7801 Bay Branch Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77382, United States
Circle of Love Spiritual Enhancement
Catholic Daughters are called to say YES and encourage our members to develop and nourish a personal relationship with God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
January Spiritual Reflection & Prayers
January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.
"But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation; JESUS. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming humanity the Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: "Jesus," "YHWAH saves." The name "Jesus" contains all: God and man and the whole economy of creation and salvation. To pray "Jesus" is to invoke him and to call him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2666)
Each time we say, "Jesus," we give God infinite joy and glory, for we offer Him all the infinite merits of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.
Each time we say "Jesus," we gain indulgences for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, thus relieving and liberating very many of these holy souls from their awful pains. Thus they may be our best friends and pray for us-----they cannot pray for themselves, however.
Each time we say "Jesus," it is an act of perfect love, for we offer to God the infinite love of Jesus.
The Holy Name of Jesus saves us from innumerable evils and delivers us especially from the power of the devil, who is constantly seeking to do us harm.
The Holy Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and joy we never had before.
The Holy Name of Jesus gives us strength that our sufferings become light and easy to bear.
Jesus! our only hope be Thou, As Thou our prize shalt be; In Thee be all our glory now, And through eternity. Amen. ~Roman Breviary
Monastery Icons reports:
DURING A PRAYERFUL VIGIL one night in fourteenth-century England, the hermit Blessed Richard Rolle was disturbed by the sudden apparition of a demon. The frightened monk began to call out the Name of Jesus, and the demon immediately disappeared. Shaken by this apparition and dreading its re-appearance, Blessed Richard spent the rest of the night repeating the Holy Name over and over until dawn. Thus was born his lifelong devotion to the Holy Name: "I appeal to you to love this name JESUS and meditate on it in your heart so that you never forget it wherever you are. And, assuredly, I promise you that you will find great joy and strength in it; and because of the love with which you love Jesus so tenderly and as such an intimate friend, you will be filled with grace on this earth...This is because nothing pleases God so much as true devotion to the name of Jesus."
Our time has its own share of "demonic apparitions" -- just read the headlines. So now is the perfect time to benefit from Blessed Richard's example of taking refuge in the Holy Name of Jesus.
From apostolic times to the present day, Christians throughout the world have experienced for themselves the blessing, protection, and presence of Christ that can be found through repeated invocation of Holy Name of Jesus. It has been the center of the spiritual lives of countless saints, and "is suitable for all people of God, without exception, whether monks or lay people. It is a safe way for beginners, that is open to all" (Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov).
The 19th century Russian priest Saint John of Kronstadt wrote: "The Name of God is God Himself.... As the Lord is the most incomplex Being, the most incomplex Spirit, He is wholly contained in one word, in one thought, being at the same time wholly everywhere-in all creatures. This is why, if you only call upon the Name of the Lord, you call upon the Lord Himself, the Savior of those who believe, and you shall be saved."....
How is it done?
In utter simplicity.
Sit quietly and comfortably. There is no recommended posture. You sit, rather than lie down, simply to avoid falling asleep.
Relaxation is the key to awareness. Close your eyes. Let go. Take a few deep breaths and relax, letting them out fully, breathing out your tensions.
Then become aware of your breathing: in and out. Gently, peacefully. Let it be natural without forcing or controlling.
Then gently and peacefully begin mentally repeating the Name of Jesus three times with each inhalation and each exhalation: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus/Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Fit the repetition to the breath, not the breath to the repetition.
The Holy Name is said in groups of three to establish a rhythmic pattern that leads quickly to a silencing of the mind. Try it, and you will find this to be true. Also, a most effective practice-one that can make all the difference in our attempt to pray undistractedly-is to mentally intone, or "sing" the holy Name on a single note (not a melody).
Hold no visual images, feelings, or thoughts whatsoever in the mind-just be intent on repeating the Name of Jesus.
Allow your mind to melt, to merge, to relax into the sounding of the Name of Jesus. No concepts need be held. The Name is sufficient, for it is the Name in which all is done (Colossians 3:17); the Name by which the lame walk (Acts 3:16; 4:10); the Name which works wonders (Acts 4:29-30); the Name which casts out evil (Mark 16:17); the Name which conquers all (Philippians 2:10); the Name in which all petitions are fulfilled (John 14:13-14; 16:23); the Name in which we are justified (I Corinthians 6:11). For it is the Name above all names (Philippians 2:9); the Name whereby we are saved (Acts 4:12).
Have no concern over wayward thoughts that may intrude, or memories, or visual impressions; neither invite nor attempt to dispel "distractions." Do not be bothered by fluctuations in the depth of your level of awareness and quiet. Care for nothing. Be the "weaned child"-content to just sit quietly on the Mother's lap (Psalms 131:2). Keep to the Name of Jesus. And not with effort or concentration, but with relaxation and confident peace.
It will be most helpful to your practice if you can have a special place exclusively for your practice of the Holy Name, for your mind will begin to associate that place with prayer and will more easily enter a quiet, prayerful state when you go there. It is very good to have some icons there, for wherever they are, there also are the spiritual presences of those who are depicted thereon.....
Prayers:
Prayer In Honor of The Most Holy And Adorable Name of Jesus
Jesus! O Name of Jesus! Sweet Name! Delightful Name! Consoling Name!
