Wk 3 - Day 2 - seeking to understand Jesus Christ better

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, as we continue seeking to understand Jesus better, we pray the Litany of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised in the Gospel of John that the Holy Spirit would bring us into all Truth. Second, since we are seeking to consecrate ourselves totally to Jesus through Mary, we pray Ave Maris Stella asking our Mother’s help. Third, we pray the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, and each invocation can help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary to understand Jesus Christ better .

In the past, I haven’t prayed any litany very well, and even now, I still get distracted by the repetition, and the length of litanies, but I’ve come to appreciate them more as I seek to learn more from them. In my copy of the three Prayers above, I’ve underlined words that have stood out for me. Here are just a few:

From the Litany of the Holy of the Holy Spirit…Consuming Fire, have mercy on us…Spirit of Love and Truth, have mercy on us…Spirit of Wisdom and understanding, have mercy on us…Holy Ghost the Sanctifier, have mercy on us…Holy Ghost, teach us to pray well…

From Ave Maris Stella …Show thyself a Mother…keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, till we find in Jesus Joy forever more…

From the Litany of the Holy Name …Jesus, most patient, have mercy on us…Jesus, most obedient, have mercy on us. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us…

As I typed these words I was especially grateful for the word “us”, knowing that I am praying for all who are on this journey. God knows each heart and welcomes the poor and lowly. Please let us continue to journey together in Faith, Hope and above all Charity for the Glory of God and the good of all His children.

 

[Casilda]

Seeking to understand Jesus Christ better. I saw this thread title and thought it was a request. My response was, go to adoration, be in His presence. I was there this weekend, with a large group of ladies. In Spanish, we are in the presence of the Most Holy, El Santissimo.

Back to your thread on litanies. The very first time I heard the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayed Wednesdays after our Divine Liturgy, I wanted to keep the card it was printed on. I thought it was so beautiful. I did not think it was long. I look forward to it. The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics have short, one stanza ‘troparions’ like shortened hymns/prayers. I love litanies.

 

[MariaChristi]

Seeking to understand Jesus Christ better. I saw this thread title and thought it was a request. My response was, go to adoration, be in His presence. I was there this weekend, with a large group of ladies. In Spanish, we are in the presence of the Most Holy, El Santissimo.

Back to your thread on litanies. The very first time I heard the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayed Wednesdays after our Divine Liturgy, I wanted to keep the card it was printed on. I thought it was so beautiful. I did not think it was long. I look forward to it. The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics have short, one stanza ‘troparions’ like shortened hymns/prayers. I love litanies.

Dear Casilda,

How good to hear from you again! Titles of threads can give different meanings to readers it is true, but I’ve been writing these past weeks, threads for 33 days in prearation for renewing my Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary as described by St. Louis de Montfort in his little treatise on “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary”

It has been a beautiful journey in prayer for me, as it is each time I make this journey of 33 Days. St. Louis outlines it thus:

1. Those who desire to take up this special devotion,… should spend at least twelve days in emptying themselves of the spirit of the world, which is opposed to the spirit of Jesus, as I have recommended in the first part of this preparation for the reign of Jesus Christ. They should then spend three weeks imbuing themselves with the spirit of Jesus through the most Blessed Virgin.

Each time I read his treatise on “True Devotion”, I seem to learn more and this journey has been the best so far. The Litany of the Holy Spirit has become especially meaningful to me. I think I do better with fewer words, however. I appreciate the beauty of all the titles of Mary in her Litany and of Jesus also in the Litany of His Holy Name and the Litany of His Sacred Heart. but I guess I want to spend more time on each word than I usually can, given my other “occupations” as wife and sister and aunt and Grandmother, like so many of us whom God created to be helpers in this world.