Home ][ ^ Table of
Contents || < Previous Chapter || Next Chapter >
|| Home ]
Introduction
Copyright and Recognition of the Holy See
An Overview of Shepherds of Christ Ministries
Prayer for Union with Jesus
Chapter Meeting Prayer Format
Intentions
- for Apostles of the Eucharistic
Heart of Jesus
- for the Rosary Novena
[ < Contents ]
This manual was compiled at the direction of Jesus for the 13th gatherings. We encourage you to copy and share this book with all who are interested. If copied, materials in this book cannot be changed or edited in any way.
All messages were discerned for theological errors by Father Edward J. Carter, S.J., Professor of Theology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio and Spiritual Director of the Shepherds of Christ Ministries.
In conformity with the decrees of Pope Urban VIII, we recognize and accept that the final authority regarding these messages rest with the Holy See of Rome, to whose judgment we willingly submit.
- Shepherds of Christ Ministries
©Copyright 1997 Shepherds of Christ
Publications
First Printing: August 1997
February 6, 1997
My Dear Companions in the Shepherds of Christ Movement,
We have purchased a new International Center for the Shepherds of Christ Ministries. Our new P.O. Box, address, fax and phone numbers are shown below:
Please contact us for these materials from the new Center. If you call the new Center, there will be other apostles there to help you with any problems you have encountered circulating the materials and spreading the Movement.
In Their Hearts, Shepherds of Christ Ministries
[ < Contents ]
An Overview of
Shepherds of Christ Ministries
Our movement is a Catholic apostolate which strongly supports our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. As you explore this manual, you will find there are three main levels of commitment in Shepherds of Christ Ministries. All three levels are important to the functioning of the ministry. To assist you in exploring this manual, this brief overview may help. All three commitment levels were defined by Jesus in messages either given through Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. or through the visionary/locutionist Rita Ring.
Jesus revealed these levels over a period of three years as He built the ministry. The three levels were given by Him in order of increasing personal commitment. The three levels are: Shepherds of Christ Associates, Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, and Shepherds of Christ Apostles. At any level, there are no vows taken which bind a member under penalty of sin when ending your commitment. Our hope is that you will be led by the Holy Spirit to the proper place to help you in your journey closer to God. Jesus has promised many graces to anyone who participates in the movement.
Shepherds of Christ Associates: These are prayer groups of two or more people which meet at least monthly. Many groups meet weekly before the Blessed Sacrament. These groups follow the format outlined in the Prayer Manual found on pages iii to x. Meetings normally last about an hour. See pages twelve through fourteen for additional information.
Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus: This prayer movement within Shepherds of Christ Ministries is a personal commitment to pray twice weekly for one hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus gives the instructions for this movement on pages 396 to 405 of this manual.
Shepherds of Christ Apostles: The highest level of commitment in the movement at this time is to be a Shepherds of Christ Apostle. It is truly a serious commitment, for we live in very serious times. An apostle is one who is sent to help lead people to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus gives the details of this calling on pages four through six.
This book has many goals which are difficult to meet all at once. Jesus spent three years carefully revealing His plan step by step. He led us along into ever increasing levels of commitment. So as you read this manual, know that it will take even the fervent of heart some time to live the messages. You must also realize that the manual covers many different ministries. Many people are called to help out with one of these ministries. We hope and pray you will find a home in the Shepherds of Christ family. May God bless you and your loved ones now and into eternity!
In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Shepherds of Christ Ministries
[ < Contents ]
Prayer for
Union with Jesus Come to me, Lord, and possess my soul. Come into my heart and permeate my soul. Help me to sit in silence with You and let You work in my heart.
I am Yours to possess. I am Yours to use. I want to be selfless and only exist in You. Help me to spoon out all that is me and be an empty vessel ready to be filled by You. Help me to die to myself and live only for You. Use me as You will. Let me never draw my attention back to myself. I only want to operate as You do, dwelling within me.
I am Yours, Lord. I want to have my life in You. I want to do the will of the Father. Give me the strength to put aside the world and let You operate my very being. Help me to act as You desire. Strengthen me against the distractions of the devil to take me from Your work.
