Praying for AJ

Earlier today I got the news that the health of a great guy/friend/classmate from the St.Lawrence Center has taken a turn for the worse. AJ has been suffering from health conditions for the past year has just been diagnosed with a rare blood disease that the doctors say appears to be untreatable. It is estimated that he will only have a few precious days to live.

The St.Lawrence Center community has coordinated a prayer chain at 5pm everyday for AJ. We will be praying both a chaplet of divine mercy and a rosary. At this point, our prayers are most valuable so if you have a moment to offer up a prayer for him we would all be so thankful.

I am awfully proud to be a part of St.Lawrence and I have definitely let it be known on this blog. But I have never been filled with such joy to be a part of this group as I was today when reading the reactions pour in with prayers and intentions for him.

I'd like to share some of them here with you now.

• I had no idea. I'm in Costa Rica but am headed to the neighborhood church right now. Please please PLEASE let me know if there's anything else I can do…praying for aJ and his family and friends.
• Im in new orleans for the next week. im so sorry to hear this news but i will definitely keep the prayer chain going.
• I am in Texas but will try and get up there by Wednesday and will be more than willing to take people over there (to visit him)
• Be assured of my prayers on my drive back to Lawrence tomorrow as well as the rest of the week.
• This is obviously a very difficult time for everyone, but already it has been a truly beautiful witness of the power of Christian community. From one day of being present at the hospital, I can attest that AJ, his family, and his loved ones have received many blessings in the form of our presence and prayers, and I have great faith many more blessings will shine through this time of uncertainty as we unite for this more than worthy cause. Thank you all for your prayers and support, and continue to entrust AJ's well-being to the will of God. We can take consolation in knowing that he his much closer to heaven than we and that we may soon have a powerful saint to intercede on our behalf as we make our own way to our eternal destiny...
• St. Lawrence has truly shown through today! I've been able to see AJ as well today and in the midst of some of the greatest trials and sufferings I've ever experienced, there has been much fruit! Keep praying! See you in the Eucharist or on the battlefield (the kind that we fight on our knees) with AJ until he makes it home!
• Sending prayers!
• It is beautiful to see the unity and love of the St. Lawrence Center and friends coming together. Please know there are lots of prayers for AJ coming from Texas. The Aggie Catholic Center will also be lifting up the St. Lawrence community in prayer as well.
• My prayers are with you all! I'm afraid I probably won't be able to make it up, but please pass my blessings and prayers on to AJ and his family. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for everyone.
• Definitely keeping AJ's Family in my prayer!!! Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us!
• AJ and all of the family: you are in my deepest prayers. We all love you so much.
• storming the gates of heaven for AJ!!!..
• stay strong! my prayers are with you!

The St.Lawrence Center is doing great things and it is evident in the community that it has established. Check out this article from the NCR about the St.Lawrence Center and the community that it is providing for us.

Koinonia is greek for community and that's exactly what we are; a community, a family. And that's exactly what AJ is a part of, our community of love for each other and for Christ Jesus.

Our Lady of Lourdes, patron of bodily illness, Pray for us!

Easter Saturday

Today is the ninth and final day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy tomorrow. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.


You can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Easter Friday

Today is the eighth day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory

"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 9 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Easter Thursday

Today is the seventh day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy

"Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:

Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 8 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Easter Wednesday

Today is the sixth day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children

"Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek andhumble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 7 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Easter Tuesday

Today is the fifth day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren

"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My woulds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let theme scape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessigns and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 6 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Easter Monday

Today is the fourth day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me, I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderfulmercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 5 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Easter Sunday!

Jesus Christ is risen today Amen. Alleluia. Oh how good it feels to say that word. Over and over again all day I could say that word. I hope you are all enjoying your Easter Sunday with your families!

Today is the third day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by the most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 4 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Holy Saturday

Today is the second day of the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious

"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 3 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and Christians everywhere are mourning the death of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you can, take the opportunity to walk through Calvary with our Lord today.

Good Friday is also the day that begins the Novena to the Divine Mercy, that Christ asked us by way of St.Faustina to pray, which will lead up to the Feast of the Divine Mercy next Sunday. In speaking to St.Faustina Christ gave her a different intention to pray for on each day of the Novena.

In St.Faustina's diary she wrote that Jesus told her:
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy...On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces of these souls."

So even if you are not Catholic or not familiar with praying a Novena, take a couple extra minutes these next 9 days and ask Our Lord for His infinite mercy.

Day 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners
"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which he loss of souls plunges Me."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

Day 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious
Day 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls
Day 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
Day 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren
Day 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
Day 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
Day 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
Day 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm

Feel free to come back tomorrow for the prayers of Day 2 or you can visit here to see all of the days at once.