Knit and Pray

Catholic woman talks about knitting, sewing, crocheting, cross-stitching, crafting and Catholic Faith and family.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

LITANY OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

When I was waiting for my precious Michael to arrive I carried a blessed handkercheif of St. Gerard Majella. Thank you St. Gerard for your intersession!! Here is his litany.
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Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
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Holy Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help,
Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, foster-father of Christ,
Pray for us.
Saint Alphonsus, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, etc.
Saint Gerard Majella,
St. Gerard, enriched with extraordinary graces from early youth,
St. Gerard, perfect model of a faithful servant,
St. Gerard, bright pattern of the working classes,
St. Gerard, great lover of prayer and work,
St. Gerard, seraph of love toward the Blessed Sacrament,
St. Gerard, living image of the crucified Saviour,
St. Gerard, zealous client of the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
St. Gerard, bright mirror of innocence and penance,
St. Gerard, admirable model of heroic obedience,
St. Gerard, silent victim of ignominious calumny,
St. Gerard, great before God by thy deep humility,
St. Gerard, truly wise by thy childlike simplicity,
St. Gerard, supernaturally enlightened in divine mysteries,
St. Gerard, solely desirous of pleasing God,
St. Gerard, zealous promoter of the conversion of sinners,
St. Gerard, wise counselor in the choice of vocation,
St. Gerard, enlightened guide in the direction of souls,
St. Gerard, loving friend of the poor and afflicted,
St. Gerard, safe refuge in sickness and sorrow,
St. Gerard, wonderful protector of unbaptized children,
St. Gerard, compassionate intercessor in every necessity,
St. Gerard, honor and glory of the Redemptorist Order,
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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
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V. Pray for us, Saint Gerard,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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Let Us Pray
O God, Who wast pleased to draw blessed Gerard to Thyself from his youth, and to render him conformable to the image of Thy crucified Son, grant, we beseech Thee, that following his example, we may be transformed into the selfsame image, through the same Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
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(St. Gerard Majella, Patron of Women in Childbirth: Born in 1726 in southern Italy, St. Gerard joined the Redemptorist Order in 1749 as a lay brother, and was professed by the Order's founder St. Alphonsus Liguori. St. Gerard converted many sinners. He was favored by God with infused knowledge, ecstasies, prophecy, bilocation and miracles, and became famous during his own lifetime. He died in 1755.)

Hi Everybody! I'm One Year And One Day Old!

August 29, 2004 A Birth Day Picture Of Michael With His Big Bubbas!

At First I Wasn't Sure But Now I Know...

Being One Is Fun!!!

Mmmmm....So Orangey!

Friday, August 26, 2005

JUST A QUICK TRIP

I think it's fun and interesting to see what other people's towns look like. I may try to post more as in "who are the people in your neighborhood"...Ran out of space on the ol' digital camera today, so will plan again for another day. Daniel has had a great couple of days in Kindergarten. I'm so relieved! Eric is excited about this year too! I'm so greatful for even being here. This time last year I was wondering how long I'd be in the hospital and how things would go for my sweet baby Michael! I was missing my hubby and boys terribly. It has been a very interesting and blessed year in many ways. I can hardly wait to see what this year will bring! This blog thing has really been a good thing for me. I don't feel so isolated being a SAHM and perusing the other blogs has given me a lot to think about. Being an American at this time in history, well you can appreciate all that is here or you can go elsewhere to whine! I don't want to hear it! Being a Catholic at this time is such a challenge and a great grace! Peace be to you!

Stopped By To Tank Up For A Little Trip Around Town.

Andy's Frozen Custard Conveniently Located By...

My Local Yarn Shop

Bass Pro Shop...Makes You Want To Hunt and Fish!!

Cruising By St. Agnes Cathedral A Must See!

St. Joseph Catholic Church Springfield Missouri

Come On In To The House Of God!

Thursday, August 25, 2005


I'm Sorry But This Is Too Cute!!

My Boys Cross Another Threshold...SIGH!

FINALLY... In Kindergarten!!!

You Can Go Now Mom...Really!

There's So Much To Learn...

This Is Me With My Name Tag...See!

Mom...Can We Go Now?

