I had the blessing and pleasure of chatting once again with Chris Sparks on “Sparks of Mercy” podcast. We discussed a tough topic. You can read the episode details below.
EPISODE DETAILS
It may be the hardest teaching Christ ever gave us: “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Lk 5:44). How do we live it? With her customary cheerfulness and down to earth practicality, author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle takes the impossible into the realm of the commonsensical, offering practical advice on living loving mercy toward our enemies and so transforming our modern world. To order “Divine Mercy in a Woman’s Life: Milestones Along The Way” visit ShopMercy.org.
You can tune in at any time to listen to this recording. I suggest you get yourself a beverage and pull up a chair. It’s a 40 minute (or so) podcast.
I recently came across my conversation with the wonderful folks at the Busted Halo Radio Show in NYC. On air, we discussed two of my books. By Dawn’s Early Light: Prayers and Meditations for Catholic Military Wives, as well as Catholic Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart.
I disclosed the reasons why it was important to me to write a book of prayers for the heroic military women (wives, sisters, mothers, aunts, daughters, cousins, friends, and any woman associated with the military). We also discussed Catholic women, Catholic mothers, and their amazing vocation, and so much more.
I hope you enjoy our conversation. Just click here to listen at your convenience. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below … God bless you!
June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Catechism teaches, “Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony, and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: ‘The Son of God … loved me and gave himself for me’ [Gal 2:20]. He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that … love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception” (CCC, 478).
Have a look at an excerpt of my book “52 Weeks with Saint Faust in a: A Year of Grace and Mercy.” You can read it here.
So, you can watch anytime you’d like! 🙂 Please feel free to share this blog post with others. 🙂
By the way, Ralph Martin read my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina and offered his opinion. He said: “I’m not usually keen about reading one of the 30 days or 52 weeks kind of books as I don’t usually find them going into depth enough to decently treat the saint they are focusing on.
But it was different with Donna-Marie’s book. As I began to skim through it in preparation for doing a Television interview with her I realized that this book was different and I wanted to read it from cover to cover.”
And he continued, “This is the best integration of the main events of St. Faustina’s life and the best presentation in a clear, orderly way, of her spiritual teaching that I know of. I am very grateful for this book and highly recommend it.”
—Ralph Martin, S.T.D., Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit
I hope you are well. You can watch my reflection I posted yesterday on Holy Wednesday for Holy Week. I hope it speaks to your heart. Let me know in the comments below.
Remember to start your Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday! You can click here to go to the Marian’s website for all of the prayers. I will try to post Youtube videos throughout the novena. Pray for me please and I will be praying for you!
In honor of my dear mother, whose birthday is today (she would have been 102 today), and our dear Mother in Heaven, I designed this Novena Prayer Cord to pray for Ukraine today. Do you like it?
For each “Novena Prayer Cord” sold, I am donating $5.00 to help Ukraine. The money goes directly to help those most in need.
Once again, I have used 9 beads to symbolize a novena of prayer (as I have in my 2 previous “Pray for Ukraine” Novena Prayer Cords). This special cord bears an Immaculate Heart of Mary medal as well as a St. Benedict Crucifix. The colors are reminiscent of the Ukrainian flag. One can pray any prayer 9 times (for a novena). I recommend praying to Mary by praying 9 Memorares in a row each time the Novena Prayer Cord is used.
Memorare Prayer
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
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NEW COLOR! As I mentioned the other day, I have designed a “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord.” I have used beads in the colors of the Ukraine flag, a St. Benedict Crucifix, a St. Michael medal, and pretty silver plated components to be used to pray a novena of prayer for Ukriane. The nine beads represent a Novena of prayer. The novena can be continual. You can use whatever prayer you would like to pray on the 9 beads. I recommend praying the St. Michael prayer.
This Novena Prayer Cord will come to you with a St. Michael prayer card and a velvet gift bag. Saint Michael is the Patron Saint for Kyiv, which is the capital of Ukraine. Get the Novena Prayer Cord blessed by a priest or deacon and it will become a powerful sacramental.
The Novena Prayer Cord will also be a prayerful reminder to pray for those in need. Five dollars from every Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord sold will be donated directly to efforts to help those most in need in Ukraine and to those who have fled.
Saint Michael Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
To receive 1 “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord” by First Class Mail (in the U.S.), please use the payment button below:
To receive 1 “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord” by Priority Mail (in the U.S.), please use the payment button below:
For 1 “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord” outside the United States, please use payment button below:
I have designed a “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord,” using beads in the colors of the Ukraine flag, a St. Benedict Crucifix, a St. Michael medal, and pretty silver plated components to be used to pray a novena of prayer for Ukriane. The nine beads represent a Novena of prayer. The novena can be continual. You can use whatever prayer you would like to pray on the 9 beads. I recommend praying the St. Michael prayer.
