Guide to the Rosary

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles Creed”.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

2. Say the “Our Father”.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

3. Say Three “Hail Marys”

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among 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.

4. Say one “Glory Be”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

5. Announce the First Mystery; then say the “Our Father”.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

6. Say 10 “Hail Marys”.

7. Say 1 “Glory Be” Then Announce the Second Mystery and say an “Our Father”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

After the Rosary:

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do 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 our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O GOD, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

*The Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima requested that we say the following prayer after each decade: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.”

Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

Monday and Saturday

1. The Annunciation
   Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
2. The Visitation
   Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
3. The Nativity
   Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
4. The Presentation
   Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
   Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Luminous Mysteries

Thursday

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
   God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
   At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
   Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.
4. The Transfiguration of Jesus
   Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
   Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Tuesday and Friday

1. The Agony in the Garden
   Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
   Jesus is lashed with whips.
3. The Crowning With Thorns
   Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
4. The Carrying of the Cross
   Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him.
5. The Crucifixion
   Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.

The Glorious Mysteries

Wednesday and Sunday

1. The Resurrection
   God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.
2. The Ascension
   Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.
3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit
   The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples.
4. The Assumption of Mary
   At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
5. The Coronation of Mary
   Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF AUGUST 25, 2010

“Dear children! With great joy, also today, I desire to call you anew: pray, pray, pray. May this time be a time of personal prayer for you. During the day, find a place where you will pray joyfully in a recollected way. I love you and bless you all. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Message to Mirjana August 2, 2010

“Dear children! Today I call you, together with me, to begin to build the Kingdom of Heaven in your hearts; that you may forget that what is personal and – led by the example of my Son – think of what is of God. What does He desire of you? Do not permit Satan to open the paths of earthly happiness, the paths without my Son. My children, they are false and last a short while. My Son exists. I offer you eternal happiness and peace and unity with my Son, with God; I offer you the Kingdom of God. Thank you.”

Preparing to Meet the Lord

A. Pray, Pray, Pray.

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day the Lord will come.” (Mt 24:42) Such is the Gospel warning of August 26. On August 27 we have: “Lord, Lord open the door for us. Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” (Mt 25:1f) Our Lady seems to be giving a commentary on these two Gospels.

1. Who is calling? Certainly Our Lady, who seems to be the special ambassador of God in our age. Ivan said once that in the first eight years of her apparitions most of the Messages came from Jesus. Heaven is calling us.

2. For Whom? Obviously each one of us, but everyone on earth. The theme of Ivan’s talk in Kurtland, Ohio on May 5, 2010 was that we are living in the darkest hour of the whole history of mankind.

3. Why? Our Lady has said that the world has drifted away from God into a practical atheism in which they think they can get along without God. As a result, she says, the world is heading for its own destruction. She wants to save the world and put it back on track through prayer.

B. Personal Prayer.

1. What is Prayer? Let us turn to the master of prayer, St. Teresa of Avila. “In my opinion, prayer is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends and taking time frequently to be alone with the One we know loves us so much.” She goes on to say that Christians pray differently than other people for two reasons: 1) they know that Jesus is always present no matter what and He is always watching us closely, especially the movements of our heart; and 2) that Jesus always loves us unconditionally wherever we are.

2. What is Personal Prayer? Personal prayer is an intimate conversation between two people who enjoy each other’s company. Each one shares spontaneously what is in his/her heart, so that for each there is a time for speaking and a time for listening to the other.

3. Why? When we pray in a group, we can let the group carry us and not put our heart into what we are praying or there is the temptation to let our mind wander all over the place. In personal prayer I am in front of another person who is watching me closely. I am more apt to speak very sincerely and say what is exactly in my heart.

C. Putting the Message into Practice.

1. Find a Time and Place. Our Lady calls us to decide on specifics. We have to go through our schedule and choose. If we are threatened by the request, we can start with a 1-minute meeting. After a few days that will give us the strength for a 2-minute meeting, and so we can build up to 15 minutes.

2. What to Say? In Mirjana’s Message of August 2 above, Our Lady indicates that the very best question is: “What do you want of me? How can I please you?” God’s Will is that we fulfill our mission in life and Our Lady reminds us that we have a mission so great that we cannot comprehend it!

