The Top 3 Reasons That I Became Catholic.....and Always will Be

Fr. Mike Schmitz always presents an uplifting, approachable explanation about particulars of the Faith. In this video he gives great advice to those who, for one reason or other, have not gone to Confession for a while.

How do you remember the sins you've committed ten years ago? By using an examination of conscience, you can see where you have failed to love God. Where and how did you say "no" to Him over the course of the time you've been away?

Sin breaks our relationship with God. Confession is the opportunity to restore that bond. Just as you would say you're sorry to someone you've injured, telling God you are sorry for offending Him repairs the damage you have incurred.

Key Takeaways

• The Holy Spirit convicts us of what we have done wrong if we give Him the time and space to listen to His voice.
• A good Examination of Conscience is a necessary tool to determine how we have missed the mark of loving God as we should.
• If you unintentionally forget to mention a mortal sin in Confession, that sin is forgiven, but you should mention it the next time you go to Confession.
• Confession is always about restoring our relationship with God. We should try to remove every impediment which stands in the way of loving Him.
• Fr. Schmitz has co-authored a book "Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation"

Questions for Reflection

1. Is there something that is keeping you from Confession?
2. Are you willing to prepare yourself properly to receive the sacrament ?
3. Does examining your conscience seem overwhelming, scary, intimidating, or painful?

We ask Mary's special intercession for all who pray with the apostolate and for all of those for whom we pray. We ask her guidance under the name of Mary, Our Lady of the Poor.

In 1933 in the hamlet of Banneux Belgium, Mary appeared to a young girl named Mariette Beco. In the apparition Mary was made known as "Our Lady of the Poor". She told Mariette that , "I come to relieve suffering. Believe in me and I will believe in you." In one of the visions Mary led Mariette to a spring. She was told that the water was for healing and "for all nations." The spring was instantly a place of healings and miracles and still draws crowds of pilgrims. Mary expressed her love for all and asked that we "pray much".We ask her to be our patroness because we are the poorest when we are far away from God because of sin. For us, poverty of the soul "puts all of us in a helpless, hopeless, and desperate state."**

Salt and Light Ministry Jan. 23, 2019

Mary, Our Lady of Banneux, pray for us and for all of those who have wandered far from God through sin.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF BANNEUX THE VIRGIN OF THE POOR

The Message and Novena to Our Lady of Banneux

Our Lady appeared eight times in 1933 to Mariette Beco, eldest daughter of a poor family living outside the village of Banneux, near Liege in Belgium.

THE MESSAGE

Sunday, January 15th

The Virgin invites us by a sign. The Blessed Virgin, dazzling white, seemed to be praying, smiled at the child, and beckoned her to come out the house.

Wednesday, January 18th

After accompanying the child in prayer for about 20 minutes, the Blessed Virgin led her to the spring and said: “Push your hands into the water. This spring is reserved for me. Good night. Au revoir.”

Thursday, January 19thThe child asked, “Who are you, beautiful Lady?” Our Lady replied, “I AM THE VIRGIN OF THE POOR.” Then for the second time, she led the child to the spring and said, “This spring is reserved for all nations…for the sick. I shall pray for you. Au revoir.”

Friday, January 20th

The child asked her, “What do you desire, beautiful Lady?” Our Lady replied, “I would like a little chapel.” Then she blessed the child, placing her hands upon her head and making a sign of the Cross.Saturday, February 11thOur Lady led the child to the spring the third time and said, “I come to alleviate suffering. Au revoir.”

Wednesday, February 15th

The child said, “Blessed Virgin, the chaplain told me to ask for a sign.” Our Lady replied, “Believe in me. I will believe in you.” She then instructed the child with a secret and ended, “Pray a lot. Au revoir.”

Monday, February 20th

For the fourth time, our Lady led the child to the spring and said, “My dear child, pray a lot. Au revoir.”

Thursday, March 2nd

Our Lady appeared for the eighth and last time. She was serious, no longer smiling as she was at the other apparitions. She said: “I AM THE MOTHER OF THE SAVIOR, THE MOTHER OF GOD. Pray a lot. Adieu.” Before finally disappearing, she again blessed the child as she had done on January 20th, placing her hands on her head and making the sign of the Cross as before.

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF BANNEUX THE VIRGIN OF THE POOR

FIRST Day

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, lead us to Jesus, Source of grace.

Since our sanctification is willed by God, is your own desire, and our own primary and personal aim, pour into our souls, sweet Virgin of the Poor, such ardent desire for holiness, that by faithful response to grace, which you distribute to us, we’ll all may become saints, approaching the perfection which our Lord expects from us. And since daily Holy Communion must give us the strength to follow this call to holiness, dear Mother, lead us everyday to the altar rails.

Say now a decade of the Rosary and recite the invocations.

