Eight Reasons Why I Love the Miraculous Medal Shrine:

1. The Prayer Petition Papers

The first time I went to this shrine I was 15 years old.  I often felt lonely and unpopular.  I watched my peers have crushes on boys and those boys “liking them back” – while I faced repeated rejection.  For some fifteen year olds, this is no big deal.  For me, it hurt – a lot.  I often prayed that I would have a boyfriend.  When we walked into this shrine I saw something I had never seen at a church before – petition papers.  On this paper, many common requests are listed.  Two of the requests written were: “Catholic boyfriend” and “Catholic girlfriend”.  This made me feel like what I desired was not “bad” or should not be asked for in prayer.  I felt so much relief that I could check off that box and leave that petition in the Church.  I love writing my prayers because they feel more real to me.  I still love to go back, check off boxes and add intentions and names to these papers.

2. The Schedule on Mondays

Whenever I visit the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, it is usually a Monday.  I make it a point to go there on Mondays because I know that whatever time I arrive, there will be a novena, a sermon, an opportunity to go to confession, Eucharistic Adoration and a chance to pray in a holy environment within the hour.  I have to admit, I love that convenience.  Oh, and after visiting this shrine for more than 20 years, I learned on my last visit there is free lunch after the 12:00 Mass!

3. There are always testimonies of hope 

Each hour, before the Novena officially begins, a priest stands on the alter and reads some of the notes of thanks people have returned to write.  Many people come to the shrine to pray for healing, employment, freedom from addiction, fertility, safe delivery of a baby and so on.  When these prayers are answered, they return and write a thank you note to Mary and Our Lord on the back of the petition papers previously mentioned.  The priest selects some of them to read.  It gives great hope to all those who are listening.  Yes, Mary is praying for us and the Lord is granting our requests!

4. There are so many places to kneel, pray and meditate

The upper church has several places you can kneel an light a candle with a loved one.  Each area has stunning Marian art that tells a story of faith.  One place, to the left of the tabernacle, holds a piece of the chair that Our Blessed Mother sat on when she spoke to Saint Catharine Laboure.  It is the only place in the United States that claims to have an object that Our Lady once touched!  There is a replica of the chair encased in glass and a stature that depicts how Saint Catherine and Our Lady conversed.  There are several other areas that are in the upper Church that really help one invoke a state of prayer. Downstairs there is a chapel that is adorned with so much beauty.  Here are a few pictures:

5. The People 

I love the people that pray there and the people that work there!  When I went last week, I met up with my friend and her one year old daughter. My friend, Maria, wanted to go to Confession.  One of the workers watched her daughter while she went to receive the Sacrament!  I was mesmerized by a group of nuns sitting in the front pew during the 12:00 Mass.  I loved their habits, and definitely knew I had never seen them before. I couldn’t help but notice how young they looked.  After Mass I waited to speak with them (I wasn’t the only one interested).  Turns out their order is called the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara.  Mother Incarnation gave me her phone number and told me to come visit them!  I am totally going to take her up on that offer! Curious about the habit?  Check out the Facebook Page set up by some of their moms!  And you know the employers there are cool when they make and set up this sign:

6. Blessing of Religious Articles

After each novena a priest announces that if anyone has a Miraculous Medal, or any religious article he or she desires to be blessed,  to bring them up to the alter.  You can bring an article from your home, purchase one in the gift shop or even receive a Miraculous Medal for free from the Association: click here to request a free Miraculous Medal!

7. The Art and Architecture

The beauty of the building, the magnificence of it’s architecture and the artwork in it alone make this place worth the visit.  The Church was built cruciform in shape and in the Romanesque style. The side archways are modeled after those of the Hagia Sophia (Church of St. Sophia) in Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey.  In addition to the impressive Church, there is an entire Marian and Religious art museum across the street!

8. It is a Designated Holy Door Site for the Jubilee Year of Mercy

The Miraculous Medal Shrine was granted this privilege, along with all the Shrines in the Philadelphia area, in order to make this extraordinary gift of God’s mercy available to more people.

“I AM THE DOOR.
BY ME, IF ANY MAN ENTER IN,
HE SHALL BE SAVED;
AND HE SHALL GO IN, AND GO OUT,
AND SHALL FIND PASTURES.”
(JOHN 10:9)

This is only one of the places I am visiting and bringing YOUR intentions!  If you would like to see where else I am going or send me intentions, check out Summer Shrine Schedule 2016 and comment under this article your intentions!

The post Eight Reasons Why I Love the The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Dear Brave Soul Standing Outside Planned Parenthood,

When you stand outside Planned Parenthood:

You are judged.

You are judged by people who feel very strongly that abortion should be legal – and legal with no restrictions.

You are judged by people who rarely think about abortion.

You are judged by people who think abortion is bad, but Planned Parenthood provides other services besides abortion.

You are also judged by Pro-Lifers who feel strongly against abortion; but have never stood outside a clinic to hold a sign or pray.

You are even judged by the person that is also standing outside Planned Parenthood, but not doing it the same way you are.

So, since you are judged by so many, yet you choose to stand there for a cause that many people avoid discussing – you are certainly brave.

Well brave one – I am going to challenge you to put your thick skin on, because this message isn’t going to be a “let me just congratulate you” post.

I am going to ask that however you stand there,  whether it is with a rosary, a sign or just a quiet presence; whether you sidewalk counsel or silently make a statement . . . I am calling you to  “add more Mercy”.

I ask that you consider . . .

• Not holding a sign of a bloody baby.  I know someone said, “until America sees abortion; they will not reject it”.  BUT, the women showing up for their appointment need to see other signs.  They need to see a sign saying, “we can offer help” and perhaps state one way you can help.  If you can’t offer help, hold up a sign that says, “Unplanned Pregnancy? We want to adopt . . . look us up on Facebook“.  That way, even if they go in, maybe they will look on their phone while they are there and start to see other options.  Make your sign show there are other options! Also, consider holding a sign that says, “WE CAN GET YOU ANOTHER JOB!”  I mean, lots of people hate their jobs!  I’m sure abortion workers do too!

• Going to Mass and Confession or Chapel beforehand.  Pray for the workers, pray for the patients, pray that you only show God’s mercy and love while you are present there.
• Leave the judgements at home. Maybe you don’t need to hear this, however . . . if you are standing next to someone who is yelling at people walking into the building – call them on it.  Tell them to stop, tell them that is not helping.  In some way, ask them to “add more mercy”.
• Invite someone to come with you. You never know who may say yes.

• Ask your guardian angel for help. Padre Pio used to tell people to “send your guardian angel” to him if they could not physically get to him.  Saint Bernadette once said “When you pass before a chapel, and do not have time to stop . . . tell your Guardian Angel to carry out your errand to Our Lord in the tabernacle.”  And Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote, “[T]he swiftness of the angel’s movement is not measured by the quantity of his power, but according to the determination of his will (Summa Theologica, I, 53, 3, ad 1)”.  You can ask your Guardian Angel to help someone – ask your angel to help the woman change her mind.  What have you got to lose?

• Pray the Spiritual Adoption Prayer daily. This prayer is extremely powerful and does save lives.  I feel like God wants me to tell you that.  If you haven’t already, I urge you to read the experience my husband, son and I had with this prayer God Hears Us: A Spiritual Adoption Miracle {Free Printable}
• Talk to the Dads (if you can). Who knows, maybe they are there because they really feel they can’t afford to buy more diapers – tell them where they can get free diapers, formula and so much more.  Most people have no idea all the help crisis pregnancy centers provide.  Share that information – share it whenever you can to whoever will listen! If you are wondering what resources are out there, here is a start.Dear Beautiful Woman Considering an Abortion You probably know more than me – please feel free to add links in the comment section!

• Continue to offer HOPE, and peace. The women going in there for abortion appointments don’t feel hopeful.  Ask God to help you show these women that there is hope.  And when someone gives you the finger – because I noticed that does happen, just say a prayer for them. Don’t give up.  Lives are saved by people like you.  I hope one day you get to experience that (if you haven’t already)!

P.S. Thank you

<3 Amy

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“For me I have longed believed that our responsibility as Christ followers is to live out the fruits of the Holy Spirit: to be peacemakers . . . to demonstrate kindness . . . to offer grace where it’s not deserved; to love others  . . .” Steve Mayer

Steve Mayer was the Superintendent of  Robbinsville School District in New Jersey. Steve was killed last week after being struck by a car while jogging.

But Steve was not just a Superintendent.  Steve was a husband, a father, a caring friend and a faithful Christian. He was a close friend and mentor of my brother.  He was a father-figure and extremely close friend to my sister-in-law. He was loved so much.  He was one of those men that when you met him, you could feel his connection to the Lord.  His smile was so genuine, his demeanor so sincere, his way was so Christlike that it gave you a glimpse of how the Lord looks at all of us.

Steve Mayer lived a life that shows how much prayer can bring true joy and happiness. When he was alive, he prayed constantly – alone and with others.  Now that he is gone, we pray for him. We pray for his soul.  We pray for his family and friends.  We also pray for the driver that struck him and for her family.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  Matthew 24:36

In today’s world we hear so much about “self-care”.  We are bombarded with ads, articles and commercials about what we should eat and how we should care for our physical health.

We are inundated with advice on how to deal with stress and other mental health issues.

When I think of what we hear about our spiritual health and the care of one’s soul . . . I hear crickets chirping.

Whether you are agnostic, atheist, “spiritual”, a Catholic Christian, a non-Denominational Christian, a Christian of any denomination, a Muslim, a Jew, a Buddhist or a Sikh – you have a soul and it needs to be nourished!

No one argues the existence of Jesus.  He died on the cross.  He did this because He loved the world.

He died on the cross because He loved you.  He still loves you.

When someone loves you, you talk to him or her.

Talk to Jesus.  Tell Him you are angry.  Tell Him you are confused.  Tell Him you are so happy and grateful.  Whatever it is – tell Him!  Believe He is listening!

Watch your heart change.  Watch your perception of the world change.  Embrace that change and find peace in it.

I hate writing like I know something.  Because if you know me personally – I’m not the brightest crayon in the box.  I’m okay with that.  But I want you to feel the love of Christ. It’s an incredibly happy feeling.  I want you to be happy.  How amazing would this world be if we encountered more happy people?

Pray for the living and the dead is the last “Work of Mercy” I have left to write about.

Pray for the people in your life.  Pray for those you like and don’t like.  Pray for your enemies. Pray for your family.

Pray for those you are worried about.  What do you have to lose by doing this?

If you miss someone who has passed away, pray for his or her soul.  Here is a great prayer for those who are deceased.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.

Amen.

As Catholics, we believe that Our Lord told Saint Gertrude that the following prayer would release 1000 souls from purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extended to include living sinners as well.

“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”

I love these two prayers because, honestly, they are short.  Many of us lead very busy lives. Prayer doesn’t have to interrupt your life.  Prayer is meant to make life more meaningful.

In the words of Padre Pio:

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry”

What an amazing mantra.

Let’s live it!

If you enjoyed reading about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, here is an awesome resource (this is an affiliate link):

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: Pastoral Resources for Living the Jubilee (Jubilee Year of Mercy)

More about prayer:

When There is No Time for Prayer

God Hears Us: A Spiritual Adoption Miracle {Free Printable}

More about the Works of Mercy:

Mocha, Mercy and Mondays

Mocha, Mercy, and Mondays – Clothe the Naked

Mocha and Mercy : Visit the Imprisoned

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I think of an attorney giving legal advice. But more often, I think of giving advice.

But, before I write about a Work of Mercy, I read a little about it first. I prepared to write this post about Counseling the Doubtful on Divine Mercy Sunday. I came across a brief summary on the Spiritual Works of Mercy at The Divine Mercy website.  I thought, “Perfect.  There are no coincidences – let me read what this article has to offer.”

The article stressed the importance of listening. 

Yep, that’s the Holy Spirit talking to me for sure.  I talk – a lot.  I don’t listen enough.

I love the counsel this article gives.  In order to give counsel to others, we must first be in tune with the Holy Spirit.  We must take time to listen to His voice.  We must nourish our soul and our relationship with the Lord.  I am reminded of the Scripture passage:

Psalm 46:10

Be Still, and know that I am God . . .

Before we can “Counsel the Doubtful” we must be counseled ourselves.  As theDivineMercy.org article states: first we must listen and reflect in prayer; then we must discuss our prayer life with a Spiritual Director.

How many of us have a Spiritual Director? I don’t.  Although I have been thinking a lot lately about how nice it would be to have one.  Maybe this is the Lord pushing me to go on the search.  He does say “Seek and you shall find” right?

I love how much the author,Dr. Robert Stackpole, stresses listening.

Listen to the person who is in doubt.

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Listen to your Spiritual Director.

Then, after you have listened to those three, pray some more.  Then we may be ready to give good counsel.

Isn’t this such great advice?  Stackpole is reminding us of Matthew 7:5:

Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.

I notice that Matthew doesn’t instruct us not to take the splinter out of our brother’s eye – but he certainly stresses to look at ourselves first.

Stackpole explains how we must look at ourselves.  That we must take our introspection seriously.  We must take time to examine our actions, our thoughts and our goals.  We must take time to listen.  More time must be spent listening than giving counsel.

In an effort to listen more – I am going to attempt taking the “Heroic Minute” Challenge.

Two Catholic Bloggers Debbie Gancila Gaudino at Saints365 and Allision Gringras over at Reconciled To You will be beginning the 14 Day Heroic Minute Challenge on Monday April 4 – based on St. Josemarie Escriva’s concept of the Heroic Minute. I figured I would share this with you incase you also want to take the challenge!  It’s about starting the day early and starting the day listening and talking to God!  

Perhaps if I start with this “heroic minute” I will take more time to listen to the Lord throughout the day.  Then perhaps someday I will be able to give good counsel to the doubtful. Until then . .

What is the best counsel you have been given in times of doubt?

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