Showing posts with label Saint Joseph Shrine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saint Joseph Shrine. Show all posts

Friday, June 12, 2009

A World in Peace with God's Love




The above contemporary icon is a three panel painting depicting a world of violence and suffering, followed by a future of hope and peace. The interesting design is crafted from a medievel triptych by artist Don Kuhn of Millington, NJ. The attention-grabbing artwork is actually displayed in horizontal order inside the Catholic church at the Shrine of Saint Joseph, located on Long Hill Road, Sterling, NJ.

From the bottom up, the icon illustrates a timeline of the world engulfed in hostility, war, violence, and chaos. As you approach the top, emerging on the right is a glimpse of God's light with a field of lilies, a future of possibilities with hope and peace as in Christ's resurrection. A new creation.

What world would you prefer to live in? A world of chaos or a world transformed and resurrected into the likeness of Jesus Christ?

In order to create positive change, nations and leaders must make a concerted effort to achieve mutual respect for human life, regardless of an individuals ethnic background and race or nationality. A world united with respect for one another is a world connected and living in God's peace.

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
(1 Corinthians 14:33)

In John 13:34, Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Jesus also said, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

My sincere hope is for God's blessing and grace to enfold humankind with love, respect, and peace.

Photo Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar

Monday, June 08, 2009

Hall of Candles and Saints


Regarding saints and their intercessory help from heaven, Sirach 46:13 and 20 states, Beloved of his people, dear to his maker, dedicated from his mother's womb, Consecrated to the Lord as a prophet, was Samuel, the judge and priest. At God's word he established the Kingdom and anointed princes to rule the people. Even when he lay buried, his guidance was sought; he made known the King his fate, And from the grave he raised his voice as a prophet, to put an end to wickedness.

Wisdom 3: 7 and 9 states, In time of their visitation, they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love; Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

How do you pray for intercessory help through a saint?

One method is to pray a novena for 9 successive days as a private devotion. A novena can also be prayed once a week for 9 consecutive weeks. A novena is a prayer used to petition God for a specific need.

In the Catholic Church, it’s a common practice to pray for intercessory help through a particular saint. The saint intercedes on an individuals behalf before the throne of God. Through faith we believe that God answers our requests through the saint's intercession.

For additional information on praying a novena, please visit the following link: http://www.mycatholictradition.com/

For information on praying to a saint, please visit the following link:

Displayed from the right are Saint Jude, Saint Therese, and Saint Anthony.

During a recent visit to the Shrine of Saint Joseph, I made an offering for a candle to be lit for seven days on behalf of world peace and Christian Unity. Please join in prayer for the Lord to intervene in our world and change the course of history into an era of peace with unity. Thank you very much for the prayer support.

The Catholic shrine is located on 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ, USA.

Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar