PLACE LITURGICAL
(SPRE
Filename: cale
PLACE LITURGICAL CALENDAR HERE (SPREAD) Filename: calendar FLAT.tif
L CALENDAR HERE
EAD)
endar FLAT.tif
PLACE LITURGICAL CALENDAR HERE (SPREAD) Filename: calendar FLAT.tif
BL AN KP AG E
Dedication
M E S S A G E The love that Jesus recommends in the Gospel is not a love that is in the clouds, that is, out of touch of reality. No, it is a love that requires the union of wills, our wills and God’s will: that we want what God wants, that we do what God wants us to do. It is a love that is very concrete: he who does my will loves me. When there is no union of wills there is really no true love, there is only the illusion of love. “He who does not love me does not keep my commandments”. The Church’s vision for life in its fullness has to do with this loving awareness that when we do God’s will, when we carry out God’s plan, we make His presence felt not only in our lives but in our world. And so, we disciples of the Lord are inspired to act, to make choices for those in need, to alleviate the lot of those who suffer, to eliminate confusion about what is right and what is wrong. All of this is to unite ourselves with the will of Christ and His redeeming action. Faith teaches us that my destiny and yours is written in the heart and mind, the will of God, the God who directs the movements of the cosmos as well as the course of history. It is our duty, as believers to live in time and space, side by side with our fellow human beings, sharing their worries and hopes, because Christians are, and must be fully, citizens of their own time, of their world. Attuned to the will of their Lord, they are ready to hurry to wherever there is a brother or sister in need, a tear to be dried, a request for help to be answered. The motivating factor in all this is our loving Faith in our Lord and our willingness to do what He wants. Following the truth that has been made known to us in Christ, we are called to live in a different way, our life must be lived in love, in obedience to God’s Word. The Saviour provides the standards for us. His will, encapsulated in the Gospel, interpreted by the Church, must be our rule of life. With our words and deeds, we must rebel against a civilization of selfishness that often considers the human person a means rather than an end. The Holy Father Benedict XVI encourages us and makes an appeal to us. He tells us that we are people who must announce the message of the God of love, and live it. The way Jesus shows us is not easy. It is the way of faith, which means the way of sacrifice and love, genuine love for God and our fellow human beings. But following it will not disappoint us. By conforming our daily life to the Gospel of the one Teacher who has “the words of eternal life”, to the will of the holy One who has become one of us, and who has enabled us to become part of him, we can become Christ to our world, real workers of justice, real workers for truth.
Archbishop EDWARD JOSEPH ADAMS Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines
Sunday Reflections by Fr. Daniel Mahan Weekday Reflections by Rev. Paul Gaffey Photographs by Michael Hales
Claretian Publications
BIBLE DIARY® 2009 Copyright © 2008 Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines Tel: (6 32) 921-3984 • Fax: (6 32) 921-7429 Email: cci@claret.org www.claretpublications.com The Bible Diary® is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines. It aims at promoting a renewed spirituality that is rooted in the process of total liberation and the promotion of human dignity, responding to the needs, challenges, and pastoral demands of the Church today. Biblical texts taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition Sunday Reflections by Fr. Daniel J. Mahan Weekday Reflections by Rev. Paul Gaffey Photographs by Michael Hales Cover and creative design by Mark S. Castillo All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without written permission from the publisher. Bible Diary® is a registered trademark of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. Printed in China. ISSN: 1656-457X (Philippines) ISBN: 971-501-332-5 (USA)
Personal Information Name: Home Address: City/Province: Tel no: (
)
Mobile No:
E-mail Address: Business Address: Tel no: (
)
FAX no: (
)
Business E-mail address: Tax Identification No: Social Security No: Residence Certificate No: Date Issued:
Place issued:
Driver’s License No: Car Registration No: Passport No: Date issued:
Valid until: Place issued:
In case of emergency, please notify: Address: Tel: (
