Prayers Without Words - An Introduction

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Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy wrote “Songs without Words” for piano. Without a singer, without lyrics.

In the same way, we can also say “prayers without words.” These are prayers in which only the heart speaks. It is a type of prayer which everybody can do - even those who are to weak for oral prayers (for example the suffering). 

A small child who cannot yet speak is nevertheless very capable of communicating. It does not need words. A glance, a thought is enough. Contemplating sacred art can also be like a “prayer without words.” A turning of our hearts and minds to God and His saints. 

An image is helpful for this kind of prayer, but not essential. It is a little bit difficult to put this kind of prayer into words, since it is wordless. So here are a few more explanations, a little “guide,” a path to silence:

Surrendering

Consciously take time, perhaps half an hour in the evening to start with. Simply dwell in silence with God. Before the Blessed Sacrament in church or in silence at home. (It goes without saying: turn off your cell phone, lock the door.)

"Lord, here I am. I open my heart to You. Come into every corner of my heart and form me according to Your holy will. I am Yours. Take special care of those things in my heart that are still dark. Help me to open my heart for You. Nothing shall ever separate me from You. I am Yours, without conditions. You take care of me. I love You, Your will be done..."

And then simply remain silent, hold out your heart to Him, let Him work, and look at Him. We don't have to say a word, just listen to what He says to us. That is enough and perhaps leads to the most beautiful form of prayer, the trusting and complete surrender to God in love.

When we allow God to fill us completely with His boundless love, when we open our hearts and hands to the graces He wants to give us... when we hold nothing back and surrender our souls completely to Him, then prayer becomes a single act of love. Yes, Thy will be done, my Jesus, I love You, I love You without limits...!

Fiat voluntas Tua, Domine. Amen.

Saints For All Occasions

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In the Catholic Church, there is a saint for almost every intention. This list is a starting point and is constantly being updated. Your welcome to participate in this project! :)

St. Anne: Patron saint of brides and married couples, mothers, housewives and families, widows, the poor and miners, intercessor for safe childbirth and for those wishing to have children. For healing from illness and fever, for courage and inner peace

St. Anthony of Padua: Patron saint of lost things, helper in matters of love and finding a partner, of the poor, farmers, and travelers

St. Carlo Acutis: Patron saint of the internet

St. Cecilia: Music

St. Christopher: patron saint of travelers.

St. Gerhard of Majella: mothers, parents who want children, children.

St. Giuseppe di Copertino: patron saint of pilots and students.

St. Joseph: patron saint of the dying, craftsmen and workers (especially carpenters and joiners), fathers and families, patron saint of the Catholic Church.

Gebet zum heiligen Joseph

Hail Holy Joseph

St. Nicholas: for children and students, sailors and fishermen, prisoners, travelers and pilgrims, merchants, bakers

About St. Nikolaus

St. Valentine of Terni: patron saint of engaged couples and married couples, helper in finding a partner

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Für fast jedes Anliegen gibt es einen zuständigen Heiligen in der katholischen Kirche. Die vorliegende Liste ist ein erster Anhaltspunkt und wird beständig aktualisiert. 

Hl. Anna: Schutzpatronin von Braut- und Eheleuten, Müttern, Hausfrauen und Familien, Witwen, der Armen und Bergleute, Fürsprecherin für eine gute Geburt, bei Kinderwunsch. Für Heilung bei Krankheiten und Fieber, für Mut und inneren Frieden

Hl. Antonius von Padua: Patron der verlorenen Dinge, Helfer für die Liebe und Partnersuche, der Armen, Bauern und Reisenden

Hl. Carlo Acutis: Patron des Internets

Hl. Cecilia: Musik

Hl. Christophorus: Patron der Reisenden

Hl. Gerhard von Majella: Mütter, Eltern mit Kinderwunsch, Kinder

Hl. Giuseppe di Copertino: Patron der Piloten und Studenten

Hl. Joseph: Patron der Sterbenden, der Handwerker und Arbeiter (insbesondere der Schreiner und Zimmerleute), der Väter und Familien, Schutzpatron der katholischen Kirche

Gebet zum heiligen Joseph

Hail Holy Joseph

Hl. Nikolaus: für Kinder und Studenten, Seeleute und Fischer, Gefangene, Reisende und Pilger, Kaufleute, Bäcker

About St. Nikolaus

Hl. Valentin von Terni: Patron der Verlobten und Eheleute, Helfer bei Partnersuche

True Love - does "the one" exist?

For me, providence means that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, has “marked out” a path for us, which we can recognize and walk in the light of the Holy Spirit.