When I worry, I have taken my focus off of You and placed it on myself. Help me not to give in to the promptings of others to change what in my heart You are making very clear to me. I worship You. I adore You, and I love You. Come and dwell in me now.
[ < Contents ]
Meeting Format
The following format should be followed at chapter meetings of Shepherds
of Christ Associates.
Prayers
All of the following, not just the prayer which is said specifically for priests,
should include the intention of praying for all the needs of priests the world over.
Hymns. Hymns may be sung at any point of the prayer part of the meeting.
Holy Spirit Prayer. Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting Your inspirations. Amen.
The Rosary.
Salve Regina. "Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, our mourning, our weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."
The Memorare. "Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen."
Seven Hail Marys in honor of the
Seven Sorrows of Mary. Mary has promised very special graces to those who do this
on a daily basis. Included in the promises of Our Lady for those who practice this
devotion is her pledge to give special assistance at the hour of death, including the
sight of her face. The seven sorrows are:
(1) The first sorrow: the prophecy of Simeon (Hail Mary).
(2) The second sorrow: the flight into Egypt (Hail Mary).
(3) The third sorrow: the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple (Hail Mary).
(4) The fourth sorrow: Jesus and Mary meet on the way to the cross (Hail Mary).
(5) The fifth sorrow: Jesus dies on the cross (Hail Mary).
(6) The sixth sorrow: Jesus is taken down from the cross and laid in Mary's arms (Hail
Mary).
(7) The seventh sorrow: the burial of Jesus (Hail Mary).
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us (repeat after each invocation).
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the Covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of angels,
Queen of patriarchs,
Queen of prophets,
Queen of apostles,
Queen of martyrs,
Queen of confessors,
Queen of virgins,
Queen of all saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy rosary,
Queen of the families,
Queen of peace,
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Grant, we beseech You, O Lord God, that we Your servants may enjoy
perpetual health of mind and body and, by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary,
ever virgin, be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our
necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Prayer to St. Joseph. St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste spouse of Mary, you passed your life in perfect fulfillment of duty. You supported the Holy Family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly turn to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes; and they turn to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too have known trial, labor, and weariness. But, even amid the worries of material life, your soul was filled with deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with the Son of God entrusted to you, and with Mary, His tender Mother. Amen. -(Pope John XXIII)
Litany of the Sacred Heart, Promises
of the Sacred Heart.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us (repeat after each invocation).
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father,
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke You,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, obedient even to death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim of sin,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in You,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints,
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
make our hearts like unto Yours.
Let us pray: O almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Your dearly beloved
Son and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers You in behalf of sinners and, being
appeased, grant pardon to those who seek Your mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ,
Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without
end. Amen.
Promises of Our Lord to those devoted to His Sacred Heart (these should
be read by the prayer leader):
(1) I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
(2) I will establish peace in their homes.
(3) I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
(4) I will be their refuge during life and above all in death.
(5) I will bestow a large blessing on all their undertakings.
(6) Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
(7) Tepid souls shall grow fervent.
(8) Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
(9) I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.
(10) I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
(11) Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to
be blotted out.
(12) I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant
to all those who communicate on the first Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of
final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments;
My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Prayer for Priests. "Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the Flock, we pray that in the great love and mercy of Your Sacred Heart You attend to all the needs of Your priest-shepherds throughout the world. We ask that You draw back to Your Heart all those priests who have seriously strayed from Your path, that You rekindle the desire for holiness in the hearts of those priests who have become lukewarm, and that You continue to give Your fervent priests the desire for the highest holiness. United with Your Heart and Mary's Heart, we ask that You take this petition to Your heavenly Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Prayer for all members of the Shepherds of Christ Associates. "Dear Jesus, we ask Your special blessings on all members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. Continue to enlighten them regarding the very special privilege and responsibility you have given them as members of Your movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates. Draw them ever closer to Your Heart and to Your Mother's Heart. Allow them to more and more realize the great and special love of Your Hearts for each of them as unique individuals. Give them the grace to respond to Your love and Mary's love with an increased love of their own. As they dwell in Your Heart and Mary's Heart, abundantly care for all their needs and those of their loved ones. We make our prayer through You to the Father, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary our Mother at our side. Amen."
