Mark,
Chapter 11, Verse 18
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they FEARED him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.
This was after Jesus had overturned the money changers tables. The priests were not afraid of the man Jesus, for they did not know or care if He was the Messiah. They only respected money, power, or the ability to sway or manipulate the crowd.
In this chapter of Mark’s gospel, he also included the story of the fig tree. The fig tree was cursed by Jesus before He entered the temple because it although was healthy and looked as if it held much fruit, was barren. After the incident in the temple the same tree had withered and died because it did not produce. It did not live up to its created purpose.
Mark records it thus, “Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen; it shall be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”
A man then who
believes, without fear, and has total faith can move mountains; go therefore
with all faith and produce the fruit for which you were created.
Novena
of St. Ann[1]
Daily Prayer to Saint Ann
O
glorious St. Ann, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and
with love for those who suffer! Heavily burdened with the weight of my
troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present
intention which I recommend to you in your special care.
Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it
before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue
to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me
the grace one day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the
saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen.
Our Father, . . . Hail Mary . . .
O Jesus, Holy Mary, St. Ann, help me now and at
the hour of my death. Good St. Ann, intercede for me.
FIFTH
DAY
Hail, all-powerful Lady. By God’s special
favor, grant consolation to those who invoke you. Procure for them the eternal
riches of heaven, and like a good mother, success in their temporal affairs as
well.
Good St. Ann, obtain my deliverance from the
punishment which my sins deserve. Obtain for me success in my temporal affairs;
especially see to the salvation of my soul.
St. Ann, by your influence with Mary’s son
Jesus, you have won the gift of conversion for many sinners. Will you then
abandon me, who have chosen you as my mother? No, St. Ann. Your name alone,
which signifies grace, assures me of the help of your prayers, and these
prayers will surely procure pardon and mercy from Jesus. You will pray for me now
and at the hour of my death.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY
SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER
ONE-THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
Article 1 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
III. How is the Sacrament of
Baptism Celebrated?
Christian Initiation
1229 From the time of the
apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and
initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly,
but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of
the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith,
Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic
communion.
1230 This initiation has varied
greatly through the centuries according to circumstances. In the first
centuries of the Church, Christian initiation saw considerable development. A
long period of catechumenate included a series of preparatory rites, which were
liturgical landmarks along the path of catechumenal preparation and culminated
in the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation.
1231 Where infant Baptism has
become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a
single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a
very abridged way. By its very nature infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal
catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also
for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. the
catechism has its proper place here.
1232 The second Vatican Council
restored for the Latin Church "the catechumenate for adults, comprising
several distinct steps." The rites for these stages are to be found
in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The Council also
gives permission that: "In mission countries, in addition to what is
furnished by the Christian tradition, those elements of initiation rites may be
admitted which are already in use among some peoples insofar as they can be
adapted to the Christian ritual."
1233 Today in all the rites,
Latin and Eastern, the Christian initiation of adults begins with their entry
into the catechumenate and reaches its culmination in a single celebration of
the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the
Eucharist. In the Eastern rites the Christian initiation of infants also
begins with Baptism followed immediately by Confirmation and the Eucharist,
while in the Roman rite it is followed by years of catechesis before being
completed later by Confirmation and the Eucharist, the summit of their
Christian initiation.
The mystagogy of the
celebration
1234 The meaning and grace of
the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration. By
following the gestures and words of this celebration with attentive participation,
the faithful are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies and
actually brings about in each newly baptized person.
1235 The sign of the cross, on
the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who
is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won
for us by his cross.
1236 The proclamation of the
Word of God enlightens the candidates and the assembly with the revealed truth
and elicits the response of faith, which is inseparable from Baptism. Indeed,
Baptism is "the sacrament of faith" in a particular way, since it is
the sacramental entry into the life of faith.
1237 Since Baptism signifies
liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more exorcisms
are pronounced over the candidate. the celebrant then anoints him with the oil
of catechumens, or lays his hands on him, and he explicitly renounces Satan.
Thus prepared, he is able to confess the faith of the Church, to which he will
be "entrusted" by Baptism.
1238 The baptismal water is
consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis (either at this moment or at the Easter
Vigil). the Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit
may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born
of water and the Spirit."
1239 The essential rite of the
sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings
about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through
configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the
most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from
ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three
times over the candidate's head.
1240 In the Latin Church this
triple infusion is accompanied by the minister's words: "N., I baptize you
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the
Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest says:
"The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit." At the invocation of each person of the Most
Holy Trinity, the priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up
again.
1241 The anointing with sacred
chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy
Spirit to the newly baptized, who has become a Christian, that is, one
"anointed" by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is
anointed priest, prophet, and king.
1242 In the liturgy of the Eastern
Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation
(Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the post-baptismal anointing announces a
second anointing with sacred chrism to be conferred later by the bishop
Confirmation, which will as it were "confirm" and complete the
baptismal anointing.
1243 The white garment
symbolizes that the person baptized has "put on Christ," has
risen with Christ. the candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that
Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are "the light of
the world."
The newly baptized is now, in the only Son, a child of God entitled to say the
prayer of the children of God: "Our Father."
1244 First Holy Communion.
Having become a child of God clothed with the wedding garment, the neophyte is
admitted "to the marriage supper of the Lamb" and receives the
food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. the Eastern Churches maintain
a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy
Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children,
recalling the Lord's words: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder
them." The Latin Church, which reserves admission to Holy Communion
to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of
Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the
altar for the praying of the Our Father.
1245 The solemn blessing
concludes the celebration of Baptism. At the Baptism of newborns the blessing
of the mother occupies a special place.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: For
the intercession of the angels and saints
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Let
Freedom Ring Day 15
·
Rosary
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