This is the path that is best for our souls and will bring us best forward on the path of holiness.
This also applies to the choice of a marriage partner. If we are called to marriage, then God also has a very specific person in mind for us and with His help we can find this optimal match. God knows how we choose, God knows what is best for us. But as in all things, we also have the opportunity to go against the counsel of His divine love and providence and reject His suggestion and let ourselves be guided by completely human motives. 

The Holy Scriptures give several examples of this, foremost among them the holy couple: Joseph and Mary. God himself chose the Blessed Virgin Mary as His mother and Saint Joseph as her spouse. He destined these two for each other. From eternity.

Especially in winter, I think particularly of the decisive episode in their lives: the miracle of the blossoming branch. When the temple was looking for a suitable husband for the blessed virgin, all potential candidates were invited. Each was to bring a stick on which he had carved his name. The one whose stick would then blossom would be the bridegroom chosen by God for Mary. They searched in vain for a long time; no branch blossomed. And they had almost given up hope, since all the candidates they could find had already appeared. Finally, they remembered St. Joseph, who lived in seclusion, tracked him down, brought him to the temple—and behold, his branch blossomed: a magnificent, lily-like bud sprang forth.

On Saint Barbara's Day, there is still a similar old custom. All the names of potential candidates are carved into Barbara branches, and the one whose branch blooms first is considered “the right one.” I would be cautious about this “oracle.” It may well be that the right one is not even listed on these branches! And then draws the wrong conclusions from it...

But still: I am convinced that the right person does exist. For everyone who has a true calling to the sacrament of marriage. I just recommend another way to identify him.

So how do you find this ideal spouse?

1. Carefully examine your vocation in prayer and under the guidance of your spiritual advisor, i.e., a good priest. Take your time doing this.

2. Once you are clear about your vocation, pray until God clearly leads you to the right person. Pray also for your future spouse, that God will preserve him or her for you, allow him or her to grow in virtue, and grant you the grace to meet at the right time.

How can I be sure that he is “the one”?

You will feel a wonderful peace in your heart that will give you certainty. Absolute certainty. You will both just know. Then ask your priest for his judgment and opinion with confidence. It is very important that you have a spiritual guide, also as a couple together.

For marriage is a sacred vocation, and the more your love is focused on God, the more intense the trials and tests will be—even before the engagement and marriage. Just think of St. Joseph's doubts when he found Mary unexpectedly pregnant! Or Anna and Joachim—for a year, Joachim did not dare to return home when his sacrifice was rejected. Sad and discouraged, full of shame...but the Holy Spirit brought these two back together again: and they were wonderfully blessed with the conception of Mary!

Some questions to make sure it is true love:

- What kind of love is it? Do you love his body, his money, his image...?

- Or do you love his soul?

- And he? How is his love for you? Pure, self-less, caring...?

- Does your love stand the test of trials, illness, suffering?

- Are you willing to carry the cross with him, out of love? Spouses are meant to be a help for each other.

What is the goal of your love? Heaven? Or “the world”? Do you share the desire to become saints together by the grace of God? Is God truly “the heart” of your love? Or do you focus only on worldly things?

If you have found such a gracious love, you can be sure that it is “the one.” God has intended this one person, with all their strengths and weaknesses, as a “complete package” for you, and you for them. Such love is like a precious pearl. Often you have to “sacrifice” a lot for it, leave a lot behind. But for this treasure, for a truly holy marriage, it is worth it! Yes, even families can resist our calling with good intentions. But then... God's will is above human will. Entrust yourself to a good priest, he will guide you.

Ah, and please don't misunderstand the term “the right one”: of course, as normal human beings, we are all sinners and have flaws and weaknesses that also become apparent in our relationships. Illness and the various demands and hurdles of everyday life can often throw us off track. That's normal.

So, I believe that there is a perfect spouse meant of God for us. We can follow our vocation in this aspect, or reject it. And God knows in any case of our decision in advance. 

Saint Joseph, please pray for us! Amen.

Related video on our channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lz9dJRToN5g

Titelbild: "El sueño de san José" de Francisco Rizi, hacia 1665, óleo sobre lienzo, 167'64 x 114'3 cm, Indianápolis, Newfields, <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/El_sue%C3%B1o_de_san_Jos%C3%A9_-_Francisco_Rizi_-_Indianapolis_Musuem_of_Art.jpg/>

Zweites Bild: Giovanni Battista Tiepolo: "Angel con corona de azucenas". <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C3%81ngel_con_corona_de_azucenas.jpg>

The Real Saint Nicholas - how to celebrate this holiday as traditional Catholics

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Little children are restless on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. “When will he finally arrive?” Little boots are polished until they shine, a wish list is written to the Christ Child and tucked inside so that Saint Nicholas can pass it on.

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, lived in Asia Minor in the 4th century. He is known for his secret acts of charity towards the poor. The legend of the three virgins who were unable to marry due to their bitter poverty is truly magical. (1) When the bishop heard of this, he went to their house on three consecutive nights and threw a bag of gold coins through the window. Thanks to his generosity, their misery came to an end and all three were able to walk down the aisle.

