LEAVES Website for the May-June 2017 Issue
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the apparitions of our Lady at Fatima, Portugal, let us all increase our prayers and devotions to advance the cause of peace in the world and for the conversion of sinners.
May is the Month of Mary and the Rosary is an ideal devotion to honor her. If you don’t already add the Fatima Prayer after each decade of your Rosary, this would be a perfect time to begin to do so. (Ed. note: The prayer appears elsewhere in this issue.)
In addition to a daily Rosary, we should all increase the time we spend in Scripture reading and meditating on the writings of saints and holy ones. In an effort to encourage others to grow spiritually, we can gather as families or with friends to pray and to read and share spiritual materials.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI advised us seven years ago:
“At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, Our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart” (May 13, 2010).
It is not enough for us to simply read and reflect on the message of our Lady Mary at Fatima, as important as that is. We are called to action. As Pope Benedict further said:
“Blessed Jacinta, in particular, proved tireless in sharing with the needy and in making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Only with this fraternal and generous love will we succeed in building the civilization of love and peace.”
Are there any volunteer opportunities in our communities that service those in need? If we are unable to participate in person, we certainly can offer prayers on behalf of the good works of others. We also may be able to contribute some small charitable donation to organizations that serve the poor around the world.
Another part of the message of Fatima is “peace.” Peace is sometimes an unfamiliar concept in many places around the world. Perhaps that is why it is even more important for us to increase our efforts on behalf of global peace. Prayers and sacrifices for peace ought to be a part of our daily life.
Taking a lesson from Pope Benedict, let us pray in earnest for peace between “nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals.” Let us pray that hatred and unrest be replaced by the love of God.
In May and June we celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. If your parents are still with you, take time out of your day to either call or visit them. If they are no longer with you, pay tribute to them with a prayerful remembrance. There are a number of novenas to Mary and to Joseph. These earthly parents of our Lord will certainly help honor your parents, both living and deceased.
Society can sometimes present many challenges to families these days. Jobs may require employees to spend an inordinate amount of time away from their families. Some people can never seem to “unplug” from work, with cellphones ringing during evenings and weekends with “urgent” work issues that must be addressed immediately.
Sunday, our day of rest, has been high-jacked by ballgames or practices, soccer for one child, baseball for another and maybe even softball for the parents. With family members scattered in all directions, there is precious little time left over in the day. At times Mass together as a family just doesn’t make it into the schedule.
Perhaps we might all make an effort to make Sunday a time of celebration of Faith and family. Attend Mass together. Get together with extended family for a visit or a meal. Turn off cellphones and have a conversation, play a board game, go for a leisurely walk in a park. If no family is nearby, call them or Skype with them.
As we remember our own dear parents, let us remember to support with our prayers all those who are in the midst of raising children. Parenting can be exhausting and terrifying. Being up all night comforting a sick child takes a lot of physical and emotional energy. Our prayers just may be able to help ease a weary parent’s heart.
May God bless all those mothers and fathers in our LEAVES family.
Warmer temperatures this time of year call to many of us to spend time outside in gardens and flower beds. Many of our dear LEAVES family members have designed and built precious outdoor shrines to Jesus, Mary and the saints.
Creating a space to honor our Lord and His mother need not require a large area, or much money. Even a potted plant on a balcony would suffice. A small cross or statue next to the plant would serve as a reminder to pray a quick Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be whenever the plant comes into view.
As we enjoy our time outside, let us remember to offer thanksgiving to the Lord for His awesome gift of creation. Take time to notice the new flowers. Enjoy the beauty of sunset. Give thanks for loved ones and may God grant you abundant blessings always - Fr. Thomas Heier, C.M.M.
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
Prayers Answered
My donation is for favors received. I like the LEAVES magazine.
My three sisters and I all have heart problems, so I have been saying the Five-Day Novena to St. Therese the Little Flower. One of my sisters, her name is Theresa, was supposed to have a procedure done on the 19th of Sept.
I went for a walk with my neighbor lady from across the hall. When we came back, my neighbor asked me to wait a minute. She went into her apartment and came out with a real pink rose for me.
When my sister Theresa went in for the procedure, they said she did not need it. Her heart had calmed right down. So my prayers were answered. Many thanks to our Father in heaven and St. Therese for her intercession - Catherine Q.
Tragedy Averted
I would like to share a little story about something that happened to me. During our harsh winter here in Massachusetts I spent a lot of time outdoors shoveling snow. One morning, after doing a little shoveling, I came back indoors to rest.
I sat down and started reading the Bible. Suddenly I heard a great crash and a large boom. Huge icicles had fallen off the roof, crashing through the cellar window and hitting the oil tank. Thankfully, the damage was minimal.
It may have been a coincidence that I just missed being hit by falling ice, but I’ll give credit to the good Lord for sending me indoors to rest and to read the Bible just at that moment - Elaine H.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Please accept this donation in gratitude for help provided via Fr. Engelmar and our Lady. Our grandson was in intensive care, and our prayers comforted us and, we believe, helped our grandson back to health. Praise be to Jesus and the saints - J.F.C.
