Love to see the rosary that hung on the wall over his mother's bed after her husband, Gerard, had died. It has lasted 26 years! Mom Verly, Anna, was on hospice close to 2 years and it was always there with her... now with dad, and yes - we pray the rosary daily along with the chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3p. The last 2 days it has not happened as we have had an upheaval with dad looking like he was dying, and then coming back some.
Dad's beloved prayer book replaced my phone ap today! It was such a sacred moment! I read the Gospel to him and reminded him that he is truly prepared in the 3rd watch for the Master to arrive!
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.” Matthew 12:35-38
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.” Matthew 12:35-38
Yes, dad, you are truly a blessed servant and soon you will climb the mountain of the Lord for the wedding feast of the Lamb!
Antiphon 1..."The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord." That is you, dearest father!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
and my spirit rejoices in the King of heaven.
Let all people speak of his majesty, *
and sing his praises in Jerusalem.”
Yes, father, you have lived this out to the 3rd watch and you are right there to open the door when He knocks! "I am ready to go." you are starting to say when you wake up to another day! We heard this daily from Pat's mother for most of the time she was on hospice!
We watched the crop planted, the corn fields all around us come up and eventually get to 7 foot tall, put on an ear, turn golden, get harvested and then tilling the soil black all around us! Now snow!
He really loved getting that big wonderful head of hair combed! That was his ritual to do first thing in the morning before he put his cochlear implant in his ear... comb that wonderful hair that kept him looking much younger than his 95 years! Now he depends on others...
We have learned that on both ends of our lives we have to give up so much and be cared for my others! Very humbling indeed!
The beginning of LIFE - baby Patrick at 10 days!
8 years ago today - little Lamb Patrick being held by mommy after being in NICU for 10 days after a traumatic birth - born dead and brought back to LIFE! Surrounded by so many prayers he was healed and is now a healthy and active and wonderful boy!https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-little-lamb-grandson.html
The snow allowed Pat to be here to help me take down our bed and then plant the tree from his siblings! Thank you, honey!
Lord, how we cling to you and long to jump up and answer the door when you knock - we love you with our all and we long to die to self so that you may live in us and we may give without counting the cost! I am forever grateful to your Holy Spirit leading my wonderful Father to come into The Church with all of his family 49 years ago! All 13 of us! How these last 6 months of sharing his religious LIFE/Deaconate with him here in our "Farm Monastery" has been the greatest of gifts! I am the lucky one! Help us as we drag our Most Cherished Cross down the narrow path after you. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Ant. Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.
Ant. 3 The loyal heart must praise the Lord.
Two Antiphons from morning prayer that are true of loyal Deacon Robert Cross!
"Live in the joy and peace of the divine Majesty.
Live lost in divine love." - St Paul of the Cross
"How wonderful are the treasures which are enclosed
in the divine Eucharist! I exhort you, even though you live in the world,
to receive Communion often, but with piety.
Holy Communion is the most efficacious means
of uniting one's self to God.
Always prepare yourself well for this sacred banquet.
Have a very pure heart, and watch over your tongue,
for it is on the tongue that the Sacred Host is laid.
Carry Our Lord home with you after your thanksgiving,
to receive Communion often, but with piety.
Holy Communion is the most efficacious means
of uniting one's self to God.
Always prepare yourself well for this sacred banquet.
Have a very pure heart, and watch over your tongue,
for it is on the tongue that the Sacred Host is laid.
Carry Our Lord home with you after your thanksgiving,
and let your heart be a living tabernacle for Jesus.
Visit Him often in this interior tabernacle, offering Him your homage,
Visit Him often in this interior tabernacle, offering Him your homage,
and the sentiments of gratitude with which divine love will inspire you.
Preserve carefully the sentiments of love
with which you are filled after Communion."
Preserve carefully the sentiments of love
with which you are filled after Communion."
St Paul of the Cross
Italy ~ 1694-1775
Italy ~ 1694-1775
Priest, Mystic, powerful teacher/preacher
Founder - Passionist Order
To the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience they added a fourth:
to spread devotion to Christ’s passion among the faithful.
To the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience they added a fourth:
to spread devotion to Christ’s passion among the faithful.
Feast Day - October 20
Painting above: First Communion, France (artist unknown)
Painting above: First Communion, France (artist unknown)
Danielle Rose - my heart is filled with her music!
Zach Williams
Ryan Stevenson
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