If I’d not rolled my right ankle and fallen off the bottom step in our home, while carrying our new printed shipping container down the stairs to show a good friend, and breaking my right ankle, this book would never have been written!

God used my recovery time on the couch, to contemplate the mysteries of the Rosary in light of the 15 Promises of Our Lady. These promises were purportedly given to a 15th century Dominican friar, Blessed Alanus de Rupe, also known as Blessed Alan de la Roche, and found in his writings after his death.

The Promises came alive to me at the time my brother Marty passed away. That story is here.

All the information about the book can be found on the companion website, Praying The Promises. You can buy bulk and save, get just one copy, or the e-book here. It’s an “indie” project, so none of the proceeds go to support causes unknown, They go to my family, to help promote the book.

Thanks for reading and blessings on your day!

The post Praying the Promises of the Rosary appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

“Our citizenship is in Heaven,” Paul told the Philippians. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us! How can we be consistently merciful and forgiving until we understand that we are made for Heaven, not earth? God’s economy runs on Mercy, not money or status, or earthly power.

Jesus takes forgiveness absolutely seriously. In The Our Father there are two as-es. We ask for God’s Kingdom to be established on Earth as it is in Heaven. We’re asking God to forgive us, as we forgive others.

When someone offends me, and I refuse to forgive them, I’m saying, “I don’t want to inherit the Kingdom.” By putting myself in the place of Christ, and denying His grace for another. I have opted out of receiving Our Lord’s forgiveness for my own sins.

The absolute result is, my soul will not be ready to enter into Glory. The Lavish Forgiveness Rosary teaches us a different approach:

When someone sins against me, they’ve shown me what is lacking in the Body of Christ, for Christ is Head of us all. We are his Body. The offending party is showing me what may indeed be necessary for their sanctification. They’ve given me something to give to the Lord, and made me a potential intercessor for their salvation.

Lavish Forgiveness demands we think like Jesus. who opened Heaven for us through his passion and death, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Heaven doesn’t play with power struggles, like we do on earth. Heaven is all about unconditional love, and praising God. Let us desire the Kingdom enough to forgive others as He forgives us.

Each Hail Mary prayer in the Sorrowful Mysteries has a brief meditation on one of Christ’s sufferings. We join our sufferings with his, asking, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing.” You can pray the whole rosary in about an hour, if you go slow with the meditations. On page two of this download are more ways to pray the devotion.

Download your PDF copy here.

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to tell me how these meditations have helped you become more forgiving.

The post Lavish Forgiveness appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

Her words are in italics, directly quoted. Enjoy this precious story of heavenly intercession–

The story begins…

Oh my goodness, my friends! Have I got a story for you!

Eric just talked to our neighbor next door. They are a sweet retired couple and this virus stuff has really taken a toll on them. They’ve been isolated and haven’t even seen their grandchildren since Christmas, out of fear of getting them sick. They have been very kind and friendly (from a distance) ever since we moved in.

Last Friday night, when we roasted marshmallows, we also prayed our daily family rosary outside in our backyard. Our neighbors, who were sitting on their back porch, heard us praying and the wife, a lapsed Catholic, recognized what we were praying! She said she was in tears and ran to get her rosary to pray it with us, explaining to her Lutheran husband all about the rosary. She said she cried hearing the children praying with us.

And then, last weekend, they got to see their grandchildren, for the first time since Christmas!!!

Our Lady for the win!

I am constantly in awe of how our Lady works! The beauty of what she did with the very small offering we gave, of just praying our daily family rosary like we always do every night, but with the inspiration to pray it outside! And suddenly, she touched our neighbors hearts and perhaps, opened a door for more conversations and a witness to them and more opportunities to love them back to the Church!

Eric told them they are welcome to pray with us anytime, so we will see what happens!

Wow! With all the bad news out there constantly day after day, I thought you all might enjoy some good news!

