Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: DAY 18

Today on DAY 18 of the preparation for consecration we must remember that self-knowledge and self-discipline, if it is to be fruitful must be a gentle acknowledgment of the Mercy of God.  For when we discipline with gentle love the heart is corrected and encouraged to know goodness and conversion.


Readings:

St. Luke: Chapter 17: 1-10

On leading others astray

He said to his disciples, "Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!"

Brotherly correction

If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him.

The power of faith

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and placed in the sea,' and it would obey you."

Humble service

Which of you, with a servant plowing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the field, "Come and have your meal immediately?" Would he not be more likely to say, "Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards?" Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: When you have done all you have been told to do, say, "We are merely servants: We have done no more than our duty."

Imitation: Book 3, Chapter 47 That all grievous things are to be endured for life everlasting

Son, let not your labors which you have undertaken for My sake crush you, neither let tribulations, from whatever source, cast you down, but in every occurrence let My promise strengthen and console you. I am sufficient in recompense to you beyond all bounds and measures. It is not long you have to labor here, nor will you always be oppressed with sorrows. Wait a little while and you shall see a speedy end of suffering.

Prayers:

Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, Have Mercy on Us, Jesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, Save Us, Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us. Holy Trinity, Hear Us, Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Fatherand the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us. (etc.) Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water, Consuming fire, Ardent charity, Spiritual unction, Spirit of love and truth, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and piety, Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Spirit of grace and prayer, Spirit of peace and meekness, Spirit of modesty and innocence, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Who governest the Church, Gift of God, the Most High, Spirit Who fillest the universe, Spirit of the adoption of the children of God, Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin. Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth. Holy Spirit, shed Thy light in our souls. Holy Spirit, engrave Thy law in our hearts. Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of Thy love. Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of Thy graces. Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well. Holy Spirit, enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation. Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge. Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good. Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues. Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice. Holy Spirit, be Thou our everlasting reward. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Send us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety. V. Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of Thy faithful, R. And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful Father, that Thy Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, forever and ever. R. Amen.  Litany of the Blessed Virgin Lord, have mercy on us.    Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.    Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us,    Christ graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven,    Have Mercy on Us, God the Son, Redeemer of the world,     Have Mercy on Us, God the Holy Spirit,     Have Mercy on Us, Holy Trinity, One God,     Have Mercy on Us, Holy Mary, Pray for us.(etc.) Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled,  Mother most amiable,  Mother most admirable,  Mother of good counsel,  Mother of our Creator,  Mother of our Savior,  Mother of the Church,  Virgin most prudent,  Virgin most venerable,  Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful,  Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice,  Seat of wisdom,  Cause of our joy,  Spiritual vessel,  Vessel of honor,  Singular vessel of devotion,  Mystical rose,  Tower of David, Tower of ivory,  House of gold,  Ark of the covenant,  Gate of Heaven,  Morning star,  Health of the sick,  Refuge of sinners,  Comforter of the afflicted,  Help of Christians,  Queen of angels,  Queen of patriarchs,  Queen of prophets,  Queen of apostles,  Queen of martyrs,  Queen of confessors,  Queen of virgins,  Queen of all saints,  Queen conceived without  Original Sin,  Queen assumed into Heaven, Queen of the holy Rosary,  Queen of families,  Queen of peace,  Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have Mercy on us. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ Our Lord.   Amen

Ave Maris Stella Hail, bright star of ocean, God's own Mother blest, Ever sinless Virgin, Gate of heavenly rest. Taking that sweet Ave Which from Gabriel came, Peace confirm within us, Changing Eva's name. Break the captives' fetters, Light on blindness pour, All our ills expelling, Every bliss implore. Show thyself a Mother; May the Word Divine, Born for us thy Infant, Hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling, Mildest of the mild, Freed from guilt, preserve us, Pure and undefiled. Keep our life all spotless, Make our way secure, Till we find in Jesus, Joy forevermore. Through the highest heaven To the Almighty Three, Father, Son and Spirit, One same glory be. Amen.