In 1983 the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin put forward a beautiful, poetic, optimistic, altruistic idea he called the “Seamless Garment of Life”, which stated that as Catholics and simply as humans, we had an obligations to protect all aspects of life – from the unborn to the weakest of those in need in our society. He spoke of a “constant ethic of life”. It very quickly became twisted around by many trying to somehow equate all issues, as if murder were equal to hunger were equal to pollution were equal to sickness… and people were confused. Where do you draw the line? And the question needs to be asked once and for all – Why are we drawing a line? The most basic, fundamental foundation of all needs is life. You can’t have ANY other need, if you’re not alive. Even Cardinal Bernadin said so, in an interview in 1988; he was appalled at the way his ideas had been abused by politicians!
Here’s a real-life example for you - take a CPR course, and ask your instructor “what happens if I push too hard? Will I hurt the person?” And your instructor will laugh and tell you, “You can’t hurt them any worse, they’re having a heart attack, the heart has stopped, they’re already dead! You can't hurt them any worse! Do what you need to do!” A fundamental fact – you have to be ALIVE to have any other needs. That’s the "firm foundation" that everything else is built on. LIFE!
So yes – all “life” issues are important. All the traditional corporal and spiritual Acts of Mercy that the Church has always taught are all important. THAT is the True seamless garment that we must all wear - feed hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, bury the dead. Admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and the dead.
Through using this rosary you maintain the witness that it provides. Those who don't recognize this rosary may ask, and therefore give you the opportunity to share with them your prayerful support of the Pro-Life Movement. Unite your witness with others as you pray it at rallies, as well as when you pray alone.
The Mysteries are the same, no matter what – Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious
…however, before you pray each Mystery, the intentions/meditations are as follows - you can pray this Rosary on an ordinary set of rosary beads, obviously - or you can create your own rosary with the beads colored as follows, with these intentions:
The colors are based on the liturgical colors of the Church:
White = Purity, Light, Innocence, Joy, Triumph, or Glory
Black = Mourning or sorrow
Red = The Blood of Christ, the blood of the holy martyrs, God’s Love, the fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Yellow (Gold) = Joy, Resurrection hope
Violet = Penance, humility, humbleness, meekness
Pink = Gaudet! Joy! Stands for hope, especially hope in the midst of regret, penance, or mourning
Green = Life eternal, the Holy Spirit, hope, growth
Above the Crucifix – White beads - for the Our Father and other white bead for the Glory Be - Pray on the Our Father for the Intentions of the Pope, and pray on the Glory Be bead that we all find the strength to respect life at all stages, from conception, to a natural death
On the three middle beads - 3 Black beads on the Hail Mary beads - prayers for increased Faith, Hope, and Charity, and for your specific personal intentions – if you know someone contemplating an abortion, or a person struggling with addiction, an elderly person in a nursing home, or a trouble teen, etc. now would be a good time to pray for them. Think of Our Lady of LaSalette, weeping for our sins, and always, always praying for us. Pray with her, for the reconciliation of sinners, and an increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity in us all. =Meditations / Intentions =
Red - 1st Decade - In reparation for the sin of Abortion – let us pray - We bear the burden of this sin as a society, and we ask forgiveness for every drop of blood spilled, for every child killed by abortion. We pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect these most innocent of lives, all over the world. We pray for an end to abortion, and we vow to fight unjust laws that allow abuse of all life, whether these laws already exist and must be overturned; or new laws that are proposed that allow destruction and experimentation with helpless, innocent human lives, and must be prevented from being passed into laws. And we pray for our leaders, to have the courage to live out the faith they claim to have, to be fully people of God, protecting the unborn at all times. And we pray for the mothers of the unborn, that they will open their hearts to love, and to motherhood; and we pray for the fathers of the unborn, that they will also open their hearts to love, and the courage to be true men, and fathers to their children. And we pray for those in the prolife movement, Our Lady, give them strength and courage, to continue to carry out the mission of your most Holy Son all over the world, to protect these tiny, defenseless lives, that cannot speak, cannot cry out, and cannot protect themselves.
Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…
WHITE BEAD –And together we pray for the conversion of the mothers and fathers of these poor aborted babies, and we also pray in reparation for the sins of those who urged these mothers towards getting an abortion; coerced them, forced them, or offered them false "choices" that led only to death and despair. We pray for healing in their mind, hearts, and souls. May they realize the love that the Lord has for them, always, and come to Him for reconciliation and healing. And we also pray for the doctors, nurses, and staff of the abortion clinics; may they have a complete conversion of their minds, hearts and souls, and come to a full realization of the love that the Lord has for them, and run to His feet, and embrace Him fully. May Our Lady of Guadalupe shower them with her roses of winter, and take them by the hand, and lead them forward, to find peace only the Lord can offer them.
- Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
- Now announce the next Mystery
- Pray the Our Father
Yellow - 2nd Decade – For those Abused and Neglected - we pray for the “silent” one, who never says a word about the terrors at home. We pray for the “clumsy” one who "falls a lot", and never tells anyone how she got the bruises. We pray for the “hungry” one who tries to take an extra piece of bread home in his pocket “for later”. We pray for the “angry” one, having “temper tantrums” – who cries, and then lashes out at others and doesn’t even know why, except his heart hurts so much all the time; we pray for the neglected, for the abused; for the poor our society neglects, for the homless, and for every child, woman, or man living in fear and loneliness - Mary, Queen of Families, surround them with your love, and comfort them! And we also pray for the abusers and the neglectful – that they may, through the intercession of our most precious Lady, turn towards our most merciful Lord Jesus and repent of their sins, and convert to a life of peace, health, and holiness. May they look into the eyes that Love the whole world, and may their hearts of stone melt. May their homes become havens of love, peace, and well-being. May they learn to offer up their lives to the Lord, and yearn to walk always in His Ways.
Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…
WHITE BEAD - We ask for peace and tranquility in homes, in hearts, and in the whole world. Where there is despair, let there be hope. Where there is darkness, let there be light. And where there is sadness, Oh please Lord of Love, let there be joy. Mary, Queen of Families, pray for peace.
- Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
- Now announce the next Mystery
- Pray the Our Father
Violet - 3rd Decade - For those Addicted to substances or anything unhealthy in their lives, and also for those struggling with the challenges of Mental Health issues - may Mary's mantle surround them, may the Queen of Heaven and Earth lift them up, and lead them to her Son; may they run to her, and ask for her help always so that untold graces may pour down upon them - and may they open their hearts to the healing only Christ can bring. As they struggle with life’s challenges, Oh Lady of Good Remedy, our source of unfailing help, grant that those who are addicted and those who are afflicted with mental illnesses are comforted; bring healing to their body and mind. Touch their hearts, that they might seek reconciliation and forgiveness. May they be strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patience and with fortitude. May they enjoy health of body, peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus Christ. May His Majesty guide them whithersoever He will: they are not their own, but His. Let them not be afraid of the Cross, and they will see how our Lord will help them to carry it, how joyfully they will advance, and what profit they will derive from it. May they truly learn that “all things are possible in God.” Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…
WHITE BEAD - For the families and care-givers of those who are addicted or struggling to cope with mental health issues - may they too seek out Our Lady of Good Remedy, and let her strengthen them as they seek to encourage and support their loved ones, and all those whom they care for.
- Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
- Now announce the next Mystery
- Pray the Our Father
Pink- 4th Decade – For the Elderly and the Sick - For those who are nearing the end of their lives, may they look with hope to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. May she be their strong walking staff when they stumble, their eyes when they cannot see, ears when they cannot hear, and may she take their hand and be their sure and unfailing guide as they carry this last Cross on the journey of life, as they yearn for Heaven, where youth and health is eternal. We also pray that those who care for the sick and the elderly, and pray that they will care for them with dignity. We ask that those confined to hospitals, nursing facilities, or their homes be free from isolation; may those who are sick, or hurting, or suffer incurable illness or degenerative disease receive the comfort and hope they need. May the sick and the elderly be led by the Holy Spirit to join their sufferings to that of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and may they offer up their suffering, in reparation for the sins of the world, for the conversion of sinners, and for the souls in Purgatory. And we pray that at the end of their lives, they will find peace naturally, with dignity, as the Lord comes to meet them, and that they will find joy in that meeting. God of Love, your Son became man and lived among us and acted not only as a healer of physical illness, but also as a physician of souls too. We ask you to have mercy on the souls of the elderly and the sick, and to comfort those who love and care for them.
Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…
WHITE BEAD - For the families, loved ones, and care providers - May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, bless them, lift them up, support them and encourage them. May they offer comfort and peace, and be willing to learn from the wisdom & years of experience of the elders that they care for, and may they learn the gentleness, patience and compassion that is beyond the human touch from the sick that they care for, as the grace of Our Lord pours down upon them, through the gentle hands of Our Lady, Our Mother.
- Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
- Now announce the next Mystery
- Pray the Our Father
Green- 5th Decade – For the Prisoner - Locked into anger and bitterness, now often living in violence, isolation, and fear, we pray that they will look to Mary, Our Lady, of Fatima who urged us to pray for the conversion of the sinner each day. We are all sinners – but there are those who have cut themselves off from the Lord’s endless ocean of Mercy, out of their anger, their pain, their guilt, their fear, and their bitterness. We pray that they will reach out to Our Lady of Fatima for healing, hope, and peace, knowing that she too has known the agony of the sword that has pierced her heart, and can share their bitterness and pain – but that they will come to realize that she can shower them with grace, and grant them peace, if they would but ask - and that they will take her hand, and let her lead them to the Lord, and His Mercy will surround them, not His justice – they need not be afraid. We have all fallen short, we all sinners. Christ shed His blood for us all. Let us pray for the conversion of their mind, heart and souls, that none may be lost to the Lord. Let them hear the Good News of the Lord with open hearts, so that they may lay down their burdens at the foot of the Cross; opening their hearts to grace, and repenting, and so availing themselves of the endless mercy that the Lord so dearly wishes to bestow on them. May they come to learn that God withholds Himself from no one who perseveres. He will by little and little strengthen each soul who comes to Him in true repentance, so that it may come forth victorious. Pray 10 Hail Mary’s…
(On the Center, since there is no 5th White bead) - For the families and loved ones these prisoners have left behind, and for the families and loved one's of their victims - May the peace and serenity that only Christ can grant them fill their minds, hearts, and souls. O Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for these families & loved ones. Hasten, O Lady, the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus and cease to offend God, already so much offended, and thus avoid eternal punishment. Turn thine eyes of mercy towards us so that henceforth we may love God with all our heart while on earth, and enjoy Him forever in Heaven. Amen.
- Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer
- Hail Holy Queen
Written and designed by Lisa Alekna MI, of Massachusetts – on 1/26/2007 – the feast day of St. Timothy, St. Titus and St. Paula of Rome; updated & revised on 6/6/07 – the feast day of St. Marcelino Champagnat – and finally on May 22, 2009, the feast day of St. Rita of Cascia, the Patron Saint of Impossible Things - may these, and all the saints, blessed, and faithful departed pray for us, and for all these souls who cry out to the Lord in their misery and sorrow, looking for hope, comfort, mercy, and joy, that only the Lord can bring.
