January

February 2008

Lenten Journey to Calvary

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This month’s quotes are taken from the letters of Padre Pio to: Ventrella Sisters: 1918 - April 17, May 1, May 5 Vittorina Ventrella: 1917 - August 24, August 27, September 22, October 1, November 3 1918 - October 13 1 May Jesus continue to possess your hearts to the point of complete transformation. 2 May he (Jesus) be thanked for treating you as one chosen to follow Jesus closely up the hill of Calvary.
3 Cast aside those fears, dispel those shadows which the devil thickens in your soul in order to torment you. 4 I know the Lord ... (in) his mercy renders you dear to him. 5 My beloved ... changes must take place both internally and externally 6 Winter (of the spirit) is necessary for the exercise of abnegation and of ... virtues, exercised in time of sterility. 7 Let us walk slowly, even with slow steps, as long as we have good intentions we cannot but make progress. 8 Humility and charity are the main supports of the whole vast building on which all the rest depends. 9 May Jesus comfort you in the trial, and grant you the grace of perseverance.
10 The Lord, who is so indescribably good, will know how to reward you fully. 11 We have greater reason to place all our hope in God alone. 12 Live tranquilly ... and don’t fear the storm. 13 Our Divine Master has no law more lovable than that of gentleness, humility and charity. 14 Retire with great confidence under the cross along with our affections. 15 All will work to the benefit of those who try to love God. 16 Keep your heart well recollected.
17 Be very wary of anxiety 18 Often place your trust in divine Providence. 19 Be sure that heaven and earth will pass away before the Lord fail to protect you. 20 All those who love Jesus must conform more and more to this divine and eternal model. 21 Raise prayers of resignation and hope to him (God) even when you fall due to weakness. 22 Thank him (God) for the many graces with which He enriches you. 23 God is not offended except when you know that what you are doing is sinful, but do it just the same with a deliberate and full will.
24 May the King of all saints also be the King of your heart! 25 Calm yourself ... and wait, with hearts full of hope. 26 God can reject everything in his creatures ... but he can never reject the sincere desire to love him. 27 How could Jesus possibly permit the destruction of the whole, long, loving, ineffable work of grace in you? 28 (Love Jesus) Even if you were to have committed all the sins in the world, Jesus tells you: Your sins ... are forgiven, for you have loved much. 29 Every soul that wants to be saved must undergo something of that mysterious storm, because every predestined soul must resemble Jesus.

website: www.PPPG.org


February, Lenten Journey

Lord Jesus Christ, you gather your people during this holy season of Lent, and call us to repentance. Remove the barriers that keep us from you so that we might live life more fully, and be Your loving presence to all.

You have given us Padre Pio of Pietrelcina as a modern image of the Suffering Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his intercession and your divine grace, may we turn to you in our need, thank you in our abundance, and share your love with the world around us. Amen.

Litany of the Stations of the Cross

  1. Lord Jesus, that I may see the people in my life through your eyes, and not the eyes of a Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands of responsibility, through Your life-giving Sacrifice, and the intercession of Padre Pio, grant me this grace. R
  2. Lord Jesus, that I may embrace the crosses of my life, so that in recognizing my weaknesses I may discover Your strengths, R
  3. Lord Jesus, that I may always trust in Your loving care for me, even when I fall, R
  4. Lord Jesus, that I may see how often You love me through the people in my life, as Mary loved you, and that I may always keep our Blessed Mother Mary, who accompanies me in life’s journey, in my heart, R
  5. Lord Jesus, that I may see that loving others and assisting them in their need is the surest way to find and recognize You in my life, as Simon did, R
  1. Lord Jesus, that I may have a deeper and more courageous faith to be unafraid to reach out to others, as Veronica did to You, R
  2. Lord Jesus, that I may never hide behind pride, and that I may be ready and willing to begin again after my repeated falls, R
  3. Lord Jesus, that I may show compassion to others in their sorrow or need, and place my sorrow or need second to theirs for a while, R
  4. Lord Jesus, that I may recognize how much I need You, and rely on Your strength in the many difficulties and pit-falls of life, R
  5. Lord Jesus, that I may let go of those things that prevent me from growing closer to You, R
  6. Lord Jesus, that I may see Your cross as the great sign of Your love for me, as did our Spiritual Father, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, R
  7. Lord Jesus, that I may see my crosses as ways of loving You and dying to myself, R
  8. Lord Jesus, that I may learn to place my life in Your hands, and not fear seeming unimportant, useless, helpless...as You allowed Your lifeless body to be placed in the hands of Mary, R
  9. Lord Jesus, that I may always believe in Your closeness and loving presence, especially when You seem distant from me, R

Concluding Prayers

Lord Jesus, help me to walk with You each day of my life, even to Calvary. The sorrow and joy, the pain and healing, the failures and triumphs of my life are truly small deaths and resurrections that lead me closer to You. Give me the faith and trust I need to walk with You always.

Mary, Mother of our Redeemer and our most Blessed Mother, be with us through life’s journey. As you comforted Jesus on the road to Calvary by your silent and loving presence, as you held his lifeless body close to your Immaculate Heart, as you offered the sadness and suffering that only a mother can feel when she sees the suffering of her child, look upon me as you looked at Jesus. See His marred image in my frail nature; hold me close to your mother’s heart in my moments of temptation and sin; and pray for me that I may be for God what I was created to be a -LIVING IMAGE OF JESUS. Amen.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, loving Father and Spiritual Guide, in this most holy season of Lent, be with me. By a singular grace you were blessed to participate in the mystery of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through your ministry, God revealed the marvels of His mercy to numberless souls. Pray for me, that like you, and through your loving intercession I may remain one with Christ in his Passion so as to joyfully come with you to the glory of the Resurrection. Intercede for me with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who is God for ever and ever. Amen.

website: www.PPPG.org