Pour Forth we beseech Thee, O Lord thy Grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and Death be brought to the Glory of His resurrection through Christ our Lord. Amen
The final day of Mary's visit to Ottawa. Barb and I went to mass at 11 and I took a few pictures. I hope to be able to follow The ARK and provide some updates as Mary makes her way to the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis
An estimated 2500 pilgrims attended events over the weekend at St. Patrick's Basilica; a fitting send-off for Canada's National Madonna from the Nation's Capital. ( taken from the MDM Website )
Pour Forth we beseech Thee, O Lord thy Grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and Death be brought to the Glory of His resurrection through Christ our Lord. Amen
Pour Forth we beseech Thee, O Lord thy Grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and Death be brought to the Glory of His resurrection through Christ our Lord. Amen
Mass at 4:30 and I lit a candle for baby Hezekiel
I checked out the Gift Shop
Friday Evening Rosary in the SCAVI at 7
Welcoming by the Knights of Columbus and opening prayer Father Amesse
Pour Forth we beseech Thee, O Lord thy Grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of a angel, may by His passion and Death be brought to the Glory of His resurection through Christ our Lord . Amen
The upcoming congress, the first scheduled since June 1941, is being promoted as the summit event of the three-year Eucharistic Revival that has been underway in the U.S. Catholic Church since 2022. Organizers hope the July 17-21 gathering at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, will inspire thousands of Catholics to “experience profound, personal renewal through the power of Christ’s love.”
The month of July (Overview-Calendar) is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.
"The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it."
The Old Testament
Cain and Abel are making an offering. Abel's sacrifice is pleasing to God, Cain's is not. This gives rise to the sin of hatred, and fratricide is its resolution. The thirsting earth soaks up Abel's blood as it shouts to heaven for vengeance. This shouting prefigured the scene on Calvary, where Christ's Blood cried to heaven for the redemption of mankind.
Millenia pass, and now we see Israel oppressed by Egypt. God commands the people to kill a lamb and to sprinkle the doorposts with its blood; houses thus besprinkled are spared by the messenger of death. But where the doors are not reddened with the blood of the lamb, all male firstborn from king to slave die. This blood on the doorposts was a type of the Blood of Christ. Can the blood of a lamb save a man? No, but as a figure of the Redeemer's Blood it certainly does. For when the Destroyer sees the thresholds of a human heart marked with Christ's sacred Blood, he must pass by. And another soul is saved.
In a vision the prophet Isaias saw a man treading out grapes (in the Orient, trampling upon grapes in the wine-press was the usual means of extracting the juice). The prophet asked the man: "Why are your garments so red? "The wine-press I have trodden alone," he answers, "because from the nations there is no one with me." The trodder of the wine-press is Christ, His garments crimsoned by the Blood of redemption.
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace , Pius Parsch
The New Testament
The Church reminds us of the first drops of blood that flowed for our redemption on the day when Jesus was circumcised.
It is night on Mount Olivet, and the moon is shining. We see the holy face crimsoned with blood during the agony in the garden.
Unhappy, despairing Judas casts the blood-money down in the temple. "I have betrayed innocent blood!"
In the scourging chamber we see the Lord in deepest humiliation; under raw strokes the divine Blood spurts out over the floor. Christ is led before Pilate. Pilate shows the blood-covered Body to the crowds: Ecce homo! We go through Jerusalem's streets following the bloody footsteps to Golgotha. Down the beams of the Cross blood trickles. A soldier opens the sacred side. Water and Blood.
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace , Pius Parsch
Symbols of the Precious Blood
Adam is sleeping an ecstatic sleep. God opens his side, removes a rib and forms Eve, the mother of all the living. But our view transcends this action and in spirit we behold the second, the divine Adam, Christ. He is sleeping the sleep of death. From His opened side blood and water flow, symbols of baptism and the Eucharist, symbols of the second Eve, the Church, the Mother of all the living. Through blood and water Christ willed to redeem God's many children and to lead them to an eternal home.
At Jerusalem a service in Yahweh's honor is taking place on the Day of Atonement. The high priest is making his annual entrance into the holy of holies to sprinkle the blood of bucks and bulls upon the covenant in expiation for the sins of the people. The Church shows us the higher meaning of this rite. Our divine High Priest Christ on the first Good Friday entered that Holy of Holies which is not made with hands nor sprinkled with the blood of bucks and bulls; there He effects, once and for all, with His own Blood man's eternal redemption.