Please keep our sweet neighbors in your prayers! I’m so excited to watch what God, through the intercession of our sweet Blessed Mother, will do in our neighborhood! I am overjoyed!

Thanks be to God!

The takeaway observation

Our Lady promises great graces for people who pray the Rosary, and that includes stories like this, for a family making the effort to pray daily with their eight children in various stages of wiggle!

For instructions on How to Pray the Rosary, click here. For more stories about Rosary Miracles, click here.

The post A Marshmallow Roasting Rosary Miracle appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

Keep reading for a simple prayer to make this Mother’s Day more meaningful than ever.

The governor of our state decides a week ago that florists are “essential.” Naturally, political leaders have wives and mothers who need to feel the love. Moms in Washington State will receive flower deliveries, and my flower friends get a financial boost. The governor can send his wife flowers, too!

But many of us can’t be with our moms this Mothers’ Day. We probably yearn for hugs, laughter, familiar food, scents, surroundings — things that come with Mom being in the same space. This emotional pang is a feeling I’m well-accustomed to.

Do you ever come out of deep sleep with a rich thought, knowing if you don’t write it down immediately, you’ll forget it by morning? A few nights ago I got this–

“Write a blog post called, ‘I’ve been without a mother for far too long.’ Tell your story, and bring in the idea of asking Mary to spiritually adopt me.”

Of course, now you can skip ahead to the end, for I’ve given away the plot!

You see, I’m an orphan. In 1986, Mom dies of complications from Sarcoidosis, a rare lung disease. Colon cancer takes Dad in 1989.* I’m immersed in the work of a young wife and mother, launch my floral business, and get involved with parish life. I grieve, but must keep moving because life requires it.

Before becoming a rosary-only florist, I design wedding flowers. When a bride brings her mom to the consultation, I notice their relationship: Healthy bonds bring me joy, but when I see power struggles, or deep-seated angst, my heart hurts. I long to say — “You could be planning your wedding with your Mother in the grave. Be nice to one another!”

We need our mothers, and miss them when they’re gone. I long to thank Mom for everything she endured, in order to give me a great life. I yearn to apologize for my challenging teen years. I desire to hear her speak admiringly for John and I raising five delightful souls, and watch her enjoy her little great-grandchildren. I want to celebrate her on Mothers’ Day, even from a nursing home. But I can’t.

It’s my belief that Mom is in Heaven, and with a loving wisdom that’s transcendent, she knows my needs and wants, and she cares for me. Perhaps she asks God on my behalf for eternal gifts that do not disappoint, like hope.

This year, it’s quiet here. Four out of our five grandchildren live out of state, and we won’t be seeing the local one. The pace is slowed, and I have time to reflect, and acknowledge that I miss my mother. Perhaps you can relate in your own way.

I came across this lovely quote from Saint Francis de Sales: “Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.” I always love it when my kids throw themselves into my arms. These arms never tire of spontaneous hugs from my children and grandchildren. I imagine the Mother of Our Lord would feel the same way about us, her earthly kids.

Jesus gave Mary to his beloved disciple from the cross. From that hour, the disciple took her into his home. She was in his home giving hugs, laughter, familiar food — the things that come with Mom being in the same space as her kids.

The idea to ask Mary to adopt me came in that middle of the night thought. I realize that she can’t adopt me unless I ask her to. I have to acknowledge my orphaned state, and ask that she make room for me in her family.

To honor that inspiration, here’s a little prayer. I hope you’ll pray it , too. Let me know if it helps you have a Happy Mothers’ Day!

Have a wonderful Mothers’ Day. Blessings to you and your loved ones on this beautiful day!

* After mom died, Dad remarried, and gave our family a saintly step-mom, who was very dear and easy to love. Alzheimers took her memories in the early 2000’s, and she passed away in 2014. Because this post is about me and my mother, I have left her out of the story, but do not mean to slight her in any way.

