The Catholic Defender: Novena To The Holy Spirit through Pentecost

The Mass is the source of the Purpose, the Passion, and the Power:

God the Father is the Purpose, God the Son is the Passion, God the Holy Spirit is the Power. The God of Heaven comes to us in His Eucharistic Presence. Jesus is truly Present Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity.

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Spirit

Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin! Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for 'The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.'

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary once Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,

I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God.

I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love.

You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am.

I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations.

I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness.

Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace,

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, 'Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.' Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the

Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal,

the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth,

the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven,

the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation,

the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints,

the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the

Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Our Lady of Pompeii Novena

Our Lady of Pompeii is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii began in Pompeii, Italy, in the late 1800s.

This devotion is closely involved with devotion to the Rosary.

Our Lady of Pompeii’s intercession has brought about many miracles. You can use this novena to seek intercession from Our Lady of Pompeii in any aspect of your life!

In the late 1800s, there were very few people living in the valley of Pompeii in Italy. Most of the small population had fallen away from the Catholic faith that their ancestors had once practiced. Most of the population was very superstitious and ignorant of the faith.

In 1872, a nobleman named Bartolo Longo arrived in Pompeii. Bartolo was a Catholic but did not seem to be very devout. He had traveled to Pompeii to look at property his wife owned there, and he wanted to see what condition the property was in.

Shortly after arriving in Pompeii, Bartolo had a supernatural experience. He was walking in a deserted area when he heard a voice. The voice told him that he should spread devotion to the Rosary if he wished to be saved. The voice also told him that the Blessed Virgin Mary had promised that this was the way to find salvation.

The church of Our Lady of Pompeii was built between 1876 and 1891. Between 1934 and 1939, the Basilica of Our Lady of Pompeii was built.

Our Lady of Pompeii’s Feast Day: October 7th

Dear Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your mother. Help us to always turn to her as a mother in all of our needs!

Our Lady of Pompeii, Bartolo Longo was not particularly devoted to his faith when a heavenly voice spoke to him.

Though he was not expecting to be called for a particular mission, he accepted the instructions to spread devotion to the Rosary.

Please bring all of our petitions before the throne of your Son, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in openness to God’s will in our lives!

Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever way He calls us.

Pray that we may grow in love for your Son each day of our lives.

And we especially ask in this novena for

We pray for America, for our constitution, for those suffering addictions and those in bondage. For those who need Deliverence. We Pray for the Catholic Church, for Pope Francis and all the Clergy.

Our Lady of Pompeii, pray for us!

The Catholic Defender: The 15 Promises Our Lady gave for the Rosary. The Second Promise

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. From the time of the Apostolic age, the Church has always held high Mother Mary's special protection against evil.

St. Justin Martyr and St. Irenaeus recognized Mother Mary as the "New Eve" that she is the advocate of those abandoned. The Rosary is such an important part of that protection. The Lord places the importance of intercessory prayer and that is particularly true in regards to His Mother, that His followers are to love one another as Christ loves us.

From the Cross Jesus gave Mother Mary to St. John and through him, the whole Church. Revelation 12:17 states:

"Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus."

The Virgin Mary is the Mother of the Church, the Queen of Heaven. Going back to the early queens of Israel, beginning with Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, was placed in the court of the king for the purpose of intercession for the people of Israel. The concept of Mary as "Mediatrix" is solely because she is the Mother of Jesus and through Jesus, the Mediator between God and man, she intercedes for her children, the Church. No one is as close to Jesus as His holy Mother whose promise to offer special protection to those dedicated to the Rosary has merit.

Mary's protection is symbolically seen as a "veil" as a protective garment covering the faithful protecting them from the evil in the world. Many times that the Virgin Mary has appeared around the world, she is surrounded by the light of God's Glory. The images of the Apostles, saints, Virgin and Martyrs are pictured under her veil of protection. You should see yourself in this picture especially if your devoted to the Rosary and the Sacraments.

Throughout the history of the Church, Mary's intercession is seen to have diverted or ended plaques, wars, battles (Battle of Lepanto) and times of distress. Mother Mary has appeared over 2500 times for the cause of Christ. St. John Bosco was given a dream that faced the Church battling evil in the latter days. The Pope anchors the ship, the Catholic Church, to two pillars, one Pillar held a statue of Mary "Help of Christians" and the other pillar held a large Eucharistic Host, "Salvation for Believers". Our Lord Jesus Christ is calling for devotion to the Eucharist and His Holy Mother.

The second part of the second promise is her promise of the "greatest graces". I found 7 promises that Mother Mary gave to St. Bridget for those honoring her by the daily meditating on her tears and sorrows. I place those promises here as those of special significance. For me, these are great graces:

1. I will grant peace to their families.

2. They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.

3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.

4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the Adorable Will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.

5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.

6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death; they will see the face of their mother.

7. I have obtained (this Grace) from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and sorrows, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.

The Seven Sorrows

The 7 Sorrows should not be confused with the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35) Hail Mary

2. The escape and flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13) Hail Mary

3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43–45) Hail Mary

4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa. Hail Mary

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary. (John19:25) Hail Mary

6. The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross. (Matthew 27:57–59) Hail Mary

7. The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. (John 19:40–42) Hail Mary

The above graces for the tears and sorrow of Mary I add to show what Mother Mary wants to offer to those devoted to the Rosary. There can be so much more that the Lord will grant Mary's intercession to accomplish on the personal level. That can be untold grace.