3. General Purpose. The experience of personal prayer leads us to live in the presence of Jesus and Mary always so that we will then Pray, Pray, Pray!

-Rev. Robert Hughes, S.M.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF JANUARY 25, 2010

“Dear children! May this time be a time of personal prayer for you, so that the seed of faith may grow in your hearts; and may it grow into a joyful witness to others. I am with you and I desire to inspire you all: grow and rejoice in the Lord Who has created you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

How to Converse with God

A. A Time of Personal Prayer.

1.What is Prayer?

a. St. Teresa of Avila: “Prayer is a loving conversation between two friends who know they love each other very much and who especially enjoy each other’s company in their private time together.”

b. Personal prayer is conversational prayer. Conversations are spontaneous, because the sharing springs from the heart naturally. That is why it is often said that prayer cannot be taught; it must be experienced or practiced. The more we converse, the more real and spontaneous our sharing becomes.

2. How to Pray? Jesus has given some excellent pointers on this to a mystic.

a. “Come with your heart in your hand,” Jesus says. That means come with:

1) Great desire. “Desire is another name for love.” – St. Augustine

2) Joy. “Express your joy in being with Me.”

3) Delight. “Delight in this opportunity to be with Me and speak with Me.”

b. “Open your heart to Me.”

1) “Tell Me what is exactly in your heart and on your mind.”

2) “Share with Me your joys and sorrows, problems and concerns; your life.”

3) “Tell Me what is happening in your life today.”

c. “Listen to Me; give Me a chance to speak.”

1) “To make some comments on what you have said.”

2) “Let Me say what is in My Heart.”

3) “I want to tell you then what I desire of you.”

3. Become More Child-like.

a. Jesus says to take on the heart of a child; children are so open and simple, so real and spontaneous in the way they speak.

b. Jesus said that is why I told you in the Gospel: “Unless you become like      little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

c. Jesus also said: “Little children confide spontaneously in the Lord. The child trusts in the Lord very naturally and so understands the truth, because they understand with love.”

B. So that the Seed of Faith May Grow in Your Hearts.

1.Faith is the soul of prayer, and faith is a gift. So Our Lord wants us to pray continually for this gift. Pray “Lord, increase our faith.” Faith puts us in contact with the real presence of God.

2. Love is the root and cause of faith. That is why faith pertains more to the heart than the mind. Unless our faith causes a spontaneous movement of the heart, a spark of love, there is no prayer. Our mind and heart can only raise themselves to God if God Himself draws them.

a. God raises our mind to Him by the light of faith;

b. God raises our heart by the spark, the ardor, the desire brought on by this light of knowledge touching the heart.

c. You believe that God is your Creator. That means that God loved you  from all eternity and created you that you might respond by loving Him  in return. Therefore, I thank God for this and I offer Him my love.

3. Effects.

a. You will be led to live in the presence of God more and more.

b. Continual conversation with God. Faith binds us to God in a continual communion. Our spirit merges with the Spirit of God, our hearts merge with the Sacred Heart and we share His sentiments.

c. We see things the way God sees them.

-Rev. Robert Hughes, S.M.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF MARCH 25, 2008

“Dear children! I call you to work on your personal conversion. You are still far from meeting with God in your heart. Therefore, spend all the more time in prayer and Adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, for Him to change you and to put into your hearts a living faith and a desire for eternal life. Everything is passing, little children, only God is not passing. I am with you and I encourage you with love. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Meeting with God in Your Heart

A. In Prayer.

1. Presence. Jesus said once: “I simply would like to be treated as a Person.” That would mean when we enter a Church or a Chapel we would reverently genuflect and say something appropriate and worthy because we have come into the presence of a Person and a Divine Being. This requires an act of Faith; otherwise, we would be genuflecting to a tabernacle.

a. Jesus is also enthroned in the center of our heart and soul through Baptism. Our Blessed Mother has asked us periodically to turn inward and adore the Divine Presence in our heart.

b. Jesus also said that He is at our right side walking with us through the journey of life as our Companion and Good Shepherd. How strange to be walking with our Best Friend without saying a word. In times of need, is He the last one we turn to? He is always ready with good advice.

c. Our Blessed Mother has asked us to fill our day with little prayers like: “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love you, save souls.” Jesus said that when we offer every little event of the day out of love, we turn our whole day into gold – something that will really surprise us in eternity.