A finale. Holy Church transports us to the end. The heavenly liturgy is in progress. Upon the altar is the Lamb, slain yet alive, crimsoned by His own Blood. Round about stand the countless army of the redeemed in garments washed white in the Blood of the Lamb. Hosts of the blessed are singing the new canticle of redemption: "You have redeemed us out of every tribe and tongue and nation by Your Blood."
Now from vision to present reality. How fortunate we are to have divine Blood so near to us, to offer it to the heavenly Father for the sins of the whole world!
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace , Pius Parsch
Devotion to the Precious Blood
Devotion to the Precious Blood is not a spiritual option, it is a spiritual obligation, and that not only for priests, but for every follower of Christ. I really believe that one of the symptoms of modern society (and I would even include, sadly, modern Catholic society) one of the symptoms of a growing, gnawing secularism is the lessening and the weakening of devotion to the Precious Blood. Devotion, as we know, is a composite of three elements: It is first- veneration, it is secondly- invocation, and it is thirdly- imitation. In other words, devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, is first of all to be veneration on our part, which is a composite of knowledge, love and adoration. We are to study to come to a deeper understanding of what those two casual words, Precious Blood, really mean.
I found this passage in the oldest document, outside of sacred scripture, from the first century of the Christian era – to be exact, from Pope St. Clement I, dated about 96 A.D. Says Pope Clement: "Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world."
To understand the meaning of the Precious Blood we must get some comprehension of the gravity of sin, of the awfulness of offending God, because it required the Blood of the Son of God to forgive that sin. We are living in an age in which to sin has become fashionable.
This veneration of the Precious Blood, which is the first element in our devotion to the Precious Blood means that we have a deep sensitivity to the awfulness of sin. Sin must be terrible. It must be awful. It must be the most dreadful thing in the universe. Why? Because it cost the living God in human form the shedding of His Blood.
Lord Jesus, You became Man in order by your Passion and Death and the draining of your Blood on the Cross, might prove to us how much You, our God, love us. Protect us, dear Jesus, from ever running away from the sight of blood. Strengthen our weak human wills so that we will not only not run away from the cross, but welcome every opportunity to shed our blood in spirit in union with your Precious Blood, so that, dying to ourselves in time we might live with You in Eternity. Amen
At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic when our Church doors were closed, Pat, Madeleine Margaret, and I met at the Grotto in front of the Rectory each morning to pray the rosary. This is where we met Al, the young man who rode a bicycle and wore a BIKER Jacket sitting before Mary holding his head and weeping.
He told us about a miracle that happened to him while in the hospital and the first thing he felt that he needed to do after he was discharged was to find a Catholic church and he did. The Annunciation of the Lord in Beacon Hill North. Our church had been closed along with all the others in Ottawa and so Mother Mary consoled AL's heart and soul again at her Grotto in front of the Rectory of the Parish. Al loved his family and regretted the sins of his past. Al was in mourning and felt great sorrow for the way he was living his life before Mary's Visitation. This was evident in everything he did from the moment of Mary's visit to the General Hospital in Ottawa. Alain made a complete u-turn in the way he lived his life.
He told us he was renting a room near the Church in a house owned by an elderly lady on Bickerton Ave. He had just been discharged (or about to be discharged ) from the Hospital but without a place to live. I can't remember the details of how he found a home but he said it just fell into his hands by a friend of a friend or something like that. He said that Our Lady found the place for him. When this kind woman passed away parishioners Ken and Janet Warren invited Al to live with them and he remained with them until his passing. Ken and Janet were like second parents to Al. God bless them
Alain's Miraculous Conversion Story
Alain often joined us when we prayed the rosary and at the beginning said his prayers in French. As time went by Al not only learned the rosary in English he meditated on each mystery of the rosary with such depth that you were transported back in time to the Annunciation or the Visitation or whichever mystery it was, whether the Joyful, Glorious, Sorrowful, or Luminous. Al would absolutely put you there. I can't even describe it.
We all know that Mother Mary led Al to The Annunciation church and over the next few years, AL's presence was something I have no words for. I have never known such a devout soul, so mournful of past sins, so grateful for everything, so in love with Jesus in the Eucharist, Mother Mary who led him back to the Father. The poor, the homeless, the unborn, those suffering from addictions......... every soul on earth I would say.
He told us that even though he was raised a Catholic, he hadn't practiced his faith for years and was so hungry to know everything there was to know that he searched on the internet for everything he could find out about the Church and our Faith, about Jesus, and our Blessed Mother and the Saints, prayers, devotions everything Catholic. He listened to podcasts and he wrote almost everything down. He must have hundreds of books of handwritten prayers. I told him about the Marian Congress in 1947 and that I had the 80-page program that my dad had given me as a souvenir and he borrowed it so he could handwrite the entire book.