This story is also the origin of the custom of secretly bringing gifts to children on the night before the saint's feast day in his name. Over the centuries, St. Nicholas has increasingly become “Santa Claus,” particularly due to the commercial abuse of this tradition.

“Is that the real one?” children often ask with justified suspicion when they encounter men (or even women!) in red suits and white bushy beards in the city. This question should make us sit up and take notice.

As Catholics, we do not want to turn the holy helper and benefactor into a business. “Ho-ho-ho, I am Saint Nicholas” – no! We honor the saints, and that is why we should oppose such abuse in a friendly but firm manner.

When we celebrate the tradition of St. Nicholas, the actor dresses up as a bishop, with dignity and in honor of the saint. And please, not as “Santa Claus.” This is beautifully depicted in the booklet “Sankt Nikolaus” by Ida Bohatta. It is a good and beautiful tradition in honor of the saint. It goes without saying that children should not be lied to. If they ask honestly, it should be explained to them: it is a tradition, a game—in the name of the saint.

For other, however reprehensible reasons, Martin Luther resolutely fought against this Catholic tradition: the veneration of saints was a thorn in his side, so he unceremoniously moved the gift-giving to Christmas Eve and made the Christ Child the bringer of gifts. He abolished the feast day of Saint Nicholas. (2)

One more thought: perhaps this could also encourage us to celebrate the tradition of gift-giving during Advent in the original Catholic manner and not turn Christmas Eve into a materialistic battle. Isn't it contradictory that the poor baby Jesus in the manger is supposed to bring so many material gifts—instead of the secret benefactor St. Nicholas—and is usually completely forgotten on Christmas Eve under the mountain of presents? And logically, the gift-giving should take place on December 25. The shephers also brought their gifts for the child in the cradle. Hence, the gift-giving on Christmas can be connected with this tradition in a good way, too.

Anyhow, the Child Jesus is the most beautiful gift of all, filling the soul completely. 

This was a small impulse to reflect and consider whether the tradition of gift-giving during Advent should perhaps be “put right” again—in a truly Catholic manner.

Carrying The Cross With Love – A Constructive Approach to Suffering

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Introduction

“How can God allow this?” some people ask themselves when faced with illness, pain, and death. 

“How can you still believe in a loving God?” when you see innocent children suffering.

“How can I still pray?” when you are confined to bed for years by an illness, when the pain sometimes becomes almost unbearable and the days and nights seem endless, when every moment is torture...

“When, oh when will this finally end?” you ask yourself.

We are all called to take up our own cross day after day and carry it together with Our Lord Jesus Christ out of love for Him. In the series “Carrying the Cross with Love,” I would like to present concrete ideas for everyday life on how to accept suffering and transform it into a sacrifice of love. 

In particular, I dedicate these posts to all people who have a heavy cross to bear and to those who stand by them.

1.    Jesus carries the cross with me

When I suffer, I am never alone. Jesus carries my cross with me. 

Jesus, our Lord and God, came here to earth, became human for me, left the glory of heaven—yes, why? Because He loves me infinitely. He wanted to become human for me, poor, small, despised by all. Jesus became human in order to die for me on the cross. He suffered terribly, more than any human being ever before or since.

He suffered terribly, more than any human being ever before or since. 

He did this voluntarily because He loves me. For me.

He knew what was coming—and out of love for me, He said “yes” to it.

Yes, He died on the cross out of love for me. There is no greater proof of love. Golgotha is the pinnacle of love.

Look, He is stretching out His holy hands to us! He shows us the deep wounds of the nails in His hands, His feet, His pierced heart... His whole holy body is torn by the blows of the scourging, His head crowned with thorns, His shoulder torn open under the weight of the crossbeam.

Yet His gaze is full of infinite love. No reproach, only this infinite love shines from His eyes. He looks at me. “Do you love me?” This question is not only for Peter, but also for me, for each one of us. 

“Do you love me? Will you help me carry My cross? Out of love?”

Yes, Lord, Thy will be done. I know that Thou lovest me infinitely and that everything Thou wantest is for my good. Thou art love. I have no doubt about that. Yes, I firmly believe that Thou lovest me. I surrender myself to Thee, full of trust, care for me, Thy will be done. 

Yes, even if I have to suffer, I accept it from Your hands. From Your good hands, which were nailed to the cross for me. I accept my suffering out of love for You (specifically: the illness, pain, depression, weakness, loneliness, the disappointments... and say “yes” to them).

Yes, I want to love You and grow in my love for You. Do with me as You will, my Jesus. I love You. Fiat voluntas Tua, Domine. Amen.