A Prayer to Pope John Paul II

O Blessed John Paul II, successor of Peter and servant of Jesus. While on earth you experienced pain and suffering from your youthful days up to the last moment of your life. You untiringly cared for the sick, the aged, the poor and the abandoned. Help us through your intercession to comfort us in times of great pain and loss, of trials and difficulties and especially when our body weakens because of illness. Pray for us to God to grant our petition/s (mention your needs). We know that you never fail to help those who come to you full of hope and with deep faith in God's loving mercy, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Our Father ....
Hail Mary ...
Glory be ...
Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.
Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.
Blessed John Paul II, pray for us.

Imprimatur:
(signed)

Most Rev. Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS,D.D.
Bishop of Cabanatuan

Novena to the Holy Spirit

FOREWORD
The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.


ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees I before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.


PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit on Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.


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The Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension, Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, even if the Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday.


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FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension or Friday of 6th Week of Easter)

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Spirit

Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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SECOND DAY (Saturday of 6th Week of Easter)

Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear

The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

Prayer

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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THIRD DAY (7th Sunday of Easter or transferred Ascension)

Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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FOURTH DAY (Monday, 7th Week of Easter)

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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FIFTH DAY (Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter)

Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge

The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it."

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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SIXTH DAY (Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter)

If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn'd to ill.

The Gift of Understanding

Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion BY faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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SEVENTH DAY (Thursday, 7th Week of Easter)

Heal our wounds--our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Gift of Counsel

The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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EIGHTH DAY (Friday, 7th Week of Easter)

Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts


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NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost)

Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE. Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

I Sing Praises To Your Name O Lord

We raise our hands in Your Holy name o God, and bless You for Thy faithfulness. You are so great that You welcomed us unto Your bosom. Nothing can surpass the love you offered unto us o Lord. You filled us with such joy. Purify us Lord, make us ready to see You face to face when we leave this earth. Cleanse our souls and break the power of sinfulness. Break the power of lust, break the power of envy, break the power of fear, break the power sickness, break the power of anger, break the power of pride and selfishness, of gluttony and unforgiveness, block and break the spirit of negativity o Lord.
As we sing o God, fill us up with Your presence, come o Lord come as we sing our praises in Your holy name.





I SING PRAISES
TERRY MACALMOND
© 1989 INTEGRITY’S HOSANNA! Music
CCLI NO. 689217

I SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME, O LORD
PRAISES TO YOUR NAME, O LORD
FOR YOUR NAME IS GREAT
AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED
I SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME O LORD
PRAISES TO YOUR NAME, O LORD
FOR YOUR NAME IS GREAT
AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED.

(REPEAT)


I BRING GLORY . . . . . .

Thanks and Please Lord...

You have heard and answered my prayers dear God. To You I bow my head and bend my knees as I glorify Your name. You have answered my prayers positively and once more I knock unto Your Holiness. I need not to mention her name Father for even before I say it, You already know. Grant unto me always Father God to always be focused upon You.
Glory be unto Your name, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and all the Glory are Yours now and forever. Amen.

Shared Prayers

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
And to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are
A forgiving God and
An understanding God.

You have done so much for me
And You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
That was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe
From all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day
With a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
To clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind
That I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper
Over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response
When I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
A blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have
Words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
And can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged
And misunderstood.
I pray for those who
Don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that do not know how to pray
To those who do not know how to share their blessings
I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe
That God changes people and
God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
In their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
In their homes; that they are out of debt
And all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this
Knows there is no problem, circumstance,
Or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received
Into the hearts of every eye that sees it
In Jesus' name. Amen!

Thank You For This Day

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,

I thank You for my being able to see

and to hear this morning .

I'm blessed because You are

a forgiving God and

an understanding God . .

You have done so much for me

and You keep on blessing me ..

Forgive me this day for everything

I have done, said or thought

that was not pleasing to you .

I ask now for Your forgiveness .

Please keep me safe

from all danger and harm .

Help me to start this day

with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude .

Let me make the best of each and every day

to clear my mind so that I can hear from You .

Please broaden my mind

that I can accept all things .

Let me not whine and whimper

over things I have no control over .

And give me the best response

when I'm pushed beyond my limits .

I know that when I can't pray,

You listen to my heart .

Continue to use me to do Your will .

Continue to bless me that I may be

a blessing to others .

Keep me strong that I may help the weak . . .

Keep me uplifted that I may have

words of encouragement for others .

I pray for those that are lost

and can't find their way .

I pray for those that are misjudged

and misunderstood .

I pray for those who

don't know You intimately .

I pray for those that will be sharing this prayer

to others especially to those who do not believe in You.

I pray for those that don't believe .

