of charity and piety. Roles of Men and Women in the Church (1 Timothy 2:11-15)One of the most debated sections of this chapter (and perhaps the entire Pauline corpus) is Paul's instructions regarding the roles of women in the church. He outlines a vision for women learning quietly and submissively, and he controversially states that he does not permit a woman to teach or assume authority over a man. These verses have been variously interpreted across Christian traditions, with some viewing them as culturally specific instructions while others see them as timeless principles for church order. Contemporary Reflections: Navigating 1 Timothy 2 Today 1 Timothy 2 presents modern readers with challenges and opportunities. The chapter's opening call to prayer for all people resonates with a universal Christian mission to seek the well-being of society and to intercede for its leaders. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes God's love for all creation and the church's role in mediating that love through prayer and action. The instructions regarding worship and roles within the church invite ongoing dialogue and discernment, especially as contemporary contexts differ significantly from those of the early Christian community. The principles of peace, godliness, and order that Paul advocates can guide these discussions, even as communities seek to apply these teachings in ways that honour both the text's integrity and contemporary understandings of gender and leadership. Conclusion: Embracing 1 Timothy 2's Core Messages1 Timothy 2 calls believers to embrace a life of prayer, godliness, and order within the Christian community. It challenges the church to consider how best to facilitate an environment where all members can grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission. As readers engage with this chapter, they are invited to reflect on the comprehensive scope of prayer, the conduct of befitting worship, and the ways in which the community can reflect the inclusive and redemptive love of God in its structure and practices.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

