St. Monica pray for us! Praying for our husbands....

[JCLA]

Novena day 8

Belle,
Thanks for the coffee–I needed that.

JCLA,
I included your little one in my Rosary intentions today.

eli1118,

Thank you for your prayers. How are you doing today?

Nikki

 

[mom4truth]

Dear, dear Diana:

Such a load we women carry! Being Mothers, we have additional worries - our children. I can totally understand how you feel about your daughter. That is exactly how I feel about mine, she’s 19. I would do anything, ANYTHING to take away my children’s pain. In fact, I have asked Our Lady to grant me that grace of allowing me to suffer for my children. Life is so difficult these days. The Cross seems to be my ultimate design in this life. I am trying to embrace it, even “like” it, but it is difficult. However, I CLING to it with all my might. I am still praying for you, Diana; such a gentle, kind, compassionate soul! I am also praying for your daughter. She will also (is) in my rosaries as well. God speed, Diana! Much love,

 

[JCLA]

Nikki, I’d be honored to pray for your son. Children are so precious, and we have so very much to learn from them! Bless you!

Father, your little one is in need of your divine attention. Watch over Nikki’s son, Your son, Father, as you must have been all along. It was You that helped him when he struggled to hear, as it will always be You to help him through all he faces in his lifetime. Thank you Father! In your infinite wisdom, may you guide and direct all the medical staff that will work with Nikki’s little boy over the coming weeks and months, as they attempt, with your Divine grace, to restore his hearing, and correct his speech. May they have your blessings Father! Grant Nikki and her family all that they need to help make this successful Lord, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. May they trust wholeheartedly in you as you trusted in them when you offered them such a blessing in their life.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Nikki, please be kind to yourself. The Good Lord gave us these little ones in our lives because he trusted us to do what we thought was best… it may have been a great deal easier if he gave us an instruction manual, but… everything comes in His time Nikki… I truly believe that God was with your son throughout… I can’t imagine a 5 year old learning how to read lips without some divine intervention…??? He has a plan for your little one my friend, and all that has occurred, may very well be the prep work for that plan to unfold. He is our Father, He knows each and every one of our hearts, Nikki, and all that He does, He does for our greatest good. So, be kind to you, and know that it is all part of a greater plan. :heaven:

Diana Lynn,

You write such beautiful prayers! Thank you so much. You’re right, I need to trust in God. That is so hard to do but I will keep trying. Thank you very much for your kind words.

Nikki

 

[mom4truth]

Nikki:

I truly and most sincerely thank you for your prayers. They are greatly needed, as you can tell. If you have any special needs, I’ll be praying for them as well. I have been, actually. You’re a dear heart to be praying for so many people. God has blessed you tremendously! Much love,

 

[JCLA]

Thank you DL…you express well thought out concern. Actually articulated it better than i did, because i forgot to mention the angel you did. I spent 4 years being missdiagnosed with my little Will. They said the hole in his heart was gone, i must just excercise him more.

The hole was not gone, and it got bigger. Something that could have taken a stich or so. It caused to much speed for the bloodflow into the lungs, and they closed down over the 4 years, and made permanantly dammaged lungs. He was then terminal, with three years to live.

Long story short…but the best part…he lived into a wonderfully bright child, with such a tender love for the lord. Never did he question it, for he flatlined, and was brought by Mother Mary to see Jesus, and they embraced so tenderly. Jesus told this little 4 year old that he had to go back, that he had much to do still.

“Mamma, i did not want to go, he had a strong love magnet pulling me to him…not like my real daddy that does not want to see me all the time…i really liked to be there momma…but i had to come home.”

He NEVER ever doubted or needed proof, and it was what sustained him through his illness. He felt God gave it to him for a reason. If he acomplished life properly, then he’d know why he was ill, and what to do because of it. Everything in life is used for the good…even devistating illness.

