Our Lady of Divine Providence

"Mater Divinae Providentiae"

Artist - Scipione Pulzone circa 1850

Our Lady of Divine Providence

Feast Day: 19 November

Patronage: Puerto Rico and Indiana

The name and worship of Our Lady of the Divine Providence originated in Italy in the thirteenth century. It was a very popular devotion which later passed to Spain, where a shrine was built in Tarragona, Catalonia.

When Gil Esteve Tomas, a Catalan, was named bishop of Puerto Rico, he brought with him this devotion which he had become acquainted with during his seminary years.

The bishop had to place his diocese in the hands of Divine Providence, for he found the cathedral nearly in ruins and the finances of the diocese in similar condition. The bishop's trust and work bore fruit quickly; in less than five years the cathedral church had been restored, and immediately worship of the Virgin of Providence was established there.

The original image, venerated by the Servants of Mary, and other Italian religious orders and saints, was a beautiful oil painting in which the Virgin is shown with the Divine Child sleeping peacefully in her arms. The title "Of Divine Providence" has been attributed to St. Philip Benicio, fifth superior of the Servants of Mary. On a day when his friars had nothing to eat, having invoked the help of the Virgin, he found, at the door of the convent, two baskets full of food whose origin could not be found.

The image that Don Gil Esteve ordered was carved in Barcelona according to the prevailing taste. It is a handsome seated figure, made to be dressed, and it was in the cathedral sixty-seven years, until 1920 when it was replaced by a magnificent all wood carving, which is the image of Our Lady of Divine Providence most familiar and best known to the Puerto Rican communities.

Mary leans over the Child, who in an attitude of complete trust sleeps peacefully on her lap. The Virgin's hands are folded in prayer while she gently supports her Son's left hand. The whole carving suggests tenderness, abandonment, devotion and peace.

Pope Paul VI, by a decree signed on November 19, 1969, declared Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence principal patroness of the island of Puerto Rico. In this document it was also decreed that the Virgin's solemnity be transferred from January 2 to November 19, the day that the island was discovered. The intention was to join together the two great loves of the Puerto Ricans: love of their gorgeous island and love for the Mother of God.

The oldest carving, which dates from 1853, was the one chosen to be solemnly crowned during the meeting of the Latin American Bishops Council (CELAM), that took place in San Juan de Puerto Rico on November 5, 1976. On the eve of this event, the image was vilely burnt in the Parish of Little St. Therese in Santurce. And in this condition, the image was crowned amid the emotion and tears of thousands of her children and in the presence of cardinals, archbishops and bishops from all Latin America.

The burnt statue was sent to Spain to be restored and is presently awaiting the construction of the projected grand national sanctuary, where it will be placed.

Our Lady of Divine Providence Rosary in Hematite and White Howlite

Prayer To Our Lady of Providence

Let us ask Our Lady of Providence, Mary most holy, who is the refuge of sinners, the consolation of the afflicted, and the help of Christians, to assist us in all our necessities.

Litany of Our Lady of Providence

God the Creator of heaven and earth, have mercy on us.
God the son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Most Holy Trinity, Divine Providence, have mercy on us.
Our Lady of Providence, mother of grace and mercy, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, help of the sick, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, hope of the oppressed, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, star of the sea, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, tower of David, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, queen of the home, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, model of disciples, pray for us.
Our Lady of Providence, mother of the Church, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, Our lady of Providence, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God, whose ever-watchful Providence rules all things, we humbly implore you through the prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your son, to remove from us whatever is harmful and to bestow on us only that which will be helpful. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Adapted for a novena prior to the Feast of Our Lady of Providence (Saturday preceding the third Sunday in November). Ecclesiastical approval 1983.

Source:  The Mary Page

Saints Damian and Cosmas

Saints Damian and Cosmas

Saints Cosmas  and Damian were twin brothers, born in Arabia, who had become eminent for their skill in the science of medicine. Being Christians, they were filled with the spirit  of charity and never took money for their services. For this reason they were known as "the Silverless."

During the persecution under Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were arrested by order of the Prefect of Cilicia, one Lysias who is otherwise unknown, who ordered them under torture  to recant. However, according to legend they stayed true to their faith, enduring being hung on a cross, stoned and shot by arrows and finally suffered execution by beheading. Anthimus, Leontius and Euprepius, their younger brothers, who were inseparable from them throughout life, shared in their martyrdom.