He had a special place in his heart for the Biker Church and the homeless. Father Joshua and Al visited the Biker Church in Vanier weekly with clothes for their "Free Store" And, Al loved to hear Pastor Rob Preach on Thursdays.
Al was like a sponge. He wanted to know everything Catholic and do everything Catholic. Naturally, he joined our parish 40 Days for Life in 2022, but went way beyond anything expected, He spent the entire day at the corner of Bank and Queen praying with Father Joshua For more details click here
Many in our parish have been inspired by Al, with his love for the Church, Jesus in the Eucharist, our Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph, and all the Saints.
Al and a few others below praying at our Grotto In October 2023
Al's love for the poor and homeless is beyond words and has inspired many to follow his example not only here at the Annunciation but elsewhere. In the last couple of years, Al became very attached to the Queenship of Mary Community here in Ottawa and together with the Community they provided food for the homeless on several occasions Al wanted to do everything
Al Loved the Mass and participated in each one with such AWE and Reverence. I can't imagine our parish without Al's humble presence.
You know I really feel that Alain could be a saint. Of course, one should not be presumptuous when it comes to anyone's immortal soul but I really believe that God sends us holy souls to inspire and lead us to Him and I believe Al is such a soul. Well, I am an old lady and have known many very devout Catholics who have inspired me but never someone quite like Alain. I mentioned this to a friend today who told me well we shouldn't be making assumptions because it is not easy to become a saint and I agree but looking at Al, my gosh the way he expressed sorrow for the sins of his past, his profound love of Jesus in the Eucharist, Mother Mary the saints his fellow brothers and sisters. I believe God sends us souls like Al for a reason to help each one of us reach heaven as well and I feel extremely blessed to have had the Grace to have known Al. And he never judged anyone.
Striving for holiness is an ongoing thing but with God's mercy and His Grace it is attainable and within the reach of each one of us
Thank you, God for Alain, and thank you, Alain
A few photos I took
Relic of Mary's Veil that Alain gave as a gift to the Queenship of Mary Community
taken at the Senior's luncheon. Special Guest Speakers that day were Dennis and Angelina Girard on the upcoming Procession with Our Lady of the Cape to the Eucharistic Congress in Indiana in July
Alain, Mary and me
Alain, Father Brian Sabourin C.C. and Jackie
Lobby of our Church of the Annunciation of the Lord Ottawa
Alain at the Holy Face Presentation by Joanne and Ted Sabourin
at Saint Maurice Parish Ottawa ON, January 6, 2024
Canada Needs Our Lady 2023 at our Lady's Grotto
Another time Al, Luzia, Margaret and I were praying at the Grotto
and it began to rain so we moved over to the front doors of the Church
Photos courtesy Patricia Maloney, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Relic of Our Lady's veil
Alain received this beautiful gift of a relic of Our Blessed Mother's Veil on Christmas, 2023 which he subsequently presented to the Queenship of Mary Community. He told me he felt it was meant for the Sisters
Cain and Abel are making an offering. Abel's sacrifice is pleasing to God, Cain's is not. This gives rise to the sin of hatred, and fratricide is its resolution. The thirsting earth soaks up Abel's blood as it shouts to heaven for vengeance. This shouting prefigured the scene on Calvary, where Christ's Blood cried to heaven for the redemption of mankind.
The Church reminds us of the first drops of blood that flowed for our redemption on the day when Jesus was circumcised.
Adam is sleeping an ecstatic sleep. God opens his side, removes a rib and forms Eve, the mother of all the living. But our view transcends this action and in spirit we behold the second, the divine Adam, Christ. He is sleeping the sleep of death. From His opened side blood and water flow, symbols of baptism and the Eucharist, symbols of the second Eve, the Church, the Mother of all the living. Through blood and water Christ willed to redeem God's many children and to lead them to an eternal home.
Devotion to the Precious Blood is not a spiritual option, it is a spiritual obligation, and that not only for priests, but for every follower of Christ. I really believe that one of the symptoms of modern society (and I would even include, sadly, modern Catholic society) one of the symptoms of a growing, gnawing secularism is the lessening and the weakening of devotion to the Precious Blood. Devotion, as we know, is a composite of three elements: It is first- veneration, it is secondly- invocation, and it is thirdly- imitation. In other words, devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, is first of all to be veneration on our part, which is a composite of knowledge, love and adoration. We are to study to come to a deeper understanding of what those two casual words, Precious Blood, really mean.
