From Our Blog
The Empowering Tenderness of Mercy
It’s an exciting time. The first pope in 600 years has stepped down in a noble and humble way for “the good of the Church.” We prayed and waited and watched, wondering what God was doing, how He would lead us. And then the smoke, the white billowing smoke that seemed to say, “I will never abandon you.” Our hearts were caught up... Read More
Divinely and Eternally Loved
During Adoration this morning, the words of a song kept popping into my mind — “divinely and eternally loved” — the final words of one of the songs on my daughter Erin’s CD “Through the Darkness.” I can never listen to this song without tears, partly because of the beauty and emotion in Erin’s voice and partly because of the... Read More
Photo Prayer
Several years ago I happened upon a method of praying that has become a daily practice. It began with the Divine Mercy image, the now well-known picture of Christ with red and pale rays streaming from His Heart. I had become accustomed to praying before the large image of the Divine Mercy that hung in my office, imagining myself in the midst... Read More
He “fathers-forth”
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator …” (Apostles Creed) Ever notice that in this prayer God is referred to first of all as “Father” and only then as “creator”? There’s a whole teaching here. Pope John Paul II, in Rich in Mercy, explains that God is not just the creator, but “He is also Father,” and He is linked... Read More
Hands Empty
Whenever I feel anxious about something, or start something new, or catch myself writing scripts for God, I hold my hands out in front of me (at least mentally) and let this phrase run thru my mind over and over: “hands empty and cupped to receive” (Iain Matthew, The Impact of God). It’s really just another way of saying... Read More
Become What You Behold
Remember the Gospel story of the Transfiguration — that great event when Christ’s glory was revealed to three of His disciples as He was transformed in front of their eyes on Mt. Tabor? I’ve often wondered who was really transformed that day. The Fathers of the Church teach that Jesus was not changed but was transfigured in their sight.... Read More
From Fiat to Amen
Two of the things for which Catholics are most known are devotion to Christ in the Eucharist and devotion to Mary. And in the last few years of his Pontificate, Pope John Paul II made it clear that the two devotions are inseparable. In the midst of the Year of the Rosary (2002-2003), he issued an encyclical letter on the Eucharist: Ecclesia... Read More
The Ultimate Place of Mercy
Purgatory should be viewed not as a form of punishment, but as the ultimate act of God’s mercy, purifying us so that we can enter his presence forever. Here’s what Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) wrote about it. in “God is Near Us”: “Ultimately, the place of purification is Christ himself. When we encounter him without disguise,... Read More
Have any Favorite Eucharistic Prayers?
We will soon be publishing a Eucharistic Prayerbook, and we’d love to consider including your favorites. We are looking for prayers appropriate for times of Adoration, Preparation for Communion, and Thanksgiving after Communion. Please include source and copyright info if possible. Send to vinny@mercysong.com or post on the 7 Secrets of... Read More
St. Faustina’s Meditations on the Passion
Many people have asked about the powerful meditations that are used on our CD “The Rosary & The Chaplet of Divine Mercy,” so I am posting them here. Opening Prayer O my Jesus, … I unite my desires to the desires that You had on the cross (1581). I call upon You and … beg Your mercy for poor sinners. … O Most Sacred... Read More
The Price of Ignoring God
Today’s Mass readings tell such a story! The tragic story of a people who strayed from God. “Abandoning the Lord, the God of their fathers, … they followed the other gods of the various nations around them. … They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken, and did not follow their example of obedience... Read More
Remain in My Love
What a blessing this morning, on the Feast of the Assumption, to read a 40-page pastoral letter on the Eucharist, “Remain in My Love,” written by Fr. Ted Dudzinski, a busy pastor in Kokomo, IN to be distributed to his parishoners! So great to know there are priests shepherding their flocks so well! Here’s a section from... Read More
Look to the Lord
Look to the Lord in his strength;seek to serve him constantly. (Ps 105:4-5) Funny how words you’ve seen many times can suddenly jump off the page at you with new power and meaning. For some reason, the opening lines of the responsorial psalm at Mass one morning leaped out at me and stayed with me throughout the Mass. Look to the Lord... Read More
The Yoke’s On You
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11: 28-30). A few days ago I was reading the Gospel of Matthew with a friend, and when we... Read More
Pentecost: “As you wish!
As a way of continuing the great feast of Pentecost which we have just celebrated, I’d like to pass on a simple, little prayer to the Holy Spirit. So simple that it would be easy to overlook if you happened to see it written somewhere without any explanation or commentary. I came across the prayer a few years ago in an article written... Read More
Did and Didn’t
Imagine St. Peter greeting you at the “Pearly Gates.” He pulls a large volume from the shelf and flips through the pages until he comes to your name. His face lights up momentarily with an approving smile: “Well, I see you’ve done a pretty good job resisting temptation and avoiding serious sin.” He turns a page,... Read More
Octave Day: Let us Rejoice!
A couple of years ago I emailed a Mercy Sunday reflection to a few friends, and I’d like to share it with you now. Mercy Sunday! “This is the day the Lord has made.” Today is the day of days, the octave day of Easter, the last and greatest day of that greatest of all feasts. It is known as Mercy Sunday because it celebrates... Read More
May our hearts be not far from you, Oh God.
Scripture reminds us today during the Liturgy, that the most important thing is the heart, and a personal and intimate relationship with God, who created us to be with Him. We hear about the Pharisees who, through their concern with the rules of Religion, had their focus taken away from the heart of Religion. This doesn’t condemn “human... Read More
A Christian Spelling Lesson
Ever notice how sometimes the way a word is spelled doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense? A few years ago, listening to a talk by Babsie Bleasdell, I realized that the spelling of a particular word had actually kept me from understanding what it really ought to mean in my life. The word is “responsibility,” not a bad word... Read More
Awesome new site on the web!
Just a quick note to encourage all of you to go to http://Faithknowledge.org This is a new Catholic search engine that allows you to type in search words and, within seconds, it comes up with a list of where that word or phrase is found in the Bible, Catechism, Popes and Councils. This is a dream come true for many people! You can limit your... Read More
JPII Quote
I came across this quote again today and just found it so inspiring. It is sufficient for reflection so I won’t add anything! Blessings ~ Erin “It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked... Read More
“Shalom”
Divine Mercy Sunday! Readings: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Pt 5:3-9; Jn 20:19-31 ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. Jn 20:19 Today’s Gospel tells the story of the first Easter Sunday and its octave day, which we celebrate today as Divine Mercy Sunday. The disciples are confused and frightened. Christ had represented their deepest hopes, but all that... Read More
The Obedience of Faith
Saturday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Mk 16:9-15 Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight for us to obey you rather than God Acts 4:19 Today’s readings give us a pretty clear “before and after” look at the disciples and teach us an important lesson about believing and doing. Mark’s Gospel presents... Read More
Return to the Charcoal Fire
Friday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 4:1-12; Jn 21:1-14 When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire. Jn 21:9 In today’s Gospel, Peter and six of the other disciples have been fishing all night, but have caught nothing. Jesus shows up on the shore (once again they don’t recognize Him), and tells them where to cast their nets. They... Read More
Doubly Loved
Thursday in the Octave of Easter Readings: Acts 3:11-26; Lk 24:35-48 It is really I. Touch me and see. Lk 24:39 The theme of recognizing Christ continues in today’s Gospel. After Jesus had vanished from their sight, the two disciples had rushed back to Jerusalem, “where they found the Eleven and the rest of the company assembled” (Lk... Read More