The post “I’ve been without a Mother for far too long…” appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

Several times, I’d post free roses for the members of my local “Flash Gives” community. With instructions to, “Take the Roses. Leave the Buckets,” folks would scoop up the flowers so fast, resulting in some happy neighbors, and a few sad ones. Since tired roses have little life left, I don’t feel badly for the people who don’t receive. But I avoid the guilt of tossing roses!

On this occasion, the roses are still quite beautiful, with lots of life left in them. I ask Heaven what to do.

“Make a Decade Rosary and send it to Kelley in Texas.”

There used to be a time when my heart wasn’t quiet enough to hear an answer from heaven. Another blog post, perhaps. This answer is fast and clear.

She’s my very first online customer, from two years ago, and I know she’ll appreciate the gift. (You can read her story here). Plus, I’m thinking about the health and well-being of her family, self-employed in a “non-essential” profession, with two high-school aged daughters sheltering at home.

I get busy, prayerfully create it, box and label it, and drop it off at the local FedEx store 15 minutes before the truck departs. She’ll receive it in the morning, and call me so excited! I know it!

But she doesn’t. Texas time is two hours later than Washington time. It’s afternoon there. I’m going to text her!

I wrote:

“Hi Kelley, I sent you a little something. Did you get it?”

When she calls back, I hear shouts and screaming.

“Julia, you won’t believe this, but our daughters just finished a nine-day Novena to St. Therese! They’ve been asking me, ‘Mom, how will she send us a rose, since we’ve been in quarantine?'”

This Novena is supposed to come with an answer — a sign of roses on the ninth day. This is the package they open on arrival:

Heaven’s timing is perfect. I’m delighted for my dear customer and her family. Their prayers, and faithfulness, are noticed by God, and the dear little saint, Therese, got her chance to deliver.

I imagine her running to her sainted parents, Louis and Zelie Martin, and gleefully boasting, in her good-humored, melodic voice,

“Mama and Papa, look what I have done today! I sent a red rose rosary to some 16 year-old twin sisters in America!”

The family draped the rosary upon an antique crucifix, encircling the image of Jesus in fresh beautiful, red roses. Like this:

Kelley wrote about the experience for this Catholic Women’s Blog, “Mighty is Her Call. I will insert the link when it’s posted, so you can see the story from her eyes.

For anyone who wants to make a Novena to the Little Flower, here is the prayer:

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus
Please pick for me a rose
from the heavenly garden
and send it to me
as a message of love.

O Little Flower of Jesus,
ask God to grant the favors
I now place with confidence
in you hands
( mention your special prayer request here )

St. Therese, help me to always believe
as you did, in God’s great love for me,
so that I may imitate your “Little Way” each day. 
Amen.

Thank you St. Therese, for doing your thing, and being altogether darling in the way you share God’s love with the world.

Learn more about St. Therese at this website.

The post Flowers from Heaven appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

This article gives background and local flavor to the situation.

I regard Holy Rosary as the parish of my heart, even though I’m not a member, because my business is singularly devoted to promoting the rosary through fresh flowers. I’ve done flowers for weddings here. Also our son, Joseph, was confirmed here. But mostly, this is the parish of, “Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.” It’s a local historic landmark named for the Rosary. I can’t not care!

In the wee hours of Thursday, August 29, an idea came in my sleep. Make a 20-decade rosary of fresh roses, and give it to the people of the parish, so they may use it to pray all 20 decades of the rosary, carrying it in procession around the church. (OK, later I thought, “Seven times around, blowing trumpets!” like Joshua and the battle of Jericho — and imagined the chain-link fence tumbling down! But that might be overkill.)

The Feast of the Nativity of Mary was fast approaching. How about a birthday party for Mary?

There are two things wrong with this idea. The birthday is coming too soon. And who am I to foist this on a parish community other than my own?

That afternoon I called Susan, a friend who belongs to the parish. She “got chills” hearing the idea, promised to pray, and encouraged me to pursue it.

