Prayers for Writers

Because I will be needing this, big time, in the very near future. Yes, you can consider that a warning. :-)

Prayers to St. Francis de Sales, Patron of Writers

Most loving and lovable Saint, 

you preached to thousands with the pen, 

introducing them to "the devout life." 

You wrote sublimely about God's love
and made countless converts by your Christlike kindness.

 Make writers realize the power of the Press and inspire them with your zeal for spreading truth. Help them to write honestly no matter what the subject, 

so that they will really contribute to bringing about God's Kingdom. 

Amen.

O Blessed Francis de Sales, who in your mortal life did excel in all virtues, 

especially in love of God and of neighbor, 

I earnestly entreat you to take me under your immediate protection, 

to obtain from God my perfect conversion, and that of all sinners, 

especially of (the names of persons for whom you wish to pray should be mentioned here). 

Teach me, O Father, to fix my eyes on heaven, 

that I may generously trample under foot every obstacle that presents itself in my way, 

and attain that degree of glory which you in your mercy hold out to me. 

Obtain also that particular favor for which I now pray. (mention intention)

Assist us, 

O Lord, we beseech you, through the merits of St. Francis de Sales. 

That what our endeavors cannot obtain may be given us by his intercession. 

Let us pray: 

O God, who for the salvation of souls, did will that St. Francis de Sales, 

your confessor and bishop, should become all things to all men and women, 

mercifully grant that we, infused with the gentleness of his charity, guided by his teachings, 

and sharing in his merits, may obtain eternal happiness. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales

O love eternal, my soul needs and chooses You eternally!
Ah, come Holy Spirit, and inflame our hearts with Your love!
To love -- or to die!
To die -- and to love!
To die to all other love in order to live in Jesus' love, so that we may not die eternally.
But that we may live in Your eternal love, O SavioUr of our souls, we eternally sing,
"Live, Jesus! Jesus, I love! Live, Jesus, whom I love!
Jesus, I love, Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever." Amen. 
~~ from "Treatise on the Love of God"

Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales

Lord, I am Yours, and I must belong to no one but You.
My soul is Yours, and must live only by You.
My will is Yours, and must love only for You.
I must love You as my first cause, since I am from You.
I must love You as my end and rest, since I am for You.
I must love You more than my own being, since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself, since I am all Yours and all in You. Amen. 

~~from "Treatise on the Love of God"

"Be at Peace," by Saint Francis de Sales

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; 

rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, 

God, Whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; 

and when you cannot stand it, 

God will carry you in His Arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; 

the same understanding Father Who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. 
Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

Prayer to St. Peter Canisius, Patron of Catechism Writers

Dear Doctor and Defender of the Church, to you the Master must have said:
"Well done, composer of books which have taught and inspired countless persons in many lands."
Help those who compose catechisms to communicate the true teachings of Christ in ways that can be understood by our contemporaries so that they will be moved to follow Jesus. 

Amen.

That should help. God Bless!

{moments in time}

No words, just moments...

American on Purpose - A Review

I remember the first time I ever saw Craig Ferguson on the Drew Carey Show, and thought his character, Nigel Wick, was a riot. Later, I became a fan of his Late Late Show, although I have to admit that I don't catch it every night, I have to be at work the next morning, you know.

Anyway, I was perusing the library shelves for a new audio book, no it is not cheating I look at it as being practical as it allows me to be reading a couple of books, and listening to another at the same time. Anyway, I came across his book American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot, and thought it was worth a shot. As a bonus, it was read by the author, and I am truly entranced by the Scottish accent, be it spoken by a man or a woman. Weird? Maybe, but also true. One of the coolest trips I ever made was to Scotland where I fell in love with the place, someday it would be nice to go back.

I digress.

American on Purpose is the autobiography of Mr. Ferguson and his life (obviously) through the year 2008. Let me tell you, I have a whole new amount of respect for what Mr. Ferguson has gone through with his life, which includes lots of drugs, partying, sex, and of course alcohol. It should be noted that he has been stone-cold sober since Feb 18, 1992 and should be commended for it. I never realized what torture it was to be an alcoholic, and Mr. Ferguson describes it in great detail.

He is very humble about his beginnings and, I believe, truly amazed that he has made it to where he is now and you can tell throughout the entire tone of the book. Be forewarned there is a bit of swearing throughout, but I still found it to be a very honest and funny book and highly recommend reading it. Better yet, listen to it, Mr. Ferguson's narration is exceptional and you can feel the emotion as he reads parts where he talks about his failed marriages, his rehab, and his family. He has lived a very blessed life, and would be likely to tell you the same.

Even if autobiography's aren't your cup of tea, I am sure that you will find the tale to be a good listen/read. So go out and get it today, you won't be disappointed, better yet use the link attached and get it from Amazon and it'll be at your doorstep in a couple of days.

Five out of five stars.