Need to Examine Your Conscience, Minus an App?

Yes, there's an app for that... but what if you don't want to or can't use an app? Well, then I might have the right website for you. My friend Andrew has been working hard on a website (Catholics Confess) that will help you properly examine your conscience and it does something that the app I was previously using (the iConfession) doesn't... it allows you to write the number of times you've committed a particular sin to make a proper confession.

I've been through this website more than once, and even used it to examine my conscience for today's confession, so I can attest to it being very helpful. I even looked at Fr. Z's tips for a good examination of conscience which is also included in the website. By the way, I also went through the Youth option (yes, there are options based on your age) and was glad to see that it was tailored to teenagers so there is no excuse not to use it. :)

And a friendly reminder, Lent is coming up and it's the perfect time to go to confession if you haven't for a while. I know some of you aren't like me, at confession every two weeks (even if it's the "smallest venial sins" -- or so says my usual confessor) and wait a long time but please don't. It feels amazing to confess, to show that you're truly sorry for your sins, and to know that in being absolved you are able to receive the Eucharist. I've seen many adults go to confession for the first time in decades (I'm sort of a magnet for people who have gone over 25 years without confessing) and they come out with tears in their eyes and with a smile on their face. It's one of the best feelings so... what are you waiting for? Make use of Catholics Confess as many times as you'd like. It's literally good for your soul. :)

Alright, now that I've talked the talk, I'm going to go walk the (mile) walk. It's off to confessions for this sinner. :)

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend. :)

As always, thanks for reading and God Bless. :D

Novena to St. Gemma Galgani: Day Three

DAY 3
Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O most loving virgin St. Gemma, with an intense love for Jesus you suffered immensely for the conversion of sinners as a victim for sin, and you loved others greatly, out of love for God. Do not forget us then, who remain here on earth, and look down with kindness on us who implore thee, in the confident hope of receiving this favor through thy loving intercession (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena to St. Gemma Galgani: Day Two

DAY 2
Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

O worthy Spouse of the Lamb of God and faithful virgin St Gemma, you preserved the innocence and splendor of virginity, giving to the world a bright example of purity and the most exalted virtues, look down with pity from thy high place in heaven upon us who confide in thee, as we implore thee for the favor we so ardently desire (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena to St. Gemma Galgani: Day One

As y'all know, I am a novena machine. I love praying novenas. Since St. Gemma Galgani's feast day is coming up, and since I've learned a lot about myself by learning about her own life and struggles, I thought I'd start her novena. :D I've already had a couple of prayer requests so if you have one yourself, please let me know. :)

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Day One:
Oh most Divine Lord, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Infinite Majesty, and we adore Thee and dedicate to Thy glory the devout prayers which we now present to Thee, as an act of devotion to your servant, St Gemma Galgani, whose intercession we are now imploring.

Most compassionate virgin, St. Gemma, during thy short life on earth, you gave a most beautiful example of angelic innocence and seraphic love and was found worthy to bear in thy flesh the marks of our Lord's Passion. Have pity on us who are so much in need of God's Mercy, and obtain for us through thy merits and intercession, the special favor which we now fervently implore (mention request)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
Pray for us, St. Gemma, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, Who fashioned thy servant St Gemma, into a likeness of Thy Crucified Son, grant us through her intercession, the favor that we humbly request, and through the Passion Death and Resurrection of Thy Son, may we be united with You for all eternity. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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I will post her novena (or the next part) throughout the next couple of days. I may write separate posts during these days and if I do I will post the novena first and the other entry second. :)

Anyway, I'm in the middle of cleaning (I just felt like going through everything in the house and cleaning) so I am going to try to finish that before the new Celtic Thunder show airs on PBS tonight. ;)

'Til next time, thanks for reading and God Bless! :D

Welcome to L.A., Archbishop Gomez!

I did the best I could do from my seat and with my aging camera. ;)

I'm not going to try to pretend that I am well-versed enough to write an amazing post about the changes that will happen and how much Archbishop Gomez already means to us. Attempting it might leave me feeling slightly embarrassed but I will say: Thank God for our new archbishop!

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez is officially our new archbishop and I couldn't be happier! Since I am on Spring Break this week I can't go around, frolicking all around campus... but I will next week. :D Of course there will be changes within the Archdiocese but these changes are entirely necessary. Is it too much to hope that these changes will also happen at my CINO college? I know there are people writing (and who've already written and sent their letters) to Archbishop Gomez about the state of my school but that's a whole 'nother topic and blog entry. ;)

As you can see from the (blurry) picture, I was present at the Ceremony of Transition this past Sunday. We got there very early and was able to meet both Cardinal Mahony and Archbishop Gomez. My mom was so excited that she was able to speak to Archbishop Gomez in Spanish; it was so cute. :) Last time L.A. had someone else in charge (other than Cardinal Mahony) was back when I was less than a week old (Cardinal Timothy Manning retired on June 4th, I was born on May 30th) so this was huge for me. With all due respect to Cardinal Mahony, I am excited to have someone who is more "conservative", orthodox and will uphold the teachings of the Church without compromise. To quote a Michael Bublé/Nina Simone song, "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me... and I'm feeling good."

I will admit that I cried a minimum of three times during the Mass. When Cardinal Mahony's coat of arms was taken down and Archbishop Gomez's was put up and when Archbishop Gomez sat in the chair, I cried. I'm sensitive and I'm woman enough to admit that. lol. Seriously, though, they were tears of joy. I was happy, relieved, and excited all at once. It's silly to think this but... I actually thought "Oh good, now I can wear my mantilla and not feel like I'm a walking target." lol. There were women at the Mass wearing mantillas and I felt a solidarity. Things have been looking up since we found out he was coming to L.A. but it was a lot more obvious at the Mass. I may be attending Mass at the Cathedral more often as it's not too far for me, especially since there is a new, warmer, vibe at the Cathedral. :D

Anyway, I fear I will just repeat myself and that my already random cluster of thoughts will leave y'all confused so I should stop writing before I turn into a babbling nerd. :D

Welcome to Los Angeles, Archbishop Gomez! We're glad you already feel at home and we cannot wait to see you lead us into a brighter era. :)