This same evening a meeting of “Save Tacoma’s Landmark Church” would be held at Holy Rosary. I wanted to come and show support. So I called another friend, Suzanne, who would certainly be there, and I relayed my crazy idea. She LOVED it! And she promised to tell Shelly, a woman on the parish council who was also part of the effort to save the church.

After the standing-room-only meeting, I connected with a few friends about the crazy idea. They pointed out Shelly to me, so I squeezed in for a quick introduction. To my great surprise, Shelly thanked me profoundly, and said she would handle every detail, and that the Blessed Mother’s birthday would be perfect timing for this event.

And that’s as complicated as it got.

As for “who was I,” to the community of Holy Rosary — they already knew about our fresh rosaries. Heather, a friend and parishioner, ordered one for their beloved pastor’s funeral in May of last year. It played heavily in providing comfort to their community, because Fr. Michael Wagner loved the rosary, and had deep personal devotion to Our Lady through her powerful rosary.

All I needed to do was procure 203 red roses in healthy condition, make the rosary, and arrive on time for the two o’clock p.m. “Outdoor Rosary Prayer” event.

When I pulled up at 1:30, at least a dozen people were already there, along with a banner, and a display of potted chrysanthemums, and a lovely statue of Our Lady of Fatima, brought by my friend, Jackie, who “felt inspired” to put the beautiful statue in her car. All these were configured gracefully in front of the church steps — and the chain link fence. A buffet with party food spread beneath a couple of pop-up tents, and rosary handouts were ready to go.

“These people are serious!” I thought.

The crowd of around fifty gathered and prayer began. Twenty or so people carried the rosary together, making their way around the church. By the 10th decade we were spiritually laboring together. The weather went from sunny, to windy, to sprinkling, to clearing, to sunny again. I felt as though our blessed Lord gave us all four seasons of weather as a symbol of completeness. By the fifteenth decade, I was a crying mess. The “rosary lady” couldn’t contain her composure. After the twentieth decade, members of The Holy League led the concluding prayers, adding the Saint Michael prayer for spiritual warfare, and a beautiful litany.

To crown the prayers, some present began to sing a sweet hymn called Father Michael’s Song. They harmonized so beautifully. Now I was a complete mess. I could hardly carry the tune to, “Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother,” that spontaneously followed.

Equally spontaneous, those who prayed and processed with the fresh rosary began to carefully fasten it to that (horrible!) chain link fence. And then, group by group, family pictures were taken in front of the display.

Although the Seahawks won in a nail-biter on Sunday, September 8th, during the exact time of this event, it was the people of God who carried the ball past the goal line, creating a rich, spiritually fulfilling afternoon, which will be remembered for a long time. At the same time, these beautiful souls laid a foundation of prayer for the resurrection of this landmark church.

For the Greater Glory of God.

You can experience the entire rosary yourself, here at Rosary Live, hosted by Kelley Masterson, who accompanied us in prayer, and captured it all on video.

Here are some of the inspiring photos taken by my dear friend, Kellie. She’s the same Kellie in this blog post that tells the story of where FreshRosary.com came from in the first place.

The post When a “Crazy Idea” in the Middle of the Night Becomes a Dream-Come-True appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

The conference is AWESOME!! I’m loving the praise and worship and talks, and prayer. How much goodness and life is all around me, including the opportunity to spend time in a support role for the weekend! The unexpected side benefit is time to visit with Dwelling Place team members.

The Story of My Life.

In various Jesus-conversations with several of these women, and even in a guided meditation, one consistent theme keeps popping up:

I aim for high achievement throughout my growing years, but the message, “You’re not good enough,” comes often, and in repetition.

For instance: I’m a very good girl at my Catholic grade school. But I’m never, ever good enough to crown the Blessed Virgin Mary statue on May Day.