IntroductionWelcome back to Praying the Mass! Over the last couple of weeks, we have learned what the Sacred Liturgy is, what it's for, and we looked a bit more intently at Sacred Music and the Introductory Rites of the Mass. Today, we are looking at the Liturgy of the Word, but I want to begin with “part two” of our exploration of Sacred Music. As we looked at last week, music is integral to the Sacred Liturgy. So, it's important for us to know the mind and heart of the Church on the subject. And then we are going to take a close look at one of the most important theological ideas of this entire series: the Mystical Body of Christ.Sacraments vs. SacramentalsLet us begin first with a quick look at the difference between a Sacrament and a sacramental. This will be exceptionally brief, but I do not want to take for granted that the difference is evident to everyone listening. A Sacrament is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ as an outward sign of God's inward grace. The Sacraments actually make present in a very real way what is being symbolized. Baptism is not a bath; it causes a real change in us. The Eucharist is not a mere symbol; it is actually Jesus' Body and Blood. Sacramentals, on the other hand, like holy water, the rosary, blessed salt, the Sign of the Cross, and crucifixes have no intrinsic power. They are not talismans or magic. They simply dispose of our hearts, minds, and souls to God's grace. They open us up to God's supernatural aid and love!Full, Conscious, and Actual Participation and Sacred MusicFull, Conscious, Actual ParticipationIntimately related to music, let us begin by looking at the phrase from the Second Vatican Council: full, conscious, and active participation.In Vatican II's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Council Fathers write: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5),' is their right and duty by reason of their baptism. In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else…”This notion of full, conscious, and active participation has been understood and misunderstood since the 1960s. There is a helpful distinction in the official text of the document. Of course, this constitution was promulgated in Latin not in English. The Latin word used for “active” is “actuosa.” While actuosa does mean active, busy, or energetic, this is not the meaning of the Church's document. If we dig a bit deeper into the notion of active we arrive at the notion of active, active rather than passive. We will arrive at actually proceeding rather than dormant. Based on liturgical documents before and after the Council, the true meaning of actuosa is better rendered as “actual” rather than “active.” Why do I think this matters? Well, if we stick to the idea of being busy or externally energetic, then we are missing the boat. Full, conscious, and actual participation in the Sacred Liturgy comes from the disposition of the heart which bears fruit in external ways through singing and saying the responses, sitting, standing, kneeling, beating one's breast, making the sign of the cross, and so forth. Full, conscious, and active participation does not mean that every member of the laity needs to busy themselves with some role to fulfill. As we will see in a few minutes, speaking about the Mystical Body of Christ, our role as laity differs in degree from that of the priest. The priest is offering the Mass in persona Christi capitis (in the Person of Christ, Head of His Body). The priest offers the holy sacrifice. We, the people, offer the Mass as Members of the Body of Christ. We do this by praying, singing, and focusing our mind, heart, soul, and strength on the liturgical action.As Pope Francis said in a homily in 2013, “Active and conscious participation in the liturgy constitutes being able to ‘enter deeply' into the mystery of God made present in the Eucharist: thanks in particular to the religious silence and musicality of language with which the Lord speaks to us (Sample, 11).” Liturgical activity is not a jamboree. It is not a festival. It is a sacred foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Above all, it is the presentation once more of the one sacrifice of the Cross in an unbloody manner. This is a great mystery. Our actual participation, as a member of the Body of Christ allows us to enter this sacred reality. Singing the MassAs Catholics, we are not called to sing at Mass. We are called to sing the Mass. We are not spectators at Mass, we are called to offer our own personhood, body and soul, in the celebration of the sacred mysteries. The parts of the Mass which are sung consist of the Ordinary, the Propers, the Orations and the Dialogues.The OrdinaryThe Ordinary are the parts of the Mass that are the same every Sunday (with the exception of Advent and Lent): Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Mysterium Fidei, and Agnus Dei. The Creed (Credo) can also be sung. These parts are ordinarily for the congregation or a choir. These are beautifully done with the music which receives pride of place in the Roman liturgy: Gregorian chant. The PropersThe Propers consist of five parts in two sets. The first set: Entrance Antiphon, Offertory Antiphon, and Communion Antiphon. The second set: Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Proclamation with its Verse. Each of the Propers have accompanying refrains and verses. These are often done antiphonally with the cantor or choir singing the refrain, the congregation repeating the refrain, and then the cantor or choir singing the verses. Just as the 1st and 2nd Reading and the Gospel, there are Propers selected by the Church for each Sunday Mass of the year and for every major feast or solemnity.These are to be sung, when possible, as they are part of the Mass. Unfortunately, this integral practice has been neglected in the Church for many years. I will go into detail a bit later about why liturgical chant is more appropriate and efficacious for the Mass than a hymn or song.Orations and DialoguesThe Orations and Dialogues are “the texts of the Collects and other presidential prayers, and those in which the celebrant and people address each other, for example the greeting and its response: “The Lord be with you” - “And with your spirit”. Musical notations for these dialogues are provided in the Missal and should be used (Arch. Sample, Pastoral Letter 2019, 13).”Hymns at Mass?Hymns, in the mind of the Church, belong primarily in the Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office or the Breviary. This custom of singing hymns at Mass arose during the Low Mass of the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Mass when the priest was speaking in an inaudible voice praying in Latin. The congregation would sing vernacular devotional hymns during these silent prayers. More on why hymns are devotional rather than liturgical in a moment.Though hymn singing at low Mass was the case historically, the mind of the Church is to sing the Ordinary, the Propers, and the Orations and Dialogues. Hymn-singing at Mass is not envisioned in the documents of the Second Vatican Council or any subsequent magisterial documents. The only exception is the allowance of a hymn of praise after the distribution of Holy Communion prior to the Prayer After Communion.The normative practice of music at Mass was not envisioned by the Church. It was set in many ways over the last decades by large music publishers which gave us the processional, offertory (preparation), and communion hymns, and then usually a recessional hymn or song. The recessional, by the way, is not in the Missal or any of the Church's music documents. It was simply tacked on to give a sense of closure. However, for many centuries, after Sunday Mass, it was customary to sing antiphons in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These four antiphons were done seasonally. More on those here.Liturgical vs. DevotionalHymns are devotional by nature. They are written by men and women and arise from the human heart up to God. Liturgical music, on the other hand, is handed down by tradition directly from Scripture (not paraphrased). In this way, liturgical chants are the written Word of God, which speaks to our hearts and comes to us from above, from God. We make these words our own as we sing them. By chanting, we are conforming ourselves to the word of God rather than giving God our word, as beautiful a gift as that can be. There is a time and a place. In a rosary prayer group, praying Marian devotional songs is always appropriate. In the Liturgy of the Hours, devotional hymns are always appropriate and called for. During praise and worship, devotional songs are our expression of our faith in God, our hope in Him, and our love of Him. However, there is something distinct and set apart, something utterly universal, something transcendent about the words of Christ coming down into our human existence in the context of the Mass. We take in these words, they form us more into Christ, and we glorify God. This is the action of the liturgy made flesh! The Son eternally offers Himself to the Father in the Spirit! As members of the Body of Christ, this is what we are participating in when we do liturgical singing and sing the Mass. InstrumentsThe Church gives us a clear vision of what has preference in terms of instrumentation as well. I do not want to spend a long time on this but I think it is worth mentioning. The Second Vatican Council says, “In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things… (Other instruments may be admitted) only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful (SC, 120).”When it comes to instruments at Mass, the question we always want to keep in mind is: does this serve to facilitate praying and singing the Mass? Is it liturgical? Does it elevate or distract from what Christ Himself is doing?As an aside, pre-recorded music is forbidden to be used in liturgy by liturgical law. Ideally, musicians should not be particularly visually prominent. Choir lofts are the ideal, but may not be possible given your Church's architecture. It is simply always the standard that musicians at Mass should add to the solemnity of the occasion and never distract or detract. Solemnity is usually joyful; solemn does not need to mean somber unless the liturgical occasion calls for it.SilenceIt is also important to retain silence. God is manifest not only in the beauty of liturgical singing, but also in the powerful silence in which we hear His still, small voice. There is a rhythm to the Sacred Liturgy which must not be rushed or unduly prolonged by the music. Silence fosters communication with God. It allows for reflection and meditation. As St. John Paul II put it in 1998:“Active participation certainly means that, in gesture, word, song and service, all the members of the community take part in an act of worship, which is anything but inert or passive. Yet active participation does not preclude the active passivity of silence, stillness, and listening; indeed it demands it. Worshipers are not passive, for instance, when listening to the readings or the homily, or following the prayers of the celebrant, and the chants and music of the liturgy. These are experiences of silence and stillness, but they are in their own way profoundly active. In a culture which neither favors nor fosters meditative quiet, the art of interior listening is learned only with difficulty. Here we see how the liturgy, though it must always be properly inculturated, must also be counter-cultural.”Conclusion on MusicIn all things, pastors and musicians should familiarize themselves with the documents of the Church's Magisterium on Sacred Music and Liturgy. Special care should be given to Sacrosanctum Concilium, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Tra Le Solicitudini, the USCCB document Sing to the Lord, Musicae Sacrae, Mediator Dei. There is a lot to take in and these beautiful instructive and ecclesiastical law documents are not emphasized enough.Mystici CorporisA Reminder in Time of WarA full year before the invasion of Normandy by Allied forces during World War Two, in June 1943, Pope Pius XII issued an encyclical letter entitled “Mystici Corporis Christi.” This encyclical is nothing new in Catholic teaching but was an affirmation of the identity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. This might seem like an odd topic to write about during such cataclysm in Europe, but the Pope thought it was important for people to understand the Church. Most especially, during this time and any time, the Church is called to share Christ with the world and make the invisible visible. The Church is called to be a source of love, faith, and hope in a beleaguered world.During the war, there was also widespread forced conversions of Jews to Christianity by anti-Semites. The Pope wanted to give a forceful condemnation of this practice. In Christianity, unlike some other major world religions, forced conversions are out of the question. Conversion to Christianity and incorporation into the Mystical Body of Christ must be voluntarily based on faith, hope, and love, not involuntary compulsion.As St. John Paul II said so well: “The Faith is always proposed, not imposed.”The Church is the Mystical Body of ChristPope Pius XII states clearly that the Church is a body and it must “be an unbroken unity, according to those words of Paul: ‘Though many we are one body in Christ.' (MCC, 14).” However, this mystical body is also visible. With a multiplicity of members of all different walks of life, the Church is united in Christ who is the Head. This reality is both invisible and visible, both divine and human. This encyclical picked up the teachings of St. Paul on the Body of Christ, the Church, and laid the groundwork for a much lengthier discussion during the Second Vatican Council. The constitution concerning the Church from Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, further develops much of what the Pontiff wrote in 1943. We must realize that if the Church is a body, then it is an organism. As St. John Henry Newman said, “The Church is not an organization, it is an organism.” Of course, Jesus is the Head of His Body. Without the Head, we can do nothing. But the Head does not choose to operate in the world without the use of the Body. The Church is composed of Head and Members. It has a means for people to enter the Body by the power of the Holy Spirit. It has an internal means of subsistence which is the Holy Eucharist. And it has a means to grow, mature, and prosper in the life of grace, especially the sacramental life.The Church as MysteryThe reason that the Mystical Body of Christ is called “mystical” is because this reality is a mystery. A mystery is not something unknowable. A mystery in the Church is something which is revealed by God but is not readily understandable by human reason alone. The vital principle of the Church is Jesus Christ Himself. He is fully God and fully man. This is a great mystery, but it is true. The Son of God took on flesh, sharing in our humanity, though He remains fully the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. This is a great mystery. The Holy Trinity, truly, is a great mystery.By speaking of the Mystical Body of Christ, we distinguish it from the physical Body of Jesus. We also distinguish the Mystical Body of Christ from a natural body. Though we have spoken about how the Mystical Body of Christ is organized like a natural body, it is a supernatural reality. This must be the case because the Church is caught up in the mystery of God Himself. The Church is Invisible and DivineThe Church is not a human invention. The Church is the action of Almighty God, built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, directed to the Father, in the power and working of the Holy Spirit. The bonds of divine Charity are what bind us together. And so, the Church is invisible and divine. The Church is Visible and HumanGod moves first and then we respond. Knowing and loving us before time began, God sent His Son to gather us together. As Pope Pius XII writes, “Now the only-begotten Son of God embraced us in His infinite knowledge and undying love even before the world began. And that He might give a visible and exceedingly beautiful expression to this love, He assumed our nature in hypostatic union… (MCC, 75).”What the Pope is pointing out here is the enfleshment of the God-man is the point of reference for the Church. Though the Church appears visibly and seems to be a human institution, it was first the action of God. Just as Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, so too the Church is fully divine and fully human. What Is A Priest?The popular definition of a priest is given as an ordained person with the authority to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments. Properly speaking, however, a priest is one who offers sacrifice. This is what a priest is. This is what a priest does. This is who a priest is. A priest has handed over his life to be at the service of Jesus Christ and to pour himself out in His service.Truly, there is only one Priest, the one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Jesus is our great High Priest and every ordained man simply takes part in that one priesthood to varying degrees. For example, every baptized person shares in the priesthood of Christ in a general way. Whereas, deacons, priests, and bishops participate in the priesthood of Christ in particular and ever-greater degrees.Priesthood of All BelieversIn the general sense, we are all priests through our Baptism, because we all offer the sacrifice of our contrite hearts and our lives which take on new meaning when united with the one Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. For our Baptism is a kind of death, a sharing in the Cross. Therefore, in the priesthood of believers, we come to share in His Resurrection.The Ministerial and Ordained PriesthoodThe priest, however, in a very particular way, acting in the person of Christ, Head of His Body, offers the one Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. This is the essence of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The entire Paschal Mystery of Christ becomes truly present by the power of God at every single Holy Mass. It is what He is doing! Our High Priest offers