BIG C CATHOLICS

"God loves human beings, and loves them in no small measure. Don't say I have fornicated and Committed adultery. I have done dreadful things not only once, but often. Will he ever forgive me? Listen to the psalmist; ‘How great is the abundance of your goodness O Lord.’ Your accumulated offenses do not surpass the abundance of God's mercies. Your wounds are not greater than the physician’s skill. Just give yourself up in faith. Tell the physician your ailment. With David say, ‘I will confess my sin to the Lord and you forgave the wickedness of my heart,’ and the same shall be done to you. So, you will both receive forgiveness for your former sins and also be counted worthy of the heavenly gift. You will thus inherit the heavenly kingdom with all the saints in Christ Jesus." — St. Cyril of Jerusalem ____________________________________________________ Prayer to St. Cyril of Jerusalem Father, through Cyril of Jerusalem you led your Church to a deeper unde

March 18, 2017 Saint Joseph was courageous. When he discovered that Mary was pregnant with Jesus, he didn't abandon her, shame her or allow anyone else to hurt her. Joseph stood by Mary and protected both the blessed Virgin and the unborn Savior. We are called to do the same; to protect, defend and honor the sanctity of every human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Let us pray for a greater respect for human life, especially the unborn, in American and the world. Day 8 – St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Novena Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to

March 18th, is the optional memorial of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, the 4th century bishop, confessor, exegete and Doctor of the Church who composed the simple, yet, profoundly beautiful Catechetical Instructions , that defended the Church’s dogmas. Bishop of Jerusalem for thirty-seven years, Cyril, spent sixteen of those years banished from his own diocese. This was a result of the raging controversy surrounding the Arian heresy which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. Like other bishops of his time accused of infidelity, Cyril endured the hardships of exile. He was eventually exonerated and his good standing restored. He participated in the Second General Council at Constantinople, and died in peace in the year 386 AD. Cyril was born in the city of Jerusalem, about the year 315. He immersed himself in the study of Sacred Scriptures from childhood, and achieved such insight that he would became a prominent champion of orthodoxy. He embraced the monastic institute and made a vow o

March 17, 2017 Saint Joseph truly followed the will of God. When an angel came to Joseph and told him about Mary and the child she was carrying, Joseph took Mary as his wife. He did so without any questions, doubt or hesitation. He knew God's will for him, and he chose to accept it and live unconditionally for the glory of Jesus Christ. Today we pray that we may all be more like St. Joseph; more open to the will of God in our own lives. Let us pray for clarity in our discernment and for the same confidence St. Joseph had as we devotedly strive to follow God's will in all things. Day 7 – St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Novena Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to you

March 17th, is the optional memorial of Saint Patrick, the 5th century missionary and bishop to whom various miracles are credited. Little is known about his early years. He was born in c. 387 AD, a Roman Britain, at an unknown location. He died in 461, having successfully converted Ireland from paganism to Christianity. His symbol is the shamrock which he often used to elucidate the Holy Trinity. He ministered devoutly as the bishop of Armagh, Primate of Ireland until his death. Patrick led a difficult life, but his faith in God, once realized, never wavered. As a young teenager, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates who forced him into slavery. He later wrote that his six years in captivity was vital to his spiritual development and drove him closer to God. He prayed often during his captivity; working as a shepherd. He remained a slave until his early twenties when he received a dream from God telling him his freedom awaited. In the dream, he was led to the coast and the sea. When

May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing. — St. Patrick ____________________________________________________ Prayer to St. Patrick, Patron of Ireland Holy Saint Patrick, in your humility you acknowledged your sinfulness, but you became a most successful missionary and prompted countless pagans to follow Christ the Savior. Many of their descendants helped to spread the Good News the world over. Through your powerful intercession with God, obtain the missionaries we need to continue the work you began, and win souls for Christ today. Amen.

This novena begins on March 16th and ends on March 25th. O holy Virgin, to whom God sent the Angel Gabriel to announce that you should be the mother of His Only-Begotten Son, pray for us who have recourse to you. Mary, our Mother, we give to you our past, present and future. Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Novena Prayer I greet you, Ever-blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Throne of Grace, miracle of Almighty Power! I greet you, Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity and Queen of the Universe, Mother of Mercy and refuge of sinners! Most loving Mother, attracted by your beauty and sweetness, and by your tender compassion, I confidently turn to you, miserable as I am, and beg of you to obtain for me from your dear Son the favor I request in this novena: (State your requests here…) Remember, O most gracious Virgin, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,