I’m a capable, hardworking high school cheerleader. But I’m not anywhere cool enough to be fully accepted by the cheer squad, and it doesn’t seem to matter how hard I try.

I’m an industrious college journalism student, but the Women-in-Communications student chapter “fails” on my watch, when two seniors recruit me as a sophomore, and then both graduate, leaving me all alone to find members and run a chapter — consisting of myself? Then mother tells me she’s disappointed in my inability to lead. If only I were good enough to succeed in leadership and make Mom proud of me. It’s not for lack of trying, but the trying doesn’t ever seem to make me “good enough.”

This is all before getting married, raising a family, running a business, and venturing into leadership roles in the church. I have a pattern of coming close — and not being good enough. It’s the story of my life.

It hardly ends there. Believe me, there are a ba-jillion other bits of historical evidence to corroborate the notion that, “I’ll never measure up.” It’s settled fact. So I try hard, but don’t ever expect to stand alone center stage and receive accolades. That’s for people who are good enough. I work hard, and others collect the rewards. It just turns out that way. Over and over. It’s fine, I’m good with it, really, I am…

Although behind the registration/hospitality table for some of each session, I do manage to get enough time to worship, praise, hear some of the speakers’ wisdom, and soak in the love and power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

At the final talk, before prayer for impartation of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Mathias Thelen asks us if we want more of God. He tells us, “Desperation (wanting more) plus Expectation (which is self-explanatory) equals Invitation for God to Act.”

I want more. I want MUCH MORE. I don’t want this to ever end. Yes, I expect Jesus to help me in this moment of wanting more. But I’m afraid, because like James and John, in Mark 10: 35-40, when they ask to be seated at his right and left hand when he comes into his kingdom, Jesus says, “You have no idea what you are asking!”

But in fear and trembling, with hope, I go forward. I know Jesus loves me! And in a twinkling, I am “resting in the Spirit,” laying on my back on the carpet, pretty much stuck there while the maker of my soul does a redecorating project. He gets rid of the old junk in my heart, and replaces it with his love and truth. When I’m finally able to get up off the floor again, I am overflowing with joy!!

Today still radiant, with joy in my heart, I receive a new revelation about a measuring stick (among other thoughts, which I hope to share with you in the future).

Who is holding my measuring stick?

When the teachers chose the May Queen, my measuring stick was in their hands. Likewise, the cheer squad had possession of my measuring stick. During my college “leadership failure,” my Mom — and those professional mentors who ignored the fact that the student chapter was unraveling — which had nothing to do with me — held my measuring stick.

Can you detect the pattern?

Whoever holds my measuring stick has the power to judge my worth. In situations where success is subjective, “I’m only as good as someone else will let me be.” But that’s not who I am to God.

I now see in a fundamental way that my measuring stick does not belong in the hands of anyone but God. When I allow any person other than God to hold my measuring stick, I am giving them power over my life, and power to speak to me those all-too-believable lies like, “I’ll never be good enough,” and “I’ll never measure up.”

But what the Lord thinks of me can be found in the Song of Solomon 4:7.   “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

I like this idea much better. To God’s measurement, I will always be much more than good enough. I am altogether beautiful, and without a flaw! The same is true for you, dear soul reading this blog post. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God loves you and is well pleased with you! You are more than good enough. Step into the light of grace and truth! Rip your measuring stick out of the hands of others, and place it in the Master’s loving and merciful hands, for He cares for you.

Before receiving this deep cleansing of the Holy Spirit, when I shared the story of my life with those women on the Dwelling Place team. All three were surprised at my deeply rooted feelings of never measuring up. They didn’t see me as any kind of failure. And my sisters in Christ all said they would pray for me, for God to reveal His truth to me. I’m so glad they did.

The post Always Falling Short? Who’s Holding Your Measuring Stick? appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

The scripture above is from the Canticle of Zechariah, the father of St. John the Baptist. The Angel revealed to Zechariah that his son, John, “will go before him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:17.