2. Heart. Jesus said once: “I only want your heart.” Our Blessed Mother advises us to put more feeling into our prayer. St. Teresa of Avila said that prayer is always a matter of loving; when loving stops, prayer stops. Jesus said that to really encounter Me in prayer, three things are necessary:

a. Be Simple. A simple heart is a heart purified of all attachments to make visible our real self; it is a heart that is candid and open, straight-forward and unaffected, child-like, trusting, full of good will. Jesus told St. Faustina that her simple reporting of all the little events of the day was worth more to Him than all the ornate hymns composed in His honor. Simple souls engage in spontaneous and delightful conversation.

b. Approach Me. Jesus explained this as “coming to Me with your heart in your hand”, i.e., desire; looking forward eagerly to be with Me, greeting Me lovingly, delighting that you are talking to Me, speaking freely to Me about what is exactly in your heart, simply enjoying to be with Me.

c. Come Close. Jesus explained this as sharing: opening your heart and spontaneously spilling out all that is in it, appreciating all the while how eager I am to hear what is on your mind and in your heart. Jesus said: although I want to hear from you first, you must let Me share. I will respond to what you tell Me, I will give some advice, and then I will tell you what is really on My Heart. And so with such an exchange, our hearts have become one and there has been an encounter in prayer.

3. A Living Faith. A living Faith is a Faith informed by love, a practical Faith that is able to discern the presence of Jesus. John, in his Gospel, symbolized this when he said that the Beloved Disciple ran faster than Peter in their race to the tomb. John saw and believed; love provides the intuition of Faith. In this Easter season we share in the Mystery of the Resurrection through a life of Faith, Hope, and Love – three virtues that have their origin in God.

a. Mary Magdalene is a beautiful example of this. She could not live separated from Jesus, because of her love for Him. This same love helped her hear the voice of Jesus calling her name.

b. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus cared so much about Jesus that when He spoke their hearts burst into flame.

c. The beloved Disciple in the fishing boat on the Lake of Tiberius with six other disciples was able to discern the presence of Jesus through His love.

B. In Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

1. Our Blessed Mother has this to say:

“Dear Children! Today, I invite you to fall in love with the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Adore Him, little children, in your parishes and in this way you will be united with the entire world. Jesus will become your Friend and you will not talk of Him like Someone whom you barely know. Unity with Him will be a joy for you and you will become witnesses to the love of Jesus that He has for every creature. Little children, when you adore Jesus you are also close to me. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (Sept. 25, 1995)

2. In another venue, Our Blessed Mother says this:

a. “See Jesus in the splendor of His Glorious Body as He appeared to me after the Resurrection. He is all Light. Thank you for the joy you are giving to the Heart of Jesus, Who is smiling upon you with pleasure. He is transported with tenderness for you.”

b. “Jesus is present to teach you how to grow, to help you walk, to strengthen you, to give you courage, to be a support in all your sufferings.”

c. “Jesus takes your little heart and He opens it, He expands it, and He fills it with His love. Let your heart be completely immersed in His Eucharistic Heart, so that you enter into a personal intimacy of life with Him.”

d. “Yours should not only be a presence of prayer, but also a COMMUNION OF LIFE with Jesus.

1) When you approach Him, realize that He SEES you;

2) When you speak of Him, realize that He HEARS you;

3) When you confide in Him, realize that He WELCOMES YOUR EVERY WORD;

4) When you ask Him for something, realize He ALWAYS ANSWERS YOUR PRAYER.”

e. “Go before the tabernacle to establish a SIMPLE RAPPORT with Him.

1) Seek out Jesus with the same NATURALNESS that you seek a friend, or

2) Entrust yourself to a person very dear to you, or

3) Feel the need of a friend to assist you. Make of Jesus your DEAREST FRIEND, THE MOST TRUSTED PERSON, THE MOST DESIRED AND MOST LOVED OF ALL.”

f. “Tell Jesus your love and repeat this prayer often:

‘Jesus, you are my Love;

Jesus, you alone are my Best Friend.