+ + +
I want to thank Fr. Engelmar for listening to me. I pray every day to him for all my family. I am an old-age pensioner. We have a grandson who has autism. We love him dearly, but he finds it hard to cope in school. He is 14 years old. Please keep him in your prayers. May God bless you all - Catherine K., Ireland.
+ + +
I have received many favors over the years for myself, family members and friends through the intercession of Fr. Engelmar. Some had to have been through divine intervention. He is truly amazing. I try to pray the novena daily and also the prayer on the icon card for Fr. Engelmar to receive the honor of being canonized as soon as possible.
I was diagnosed with cancer of the right breast in 1986 and cancer of the left breast in 1997. I was in remission until three years ago when the cancer metastasized to my right lung and spine. I asked Fr. Engelmar to pray for me and to help me as much as possible. I also promised to send a monthly donation to Mariannhill as long as I was able.
I have also been diagnosed with Wegner’s Disease. Although I have a lot of fatigue and cannot do the things I would like, I am very lucky. My pain is minimal. My blood work is good and I continue to surprise my oncologist.
That is why I decided to write and tell of my high regard and trust for Fr. Engelmar and my hope and prayers that he is recognized publicly for the saint he is - Betty F.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 108 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
His Wondrous Love
By Ellen Marie LeFebvre
In awe and wonder I gaze at Thee,
Five bleeding wounds nailed to a tree.
I can’t help wondering what You see
In such a wretched soul as me.
Why should You even be there at all?
And what makes You listen when I call?
’Tis my sins that put You on that tree
In sacrificing love for me.
Help me begin to grasp that love
That brought You from Your throne above.
I need to taste and feel and see
This wondrous love you have for me.
It’s much too much to comprehend
The way Your love can heal and mend.
How long must I stand beneath the tree
With blood from Your wounds pouring over me,
Before I learn to look and see
The things I’ve done that wounded Thee?
Five bleeding wounds nailed to a tree,
Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.
Fátima Prayers
The Angel’s Prayer
(The Angel of Peace appeared to the children at Fátima in the spring and summer of 1916 in advance of the appearance of our Lady. During these apparitions the angel taught prayers to the children.)
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ - present in all the tabernacles of the world - in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.
Pardon Prayer
My God, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love Thee.
Eucharistic Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Sacrifice Prayer
O my Jesus, it is for love of You, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Decade Prayer
(To be prayed after each decade of the Rosary)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls into heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
+ + +
First Saturday Devotion
Our Lady said to Lucia, “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the 15 mysteries of the Rosary.”
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the apparitions of our Lady at Fatima, Portugal, let us all increase our prayers and devotions to advance the cause of peace in the world and for the conversion of sinners.
May is the Month of Mary and the Rosary is an ideal devotion to honor her. If you don’t already add the Fatima Prayer after each decade of your Rosary, this would be a perfect time to begin to do so. (Ed. note: The prayer appears elsewhere in this issue.)
In addition to a daily Rosary, we should all increase the time we spend in Scripture reading and meditating on the writings of saints and holy ones. In an effort to encourage others to grow spiritually, we can gather as families or with friends to pray and to read and share spiritual materials.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI advised us seven years ago:
“At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, Our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart” (May 13, 2010).
It is not enough for us to simply read and reflect on the message of our Lady Mary at Fatima, as important as that is. We are called to action. As Pope Benedict further said:
“Blessed Jacinta, in particular, proved tireless in sharing with the needy and in making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. Only with this fraternal and generous love will we succeed in building the civilization of love and peace.”
Are there any volunteer opportunities in our communities that service those in need? If we are unable to participate in person, we certainly can offer prayers on behalf of the good works of others. We also may be able to contribute some small charitable donation to organizations that serve the poor around the world.
Another part of the message of Fatima is “peace.” Peace is sometimes an unfamiliar concept in many places around the world. Perhaps that is why it is even more important for us to increase our efforts on behalf of global peace. Prayers and sacrifices for peace ought to be a part of our daily life.
Taking a lesson from Pope Benedict, let us pray in earnest for peace between “nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals.” Let us pray that hatred and unrest be replaced by the love of God.
In May and June we celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. If your parents are still with you, take time out of your day to either call or visit them. If they are no longer with you, pay tribute to them with a prayerful remembrance. There are a number of novenas to Mary and to Joseph. These earthly parents of our Lord will certainly help honor your parents, both living and deceased.
Society can sometimes present many challenges to families these days. Jobs may require employees to spend an inordinate amount of time away from their families. Some people can never seem to “unplug” from work, with cellphones ringing during evenings and weekends with “urgent” work issues that must be addressed immediately.
Sunday, our day of rest, has been high-jacked by ballgames or practices, soccer for one child, baseball for another and maybe even softball for the parents. With family members scattered in all directions, there is precious little time left over in the day. At times Mass together as a family just doesn’t make it into the schedule.
Perhaps we might all make an effort to make Sunday a time of celebration of Faith and family. Attend Mass together. Get together with extended family for a visit or a meal. Turn off cellphones and have a conversation, play a board game, go for a leisurely walk in a park. If no family is nearby, call them or Skype with them.