In this spirit, we are asking the intercession of St. John the Baptist to prepare the fathers of this world for the return of Christ — by turning their hearts toward their children, and by bringing them into obedience of the wisdom of the just. In so doing, may these fathers help make us all a people prepared for the Lord.

We also ask for the intercession of St. Joseph, chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, and devoted foster father of Jesus, who obediently and quietly cared for and protected the Christ Child and his Holy Mother, so that our Lord Jesus could fulfill his mission on earth.

We’re praying for every kind of father — Married, single, widowed, deceased. Spiritual fathers, Godfathers, Seminarians, Priests and Deacons. Foster fathers and adoptive fathers. Expectant fathers and grieving fathers. Father figures, uncles, coaches, teachers. “City Fathers,” and “Fathers of our Country,” and men in positions of servant-leadership and authority.

You may use the regular daily rotation of the Mysteries of the Rosary (Monday-Joyful, Tuesday and Friday-Sorrowful, Thursday-Luminous, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday-Glorious).

(It is taken for granted that you know the structure of the Rosary. For instructions on how to pray the Rosary, scroll to the bottom of the home page of FreshRosary.com, and download a copy.)

Create a list here of the Fathers you intend to pray for: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

Novena Prayer

Begin your Rosary with this prayer, followed by the Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be…

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dear Saint Joseph and Saint John the Baptist, Because of your examples of obedience to God, and the prayerful and holy works by which you announced the earthly mission of Jesus Christ, thereby cooperating in securing salvation for humanity– we ask for your powerful intercession for all fathers, and men who fill the fatherly roles in this earthly realm.

By your merits and heavenly prayers, we ask you with all confidence to obtain for these men the virtues, and gifts, and fruits from the Holy Spirit, which they need in order to lead and serve their families, and lead and serve the Church -May you encourage them by their holy example, and purity of body, mind and soul, to also participate in preparing a people ready for the Lord at His second-coming.

We make this prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Daily Intentions for the Virtues of Fatherhood

These are the daily intentions:

The Cardinal Virtues- Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance

The Theological Virtues- Faith, Hope and Charity

For good measure-

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, piety, fear of the Lord)

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity)

We’ll follow this Novena Calendar, with everyone praying the Rosary and the Intentions on the same day. Don’t be discouraged if you miss a day. Just hop right back into the schedule with a happy heart and firm resolve to carry on.

Our calendar leading up to Father’s Day:

Friday, June 7: The Cardinal Virtue of Prudence

Saturday, June 8: The Cardinal Virtue of Justice

Sunday, June 9: The Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude

Monday, June 10: The Cardinal Virtue of Temperance

Tuesday, June 11: The Theological Virtue of Faith

Wednesday, June 12: The Theological Virtue of Hope

Thursday, June 13: The Theological Virtue of Charity

Friday, June 14: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Saturday, June 15: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Father’s Day, June 16: Prayer of Thanksgiving

“For an outpouring of ______________________________ in the lives of all fathers, especially (say the names here).”

How to add the Daily Intentions:

As you pray the Mysteries of the Rosary, announce each mystery and pray the Daily Intention, and then pray the Our Father and ten Hail Mary prayers, in the usual fashion.

Pray all nine days in the same manner, substituting the boldface text into each daily intention, according to the calendar on page 3.

For Example:

On Day one, begin your rosary in the usual way, starting with the Novena Prayer.

“The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden.

“For an outpouring of the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence in the lives of all fathers, especially _____________________.

“Our Father…

“Hail Mary… (10 times)

“Glory be…

“Oh my Jesus…”

Pray all nine days in the same manner, substituting the boldface text into each daily intention, according to the calendar above.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Almighty and ever-living God,

We praise your for your goodness and extol you for your great glory.

Father’s Day reminds us of your own fatherly love.