Prayer for the spiritual and financial success of the priestly newsletter. "Father, we ask Your special blessings upon the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. We ask that You open the priest-readers to the graces You wish to give them through this chosen instrument of Your Son. We also ask that You provide for the financial needs of the newsletter and the Shepherds of Christ Associates. We make our prayer through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary at our side. Amen."
Prayer for all members of the human family. "Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessings on all Your children the world over. Attend to all their needs. We ask Your special assistance for all those marginalized people, all those who are so neglected and forgotten. United with our Mother Mary, we make this petition to You through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Prayer to St. Michael and our
Guardian Angels.
"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the
wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O
prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other
evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
7
"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be
at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."
Pause for silent, personal prayer. This should last at least five minutes.
Act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
"Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock, I consecrate myself to Your most
Sacred Heart. From Your pierced Heart the Church was born, the Church You have called me,
as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, to serve in a most special way. You reveal
Your Heart as a symbol of Your love in all its aspects, including Your most special love
for me, whom You have chosen as Your companion in this most important work. Help me to
always love You in return. Help me to give myself entirely to You. Help me always to pour
out my life in love of God and neighbor! Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You! Amen.
"Dear Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to your maternal and Immaculate Heart,
this Heart which is symbol of your life of love. You are the Mother of my Savior. You are
also my Mother. You love me with a most special love as a member of Shepherds of Christ
Associates, a movement created by your Son as a powerful instrument for the renewal of the
Church and the world. In a return of love, I give myself entirely to your motherly love
and protection. You followed Jesus perfectly. You are His first and perfect disciple.
Teach me to imitate you in the putting on of Christ. Be my motherly intercessor so that,
through your Immaculate Heart, I may be guided to an ever closer union with the pierced
Heart of Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock. Amen."
The Shepherds of Christ prayers above, one through sixteen, have the following ecclesiastiea approval:
Imprimi Potest: Rev. Bradley M. Schaeffer, S.J.
Provincial
Chicago Province, The Society of Jesus
Imprimatur: Most Rev. Carl K. Moeddel
Auxiliary Bishop
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
[ < Contents ]
Intentions for Apostles
of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
Jesus is calling special apostles to join a new division of the Shepherds of Christ Movement. Here is a message from Jesus given to Father Carter:
"My beloved priest-companion, I am requesting that a new prayer movement be started under the direction of Shepherds of Christ Ministries. I am asking for volunteers who are willing to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour, twice-weekly. Members of the Shepherds of Christ prayer chapters, as well as others, are to be invited to join this movement.
"These apostles are to pray for the intentions I am giving you. For part of the hour they are to use the prayers of the Shepherds of Christ Associates Handbook. They may spend the rest of the hour as they so choose.
"I will use this new prayer movement within My Shepherds of Christ Ministries in a powerful way to help in the renewal of My Church and the world. I will give great graces to those who join this movement. The name, Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, is to be given to this movement.
"I am inviting My beloved Rita Ring to be coordinator for this activity.
"I pour out the great love of My Sacred Heart to all. I am Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock."
This is indeed a special calling for us to unite in one heart with His Eucharistic Heart and pray for the following intentions:
[ < Contents ]
Intentions
for the Rosary Novena
Given by Mary on January 25, 1997:
Mary: I am Mary. I am requesting that you continue to pray the rosary novena daily for the following intentions:
1) For the spread of the rosary, circulation and publication of these rosary meditations, for the Rosary Book and Children's Rosary Books, for the Rosary Aves and consecrations to be distributed and used by school children, for the Priestly Newsletter Books, for the Mass Book, for all materials receiving the imprimatur, for its publication and quick distribution, for the distribution of Mary's Message tape and the Rosary Book and the connection with the Shepherds of Christ Movement and the apparition in Florida;
2) For Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, that the Father's plan will unfold there as He intended;
3) For the new Center, for the new chapel, for the right to reserve the Blessed Sacrament there, for the funding, for the circulation of materials from there, for the beginning of new prayer chapters.
[ ^
Table of Contents || < Previous Chapter || Next Chapter > || Home ]
Copyright © 1997 Shepherds of Christ
Publications
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
without the written permission of the publisher. For information contact Shepherds of
Christ Publications
First Printing: August, 1997