Their most famous miraculous exploit was the grafting of a leg from a recently deceased Ethiopian to replace a patient's ulcered leg, and was the subject of many paintings and illuminations.

Birth: 3rd Century of Arabic descent.

Died: Circa 303, tortured and beheaded.

Canonized: Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:  September 26th.

Patronage: Against blindness, against hernias, apothecaries, barbers, druggists, physicians, surgeons, midwives, hairdressers, hernia patients and the blind.  In Brazil they are also regarded as the protectors of children.

Rosary Chaplet of Saints Damian and Cosmas

Unbreakable Catholic Rosaries and Patron Saint Chaplets

The Caravaca Crucifix

 Caravaca Crucifix

The Caravaca Cross with double cross bar, body of Christ, and two angels takes its name from Caravaca (now known as Caravaca de la Cruz), Spain, a town in the province of Murcia.  The Cross is a popular religious symbol in Mexico and is said to be the first Christian cross to be brought into the country. Mexican Christians believe the cross has special powers to grant wishes and prayers.

Franciscan missionaries brought the cross to the new world. In 1943, when the burial crypt of Father Serra (1713-1784), the Franciscan founder of the California missions, was opened, a Caravaca style relic cross was found. The cross is now on display at the Carmel Mission.

 One version of the legend of the origin of the Caravaca cross is as follows.

When the Moors captured their prisoners they determined whether they had any particular skill, and if the skill was worthwhile their life would be spared. One day they captured a priest and asked him what tools he needed to show his trade. He asked for a table, three linen cloths, two candles, a cup, bread, wine, and a crucifix. He was provided with everything except for the crucifix. Without the crucifix, he could not perform his trade. On the verge of being put to death, two angels arrived carrying a cross. They held it over the table while the priest said mass and his life was spared. The cross was attributed to the patriarch of Jerusalem and included a piece of the True Cross.

Another version has the cross appearing while the priest was taken to be executed. The Moorish lord converted, and the priest was saved. The townspeople of Caravaca, Spain shaped a replica of the cross out of metal and provided space for relics to be inserted. A Festival of the Holy Cross is held there every May.

The Rosary Chaplet of Saint Ann

Chaplet available for purchase at www.unbreakablerosaries.com

The Rosary Chaplet of Saint Ann 

~  Mother of Mary ~

Origin:


The Little Chaplet of Saint Anne dates from 1875 and is the pious invention of a devout client of our Saint. If his name is unknown to man, he is surely known to God and dear to Good Saint Anne, for these beads have been the beginning of a chain of blessings, spiritual and temporal. Many graces and favors have been obtained through their recitation.


Explanation and signification:

The Little Chaplet of Saint Anne is composed of three Our Fathers and fifteen Hail Marys and is divided into three parts; the first part, one Our Father and five Hail Marys, is said in honor of Jesus, the Author of Grace; the second in honor of Mary, the channel through which all graces come to us from Jesus; the third in honor of Saint Anne, our advocate.


Manner of reciting:

Make the sign of the cross; then kiss devoutly the medal of Saint Anne saying the prayer: Jesus, Mary, Anne.
While reciting the first part thank Jesus for His favors, ask pardon for sins and future favors. While reciting the second part praise Mary and ask her to present your petition to Saint Anne. The third part is a petition to the Good Saint Anne. Each group is concluded with a Glory Be as an act of praise to the Blessed Trinity.

 

This information is quoted from TWENTY-FOUR ROSARIES AND CHAPLETS by Patrick Shaughnessy, O.S.B., S.T.D. Reprinted 1984 by Our Lady's Rosary Makers.

Rosary Chaplet: Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Virgin of Carmel Traditional One Decade Rosary Chaplet

Chaplet Prayer: The Fifteen Secret Tortures and Suffering of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The Fifteen Secret Tortures and Suffering of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Rosary Chaplet

This rosary chaplet consists of eighteen beads in total - fifteen on the loop and three on the drop.

Revealed to the pious, God-loving Sister Mary Magdalen of Sancta Clara Order, Franciscan, who lived, died and was beatified in Rome. Jesus fulfilled the wish of this Sister, who desired to ardently know something about the secret sufferings which He endured the night before His death.
This devotion is approved and recommended by His Holiness Clement II, (1730-1740)

On the first 3 beads is said:
"I looked for one that would comfort me, and I found none"
followed by an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be....

On each single bead:
Meditate upon the secret tortures and sufferings.

The Fifteen Secret Tortures and Suffering of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

1. They fastened My feet with a rope and dragged Me over the stepping stones of the staircase, down into a filthy, nauseating cellar.

