The Annunciation

Today is 9 months before the Feast of the Nativity and we celebrate the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary.

This is one of my favorite songs of the Christmas Season--Gabriel's Message--a Basque Carol. The lyrics are below.



The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

"For lo, a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

The Annunciation

Today is 9 months before the Feast of the Nativity and we celebrate the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary.

This is one of my favorite songs of the Christmas Season--Gabriel's Message--a Basque Carol. The lyrics are below.



The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

"For lo, a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Poetry Wednesday--Finding Your Angel

This week's poetry Wednesday is a poem of mine entitled Finding Your Angel.  It was written in May of 2009 and is posted in honor of Saturday's feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

Find your angel--
your being of light,
created by God
for infinite praise
of His immeasurable Love. 

Draw strength 
from God's messenger 
poised in flight, 
ever vigilant, 
ready to rescue
on a wing
and a prayer. 

Find your angel.

Poetry Wednesday--Finding Your Angel

This week's poetry Wednesday is a poem of mine entitled Finding Your Angel.  It was written in May of 2009 and is posted in honor of Saturday's feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

Find your angel--
your being of light,
created by God
for infinite praise
of His immeasurable Love. 

Draw strength 
from God's messenger 
poised in flight, 
ever vigilant, 
ready to rescue
on a wing
and a prayer. 

Find your angel.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Ryan Brown

In keeping with our angelic theme, this week's Art and Beauty Tuesday is a beautiful black and white oil painting by Ryan Brown called Praying Angel.

This amazing painting is a study in contrasts.  Done with oils, it is nevertheless black and white.  It is an angel, yet has no wings.  At first glance, it seems to be a painting of a statue, but it is eerily life like.

I think the juxtaposition of opposites in this piece is a way of illustrating the paradox of spirituality.  Happiness is found in letting go, plenty is found in giving away and life is found in death to self.

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Ryan Brown

In keeping with our angelic theme, this week's Art and Beauty Tuesday is a beautiful black and white oil painting by Ryan Brown called Praying Angel.

This amazing painting is a study in contrasts.  Done with oils, it is nevertheless black and white.  It is an angel, yet has no wings.  At first glance, it seems to be a painting of a statue, but it is eerily life like.

I think the juxtaposition of opposites in this piece is a way of illustrating the paradox of spirituality.  Happiness is found in letting go, plenty is found in giving away and life is found in death to self.

Scripture Saturday--Guardian Angels

Early October is chock full of important feast days.  Today is the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

Today's scripture is taken from Matthew 18:10:

See that you do not despise one of these little ones,  for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

Guardian angels are something that the Church has believed in since its beginnings. Each of us is assigned a special guardian angel to protect and strengthen us.

We are literally never alone in this world.

Scripture Saturday--Guardian Angels

Early October is chock full of important feast days.  Today is the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

Today's scripture is taken from Matthew 18:10:

See that you do not despise one of these little ones,  for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

Guardian angels are something that the Church has believed in since its beginnings. Each of us is assigned a special guardian angel to protect and strengthen us.

We are literally never alone in this world.

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.  I have been feeling, lately, that there is a LOT of spiritual warfare going on right now.  So many people I know are suffering, and have been for the better part of this year.  We need our guardian angels to protect us.

There was a saint, (I think it was Padre Pio) who would ask his guardian angel to go help others.  We can ask our own, and others' angels to protect them. This is especially helpful when we feel that we can not do anything ourselves that would alleviate their pain and struggling.

Angels are all around us.  Everyone is assigned a guardian angel at their conception who stays with them throughout their lives.  Angels are in the direct Presence of God and can call on Him on our behalf to strengthen us in our daily walk.

At Mass, angels surround the altar and worship Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament.  The priest prays, "May your angels take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven."  Our angels rejoice when we are present, worshiping God at Mass.

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

to whom God's love

commits me here,

ever this day, be at my side,

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

Amen

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.  I have been feeling, lately, that there is a LOT of spiritual warfare going on right now.  So many people I know are suffering, and have been for the better part of this year.  We need our guardian angels to protect us.

There was a saint, (I think it was Padre Pio) who would ask his guardian angel to go help others.  We can ask our own, and others' angels to protect them. This is especially helpful when we feel that we can not do anything ourselves that would alleviate their pain and struggling.

Angels are all around us.  Everyone is assigned a guardian angel at their conception who stays with them throughout their lives.  Angels are in the direct Presence of God and can call on Him on our behalf to strengthen us in our daily walk.