)
Mobile No:
2009 J A N U A R Y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
Sun 1 8 15 22 29
Mon 2 9 16 23 30
Fri 2 9 16 23 30
Sat 3 10 17 24 31
F E B R U A R Y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
M A R C H Tue Wed Thu Fri 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 24 25 26 27 31
Sat 7 14 21 28
A P R I L Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30
M A Y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31 Sun Mon Tue 5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28 Sun Mon 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28
Sun 1 8 15 22 29
J U L Y Wed 1 8 15 22 29
Thu 2 9 16 23 30
S E P T E M B E R Tue Wed Thu 1 2 3 8 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24 29 30
Fri 1 8 15 22 29
Sat 2 9 16 23 30
Fri 3 10 17 24 31
Sat 4 11 18 25
Fri 4 11 18 25
Sat 5 12 19 26
N O V E M B E R Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 30
Sun 7 14 21 28
Mon 1 8 15 22 29
J U N E Wed 3 10 17 24
Fri 5 12 19 26
Sat 6 13 20 27
A U G U S T Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31
Sat 1 8 15 22 29
O C T OB E R Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
Fri 2 9 16 23 30
Sat 3 10 17 24 31
Fri 4 11 18 25
Sat 5 12 19 26
Sun Mon 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28
Tue 2 9 16 23 30
D E C Tue 1 8 15 22 29
Thu 4 11 18 25
Sat 4 11 18 25
E M B E R Wed Thu 2 3 9 10 16 17 23 24 30 31
2010 J A N U A R Y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31
Sun 7 14 21 28
Mon 1 8 15 22 29
Fri 1 8 15 22 29
Sat 2 9 16 23 30
M A R C H Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30 31
F E B R U A R Y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 A P R I L Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
M A Y Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31
Sat 1 8 15 22 29
Sun Mon 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28
J U L Y Sun Mon Tue Wed 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 25 26 27 28
Fri 2 9 16 23 30
Sat 3 10 17 24 31
Fri 3 10 17 24
Sat 4 11 18 25
Thu 1 8 15 22 29
S E P T E M B E R Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30
Sun 7 14 21 28
Mon 1 8 15 22 29
N O V E M B E R Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30
Sun 1 8 15 22 29
Mon 2 9 16 23 30
Tue 1 8 15 22 29
J U N E Wed 2 9 16 23 30
Thu 3 10 17 24
Fri Sat 2 3 9 10 16 17 23 24 30
Fri 4 11 18 25
Sat 5 12 19 26
A U G U S T Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31
O C T OB E R Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31 D E C Sun Mon Tue 5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28
E M B E R Wed Thu 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30
Fri 1 8 15 22 29
Sat 2 9 16 23 30
Fri 3 10 17 24 31
Sat 4 11 18 25
Liturgical and Sanctoral Catholic Calendar January
February
1 Mary, Mother of God
1 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 4
2 Basil the Great / Gregory Nazianzen
2 Presentation of the Lord
3 Most Holy Name of Jesus
World Day of Consecrated Life
4 Epiphany of the Lord
3 Blasé / Ansgar
5 John Neumann
4
6 Bl. André Bessette
5 Agatha
7 Raymond of Peñafort
6 Paul Miki and Companions
8
Pedro Bautista
9 Black Nazarene (Philippines)
7 Our Lady’s Saturday 8 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 5
10 11 Baptism of the Lord
9
12
10 Scholastica
13 Hilary
11 Our Lady of Lourdes
14
World Day of the Sick
15
12
16
13
17 Anthony, abbot
14 Cyril / Methodius
18 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 2
15 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 6
Feast of Sto. Niño (Philippines)
16
19
17 Seven Founders of the Order of Servites
20 Fabian / Sebastian
18
21 Agnes
19
22 Vincent
20
23
21 Peter Damian
24 Francis de Sales
22 Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 7
25 Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 3
23 Polycarp
26 Timothy and Titus, bishops
24
27 Angela Merici
25 Ash Wednesday
28 Thomas Aquinas
26
29
27
30
28
31 John Bosco
Liturgical and Sanctoral Catholic Calendar March
April
1 Psalter I, Lent Week 1
1
2
2 Francis of Paola
3 Katharine Drexel
3
4 Casimir
4 Isidore
5
5 Passion (Palm) Sunday
6
6
7 Perpetua / Felicity
7
8 Psalter II, Lent Week 2
8
9 Frances of Rome 10
9 Holy Thursday 10 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
11
11 The Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
12
12 Easter Sunday, Our Lord’s Resurrection
13
13
14
14
15 Psalter III, Lent Week 3
15
16
16
17 Patrick
17
18 Cyril of Jerusalem
18
19 Joseph, Husband of Mary
19 Psalter II, Easter Week 2
20
Divine Mercy Sunday
