Apostolic Echo

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY, POPE LEO XIV!

Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 70th birthday at the Vatican this Sunday, September 14, his first as pope.

As we celebrate his birthday, may we include him in our prayers that he may continue to serve the Church with love, compassion and peace.

9 months ago | [YT] | 3

Apostolic Echo

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion.

- The basilica, named the Martyrium, and the shrine, named the Calvarium, were destroyed by the Persians in 614. The Church of the Holy sepulcher which now stands on the site was built by the crusaders in 1149.

- However the feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to Heaven opened.

- The entrance antiphon for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is: "We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection: through him we are saved and made free."

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THE HOLY CROSS PRAYER

Oh Lord Almighty! You have suffered death at the cross for our sins.

Oh Holy Cross of Jesus! be my true light. Oh Holy Cross of Jesus! fill my soul with good thoughts.

Oh Holy Cross! help me in my salvation.

Oh Holy Cross! safeguard me against unholy thoughts and worldly dangers that I may worship the Holy Cross of Jesus of Nazareth crucified.

Have pity on me. Oh Holy Cross of Jesus! be my hope. Oh Holy Cross have mercy on me forever and ever.

In honor of the Precious Blood of Jesus and His fearful Death and Resurrection and His Glorification which leads to everlasting life.

As true as Jesus is born on Christmas and crucified on Good Friday. As true as St. Joseph and Nicodemus took Jesus down from the cross.

As true as Jesus ascended into heaven. May He preserve me from my enemies both visible and invisible forever and ever.

Lord Almighty, into Your hands I give my soul and my body.

Oh Lord Jesus! grant me strength to bear the cross as Yourself.

Teach me to bear it with great humility that the Blessed Virgin may fill me with the Holy Spirit. Preserve my soul and lead it to life everlasting.

Amen.

9 months ago | [YT] | 1

Apostolic Echo

10 months ago | [YT] | 3

Apostolic Echo

TRANSITUS OF THE VIRGIN MARY
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ASSUMPTION

The "Transitus of the Blessed Virgin Mary," celebrated on August 14th, commemorates the Virgin Mary's passing from this life to her assumption into heaven. It is traditionally observed the night before the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.

10 months ago | [YT] | 4

Apostolic Echo

11 months ago | [YT] | 6

Apostolic Echo

HAPPY FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal event in the Christian faith where Jesus' appearance changed dramatically, revealing his divine glory to his disciples Peter, James, and John. This event, recounted in the Synoptic Gospels and referenced in 2 Peter, took place on a mountain, likely Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor. During the Transfiguration, Jesus' face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah also appeared, conversing with Jesus about his upcoming "exodus" (departure/death). A voice from a bright cloud proclaimed Jesus as God's beloved Son, commanding them to listen to him

11 months ago | [YT] | 9

Apostolic Echo

A BLESSED MEMORIAL ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

St. Ignatius of Loyola, born Íñigo López de Loyola in 1491, was a Spanish Basque Catholic priest and theologian. He is best known as the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He is a significant figure in the Counter-Reformation, known for his contributions to spirituality, education, and missionary work.

"Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (AMDG), meaning "For the Greater Glory of God," is the motto of the Jesuits, emphasizing their mission to serve and honor God in all aspects of life and work, inspiring individuals to pursue excellence and faithfulness in their endeavors for divine praise.

11 months ago | [YT] | 5

Apostolic Echo

11 months ago | [YT] | 6

Apostolic Echo

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL

O Most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, beautiful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity… O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this my necessity; there are none that can withstand your power.

O show me herein you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse. Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands.

11 months ago | [YT] | 11

Apostolic Echo

A BLESSED MEMORIAL OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL

"The Scapular is the sign of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is an indisputable fact. The Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable."
- Servant of God Lúcia of Fátima (1907-2005)

The Brown Scapular is a Roman Catholic devotion to Mary under her title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It is worn as a sign of love and devotion for the Mother of God. The Carmelite Order, to which the Scapular belongs, originated on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land and the Scapular is itself a reflection in miniature of the habit (scapular: a sleeveless outer garment falling from the shoulders) which the monks wear as a sign of their vocation and devotion. Over the years the scapular, at least for lay people, became much smaller in size and made of small pieces of wool cloth suspended front and back.

#BrownScapular #OurLadyOfMountCarmel #Rosary #BlessedVirginMary

11 months ago | [YT] | 6