Jesus, I love you.

Jesus, I am in love with you.’

This makes Jesus immensely happy. This consoles Him for all the ingratitude, this compensates for all the betrayals.”

g. “Come more and more to appreciate Jesus:

1) How He longs for you and waits for you;

2) How He loves you;

3) How a little gesture of love fills Him with joy;

4) How a drop of pure love helps Him forget all.”

h. “In this TRUE COMMUNION OF LOVE with Him, you will never again feel alone, because He has remained here below to be always with you.

He loves in you and you love in Him.

He lives in you and you live in Him!”

-Rev. Robert Hughes, S.M.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF AUGUST 25, 2007

“Dear children! Also today I call you to conversion. May your life, little children, be a reflection of God’s goodness and not of hatred and unfaithfulness. Pray, little children, that prayer may become life for you. In this way, in your life you will discover the peace and joy which God gives to those who have an open heart to His love. And you who are far from God’s mercy, convert so that God may not become deaf to your prayers and that it may not be too late for you. Therefore, in this time of grace, convert and put God in the first place in your life. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Conversion Through Prayer

A. “I Call You to Conversion.”

1. First Step: Confession. Our Lady said: “May Holy Confession be the first act of conversion for you, and then, dear children, decide for holiness.” (Nov. 25, 1998) Holy Confession is an experience of God’s Mercy by which we are reconciled with God anew and discover Jesus as our “truth and peace” (Jan. 25, 1995). Our Blessed Mother recommends Confession on a regular basis as a means of continual purification of heart.

2. Second Step: Decide for Holiness. Through the progressive use of Confession our hearts become touched by God’s goodness and His infinite love for us supremely manifested by Jesus’ Passion suffered for us. Confidence is born within and we surrender our lives to the One Who is the source of all our blessings. We put God in the first place and know that in doing His Will we will find our peace. We have decided for holiness.

3. Third Step: Change of Heart. From here on in we are in a continual search for God that takes place notably in prayer. This mystery is expressed beautifully in words that come from God the Father:

“Conversion is a continual process of change: the discovery of a new love, a fuller love, resulting in a heart full of love and compassion. Lack of conversion is a sure sign of lukewarmness. Conversion is a renewal of love for Me, preceded by a recognition of My Love for you.”

B. “May Prayer Become Life for You.” Our Blessed Mother is truly magnificent in showing us how to cultivate a vital relationship with God. For her, prayer is:

1. An Experience of God. “Why do you pray? You pray:

1) to FIND God;

2) to BE WITH God;

3) to EXPERIENCE God WITHIN.”

“Something should happen within five minutes. If not, cry out: God I love you.”

2. A Heartfelt Feeling. “Until you FEEL God’s love and friendship, you have not entered the path of prayer.”

3. Something New. “You cannot pray as a HABIT. Every prayer should be something NEW – even One Our Father. Express everything within you. Whoever has a GREAT DESIRE FOR GOD, to REACH God, to LIVE IN God – THAT PERSON PRAYS.”

4. Mary Wants to Help us in Prayer. ‘LET ME BE YOUR MOTHER.” “

1) Dear Children, GIVE ME YOUR HAND.

2) Then I will be able to LEAD YOU as a Mother.

3) We will go together on the TRUE WAY to the Father.” (3-18-90)

C. “Be a Reflection of God’s Goodness And Not of Hatred.”

1. Encounter God. In every well-made prayer there is a real encounter with God. That means a real contact is made through Faith, Hope and Love and God impresses on our heart and soul His divine attributes of Goodness, Love and Mercy. In these marvelous words, Jesus shows us how this will take place:

a.“Leave more and more your involvement and attachments to created things.”

b. “Approach Me, that is, come near Me. For this, you must come to Me with your heart in your hand, i.e., you must enjoy being with Me, because you love Me.”

c. “To encounter Me, you must open your heart wide in confidence and trust, pouring out for Me all that is in your heart.”

d. “Then you must listen in a childlike fashion to My response and to all that I want to share with you.”

e. “Behold, our hearts are one!”