21
20
22 Psalter IV, Lent Week 4
21 Anselm
23 Toribio de Mogrovejo
22
24
23 George / Adalbert
25 Annunciation
24 Fidelis of Sigmaringen
26
25 Mark, evangelist
27
26 Psalter III, Easter Week 3
28
27
29 Psalter I, Lent Week 5
28 Peter Chanel / Louis Mary de Montfort
30
29 Catherine of Siena
31
30 Pius V
Liturgical and Sanctoral Catholic Calendar June
May 1 Joseph the Worker
1 Justin
2 Athanasius
2 Marcellinus / Peter
3 Psalter IV, Easter Week 4
3 Charles Lwanga and Companions
4
4
5
5 Boniface
6
6 Norbert
7
Our Lady’s Saturday
8
7 Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
9
8
10 Psalter I, Easter Week 5
9 Ephrem
11
10
12 Nereus and Achilleus / Pancras
11 Barnabas, apostle
13 Our Lady of Fatima
12
14 Matthias, apostle
13 Anthony of Padua
15 Isidore the Farmer
14 Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
16
15
17 Psalter II, Easter Week 6
16
18 John 1
17
19
18
20 Bernardine of Siena
19 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
21 Christopher Magallanes
20 Immaculate Heart of Mary
22 Rita of Cascia
21 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 12
23
22 Paulinus of Nola / John Fisher / Thomas More
24 Ascension Sunday
23
25 Venerable Bede / Gregory VII
24 Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist
Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
25
26 Philip Neri
26
27 Augustine of Canterbury
27 Cyril of Alexandra
28
28 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 13
29
29 Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles
30
30 First Martyrs of the Church of Rome
31 Pentecost Sunday
Liturgical and Sanctoral Catholic Calendar July
August
1 Bl. Junipero Serra
1 Alphonsus Liguori
2
2 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 18
3 Thomas, apostle
3
4 Elizabeth of Portugal
4 John Mary Vianney
Our Lady’s Saturday
5 Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major
5 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 14
6 Our Lord’s Transfiguration
6 Maria Goretti
7 Sixtus II and Companions / Cajetan
7
8 Dominic
8 9 Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
9 Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 19 10 Lawrence
10
11 Clare
11 Benedict
12
12 Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 15
13 Pontian / Hippolytus
13 Henry
14 Maximilian Mary Kolbe
14
15 Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
15 Bonaventure
16 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 20
16 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
17
17
18 Jane Frances de Chantal
18 Camillus de Lellis
19 John Eudes
19 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 16
20 Bernard
20 Apollinarus
21 Pius X
21 Lawrence of Brindisi
22 Queenship of Mary
22 Mary Magdalene
23 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 21
23 Bridget of Sweden
24 Bartholomew, apostle
24 Sharbel Makhluf
25 Louis of France / Joseph Calasanz
25 James, apostle
26
26 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 17
27 Monica
27
28 Augustine
28
29 Beheading of John the Baptist
29 Martha
30 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 22
30 Peter Chrysologus
31
31 Ignatius of Loyola
Liturgical and Sanctoral Catholic Calendar September
October
1
1 Thérèse of the Child Jesus
2
2 Guardian Angels
3 Gregory the Great
3
4
4 Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 27
5
5
6 Psalter III, Ordinary Time Week 23
6 Bruno / Bl. Marie-Rose Durocher
7
7 Our Lady of the Rosary
8 Birth of Mary
8
9 Peter Claver 10
9 Denis and Companions / John Leonardi 10
11
11 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 28
12 Holy Name of Mary
12
13 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 24
13
14 Triumph of the Cross
14 Callistus
15 Our Lady of Sorrows
15 Teresa of Jesus
16 Cornelius and Cyprian
16 Hedwig / Margaret Mary Alacoque
17 Robert Bellarmine
17 Ignatius of Antioch
18
18 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 29
19 Januarius
19 Isaac Jogues and John de Brebeuf and Companions / Paul of the Cross
20 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 25 21 Matthew, apostle and evangelist 22 23 Pio of Pietrelcina 24
20 21 22 23 John of Capistrano 24 Anthony Mary Claret
25 26 Cosmas and Damian 27 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 26 28 Lawrence Ruiz and Companions Wenceslaus 29 Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels 30 Jerome
25 Psalter II, Ordinary Time Week 30 26 27 28 Simon and Jude, apostles 29 30 31 Our Lady’s Saturday
Liturgical and Sanctoral Catholic Calendar November
December
