Memo to myself

It's Friday...which means penance, prayers and remembering Jesus died for me.

I am glad I remembered, I often forget which day it is. (Yes, I'm getting old...LOL)

So no meat today for me. That's my penance.
And I make sure I say the whole rosary before bedtime (because I sometimes fall asleep while praying it)
And I'll do stations of the cross.

A few prayers

In honour of my oldest dd who chose her confimation name after this wonderful lady.

St. Claire Of Assisi Prayer:

God of mercy, inspired St. Claire with the love of Poverty.

By the help of her prayers, may we follow Christ in poverty

of spirit and come to the Kingdom of heaven.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,

your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

One God, forever and ever.Amen.



JESUS HELP ME


In every need let me come to you with humble trust saying

JESUS HELP ME.

In all my doubts, perplexities and temptations

JESUS HELP ME

In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,

JESUS HELP ME

In the failure of my plans & hopes, in disappointments troubles and sorrow
JESUS HELP ME

When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforts,
JESUS HELP ME

When I feel impatient and my cross irritates me

JESUS HELP ME

When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely

JESUS HELP ME

Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls and shortcomings of every kind
Jesus help me and never forsake me.



Prayer to Saint Dymphna (because I am scared of losing it)

Lord, our God, you graciously chose Saint Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.

Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom we pray. (Here mention those for whom you wish to pray).

We beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of Saint Dymphna on our behalf. Grant all those for whom we pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire.

We ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden. Amen

Leo the Great

Today is his feast day.
I pray that I may have his strength and courageous abilities to fight my own Attila's.

Last night

I read on another blog about The Office of the Dead.
I have never been to Mass on All Saints or All Souls Day (they are not Holy Days in Canada and service is in the evening when I work).

I printed the prayers off. I found them online. I had to copy and paste it almost line by line because half of it was Latin (which I would love to learn but have no clue...eventually I will).

I said it last night laying on the couch. Along with the rosary. My dk's were in the room. They said I prayed for along time. They don't realize that because I do it at night in my room.

I think it's a good thing to do it in front of them.

And I guess my youngest dd made my oldest dd cross herself when they walked past the church. I found that story cute when I heard it.

My Miraculous Medal Story

In 1997 I was on Accutane. It is for acne. It is a very strong medicine which causes severe birth defects. I had to sign a consent that I was fully informed and agreed to birth control. This was before I was Catholic, before I actually knew how the pill totally worked (I didn't know until very recently that it changes the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation...how did I get through RN school without that knowledge).

Because my oldest was also conceived when on the pill I was very diligent about taking it. Even at the same time.

I was just finished the Accutane and then found out two or three days later I was pregnant. I was terrified. I had 2 dr's in the early stage suggest abort the baby. I couldn't.

I was debating about Catholicism at this time. I saw the Miraculous Medal and started wearing it. I spoke with St. Catherine alot. I prayed alot.

I had an ultrasound which looked OK. I refused testing for any other concerns (amnio, spina bifida testing etc.) For me it didn't matter. I really didn't want to know. I remember deciding one day that if something happened I would cope with it. God would only give me what I could handle. I would find out in the delivery room.

I wore that medal everyday. Once it came off when a patient ripped my necklace. His mother knew how important this was to me. She gave me a pin and I pinned it to my shirt. She offered to buy me a new chain but I had one at home. That night I put it back on my neck.

I still continued to talk with St. Catherine and St. Gerard...knowing they would hear me and interceed.

I saw my dermatologist for a follow-up. He told me that with the longer half life of Accutane and the fact that the fetus cells don't split until 2 weeks after conception it was unknown if my baby would be affected.

I still knew it didn't matter, I could never abort a child and God would provide.

When I saw the OB/GYN near the end of my pregnancy she was upset that I hadn't aborted the baby. I told her it's a little late now (I was 33 weeks).

My son was born perfectly healthy. No neurological effects. Brain where it should be. Ears where they should be. Not one problem. He is now 8. He is smart and acts just like anyother 8 yr old.

I was so grateful my next dd is named Catherine after St. Catherine. Thanks to her and God. I honestly consider it a miracle.

Ironically I have worn that necklace everyday since. The only ever time it was taken off was recently for an x-ray of my face. I was asked to remove the necklace as it was showing up and distorting the X-rays. I took the necklace off. It also has a crucifix on it. The technician took a few more X-rays and said something is still distorting the X-ray...the medal was stuck to the back of my neck. It didn't want to leave me.

OK...

It's sad when mass makes you cry.

And it's not one of those saint stories where the whole experience is overjoyfull.

Saddam

I don't like what he did.
I wasn't there so I really don't know.

But personally I don't like the death penalty.
I know there are proponents who use Biblical quotes to support it but I still don't agree.

Thankfully I'm not the one who has to tie the noose around his neck.