Thank you for your Fatherhood as our Creator and Provider,

Thank you for your love in sending your only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who in obedience to You, gave himself for us on the cross,

so that we may have eternal life with You and the saints in heaven.

We ask your blessing on all fathers –

Married, single, widowed, deceased.

Spiritual fathers, Godfathers, Seminarians, Priests and Deacons.

Foster fathers and adoptive fathers.

Expectant fathers and grieving fathers.

Father figures, uncles, coaches, teachers.

“City Fathers,” and “Fathers of our Country,” and men in positions of servant-leadership and authority.

Bless, protect and strengthen them.

Fill them with every virtue and grace, in order that they may be effective workers in the vineyard,

for the coming of Jesus Christ as King of All Nations.

We make this prayer in His Holy Name.

Amen.

The post Father’s Day Novena appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

About the Novena for the Holy Military Souls in Purgatory

We honor the dead. We honor their memory and sacrifice. We honor them for the love they showed for their fellow Americans. What can we do to thank these souls for their service?

Together let’s pray a Rosary Novena for their heavenly homecoming. God alone knows who among these brave men and women are still waiting for complete union with Him in eternity. Our Lord is giving us a great opportunity this year to storm Heaven on their behalf, as they stormed beaches, deserts, and all manner of terrain on our behalf.

This year, Memorial Day is the Monday before the Feast of the Ascension, so we’ll be finished with our novena before the great Pentecost Novena begins, to pray once more for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Earth.

The Structure of this Rosary Novena

This Novena begins with a special prayer asking God to release the holy souls of our military into Heaven. Following that prayer, every day we will ask one of the nine choirs of angels, in ascending order, to assist our beloved dead on their journey, so that by the ninth day, the Seraphim are ushering the souls into God’s throne room. (God-willing, that’s the plan!)

With each decade of the rosary we will pray for a particular branch of service. Five branches, 5 decades. It works!!

The rest of the rosary will be prayed in the usual fashion. On Memorial Day, there will be a prayer of thanksgiving to God for hearing our prayers, and for His sovereignty and love for these dear souls.

Novena Calendar

We’ll follow the Novena Calendar below, with everyone praying the Rosary and the specified Angel intentions on the same day. If you find this novena in a future year, simply alter the dates to lead up to Memorial Day.

You may use the regular daily rotation of the Mysteries of the Rosary (Monday-Joyful, Tuesday and Friday-Sorrowful, Thursday-Luminous, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday-Glorious). If you prefer to pray the Suffering, Death and Resurrection Mysteries, then concentrate on the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries for this novena. It will be fine.

(It is taken for granted that you know the structure of the Rosary. For instructions on how to pray the Rosary, scroll to the bottom of the home page of FreshRosary.com, and download a copy.)

May 18 – Guardian Angels and Angels

May 19 – Archangels

May 20 – Principalities

May 21 – Powers

May 22 – Virtues

May 23 – Thrones

May 24 – Dominions

May 25 – Cherubim

May 26 – Seraphim

May 27 – Memorial Day

First Mystery: Army

Second Mystery: Navy

Third Mystery: Air Force

Fourth Mystery: Marine Corps

Fifth Mystery: Coast Guard

Create a list here of souls you wish to remember in prayer: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Daily Novena Prayer
Recite this prayer as you begin your Rosary

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, As Memorial Day approaches, our thoughts turn toward the many brave men and women of the Armed Forces who are now counted among the faithful dead, who gave of themselves to protect and serve the United States of America.

With this Rosary Novena, we ask you to look with mercy upon all Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially those military souls. We ask you to complete the work of their purification, that they may soon enjoy total union with You and with the Saints in Heaven. For there is no greater human love than to lay down one’s life for a friend, and there is no greater Heavenly Love than to be united with You, Triune God, Who are Love, and the Source of all Love, in time and in eternity.

We pray especially for the souls of (mention names here), that you will look kindly on the merits of their service “for God and country,” and that your mercy and justice would triumph, securing their purification and entrance into their Heavenly reward.

