Seeing the Gifts of Our Father

Let us fix our gaze on the Father and Creator of the whole world, and let us hold on to his peace and blessings, his splendid and surpassing gifts. Let us contemplate him in our thoughts and with our mnd's eye reflect upon the peaceful and restrained unfolding of his plan; let us consider the care with which he provides for the whole creation.

-Saint Clement, pope

Feast of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled

as to console; to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Feast of St. Therese, Little Flower

O glorious Saint Therese,

whom Almighty God has raised up to aid

and counsel mankind, I implore your

Miraculous Intercession. So powerful are you

in obtaining every need of body and soul our

Holy Mother Church proclaims you a

"Prodigy of Miracles...the Greatest Saint

of Modern Times."

Now I fervently beseech you

to answer my petition

(mention specifics here) and to carry out

your promises of spending Heaven

doing good upon the earth...

of letting fall from Heaven

a Shower of Roses.

Henceforth, dear Little Flower,

I will fulfill your plea

"to be made known everywhere"

and I will never cease

to lead others to Jesus through you.

Amen.