waiting for white smoke

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A time for prayer

(image from CatholicVote.org)

The See is vacant

Image from the webpage of the Vatican City-State

the second candle is lit!

Happy 2nd Sunday of Advent!

First Sunday of Advent

It's the First Sunday of Advent, the start of the liturgical year for Catholics.  In today's world Advent seems to be completely crowded out by Christmas, which appears to start on Thanksgiving night in my neighborhood!

So this year my dear husband created an Advent wreath for our yard, and this morning I put out the first  candle.  PVC pipe, spray paint, rip-stop nylon, a coat hanger, and some stakes.

I wonder if anyone figured out what they were seeing this morning?  

Happy Advent!  May this be a special time of preparing for the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for you and your loved ones.

Immaculate Conception novena starts 11/29

Novena Prayers for the Immaculate Conception

O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary full of grace, you are the mother of my God – the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being His beloved mother. By the power of His Cross, He preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation.

I pray first of all that you would make me worthy to call you my mother and your Son, Jesus, my Lord.

I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will.

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Now, Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests…

(Mention your intentions)

My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God’s will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God’s grace with humility like you.

As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus!

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Find the Original Here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/immaculate-conception-novena/#ixzz2DWXweFmR

Want to pray more?

Then go visit this wonderful site to get email reminders about novenas AND the novena prayers emailed to you!

PRAY MORE NOVENAS

You'll get email notifications about upcoming novenas, and each day of the novena you'll get the novena prayers for the day sent to your email.

Can't get much easier than that, can it?

By the way--today is the first day of the novena to St. Therese of Lisieux.  But don't worry if you haven't already signed up--you will find the novena prayers on the PRAY MORE NOVENAS website!