Himself in the Spirit to the Father and invites us to take part. But the way in which we take part, as Head or as Member of His Mystical Body, matters.The entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, His suffering, death, and resurrection, and His glorious ascension all become present once more. This one sacrifice is perpetuated as an everlasting memorial. Christ does not die again, yet His saving action becomes present once more through the Divine and Sacred Liturgy at the hands of the priest in the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ.Private vs. Public MassEvery single Holy Mass is celebrated primarily by Jesus Christ. In this heavenly banquet and sacrificial meal, there are many who are already living in the perfection of the Trinity. The saints in Heaven, whether they are officially canonized or not, are taking part fully, consciously, and actively in the Holy Mass. Likewise, the angels are constantly worshiping God in accord with His desires.When Mass is celebrated publicly, there is more than just the priest present on earth. There may be other ministers, a cantor, an altar server, a reader, or some other member(s) of the lay faithful. These Masses are beautiful because they show a greater sign of the Mystical Body of Christ gathered to worship God, head and members.However, what if a priest has to offer Mass privately? This has happened throughout the history of the Church. Priests are encouraged to offer Mass daily and they are therefore unable to have the faithful present every time they offer Mass. This is colloquially known as a private Mass, but the name is misleading.No Mass is private. At every single Mass, Jesus Christ is offering Himself eternally to the Father in the power and working of the Holy Spirit, and the angels and saints are actively taking part in this perfect worship. Heaven and Earth meet. The imminent and transcendent kiss. So, whether the faithful are present or not, the Holy Mass is the Holy Mass.Efficacy and Aims of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the MassAt the risk of treading on the same ground as Session 1, I think it is worth looking at the efficacy and aims of the Holy Mass. Since the very first Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Most Holy Eucharist as the memorial of His suffering and death, by which the graces of the Cross would flow to the entire world, even two thousand years later. For, in the Mass, the Cross becomes truly present once more and the Blood of Christ flows to purify the world.The Mass is a true sacrifice that is offered to God alone. It is a sacrifice offered for the praise and adoration of our triune God in thanksgiving. The Mass is also offered for impetration, that is, to lay our requests for the world before God. The Mass is also a propitiatory sacrifice because it is the re-presentation of the Cross. In other words, the Blood of Christ flowing from the Cross is offered in expiation for the sins of mankind.Our High Priest, standing once again in the breach as our mediator, by the hands of the ordained priest, is offering His prayer on our behalf to God of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, propitiation, and imputation. Every single Mass is therefore infinitely efficacious and good, whether the faithful are present or not. Therefore, Mass is never really private. It is always crowded. We just do not yet have eyes to see this glorious reality.The Readings:First ReadingThe Liturgy of the Word begins after the Collect with the First Reading. Readings from Sacred Scripture of part of every Holy Mass. Each Mass, there is a First Reading, a Responsorial Psalm, and a reading from the Gospels. On Sundays, Solemnities, and some Feast Days, there is also a Second Reading. Generally, the First Reading is taken from the Old Testament. During the Easter Season (from Easter through Pentecost), the First Reading is taken from the New Testament.Responsorial PsalmThe Responsorial Psalm comes from the 150 Psalms, except for five times in the three year cycle of readings. These are a canticle from Exodus and Isaiah on Easter Vigil, the Magnificat on Gaudete year B, and Daniel 3 on Trinity Sunday year A.By the way, in the Lectionary, the part of the Roman Missal that contains the Readings for Mass, there is a two year cycle for daily readings and a three year cycle for Sunday Readings. When I was growing up I heard that we get through the entire Bible in three years. That's not quite true. The Sunday and weekday lectionaries contain 13.5 percent of the Old Testament (not counting the Psalms), 54.9 percent of the non-Gospel New Testament, 89.8 percent of the Gospels, and 71.5 percent of the entire New Testament. The Second Vatican Council called for a greatly increased amount of readings. In paragraph 35 of Sacrosanctum Concilium, they stated: “In the sacred rites, a more abundant, more varied, and more appropriate selection of readings from Sacred Scripture is to be restored (SC, 35).” For Sundays, vigils, and major feasts, the amount of Scripture read directly in the Tridentine Liturgy was 22 percent of the Gospels, 11 percent of the New Testament Epistles, and 0.8 percent of the Old Testament. The Responsorial Psalm is meant to be responsorial, of course. So, a large part of actual participation in the Mass means actually singing the response! If you can sing, sing loudly. If you don't think you can sing… sing even louder!Second Reading (on Sundays and solemnities)By adding a second reading on Sundays and solemnities, we are able to get through more of the story of salvation history over the three year cycle. But the Holy Mother Church also desires to show us more explicitly the intricate link between the Old and the New Testaments.Gospel AcclamationBefore the Gospel, outside of Lent, the Alleluia and accompanying verse, related to the Gospel of the day, are chanted. And during Lent, a traditional alternative acclamation is made: “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.” Before this Gospel Acclamation, there are occasionally Sequences. These are the 11th Century Victimae paschali laudes for Easter, the 12th Century Veni Sancte Spiritus for Pentecost, and the 13th Century Lauda Sion Salvatorem written by St. Thomas Aquinas for Corpus Christi. The ones on Easter and Pentecost are not optional in the current Missal. Another optional sequence is the Stabat mater for Our Lady of Sorrows, added in 1727. The Dies irae for All Souls' Day and Requiem Masses was moved to the Liturgy of the Hours in 1970. GospelWe are seated for the readings, but we stand up for the Gospel Acclamation and the Gospel. Why? Because it is the life of our Lord Jesus Christ! When we hear the Gospel proclaimed by the Deacon or priest, then we are hearing the words of our Blessed Lord! And so we stand out of respect, reverence, and joy.Ordinary Ministers of ReadingThe readings used to be proclaimed only by the priest, at the altar, in Latin. Now, they are proclaimed at an ambo or lectern. The Old and New Testament readings and the Psalm interestingly were given to the laity as an Ordinary Ministry. This is a change from the pre-1970 liturgies and is a reform or development. The “lessons” as they used to be called were only offered by the priest. Now, they are proclaimed to the people in the vernacular. The Gospel, however, is never read by the laity, even an instituted lector. The Gospel “belongs”, so to speak, to the Deacon. Even at a papal Mass, a deacon will proclaim the Gospel. This is symbolized at the diaconal ordination when the man being ordained is given a Book of the Gospels. This is also why the deacon processes up to the altar, at the beginning of the Mass, with a Book of the Gospels held high!Liturgical ActualizationWhy does it matter that the readings are proclaimed or offered quietly in Latin? Following the authentic developments of the liturgical movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was an understanding brought to the foreground called liturgical actualization.When the readings are proclaimed at Mass, those sacred realities become present to us in a mystical way. When we hear of the Hebrews crossing dry shod across the Red Sea in the Exodus, we are there with them. By the power of Almighty God, the liturgy comes alive in a mysterious way and the fabric of space and time are folded in upon themselves. Thus, the readings are not mere recollections, nor mere instruction. The antiphons, the prayers of the Mass, and especially the proclaimed readings make the holy mysteries present to us and us present to them, in a way that escapes our understanding. As the Second Vatican Council teaches, quoting the Council of Trent: “... the Church has never failed to come together to celebrate the paschal mystery: reading those things ‘which were in all the scriptures concerning him (Luke 24:27),' celebrating the eucharist in which ‘the victory and triumph of his death are again made present (Trent),' and at the same time giving thanks ‘to God for his unspeakable gift (2 Cor. 9:15)' in Christ Jesus, ‘in praise of his glory (Eph. 1:12),' through the power of the Holy Spirit.”This sacred mystery of liturgical actualization is rendered more intelligible to our senses by having the readings proclaimed in the vernacular in a way that all can hear. Thus, reading at Mass is a true ministry and an action of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, working through the reader. “When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his own word, proclaims the Gospel (GIRM, 29).”HomilySince the time of the Council of Trent, the sermon or homily was envisioned as taking place after the Gospel at least on Sundays and holy days. This was not happening everywhere, and so the Second Vatican Council ordered that these prescriptions of Trent actually come to fruition. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says this of the homily:“Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture God's word is addressed to all people of every era and is understandable to them, nevertheless, a fuller understanding and a greater effectiveness of the word is fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, the homily, as part of the liturgical action.”I have found that the best homilies are, at the same time, sufficient in depth, personally challenging, accessible, and focused on leading us towards the next part of the Mass: the Sacrifice on the altar!Profession of Faith After the homily, on Sundays, solemnities, and special occasions we profess our faith with either the Nicene or Apostles' Creed. These creedal statements are so very important in the life of the Church. The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, to use the full name, is the fruit of the first two ecumenical councils in the 4th Century which safeguarded the Church against various heresies.The Creed is also something we profess together, as Head and Members of the Body of Christ, in response to the word of God that was proclaimed in the readings and expounded in the homily. Dr. Scott Hahn in his excellent book on the Creed refers to the profession in this way: “I want to show that creeds don't just make you who you are and I who I am; they also make us who we are. They are one of the ordinary means God uses to unite his people. God takes wayward tribes and makes them a nation--and, more than that, a family! He takes all the lawless, rebellious nations of the earth and makes them a Church--and, more than that, his own body! It begins with that cry from the heart: I believe!”Dr. Hahn also teaches us that the profession of the Creed is to the Liturgy of the Word what the reception of Holy Communion is to the Liturgy of the Eucharist! I find this so fruitful to contemplate before reciting the Creed! How can we pray the Creed better? First, if you do not know what is being professed, then ask questions and find the answers! The Catechism of the Catholic Church has an entire section devoted to walking through the Creed line by line. Second, do not just say it; really pray it! Savor every word and feel the weight of the History of the Church, the passionate preaching of the saints who defended each word, and the power of the focal points of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Trinity.Universal PrayerFinally, in the Liturgy of the Word is the Prayers of the Faithful or the Universal Prayer in which, standing, “the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all (GIRM 69).”In these prayers, the Church asks us to pray:“a. For the needs of the Church;b. For public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;c. For those burdened by any kind of difficulty;d. For the local community (GIRM 70).”These prayers are directed by the priest and the intentions are announced by the deacon. If a deacon is not present, the priest can do so, or a cantor, lector, or one of the lay faithful are allowed to do so by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. ConclusionOkay. That's it for the Liturgy of the Word. There is far more to say. I could have spent an entire hour just commenting on the formatting of the lectionary. But this series is an introduction to whet our appetite. If any questions came up in your mind today during the presentation, please send them to will.wright.catholic@gmail.com and I will happily answer them!See you next week for the session on the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I am so excited to share with you the astounding implications of liturgical actualization as it relates to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The mystery and beauty of it is breathtaking! Until next week, may God bless us and keep us, seeking ever more after His heart!Thank you for reading Will Wright Catholic Podcast. This post is public so feel free to share it. 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IntroductionLast week, we looked at the etymology of the word liturgy, a public service. We talked about the liturgical diversity in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. We learned that the Holy Mass is for the glorification of God and the sanctification of man. We looked at the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, made present once again by the Holy Mass. And we discussed how to put the cult back in culture. Most importantly, we defined the Mass. Hopefully we have it memorized by now! But if not here it is again:The Mass is the perfect self-offering of the Son to the Father in the Spirit in which we are invited to take part. Architecture, Gestures, and SymbolsWhen the Word of God became man in the Person of Jesus Christ, the spiritual met the material. The supernatural shared in the nature of the natural. God took on flesh to share in our humanity. Heaven and Earth met. This has always been the way of the Church. The outward shows something deeper inward. In the Sacraments of the Church, most especially, signs and symbols become the outward showing of God's inward grace. Hidden realities are made clear through the sacramental.This is what signs and symbols in the Church can do for us: they use the visible to lead us to and show us the invisible. Especially in the Holy Mass, Heaven and Earth meet. This is why Church art and architecture matters so much. Good art and architecture show us the truth and goodness of God!Basic Church LayoutGenerally, there are three different parts to a Catholic Church: the narthex, nave, and sanctuary. The Narthex is the gathering place and the appropriate place to chat and share in fellowship. In the Nave, representative of Earth, the people are seated standing or in pews for worship. In the Sanctuary, we have the place where the Eucharistic miracle takes place and Heaven meets Earth. This is why the altar is prominently in the center of the Sanctuary, Christ standing in the midst of His people. The Altar is ChristDr. Denis McNamara of Benedictine College points out that Preface V of Easter in the Roman Missal says of Christ: “As He gave Himself into Your hands for our salvation, He showed Himself to be the Priest, the Altar, and the Lamb of sacrifice.” The altar, which is the center of the Eucharistic celebration, is both the place of sacrifice and the table of the Lord. On this altar, the sacrifice of Calvary is made present once more.On the Cross, Jesus is the Priest because, as a Priest, He is offering Himself to the Father. He is the Altar because His Body is the place of sacrifice. He is the Lamb because, like the Passover, He is offered in our place.In the words of Mother Church, the Altar is Christ standing in the midst of His People. Even when an altar is consecrated and dedicated, it is anointed with oil as the Body of Christ was anointed before His burial.The Altar is not merely a table, even a sacred table. The Altar is first and foremost the place of sacrifice. The Holy Victim, who is also the High Priest, is offered on the Altar, which is His Body. The Holy Mass makes this reality present to us again.As the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council says, “in the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem (SC, 8).” So, the Altar is a living altar in Heaven and the meal we share is a heavenly meal. This is why the Altar is holy and receives special treatment: anointing, incensing, covering, and lighting.Gestures in the LiturgyGenuflection and BowingThis brings us to a good point to discuss the gestures of genuflection and bowing. It would be very unusual to bow to a table. If that is all the Altar is, then we would be out of our minds to do so. Of course, we know that this Sacred Table is the place of sacrifice. The Altar is Christ.Jesus Christ is God Himself, the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. He is our great High Priest. He is the Lamb of Sacrifice. He is also the King of the Universe. Even the worst kings and queens in history were honored by bowing and genuflection. How much more deserving is our perfect and infinite Lord!The proper gesture towards the altar which is the sign of Christ standing in our midst is a profound bow, or a bow from the waist. The bow is a bending of the head or body in reverence and submission. One definition of “to bow” is to “cease from competition or resistance.” How often do we resist the Lord? But, of course, God Almighty is so far above us that resistance or competition is