Lisa is a Counselor and is a consecrated member of the Militia of the Immaculata of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and is devoted to the Pro-Life Movement. She also designs and creates Rosaries, which she freely shares with any who wishes to have one
Download this as a Word Document
Labels: abortion, abused, elderly, life, lonely, mentally ill, Mysteries, neglected, poor, prisoners, pro-life, Rosary, sick, victim
Last night, as the election results came in, my son and I stared at the TV screen in horror. I realized abruptly that I actually had tears streaming down my face.
Later, after my son had gone to bed muttering about how "people are so stupid", I had a thought....
When the Prophet Daniel looked at the writing on the wall, he did not look at the corrupt king of the Babylonians and state "he has good intentions" and did not say "I will not speak ill of him" - he told it like it was:
"But thou hast lifted thyself up against the Lord of heaven: and the vessels of his house have been brought before thee: and thou, and thy nobles, and thy wives, and thy concubines have drunk wine in them: and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and of gold, and of brass, of iron, and of wood, and of stone, that neither see, nor hear, nor feel: but the God who hath thy breath in his hand, and all thy ways, thou hast not glorified... And this is the writing that is written: MANE, THECEL, PHARES. ... God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it... thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting... thy kingdom is divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians....(Daniel 5:23-30)
I made this comment last night to some folks. Didn't get much of a response. I really think this whole situation is not only in God's hands, but is a real wake-up call by the Lord. And we may all have to face many trials and tribulations to come. And that will also be in the hands of the Lord.
In the Temple in Jerusalem, the Lord was present in an active, visible manner. The people of Israel could see the many miracles that occurred, and praise the Lord. But they fell into complacency and corruption. Then the Lord allowed them to be chastised and the Temple to be destroyed. He showed them in no uncertain terms that they didn't need a building or miracles - they needed HIM. The Lord essentially forced them to take a stand - even in their fear, grief, and suffering - were they His people, or not?
In Babylon the people had to cling to His covenant, and get on their knees and humble themselves. Even the King of Babylon was forced to humble himself and acknowledge the sovereignty of the Lord. Like Nebuchadnezzar, God is sending us out to eat weeds and sleep under the vault of Heaven, until we put the Most High back into the forefront of our lives. God is in control. There is always a reason, even for pain, even for suffering. The Lord blesses us with everything He sends us.
We are in Babylon now. Belshazzar sings his songs and drinks from our holy vessels. He thinks he has riches and power. But the Lord is faithful, the Lord is ever good. Praise Him, serve Him, and stand fast to your faith, for "the Most High God rules over the kingdom of men and appoints over it whom he will." (Daniel 5:21)
Let us pray:
"For the Lord is great and exceedingly to be praised: and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Praise and magnificence are before him: strength and joy in his place. Bring ye to the Lord, O ye families of the nations: bring ye to the Lord glory and empire. Give to the Lord glory to his name, bring up sacrifice, and come ye in his sight: and adore the Lord in holy becomingness. Let all the earth be moved at his presence: for he hath founded the world immoveable. Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad: and let them say among the nations: The Lord hath reigned. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all things that are in them. Then shall the trees of the wood give praise before the Lord: because he is come to judge the earth. Give ye glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (1 Chronicles, 16: 25 - 34)
Pax et Bonum,
Lisa
Westfield, MA
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
May 2006
July 2006
August 2006
October 2006
November 2006
December 2006
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
July 2007
September 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
January 2010
February 2010
April 2010
August 2010
September 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011
June 2012
February 2015
* A Vet's Guide To Life: Apparently S.H.I.E.L.D. IDs...
* Announcement from Bishop Zurek regarding Fr. Pavone
* Imagine the Potential - This Ad was Rejected by NB...
* Tim Tebow and Pam Tebow Prolife Superbowl 44 Comme...
* Catholic FAQ #8: If someone has an abortion and re...
* Women & Abortion: Stories of Grief and Healing: Ma...
* Archdiocese of Omaha, March for Life, Flash Mob Ja...
* THE TENTH CRUSADE: God's 38th Anniversary Present ...
- by Thomas à Kempis