2. Reflect God. Prayer is often described as a “meeting of hearts.” If that has taken place, then our hearts are filled with Love – divine Love – because “God is love.” We carry this love in our hearts as a blessing for everyone we meet. We can confirm this grace by praying in our hearts the Prayer of St. Francis:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt, let me sow faith. Where there is despair, let me give hope. Where there is darkness, let me give light. Where there is sadness, let me give joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not try to be comforted, but to comfort; not try to be understood, but to understand; not try to be loved, but to love. Because it is in giving that we receive, in forgiving that we are forgiven, and in dying that we are born to eternal life.

2. Live God. Jesus complained to Sr. Mary of the Holy trinity once that many good people receive Him devoutly in Holy Communion, but when they leave the Church they proceed to live their own life; very few live My Life when they leave Church. To live the Life of Jesus, we have to be continually united to Him, to listen to Him, and let Him speak and act through us. To help that, we can sing the Prayer of St. Francis.

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon Lord. And where there’s doubt, true faith in you. Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light. And where there is sadness, ever joy. Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. In giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

REFRAIN: O Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand. To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

-Rev. Robert Hughes, S.M.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF NOVEMBER 25, 2006

“Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray. Little children, when you pray you are close to God and He gives you the desire for eternity. This is a time when you can speak more about God and do more for God. Therefore, little children, do not resist but permit Him to lead you, to change you and to enter into your life. Do not forget that you are travellers on the way toward eternity. Therefore, little children, permit God to lead you as a shepherd leads his flock. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

During Advent: PRAY, PRAY, PRAY

A. A Wake Up Call.

1. Recent statements by Our Lady are enough to jar anyone from sleep. Padre Pio said once that we will eventually wake up “but it will be too late!” So in recent months Our Lady has used rather strong language to help us come to our senses. Consider the following:

a. “I call you to complete conversion.” (September 25, 2006)

b. “God is giving you a great opportunity to live in peace.” (October 25, 2006)

c. “God is sending me to warn you…. Your time is short…. Do not shut your eyes before the truth…. Do not permit delusions to rule over you…. I desire to lead you to peace…to my Son….” (Our Lady to Mirjana on November 2, 2006)

d. “This is a time when you can speak more about God….” (November 25, 2006)

2. The Fundamental option offered to us by our Good God through Our Lady seems to be: “Work with all your strength for peace to win” (May 25, 2006) NOW or suffer the consequences. Working with all our strength for peace to win means to drop everything and go all out yearning for peace through a constant prayer of the heart.

3. In Short, the answer is PRAYER – “the only path to peace” – and especially the Rosary.

B. Advice from Pope John Paul II.

1. Pray with Confidence. “We must learn not to be afraid, we must rediscover a spirit of hope and a spirit of trust.

a. “Hope is not empty optimism springing from a naïve confidence that the future will necessarily be better than the past.

b. “Hope and trust are the premise of responsible activity and are nurtured in that inner sanctuary of conscience where “man is alone with God” and he thus perceives that he is not alone amid the enigmas of existence, for he is surrounded by the love of the Creator!”

2. Pray with Love.

a. “Prayer can progress as a genuine dialogue of love, to the point of rendering the person wholly possessed by the divine Beloved, resting filially within the Father’s heart.”

b. “Our Christian communities must become genuine “schools” of prayer, where the meeting with Christ is expressed not just in imploring help, but also in thanksgiving, praise, adoration, contemplation, listening, and ardent devotion, until the heart truly “falls in love.”

C. Food for the Journey. (Pope John Paul II)

1. “In the humble signs of bread and wine changed into His Body and Blood, Christ walks beside us as our strength and food for the journey, and He enables us to become witnesses of hope.”

2. “In the Eucharist we have Jesus, we have His redemptive sacrifice, His Resurrection, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have adoration, obedience, and love of the Father.”

D. How to Spend Advent.

1. Pope Benedict XVI says that at the beginning of every Advent Christ comes knocking on your door – He wants to spend Advent in your Heart just as He spent the First Advent in the Heart of Mary. Let Him in. Welcome Him with joy. Embrace Him in love.