unthinkable.By bowing, we remind ourselves of who God is and who we are. We are also reminded of what takes place and Who becomes present on the Altar during Holy Mass.When Do We Genuflect?The genuflection, or bending at the knee, is a sign of profound respect and adoration. Speaking of Christ Jesus, St. Paul writes:“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).”We genuflect in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord, present in the Tabernacle. We bend our knee to the one and only God and Lord of all. The Altar makes Christ present in a particular and special way, but the Holy Eucharist IS Jesus.So, with all of the explanation behind us: We bow to the Altar. We genuflect to our Lord in the Tabernacle.Other Gestures and PosturesAs we continue through this series, we will look at the meanings of several gestures and postures. One of the most prominent signs or gestures is the Sign of the Cross. There is the gesture before the Gospel. There are a few other instances throughout the Mass of bowing and genuflection. We will talk about kneeling, sitting, standing, and why each of these are important parts of the Sacred Liturgy. Today and next week, we will be talking about the importance of singing and speaking the responses. And later today, I will be mentioning the orans posture which seems to be misunderstood in the Liturgy.If you really pay attention, there are so many different gestures, postures, and signs in the Sacred Liturgy, and they all have a purpose and meaning.The Entrance and GreetingWhat is Everyone Wearing?If your church has a bell that is rung at the beginning, then what happens? We stand up. And then we see a procession of the priest, deacon, and altar servers. We will get to what this procession actually is in just a moment. But everyone is dressing up and putting on a costume. The priest will wear a chasuble which covers himself up so that we can better see Jesus Christ our High Priest. The chasuble is similar to the outer garment worn by the priest in the Temple in the Old Covenant. Likewise, the deacon is wearing a garb similar to those who assisted at the Temple; his garment is called a dalmatic and, unlike the chasuble, it has long sleeves. Underneath, the priest and deacon also wear an alb (a long white garment - albus means white in Latin) and a stole. The priest wears a stole around the back of his neck and which hangs on the front on both sides. The deacon wears a stole across his body from one shoulder to the opposite side by his hip. There are a couple other garments, but we will stick to what is seen for now. Altar servers are traditionally an apprenticeship for the priesthood. It is a close-up look at the service at the altar and an opportunity for conversations between priests and boys about the priesthood. So, the altar boys wear cassock and surplice which is a priestly garment. St. John Paul II allowed girls to altar serve in the late 1990s, if there were no boys available. The clearest case of this would be in the situation of an all-girls Catholic school. This has been expanded far beyond St. John Paul II's intentions in most Parishes throughout the world over the last few decades. In some parishes, to make a visual distinction, girls will wear altar server robes rather than the male garment of cassock and surplice. I plan on making a few more comments on altar serving in Session 5. So, stay tuned on that front! Anyway… back to the procession!What is a procession, liturgically and theologically?What is part of the procession? And is there a method to the ordering? If there is incense at the Mass, the server with the incense (the thurifer) will go first along with the server with the little boat of incense granules. Next comes the processional cross which is on a long pole for all to see. After that comes two candle-bearers. Then the deacon. Then the priest. We will discuss this more in the coming weeks, but the procession is a movement through Earth (the nave) towards Heaven (the sanctuary). It is a presenting once again of the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.Once the priest reaches the altar, he bows and kisses the altar. This gesture is called “reverencing the altar.” In the 1962 Missale Romanum, the prayers show us the deep meaning of the priest's gesture:“Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies: through Christ our Lord. Amen. We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints, whose relics are here, and of all the Saints, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all my sins. Amen (Missale Romanum 1962; Baronius Press translation).”The Sign of the CrossThe very first thing the priest says in the Roman Missal is: “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.” The Sign of the Cross! Why do we trace the cross when we begin prayer? In the fourth century, St. Cyril of Jerusalem said this:“Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow, and on everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we rise up; when we are in the way, and when we are still. Great is that preservative; it is without price, for the sake of the poor; without toil, for the sick; since also its grace is from God. It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of devils: for He triumphed over them in it, having made a shew of them openly; for when they see the Cross they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, who bruised the heads of the dragon. Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the gift; out for this the rather honor thy Benefactor.”There is power in the Sign of the Cross! In the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the Sign of the Cross is made dozens of times! In the West, we generally make the sign with an open palm which is a sign of blessing. In the East, the thumb, index, and middle fingers are joined to represent the Trinity and the ring and pinky are put towards the palm to show the divine and human natures of Christ. Either way, it is a great way to begin worship.Where do the greetings come from in Scripture?Next, the priest says one of a few different greetings which are all taken from the letters of St. Paul. The choices are a variation of: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you (2 Corinthians 13:13).”What does “The Lord be with you” and the “and with your spirit” actually mean?We are praying for the spirit of the ordained priest who we believe has been configured, through Holy Orders and the power of the Holy Spirit, to Christ in a special way.  When we say, “and with your spirit,” we are not simply wishing him well. We acknowledge his priestly soul and the fact that he is acting in the Person of Christ, Head of His Body. Next week, we are going to talk more about the concept of the Mystical Body of Christ.The Penitential ActConfiteorNext comes the Penitential Act. There are a few choices for the priest here, but the first and most traditional option is the Confiteor followed by the Kyrie. In the Confiteor we call to mind our sins, ask for the prayers of the saints and our brothers and sisters in Christ, and ask for God's forgiveness. Before the 10th or 11th centuries, the asking for forgiveness was done by the priest in his preparation prayers in the sacristy. After that point, these prayers of preparation became part of the prayers at the foot of the altar. In the 1962 Missale Romanum, the first words of the priest after the Sign of the Cross are “Introibo ad altare Dei” which begins Psalm 42. Directly after this psalm comes the Confiteor, so named after the first word in Latin of this prayer. The prayers at the foot of the altar are then concluded; the prayers of reverencing the altar are then made, which I mentioned earlier. In the 1970 Missal which is currently in use the Confiteor is said not only by the priest but by all present. The prominent gesture associated with the Confiteor is striking the breast during the words mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (through my fault, through my fault, my most grievous fault). This is the gesture of the humble sinner who is expressing his heartfelt contrition. Right after the Confiteor, the priest asks for God's forgiveness of our sins and we receive an absolution of our venial sins.Kyrie EleisonBefore the priest gives us absolution, the Kyrie is sung. The words in English are “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy,” but these do not do justice to what is actually said in the Greek. As a side note, along with one chant on Good Friday, these are the only Greek words used in the Roman Liturgy. Pope St. Gregory the Great implemented numerous liturgical reforms in the late 6th Century and early 7th Century; he retained this part in Greek to show communion with the East. The word Kyrie does mean Lord and Christe does mean Christ. But Eleison does not originally mean have mercy. Eleison in Greek is derived from the word from oil. Literally, it had the meaning of “Lord, pour your oil out upon us.” What is this about? How did that come to mean mercy? Well, oil was used in the Ancient Greek world as a salve for burns and bruises. It was also used to prepare wrestlers before the Greek Olympic games. And, so, when we say Kyrie Eleison, we are asking God to ready us for battle and simultaneously to heal our wounds and bind up what is broken in us!Gloria In Excelsis DeoScriptural basis for the GloriaNext comes the Gloria, which in English begins: “Glory to God in the highest…” Where does this come from? Well, like most parts of the Mass, it is taken directly from Sacred Scripture. We have just asked for God's forgiveness and received it, and now it is time to praise and glorify Him! We hear in Luke 2:8-20:“8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them (Lk 2:8-20).”Sacred Music at MassThe Gloria is one of the hymns in the Mass which is properly sung. But why? Like the angels in the heavens singing and praising God, so too do we unite our hearts and minds with this action of worship. Here, though, I want to take a detour from our regularly scheduled programming to discuss music generally.What is the purpose of Sacred Music in the Latin Rite? Maybe you know! Maybe you think you know. Maybe you have no idea. I hope to give the basics of what the Church offers. I am not interested in giving you my opinion or the opinions of others. What does the Church say is “Sacred Music?” I think it is worth giving a decent chunk of time here to get into it a bit!In January of 2019, Archbishop Alexander Sample of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon wrote a pastoral letter on Sacred Music in Divine Worship entitled: “Sing to the LORD a New Song.” It is a brilliantly written synthesis of the Church's perennial teachings on music in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. The original letter can be found here. I highly recommend that any person involved in the ministry of music in a Latin Rite Catholic Church give it a read.Introduction to Church MusicQuoting St. Augustine, Archbishop Sample reminds us that singing is an expression of joy and of love. When the People of God gather, we sing praises to God. To lose the great 2,000 year tradition of Sacred Music in the Church would be a tragedy. In fact, the “beauty, dignity and prayerfulness of the Mass depend to a large extent on the music that accompanies the liturgical action (Sample, 1).”Speaking of language, form, and genre, Pope Francis said a few years ago that, “At times a certain mediocrity, superficiality and banality have prevailed, to the detriment of the beauty and intensity of liturgical celebrations (Sample, 2).”The archbishop alludes to the fact that there has been a certain confusion about Sacred Music in the past decades and that a rediscovery of the tradition of the Church will constitute for some a “change.” He says, “Change can be difficult, but this can also be an exciting time of rediscovering the spirit of the liturgy and exploring new horizons of sacred music (Sample, 3).”History and the Nature and Purpose of Sacred Music Since the time of the Apostles, singing has not been an addendum to the worship of God. It is integral. Singing is an art form that “takes its life and purpose from the Sacred Liturgy and is part of its very structure (Sample, 3).”The Second Vatican Council reiterates this in the document on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium: “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy (Sample, 3).”If this is the case, and it is, then it seems unfitting that the norm in the United States (at least) is to, as the archbishop puts it, “‘tack on' four songs (the opening hymn, the offertory hymn, communion hymn and recessional hymn), along with the sung ordinary of the Mass (Gloria, Sanctus, etc.). We must come to see that, since sacred music is integral to the Mass, the role of sacred music is to help us sing and pray the texts of the Mass itself, not just ornament it… The Church solemnly teaches us, then, that the very purpose of sacred music is twofold: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful. This understanding of the essential nature and purpose of sacred music must direct and inform everything else that is said about it (Sample, 3 & 4).”The Qualities of Sacred MusicThere are three essential qualities of sacred music that flow from its nature and purpose: sanctity, beauty, and universality.SANCTITY - Sacred Music has sanctity because it is holy. It must be free of profanity in its words, themes, and the manner in which it is delivered. To be holy is to be set apart. Common, secular music has no place in the worship of God in the liturgy.BEAUTY – Liturgical and Sacred Music can give people a glimpse of the beauty of heaven, according to Pope Francis. Our liturgies must seek to be transcendent. They can be nothing compared to the glory of Heaven, but the beauty of Sacred Music can offer a foretaste of the Heavenly reality. UNIVERSALITY – The composition of Sacred Music, of any culture, must be recognized as having a sacred character. As a universal principle, holiness transcends every individual culture. In other words, “Not every form or style of music is capable of being rendered suitable for the Mass (Sample, 5).”The Treasury of Sacred MusicThe treasury of the Church's Sacred Music spans centuries. Whether ancient or modern, Sacred Music must have the same character of sanctity, beauty, and universality.  For example, there is Gregorian Chant which the Second Vatican Council gave pride of place in Sacred Music in the Roman liturgy. This has been reinforced by every Pontiff since. In terms of full, conscious, active participation of the laity in the liturgy, Pope Pius XI says this, “In order that the faithful may more actively participate in divine worship, let them be led once more to sing the Gregorian chant, so far as it belongs to them to take part in it (Sample, 6).”The Second Vatican Council also suggests that “(S)teps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertains to them (SC, 54).” This is referring to the Kyrie (actually in Greek), the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, the Mysterium Fidei, the Pater Noster, and the Agnus Dei. Echoing the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict XVI said, “(W)hile respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy (Sample, 7).”There are other kinds of Sacred Music in the Church. For example, polyphony has a venerable tradition in the Church, such as the compositions of Palestrina, Tallis, and Allegri. There is also a vast body of Sacred Music composed for the people, such as hymnody, psalmody, and different Mass settings in Latin or the vernacular. In contrast to Sacred Music is secular music. Secular music is not sanctified, necessarily beautiful, or universal. This does not just pertain to lyrics. There are a great many songs being written and utilized at Mass which are secular in their manner of being played (folk, rock, country, etc.) or their ambiguous lyrical content. Archbishop Sample quotes Pope Benedict XVI in saying: “As far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration. Consequently everything - texts, music, execution - ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (Sample, 9-10).”There is much more to say on music and full, conscious, actual participation in the Mass, but I am going to hold off on that until next week. Otherwise, this week will go far over an hour. So, make sure to come back next week for the exciting conclusion!The CollectThe celebrant invites those gathered to pray and then proclaims the prescribed prayer for the day from the Roman Missal called the Collect.  The Collect literally collects the prayers of the people and the priest offers these prayers to God. The Collect also disposes the hearts of those present to be made ready to hear the Word of God proclaimed in the following part of the Mass: the Liturgy of the Word. As we will see next week, when we talk about the Mystical Body of Christ, we need a priest to do this properly. In his priesthood, the priest is acting in the Person of Christ, the Head of His Body, at Holy Mass. Only he can collect up the prayers of the Members of the Body of Christ and offer them, by his consecration, to God the Father, in the Spirit. ConclusionWith the Collect, the Introductory Rites are concluded. Whether we are celebrating the Holy Mass by the 1962 Missal or the 1970 Missal, the Collect ends the beginning prayers of the Mass which prepare us for the Readings. Next week, we will be diving into this next part of the Mass, known in our current Missal as the Liturgy of the Word. We will also be looking closer at the theology of the Mystical Body of Christ. We will look a bit closer at Sacred Music in Mass. We will walk through the progression of Readings and the Homily. And we will be learning more about the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer. We will also look at the difference between Sacraments and sacramentals. I am certain there will be a few other side roads to investigate along the way.Thank you for joining us this week. I look forward to being with you again next week as we continue to learn more about Praying the Mass!Thank you for reading Will Wright Catholic Podcast. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Will Wright Catholic Podcast at www.willwrightcatholic.com/subscribe

