Pope Benedict's Urbi et Orbi Blessing at Saint Peter's Basilica

I chanced upon a short clip (blurred copy) of the Pope Benedict’s Easter Greetings to the Catholic and Christian World. Once every year, pilgrims from all over the world gather at the Vatican, specifically at the Saint Peter’s Basilica to hear the Easter message of Pope Benedict – the yearly Urbi et Orbi blessing. Urbi et Orbi literally means to the city of Rome and to the whole world. Therefore, the Pope’s message and Apostolic blessings is sent out to Rome and the world. The other time that pilgrims gather at the Basilica of Saint Peter to hear the Urbi and Orbi message of the Pope is during Christmas celebration. A special part of the blessing is the forgiveness of the sins of the faithful, not just those who were physically present at the blessing but likewise those who are watching the blessing on TV and listening to it on the radio.

Happy Easter to Everyone!

Christ has risen! As we, our families and friends gather around this Easter, let as remember Jesus’ sacrifice and his blessing and gift to us, the Catholic faithful, of the freedom from the burden of our sins. Let us celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ this Blessed Sunday.

A very Happy Easter to all, from Saint Rita of Cascia blog!

This Holy Week: Commemorating the Lenten Season

I have already written many articles about the novenas that we say for our Patron Saints, and how we unfailingly pray to them for just about anything, but mostly for their powerful intercession to the Lord. Roman Catholic Saints serve as our effective mediator; they greatly help us in our intentions and requests, so that the Lord may immediately hear and grant them. Patron Saints are the amazing facilitators of our wishes and prayers, and all our humble pleadings that we fervently cry out in order to earn God’s attention and blessings.

On this Holy Week, why don’t we dedicate our time to the Son of God Jesus Christ, who has died for us, for our sins, that we may be granted forgiveness by God? And like how we our fervent devotees to our Patron Saints, may we assign this Holy Week as a time for full devotion to Jesus Christ. Let us commemorate the Lenten Season by intently ponder upon His last hours and finally His Crucifixion and death on Mount Calvary. Without His sacrifice, the ultimate one, we would not have received the forgiveness of the Lord God for our sins.

St Lucy of Syracuse

Saint Lucy of Syracuse, who is also called St Lucia was venerated both as a Roman Catholic Saint and as an Orthodox Christian Saint. She is considered the Patron Saint of the Blind. Saint Lucia belongs to the group of seven blessed women (does not include the Virgin Mary) who are commemorated by their names in Roman Canon.

The feast day of Saint Lucy used to be on the 16th of September together with Saint Geminianus. Now Roman Catholic Saint Calendar commemorates her on 13th of December.

Here is a short prayer to Roman Catholic Saint Lucy (for those who are blind):

St Lucy of Syracuse
Patron Saint of the Blind and with Eye Problems

We rely on your greatness, Dear Lord God, we are here on our knees, humbly pleading for your help, through the aid and intercession of Roman Catholic Saint Lucy, Martyr and Lady Virgin, to provide and restore full vision, perfect sight, that our eyes may continuously serve on your glory and honor.

Dear St Lucy, hear our requests and help us receive our intentions, Amen.

St. Patrick: Patron Saint of the Irish People

For the Irish people, there is the festive celebration commemorating the Day of Saint Patrick, on March 17. Saint Patrick’s Day is indeed a big celebration, a major holiday for citizens of Ireland as he is considered here their Patron Saint.

He was a priest who came back to Ireland with the mission of converting the Irish people who were then considered as pagans.

Christian legend tells us about St. Patrick as one who worked all his own just to spread the Christian religion in his country.

Today, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world, and even in the United States.

Prayer to Roman Catholic Saint – St. Patrick

Our Dear Father,
You graciously sent our Patron Saint Patrick to spread glory to the Irish people,
With his prayers,
All Catholics and Christians may proclaim their love to everyone
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen

Saint Anne - One of the Most Revered Roman Catholic Saints

Saint Anne, also known as Anna and the Patron Saint of Brittany, is the sweet mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the story according to Gospel of James, it was said that Roman Catholic Saint Anne and husband Joachim, were surprised by a visit of God’s angel who give them the message that they would be gifted with a child.

Mary was dedicated to the service of the Lord God, as promised by Saint Anne. It was also said that the blessed couple gave Mary to the Second Temple’s service at the tender age of three.

Anne is considered the Patron Saint of women who work in mines and other difficult work.

Prayer to Saint Anne

Oh Blessed St. Ann, one of the most glorious Roman Catholic Saints, you with so much compassion in your heart, especially for us who invoke your intercession and aid, you with so much love for those who hear sufferings.

With heavy onus and troubles, we place ourselves at your humble feet and pray that you listen to our woes and consider in helping us receiving our intentions.

Please do recommend our intentions to the Virgin Mary, your blessed daughter and position them before Jesus Christ, so He may bless them and realize them for us.

Please intercede for us unceasingly, until the Lord God will finally grant our prayers.

But most of all, obtain the grace that one day, we will be able to meet our Lord God Almighty face to face. Amen

Say one Our Father.

Say one The Hail Mary.