Why Do Catholics Light Prayer Candles?
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Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. October 2016 St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish Conventual Franciscan Friars Love the Rosary during the month of the Rosary The Rosary is a powerful prayer to events of Jesus’ life, death and which popes, saints, and Catholics over resurrection. By praying the Rosary, we St. Francis of Assisi the centuries have turned for visit these events as they are told in St. Francis was born miraculous help in seemingly Scripture. To invert St. Jerome’s in Assisi, Italy, in impossible situations. As a devotion, famous quote, knowledge of Scripture 1182 to a rich the Rosary is deeply ingrained in is knowledge of Christ. cloth merchant. our Catholic identity. The prayer of He enjoyed The prayer that leads virtue. We good food, to prayer. Prayer is are called to ne clothes, key to a close be holy and and a busy social life. All that relationship with virtuous, but changed when he fell seriously God but it’s what does ill on his way to a battle. St. difcult to raise that look Francis took the Gospel heart and mind like? Praying the Rosary and message literally and devoted to him when we meditating on the lives of Jesus and his life to living in poverty. are distracted. The Mary gives us strong models of Followers gathered around gentle repetition in the virtuous lives, from Mary’s obedience him, wanting to imitate his Rosary is meant to still our minds during the Annunciation and her way of life, and in 1210, he and direct our hearts to communion fortitude during the crucixion, to received approval to found the with God. This meditative prayer Jesus’ entire life of virtue – justice, Franciscan Order. places our focus on God and takes it temperance, and courage, in particular. out of the world. Ignore Regular Rosary meditation opens us to A connection to the Gospels. The the graces needed to acquire those Ever notice how good it feels mysteries of the Rosary describe the very virtues. to walk away from a ght? That’s why Jesus said, “When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well” (Matthew 5:39). Next time someone picks a Why do Catholics ght, walk peacefully away. light prayer candles? “Receive Communion often, very often…there you have the sole remedy, Ancient Jews kept a light world” (John 8:12). if you want to be cured. perpetually burning near Votive candles in church Jesus has not put the Ark of the Covenant to also symbolize prayer this attraction in show reverence for the intentions others have your heart for presence of God. In a offered to God. Lighting a nothing…” similar way, the lit candle candle is a way of St. Therese of symbolizes for us Christ’s expressing our desire to Lisieux presence, recalling that he remain present to God after said, “I am the light of the we have left the church. © Copyright 2016 Success Publishing & Media, LLC October 2016 Page 2 Love your neighbor AND yourself “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Genesis 1:31). That means you, too. (Matthew 22:39) commands us to treat Look with God’s eyes. Don't chase after other people's other people with love. In truth, we can approval. Too much of how we see ourselves depends only love our neighbor to the extent that upon how others see us. God loves us as we are and we love ourselves. Do you have trouble considers us precious. “See, upon the palms of my hands I believing that you deserve love? have written your name” (Isaiah 49:16). Consider this: Love with God’s heart. Spend time with Jesus by praying, God doesn’t make mistakes. By nature reading Scripture, and attending Mass. When you let yourself he is perfect and can’t make anything be lled up with Jesus’ love, you will nd yourself so full bad. God created each of us and “looked at that love will overow to those around you – just like he everything he had made, and he found it very good” commanded. Luke 19:1-10, Jesus is How can I the friend we want to be get more out Jesus didn’t evaluate people the way by the fact that Zacchaeus was of going to Mass? others did. Instead of gravitating to the unpopular and dishonest but saw Start by getting into the right frame of best of society, Jesus included in his him as a child of God. In return, mind. You can do this by reviewing the inner circle of friends those others often Zacchaeus’ eagerness for readings before Mass to really absorb excluded. Consider the Jesus’ friendship changed his their message. example of Zacchaeus, a tax life forever. He was inspired Next, notice and collector. to make generous amends greet the people near As the chief tax collector for his past sins. you. A nod and a in Jericho, Zacchaeus was As followers of Jesus, we smile is a start but a not a popular man. He are called to be open, forgiving, handshake and probably took more in and accepting of others. It is “hello” is the right taxes than was required important to look beyond the gossip spirit. That tells and became wealthy. Learning and public perception. Try to adopt others you’re happy to be there and Jesus was passing through, Jesus' habit of being quick to forgive happy to see them, too. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a better and welcoming in your relationships Change your spot. If you normally sit view of Jesus. Imagine the crowd's with others. Perhaps a friendship in the back, move to the front. If you sit reaction when Jesus spotted Zacchaeus with you can change someone else's on the side, move to the center. and invited himself to dinner at the tax life, just as friendship with Jesus Sometimes just a change of scene helps collector’s home. Jesus wasn’t dissuaded changed Zacchaeus for the good. you take on a fresh perspective. Sing every song. Pray every prayer. Mass is not a spectator sport. as superior general of the Jesuits, he Take with you a small pad. Then you helped to spread their presence all over can jot down prayer requests, Spain and Portugal. intercessions, or thoughts from the Oct. 20 – St. Paul of the Cross homily to review later. Take the Mass Oct. 1 – St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1775). Born in Italy to a poor, pious home with you and live it all week long. (1897). At the age of 15, Thérèse Martin family, Paul felt called to start a Receive Communion if your soul is in became a Carmelite nun in Lisieux, religious order dedicated to the the proper disposition. (Go to France, and served others with “quiet Passion of Christ. He Confession if you aren’t sure.) That’s the acts of love.” Her autobiography, The founded the main point of attending Mass. Story of a Soul, is an easy read for older Passionists in 1720 and children. was elected superior Oct. 10 – St. Francis Borgia (1572). general of the order. St. Francis was a nobleman who served He became a priest, To provide practical ideas that promote faithful Catholic living. in the Spanish imperial court. After the lived a penitential Success Publishing & Media, LLC death of his wife, he gave away all his life, and cared for the Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ possessions and joined the Jesuits. He poor and sick. He (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax http://www.growinginfaith.com proved to be a good administrator, and also worked miracles. (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) © Copyright 2016 Success Publishing & Media, LLC.