Psalm 117 is a summons to universal praise. It is the shortest of all the psalms and demonstrates that prayer and praise does not need to be lengthy, just sincere. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:7, “When you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”

Namaste --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jennifer-mendoza34/message

This is a Universal Prayer applicable for any spiritual or religious context and practice. It focuses on developing and generating love or loving kindness and compassion (metta and karuna), peace (equanimity/upekkha), and light (wisdom, joy: mudita). It is both a healing and protective prayer for oneself and others. If practiced with ease, presence, and sincerity it is very powerful and transformative.

In this month's episode, Sr. Fiat Marie and Blake reflect on how the Creed bridges the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist as well as how the Offertory Rite prepares us for deeper communion with the Trinity. You can let us know you've listened here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=p4tfwKotGUCwzFhJyZWf3Jwac4iA34ZHn6whLWZ8SFVURUdYWFpFVkNGRE9RTjRJVFFJM0FHVVc5Uy4u.  The Creed & Offertory Rite January Podcast outline Introduction Creed as a Bridge The Shema is the first Creedal statement of our Faith. It is the same creed that Jesus would have known and that he even highlights when asked what is the greatest commandment. With the full revelation of God in the Person of Jesus Christ, his words, and actions the Creed becomes fuller as we encounter the person of Jesus Christ. The Catechism states, “We do not believe in formulas, but in those realities they express, which faith allows us to touch. The believer's act [of faith] does not terminate in the propositions, but in the realities [which they express]." (CCC 170). Our worship and encounters with the Living God through Scripture and His witnesses change belief and those beliefs change our actions. Intercessions In the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in some sense to the Word of God which they have received in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal Priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is desirable that there usuallsy be such a form of prayer in Masses celebrated with the people, so that petitions may be offered for holy Church, for those who govern with authority over us, for those weighed down by various needs, for all humanity, and for the salvation of the whole world. Offertory and preparation of the gifts Start of Liturgy of Eucharist Simple/small taking in all/large How are they produced? Sun, earth, time, animals, our hands and work, trucks driving The earth, ourselves, our work Eastern churches a family makes the bread Giving what we have received (circle of awe and gratitude example) They represent us Mingling rite They become Jesus Jesus, transform us into you Close

Sharpen your pencils and make sure you have a clean sheet of notebook paper – it's time for another Mass Class with Fr. Tom! This month's lesson focuses us on the Creed and the Universal Prayer. Submit your questions about the Mass by emailing practicingcatholicshow@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (651)251-7737. https://thecatholicspirit.com/faith/focus-on-faith/practicing-catholic/first-in-new-practicing-catholic-series-on-the-mass-addresses-the-liturgy-and-how-to-participate/

If the medicine of beauty exists, would you be willing to take it? In this episode of Wisdom of Ages, host Ayn Cates Sullivan and guest Marcella Benson talk about an inspiring story of overcoming illness with the live-food vegan lifestyle. Marcela is the author of the book: Love, Peace & Vegetables: Recipes for Conscious Living. She has been teaching people to become healthy chefs - and healthy people. Some recipes are straightforward. Others are creative and more detailed. It does require focus to become a healing master. You will also hear Ayn's poem "A Universal Prayer" by Ayn Cates Sullivan which explains how poetry, art, and crystals bright light and beauty into our lives. Tune in to know how eating healthily is a form of self-love— the true medicine of beauty.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Just a reminder to everyone who's still in control, Trusting the Divine and the almighty.

Ending prayer with peace and I send my love into the world

The Liturgy Guys discuss the Homily, the Creed, and the Universal Prayer.

In Thomas Merton's Asian Journals, the appendix includes some rich reading and reflection. In this episode, you'll hear a closing prayer that emerged from the silence. He didn't script it. It's a call for unity among all people. It's what happens when love speaks. Perhaps some our members of Congress need to hear this. No, everyone needs to hear this. It's time for us to drop our swords of division and pick up universal, agape love.

Al Smith who is the Compiler and Editor of the book "Lord Teach us to Pray" will take us on an Advent Journey together with Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.   Each day over the 26 day retreat,  Al will recite passages from the book that will hopefully enlighten your mind and assist you in developing the holy habit of prayer.   The book is endorsed by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers of EWTN along with many others.   "'Lord, Teach Us to Pray' is a wonderful compilation of reflections on prayer from one of the greatest religious figures of the twentieth century. Archbishop Sheen's soul-stirring meditations during Eucharistic Adoration and his beautiful insights on Christ's last words from the Cross provide spiritual food that will nourish and strengthen your personal prayer. Venerable Fulton Sheen plants the seeds of wisdom in the rich soil of human experience that, when watered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit in an open heart, will undoubtedly bring forth fruits of sacred joy in the life of the reader. An absolute must-read!" Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers Author, "Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African American Priest"   So please join us as we study together with the help of the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.  The printable Advent Retreat Guide can be found at:  https://www.bishopsheentoday.com/advent-meditations/ The book can be purchased where ever fine books are sold and is distributed by Sophia Institute Press.  https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/lord-teach-us-to-pray   Page Reference For Day 17 Reflections are: DAY 17 December 15 The Ite, Missa Est A Universal Prayer 63 221   If you would like to watch the video version of this podcast please visit - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGi-hx2pndwhxaI51JYjZN3rF5kBf0mwX May I also request that you like the videos and subscribe to my YouTube channel.  God Love You.

3-31-2021 Universal Prayer Offering- An Instrument of Your Peace I invite you to take a few deep breaths...if you feel comfortable, with your eyes closed...and to just slow down...as we begin to catch up to ourselves... Ring the chime… Let's set out our intentions for this short time of prayerful reflection. I invite you to offer them right now and hold them in your heart. Let us remember that a God of love, mercy, and compassion...is already among us...with us...for us...around us and within us... Using your hands, find & feel the pulse on your neck...take a few moments until you feel those life-proving beats...And once you’ve located that pulse, let's humbly acknowledge a God of miracles and give thanks for this day... for the sacred elements that give us life, earth, air, water, sun, and to our Creator for another day of life. Let us also remember the words that pass through this area of our bodies and that our words can breathe dignity into our community...Our words are powerful... may we "never seek to be a voice for the voiceless...for there is no such thing...because all, even the quiet, afraid and silenced, have a holy voice....may we say yes to amplifying those voices...and to use ours to "say their names." Now feel the pulse on your wrist...to represent the instruments of peace that are our hands...take a few moments until you feel your heart beating...And once you’ve located your pulse, let us be mindful of the connection between our deeds and our heart. We pray in thanksgiving for our hands...those which allow us to send emails, coordinate meetings, text, and communicate to colleagues and friends around the world, hands that create art in the name of justice...may we remember the hands of those outside of this virtual space, our families, our caregivers who are literally injecting life-giving medicines into the arms of people in our communities... and other essential workers who cultivate, prepare, cook, deliver food for society.... May we too say yes to being hands and feet to all, most especially to those who are most vulnerable and in need of healing. We lift-up those whose lives are touched by sadness, by illness, by worry, or by loneliness. We ask for prayers for the victims of needless violence, and for those driven from their homeland due to poverty, war, and persecution. And now...I ask you to find and place your hand on your heart... take a few moments to slow down, locate, and feel your heart beating...Let us acknowledge together that by our humanity, we are together...and may we also remember the connection between our God and our heart, and listen with all our heart and with all our being, mind, body, spirit. For God is always calling us to the more, inviting us into a deeper relationship with our Creator and with our brothers and sisters, for we are of one human family. How will we respond to the invitation? May our hearts lean towards yes, aware that we are always free to choose. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Wishing all our Christian brothers and sisters a blessed Holy Week, our Jewish friends a Divine Passover, our Hindu friends a joyful festival of Holi with the arrival of spring and to our Muslim friends as Ramadan approaches, many blessings. In the name of all things sacred and good. Amen Adapted from a reflection by JP Ramirez

3-17-2021 Universal Prayers- St. Patrick Day Hello fellow caregivers, Liz Wessel here and today it is my joy to share in a spirit of celebration, St. Patrick’s Day. Whenever St Patrick’s Day rolls around I am mindful of my Irish heritage and my love of blessings. In a spirit of hospitality for which, the Irish are best known we ask that our hearts and minds be open and welcoming. We come in a spirit of prayer to receive and in return bless others generously. Unique to blessings, is the way they help us to connect with the sacredness of our life’s journey. A blessing creates a pause for us to honor and celebrate our being together. John O' Donohue fashioned, “The language of a blessing is a calling forth, a recognition of the miracle of being here, on the shoreline of pure arrival. Blessings are also an acceptance of the transitory nature of all the gifts that have arrived; for they need not come.” As natural as the movement of our breath, a blessing connects us in Spirit. As we breathe in, we can savor, affirm, and acknowledge what has been. Then as lightly as the next breath, what must, can float free on a blessing of kindness and Love. In reverence, we ready ourselves to cross the next threshold, trusting as we move forward. Our connectedness to one another bonds us to our world, amidst the grandeur of our evolving universe, and of all that lies within and without us. At this time, I would like to share this beautiful 2 min musical blessing by Sara Thomsen (2 min) I invite you to settle in , close your eyes and receive her blessing. Deep Peace by Sara Thomsen https://youtu.be/kb-FAOe396U And in closing this blessing by the late John O’ Donuhue May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do, the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light, and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work. May your work never weary you. May it release within you, wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in the bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn, find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities, and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered, and protected. May your soul calm, console, and renew you. - John O'Donohue, Anam Cara Offered by Liz Wessel Artwork by ~liz

