The Fountain of Prayer

‘From prayer, we must draw the water that nourishes and preserves the flowers of the virtues. If we do not go to that divine fountain to draw this water, how could those virtues grow in the garden of our soul, or remain fresh—those that our Lord may have granted us by some particular grace of His?  Rather, through our own fault and negligence, they would wither if we remain idle in prayer, spending our time thinking about irrelevant things, when instead we ought to be working with our faculties to fill the little pitcher of our will with holy effects and loving affections for our divine Spouse.’  This was written by Venerable María Antonia of Jesus (María Antonia Pereira y Andrade 1700-1760)).  She was a Spanish Discalced Carmelite nun born in Santiago de Compostela. In 1748 she founded the Carmel of Santiago de Compostela. Renowned for her contemplative life, Eucharistic devotion, and fidelity to Carmelite spirituality, she also composed the spiritual treatise Edificio espiritual.  [Courtesy of Carmelite Quotes website, which I recommend.]

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Marie, Sister Daranee Teapthong

Illness:  Hilary Solomon, Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Connor Calleja (20 yrs old)

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.