1 All Saints Day
1
2 All Souls
2
3 Martin de Porres
3 Francis Xavier
4 Charles Borromeo
4 John of Damascus
5
5
6
6 Psalter II, Advent Week 2
7
7 Ambrose
8 Psalter IV, Ordinary Time Week 32
8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9 Dedication of St. John Lateran 10 Leo the Great 11 Martin of Tours 12 Josaphat 13 Frances Xavier Cabrini 14 15 Psalter I, Ordinary Time Week 33 16 Margaret of Scotland / Gertrude 17 Elizabeth of Hungary 18 Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul Rose Philippine Duchesne 19 20 21 Presentation of Mary 22 Solemnity of Christ the King 23 Clement I / Columban 24 Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions 25 Catherine of Alexandria 26 27 28 29 Psalter I, Advent Week 1 30 Andrew, apostle
9 Juan Diego 10 11 Damasus I 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 13 Psalter III, Advent Week 3 14 John of the Cross 15 16 17 18 19 20 Psalter IV, Advent Week 4 21 Peter Canisius 22 23 John of Kanty 24 25 The Nativity of the Lord 26 Stephen, First Martyr 27 Holy Family 28 Holy Innocents 29 Thomas Becket 30 31 Sylvester I
Daily Prayers Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, in heaven, holy be your name; your Kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us; do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Hail Mary 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. Glory be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Come Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created; and you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit, you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Benedictus Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty savior in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A savior who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us. So his love for our fathers is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence. As for you, little child, you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High. You shall go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way before him. To make known to his people their salvation through forgiveness of all their sins, the loving-kindness of the heart of our God who visits us like the dawn from on high. He will give light to those in darkness, those who dwell in the shadow of death, and guide us into the way of peace. The Magnificat My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior; because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; for behold henceforth all ages shall call me blessed. Because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; and his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy, even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. Amen. Hail Holy Queen Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
The Angelus V. The angel of the Lord declared to Mary. R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary… V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done to me according to your Word. Hail Mary… V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary… V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us Pray: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may, by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Queen of Heaven Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia! For Christ, your Son and Son of God, has risen as he said, alleluia! Pray to God for us, alleluia! V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia! R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia! Let us Pray: God of life, you have given joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the prayers of his mother, the Virgin Mary, bring us to the happiness of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Grace Before Meals Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Grace After Meals We give you thanks almighty God, for all your gifts, through Christ our Lord, who live and reign, now and forever. Amen. Act of Contrition My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Prayer for Peace (St. Francis of Assisi) Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Morning Offering O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all of my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops, and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. Amen. Prayer for Generosity O Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To toil and not to seek for rest; To labor and not to ask for reward Save that of knowing that I am doing your holy will. Amen.