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

SECRET PAL 6

I've joined Secret Pal 6. There's still time to join here. It looks like a fun thing to do and a nice way to meet people from possibly other countries. Let's see how things go!

Saturday, August 20, 2005

I HUMBLY SUBMIT THIS POST

I would first like to give a mighty big THANK YOU to my commentors. I love my photographed subjects and it's nice to know others appreciate the pics (they're worth a thousand words...each!)
It's been quite a week here. A childhood friend's mother passed away. I went back to visit the old home town to see a major renovation going on at the house I grew up in, people I haven't seen in years grow older, my dear Aunt Gladys will be 91 in Sept., my cousin Kelly was in from Michigan, ( one of her boys is to join the Marines in Dec, so please pray for him and all like him), I knitted my first preemie burial gown, bonnet and booties set, and you know, it's just a tough row to hoe some days. I guess I'm sad at how the world is at this time and space. I wonder what would happen IF...we could all live in peace and harmony, IF we all said a prayer for our enemies, IF we all just came to realize we are not in this journey alone, IF we could have a vision of what heaven is like and try to make it so here as best we could, IF we could have enough FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY to do one kind thing to a stranger and realize they were our neighbor since we like kind things to happen to us. Oh, thank you Heavenly Father for those "random" acts of kindness! In the words of the prophet Micah(6:8), "what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Does it make YOU think about what YOU could do today that would make at least a small part of the world a slice of heaven?!
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I'd like to share one of my favorite litanies to close. God Bless and if you can't be kind at least don't go out of your way to hurt somebody, 'kay! SHALOM! PEACE! LOVE!
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Memorial Prayer For the Suffering Souls in Purgatory
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Almighty God, Father of goodness and love, have mercy on the poor suffering souls, and grant Thine aid:
To my dear parents and ancestors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.
To my brothers and sisters and other near relatives;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.
To my benefactors, spiritual and temporal; etc.
To my former friends and subjects;
To all for whom love or duty bids me pray;
To those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me;
To those who have offended me;
To all those who are especially beloved by Thee;
To those whose release is at hand;
To those who desire most to be united with Thee;
To those who endure the greatest suffering;
To those whose release is most remote;
To those who are least remembered;
To those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church;
To the rich, who now are the most destitute;
To the mighty, who now are as lowly servants;
To the blind, who now see their folly;
To the frivolous, who spent their time in idleness;
To the poor, who did not seek the treasures of Heaven;
To the tepid, who devoted little time to prayer;
To the indolent(lazy), who were negligent in performing good works;
To those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments;
To the habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace;
To parents who failed to watch over their children;
To superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them;
To the souls of those who strove for hardly anything but riches and pleasures;
To the worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God;
To those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own;
To those who did not provide for the great journey beyond, and the days of tribulation;
To those whose judgment is so severe because of the great things entrusted to them;
To the popes, rulers, kings and princes;
To the bishops and their counselors;
To my teachers and spiritual advisors;
To the deceased priests of this diocese;
To all the priests and religious of the whole Catholic Church;
To the defenders of the Holy Faith;
To those who died on the battlefield;
To those who are buried in the sea;
To those who died of stroke or heart attack;
To those who died without the last rites of the Church;
To those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours;
To my own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat;
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V. O Lord, grant eternal rest to all the souls of the faithful departed,
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.

I Can Hardly Wait For This.....

Burial Gown, Bonnet and Booties for Preemie Project

Little Hats and A Couple of Blankies

Knitting A Round

Friday, August 12, 2005

FOR A HOLY HEART

Lord, grant me a holy heart
that sees always what is fine and pure
and is not frightened
at the sight of sin,
but creates order wherever it goes.
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Grant me a heart that knows nothing of
boredom, weeping and sighing.
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Let me not be too concerned with
the bothersome thing
I call "myself".
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Lord, give me a sense of humor
and I will find happiness in life
and profit for others.
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St. Thomas More (1478-1535)

FUN WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

THE LIBRARY CENTER

SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM

FUN STUFF

LIFE IS GOOD!