3-9-2021 Universal Prayer & Reflection: Love of Neighbor Good morning, this is Liz Wessel and thank you for joining in prayer and communion as we journey together. We begin by centering ourselves and settling into a comfortable position. I invite you to close your eyes and focus your awareness of your breathing. Together we take 3 deep breaths, one to come as you are, two to welcome whatever emotions you may feel. Perhaps feelings of peace, happiness or sadness, anxiety and stress. Offer even these unwanted guests’ hospitality and say yes, that these too belong. You may wish to place your hand over your heart and offer loving kindness for yourself and to all who are gathered here today. Ring the bell To the God of our understanding, the spirit with whom we gather this morning – we ask that our minds be open, our hearts welcoming, and our arms embracing to our dear neighbor. (adapted Chrystal Hogan) Take a moment to reflect in the spirit of prayer for loved ones, our neighbors near and far who need our thoughts and prayers. We name them silently in our hearts.... Pause 3-5 seconds A few words of encouragement from Morgan Harper Nichols: May this be a season of believing beyond what you see. Trusting that even though you have not felt brave, you have still managed to be. You still trust that you can carry on, despite uncertainty. And amidst all of that uncertainty, there is still so much take delight in. Slow down take it in let gratitude remind you that you are coming forth like gold from within. Trust in the Slow Work of God Above all, trust in the slow work of God We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability- and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you. your ideas mature gradually – let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (1881-1955) Prayer Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me, my family, my friends, my co-workers. Help me to be aware that no matter what words I hear, the message is, “Accept the person I am. Listen to me.” Teach me to listen, my caring God, to those far from me– the whisper of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, the cry of the anguished. Teach me to listen, O God my Mother, to myself. Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside — in the deepest part of me. Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, for your voice — in busyness and in boredom, in certainty and doubt, in noise and in silence. Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen. —Adapted by John Veltri, SJ, as published in Hearts on Fire: Praying with the Jesuits Our closing prayer is by Sr. Christine Hilliard CSJ: May we recognize each neighbor as gift from our creator who only gives us what we need. May we be grateful for each neighbor however we met them. May we not be afraid to be a neighbor, dependent on the kindness of others. (Sr. Christine Hilliard CSJ.) As you go about your day may you be blessed abundantly as you bless others in the sacredness of your work. Amen

Good morning, fellow caregivers this is Liz Wessel and it is my honor to share in this time of reflective prayer with you in our little community of mutual support and caring. We all come with a wealth of experience and wisdom and diverse backgrounds. It is our diversity that adds to the richness and beauty of our lives. Being together in community and sharing in a few minutes of intentional prayer strengthens us. Our heartfelt intentions multiply and carry far and wide, rippling out in boundless ways, beyond our ever knowing to bless others in unforeseen ways. So, thank you for bringing your healing energies to this moment to heal others and to be healed in the process. Healing is what we do, each and every day, especially when we bring our wholeheartedness into whatever we are doing, in our family life and work life, regardless of the task at hand, when we approach our work in a conscious and intentional manner it opens us to the scaredness that exists in all things. So, let us settle in to a comfortable position and begin with a few with deep centering breaths. As you breathe in repeat to yourself, I am at peace, and with each out breath allow tension to release from your body, Breathing in…. Peace I receive, and on your next in breath, repeat, peace I offer. Ring the bell In the spirit of prayer offer your own prayer intentions in the silence of your hearts, for loved ones, for co-workers, for patients and families, for our wounded world and all of God’s creation. Pause… 5 seconds Our Value of Integrity: We pursue authenticity with humility and simplicity. Fr. Richard Rohr offers these thoughts on Lent, which is the religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that began on Feb 17th Ash Wednesday and ends the night before Easter. There are two moments that matter. One is when you know that your one and only life is valuable and alive. The other is when you know your life, as presently lived, is entirely pointless and empty. You need both of them to keep you going in the right direction. Lent is both. The first such moment gives you energy and joy by connecting you with your ultimate Source and Ground. The second gives you limits and boundaries, and a proper humility, so you keep seeking the Source and Ground and not just your small self. (Richard Rohr) And I’d like to share the wisdom is offered by Chief Yellow Lark of the Lakota Sioux Oh, Great Spirit, Whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world. Hear me! I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever hold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. Help me remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes towards me. Help me find compassion without being overwhelmed. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother or my sister, but to fight my greatest enemy: myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. (Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark Richard Rohr invites us to spend some time this week contemplating the rhythm of your own life. Without judgment, reflect on how you spend your time, what you pay attention to, and where your energy goes. Does the rhythm of your life honor the relationships and values that are most important to you? Is there some degree of balance between work and rest, solitude and community? Be open to the movement of the Spirit. How might God be inviting you into greater freedom, integrity, and love through the rhythm of your daily life? This concludes our prayer for today. Be well and be blessed. Shared by Liz Wessel

2-23-2021Univeral Prayer Offering -Infinitely Loved Good morning, this is Liz Wessel, and as we gather, we come just as we are and we are welcomed as we join in a brief time of reflection. We may come as stranger but we will leave as friends. Let us center ourselves, while sitting comfortably, take a few slow deep breaths and quietly repeat to yourself "I am" as you breathe in and "at peace" as you breathe out. Feel your entire body begin to relax. You may wish to focus on your breathing throughout this time together. In this sacred space we reconnect with the source of all that is. Gavin Thomas Murphy offers the following insights to think and pray about throughout this week. We are invited to rest awhile among the green meadows and flowing streams, to relax in God’s presence, and be nourished, strengthened, and renewed. In this place, we may turn from a closed fist of denial, frustration and turmoil to an open hand of acceptance, relaxation and serenity. (Gavin Thomas Murphy) Too many of us gravitate towards distress and anxiety: we say it is the way of work and the world. Just 5 minutes of silence seems pointless. But we get in touch with our ‘inner teacher’ when we find times to be still in our day, connecting us with deep peace and balance. It is available to tap into as we live in the moment. This can be discovered in talking with people, working on a single task, walking and feeling a fresh breeze on our face. This invitation has stirred Gavin to stop fixing his eyes on the ground and see the beautiful ordinary. (Gavin Thomas Murphy) After resting, we may be invited to walk more closely in Love’s presence, freer and more confident and better able to navigate the hazy path of our lives. It is true that we all need to work on maintaining balance in our lives, but we are not alone. We can learn so much from modern and contemplative wisdom to live life with greater richness, and when all is done, we can rejoice knowing that we are infinitely loved. (Gavin Thomas Murphy) In the spirit of prayer, let us pray I rest in you, Spirit of Life, and give to you my worries, my fears, my doubts, my hopes, my joys, my pains, my anger, my love, and allow you to take in all that I am. And as I give all that I am, I find the place of truth and stillness, l where you and I are one. (Karem Barratt) A Prayer for Resting in God's Love God of Goodness, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. Teach me today to love you more. Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child (unknown author) A closing prayer by Thomas Merton: O God, You have made us one with you. You have taught us that if we are open to one another, you dwell in us. Help us to preserve this openness and to fight for it with all our hearts. Help us to realize that there can be no understanding where there is mutual rejection. O God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely, we accept you, and we thank you, adore, and love you with our whole being, because our being is your being, our spirit is rooted in your spirit. Fill us then with love, and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways, united in this one spirit which makes you present in the world, and which makes you witness to the ultimate reality that is love. Love has overcome. Love is victorious. Thanks everyone for blessing us with your presence and may you be blessed as your go forth to bless others with your love. Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel

2-16-2021 Universal Prayer: All Shall Be Well Today I have a different kind of prayer to offer, one that is set to music. It is a well-known prayer written by Julian of Norwich called, “all shall be well.” Julian was a 14th century mystic who lived during a period of great suffering and uncertainty during the 100-year war between England and France. Famine was widespread coupled by the disastrous bubonic plague pandemic. This led to Julian living in isolation. Suffering was everywhere, which many attributed to the wrath of God. However, Julian’s response was not one of despair or judgment, but of love, solidarity, and hope. As you listen, may you be enfolded anew by the miracle of your being. (John O’ Donohue) https://youtu.be/YcmsnAtgopY From Love we come From Love we come From Love we come In Love we are enfolded In Love we are enfolded In Love we are enfolded To Love we shall return To Love we shall return To Love we shall return Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia All shall be well All things shall be well All shall be well All things shall be well All shall be well All things shall be well Perhaps you needed to hear this as much as I did... Affirmation: Love is the bond that strengthens and enfolds us, we are held in Love... Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel Artwork by Liz

2-9-2021 Universal Prayer World Day of the Sick Good morning, this is Liz Wessel and it is an honor to be with you and to share in a short time of prayer and reflection. I have woven together a compilation of prayers from various sources. I will share the name of author after each one. First let us begin to center ourselves and settle into a comfortable position. Take 3 deep breaths, one to let go of stress, another to let go of worry and the third breath to become fully present. To the God of our understanding, the spirit with whom we gather this morning – we ask that our minds be open, our hearts welcoming in this shelter of belonging. For Pope Frances and others before him, February 11 is a day of recognition and prayer for the sick and for the ministry of health care, both professional and family caregivers. He reminds us, “The commandment of love that Jesus left to his disciples is also kept in our relationship with the sick. A society is more human to the degree that it cares effectively for its most frail and suffering members, in a spirit of fraternal love. Let us strive to achieve this goal so that no one will feel alone, excluded, or abandoned.” -Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 29th World Day of The Sick This year’s theme from the Gospel of Matthew calls us to remember, “You have, but one teacher, and you are all brothers” (Mt 23:8). However, each of us understands God; we are created in the same light. Even as the pandemic separates us, remakes the world around us, our shared humanity continues to bind us in as one family. As the pandemic continues to surge, wane and wear us down, Christians find support in Jesus, who knows our illnesses and strengthens us to serve. This year we cannot escape the ongoing effects of the worldwide COVID pandemic, and our prayers are offered for those most impacted by the virus. (CHA) Please take a moment to reflect in the spirit of prayer and to offer our own silent intentions. (Ring the chime and pause for 3 seconds) Loving God, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. Thank you for leading us into a time where more of reality is being unveiled for us all to see. We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for cynicism, denial, fear, and despair. Help us have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hope in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our suffering world. Knowing, good God, you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God. Amen. (Fr. Richard Rohr) God of our understanding, How often we find ourselves thinking that it is impossible to make a difference in the world in which we live in. There are difficulties, challenges and injustices that can seem too big for our attempts to try and conquer them. Help us to focus on our vision, instead of the problems. Inspire us to think beyond our thoughts of the impossibilities and to focus instead on what our own contributions might be. Help us to live within the power that You have given us and to believe that the way we look at problems can, and will, make a difference. Inspire us to give gifts of love and gifts of kindness as we move about this day. Help us to recognize, and to extend the gift of unconditional love. May we model Your unlimited love for all people as we give, and receive, today. Above all else, may Your love be expressed and all people blessed. Amen -Samantha Gilbertson, PNMC Mission Integration and Spiritual Care We are deeply grateful to each of you for your service and for making a difference.