For what else is Jesus than Savior! Therefore, O Jesus, for Thy sweet Name's sake, be to me a Jesus, and save me. Suffer me not to be eternally lost. O good Jesus! Let not my iniquities destroy me, whom Thy bounty made. O sweet Jesus! Recognize in me what is Thine, and efface all that is not Thine.
O sweet Jesus! Show mercy now in the time of mercy, and condemn me not in the day of justice.
What profit to Thy Precious Blood, or what honor will my destruction give Thy Holy Name, O Jesus!
"The dead shall not praise Thee, O Lord Jesus! Nor all they that go down to Hell."
Most amiable Jesus! Most meek, most loving Jesus! O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!,Admit me to the number of Thy elect.
O Jesus, salvation of those who believe in Thee! Comfort of those who fly to Thee!
O Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary! Give me grace, wisdom, charity, purity, and humility, that I may love Thee perfectly, praise Thee, enjoy Thee, serve Thee, and be glorified in Thee, with all those who call upon Thy Name, Thy Holy Name, Thy Sweet name-----Jesus. Amen.
O Good Jesus
O good Jesus, according to Thy great mercy, have mercy on me. O most merciful Jesus, by that Precious Blood which Thou didst will to shed for sinners, I beseech Thee to wash away all mine iniquities and to look graciously upon me, a poor and unworthy sinner, as I call upon Thy Holy Name. Therefore, O Jesus, do Thou save me for Thy Holy Name's sake.
O God, Who didst appoint Thine only-begotten Son to be the Savior of mankind and didst command His Name to be called Jesus; mercifully grant that we may enjoy the vision of Him in Heaven, Whose Holy Name we venerate on earth. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. Blessed be the Most Holy Name of Jesus without end!
Novena Prayer in Honor of the Holy Name of Jesus
O Merciful Jesus, Who didst in Thy early infancy commence Thy office of Savior by shedding Thy Precious Blood, and assuming for us that name which is above all names; we thank Thee for such early proofs of Thine infinite love. We venerate Thy sacred name, in union with the profound respect of the Angel who first announced it to the earth and unite our affections to the sentiments of tender devotion which the adorable name of Jesus has in all ages enkindled in the hearts of Thy Saints.
Animated with a firm faith in Thy unerring word, and penetrated with confidence in Thy mercy, we now most humbly remind Thee of the promise Thou hast made, that where two or three should assemble in Thy name, Thou Thyself wouldst be in the midst of them. Come, then, into the midst of us, most amiable Jesus, for it is in Thy sacred name we are here assembled; come into our hearts, that we may be governed by Thy holy spirit; mercifully grant us, through that adorable name, which is the joy of Heaven, the terror of Hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and the solid ground of our unlimited confidence, all the petitions we make in this novena.
Oh! blessed Mother of our Redeemer! Who didst participate so sensibly in the sufferings of thy dear Son when He shed His Sacred Blood and assumed for us the name of Jesus, obtain for us, through that adorable name, the favors we petition in this novena.
Beg also, that the most ardent love may imprint on our hearts that sacred name, that it may be always in our minds and frequently on our lips; that it may be our defense and our refuge in the temptations and trials of life, and our consolation and support in the hour of death. Amen.
Prayer of Petition in Honor of the Holy Name of Jesus
O Divine Jesus, Thou hast promised that anything we ask of the Eternal Father in Thy name shall be granted.
O Eternal Father. In the name of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, in fulfillment of this promise, and because Jesus has said it, grant us our petitions for the sake of Jesus, Thy Divine Son. Amen. The Prayer Book by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A.
Prayer to the Holy Name of Jesus
Eternal Father, who didst give to thine incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we beseech thee, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, even our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Novena to the Holy Name of Jesus
O Merciful Jesus! Who didst in Thine early infancy commence Thine office of Savior, by shedding Thy Precious Blood, and assuming for us that Name which is above all names; we thank Thee for such early proofs of Thine infinite love; we venerate Thy sacred Name, in union with the profound respect of the angel who first announced it to the earth, and unite our affections to the sentiments of tender devotion which the adorable Name of Jesus has in all ages enkindled in the hearts of Thy servants.
Animated with a firm faith in Thine unerring word, and penetrated with confidence in Thy mercy, we now most humbly remind Thee of the promise Thou hast made, that when two or more should assemble in Thy Name, Thou Thyself wouldst be in the midst of them. Come, then, into the midst of us, most amiable Jesus, for it is in Thy sacred Name we are here assembled. Come into our hearts, that Thy Holy Spirit may pray in and by us; and mercifully grant us, through that adorable Name, which is the joy of Heaven, the terror of hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and the solid ground of our unlimited confidence, all the petitions we make in this novena.
O blessed Mother of our Redeemer: who didst participate so deeply in the sufferings of thy dear Son, when He shed His Sacred Blood, and assumed for us the Name of Jesus: obtain for us through that adorable Name, the favors we petition in this novena. Beg also, that the most ardent love may imprint on our hearts that sacred Name, that it may be always in our minds, and frequently on our lips; that it may be our defense in temptations, our refuge in danger, during our lives, and our consolation and support in the hour of death. Amen.