At Mass, angels surround the altar and worship Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament.  The priest prays, "May your angels take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven."  Our angels rejoice when we are present, worshiping God at Mass.

Guardian Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear,

to whom God's love

commits me here,

ever this day, be at my side,

to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

Amen

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Come, let us worship the Lord in the presence of the angels. 

--Antiphon from today's morning prayer of the Church.

Today is the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. St. Michael is one of my favorite saints, as both my guys are named after him in one way or the other.  Michael is a very powerful help in spiritual warfare.  His prayer used to be prayed at the end of every Mass.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle.  
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, oh prince of the heavenly host, 
by the powe of God, 
cast into Hell, Satan, and all the evil spirits, 
that prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. 

Saint Gabriel is the Angel of the Annunciation.  He comes to Zacharias, husband of Elizabeth, to announce that he and Elizabeth will conceive a son in their old age.  Gabriel then appears to Mary to announce to her that a child she will conceive miraculously will be the Messiah.  Theologians beleive that it was Gabriel who appeared to Joseph in a dream, announcing to him that the Son that Mary was carrying, was going to be the chosen one of God.

Saint Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, sent to heal him from blindness. Theologians also beleive that Raphael is the "angel of the Lord' mentioned in John chapter 5, who descends and stirs the water in the Pool of Bethsaida for healing. He is the patron saint of medical workers.

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael

Come, let us worship the Lord in the presence of the angels. 

--Antiphon from today's morning prayer of the Church.

Today is the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels. St. Michael is one of my favorite saints, as both my guys are named after him in one way or the other.  Michael is a very powerful help in spiritual warfare.  His prayer used to be prayed at the end of every Mass.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle.  
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, oh prince of the heavenly host, 
by the powe of God, 
cast into Hell, Satan, and all the evil spirits, 
that prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. 

Saint Gabriel is the Angel of the Annunciation.  He comes to Zacharias, husband of Elizabeth, to announce that he and Elizabeth will conceive a son in their old age.  Gabriel then appears to Mary to announce to her that a child she will conceive miraculously will be the Messiah.  Theologians beleive that it was Gabriel who appeared to Joseph in a dream, announcing to him that the Son that Mary was carrying, was going to be the chosen one of God.

Saint Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, sent to heal him from blindness. Theologians also beleive that Raphael is the "angel of the Lord' mentioned in John chapter 5, who descends and stirs the water in the Pool of Bethsaida for healing. He is the patron saint of medical workers.

Gabriel

Gabriel

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Each of us is assigned our own angel by God not only to protect us, but to guide us as well. Our angels rejoice when we follow God's will and weep when we fail. Our angels hover around the altar at Mass and worship God present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Prayer to my guardian angel

Angel of God, My Guardian Dear to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side to light and guard and rule and guide.

~Amen

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Today is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. Each of us is assigned our own angel by God not only to protect us, but to guide us as well. Our angels rejoice when we follow God's will and weep when we fail. Our angels hover around the altar at Mass and worship God present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Prayer to my guardian angel

Angel of God, My Guardian Dear to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side to light and guard and rule and guide.

~Amen

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Nine (Monday)

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Nine

Most holy angels, you whose zeal for the interests of God, wherever they need to be defended, carries you through the universe more rapidly than lightning, protect His cause in our souls and in virtue of the Divine Blood, obtain for us the signal grace of final perseverance.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

~Amen

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Nine (Monday)

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Nine

Most holy angels, you whose zeal for the interests of God, wherever they need to be defended, carries you through the universe more rapidly than lightning, protect His cause in our souls and in virtue of the Divine Blood, obtain for us the signal grace of final perseverance.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

~Amen

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Eight

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Eight

Most noble Archangels, you who under the command of St. Michael, guard and protect the Holy Church, deign to deliver her from internal and external enemies. Watch over the Holy Father, as well as over all the children of the Immaculate Spouse of Christ and in virtue of the Divine Blood obtain for us the grace to live and die in the Faith, Hope and Charity of Holy Church so that we may be eternally united with its august head, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

~Amen

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Holy Angels--Day Eight

Novena Prayer to St. Michael and All Angels--Day Eight

Most noble Archangels, you who under the command of St. Michael, guard and protect the Holy Church, deign to deliver her from internal and external enemies. Watch over the Holy Father, as well as over all the children of the Immaculate Spouse of Christ and in virtue of the Divine Blood obtain for us the grace to live and die in the Faith, Hope and Charity of Holy Church so that we may be eternally united with its august head, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

St. Michael the Archangel, and all the Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

~Amen