Prayer

[Bailey2]

"Do not fail to apply yourself to whatever inspires the most devotion in you.  The most beneficial prayer will be the one which moves your heart in the most beneficial way." 
Blessed Jordan of Saxony

What kinds of prayer move your heart the most?  I can only hope that some of the other 35 or so members also add to this one.

[Patricia]

The Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Mary never cease to move me and inspire devotion. So I like meditating on the Sorrowful mysteries of the Holy Rosary, reading anything regarding the Passion of Our Lord and the Sorrows of Mary, or saying any prayer connected to the Passion. I like praying Litanies very much and different kinds like Litany of the most Precious Blood of Jesus, Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Litany of the Saints, Litany for the poor Souls in Purgatory etc.

[Brigid]

I think it depends on me at the time. Even tho' I say the Rosary everyday, sometimes I seem to get a lot out of it, and sometimes not as much (although since Our Lady asked for it, it is special to me). I feel strange and as if something's not right when I haven't said it.
Sometimes 'arrow' prayers (short ejaculations to Him) and sometimes the Jesus Prayer. I suppose saying the Little Office is important to me too, especially in Latin.
Probably the very most important type for me is meditative/contemplative prayer with Lectio Divina. I'd really feel lost without that!

[Bailey2]

Sadly, not much inspires devotion in me these days.   

But, I think about God all through the day as I "do the day;" say a short prayer on and off  and each morning before dawn read the day's scripture and pray with them. 

[Patricia]

You could start the family Rosary, Bailey. Will help the whole family with abundant graces. Maybe begin with a decade if its too difficult and slowly move upwards to five decades a day.

[martin]

I usually start the day by invoking the help of the angels and at least 30 saints but since meeting you all on the forums this list is constantly growing and is now getting outa hand.      Wanted to use that one whether it fits or not 

I used to find the rosary so difficult but persevered with it too because of Our Lady’s requests and ended up sticking with the scriptural rosary as the best way to keep focused. It also becomes a kind of Lectio Divina.
I read somewhere that it takes 6 weeks to break a habit and the same to form one.
When it becomes habit or routine it seems to fit into the day without infringing too much on the practical everyday things. No matter how much time we give to those it seems that it’s never enough anyway.

You three ladies are already saints in my book 

[Bailey2]

How anyone can stay focused after dawn is amazing to me.   

I have gathered by now that all of you who post pray rosary.  I sure wish one of the other 30 members here would pipe up and give me some comfort to know someone out there does not pray rosary!  I used to years ago.  However, this has changed...... and you'll just have to trust that it's for good reasons spiritually and otherwise.

Anyway, Martinfegan......... so when are you going to start evoking us with the other 30?   

[martin]

Anyway, Martinfegan......... so when are you going to start evoking us with the other 30?

Just as soon as I become pope Baily2 the three of you are first for canonisation.  

Not having your open confession option will be a small price to pay for sainthood don’t you think? 

Just imagine… the next generation on the saints forum will be reading your’ life stories.

Thanks Shin for the new smilies, There's a chance I might get using them all yet

[Bailey2]

If you became pope, I would be Catherine of Sienna in your craw!  

But being the way things are......... I shall be canonized without your being pope and with my optional open confession!  

By the way, Martin or Martinfegan?  It just dawned on me that this is your first and last name?  for real?     Boy, you'd never catch me putting my real name on here!!!!!!  


Shin, like the new smiles..... but where is the hockey player?  

[Patricia]

You three ladies are already saints in my book  littleprayer

Oh Martin, you have not heard me yelling at my kids for half an hour straight!!!!! If you only did, you would change your mind in a hurry

[Bailey2]

You three ladies are already saints in my book  littleprayer

Oh Martin, you have not heard me yelling at my kids for half an hour straight!!!!! If you only did, you would change your mind in a hurry

Oh Patricia,  you have no idea how many Saints yelled at their kids (before they were Saints, of course).  Have you ever noticed the moms that became Saints lived until after all their children were grown?  ***, I wonder why?   

My dear Elizabeth Seton called her very short temper one of the, "Seton maladies."   So consider yourself in good company!   

[Brigid]

Oh Martin, you have not heard me yelling at my kids for half an hour straight!!!!!   If you only did, you would change your mind in a hurry

Patricia, what parent doesn't. Even God is wrathful in the OT. Besides, He did say not to spare the rod.......

You three ladies are already saints in my book

Martin, I think you need to send your book for proofreading.

[martin]

My dear Elizabeth Seton called her very short temper one of the, "Seton maladies."   So consider yourself in good company!