In tremendous pain and fatigue a few days before his last trip to Toronto, he said Ma, it is getting so hard, and a tear ran down his face. He begged God for a Coupe da Grace. He explained, if he wanted him home, he would go where God decides, but if he were to stay here, please help him indure this.

My first born, and eternal fofillment of motherhood to me, was gone 5 days latter. He had a peaceful look on his face, and i was completely shocked. A boy doing everything his Lord asked of him…why? He did everything right, he had so much to offer the young community he wanted to eventually teach in.

That same father lived 15 minutes from us, and never attended his own sons funeral…i knew he would not, and the only good thing i felt, while my baby just stopped breathing…

“finally, a father to love him unconditionally!!”

All this because i was scared to question specialists.

Don’t let this happen to you…respectfully, you can assert yourself.

Lana

Lana,

Thank you for sharing this with us. My heart breaks for you as I read it. I truly don’t know what to say except that I’m so sorry for your loss.

Nikki

 

[JCLA]

So, I know my challenges and struggles aren’t as difficult as some of what many of you have been dealing with, but I could use some encouragement today. I’ve just been pretty down the past few days about a few things and sometimes it’s tough to pull yourself back up you know? I can tell myself all the beautiful things I’d say/pray for all of you, but they’re not really helping, you know?

Belle10,

I’m sorry things are rough for you right now. I seem to be drawing a blank on encouraging words, but I will offer a rosary for you today.

Nikki

 

[JCLA]

Nikki:

I truly and most sincerely thank you for your prayers. They are greatly needed, as you can tell. If you have any special needs, I’ll be praying for them as well. I have been, actually. You’re a dear heart to be praying for so many people. God has blessed you tremendously! Much love,

mom4truth,

Thank you very much for your prayers and your kind words. They mean a lot coming from a soul as kind and generous as yours. I don’t feel like I deserve them but I will try to earn them. I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Nikki

 

[Belle10]

Belle10,

I’m sorry things are rough for you right now. I seem to be drawing a blank on encouraging words, but I will offer a rosary for you today.

Nikki

A Rosary would be wonderful! Thank you so much!! (and a prayer of thanks for you!) :hug1:

 

[JCLA]

Hi Ladies,

I got distracted for a couple more days, so now I really need to start over. I will pray day 1 of my novena today.

Nikki

 

[eli1118]

Novena day 9

Nikki,
I am doing fine. How are you? I don’t know why I have been a bit tired lately. I am taking sooooooooooo many vitamins to try to keep going with a smile. I don’t like to get home from work and be tired for my little one.

Belle,
I will keep you in my thoughts today and remember you tomorrow as I pray the rosary. You are always such a support for me, I can’t imagine you being down. I am here for you…I know God and Mother Mary are there for you too.:console:

 

[Rammy]

Oh laddies, i am so fortunate to have been able to share my story, and hear yours as well. Best part, we are our own commune of prayer gathering, and strength. It indeed helps us endure.

The chaplet is said in order, and this is what i have done in the past. I have NO idea if it is right or not, but i get so distracted, that it works. I pray for the day one novena all week one. I then pray for the day two novena all week two…and so on. My aim is 7 days, but most of the times i say it about 5 times for the week.

On the others, i specifically say/speak/pray/and concentrate my thoughts on the specific needs God is asking for. I search out my heart for examples in my head, and simply and simplistically he gets my attention that week for the intended daily novena i use all week.

I tend to get more out of it rather than changeing every day…i kinda study it durring the week of that particular novena. Being highly distracted, and weekends i seem to hang up my hat, and place the taxi sign on the roof of my car…this is an ideal way to help others, and do my bidding with the Lord in my head.

Gosh i hope this is an ok way to do it, but i get so into it this way…rather than confused wondering what day am i on etc.

I leave a small listing of the daily intentions in the car, and i have a rosary ring in the car. I would love it if i could find or buy the cd of the chaplet on it. I love the singing version of it they used to play just before or just at three oclock on Catholic Radio. They since moved it, and i miss this. It was perfect for the drive every day picking up my children.

