September

The month of September is dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. ??

21 days until autumn ?

"A Wrong Kind of Sorrow
Do not cry over spilt milk. Do not dwell on the faults and mistakes of the past. Leave them alone; leave them to God. As soon as possible make an Act of Contrition and never think of them again. Often the despondence caused by sin is more wrong, and keeps one away from God more than the sin itself. Don’t waste time being discouraged. Get up and go to God. Draw near to Him. Do not stand back hanging your head.
Do what thou doest. Some people always have one eye on the past and the other on the future, instead of both on the present. Don’t waste time deploring the past and being apprehensive of the future. Grace will be given to meet each day the difficulties of that day. There are very few people who would not be good at their own job if they would only develop the power of concentration. It is this incessant worrying over past and future that prevents the concentration. Leave the future in God’s hands.
Think of God in goodness. Have a good opinion of God. God loves us to think well of Him, to trust Him, to think lovingly of Him. Do not think God does not forgive easily. The more intimate a human friendship the less nervous one is of a chance word offending one’s friend. Friends are not lost for ever by some little word or act displeasing them. Above all, remember that in darkness, gloom, dejection, or depression God does not dwell. Do not even make acts of sorrow, if that depresses; make acts of hope and love. Depression never comes from God; neither does any thought which makes His service difficult. Have always the highest opinion of Our Lord and Master."
Words of Encouragement: Notes of Instruction delivered by Rev. Daniel Considine, S.J.

"Unworthy Thoughts about God
If we don’t look upon God as a hard man, we have every reason to congratulate ourselves. We say we think Him merciful, kind, and loving, but in our hearts we look upon Him as hard. Three-quarters of the troubles of good people come from this. He feels intensely our misconception of Him. We look upon Him as a hard, grasping man, who wants to get all He can out of us and give nothing in return. And woe betide us if we fail to satisfy Him. This is utterly wrong.
If God has ever shown me any love He must love me still. God does not care for me one day and hate me the next. He is not capricious or inconstant like man. Above everything, God wants my love, and with love come happiness and enthusiasm in His service. We think: I have only one talent, others have five. Therefore I will do nothing but bury mine. I will run no risks. But each of our temperaments and characters has been fitted exactly, thought out from all time to suit our lives. What others have would not suit me. What we have we don’t value; what we have not we desire. Do not say, God evidently, from my capabilities, does not care much for me; does not expect much from me. God craves your love. Ask, ask, ask for graces and you will assuredly get them."
Words of Encouragement: Notes of Instruction delivered by Rev. Daniel Considine, S.J.

On the evening of August 21st, 1878, on the outer gable wall of the Sacristy of the Catholic Church in the village of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland, was seen an extraordinary light, in the midst of which appeared the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist. Behind them was an altar on which stood a lamb, and above it was the Crucifix, with the figure of our Lord upon it. The people soon gathered at the spot, gazing rapturously at the Heavenly Vision. And crowds now visit the scene of the wonderful apparition, bringing many lame and blind, who, by touching the structure, have been miraculously cured and restored to sight. Our Lady of Knock, pray for us!

A Blessed Feast Day of St. Philomena! "Pray to Saint Philomena, What ever you ask from her, She will obtain for you."
~ Pope Gregory XVI