Soul of Christ Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds, shelter me. Permit me not to be separated from you. From the evil one protect me. At the hour of my death call me and bid me come to you, that I may praise you with all your saints for ever and ever. Amen.
The Beatitudes Fortunate are those who have the spirit of the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted. Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land. Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God. Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God. Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God.
Prayer for Meetings Opening Lord, as we gather in your name, we want to be in your presence. Grant us a spirit of dialogue, illumine our minds with the light of truth and strengthen our fraternal spirit that we may always seek and do your will. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Closing Father of goodness, we thank you for this encounter in which we have shared our dreams and doubts, our projects and our difficulties. Make us always respond efficaciously to our vision and our mission in the world. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Scriptural Rosary Joyful Mysteries Monday and Saturday
1. The Annunciation Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name his Jesus”… Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Verses 30 and 38 of Luke 1:26–38 2. The Visitation When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb… Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Verses 41–42, and 45 of Luke 1:39–45 3. The Birth of Jesus While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Verses 6–7 of Luke 2:1–20 4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord. Verse 22 of Luke 2:22–38 5. Finding Jesus in the Temple And [Jesus] said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Verses 49–50 of Luke 2:41–50
sorrowful mysteries Tuesday and Friday
1. Jesus’ Agony in the Garden My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done! Verse 42 of Matthew 26:36–42 2. Jesus is Scourged So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. Verse 15 of Mark 15:1–16 3. Jesus is Crowned with Thorns Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. Verses 29–30 of Matthew 27:27–31 4. Jesus Carries His Cross So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. Verses 16–17 of John 19:16–22 5. Jesus Dies on the Cross When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. Verse 30 of John 19:23–30
glorious mysteries Wednesday and Sunday
1. The Resurrection of Jesus Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Verses 5–6 of Matthew 28:1–10 2. The Ascension of Jesus Then he led them {out} as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. Verses 50–51 of Luke 24:44–53 3. The Coming (or “Descent”) of the Holy Spirit And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Verse 4 of Acts 2:1–13 4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Verse 1 of Revelation 12:1–6 5. Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name… He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. Verses 49 and 52 of Luke 1:46–55
luminous Mysteries Thursday
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened {for him}, and saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove {and} coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Verses 16–17 of Matthew 3:13–17 2. The Miracle at the Wedding of Cana: Jesus Changes Water into Wine Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. Verse 11 of John 2:1–11 3. Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14–15 4. The Transfiguration of Jesus And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white; such as no fuller on earth could bleach them… Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Verses 3 and 7 of Mark 9:2–10 5. Institution of the Eucharist While they were waiting, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Verses 26–28 of Matthew 26:17–35
The Way of the Cross In the church or at home, this prayer will help you to meditate on the last moments of Jesus’ life. To begin each one of the stations, pray: V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Then, you make a minute or two of silence, meditating on the content of the station. You can end praying Our Father. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
The Last Supper Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus Before the Sanhedrin Jesus Before Pontius Pilate The Whipping and Crowning with Thorns The Carrying of the Cross Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
8. Jesus Comforts the Women of Jerusalem 9. The Stripping and Crucifixion of Jesus 10. The Repentant Thief 11. Mary and John Before the Cross of Jesus 12. The Death of Jesus on the Cross 13. The New Sepulchre 14. The Resurrection of Jesus
Praying with the Bible praying the bible in groups First Step Inviting the Lord and his Spirit. The coordinator asks a member of the group to invoke the presence of the Lord and his Spirit. The rest of the group may complete the prayer and share their own prayer. Second Step Reading the text. The coordinator points out the chapter and verses to be read. One member of the group reads the text aloud. After the reading, all observe a moment of silence. Third Step Abiding with the text. Let each participant say aloud a word or a sentence that is of special importance to him or her. After each participant says the word or sentence, there is a short moment of silence. Each one can repeat interiorly two or three times the words that were spoken, allowing them to sink in. Once all have spoken, the whole text is read again, aloud and slowly. Fourth Step Silence. After a second reading of the text, the coordinator invites everybody to keep silent letting them know how long the silence will be (3 to 5 minutes). This silence prepares the participants to reflect together on the text and to pray the text. Fifth Step Sharing what has touched their life. Participants are invited to share spontaneously from their hearts what has touched them. This is the time to put together the words reflected upon from Scripture and the individual feelings and experiences of each participant. Sixth Step Praying together. The coordinator invites the group to pray. Participants respond with spontaneous prayers to God who has spoken to them through the text. The meeting may conclude with a song.