In praise and thanksgiving for your goodness and glory, we make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with You, in union with the Holy Spirit, reigns as King of the Universe, now and forever.

Amen.

Daily Intentions to the Nine Choirs of Angels

Day 1

Holy Angels and Guardian Angels, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Archangels on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 2

Holy Archangels, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Principalities on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 3

Holy Principalities, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Powers on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 4

Holy Powers, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Virtues on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 5

Holy Virtues, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Dominions on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 6

Holy Dominions, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Thrones, on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 7

Holy Thrones, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Cherubim on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 8

Holy Cherubim, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Seraphim on their journey to God’s throne.

Day 9

Holy Serpahim, you who constantly worship God, we ask you to usher into God’s throne room the purified souls of the military men and women who have completed their journey to God.

How to add the Daily Intentions:

Immediately after the Daily Novena Prayer, and before starting the Apostles’ Creed, pray the above prayers, one each day, according to the list on Page 1, and continue your rosary in the usual manner.

For example, Day 1: Pray the Daily Novena Prayer

Then pray the first Daily Intention: “Holy Angels and Guardian Angels, we ask you to shed your light upon the military souls in purgatory, and to recommend them to the care of the Archangels on their journey to God’s throne.” Days 2 through 9 continue in the same fashion, using the calendar on Page 2.

“I believe in God the Father Almighty… “Our Father, who art in Heaven… “Hail Mary, full of grace…(3 times) “Glory be to the Father…

Begin with the First Mystery, and announce the following: “With this decade, we remember the Holy Souls who served in the United States Army, especially those who have no one to pray for them.”

Begin each remaining mystery as follows:

The Second Mystery: With this decade, we remember the Holy Souls who served in the United States Navy, especially those who have no one to pray for them.

The Third Mystery: With this decade, we remember the Holy Souls who served in the United States Air Force, especially those who have no one to pray for them.

The Fourth Mystery: With this decade, we remember the Holy Souls who served in the United States Marine Corps, especially those who have no one to pray for them.

The Fifth Mystery: With this decade, we remember the Holy Souls who served in the United States Coast Guard, especially those who have no one to pray for them.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Blessed are You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his earthly life for us so that we may may have eternal life with You. We thank You for Jesus’ promise, that, “My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:29) By this word we have confidence in Your power to save all souls, knowing that those for whom we prayed this novena are securely in your hand. We humbly ask for the grace of a sign that they are now united with you, Saints among the Saints in Heaven, enjoying this Memorial Day as the ultimate celebration, praising you in Heaven for all eternity. In Jesus’ Name, we give you our praise and thanks.

Amen.

If you have any questions about how to pray this novena, please contact me through this website and I’ll get back to you!

The post Memorial Day Novena with Prayers appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.

We honor the dead. We honor their memory and sacrifice. We honor them for the love they showed for their fellow Americans as we say a quick prayer for their souls. Beyond the Mass at the cemetery, the barbecue picnic, camp-outs, sales at the mall, or any other way we choose to mark the day, what can we do to thank these souls for their service?

Together let’s plan ahead, and pray a Rosary Novena for their heavenly homecoming. God alone knows who among these brave men and women are still waiting for complete union with Him in eternity. I believe Our Lord is giving us a great opportunity this year to storm Heaven on their behalf, as they stormed beaches, deserts, and all manner of terrain on our behalf.

This year, Memorial Day is the Monday before the Feast of the Ascension, so we’ll be finished with our novena before the great Pentecost Novena begins, to pray once more for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Earth.

We’ll begin praying on Saturday, May 18, the birthday of Saint John Paul II. Won’t you pray with us?

(Check back here on Friday, May 17, to read the entire Novena, and get the download link.)

The post Memorial Day Novena for the Military Holy Souls appeared first on Fresh Rosary | Funeral Memorial Tribute Rosaries.