As we remember our own dear parents, let us remember to support with our prayers all those who are in the midst of raising children. Parenting can be exhausting and terrifying. Being up all night comforting a sick child takes a lot of physical and emotional energy. Our prayers just may be able to help ease a weary parent’s heart.
May God bless all those mothers and fathers in our LEAVES family.
Warmer temperatures this time of year call to many of us to spend time outside in gardens and flower beds. Many of our dear LEAVES family members have designed and built precious outdoor shrines to Jesus, Mary and the saints.
Creating a space to honor our Lord and His mother need not require a large area, or much money. Even a potted plant on a balcony would suffice. A small cross or statue next to the plant would serve as a reminder to pray a quick Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be whenever the plant comes into view.
As we enjoy our time outside, let us remember to offer thanksgiving to the Lord for His awesome gift of creation. Take time to notice the new flowers. Enjoy the beauty of sunset. Give thanks for loved ones and may God grant you abundant blessings always - Fr. Thomas Heier, C.M.M.
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
Prayers Answered
My donation is for favors received. I like the LEAVES magazine.
My three sisters and I all have heart problems, so I have been saying the Five-Day Novena to St. Therese the Little Flower. One of my sisters, her name is Theresa, was supposed to have a procedure done on the 19th of Sept.
I went for a walk with my neighbor lady from across the hall. When we came back, my neighbor asked me to wait a minute. She went into her apartment and came out with a real pink rose for me.
When my sister Theresa went in for the procedure, they said she did not need it. Her heart had calmed right down. So my prayers were answered. Many thanks to our Father in heaven and St. Therese for her intercession - Catherine Q.
Tragedy Averted
I would like to share a little story about something that happened to me. During our harsh winter here in Massachusetts I spent a lot of time outdoors shoveling snow. One morning, after doing a little shoveling, I came back indoors to rest.
I sat down and started reading the Bible. Suddenly I heard a great crash and a large boom. Huge icicles had fallen off the roof, crashing through the cellar window and hitting the oil tank. Thankfully, the damage was minimal.
It may have been a coincidence that I just missed being hit by falling ice, but I’ll give credit to the good Lord for sending me indoors to rest and to read the Bible just at that moment - Elaine H.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Please accept this donation in gratitude for help provided via Fr. Engelmar and our Lady. Our grandson was in intensive care, and our prayers comforted us and, we believe, helped our grandson back to health. Praise be to Jesus and the saints - J.F.C.
+ + +
I want to thank Fr. Engelmar for listening to me. I pray every day to him for all my family. I am an old-age pensioner. We have a grandson who has autism. We love him dearly, but he finds it hard to cope in school. He is 14 years old. Please keep him in your prayers. May God bless you all - Catherine K., Ireland.
+ + +
I have received many favors over the years for myself, family members and friends through the intercession of Fr. Engelmar. Some had to have been through divine intervention. He is truly amazing. I try to pray the novena daily and also the prayer on the icon card for Fr. Engelmar to receive the honor of being canonized as soon as possible.
I was diagnosed with cancer of the right breast in 1986 and cancer of the left breast in 1997. I was in remission until three years ago when the cancer metastasized to my right lung and spine. I asked Fr. Engelmar to pray for me and to help me as much as possible. I also promised to send a monthly donation to Mariannhill as long as I was able.
I have also been diagnosed with Wegner’s Disease. Although I have a lot of fatigue and cannot do the things I would like, I am very lucky. My pain is minimal. My blood work is good and I continue to surprise my oncologist.
That is why I decided to write and tell of my high regard and trust for Fr. Engelmar and my hope and prayers that he is recognized publicly for the saint he is - Betty F.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 108 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
His Wondrous Love
By Ellen Marie LeFebvre
In awe and wonder I gaze at Thee,
Five bleeding wounds nailed to a tree.
I can’t help wondering what You see
In such a wretched soul as me.
Why should You even be there at all?
And what makes You listen when I call?
’Tis my sins that put You on that tree
In sacrificing love for me.
Help me begin to grasp that love
That brought You from Your throne above.
I need to taste and feel and see
This wondrous love you have for me.
It’s much too much to comprehend
The way Your love can heal and mend.
How long must I stand beneath the tree
With blood from Your wounds pouring over me,
Before I learn to look and see
The things I’ve done that wounded Thee?
Five bleeding wounds nailed to a tree,
Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.
Fátima Prayers
The Angel’s Prayer
(The Angel of Peace appeared to the children at Fátima in the spring and summer of 1916 in advance of the appearance of our Lady. During these apparitions the angel taught prayers to the children.)
O most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ - present in all the tabernacles of the world - in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.
Pardon Prayer
My God, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love Thee.
Eucharistic Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Sacrifice Prayer
O my Jesus, it is for love of You, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Decade Prayer
(To be prayed after each decade of the Rosary)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls into heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
+ + +
First Saturday Devotion
Our Lady said to Lucia, “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the 15 mysteries of the Rosary.”