From the Desk of Fr. Jim - October 20, 2019

HOW TO DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
Prayer is central to our relationship with God; you can have the fanciest new phone, but if there is no connection, it is useless. How do we get a stronger connection to God? I believe prayer after receiving Holy Communion is an integral part of a healthy prayer life. This is one of the most sacred times of our Mass; after receiving our Lord, he is physically united as well as spiritually united within us, and taking some time at this point in the Mass can deepen our relationship with him. How do we pray? Are there words, or do we just sit quietly? There is no right or wrong answer, but to help place us in the proper frame of reference, some spiritual masters in our faith tradition may help.
God bless Fr Jim

Anima Cristi by St Thomas Aquinas
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels forever and ever. Amen

Saint John Vianney
"I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally....My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath."

Saint Padre Pio:
O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your divine mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church.
Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our cross that leads to
heavenly glory.May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us, as You desire, for Your greater glory.
O Jesus, most adorable heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before
the Divine Majesty of Your Heavenly Father. Amen.

Spiritual Communion

Sometimes we are asked to refrain from presenting ourselves for Holy Communion. The following is an ancient prayer for these times:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and
unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. 

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