This Novena Prayer Cord will come to you with a St. Michael prayer card and a velvet gift bag. Saint Michael is the Patron Saint for Kyiv, which is the capital of Ukraine. Get the Novena Prayer Cord blessed by a priest or deacon and it will become a powerful sacramental.
The Novena Prayer Cord will also be a prayerful reminder to pray for those in need. Five dollars from every Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord sold will be donated directly to efforts to help those most in need in Ukraine and to those who have fled.
Saint Michael Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
To receive 1 “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord” by First Class Mail (in the U.S.), please use the payment button below:
To receive 1 “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord” by Priority Mail (in the U.S.), please use the payment button below:
For 1 “Pray for Ukraine Novena Prayer Cord” outside the United States, please use payment button below:
I recently presented a talk at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Jackson, Michigan. It is such a lovely church dedicated to the Queen of the Miraculous Medal. I felt very blessed to be there.
The presentation was live-streamed, so you can see it now even if you missed it the night of March 13. Unfortunately, due to a slight technical glitch, the first 5 or 6 minutes did not stream and was not video-taped. However, I do have an audio of the talk and you can listen to the first part of the audio and then you can watch the video (in the link below the audio). How’s that for “jerry-rigging”?
(just a screen shot of the video)
I suggest listening to this very short beginning of the presentation which includes some important information. You can listen by clicking below.
Click above to listen to the short audio which leads into the video in the link below.
You can see the video-taped presentation by clicking here. I hope that you enjoy the teachings about the Miraculous Medal and St. Catherine Laboure.
Coming up on Saturday, March 19, St. Joseph’s feast day is the Dynamic Women of Faith Women’s Conference. It is being held virtually. You can see additional information here to learn more and to register. I have spoken in-person at one of the Women’s Conferences and also spoke virtually during the pandemic.
Standing with some of the beautiful moms and babies (born and unborn!) at the Dynamic Women of Faith Conference.
The founder of “Dynamic Women of Faith,” Dorothy Pilarski of Toronto, Canada took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions from me.
Donna-Marie: You have been doing this for sometime now, Dorothy. Why are you passionate about putting on these types of events?
Dorothy Pilarski: Donna-Marie, the reason I am so passionate about putting on these types of events is quite simply, because it changes lives. I remember the year my now husband proposed to me after a talk by Kimberly Hahn, at a Defending the Faith conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. It was a life changing and riveting experience. At that same conference I heard Dr. Alice von Hildebrand speak. Although I was raised a Catholic, (born in Poland on the same day May 18 as St. John Paul 11), I had never met women that were so rooted in their faith and spoke about it so articulately.
After attending that conference, I thought, Surely there have to be women like that in my own community! I set out to find them. Over the years, that process involved hosting Catholic events, starting http://www.DynamicWomenFaith.com and www.CatholicMomsGroup.com. Catholic women need to hear testimonies and learn about their Catholic faith. Our ministry is faith partners with the Archdiocese of Toronto under the pastoral care of His Eminence Cardinal Collins.
After years of hosting events for women, moms started approaching us saying that their daughters needed to hear these speakers, and so we introduced Calling ALL Girls. It’s been a very popular mother-daughter event. These events have also helped our ministry find Catholic Moms Group Leaders. It’s all been very exciting.
Donna-Marie: How long have you been doing this?
Dorothy: I have been hosting Catholic Moms Groups for over 25 years! Our partnership with the Archdiocese of Toronto is in our seventh year. The Dynamic Women of Faith conference is in it’s 13th year! We have ministered to thousands of women. At each of our live conferences we have given each participant a Miraculous Medal. We now have a membership community and training available for moms who want to start a Catholic Moms Group at their parish.
Donna-Marie: What have you observed in the people who attend and what have they said to you or to others?
Dorothy: Donna-Marie, you have spoken at our Dynamic Women of Faith conference. I just can’t wait to hear your talk this year!
We are thrilled to have you back a second time. You’ve also been on Midday Moms, our outreach to Catholic Moms during the pandemic. I have been a big fan of yours reading at least a dozen of your books. You see how these events and books change lives, as do the Miraculous Medals. Working in hosting these events is like planting seeds. Exposing women, like in my own case, who might have been cultural Catholics and showing them that there is more!