TIRED TRIO

Monday, August 08, 2005

O MARY

In her diary, Blessed Faustina Kowalska gives this prayer that leads to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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O MARY
O Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
Pure crystal for my heart,
You are my strength, O sturdy anchor!
You are the weak heart's shield and protection.
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O Mary, you are pure, of purity incomparable;
At once both Virgin and Mother,
You are beautiful as the sun, without blemish,
And your soul is beyond all comparison.
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Your beauty has delighted the eye of the Thrice-Holy One.
He descended from heaven, leaving His eternal throne.
And took Body and Blood of your heart
And for nine months lay hidden in a Virgin's Heart.
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O Mother, Virgin, purest of all lilies,
Your heart was Jesus' first tabernacle on earth.
Only because no humility was deeper than yours
Were you raised above the choirs of Angels and above all Saints.
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O Mary, my sweet Mother,
I give you my soul, my body, and my poor heart.
Be the guardian of my life,
Especially at the hour of my death, in the final strife.
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Amen

Thursday, August 04, 2005

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY: ON PRAYER

Today is his feast day. Learn more about him here.
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My little children, reflect on these words: the Christian's treasure is not on earth but in heaven. Our thoughts, then, ought to be directed to where our treasure is. This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where a man's happiness lies.
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Prayer is nothing else but union with God. In this intimate union, God and the soul are fused together like two bits of wax that no one can ever pull apart. This union of God with a tiny creature is a lovely thing. It is a happiness beyond understanding.
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My little children, your hearts, are small, but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us. Prayer never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into the souls and makes all things sweet. When we pray properly, sorrows disappear like snow before the sun.
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Some men immerse themselves as deeply in prayer as fish in water, because they give themselves totally to God. O, how I love these noble souls!
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How unlike them we are! How often we come to church with no idea of what to do or what to ask for. And yet, whenever we go to any human being, we know well enough why we go. And still worse, there are some who seem to speak to the good God like this: "I will only say a couple of things to you, and then I will be rid of you." I often think that when we come to adore the Lord, we would receive everything we ask for, if we would ask with living faith and with a pure heart.
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Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005


LOOKIE WHAT I SEE!

A BIG FAT SLEEPING BABY!

WHAT A SWEET CHUBS!

SWEET DREAMS SWEET BABY!

NAP NAP


THE END

A BITTERSWEET MOMENT

A child has been born into this world. To find out more visit this site. She was born in a time and place that she can survive and thrive. This is medicine supporting life. Thank God for His littlest miracles!

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

A FINE CUP OF KINDNESS

Good morning everyone! Just a quick post to show off the finished articles. #1 are the three preemie caps in med, small and x-small. #2 is the ever loved Clapotis which Daniel proclaimed as "stripey". #3 is the easy shawl I was working on when picking up Eric but decided it needed to be a baby blanket.
This week is International Crafts Charity Week, August 1-7, check here for more details. For now I'd like to leave with a prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi
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HAIL, HOLY LADY
Hail, holy Lady,
Most holy Queen,
Mary, Mother of God,
Ever Virgin;
Chosen by the most holy Father in heaven,
Consecrated by Him,
With His most holy, beloved Son
And the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
On you descended, and in you still remains
All the fullness of grace
And every good.
Hail, His Palace.
Hail, His Tabernacle.
Hail, His Robe.
Hail, His Handmaid.
Hail, His Mother.
And hail, all holy virtues,
Who, by the grace
And inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
Are poured into the hearts of the faithful
So that, faithless no longer,
They may be make faithful servants of God
Through you.

Sharing a cup of kindness...

Good morning a la Clapotis!

It's so stripey!

Olive May likes the shawl turned into baby blanket...so soft!

AMEN!

Monday, August 01, 2005

PRAYER FOR ANGELIC PROTECTION

August Queen of Heaven, sovereign Mistress of the Angels,
who did receive from the beginning the mission and power to crush the serpent's head,
we beseech thee to send thy holy angels, that under thy command,
and by thy power they may pursue the evil spirits,
encounter them on every side, resist their bold
attacks, and drive them hence into the abyss of woe.
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Most Holy Mother, send thy angels to defend us and
drive the cruel enemy from us.
All ye holy angels and archangels, help and defend us. Amen.
O good and tender Mother! Thou shalt ever be our love and hope.
Holy Angels and Archangels, keep and defend us.
Amen.