But I thank You that I believe

that God changes people and

God changes things .

I pray for all my sisters and brothers .

For each and every family member

in their households .

I pray for peace, love and joy

in their homes; that they are out of debt

and all their needs are met .

I pray that every eye that reads this

knows there is no problem, circumstance,

or situation greater than God .

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight .


I pray that these words be received

into the hearts of every eye that sees it

in Jesus' name . Amen!

Be a channel for God's Blessings, Not a Reservoir.

Be a channel for God's blessings, not a reservoir.
Have you ever wondered why God may not be blessing you as much as you think he should? It could be because you've become a reservoir for God's blessings, rather than a channel.

If you're simply accumulating more and more rather than giving what has been given to you, then God probably won't bless you. However, if you give away the things that God gives you, then you become a channel through which his blessings flow. He blesses you so that you can bless others.

That's exactly what God promised to Abram: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). God promised to bless Abram so that he could be a blessing to others.

If you use what you have to bless others, then God will probably bless you with more (so that you can bless others even more). The Bible describes that principle using language of sowing and reaping: you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-8).

Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

These verses are a direct promise from God: If you will sow abundantly with a good (cheerful) attitude, then God will bless you. Why? So that you can bless others. Being a channel for God's blessings means passing them on to others.

This principle of sowing and reaping works in all areas of our life--not just money. You can bless others in ways that don't necessarily require money.

Decide to sow seeds of blessing aggressively, and you'll discover that God will provide a great abundance for you simply because you're a channel not a reservoir.

Cr.: Weekly Wisdom

"Oratic Imperata"

'Oratio Imperata'

The "Oratio Imperata For Deliverance From Calamities":

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

"We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

"We have not been good stewards of Nature.

"We have confused Your command to subdue the Earth.

"The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

"Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption,and other natural calamities occur in increasing number andintensity.

"We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

"We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

"We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.

"Amen."

This Lenten ...

SPIRITUAL WARFARE PRAYER
I PRAISE YOU, FATHER! YOU ARE A MIGHTY GOD! GREAT, POWERFUL, SOVEREIGN LORD! I PRAISE YOU, JESUS! SAVIOR! BLESSED REDEEMER! KING OF KINGS! LORD OF LORDS! MY ROCK AND FORTRESS! DELIVERER! HEALER! I WELCOME YOU, HOLY SPIRIT! COMFORTER! DELIVERER! TEACHER! HEAVENLY FATHER, FORGIVE ME FOR MY SINS. I CONSECRATE MYSELF TO YOU. YOUR KINGDOM COME! YOUR WILL BE DONE! THANK YOU, LORD JESUS FOR BEING MY WISDOM, MY JUSTICE, MY SANCTIFICATION, AND MY REDEMPTION. HOLY SPIRIT, I YIELD MYSELF TO YOU. I DESIRE TO DIE TO MYSELF AND TO MOVE IN YOUR ANNOINTING. (Visualize yourself and your loved ones at the foot of the cross, covered with the blood of Jesus). FATHER, I ASK YOU TO COVER ME AND MY LOVED ONES WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS. BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED. SANCTIFIED, AND DELIVERED FROM EVIL. YOUR WORD SAYS THAT IN CHRIST JESUS, I AM IN A POSITION OF POWER AND AUTHORITY. IN ALL THINGS, I CONQUER OVERWHELMINGLY THROUGH CHRIST. I AM YOUR CHILD AND HEIR, AND THE WEAPONS I POSSESS ARE ENORMOUSLY POWERFUL, CAPABLE OF DESTROYING FORTRESSES. I PLACE UPON MYSELF THE HELMET OF SALVATION TO PROTECT ME, BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT; THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO OVERCOME THE EVIL THOUGHTS AND ACCUSATIONS OF THE ENEMY; THE BELT OF TRUTH TO COUNTER THE LIES AND ERRORS OF THE ENEMY....

My sincerest appreciation to the writer of this prayer...

Where to call...Check the Directory

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These are more effective than 911
When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH...

A Visit to Petra

Petra is indeed an adventure. Travelled south to the Wadi Musa where you can enjoy a horse/donkey cart ride through the rose colored canyon to Petra, a city dating back 300B.C. A city which was literally cut into the cliff sides. Enjoyed the tour of various temples, the Amphitheater, the Monastery, the Streets of Columns and the Treasury...and of course a sumptous dinner after the tiring walks and rides.

Jerusalum, Bethany and Bethlehem

Glimpsed the city Jesus knew when you view the model of First Century Jerusalem. In Bethlehem, we explored the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born. The church, which has been constructed on the site, is the world's old functioning church. Standing atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoyed a remarkable view of the "Golden City" of Jerusalem including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Visited the Garden of Getshemane where Jesus prayed for God's will to be done. Visited the Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster Monastery and the Church of Dominus Flevit. Also travelled to Bethany, where Jesus raised Lazarus and to Ein Karem where Mary visited Elizabeth.