I miss the “acompanyment” hehe.

Lana

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I leave a small listing of the daily intentions in the car, and i have a rosary ring in the car. I would love it if i could find or buy the cd of the chaplet on it. I love the singing version of it they used to play just before or just at three oclock on Catholic Radio. They since moved it, and i miss this. It was perfect for the drive every day picking up my children.

I miss the “acompanyment” hehe.

Lana

Do you mean this one?

 

[Lamb_Serenade]

Hello everyone,

I’m a little late chiming in here. I had a peaceful, enlightened day…for a change. I took my time reading through the new posts for today on this thread and on others I am following here (and on CCF website). I have been taking the time to digest the posts and really understand what is being shared (the other post is an apologetic thread, and is one of the best point counterpoint set of posts I’ve every read on a forum) but I digress

What I want to share with you today is what I came away with from my meeting with my spiritual director. Belle, your post made me decide I needed to give all of you the advice my SD gave to me.

Who among you are still carrying out your Lenten sacrifices? How many of you have had a “let down” or an emptiness since Easter Sunday, or experienced some feelings of dryness or ineffectiveness in your prayer life?

I experienced a major backslide after lent. My frustration level with my DH increased by about a million. I decided I needed to begin confronting DH again about us, him, his drinking, does he still love me, and, and, and, and… (you get the picture) I began knocking heads with my DD, getting angry and impatient with her.

Father asked me what I’ve been doing since the end of lent. He reminded me we need to take what we gain from the sacrifices we make during lent and carry them beyond into the rest of our lives! He told me I looked and seemed so much more at peace the last two weeks than I had been since we began last year. This was huge for him to say since what I wanted to gain during lent was peace. Then he waited for my wheels to begin turning. Yep, I realized my Lenten sacrifices (I did a strict fast and abstinence every Friday of Lent) were leading me to a greater peace, a stronger sense of surrendering all to God and a willingness to let thing go that before, would have had me stressed beyond imagining.

I decided right there to make those sacrifices a part of my life. Period. I need to focus on praying for ME, because I am worthy of prayer just as much as all the people I pray for. I need to be sure I am taking time for ME that will focus on renewing me spiritually. I thrive on time alone in church in front of the blessed sacrament and in nature where I am near God’s creation where I can hear the wind, the birds, see the colors, experience the smells and feel myself coming alive. I have spent the better part of this last year journaling and it is a tremendous avenue of communicating with God, especially when I’m before the Blessed Sacrament.

My message to you all is this; you just spent six and a half weeks “giving up” something to strengthen your relationship with God so don’t quit now! Be sure you are focusing on what you can gain from these sacrifices and not just on the fact you are giving something up. Make it be for the greater good!

The other thing Father asked me was “What did you feel about the Triduum this year?” I’m still thinking about that one. I really couldn’t put it into words for him today. My Triduum was very different this year than it has ever been in years past.

So ladies, share with us.

What did you do for Lent this year?

What did you want to gain/focus on during Lent?

How did you feel about the Triduum this year?

 

[Cagrl]

Just prayed the Novena.

**Mom4truth,** I am praying for you, your husband and your family.  May God bless you with peace and lift the weight of your cross.  I will remember you when I go to the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[Rammy]

So ladies, share with us.

What did you do for Lent this year?
Well this year i had planned on releasing a great bit of anger i was holding towards someone whom i felt was hurting me from a distance, and flaunting it. It was hard for me to deal with this, because in my past, i have bees stalked, repeatedly raped, and forced into a marriage with this person due to the threat of them going after my baby sister. So i tried to run before i knew of this threat, hiding in the woods and being chased with a shovel and axe. When all was too much to bear, i went willingly back to the cabbin and succumed to weeks of beatings, and more rapes.

This turned out to be the father of the wonderful boy i raised on my own, and died a few years ago. The one so close to God. He knew so much about his father, and loved him as a child of God, but knew he was ill, and refused treatment. So yes, from the darkest deepest pain i endured from this monster, the greatest gift of love came to me as the angel who i call a son Will.