I never knew much about this saint so I looked her up on the net. What a hard life she had. By the way, is that why you chose the name Baily? Because it was Elizabeth Setons maiden name (Bayley )?
Found out too that her feast day is also our wedding anniversary. That means I may have to add her to my list (Lord what are You doing to me here)?

And where are you pulling all these obscure saints from (IE Blessed Jordan of Saxony)? You wouldn't by any chance be rummaging through the archives looking for saints who didn't say the rosary?   

By the way, Martin or Martinfegan?  It just dawned on me that this is your first and last name?  for real?   Huh?   Boy, you'd never catch me putting my real name on here!!!!!!   Shocked

I figured it would just look like gobbledegook when strung together like that. I obviously underestimated the intelligence of your average American but I'm quite confident yet concerning the average Irishman. (*** hope that didn't sound racist but what am I talking about? sure you can't be racist towards yourself).    Forgive me for using the wee pipe smoking man a lot. He's the bee's knee's.   

Patricia shouting at the kids doesn't demote you that easily. I agree with Baily2 and Brigid and the Good Lord hasn't finished with you yet. Don't forget me when you collect your halo. You too Baily2! You too Brigid!   

Martin, I think you need to send your book for proofreading. cherubim

I've already sent it off to Shin and he's negotiating a deal with Tan Books.   

[Patricia]

 

You seem to be in a good mood Martinfegan, you made me laugh and laugh.

Patricia shouting at the kids doesn't demote you that easily. I agree with Baily2 and Brigid and the Good Lord hasn't finished with you yet. Don't forget me when you collect your halo. You too Baily2! You too Brigid!   littleprayer

You don't know me well at all, Martin. Only God knows my wicked side.  

[martin]

You seem to be in a good mood Martinfegan, you made me laugh and laugh.

Yes Patricia... That rare phenomena that occurs in Ireland a few times per year has that effect on a lot of us here.
I mean of course the sun shining.   

[Bailey2]

Patricia,  love the new avatar......... ***, if you all keep changing your avatars, I won't recognize you!

I never knew much about this saint so I looked her up on the net. What a hard life she had. By the way, is that why you chose the name Baily? Because it was Elizabeth Setons maiden name (Bayley )?

Bailey is the name of my golden retriever.  I am Bailey2.   I had been training her to be a therapy dog but because of my lack of time, we abandoned this.  So in essence, Bailey is very very obedient on a leash.  However, when you let her loose she will only obey if she doesn't see a rabbit to chase or worse, finds carrion to eat.  Once, she ran to say hello to a coyote and that was quite the scare.  We have to totally keep her on the leash this time of year because of rattle snakes....... you of course are unfamiliar with them!  Anyway, Bailey is utmost faithful and docile but has a mischievous side that needs to be watched or it will surely get into trouble before she comes running home.  My relationship with her is a metaphor for my relationship with God.

I have two of the three volumes of Elizabeth Seton's letters; plus two books by Dirvin and two retreat books on her.  I ran a 6 week prayer course at my old parish some years ago and had the good fortune of going to Emmitsberg.  There, an old nun was so impressed with my knowledge of her that she snuck me across the ropes to kneel where she knelt for communion and hold onto the banister where she leaned as she made her way up the stairs.  She also let me take a forbidden picture of the bed she died on and the painting she brought to America from the Filichi house in Italy. 
I was taught by the sisters of charity in NYC and that is probably why my affinity for her; that and that she had two impossible sons.  Of late however, I have been most attracted to a mentor of Elizabeth's, St. Jane Francis de Chantal....... probably because this Saint doubted the existence of God, Jesus, and the afterlife for her entire life to her death......... but maintained her faith.  St. Vincent de Paul said of her that she was the holiest woman he had ever met ( I have that quote too  ).  Considering my state of affairs re: prayer, doubt, etc. I find her most encouraging at this point in my life as I proceed.........

As for the obscure Saints, you know, we liberals have to pretend we are knowledgeable.  So, we purchase books like The Wisdom of the Saints, which is a volume of quotes.  Oh dear, now I have given the secret away and Shin will surely find the book and post all the quotes on the quote section! 

I obviously underestimated the intelligence of your average American but I'm quite confident yet concerning the average Irishman. (*** hope that didn't sound racist but what am I talking about? sure you can't be racist towards yourself).   irishwisdom Forgive me for using the wee pipe smoking man a lot. He's the bee's knee's.    rotfl

My maternal grandmother was born in Mohill, County Leitrim.  Visited there when I was thirteen.  So, I can put up with your blarney but I long put down the shillelagh as a means of punishment.