Sponsor Me for the Church-a-thon

ADVENIAT REGNUM TUUM

Sponsor Me for the Church-a-thon 

Me with a Legionary

18 December 2013

Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings from Rome! I hope that the Advent has brought along a deep desire for the Lord. In one week we will be celebrating the Lord's coming. To prepare for His coming this Christmas the Brothers of the Legion of Christ in Rome have decided to put together a Church-a-thon. 

What's a "Church-a-thon"? (www.churchathon.org)

It's an all-day pilgrimage throughout the City of Rome where we try to visit at least 25 Churches. Throughout the pilgrimage we pray for you and your loved ones as well as for ourselves. The act of Pilgrimage (something Pope Francis speaks about in his new Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium) is a life-long encounter with the Lord. We're doing it, in part because it's fun, but mainly because we "long to encounter Our Lord". 

Click here for Church-a-thon March 2013 images. Since its beginning I have been the blessed photographer to capture some of the Roman scenery

Why am I asking you to Sponsor me?

It's also a way of asking for some help as our seminary and religious order depend mainly on donations. There are over 350 Legionaries of Christ that live under my roof so we can always use some help. 

a typical night  in our Chapel

How can you sponsor me?

Please visit the site. I hope to be among the seminarians listed soon (I apologize since I registered late). Clicking under a seminarian brings you to our Seminary's website where a clearly detailed and secure way of donating is available.

A Thank you and God Bless!

In Christ, Brother John LC

Final Group shot

Day 9: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Gudalupe
Rome, Italy

"He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever"

(Lk 2:55-56)

"My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace."

Mary Immaculate, pray for us.

Day 8: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

La Pietà 
Church of Trinità dei Monti
Rome, Italy 

"...The hungry he has filled with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty..."

(Lk 2:54)

"There is a Marian “style” to the Church’s work of evangelization. Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness. In her we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong who need not treat others poorly in order to feel important themselves. Contemplating Mary, we realize that she who praised God for “bringing down the mighty from their thrones” and “sending the rich away empty” (Lk 1:52-53) is also the one who brings a homely warmth to our pursuit of justice. She is also the one who carefully keeps “all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Mary is able to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small." (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 288)

Mary, Virgin and Mother,

you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,

welcomed the word of life

in the depths of your humble faith:

as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,

help us to say our own “yes”

to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,

to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

...

Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.

Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us.

Amen. Alleluia!

(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 288)

Day 7: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

The Column of the Virgin with Child
Ara Coeli, Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy

"...He has thrown down the rulers from their thronesbut lifted up the lowly..."

(Lk 2:53)

If you would have heard it said at the time of Our Lord that a Christian Church would stand above the ruins of Jupiter's Temple upon the  Capitoline I'm sure he would have been laughed at. But that is the Truth. Up above the long set of steps which lead to the bare facade stands the Ara Coeli Church, the Altar of the Heaven. It stands in the highest part of Rome, thus the most sacred. With a heart desirous of a New Evangelization let us shout up to Mary and ask her for her assistance as we face the difficulties day-by-day to bring Her Son's Beautiful Good News to all those we encounter.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail bright star of ocean,

God's own Mother blest,

Ever sinless Virgin,

Gate of heavenly rest

Taking that sweet Ave

Which from Gabriel came,

Peace confirm within us,

Changing Eva's name.

Break the captives' fetters,

Light on blindness pour,

All our ills expelling,

Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;

May the Word Divine,

Born for us thy Infant,

Hear our prayers through thine

Virgin all excelling,

Mildest of the mild,

Freed from guilt, preserve us,

Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,

Make our way secure,

Till we find in Jesus

Joy for evermore

Through the highest heaven

To the Almighty Three

Father, Son, and Sprit

One same glory be,

Amen.

Group of Legion of Christ Brothers on a Church-a-thon
(www.churchathon.org)

Day 6: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Virgin and Child
Chapel of the Eucharistiner
Meran, South Tyrol, Italy

"He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit."

(Lk 2:51)

"May these days bring you all close to her who—throughout her life in communion with her Son, not only by ties of blood but especially by love—is the most perfect Teacher of that love which enables us to be united in the deepest way with Christ in the mystery of his Eucharistic presence. Let Mary lead us to the Eucharist!" (Bl. John Paul II - for full text)

 

Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer (300 AD)

We turn to you for protection,
Holy Mother of God.
Listen to our prayers
and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.

Day 5: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Maestà - Virgin with Child
Baptistery of St. John Lateran Cathedral-Basilica
Rome, Italy

This image hangs above the altar where I would like to celebrate my first Mass. Jesus holds Our Lady's mouth and they both look towards us. We can look to Mary with the same intimacy. "Blessed are the Pure of Heart for they shall see God". By "Immaculate" we recall that Mary is pure, the purest among women. Mary, grant me the grace to have a pure heart like your own.

"His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him"

(Lk 2:50)

Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians

Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church's history you have helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His Good News of God's love for all people, and to work for peace and justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the Church, for our family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the dying. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces of which we stand in need. (Mention your intentions.) May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love until death. Help us and our loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being forever with our Father in heaven. Amen.

Day 4: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Shrine of Our Lady
Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
Rome, 

I pass by this statue every day I have classes. Mary is the Wisest Woman the World has ever known. When in need of light in the midst of life's darkness, whom else can we go to?

"...The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name..."

(Lk 2:49)

Memorare prayer
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Day 3: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

8th Century Icon - Dominican Convent
Monte Mario, Rome, Italy
(Of the images used in this Novena this is the only one not taken by me)

Mary looks us in the eye and tells us that she loves us as only a Mother can. That is why we say "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, Sweetness and Hope". Where else can you turn in this cold world but towards a smiling face full of love?

"...for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed..." (Lk 1:48)

Hail, Holy Queen + Glory Be for Peace in the World - especially in our own families.