(Please note this is the same as #17, but it has been re-edited to only include the name of Jesus. The previous one is a more Universal Prayer of the Heart) In the time of the Apostles of the Christ, there was a practice called The Prayer of the Heart, also known as The Jesus Prayer. In the Jesus Prayer, the words Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, (Lord have mercy on me, Christ have mercy on me) are spoken or sang with an awareness of the heart, while breathing consciously. In the book, The Way of a Pilgrim, written by an anonymous Russian mystic, this practice is discussed with great detail. The earliest description we have of the Jesus Prayer is by a student and companion of the Apostle Paul, Abba Philemon, who died in 54 AD. In a sixth-century book called The Life of Abba Philemon, the following instructions were given: With the help of your imagination find the place of the heart and stay there with attention. Lead the mind from the head into the heart and say, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” quietly with the lips or mentally, whichever is more convenient; say the prayer slowly and reverently. As much as possible guard the attention of your mind and do not allow any thoughts to enter in. Over the centuries, this Christian practice developed further with many saints stressing four basic requirements: 1. Concentration on the heart 2. Concentration on the breath 3. Sincere, devotional, emotion 4. Invocation of Jesus Christ The first three of these are fundamental to what the Institute of HeartMath calls ‘Coherence'. They are also fundamental to the practice of Heart Rhythm Meditation, a simple and powerful Universal meditation taught by Susanna and Puran Bair, founders of The Institute for Applied Meditation on the Heart. To me, this is a fundamental practice for anyone who is committed to following The Path of the Heart, for the greater your connection with the intelligence, wisdom, and guidance of your heart, the closer you'll be to fully activate your potential in all areas of your life.

2-2-2021 Universal Prayers in Honor of Black History Month 2021 Good morning and welcome, Liz Wessel here, and as we gather together, taking a moment out of our busy lives as we share in a brief time of prayer and peacefulness. Resist the temptation to multi-task and instead gift yourself with 5min of peace and prayer. Find a sitting position that allows you to be alert—and also relaxed. Close your eyes and rest your hands in an easy, effortless way. Together we will take in a deep breath and as you exhale release your cares, again breathe in and honor those whom we hold in our hearts. Listen to the wind it talks Listen to the silence it speaks Listen to your heart it knows (Native American Proverb) Ring the chime: God of our understanding, we come to you in these quiet moments, seeking that which is beyond ourselves. In this sacred space; we join in solidarity and prayer, as we lift up our brothers and sisters of color and express our hopes and our dreams for a better world. God of each Heart and Mind, We are reminded this morning, of the importance of listening. In the wind, and in the silence, there is a voice that speaks. Help us to remember that it isn’t necessarily the human voice where wisdom springs forth and communication lies. May we quiet ourselves in order to hear. May we quiet the exterior and the interior so that we can connect with our own heart. For within the heart, it knows. May the messages heard from the wind and the silence be instilled into our hearts today. (Samantha Gilbertson) Spirit of the Living God, As we gather this morning, allow your spirit to fill our very being. Most gracious and loving God, we remember the struggles of our people, black people, people of African descent, your people and we thank you for your grace, your love, and your mercy. We thank you for leaders that you continue to place in high places and ordinary places. Inspire each of us to work more faithfully for justice and dignity of life everywhere. Lord God, we remember the hurts of exclusion and prejudice, but we know that you can raise our vision above all barriers and give us wisdom and courage to make this a better world. Spirit of Abundance, God of Grace, Mother of Hope, We pause now to remember those stories that are all around us, But so often passed over, Those stories that when told are shared because Of what someone is, not who they are. This month in our nation's character Is Black History month. Help us to realize that Black history is All our histories. May the day come when these stories Are so wildly taught that no month need Be separately divided. We know this day will not come until we as a people Make different choices. We pray now for those new choices. May we come to see a day where the prison system Becomes redemptive, not punitive. A day where the legal system learns to focus more squarely on the facts, And the not colors of our skin. A day where our schools are as well funded, as the needs demand. May our role models be allowed to excel when they thrive, And not be taken down for their rich heritage. We know this will require a shift in power. And this can be scary for some. Give those full of fear - hope. May we come to know grace, So that our hearts will not be hardened to the pain around us. There are so many beautiful stories needing to be told. And we need to get the chance to hear them. Widen our vision so that the history that is shared this month, And every month, Come to be known as our history too. We are most human when we see the humanity in others. (Author Unknown) We conclude our time together with thoughts of truth and justice which stir us from our ease and move us to acts of goodness, and for the contemplation of life which fills us with hope that what is good and lovely cannot perish. Amen. May you feel Love’s presence with you as you navigate through your day. (New Union Prayer Book)

1-19-2021 Universal Prayer in Remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Good morning and welcome, Liz Wessel here, and as we gather together, taking a moment out of our busy lives let us share in a brief time of prayer and peacefulness. Resist the temptation to multi-task and instead offer the gift of your loving presence to this community. Find a sitting position that allows you to be alert—and also relaxed. Close your eyes and rest your hands in an easy, effortless way. Ring the chime: Allow your awareness to scan through your body and, wherever possible, soften and release obvious areas of physical tension. Because we so easily get lost in thoughts, let’s begin with attention to the breath. Using the breath as a primary anchor of mindfulness helps quiet the mind so that you can be awake to the changing stream of life that moves through you. (Tara Brach) God of our understanding, we come to you in these quiet moments, seeking that which is beyond ourselves. In this sacred space; we join in solidarity in the prayers of Reverend Martin Luther King to express our hopes and our dreams for a better world. Eternal God, out of whose mind is this great cosmic universe, we bless thee. Help us to seek that which is high, noble and Good. Help us in the moments of difficulty. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. (MLK) A way in which every man will respect the dignity and worth of all human personality. A way in which every nation will allow justice to run down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. A way in which men will do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (MLK) God grant that we will be participants in this newness and this magnificent development. If we will but do it, we will bring about a new day of justice and brotherhood and peace. And that day the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout for joy. (Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) MLK’s mission for equality resonates with our organizational values of compassion, dignity, justice, excellence, and integrity. Creator God, may we view our work as vocational; a ministry of whole-person healing. May we advocate for those who are poor and vulnerable as we serve our dear neighbor without distinction. (Nancy Jordan) And in closing, as you go about your day continue to reflect on how your role in our organization is not limited to your wise experience and skills. Every time you ask how a patient is feeling or assist a co-caregiver with a task, you are making a positive difference in the lives of others. Building each other up one interaction at a time builds our up our communities. Building up our communities exemplifies Martin Luther King’s vision for equity and equality. (Nancy Jordan) In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., thank you for your steadfast service to all. May God bless you and all those you love. Painting form the CHA website

"1.12.21 - Universal Prayer - Peace, Unity And Reconciliation" by St. Joseph Health, Home Care Services

1.5.21 - Universal Prayer For All HCC Caregivers - Hope by St. Joseph Health, Home Care Services

12.29.20 - Universal Prayer Break by St. Joseph Health, Home Care Services

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Mother Miriam Live - November 23, 2020 Mother tackles the issues of the Catholic perspective on: The Universal Prayer The division in our nation The destruction of the traditional family Homosexuality and the church's view on the issue Loved ones with disabilities Apparitions of Our Lady The rapture of the church Medications and physical pain

Václav Havelka, známý jako frontman kapely Please The Trees, a Andrea Knotková aka Iamme Candlewick vypustili pod jménem Golden Spine do světa pozoruhodné hudební album Universal Prayer. Starobylé indické mantry se na něm potkávají se zvukem elektrické kytary a kromě ústřední dvojice, která je srdcem projektu, na albu můžeme slyšet takové osobnosti, jako je Lenka Dusilová a ze zahraniční scény třeba Bonnie Prince Billy.

This Universal Prayer, composed by Pope Clement XI in 1721, gives us a good concise guide about the disposition we need to attain Eternal Life. The transcript for this Podcast can be found at https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/universal-prayer.html

Saint Peter Julian Eymard Saint of the Day for August 3 (February 4, 1811 – August 1, 1868) Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s Story Born in La Mure d’Isère in southeastern France, Peter Julian’s faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of Gren

In this episode we dive deep into the prayers of the faithful and get a little spicy!

Ein mp3 Audio mit Erläuterungen zum Universal Prayer Gebet , Lied Nr. 808 im Yoga Vidya Kirtanheft , Tonspur eines Kirtan Lehrvideos. Willst du wissen, was das Universal Prayer bedeutet, wofür dieses Lied, dieser Kirtan steht? Dann lausche den Erlätuerungen von Sukadev zum Universal Prayer. Unter http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/profiles/blogs/universal-prayer findest du viel über dieses Mantra, diesen Kirtan, dieses Lied: Wort-für-Wort-Übersetzung, vollen Text, im Fall von Sanskrit auch in Devanagari Originalschrift, wissenschaftliche Umschrift, Videos und mp3 zum Anhören und Download, Noten, Akkorde, Lehrvideos. Oh Adorable Lord of Mery and Love, - dies sind die ersten Worte dieses Gebets, ein Yoga Vidya Satsang Mantra. Übrigens: Viele Kirtan Videos von Yoga Vidya findest du auf http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/video/video/listTagged?tag=Kirtan. Oder gehe zum Mantra Podcast oder Mantra Blog von Yoga Vidya. Besonders schön ist es, mit anderen zusammen zu singen, z.B jeden Morgen und Abend im Yoga Urlaub oder auf Seminaren bei Yoga Vidya, oder in besonderen Mantra und Musik Seminaren. Übrigens: Viele Kirtan Videos von Yoga Vidya findest du auf http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/video/video/listTagged?tag=Kirtan. Oder gehe zum Mantra Podcast oder Mantra Blog von Yoga Vidya. Bist du sehr interessiert an Kirtan und spiritueller Musik? Dann sind vielleicht die Yoga Vidya Seminare Mantras und Musik etwas für dich. Du kannst auch jeden Samstag um 20h beim Live-Satsang von Yoga Vidya dabei sein. Der Yoga Vidya Bad Meinberg Satsang mit Meditation, Mantra-Singen, Vortrag, Arati wird live übertragen ins Internet auf http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/page/yoga-vidya-satsang. Die neue kostenlose Yoga Vidya App ist da! Gestalte deine eigene Yogapraxis individuell, unverbindlich und unkompliziert! Mit dieser App kannst du: – Hatha Yoga Stunden mitmachen – Pranayama oder Meditation üben – neue Mantras lernen – das nächste Yoga Vidya Center vor Ort finden Die App, samt weiteren Informationen, ist im Yoga Vidya Blog erreichbar – sowohl für Android als auch für iOS. Klicken, runterladen, und das Yoga deiner Wahl praktizieren.

