SAINT MICHAEL'S LENT

Every year Our Lady’s Little Portion and Our Lady of the Pearl Franciscan Fraternities invite Franciscans to join us in prayer and fasting during the Lent of St. Michael which begins on August 15th and ends on September 29th.  In 2009, we prayed for priests and for our nation.  This year, in 2010, we are praying for our country, particularly against the secularization and destruction of religion and culture in America, and for the evangelization of the whole world.  We also ask for prayers concerning the oil spill.

In the writings of St. Francis, such as the Volterra text (Letter to All the Faithful) which is included in The Rule of the SFO, we are reminded again and again that Franciscans are called to be penitents, to pray and fast. For these reasons this ancient tradition is important to us. St. Michael’s Lent is a period of 40 days, honoring Mary and St. Michael the Archangel. It begins on the Feast of the Assumption and ends on The Feast of the Archangels. 

“[H]e wished along with the most faithful Brothers . . . to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (August 15) and then prepare himself by a forty days’ fast for the Feast of St. Michael (September 29).  In common with the rest of the people of the Middle Ages, Francis nourished a special devotion to this Archangel, signifer santus Michaelis, the standard-bearer of the Heavenly Host, and the one who with his trumpet was to wake the dead in their graves on the last day . . . .” (St. Francis of Assisi by Jorgensen)

"What is urgent is the evangelization of a world that not only does not know the basic aspects of Christian dogma, but in great part has lost even the memory of the cultural elements of Christianity."   Pope John Paul II

"In a world marked by religious indifference, and even by a growing aversion towards the Christian faith, a new, intense evangelization is necessary, not only among people that have never known the Gospel, but also among those in which Christianity has been spread and is a part of their history," Pope Benedict XVI

"There are regions in the world that still wait for a first evangelization; others that received it but need more profound work; others still in which the Gospel put down roots a long time ago, giving place to a true Christian tradition, but where in the last centuries -- with complex dynamics -- the process of secularization has produced a grave crisis of the sense of the Christian faith and of belonging to the Church." Pope Benedict XVI

Prayer Suggestions

1.   Daily pray St. Francis’ Office of the Passion as found in the Ritual, beginning page 82.  An explanation and perhaps easier layout is found on the Poor Clare Colettine’s website:    http://www.poorclarestmd.org/clareshare/way/office/passion.html

2.  Or pray the seven Penitential Psalms on behalf of our country.  Pray one a day or all each day.  (The Penitential Psalms are so called because they express sorrow for sin and a desire for pardon.  Traditionally there are 7 penitential psalms, although many of the other psalms of the Psalter could actually be used for this purpose. They are psalms 7, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143, or 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, 142 in the Vulgate numeration.  http://www.boston-catholic-journal.com/seven_penitential_psalms.htm

3.    And prayers which follow.

A Prayer for Our Nation

God our Father, Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.

You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.

Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking
and doing Your will.

Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death."
Lead us into a new millennium of life.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

(Source:  http://www.catholic.org/) 

(Click photo to enlarge)
Click for more pictures.

Oil Spill Petitions 

Nature reveals God’s power, and history reveals God’s providence; in this historical crisis of the Gulf oil spill may God provide us the power to halt destruction and reform the way we live.

May those whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the oil spill find dignified ways to provide for their families.

For those with power in business and government: may they humbly place their power at the service of the common good.

That all who feel powerless may experience through the compassion of others that the Lord hears the cry of the poor and is close to the broken-hearted.

For the health and safety of those directly involved in oil spill recovery efforts: may God grant them success.

May those aware of negligence or injustice in the management of natural resources have the courage to proclaim the truth, and may we all accept responsible for our use of petroleum.

For those who struggle with addiction, including our nation’s addiction to lifestyles dependent on oil; in discovering new ways of living that care for creation, may we know the freedom of the children of God.

Source: Franciscan Action Network

A Prayer for Priests

Dear Lord,

We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words, "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5).

May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary's most chaste spouse.

May the Blessed Mother's own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us.

(Source:  http://www.catholicbishops.org/)

Saint John Vianney

Following are the Prayers after Low Mass which were prescribed by Pope Leo XIII who composed the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, and were reinforced by Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII to pray for the conversion of Russia. These prayers were in effect until after Vatican II. A decade later Paul VI said, "satan has entered the sanctuary." Could the elimination of these powerful prayers with a ten year indulgence have played a huge part in allowing the devil such easy access? The answer is obvious. Below the normal Leonine Prayers is the longer version of the Prayer to St. Michael, composed by His Excellency Pope Leo XIII to defend against The Great Apostasy.

THE LEONINE PRAYERS

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (3 times)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee to we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us.

 To Download Prayers in PDF Document
Click St. Michael's Image

Days for Franciscans to Remember

Noon August 1 - Midnight August 2nd The Portiuncular Indulgence
August 2 - The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels
August 2 - August 10 Novena to St. Clare 
August 11 - The Feast of St. Clare
August 14 - The Feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe
August 15 - The Assumption
August 15 - September 29 The Lent of St. Michael
September 8 - The Feast of the birthday of Our Lady
September 14 - The Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
September 14, 1224 St. Francis receives the Stigmata
September 17 - Feast of the Stigmata of Our Holy Father Francis
September 22 - Queenship of Mary
September 29 - The Feast of the Archangels
October 2 - The Feast of the Angels
October 3 - The Transitus
October 4 - The Feast of St. Francis

Portiuncular Indulgence

Saint Francis obtained for us the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi or the Portiuncular Indulgence, as it is also called. The date of the Portiuncular Indulgence is from vespers on the first of August until sundown on the second of August, which is the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels. Some say that Saint Francis was given the date by Our Lord because the Feast of the Chains of St. Peter, which is celebrated on August 1st, is the day Peter was released from prison and his chains were removed. The Portiuncular Indulgence removes the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.

The conditions to obtain the Indulgence are:
1.  Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight day before or after)
2.  Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist
3.  Recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and a prayer for the Pope’s Intention.

The Portiuncula Indulgence is a grace not to miss, for yourself and for the souls in purgatory. Mark your calendar. For more information, click here.