2. They took off My clothing and stung My body with iron joints.

3. They attached a rope around My body and pulled Me on the ground from end to end.

4. They hanged Me on a wooden piece with a slip knot until I slipped out and fell down. Overwhelmed by this torture, I wept bloody tears.

5. They tied Me to a post and pierced My body with various arms.

6. They struck Me with stones and burnt Me with blazing embers and torches.

7. They pierced Me with awls; sharp spears tore My skin, flesh and arteries out of My body.

8. They tied Me to a post and made Me stand barefoot on an incandescent metal sheet.

9. They crowned Me with an iron crown and wrapped My eyes with the dirtiest possible rags.

10. They made Me sit on a chair covered with sharp pointed nails, causing deep wounds in My body.

11. They poured on My wounds liquid lead and resin and, after this torture, they pressed Me on the nailed chair so that the nails went deeper and deeper into My flesh.

12. For shame and affliction, they drove needles into the holes of My uprooted beard. They tied my hands behind My back and led Me walking out of prison with strikes and blows.

13. They threw Me upon a cross and attached Me so tightly that I could hardly breathe anymore.

14. They threw at My head as I lay on the earth, and they stepped on Me, hurting My breast. Then, taking a thorn from My crown, they drove it into My tongue.

15. They poured into My mouth the most immodest excretions, as they uttered the most infamous expressions about Me.

Then, Jesus added,
"My daughter, I desire that you let everybody know the Fifteen Secret Tortures in order that everyone of them be honored." "Anyone who daily offers Me, with love, one of these sufferings and says with fervor the following prayer, will be rewarded with eternal glory on the day of judgment."

On the Crucifix:
Say the prayer that Jesus gave to Sister Mary Magdalen of Santa Clara.
My Lord and My God, it is my unchangeable will to honor you in these Fifteen Secret Torments when You shed Your Precious Blood; as many times as there are grains of sand around the seas, as fruit in the orchards, as leaves on the trees, as flowers in the gardens, as stars in the sky, as angels in Heaven, as creatures on earth. So many thousands of times may you be glorified, praised and honored, O Most love-worthy Lord Jesus Christ - Your Holiest Heart, Your Precious Blood, Your Divine Sacrifice for mankind, the Holiest Sacrament of the altar, the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the nine glorious choirs of Angels and the Blessed Phalanx of the Saints, from myself and everyone, now and forever, and in the eternal ages.
In like manner, I desire, my dear Jesus, to give You thanksgiving, to serve you, to repair and atone for all my ignominies, and to offer You my soul and body as Your possession forever. Likewise, I regret all my sins and beg Your pardon, O my Lord and my God. And I offer You all the merits of Jesus Christ to repair everything, to obtain a happy dying-hour and the deliverance of the souls from Purgatory. This prayer I desire to renew at each hour until my death, O lovable Jesus. Sweet Savior, fortify my resolution and permit not that neither wretched men nor Satan destroy it. Amen.

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Fifteen Secret Tortures of Christ Chaplet

The Chaplet of Saint Philomena

 The Rosary Chaplet of Saint Philomena

St. Philomena is a most powerful helper of students at examinations.  She cures the sick in the most desperate cases. She obtains great help for mothers at childbirth. She is also the Patron of The Living Rosary and Patron of The Children of Mary.  To read more about Saint Philomena please click here.

 The Chaplet of St. Philomena consists of a Medal of her likeness with 3 white beads in honor of the three Divine Persons of the Blessed Trinity in thanksgiving for all favors obtained through her intercession, and 13 red beads representing the thirteen years she spent on earth.

How to pray this chaplet:

On the medal pray:
The Apostle's Creed - to ask for the grace of faith.

1st White Bead pray:
The Our Father - in honor of The Father

2nd White Bead pray:
The Our Father - in honor of The Son

3rd White Bead pray:
The Our Father - in honor of The Holy Spirit

On each Red Bead pray:
Hail, O holy St. Philomena, whom I acknowledge, after Mary, as my advocate with the Divine Spouse, intercede for me now and at the hour of my death.

St. Philomena, beloved daughter of Jesus and Mary, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.

In conclusion say:
Hail, O illustrious St. Philomena, who shed so courageously your blood for Christ! I bless the Lord for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee during thy life, and especially at thy death. I praise and glorify Him for the honor and power with which He has crowned thee, and I beg thee to obtain for me from God the graces I ask through thy intercession.