THE FAITHFUL SOUL:

O Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, my Cre-

ator and my Brother, what return shall I make

for all You have done for me? You know very well

that I have nothing of my own but my weakness

and my sins. With Your grace, however, I can give

You what You expect from me: I want to be to

Mary what You were; I want to allow You to con-

tinue loving her through me.

And You, O Mary, Mother of God and my

Mother! You have chosen me as Your child of

predilection. With Your help I shall be another

Jesus toward You.

At present you want to instruct and direct me.

Speak, Mother, Your child is listening. Command

me to do whatever You wish, and give me the

grace to carry out Your commands.

(from) My Ideal Jesus, Son of Mary, by Fr. Emil Neubert, S.M.

CONVERSION or RETURN to FAITH

O God, All hearts are in Thy Hands.

Thou canst bend, as it pleases Thee,

the most stubborn, and soften

the most obdurate. I beseech Thee

by the Holy Name, the Precious Blood,

the Merits, Wounds and Divine Heart

of Jesus, thy Beloved Son,

to grant the conversion we ask.

Amen.

The FOUR LAST THINGS

Life is short and death is sure

The hour of death remains obscure.

A soul you have, and only one,

if that be lost, all hope is gone.

Waste not time, while time shall last;

for after death 'tis ever past.

All-seeing God, your Judge will be,

and Heaven or Hell your destiny.

All earthly things will speed away,

Eternity, alone, will stay.

(from) The New Revised Jesus, Mary, Joseph Novena Manual

by Father Stedman

another beginning

O, Jesus Living in Mary

O Jesus living in Mary

Come and live in Thy servants,

In the spirit of Thy holiness,

In the fullness of Thy might,

In the truth of Thy virtues,

In the perfection of Thy ways,

In the communion on Thy mysteries,

Subdue every hostile power

In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

(from) Preparation for Total Consecration according to ST. Louis Marie de Montfort

Dear children, today I call you to open yourselves

more to God so that He can work through you. The

more you open yourselves, the more abundantly

you will receive of His fruits. I also wish to call you

again to prayer. (BVM, 3-8-86)

Application: A prayer for today:

Gracious Lord, rouse me to accept your invitation. Remove my laziness, dissolve my excuses, calm my fear. With a new openness to you and Our Lady, I shall take my place at your table.

Amen.

(from) MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY Richard J. Beyer

ST. Joseph

AN ANCIENT PRAYER

TO ST. JOSEPH

O ST. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interests and desires.

O ST. Joseph, assist me by thy powerful intercession and obtain for me all spiritual blessings through thy foster Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord, so that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer thee my thanksgiving and homage.

O ST. Joseph, I never weary contemplating thee and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

ST. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for me.

(from) Favorite Prayers to St. Joseph (Tan Books)

The Imitation Of Christ

Chapter 3

The words of God Are to Be Heard with Humility;

Many Fail to Reflect on Them

Christ: My child, hear My words and follow them; for they are most sweet and far exceed the learning and wisdom of the philosophers and all the wise of the world. My words are spirit and life, and not within the scope of human understanding.

They are not to be adapted or applied to the vain complacency of the hearer, but are to be heard in silence, with humility and reverence, with deep affection and in great tranquility of body and soul.

2. Disciple: Blessed is the person You admonish, O Lord, the person You teach by means of Your law, giving respite in times of misfortune (Ps 94: 12-13), so that such a person may not be left desolate upon the earth.

3. Christ: Then our Lord answered: I have taught Prophets from the beginning and I continue to speak to all persons; but many have hardened their hearts and are deaf to my voice. Many prefer to listen to the world than to God, and to follow the desires of the flesh than the will of God.

The world promises things of short duration and little value; yet with what great eagerness is it served. I promise everlasting things of great value, but human hearts are indifferent and unmoved.

(from) Book 3, Interior Conversation, by Thomas A Kempis