2. Our Lady in her November 2, 2006 message to Mirjana says: “Give me your heart so that I may put my Son in it and make of you my apostles – apostles of peace and love.”

3. Ask for the gift of always praying in union with Our Blessed Mother. She wants us to begin our prayer in union with her, she asks that we permit her to lead us during prayer, and she wants us to wait for her Motherly Blessing at the end of prayer.

4. Walk in union with Our Lady every day of Advent. She who is the Queen of Peace will foster a deep union with Jesus so as to make Him our heaven on earth. “In this way only will you have peace in your hearts a peace that no one will be able to destroy.” (May 25, 2006)

5. Pope John Paul II: “The world today needs to see your love for Christ. As Paul VI once said: ‘Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers….’ The ideals, the values, the convictions that are the basis of your dedication to Christ must be translated into the language of daily life.”

Rev. Robert E. Hughes, S.M.

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF AUGUST 25, 2006

“Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray. Only in prayer will you be near to me and my Son and you will see how short this life is. In your heart a desire for Heaven will be born. Joy will begin to rule in your heart and prayer will begin to flow like a river. In your words there will only be thanksgiving to God for having created you and the desire for holiness will become a reality for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Seven Heavenly Fruits of Prayer

A. Pray, Pray, Pray.

1. The Primacy of Prayer. Our Blessed Mother uttered the words “Pray, Pray, Pray” 59 times as a means of insisting strongly that “prayer is the most important thing in your life.” (12- 27-83) Each time she makes that three-fold emphasis, she gives a variety of reasons for the urgency, usefulness, and significance of prayer.

a. According to her, the world has drifted away from God and is on a path of self- destruction. She seems to view the world as a boat without a rudder moving downstream totally unconscious that a Niagara Falls awaits it. She is calling on us to help her steer the world back to God.

b. She told Mirjana once that when she gets to heaven, she will see and understand why she (Mary) is so anxious about our welfare and so pressed to have us pray. “Prayer is the only way to save the human race” (7-30-87) “and to save yourself.” (11-22-83) In that sense, Ivan says that there is really only one message: Prayer.

2. The Usefulness of Prayer. Prayer is our only hope, because it opens us up to God, the source of all our blessings. Our Lady wants us to pray until we are absolutely convinced that God controls everything on this earth. Then in prayer we can seek His help.

a. With prayer we have the grace “to avoid being deceived” (3-13-85), “to defeat Satan” (9-16-83), “to defeat evil” (2-25-94). In fact, with prayer we will be able to perceive the way out of every situation that has no exit” (3-25-05), “prayer works miracles” (10-25- 01), “prayer stops wars and is the foundation of peace.” (6-25-97)

b. When Our Lady comes as Queen of Peace, she brings good things, but in many places she has said that she cannot achieve peace without our help. “I need your cooperation to fulfill my plans” (7-24-89). Prayer is the only way we can recognize her presence, her love for us, and to discover the role we are to play in God’s plan.

3. The Significance of Prayer. Prayer is the beginning and end of everything. Prayer is an exercise of Faith by which we are able to perceive the real world – God’s world. Prayer is needed “to comprehend all God is giving you through my coming.” (9-25-92) First, she wants us to accept her in our life: “open your hearts to me, come close.” (7-20-84) “Open your hearts, and allow me to enter. Pray, because in prayer I am always with you. Pray and allow me to lead you.” (3-18-93) With that she wants us to turn to God.

a. “God wants to draw you closer” (8-25-03) and “God gives you peace only if you convert and pray.” (5-25-93) So praying – “a dialogue with God” is the reaching out to God for help. “Open your heart to God’s love (in prayer)” (9-25-04) so that you will “pray with the heart” (12-25-03) and “comprehend God’s love for you.” (2-25-01)

b. But it doesn’t stop there: Pray to reinforce the desire to pray and to be in contact with God” (6-26-84). “Without unceasing prayer, you cannot experience the beauty and greatness of what God is offering you.” (2-25-89)

B. Seven Steps towards Heaven.

1. “Near Me and My Son.” Faith has seven meanings and the first meaning is Presence. In prayer we leave this world and enter into the presence of Jesus and Mary. Jesus and Mary are always with us but in prayer we become conscious of their presence. Scripture says: “Eternal life is this: to know (experience) you, the one true God, and to know (experience) Jesus Christ whom you sent.” (Jn 17:3) Our Lady has said: “Eternal life is my Son. Accept Him and you accept Love.” (3-18-95) In prayer we come face to face with Jesus, Who is our Savior and our “Great Friend” Who will bring us to the Father. We are also with Mary, our Mother, who will lead us and guide us.