Ein mp3 Audio mit Erläuterungen zum Universal Prayer Gebet , Lied Nr. 808 im Yoga Vidya Kirtanheft , Tonspur eines Kirtan Lehrvideos. Willst du wissen, was das Universal Prayer bedeutet, wofür dieses Lied, dieser Kirtan steht? Dann lausche den Erlätuerungen von Sukadev zum Universal Prayer. Unter http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/profiles/blogs/universal-prayer findest du viel über dieses Mantra, diesen Kirtan, dieses Lied: Wort-für-Wort-Übersetzung, vollen Text, im Fall von Sanskrit auch in Devanagari Originalschrift, wissenschaftliche Umschrift, Videos und mp3 zum Anhören und Download, Noten, Akkorde, Lehrvideos. Oh Adorable Lord of Mery and Love, - dies sind die ersten Worte dieses Gebets, ein Yoga Vidya Satsang Mantra. Übrigens: Viele Kirtan Videos von Yoga Vidya findest du auf http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/video/video/listTagged?tag=Kirtan. Oder gehe zum Mantra Podcast oder Mantra Blog von Yoga Vidya. Besonders schön ist es, mit anderen zusammen zu singen, z.B jeden Morgen und Abend im Yoga Urlaub oder auf Seminaren bei Yoga Vidya, oder in besonderen Mantra und Musik Seminaren. Übrigens: Viele Kirtan Videos von Yoga Vidya findest du auf http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/video/video/listTagged?tag=Kirtan. Oder gehe zum Mantra Podcast oder Mantra Blog von Yoga Vidya. Bist du sehr interessiert an Kirtan und spiritueller Musik? Dann sind vielleicht die Yoga Vidya Seminare Mantras und Musik etwas für dich. Du kannst auch jeden Samstag um 20h beim Live-Satsang von Yoga Vidya dabei sein. Der Yoga Vidya Bad Meinberg Satsang mit Meditation, Mantra-Singen, Vortrag, Arati wird live übertragen ins Internet auf http://mein.yoga-vidya.de/page/yoga-vidya-satsang. Die neue kostenlose Yoga Vidya App ist da! Gestalte deine eigene Yogapraxis individuell, unverbindlich und unkompliziert! Mit dieser App kannst du: – Hatha Yoga Stunden mitmachen – Pranayama oder Meditation üben – neue Mantras lernen – das nächste Yoga Vidya Center vor Ort finden Die App, samt weiteren Informationen, ist im Yoga Vidya Blog erreichbar – sowohl für Android als auch für iOS. Klicken, runterladen, und das Yoga deiner Wahl praktizieren.

It’s Tuesday in the 3rd Week of Lent. The Roman Station is Santa Pudenziana. Today we hear a magnificent prayer, comprehensive, attributed to Pope Clement XI (+1721).  It is truly a “universal” prayer, because it covers all the needful bases. … Continue reading →

Prioritize Peace With Grecia Karlsson, Life Coach & Spiritual Teacher What are you grateful for? Tune in for a Universal Prayer and a guided meditation for World Peace, spreading your Light across our planet. www.greciakarlsson.com/blossoming

Prioritize Peace with Grecia Karlsson, Life Coach & Spiritual Teacher What are you grateful for today? Tune in for a Universal Prayer to Celebrate Yourself & join me in a guided meditation through Self Love

You are the Conduit between Heaven & Earth ❤️ Tune in for a Universal Prayer & a Guided Meditation to Allow God to Love you by YOU loving yourself

Here is ADVENTCAzT 16, for Monday in the 3rd Week of Advent. We hear form St. Augustine about how to deal with the seemingly unfair fact that some bad people enjoy great advantages while good people suffer or are poor.  … Continue reading →

The complete audio is available for purchase at Audible.com: https://adbl.co/2GowCzP An Essay on Man by Alexander Pope Narrated by Denis Daly As the Enlightenment movement was gathering strength in the early 18th century, various challenges to established religious faith were launched. In response, a number of celebrated commentators produced defences of religion and morality, and among these was Alexander Pope, who was inspired to write "some pieces on Human Life and Manners." The result was a collection of poems in rhyming couplets, designated "Epistles", which were published in instalments. Epistle 1 - 1732 Of the Nature and State of Man, with respect to the Universe. Epistle 2 - 1732 Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to Himself, as an Individual. Epistle 3 - 1733 Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to Society Epistle 4 - 1734 Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to Happiness. A concluding "Universal Prayer" consisting of 13 four-line stanzas was published in 1738.

Feeling Thy Presence... The first line of infiniprayer, The Universal Prayer explained by Mahatria. infiniprayer Like 'Happy Birthday' is a universal song, we now have a universal prayer... Feeling the vastness of the infinite..  a presence that cannot be defined or confined by time and space. Feeling: The lower cannot comprehend the higher. The lower can only surrender to the higher. Not able to understand God isn't ignorance. Attempting to understand God is ignorance. There is a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. Knowing God is an absolute experience. Knowing about God is purely intellectual. God isn't something to be understood. God is to be felt. God is a matter of the heart. Feelings are the doors to divine experiences. Gratitude, love, devotion, surrender and faith are all in the feeling domain. Rajaji aptly explained, “When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the mind, it becomes wisdom. When wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in action, it becomes bhakti. Knowledge, when it becomes fully mature is bhakti. If it does not get transformed into bhakti, such knowledge is useless tinsel.” So, the infiniprayer opens with the master key to spiritual connect - Feeling… Thy: If you define, you confine. God can neither be defined nor confined. Though the word 'mother' represents motherhood, my mother alone is my mother. Similarly, while the word 'God' represents that Universal Cosmic Presence, yet my god is my god. My God is absolutely personal to me. So is your God, absolutely personal to you. My Jesus Christ is different from your Jesus Christ. Her Krishna is different from His Krishna. Together we can recite the God's name, and yet, what it means to each one of us will remain absolutely personal. So, Feeling Thy… My Thy is different from your Thy… My Thy is my God. Your Thy is your God. Presence: By agreeing that God is omnipresent, which means present everywhere, we agree God cannot be bottled into time and space. Then God cannot be a person. A person is within the limitations of time, space, bone and flesh. God can only be a presence. Then, God cannot be perceived through the senses, like how we perceive material. However, God, as a presence, can always be felt everywhere, in everything, every time. Nobody explained 'Feeling Thy Presence' better than Bharathiyar, when he described, “All my senses are thy manifestations. Crow's feather thy black; the trees thy green; the sounds thy rhyme; the burning flame yields me the pleasure of touching Thee. In anything and everything I perceive, I Feel Thy Presence.” Whether it is the Siddhas of Jains or the Abba of Jesus Christ or the Allah of Prophet or the Satnam of Guru Nanak… God is a lingering presence and not a material object confined to some space. Much after you leave the material called rose, you will still feel the formless presence of the fragrance of rose, in you and around you. Similarly, much after you leave the altar of your worship, continue to feel the formless presence of the fragrance of your God, in you, around you, with you and within you. The disciple asked, “Where is God?” The Master replied, “Where is he not?” When asked, “When are you with Him?” an infinitheist replied, “When am I not with Him!” So the first line in the infiniprayer - Feeling Thy presence. Watch video at https://youtu.be/6zUAC-sRxZI

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Bhagavad Gita Ch. 11 “Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form” Verses 38, 39, & 40 Lecture discusses the verses which can be described as the most beautiful Universal Prayer to the Lord of all beings and things.

Gathering all of our prayers together.

Pardon Prayer: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love – Angel of Peace, Spring 1916 Angel’s Prayer: O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I a

Welcome to Episode 10 of Among Women “Espresso Shot” – a short strong coffee break of faith sharing and teaching from Pat Gohn. Today’s topic: Gratitude, and the Praying of the Universal Prayer  I’m happy to back recording after replacing broken equipment in the studio. This podcast is dedicated to my gratitude to God for the milestone of an important anniversary in my personal life — living twenty years post-cancer! Together, I invite you to pray the Universal Prayer with me. This prayer covers everything! It has been one of my favorites for years! Links for this episode: The Magnificat (Begin at verse 46!) The Universal Prayer  

August 3 St. Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868) Born in La Mure d’Isère in southeastern France, Peter Julian’s faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble (1834) to joining the Marists (1839) to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (1856).In addition to those cha

This mix is my heart. It's a way to get to know me from a non-conversational standpoint. The mix features elements of soul, atmosphere, elevation, etc. of the house music (soul and afro side of things) variety. Hope you enjoy it! Playlist is as follows: 1. Missing Soul "Across Your Mind" [Future Vision] 2. King Wave & Soul Varti ft. Dvine Lopez "Salute" (Deep Sen's Appreciation Touch) [House Africa] 3. Homework "Conquered Enemies" [Wolf Music] 4. Nikki-O "Music" [Mahogany] 5. The Rurals, Katie Hector "Superfluous Feelings" [Peng] 6. Floyd La Lunar, Mami Bond "Finally" [Rawseed Music] 7. Real Kue Soul "Sixty Seconds of Peace" (Soul Mix) [6996 Music] 8. DJ Tucks, Melisande Peculiar, Cue Master "Let It Shine" (Cue Master's Minute Minded Mix) [DHS Recordings] 9. Rosario, Jackie Queens "Destiny" [Tainted House] 10. AfriQan Child, Semi Brieve "Ever Heard" (AfroMiks Realm Mix) [Under Pressure] 11. Dagui Rodann "Universal Prayer" [Instinctive] 12. Pascal Morais "Shaka's Reign" [Arrecha] 13. PM Project "All We Really Want" [Soul Candi] 14. Mus Treee, Tantra Zawadi, Dana Byrd "Above the Clouds" [Gotta Keep Faith] 15. Bittersuite "Re Prog" [Batti Batti]

On November 18th, Fr. Riccardo spoke to the Family of Faith Group of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish on Taking Back Sundays: Keeping the Lord's Day. This is a podcast of Fr. John's address to the group. The Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI referenced in this podcast is available here.

The Universal Prayer by: Pope Clements XI.