I have kept this a secret for so long in my life, and no one understood the fear of the dark i had. I have been laughted at, mocked and so on…but how could they know, as i told them nothing. Last year a dear friend was the first whom made me feel safe enough to share this, and encouraged me to move on.

I did the best i could, and i was so suprised that the shame of this event kept me cacooned emotionally for so long. I told my baby sister this story this summer, as my actions were hysterically unreasonable to her wanting to take me camping in the woods.

This lent i wanted to be released from this fear so much. I was hopeing to add to the daily routines of going back to church, and attending extra masses, and special evenings. I also joined RCIA this year as a way to keep informed. With all of my might, i tried to keep my prommise, and one thing after another interupted my goal…but motherhood comes first.

I had sick kids, then march break, sick again, then easter, took a two day trip and they got sick from the water park we went to. I feel they never attended in March, and i am exhausted. I attended holy week…every single thing Fr. did. Some praying untill 1 am for holy thursday. So although the peacfullness went into a wonderful season of lent on Gods part…for i did feel a divine pulling so hard i cried most days in church. I just do not feel i am properly reaching out to him…my efforts seem to miss the mark.

What did you want to gain/focus on during Lent?
I wanted to be one with him, to feel the beauty of his presence in the usual peacful manner i do when alone in prayer. I have always had difficulty reaching this state once i am out side of a serigated alone time with him. I wanted to give to him as a prayer of thanks, and instead he gave to me. He gave me two very strong visions that Thursday night at church which i am going to seek councel over. I felt his pain of lonliness durring the last supper. The feeling of them still not knowing his heart fully, but he goes on. It immediately horrified my own heart how sad he was over not being seen for who he really was.

Then in the prayer room with the blessed sacriment, i seen a row of about 50 doves fly into the room and past me as we were obviously greeted by the holy spirit that evening, No one else saw it.

How did you feel about the Triduum this year?
I was exposed to much more than i ever was, and it was my first Easter Vigil Mass. It was beautiful, and very spirit filled in all of the different people involved…you could see the HS in them and acting for them…beautiful. I was a bit sad that day too, as i was supposed to be the sponsor to my best friend. She had asked me in August last year to be it. I joined the RCIA together, and did every meeting and prayer service together. I gave her my plate of Pope John Paul II from Toronto’s 1984 visit, and a few more holy things. I gave them to her the night before. As i was leaving her home, she told me that she knew i would not mind, but she had asked someone else to be her sponser instead of me.

DEflated, as this responsibility was taken seriously by me, and attending the rehearsal for three hours the next day was so hard to do, as i had to “sit in” for the new sponser. Father was shocked, and i was obviously shaken by this.

It made for attending the service, and her being confirmed a definite connection to what God let me feel that Thursday. This friend will never know how replaceing me like this made me feel so utterly not truly known to her.

So i felt his sorrow, and it helped me not loose grips on my own sorrow, and i simply tried to enjoy the Easter Vigil. But now i feel alone. Seperate from the others i spent time with all year.

So i am a mother first, and this has kept me busy. Then i thought…come back to CAF, and see if i can find peace in this.

Not my fault, your questions were loaded ones!!!

LOL

Lana

 

[Diana_Lynn]

So, I know my challenges and struggles aren’t as difficult as some of what many of you have been dealing with, but I could use some encouragement today. I’ve just been pretty down the past few days about a few things and sometimes it’s tough to pull yourself back up you know? I can tell myself all the beautiful things I’d say/pray for all of you, but they’re not really helping, you know?

Belle, so sorry I missed your post yesterday But even sorrier to hear your are feeling down. :hug3:

Your sorrow is as saddening to me, as my own, and I pray for you, as you have continually prayed for me.

