Praying When You Are Axious

Posted on by Donna

Are you too anxious to pray? Finding it hard to concentrate? Here is a simple practice to help you do something that is so contrary to the way we normally run from pain and hunger after pleasure. Breathing in, breathing in your own evil, sickness, disappointment, not measuring-up, anxiety, disordered passions, thoughts and feelings. Imagine all this as darkness or a lost homeless child. Feel sympathy for yourself, sweet affection, loving kindness, gratitude. Breathing out, bless the darkness with Jesus: “The Lord’s peace be with you.” All this breathing makes me think of singing, especially in the repetition of a… Continue Reading →

A Custom Name Lullaby Song for Your Child

Posted on by Donna

I will write and sing a custom lullaby song with the name of your choice for your child or grandchild. Enjoy your own custom lullaby, sung in a simple manner as you might hear your mother or father sing in the stillness of a quiet room.  No reverb, no effects, just very simple and natural, similar to the sound of my “Blessing Prayer” (click to hear) or the room sound of the samples I sing in this video description. Hear samples of custom lullabies Sing it to your baby while still in utero.  Your baby knows and loves YOUR voice, good or bad. … Continue Reading →

St. Peregrine: Patron of Cancer Sufferers

Posted on by Donna
Saint Peregrine

St. Peregrine: Patron Saint of Cancer Sufferers Overview Many people have been affected by cancer or know someone who has.  Traditionally, St. Peregrine has been the patron saint of cancer sufferers and of those with major life-threatening illnesses since his death in 1345. We may feel helpless in the face of chronic or even terminal illness as well as any condition which causes pain. Moreover, it may even cause you to cry, “Amputate!” which is exactly what was going to happen to St. Peregrine. Born in Italy in 1260, Peregrine wasn’t always a faith filled or hopeful follower of Christ. In his… Continue Reading →

A Meditative Prayer How to…

Posted on by Donna

Meditative prayer begins with taking a few moments to become aware of God’s presence Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, remembering that in this very moment you are under the loving gaze of God, who knows and loves you totally. Bring to mind something that you will face in this upcoming week It could be something that you’re excited, worried, or unsure about. It could be an event, a relationship, a problem, a task, or responsibility. It could be anything. Select a reading from the Word of God Pick one… I picked this one: “I regard everything… Continue Reading →

When Crisis Hits, What to do?

Posted on by Donna

Understand this: From the very Beginning God imprinted His Natural Law on the heart of (every) man. He also ordained physical laws for Nature to follow. He then appointed Man as steward of all Creation (i.e., Nature). Why? Because Man has an intellect and a (free) will, because Man can differentiate between good and evil, and because Man can choose to obey his Creator or disobey His Law. Nature, on the other hand, has neither intellect nor will. So, she takes her cue from (Wo)Man – her Divinely appointed steward. Thus, when Man rebelled against God in The Fall, so… Continue Reading →

Mother Teresa on the Importance of Prayer

Posted on by Donna

 A page from Mother Theresa: “I don’t think there is anyone who needs God’s help and grace as much as I do. Sometimes I feel so helpless and weak. I think that is why God uses me. Because I cannot depend on my own strength…   All of us must cling to God through prayer. My secret is very simple: I pray. Through prayer I become one in love with Christ. I realize that praying to Him is loving Him…   People are hungry for the Word of God that will give Peace, that will give Unity, that will give… Continue Reading →

A Blessed Sorrow

Posted on by Donna

Jesus said, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them…The days sill come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”  Mt 9:15 “But in the midst of all this pain, there is a strange, shocking, yet very surprising voice.  It is the voice of the one who says, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.’  That’s the unexpected news; there is a blessing hidden in our frief.  Not those who comfort are blessed, but those who mourn!  Somehow, in the midst of our tears, a gift is… Continue Reading →

Lord, Have Mercy – Meditations of Henri J. M. Nouwen

Posted on by Donna

This Lent I want to share with you the writings of Henri J. M. Nouwen. He was one of the most innovative and influential spiritual writers of the past century. He wrote 39 books on the spiritual life that have sold millions of copies. I will be quoting from his books. ” Lord, have mercy…” That’s the prayer that keeps emerging from the depth of our being and breaking through the walls of our cynicism. Yes, we are hopeless sinners; everything is lost and nothing is left of our hopes and dreams. Still there is a voice: ” My grace… Continue Reading →

Beginning the Spiritual Life

Posted on by Donna

We are created by God and destined to share the life of love that flows between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But we don’t have to wait for death to find it, to live it.  Jesus said the Kingdom of God is HERE.  This present life is all about the eternal.  Even St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church tells us that union with God is possible here and now. He even describes what this experience can be: “The soul has become God through participation in God” (Living Flame of Love 2:34). The happiness of this divine intimacy is a gift that God already… Continue Reading →

The Tradition of Praying the Psalms

Posted on by Donna

For centuries the psalms have been a used to help souls request help from God.  They’ve been used to thank Him, praise Him, and to seek forgiveness.  Jesus Himself used one of the psalms when He called to his heavenly Father from the cross. (Matt 27:46).  The Church uses them everyday during the liturgy of the Mass and for the bulk of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office). Meditating on the psalms can give us strength and fortitude when we are faced with the obstacles that meet us in our walk through this hostile world.    We can find… Continue Reading →