Author name: sanjose

Isaiah 52:7

Verse:

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,“Your God reigns!”” - Isaiah 52:7

Prayer For Salvation

Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. In Your precious name, Amen.

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Saint Juan Diego

Saint Juan Diego, originally named as Cuauhtlatoatzin, was born in 1474. His uncle took him in after the passing of his father. Despite his uncle raised him under Aztec pagan religion, he has always shown signs of religious fervor.

In 1524, he and his wife, Maria Lucia, was baptized and converted to Catholicism upon the arrival of Franciscan missionaries. He was passionate about his faith, he often walked long distances just to go to the Franciscan mission station.

There were accounts that Saint Juan Diego received visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In one of the visions, the Virgin Mary told Saint Juan Diego that his uncle would be cured and ordered him to collect flowers up on a hill. The following day, his uncle was finally healed from his illness.

Saint Juan Diego continued living a solitary life in a hermitage on Tepeyac Hill. He stayed there until his death on December 9, 1548. He is the patron saint of indigenous people.

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Luke 1:30-31

Verse:

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” - Luke 1:30-31

Prayer To Guardian Angels For Guidance

Angel sent by God to guide me, be my light and walk beside me; be my guardian and protect me; on the paths of life direct me. Amen.

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception

A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church. It is now recognized as a solemnity.
In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”
It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard of Clairvaux and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justification for this teaching.
Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology. They pointed out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleansed from original sin after birth. In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.

Sources:

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary

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Luke 2:6-7

Verse:

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” - Luke 2:6-7

Prayer To Remember What Christmas is All About

Lord, I thank You for coming to earth so You could redeem me. When I think of the extent to which You were willing to go in order to save me, it makes me want to shout, to celebrate, and to cry with thankfulness. You love me so much, and I am so grateful for that love. Without You, I would still be lost and in sin. But because of everything You have done for me, today I am free; my life is blessed; Jesus is my Lord; Heaven is my home; and Satan has no right to control me. I will be eternally thankful to You for everything You did to save me! I pray this in Jesus' name!

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: (Rick Renner) https://www.womansday.com/life/g24281476/best-christmas-prayer/

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Saint Ambrose

Saint Ambrose, also known as Aurelius Ambrosius, was born on year 339. He was the second son of the imperial viceroy of Gaul.
He was born in Germany but after his father’s passing, he was reared and educated in Rome.

He studied law, literature, and rhetoric. Later on, he was placed on the council and in year 372, he was made Governor based in Milan. After serving as Governor, he was elected Bishop of Milan. As bishop, he was famous with the people since he donated all his wealth to the poor.

It was said that Saint Ambrose greatly influenced Augustine. When Augustine first arrived in Milan during year 384, he was a skeptical professor. But around 387 to 388, he left Milan baptized and indebted to Ambrose because of his transformational Christian theology. Saint Ambrose was the author of several important writings and hymns of the Church.

Saint Ambrose is held in high regard by many even after his death. According to Augustine, Saint Ambrose was a model bishop. There was a biography written by Paulinus.

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Psalm 73:25

Verse:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” - Psalm 73:25

Prayer To Desire God

Dear Lord, help me to cultivate the simplicity of devotion to You. I want You to be my primary ambition in life. I desire to behold Your beauty, and dwell in Your house all the days of my life. Let seeking Your heart be the goal of my life even in busy and stressful times. Help me to be one who seeks after Your beauty. Help me to discover Your emotions and the purposes of Your heart. Amen.

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Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas, also known as Nicholas of Myra, lived during the 4th century. He travelled to Palestine and Egypt when he was young. When he returned to Lycia, he became the bishop of Myra.

During the rule of emperor Diocletian, he was one of the Christians who were tortured and persecuted. However, during the rule of Constantine the Great, he was released.

Saint Nicholas had a reputation for being generous and kind. There were accounts of him performing miracles for the poor. He is often associated with Christmas. He is one of the patron saints of children and of sailors.

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2 Corinthians 4:18

Verse:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:18

Prayer Against Materialism

Father, please help us to spend wisely and not excessively. Help us to be better stewards of the resources You have blessed us with. Holy Spirit, please help us to be more disciplined with our lifestyles. Father, help us to learn to be content with what we have instead of always wanting more. Help those who are in financial trouble. Amen

Sources:

Original version of the prayer: https://slife.org/prayers-against-greed/

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Saint Crispina

Saint Crispina was born in Algeria. She belonged to a distinguished family and was a wealthy matron with children. She is a known virgin martyr of Africa.

Under the Diocletian persecution, she was ordered to sacrifice to the gods. When she refused, she was threatened with death. But even then, she did not follow the order. They shaved her head and exposed her to the public to be mocked and ridiculed. However, she remained strong in her faith. In the end, she was condemned to death. She thanked God for the verdict and offered her head willingly for execution. She died on December 5, year 304.

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