August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and so today we look at the history of the Immaculate Heart. What does devotion to the Immaculate Heart mean and how might we incorporate this devotion into our everyday spirituality? I’ll offer some suggestions.

EXALTATION OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY by Pius XII
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in this tragic hour of the world’s history, we entrust and consecrate ourselves to your Immaculate Heart, our only refuge, our hope, our salvation. Have pity on this world, torn by the most terrible conflicts, burning with the fires of hate, victim of its own sins. May your Heart be moved at the sight of so much ruin, pain and sorrow.

We consecrate to your maternal heart our persons, our families, our country–the whole of humanity. Protect and save us!

O Heart of Mary, source of true love, fill our selfish hearts with divine charity and with that true brotherly love without which there can never be peace. Grant that men and nations may understand and fulfill the precept of your Divine Son to love one another, in order that true peace may be firmly established in the Justice and Truth of Christ.

THE DAILY OFFERING TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and suffering of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.
I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians;
I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

Links:
Immaculate Heart of Mary from Catholic Encyclopedia

Christus Vincit Podcast

Jacob Heringman – Josquin des Prez Lute Settings – “Gintzler:Part II: Ave Maria” from Magnatune.com
Briddes Roune – Lenten is Come – “Sante Marie Viergene” from Magnatune.com
Jessica Smith-Wright – “Straight to Your Heart” from Podsafe Music

Send e-mail to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com, you can also send audio feedback.

At the start of August, take the time to vote for Catholic:Under The Hood at Podcast Alley and leave a pin on the Frappr Map [if you haven’t already!]

To download this episode, click on the link below
#67 – The Heart of the Immaculata

Today we look at the history of the Portiuncula, its importance in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and the many blessings offered to us through the Portiuncula Indulgence.

Links:
Portiuncula at Catholic Encyclopedia
Official Website of the Portiuncula
Portiuncula Indulgence – There are also some pictures of Saint Francis receiving the indulgence from Pope Honorious III and proclaiming the indulgence to the people.

The SaintCast

Prayer for Faith, Grace, and the Intercession of Our Lady of the Angels
Heavenly Father, you filled the heart of Saint Francis with a special love for the Mother of your Son, Jesus and for the Portiuncula. In this hallwed place you nourished his spiritual life and inspired him to found the Franciscan Order. Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Angels may we be steadfast in our faith and remain true to you. Grant us the faith and grace always to do your will. Grant this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

Prayer to Our Lady of the Angels
O Virgin of the Angels, who has for centuries
established your throne of mercy at the
Porziuncula, hear the prayer of your children,
who trust in you. From this truly holy place and
the habitation of the Lord, so dear to the heart
of saint Francis, you have always invited all men
to love.
Your tender eyes assure us of a never failing
motherly help and a promise of divine help to
all those who humbly have recourse to your th-
rone, or who from afar, turn to you to ask for
help.
You are, indeed, our sweet Queen and our
only hope.
O Lady of the Angels, obtain for us, through
the intercession of blessed Francis, pardon for
our sins, help us to keep away from sin and
indifference, so that we shall be worthy of cal-
ling you our Mother for evermore.
Bless our homes, our toil and our rest, by
giving us that same serenity we experience
within the walls of the Porziuncula, where hate,
guilt and tears turn into a song of joy like that
once was sung by the Angels and the seraphic
Francis.
Help those who are in need and hungry,
those who are in danger of body and soul,
those who are sad and downhearted, those
who are sick and dying.
Bless us, your most beloved children, and, we
pray you, bless also with the same motherly
gesture, all those who are innocent, together
with those are guilty; those who are faithful,
together with those who have gone astray;
those who believe, together with those who are
in doubt. Bless all humanity, so that all men
acknowledging that they are God’s children,
would find through love, real Peace and real
Good.
Amen.

“Be Free” by Smallfish from Podsafe Music

Send e-mail to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or use the phone line at 1-740-936-4354

To download this episode, just click on the link below:
Francis and the Portiuncula

We are all called as part to sow the seeds of the faith. Such evangelization requires word and deed, but the faith is always manifested in a particular culture. Today we hear some examples of people spreading the Good News and take a look at the problem of inculturation.

Links:
Cath.com – Catholic Search Engine
Lucious Newsom
Chinese Catholics

Catholic Family Podcast

“I See Jesus” by Steve Parson from Podsafe Music

Send e-mail to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354.

To download this episode, click on the link below:

Sowing the Word