An interesting contradiction (prayers for the soul of Princess Diana)

At the Princess Diana funeral service (Church of England) of course, there was the implication that she is in heaven* and at the same time the clergy man there commended her soul to the Mercy of God.  How’s that for a bet each way!  I have seen some of this bet each way thinking at some Catholic funerals also.

If Princess Diana is in heaven as was  implied, why did she need the Mercy of God? Blessed Mother Theresa and her nuns prayed for the soul of Princess Diana, who was Mother Theresa’s friend. They were more with it!

*The implication was in the Song that Elton John sang at the funeral service.

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A big compliment for the Sydney Opera House!

EWTN’s programe: Life on the Rock’s opening segment has music and images.  In this segment it has a picture of the Sydney Opera House with the word Heaven underneath it.  As an Australian and a Sydney resident, I accept the compliment although I know that heaven will be much better than the Sydney Opera House.

A technology miracle (a favour of The Infant Jesus, St Philomena and St Anthony)

The following account was sent to me to use in my book;  Help from heaven (Answers to prayer) and to generally let people know about this great favour. 

My computer laptop adapter got burned one month ago due to power fluctuations in my home in India. Due to a sudden high voltage to the power line, the adapter of the laptop started smoking and the next thing I knew it was dead and would not work at all, so I purchased a new adaptor and today the thing happened; the voltage changed and my new adaptor started smoking. I thought; “not again! I cannot buy other adapter as they are quite expensive”.

I made a quick prayer to Miraculous Infant Jesus, St Philomena and St Anthony, asking them to make my adapter work in spite of all the smoke and burning. I felt a bit silly asking such a thing from the saints.

Believe it or not my adapter works today !!!!!! 

Want to read more stories of answers to prayer? Click here to read my book (free of charge), which is full of wonderful answers to prayer that will inspire you. It also has an article on the Rosary, about miracles, prayers and poems.

The Flos Carmeli (Prayer of Saint Simon Stock), A prayer to Our Lady of Mt Carmel

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity.  O Star of the Sea, help and protect me!
Show me that Thou art my Mother.

           O Mary conceived without sin,
           Pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our Salvation!

Pray for the souls of deceased priests

Don’t forget to include in your prayers for the dead, the souls of priest.  They are often overlooked because people think that they went straight to heaven.  No doubt some of them did, but not all of them. They are human beings like us with merits and faults.

Go to this webpage for some reflections on this subject.

and also go to this page for information on the powerful intercession of the Holy Souls in Purgatory and ways to help them.

Charity for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is the best form of charity.

Our Lady of Fatima (regarding Purgatory)

Our Lady of Fatima said that a girl named Amelia would stay in Purgatory until the end of the world. This is a sobering thought. If we pray for Amelia, her time in Purgatory might be shortened. 

Remember that Sister Lucia said that missing one Sunday Mass (deliberately) can send one to hell for all eternity. The same applies for missing a Mass deliberately on a Holy Day of Obligation. 

In view of this, it is good to remember St Therese’s teaching on avoiding Purgatory and going straight to heaven. The teachings are summarized here:  http://www.franciscan-sfo.org/ap/litfwrpu.htm

Novena to St Philomena

(composed by St John Vianney) 

O great St Philomena, glorious virgin and martyr, Wonder-Worker of our age, I return most fervent thanks to God for the miraculous gifts bestowed on thee, and beseech thee to impart to me a share in the graces and blessings of which thou hast been the channel to so many souls.

Through the heroic fortitude with which thou didst confront the fury of tyrants and brave the frowns of the mighty rather than swerve from thy allegiance to the King of Heaven, obtain for me purity of body and soul, purity of thought and affection.

Through thy patience under multiplied sufferings, obtain for me a submissive acceptance of all the afflictions it may please God to send me, and as thou didst miraculously escape unhurt from the waters of the Tiber, into which thou wert cast by order of Thy persecutor, so may I  pass through the waters of tribulation without detriment to my soul.

In addition to these favours, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment.

(state your petition)

O pure virgin and holy martyr, deign to cast a look of pity from Heaven on thy devoted servant, comfort me in affliction, assist me in danger, above all come to my aid in the hour of death.

Watch over the interests of the Church of God, pray for its exultation and prosperity, the extension of the Faith, for the clergy, for the perseverance of the just, the conversion of sinners, and the relief of souls in Purgatory, especially those dear to me.

O great Saint, whose triumph we celebrate on earth, intercede for me, that I may one day behold the crown of glory bestowed on thee in Heaven, and eternally bless Him Who so liberally rewards for all eternity the sufferings endured for His love during this short life. Amen.

Oh St Philomena, virgin and martyr, pray for us so that through your powerful intercession we may obtain that purity of spirit and heart that leads to the perfect love of God.  Amen.

Learn about the powerful intercession of The Holy Souls in Purgatory for their benefactors

Novena to St Philomena the Wonder Worker for the healing of autism:

http://missionbell.homestead.com/novenaforautisticchildren.html

St Therese and the fishing expedition

There was a fishing village which was in danger of starvation becausethe fishermen had been very unsuccessful in catching fish that year. Then one of the boats in the fishing fleet was put under the protection of Sister Therese as she was then known. (This was well before her canonisation).  The boat which was put under her protection was amazingly successful in its catch on the first fishing night that Sister Therese was asked for her help.  The other boats in the fishing fleet did not invoke her protection. They caught nothing at all.

Read more about St Therese here.

The promise of St Therese of the Child Jesus (The Little Flower).

“I will let fall from heaven….a shower of roses”

These ‘roses’ are favours and miracles.

The Rosary of the Holy Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ also known as the Chaplet of Mercy

Here is a way to help the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Great benefits are conferred by the Sacred Wounds on the Holy Souls.

 

Promise of Our Lord to Sister Mary Martha Chambon:

‘The soul who during life has honoured and studied the Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ and has offered them to the Eternal Father for the souls in Purgatory, will be accompanied at the moment of death by the Holy Virgin and the angels: and Our Lord on the Cross all brilliant in glory will receive her and crown her.”

 

Offer the following prayers for the relief of the Holy Souls in Purgatory

 

The Rosary of the Holy Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ also known as the Chaplet of Mercy

 

(May be said on the Rosary beads)

 

On the large beads: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ to heal the wounds of our souls.

 

On the small beads: My Jesus, pardon and mercy through the merits of Thy Holy Wounds.

 

These two invocations were taught by Our Lord to Sister Mary Martha Chambon, deceased, in the Visitation of Chambery, France, March 21, 1907. The sister received from Our Lord a double “mission”, constantly to invoke the Holy Wounds herself, and to revive this devotion in the world.

 

Promise of Our Lord to Sister Mary Martha: “I will grant all that is asked of Me by the invocation of  My Holy Wounds. You must spread the devotion.”

 

(Sources consulted: Devotion to Christ’s Sacred Wounds and the Pieta Prayer book).