The first promise Mother Mary offers "Signal Graces", in this second promise, she is offering the "Greatest Graces". That becomes significantly more. All of us who have been practicing the Faith can speak to some of these graces in our own life. Many of us have had much sorrow in our lives and have depended on God's help and protection.

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protections, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”

Eucharistic Miracle of Zaragoza Spain 1427

in 1427, when the bishop of the city was don Alonso Arhuello. Don Dorner, archdeacon of the city, left a written report of the event:

A married woman consulted a Moorish evil sorcerer for a remedy to cure her husband of his violent nature and to make him treat her more gently.

To change the husband’s behavior, the sorcerer told her he needed a consecrated Host. The very superstitious woman went to the church of Saint Michael, went to confession and received the Eucharist.

With diabolical cunning, she took the Blessed Sacrament from her mouth and hid the Host in a small coffer which she took immediately to the sorcerer.

When they opened the coffer, instead of the Host they saw, with great terror, a little Baby surrounded by light.

The sorcerer told the woman to take the coffer home, burn the Holy Eucharist, and bring the ashes to him.

The unscrupulous woman did as she was told, but with great amazement saw that though the coffer was completely burned, the Baby remained unharmed.

Stricken with terror and out of her mind she ran to the house of the sorcerer to tell him what happened. The sorcerer on hearing the words of the woman, began to tremble, fearing a vengeance from heaven.

They decided to go to the cathedral to inform the bishop don Alonso, confess their sin and ask for baptism.

The bishop consulted some prelates and theologians of the diocese to shed light on the event and finally decided to take the Miraculous Baby in solemn procession from the house of the woman to the cathedral.

The whole city accompanied the procession and was deeply moved at the sight of the marvelous Baby. Once in the cathedral, the Miraculous Baby was put on the altar of the chapel of Saint Valerio so that the people of Zaragoza could see Him and venerate Him.

The following day while the bishop was celebrating Mass at the same altar, at the words of consecration, a Host, immediately consumed by the bishop, appeared where the Baby was.

Thanks to this Eucharistic miracle, the people of Zaragoza were renewed in their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Tuesday of Fifth Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 14:19-28 In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God." They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the Church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 R.(see 12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom. or: R. Alleluia. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom. or: R. Alleluia. Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom. or: R. Alleluia. May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD, and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom. or: R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Lk 24:46, 26 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:27-31a Jesus said to his disciples:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,

'I am going away and I will come back to you.'

If you loved me,

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

for the Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.

I will no longer speak much with you,

for the ruler of the world is coming.

He has no power over me,

but the world must know that I love the Father

and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Saint of the Day: Saint John of Avila

Born in the Castile region of Spain, John was sent at the age of 14 to the University of Salamanca to study law. He later moved to Alcala, where he studied philosophy and theology before his ordination as a diocesan priest.

After John’s parents died and left him as their sole heir to a considerable fortune, he distributed his money to the poor. In 1527, he traveled to Seville, hoping to become a missionary in Mexico. The archbishop of that city persuaded him to stay and spread the faith in Andalusia. During nine years of work there, he developed a reputation as an engaging preacher, a perceptive spiritual director, and a wise confessor.

Because John was not afraid to denounce vice in high places, he was investigated by the Inquisition but was cleared in 1533. He later worked in Cordoba and then in Granada, where he organized the University of Baeza, the first of several colleges run by diocesan priests who dedicated themselves to teaching and giving spiritual direction to young people.

He was friends with Saints Francis Borgia, Ignatius of Loyola, John of God, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, and Teresa of Avila. John of Avila worked closely with members of the Society of Jesus and helped their growth within Spain and its colonies. John’s mystical writings have been translated into several languages.

He was beatified in 1894, canonized in 1970, and declared a doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012. St. John of Avila’s liturgical feast is celebrated on May 10.

Saint John of Avila knew that the lives of Christians can contradict the Good News of Jesus Christ—for example thinking racism is OK—implicitly encouraging Christians to live their faith-halfheartedly, and causing obstacles to non-Christians who might accept Baptism. In 16th-century Spain, those who advocated reforming the Church were often suspected of heresy. Saint John of Avila held his ground and was eventually recognized as a very reliable teacher of the Christian faith.

John of Avila worked closely with members of the Society of Jesus and helped their growth within Spain and its colonies. John's mystical writings have been translated into several languages. He was beatified in 1894, canonized in 1970, and declared a doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012

Ávila was declared Venerable by Pope Clement XIII on 8 February 1759 and beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 15 November 1893. On 31 May 1970 he was canonized by Pope Paul VI.

Pope Benedict XVI named him a Doctor of the Church on 7 October 2012, the Feast of the Holy Rosary.

the prayer of St John of Avila

O Lord, give me more companions on my journey who assist me as spiritual directors, sharing the deepest truths with me and guiding me to greater purity and piety. Saint John of Avila, pray for me. Amen.