The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Pauca Verba (a few words)
Number 55 – October 26, 2008
Pray this lovely prayer when you are feeling: crazed, afraid, lonely, vulnerable, incapable, overwhelmed, toxic, defenseless, threatened…
Mary’s Breastplate
(A prayer for protection)
Direct me in your praise –
Though no master I in poetry –
O Angelic countenance without blemish,
Who gave the milk of your breast
to redeem me.
I commend myself to your protection,
O loving Mother of the only Son:
Under your shield protect my body,
my heart, my will and my strength.
O temple of the three persons,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
I beseech you to help me at the hour of
my judgment and my death.
O Queen, on whom the King, the Father,
Bestowed perpetual favor –
Virginity and motherhood –
I enlist your aid for my salvation.
O vessel bearing the light,
O great brightness outshining the sun,
Draw me ashore, under your protection,
from the short-lived ship of the world.
O Mary, gracious and beautiful,
Gentle, mild and stately,
I do not tire of calling on you;
You are my defender on the day of danger.
Amen!
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Today, October 26, is my 29th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. I am thinking of Mary visiting her relative, Elizabeth. And when Mary arrives, the Divine Infant growing within her, Elizabeth says, “Who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?”
And I’m thinking, “Who am I to be called to be a priest? Who am I to be allowed to stand at the altar? Who am I to absolve sins? Who am I to be so privileged to work here in this place?”
God gives gifts to each of us. Let’s be aware of how God calls us and grateful for the strength God gives to carry out his purposes and plans. I wouldn’t trade my priesthood for anything. And I give thanks at Mass today for all the people God has put along my path as I set out on my 30th year.
Father Stephen
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A Prayer for Forgiveness
Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me the sins of my youth and the sins of my age, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, my secret and my whispering sins, the sins I have done to please myself and the sins I have done to please others. Forgive those sins which I know, and the sins which I know not; forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all of Your great goodness. Amen.