Donna-Marie: Yes, for sure these events are life-transforming as are the blessed sacramentals. Thank you very much for your kind words about my books and speaking, Dorothy. I am very much looking forward to speaking at this event. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family and all those who will attend the events and all whom are touched by the ministry. God bless you!
Dorothy has graciously provided this link below to view our video chat “Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart” during her “Midday Moms” program during the pandemic. I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to see it.
Dorothy Pilarski hopes you will register and be blessed by this amazing conference! I hope you’ll check it out. It’s reasonably priced and conveniently virtual.
Have you prayed the Saint Andrew Christmas novena? I have designed this prayer cord which contains 15 white “Pearl” beads capped with decorative silver plated components and on one end — a lovely silver Saint Benedict crucifix (measuring approximately 1 1/2 inches long) and on the other end — a Holy Family (Nativity scene) Medal. It measures approximately 11 1/2 inches long. Using a prayer cord such as this will help us keep count of our Novena prayers.
This prayer cord or chaplet comes in a red velvet gift bag along with with a beautiful Holy Family prayer card with the novena prayer on the reverse side. I will post it today for purchase on my website. What do you think? Would you use one yourself? Would you get one and tuck it away for next Advent season? Would you pray this novena prayer at any other time of the year?
According to the EWTN website:
“Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle’s feast day, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.”
The prayer: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request]through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
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I presented a Divine Mercy Women’s Retreat Day at St. John the Evangelist parish in Agawam, Mass. last October. I gave two talks on Divine Mercy in a woman’s life with St. Faustina as our guide and conducted a workshop in which the women could share of their hearts — their struggles and joys, and how they have navigated various issues, to whom they looked to and for whom they spiritually mother — and just so much more.
It was so wonderful to spend precious time with the women gathered there. Springfield Diocese’s “Real to Reel” television show interviewed me and some of the beautiful women who attended the event. You can see the interview below.
Click on the video below to watch
Watch the entire show or scroll to the timer at the 11:52 point and it will end at about 19:30.
Brand NEW creation! I designed this with Benedictine Monks in mind — two Monks in particular. The two Benedictine friends have prayed for me and for the ministry. I wanted to make something special for them for Christmas. I thought they could keep the chaplet of beads, or “prayer cord” in their pockets as a protection and a reminder of prayer. After it is blessed, it becomes a sacramental.
I decided to make more of them and make them available for you for purchase. Though I made them for my Benedictine friends, this prayer cord is appropriate for anyone (male, female, Religious or layperson). Saint Benedict is beloved among many and he is known for his powerful protection.
When a St. Benedict medal or crucifix is blessed with the FULL exorcism blessing, it becomes a powerful “weapon” against evil. While my supplies last, I’ll include a leaflet with the full description of the St. Benedict medal and background on St. Benedict.
In addition, I will include a copy of the exorcism blessing for the medals, which can be carried out by a Catholic priest or deacon.
The St. Benedict Crucifix and the lovely and sturdy St. Benedict Cross, both measure about one and a half inches long. The cord measures approximately 10 and a half inches long and is made out of brown and white swirled glass beads and silver plated components and end caps on the beads. A decade of prayer can be prayed on the cord, or the entire Rosary, praying one decade at a time. In addition, one can pray a novena of prayer and an extra prayer on the 10th bead in thanksgiving (like Mother Teresa has done).
What do you think? You can comment below if you’d like.
It comes in a velvet gift bag and sells for $35.99 plus shipping. Or, two for $66.99! I will include a leaflet about the St. Benedict medal. I will also include the blessing formula for a priest or deacon to use to bless your prayer cord.
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Have you ever seen my “Birds of the Air” creation? It’s a special Novena prayer bracelet to remind us of God‘s loving providence (Matthew 6:26).
“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”
By the way, the little picture of the bird on the clothesline with the patchwork quilt (on the card) is actually my painting ☺️. This photo shows the front and back of the prayer card that comes with the bracelet which comes in a gift box. The little “faith“ charm on the bracelet is actually a silver color. In this picture, due to the lighting, it looks a bit different.
It comes in a gift box with the prayer card and sells for $42.99 plus shipping. Or, two for $79.99!
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To learn more about Mary’s life and to emulate her virtues, we can reflect on her life through meditating upon her 7 sorrows. Have you heard of the Seven Sorrows of Mary? In the 14th century, the Blessed Mother revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden seven promises and graces to those who prayed seven Hail Marys while meditating on the seven sorrowful events of her life.
I like to pray the seven Hail Mary’s each morning while meditating upon Mary’s Seven Sorrows. I wholeheartedly believe it’s a wonderful devotion and can help us to come closer to Mary and Jesus.