2. ”Life is Short.” Living in the presence of Jesus and Mary through prayer is a constant reminder that it is eternal life alone that really counts. The object of prayer is union with God, union with Jesus. It implies getting to know Jesus and to experience His love. Recall the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins in Matt. 25:1. The five foolish virgins knocked on the Bridegroom’s door and said: “Sir, open the door to us.” The Bridegroom responded: “In truth I tell you – I do not know you.” This warns us that a relationship with Jesus cannot be borrowed and cannot be had at the last minute. In prayer, we build up our relationship with Jesus through Mary who brings us to Him.

3. “Desire for Heaven.” Our Blessed Mother says: “God sends me to help you and to guide you to Paradise – your goal.” (9-25-94) Prayer is the discovery of where we came from (God) and what our true goal is: life with God forever in Heaven. Our Lady uses the image of a flower: “Your life is like the passing of a flower – here today and gone tomorrow.” (8-25-01) So also: “A flower is not able to grow normally without water – seek God’s blessing (in prayer).” (4-10-86) Or Again: “Open the door of your hearts to Jesus as a flower opens to the sun. Jesus desires to fill your hearts with peace and joy.” (4-25-98),

4. “Joy will Rule Your Heart.” St. Teresa of Avila said that it is impossible for Jesus to come to us in prayer without bringing the whole of heaven with Him. Love, joy, peace, and happiness exist in heaven. Our Lady says: “Reflect and pray. God will be born in your hearts and your hearts will be joyous.” (8-25-96) Prayer is the progressing discovery of the Goodness, Love, and Mercy of God. That is why Our Lady asks us to pray without ceasing: “Pray without ceasing until prayer becomes a joy for you.” (3-25-00) Unless we find joy in being with Jesus in prayer, Our Lady said she is unable to help us.

5. “Prayer will Flow like a river.” When two friends are together the chatter is continuous. The reason is that their two hearts have become one. St. Augustine defined friendship as a spirit that is poured into two vessels. Our Lady said: “Pray with your whole heart and peace will begin to flow throughout the world.” (10-25-04) In Jeremiah 29:12 we read: “When you seek Me with your whole heart you will find Me.” Prayer is a union of hearts.

6. “Thanksgiving to God.” As prayer grows, we come to appreciate more and more the gift of life and the fact that God picked us out of billions of possibilities. Our Lady said once that each day she will take us by the hand and walk with us through the day celebrating with us the joy of living. As our indebtedness to God increases, we will want to thank Him for every little thing in our lives.

7. “Desire for Holines” Since we are destined to live with God who is all-holy, we see immediately the necessity of becoming holy ourselves. Our Lady: “I invite you to give thanks to God for all the gifts you have discovered in the course of your life…even the least gift – then you will grow continuously in the way of holiness.” (9-25-89) Also: “By living Holy Mass each day, you will feel the need for holiness and you will grow in holiness.” (1- 25-98) She asks us: “Pray without ceasing that God reveals His love to you, because without love you cannot grow in holiness, nor good deeds.” (11-25-95) God must first reveal His love so that touched by His love we can respond.

Rev. Robert E. Hughes, S.M.

ADVENT – OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF NOVEMBER 25, 2005 – CHRISTMAS

“Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray until prayer becomes life for you. Little children, at this time, in a special way, I pray before God to give you the gift of faith. Only in faith will you discover the joy of the gift of life that God has given you. Your heart will be joyful thinking of eternity. I am with you and love you with a tender love. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF AUGUST 25, 2005

Live My Messages

OUR LADY OF MEDJUGORJE’S MESSAGE OF JULY 25, 2005

Part I:  Do Novenas of Short Prayers and Little Penances

Part II: A Program of Short Prayers and Little Penances