To Qumran, Jericho, Dead Sea and Jerusalem

Travelled to Qumran, Jericho and the Dead Sea - In Jericho, we visited the ruins of ancient city which was conquered by Joshua. We continued to the Dead Sea where we had a quick deep in the salt and mineral laden waters. Accordingly, water here is about six times saltier than our regular table salt. Amazingly, you need not be a swimmer for you can just float freely. Making sure that no sea water gets into your eyes, for it stings so badly. Good thing Father Angelo was there with us always ready to pour clear water to rinse your affected eye/s. Everyone was busy at the water, no one was available to take pictures, as we all wanted to take a good dip at the water.

Visit to the Holy Land

Let's Jump to Cairo and the Pyramids

Touched the earliest history of Egypt as we visited the ancient capital of Memphis (not the Tennessee). The original form of pyramid is the Step Pyramid which can be seen at Sakkara. It's an amazing and owerwhelming experience to visit the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx, the colossal monuments to the former power of Egypt.

Mount Sinai - 11th Day

A climbed atop Mount Sinai that early one o'clock morning was really an experience. Assisted by a guide while riding a camel 2/3 of the height as we ascent to the summit for a spectacular view of Southern Sinai. Mt. Sinai is believed to be the location where the children of Israel received the law. We had the view of Byzantine Chapel and a Moslem Mosque at the summit before descending. A chance to visit the famous St. Catherine's Monastery, built in the sixth century to protect what was believed to be the Burning Bush to St. Catherine's when Egyptian martyr's body was found nearby. Renowned for the unique collection of precious art objects, and the library with its collection of old manuscripts.

Highlights of Our Pilgrimage

Hello! Please allow me to share with you some highlights of our pilgrimage.

I had a wonderful time in this trip. Seeing those places where we only read about in the bible and in books, and knowing that the incidents actually happened there many thousands of years ago, really gave us goose bumps. Our tour guide was really great – a Filipino Franciscan Priest, who has been there for 20 years (speaks Hebrew, Arabic, Italian, German & French). Under his guidance, I came out of there knowledgeable, holy, and enlightened. We crossed the Sea of Galilee and arrived at Capernaum, traveled to Mount of Beatitudes and Cana and Nazareth. We had masses and prayers said in some of the sites, like the Nativity, where Jesus was born (the cave where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were). We had the Via Cruzes (Stations of the Cross), where Jesus was actually flogged, crowned with thorns, fallen three times, crucified, and died on the cross. We also traced the flight from Bethlehem to Egypt by the Holy Family because the babies where being killed by Herod’s soldiers. We went from Israel, Jordan, and then Egypt. It took the Holy Family three and a half years to get to Egypt. The travel was desert and barren. We were thinking they must have lived with the Bedouins, (Muslim nomads). We had visited a tent, on our own, one night, while in Egypt. We were also offered their herbal tea, brewed in a pitfire. They sang and danced and we danced with them. We had a special bonding with their family, who treated us like a their own real family. All those for free. One of the brothers said, next time you come with your family and I will tour you, promise, you will not spend one fourth of what you spent now. They said we were their brothers because Moslems, Christians, and Jews came out of the same father, Abraham. This is true. Abraham had a son with Sara; his name was Isaac, and another son with his slave, Hagar. The son’s name with Hagar was Ishmael. This is written in the Bible. We visited the place where the Holy Family stayed in Egypt. In Jordan, we saw ruins of a Roman Empire. The ruins date back 3,350 years B.C. We also went to the Egyptian Museum, saw tombs, work of arts, jewelry, statues, dating back 3,350 years B.C. We saw Ramses II statues – huge. Amazing how great the civilization was already at that time. So precise; amazing indeed! We also visited the pyramids. Anyone who have the opportune time would enjoy this portion of the trip (Egypt) plus some of the beautiful scenery from Israel, Jordan, to Egypt. We had so many holy sites visited, even Mary’s sepulcher, it will be hard to write all of them here. Nazareth, Bethlehem, Getshemmane, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, Mt. Sinai, Jordan River, the nile valley of Egypt and more. Places that I only heard, saw on t.v. read on books and stories I heard from the elders. Who would not be amazed.
Try, and am sure you can talk more about these places than I could.