I have created this prayer cord which comes in a red velvet gift bag with a card that lists the sorrows and graces on the back. When I get the chance, I’ll come back here and list them in this blog post too.
The cord is made with love and prayer using my very strong bracelet wire, 7 red glass beads and silver plated components. The medal is a bit larger than standard medals and is carved with a lovely image of Sorrowful Mary. On the back side is the Crucifixion scene. Made in Italy. The St. Benedict Crucifix already bears a full exorcism blessing that I had put on it.
I have made a 7 Sorrows of Mary cord with knotted leather, with the men in mind. But it is suitable for women too. I make it with red leather cord (even though it might be shown in the picture as another color). You can see it here.
This meaningful cord sells for $35.99 plus shipping. Or, two for $66.99!
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Brand new! New inspiration! A Saint Joseph the Worker prayer cord specifically created with men in mind. However, it’s also suitable for women as well. For yourself or for gift giving. It has 10 knots on a leather cord. You can keep it in your pocket or purse. It could be a comfort in times of stress by simply holding it. After it is blessed, it will become a sacramental. The Saint Benedict Crucifix has been blessed already with the full exorcism blessing. It is created as a prayer cord on which one can pray on the 10 knots. One can pray a Novena using this prayer cord. The tenth knot can be used to pray a prayer of thanksgiving. It measures approximately 12 and a half inches long and comes with a red velvet bag and prayer card.
It sells for $18.95 plus shipping. Or, two for $34.95!
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Brand new! New inspiration! A Divine Mercy prayer cord specifically created with men in mind. However, it’s also suitable for women as well. For yourself or for gift giving. It consists of 10 knots on a leather cord with lovely intricately designed medals. You can keep it in your pocket or purse. It can be a comfort to you in times of stress by simply holding it. After it is blessed, it will become a sacramental. The Saint Benedict Crucifix has been blessed already with the full exorcism blessing. It is created as a prayer cord on which you can pray the Divine Mercy chaplet on the 10 knots. One can pray the five decades on the Divine Mercy chaplet using this prayer cord. It comes with a red velvet bag and prayer cards.
It sells for $18.95 plus shipping. Or, two for $34.95!
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I just designed this prayer cord with men in mind. Certainly, woman can use it too.
Brand new! New inspiration! A Seven Sorrows of Mary prayer cord specifically created with men in mind. However, it’s also suitable for women as well. For yourself or for gift giving. It consists of 7 knots on a leather cord. You can keep it in your pocket or purse. It could be a comfort in times of stress by simply holding it. After it is blessed, it is a sacramental. Note the gorgeous intricate detail on the Seven Sorrows/Ecce Homo medal and Crucifix.The Saint Benedict Crucifix has been blessed already with the full exorcism blessing. It is created as a prayer cord on which you can pray the Seven Sorrows of Mary Devotion on the 7 knots. Available in the color red as well. The reverse side of the medal shows the Holy Face of Jesus (Ecce Homo). It comes with a red velvet bag and prayer cards.
It sells for $18.95 plus shipping. Or, two for $34.95!
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I was inspired to create this prayer cord because a very dear friend of mine, who is dying asked me to make a cord of prayer beads for her. She loves the Mother Teresa Emergency Novena Prayer Bracelet that I had sent to her. However, she just recently desired a cord of beads, as well.
As I was making it for my special friend, I decided that I should make more of them so that it will be available for others who would like to purchase it for themselves or for loved ones. It’s a tangible item that becomes a sacramental after it is blessed. It can bring comfort to those who desire to pray earnestly for urgent matters in their own lives, their family’s life, or for some other reason. It has a very nice feel to it and you can keep it in your pocket, purse, back pack, or on your night table.
The crucifix I have used has a St. Benedict medal as part of it. So, I have had the crucifixes blessed with a full exorcism blessing. This Mother Teresa “Emergency” Novena Prayer Cord is suitable for anyone, but I think especially for women because of the feminine design. I have another design in mind that will be less flowery and I hope to make it soon.
Don’t worry with regard to the men! I just designed two other kinds of Novena Prayer Cords for men, but with St. Joseph the Worker as the theme. I’ll post it very soon!
This special Novena Prayer Cord measures approximately 10 1/4 inches in length. I recommend getting it blessed by a priest or a deacon after receiving it. It will still retain the special exorcism blessing already on the crucifix (which is my gift to you).
Comes with lovely velvet bag and prayer card
Memorare prayer on back of card.
It sells for $35.99 plus shipping. Or, two for $66.99!
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