May this day shine forth new and uplifting blessings upon you Belle, renewing your energies, and granting you hope and joy. Lord, pour forth your love upon Belle, filling her heart with your divine love for her. May she see you in all that she encounters today, the beautiful sunrise, kind words from a stranger, a child’s laughter, the song of spring’s first robins, joyfully reminding us that the harshness of winter is giving way to a new and glorious season! May she feel your love upon her face as she steps out into the sunshine, turning her face up to you in loving admiration. Be with her throughout this day Lord, bringing comfort and peace to her, as she has done so selflessly, for so many others with her kind and thoughtful prayers.

God, bless Belle, with your loving grace, and lift her spirits high, as she offers you thanks and praise for all that you have done, and all you have yet to do! :heaven:

 

[Diana_Lynn]

**PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for:

the conversion of my husband and the strong faith of my children, the conversion of all sinners in my family and of the spouses being prayed for here by CAF members,

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Lord, I commend all husbands and wives
represented in this thread to you this day,
That you would raise us up to be men and women after your own heart.
That you would cause us to grow in wisdom and in knowledge of you
and that these husbands become holy and spiritual heads of these homes,
and that these wives become and remain vessels that shine your light continuously.
Keep us all obedient to your will and humble in mind and action.
Amen.**

 

[BeeSweet]

**PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the conversion of my husband, healing and salvation of our marriage, and the strong faith of our son, the conversion of all sinners in our families and of the spouses being prayed for here by CAF members,**

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.

Jesus, I trust in You!
Jesus, I trust in You!
Jesus, I trust in You!

 

[Belle10]

Belle,
I will keep you in my thoughts today and remember you tomorrow as I pray the rosary. You are always such a support for me, I can’t imagine you being down. I am here for you…I know God and Mother Mary are there for you too.

Thanks eli! :hug1:

I leave a small listing of the daily intentions in the car, and i have a rosary ring in the car. I would love it if i could find or buy the cd of the chaplet on it. I love the singing version of it they used to play just before or just at three oclock on Catholic Radio. They since moved it, and i miss this. It was perfect for the drive every day picking up my children.

I miss the “acompanyment” hehe.

Lana

You can also get the chaplet (and the Rosary and some additional prayers) on a CD from www.CatholiCity.com. It’s not set to music though, but it’s great! (and it’s free!)

Well this year i had planned on releasing a great bit of anger i was holding towards someone whom i felt was hurting me from a distance, and flaunting it.

Lana, so sorry for your pain. :hug1:

Belle, so sorry I missed your post yesterday But even sorrier to hear your are feeling down. :hug3:

Your sorrow is as saddening to me, as my own, and I pray for you, as you have continually prayed for me.

May this day shine forth new and uplifting blessings upon you Belle, renewing your energies, and granting you hope and joy. Lord, pour forth your love upon Belle, filling her heart with your divine love for her. May she see you in all that she encounters today, the beautiful sunrise, kind words from a stranger, a child’s laughter, the song of spring’s first robins, joyfully reminding us that the harshness of winter is giving way to a new and glorious season! May she feel your love upon her face as she steps out into the sunshine, turning her face up to you in loving admiration. Be with her throughout this day Lord, bringing comfort and peace to her, as she has done so selflessly, for so many others with her kind and thoughtful prayers.

God, bless Belle, with your loving grace, and lift her spirits high, as she offers you thanks and praise for all that you have done, and all you have yet to do! :heaven:

Diana, thank you so much. :hug1:

 

[Belle10]

Novena, day 1 of thanks:

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for:

the conversion of my husband, the strong Catholic faith of our daughter,
the perpetual sobriety of my father and the renewal of my parents’ marriage,
and for all the marriages and families represented in this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Lord, I commend all husbands and wives
represented in this thread to you this day,
That you would raise us up to be men and
women after your own heart.
That you would cause us to grow in wisdom and
in knowledge of you and that these husbands
become holy and spiritual heads of these homes,
and that these wives become and remain vessels
that shine your light continuously.
Keep us all obedient to your will and humble
in mind and action.
Amen.