SECOND DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, save all nations.Your Divine Son Jesus died on the Cross for all men and you have offered Him for the whole human race. Therefore, sweet Virgin of the Poor, we ask you to unite all nations in the lap of our Mother, the Catholic Church, that all nations may live in peace and unity, and soon may be one flock with one Shepherd.One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

THIRD DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, alleviate suffering.

With tearful eyes we travel as pilgrims over a rocky road, with constant suffering as our companion on the way. Blessed Virgin of the Poor, fill our hearts with the gladdening balm of your tenderness. Teach us to turn our suffering into an act of homage to God and a means to our salvation. Teach us to bear our burdens in union with the sufferings of Jesus.

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

FOURTH DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, relieve the sick.

So many ailments torture our bodies, so many faults weaken our souls! Full is our world of hatred and corruption. Blessed Virgin of the Poor, heal the sick and strengthen us in our battle against evil. Grant us lasting health of mind and body. In our spiritual combat give us the courage to manfully practice virtue, so that by our example we may draw our neighbor nearer to your Divine Son.

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

FIFTH DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, pray for each one of us.

What profound joy must have filled Mariette when from your motherly lips she heard the hopeful words: “I shall pray for you.” Blessed Virgin, our Mother, so powerful with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, obtain for us the abundance of grace, which you know is necessary for our eternal welfare.

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

SIXTH DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we believe in you.

How could we doubt your promises? Why should we not believe in the motherly care of your heart, always concerned about our well-being? Could we put in doubt the merciful power of your intervention, to which your own life on earth, the whole Christian history and our own lives bear testimony? Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we put ourselves confidently in your hands; our dear ones too we recommend to you. Watch over us, assist us in our last moments and lead us to Heaven.

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

SEVENTH DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, believe in us.

Could we dare ask you to believe in us, if you yourself had not taught us to do so? A long and sad experience shows only too well that we are but like a reed, moved by the wind: poor mortals so easily led astray. Nevertheless, we feel sure that we might be true and faithful if only you believe in us; your trust in us would give us strength and courage. One with you, we shall be able to persevere until the end. Blessed Virgin of the Poor, let your strong hands keep and guide us; may your loving heart be our safe refuge in all our needs.

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

EIGHTH DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, bless us.

By putting your hands on Mariette’s head, you overwhelmed the child with countless blessings and effected an absolute change in her heart. Bless us also dear Mother and confer on us your most eminent grace; that your blessing bring about in us a true conversion, so that we will be always ready to serve God and to take our part in expanding His and your dominion over all nations.

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

NINTH DAY

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Mother of the Savior, Mother of God, we thank you.

Convinced that our prayers will be heard by that kind and tender mother’s heart of yours; confident that all the favors asked for will be granted us, we, even before having received them, do thank you for them. A trustful prayer, said in the right disposition, will never go unheard. Even if we ask you for what you, dear Mother, know to be to the detriment of our soul, you will still heed our prayer by granting us other, more precious and more salutary favors. Hence in all confidence we have recourse to you. From the depth of our heart we thank you, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Be you blessed forever!

One decade of the Rosary and the invocations.

INVOCATIONS

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, lead us to Jesus, source of grace.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, save all nations

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, relieve the sick.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, alleviate suffering.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, pray for each one of us.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we believe in you.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, believe in us.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we will pray hard.

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, bless us. (+)

Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Mother of the Savior, Mother of God, we thank you

(100 days indulgence: die 11 Feb. 1935)

FINAL PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF THE POOR

Our Lady of Banneux, Mother of the Savior, Mother of God, Virgin of the Poor, you have promised to believe in us, if we believe in you. To you, goes all our hope. Graciously listen to the prayers, we send up to you, according to your own wish. Give back to sinners the treasures of the faith, and to the poor their daily bread. Heal the sick, alleviate suffering and pray for us. Make your intercession spread the Kingdom of Christ to all nations. Amen.

Joseph Pronechen collects stories about several people who returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after being away for many years. Beautiful testimonies! There is so much joy in their return to God.

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Confession: paragraphs 1420-1498

In this short, humorous video created by the Institute for New Media, we are given the boost we may need getting to Confession. It covers many of the fears we may face returning to the Sacrament if we've committed a sin we are especially embarrassed about.

Key Takeaways

• The video is short and to the point
• Clever images and vocalizations used to ease anxiety about Confession
• Highlights God's Mercy
• Emphasizes Confession is not about judgement

Questions for Reflection

1. Did this video put your mind at ease regarding Confession?
2. Is it easier for you to believe that Confession is not something you should fear after watching this video?
3. Can you identify what's keeping you from returning to Confession?

Looking for a different way to examine your conscience? Using the Beatitudes is a wonderful tool to see how we are not living up to the Lord's standards. "Am I gentle with others or am I harsh?" "Do I truly yearn for God's Will to be done, in my life and in all things?" " Do I love purity and honesty?" These probing questions and more are in this beautiful examination.