praying the bible alone Begin with this prayer: Father, you created me and put me on earth for a purpose. Jesus, you died for me and called me to complete your work. Holy Spirit, you help me to carry out the work for which I was created and called. In your presence and name—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—I begin my meditation. Follow these steps: 1. Read the meditation prayerfully. (About one minute.) 2. Think about what struck you most as you read the meditation. Why this? (About four minutes.) 3. Speak to God about your thoughts. (About one minute.) 4. Listen to God’s response. Simply rest in God’s presence with an open mind and an open heart. (About four minutes.) 5. End each meditation by praying the Lord’s Prayer slowly and reverently.
Short List of Biblical Prayers that can be used at any time or according to your personal situation. Genesis 15:2–3 Supplication of Abraham for his son. Exodus 5:22–23 Moses complains to God about the situation of his People. Isaiah 12:1–6 Song of thanksgiving for the liberation of the People. Daniel 3:26–49 Prayer of the Three Youths condemned to the furnace, interceding for the People. Luke 1:45–55 Song of Mary, the Magnificat, for what God has made in her and in history. Luke 1:68–79 Zechariah’s thanksgiving song for what God has made for his people. Matthew 6:9–13 The Our Father. John 11:41–42 Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving at Lazarus’ resurrection. Acts 4:24–30 Communitarian prayer asking for interior fortitude to announce the Word of God.
Biblical Prayers for a Person in Danger or Very Sick Read each supplication slowly, asking the sick person or the person in danger to repeat it, if possible, as a litany. Other supplications from the Bible can be added. • The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Ps 27:1) • My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Ps 42:3) • Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are beside me. (Ps 23:4) • I stretch out my hands to you, and thirst for you like a parched land. (Ps1 43:6) • To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (Ps 25:1) • My loving God will come to help me. (Ps 59:11) • Fill me with joy and gladness. (Ps 51:10) • Send forth your light and your truth; let them be my guide. (Ps 43:3) • Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the kingdom prepared for you. (Mt 25:34) • We will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thes 4:17) • Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom 8:35) • We love our brothers and sisters, and with this we know that we have passed from death to life. (1 Jn 3:14) • Now has salvation come, with the power and the kingdom of our God. (Rev 12:10) • Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20)
How to use the
Bible Diary®
Some useful tips on how to make fruitful use of the Bible Diary ® • Reserve a particular time daily for reading the day’s biblical texts and commentary. Allow some time for reflection and prayer. God speaks to you. Listen with your heart and you will discover and understand God’s message. • Make the Bible Diary® very personal to you so that you may have the freedom to write on it without reservations. • Put into writing all the feelings you experience through the day: feelings of love, fear, guilt, or anger. Write down your reflections and realizations, your resolutions, little dialogues with yourself; your dreams, wishes, and hopes; your responses to events and to people. • Be creative and compose your own prayers, verses, sayings and poems. • When you look back and read them all over, you will begin to see and discover more about yourself. Then your Bible Diary® becomes a dialogue not only with yourself but with God who always speaks and is present through his Word.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some portions of several Bible readings have been carefully condensed to enable the one-page per weekday and two-page per Sunday format. Condensed readings have been marked with an asterisk ( * ). Thank you very much.