Collected from emailBox

Subject: Fwd: Psalm 55:22

Psalm 55:22 --- you really need to read this.
'Friends are God's way of taking care of us.'
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:
I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5,
stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to
choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast,
cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be
blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait
for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I
could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the
'quickie mart ' building, and it looked like she
slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out
to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome
by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young
woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes.
She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it
up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the
crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff
with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump
reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she
just kept saying don't want my kids to see me
crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from
her car. She said she was driving to California and that
things were very hard for her right now. So I asked,
'And you were praying' That made her back a away
from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person
and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on
the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while
it was fuelling, walked next door to McDonald's and
bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more,
and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in
the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the
pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City
Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able
to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to
pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally
called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5
years. They lived in California and said she could come live
with them and try to get on her fee t there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told
the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but
not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer
with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my
car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or
something?' This definitely made me cry. I said,
'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really
busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's
miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my
car it started right away and got me home with no problem.
I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I
suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can
hear? the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the
Lord, and He
shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to
be moved.'


My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God
to bless,
especially for the months in 2008, and I picked you.?

Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed and
a copy back to me.




Here is the prayer:


Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren,
friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right
now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power.
Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this
very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and
mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed
confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious
name. Amen.'

I know I picked more than four -- you can, too. When Satan
is knocking at your door, simply say, 'Jesus, could You please get that for me….

The 10 Commandments of God

God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai to serve as principles of moral behavior for the human race. The Ten Commandments of God are the foundation of the moral code and legal system of justice for Western Christian civilization.

The architecture of the U. S. Supreme Court building reflects this biblical foundation. At the center of the sculpture over the east portico of the Supreme Court Building, there is the image of Moses holding the two tablets of the Ten Commandments; these are also engraved over the chair of the Chief Justice and on the bronze doors of the Supreme Court.

The Decalogue is recorded both in the Books of Exodus (20:1-17) and Deuteronomy (5:6-21), two of the five Books of Moses (also known as the Torah, Law, or Pentateuch). The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on two tablets of stone on Mount Sinai.

This page first presents the Ten Commandments in the English translation of the passage from Deuteronomy. The phrases in red comprise the Ten Commandments. There are twelve phrases in red, as the major religions of the West adopted different phrases of the first paragraph, accounting for the variation in numbering of the Ten Commandments for Judaism, Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants.

A Comparative Table follows. The first column are the Ten Commandments in Judaism, which are presented in Hebrew in the image that follows. The second column are the Ten Commandments in the order given by Augustine of Hippo, and the third column that of Origen of Alexandria. While there is considerable variation, Roman Catholics and Lutherans follow the order given by Augustine, whereas Eastern Catholics, Orthodox, and other Protestants follow the order given by Origen.

We know there are Ten Commandments, because the Bible tells us so in Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 10:4, and the following passage:


"He proclaimed to you his covenant, which he commanded you to keep:
the Ten Commandments, which he wrote on two tablets of stone."
Deuteronomy 4:13







THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD



I am the Lord thy God ,
who have brought thee out of the land of Egypt (Mizrahim), out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt not have any other gods besides me
Thou shalt not make for thyself any graven image
(carved idol) or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, punishing the iniquities of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those that hate me; but showing mercy to thousands of generations of those that love me, and keep my commandments.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ;
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.

Remember to keep holy the sabbath day ;
six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath, that is, the rest of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not do any work therein, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy ox, nor thy ass, nor any of thy beasts, nor the stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest, even as thyself. Remember that thou also didst serve in Egypt, and the Lord thy God brought thee out from thence with a strong hand, and a stretched out arm. Therefore hath he commanded thee that thou shouldst observe the sabbath day.

Honour thy father and mother
that thy days be long in the land which the Lord gives thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's (goods)
house or fields, nor his male or female slaves, nor his ox or ass, or anything that belongs to him.


Deuteronomy 5:6-21




THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
JUDAISM* AUGUSTINE ORIGEN
1 I am the Lord thy God. I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt not have any strange gods before me. I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt not have other gods besides me.
2 Thou shalt have no other gods besides me. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Thou shalt not make for thyself any graven image.
3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4 Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Honor thy Father and Mother. Remember the Lord's Day to keep it holy.
5 Honor thy Father and Mother. Thou shalt not kill. Honor thy Father and Mother.
6 Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill.
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8 Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not steal.
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10 Thou shalt not covet. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. Thou shalt not covet.

GO AND PRAY IT, EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE...

IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE.
You never know when God is going to bless you!

Good things happen when you least expect them to .

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day.

I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.

You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me..

FATHER, forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude..

Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.

I pray for those who don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others.

I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.

For each and every family member in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.

God, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please.

And thank You God for the person who wrote this prayer, that we may be able to share to many, for when we are lost, we forget. And for the person who is reading or copying this prayer,know that you are already blessed by the person who sent this to you.