“AND it came to pass, that as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” ~ Luke 11:1, Douay-Rheims Bible. Prayer is man’s richest boon. It is his light, his nourishment, and his very life, for it brings him into communication with God, who is light [St. John viii. 12], nourishment [Ibid. vi. 35], and life [Ibid. xiv. 6]. But of ourselves we know not what we should pray for as we ought [Rom. viii. 26]; we must needs, therefore,[…]

The following guide on the Anointing of the Sick comes from an informative and rare book: “Saints to Help the Sick and the Dying“. The purpose of this book is to bring before the minds of the faithful, in all walks of life, priests and Religious as well, the various saints who are invoked against specific ailments and diseases. The book also includes a chapter on the Sacraments of Confession, Communion of the Sick,  and the Last Rite prayers (the rite is sublime) from the Roman Ritual. THE ANOINTING IN THE sorrow-laden hour of sickness we turn to the Church for[…]

From “The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin“by Saint Louis-Marie De Montfort. After having explained and condemned false devotions to the Blessed Virgin we shall now briefly describe what true devotion is. It is interior, trustful, holy, constant and disinterested. Marks of Authentic Devotion to Our Lady First, true devotion to our Lady is interior, that is, it comes from within the mind and the heart and follows from the esteem in which we hold her, the high regard we have for her greatness, and the love we bear her.  Second, it is trustful, that is to say, it fills us[…]

THE PSALTER AS A BOOK OF NEEDS, according to the usage of St. Arsenios of Cappadocia, as transmitted by the Athonite Elder Paisios. Translated for the St. Pachomius Library by Vassilios Kollias edited by Karen Rae Keck. This document is in the public domain. Copying it is encouraged. A collection of Psalms as has been given by the Orthodox Saint ordered after the type of their specific use. “Father Arsenios proclaimed true Orthodoxy with his Orthodox life. He mortified his flesh in asceticism from his ardent love of God, and modified souls with the Grace of God. He believed deeply and[…]

Our Holy Church has always recognized the value of rites and ceremonial observances, not only for increasing the solemnity of her services but for arousing a spirit of devotion in those who minister at them and those who attend them. And because a religious practice happened to be of Jewish origin or had been used in the rites of paganism, the Church does not therefore look upon it as something to be necessarily condemned or forbidden. She has taken some of the details of her liturgy not only from the ceremonial law of Moses, but even from pagan worship. On[…]

Our Lady of Olives is to be situated within the larger context of the biblical symbolism of the Olive tree. In the Bible, but also in patristic and medieval writings, the olive tree–together with the vine and wheat ears–was considered a symbol of heavenly blessings, prosperity and fecundity in times of peace. The olive tree is also a symbol of spiritual excellence and distinction such as reconciliation with God, rectitude and innocence as well as fruitfulness of good works. This symbolism applied to Mary is a sign of faithful and loving dedication to the Lord but also a symbol of[…]

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and suffering of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians; I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.AMEN. Virgo SacrataVIRGÓ SACRÁTA is a Christian mission-driven online resource and shop inspired from the beauty of Catholic faith,[…]

“Let all things be done decently, and according to order.” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:40 As it is not always possible for a Priest to be present at the actual moment of death, especially in large parishes, and more especially where the parish covers a large territory, the faithful should themselves endeavor to assist their dying brethren after the Priest has administered the last sacraments. When they see that the patient’s end is approaching, they should light a blessed candle and assist him [if patient doesn’t have a highly contagious disease] to hold it in his hand, at least during the[…]

In every Solemn Mass besides the Mass of requiem, and only in the Solemn Mass, the altar is incensed before the Introït. God himself commanded incense (thus or thymiama, from the Greek) to be used in his cult: “Thou shalt make an altar for burning incense… and Aaron shall burn sweet-smelling incense upon it in the morning.” (Exodus 30: 1, 7) The Magi offered incense to Christ the Lord. By Apostolic institution, the Church of Christ has always used the burning of incense to solemnify her worship of God. (Cardinal Bona and others) The burning of incense signifies, by the[…]

Dear Saint Bernadette, Chosen by Almighty God as a channel of His Graces and Blessings, and through your humble obedience to the requests of Our Blessed Mother, Mary, you gained for us the Miraculous waters of Spiritual and physical healing We implore you to listen to our pleading prayers that we may be healed of our Spiritual and physical imperfections. Place our petitions in the Hands of our Holy Mother, Mary, so that She may place them at the feet of Her beloved Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that He may look on us with mercy and compassion[…]

Please follow the Latin and English text of  “Latin Vulgate Bible”  online, or obtain a print copy of “Douay Rheims Bible” from Virgo Sacrata, so you can listen the Psalms and follow the scripture at the same time. It is a wonderful opportunity for the Catholic Clergy, Religious and Laity to learn the Divine Office — or the Liturgy of the Hours — in Latin as well as the more familiar English. Please remember that each Psalm, as you listen to it, is prayed — not merely recited. You will encounter imperfection. We nevertheless invite you to join us — and[…]