Last week, on my way into Holy Mass, I noticed that our parish campus was buzzing once again with energy. After a quiet summer in the day-to-day activities of the parish, it was once again beaming with life… school was back in session!
I began to think about how back-to-school historically was a happy and exciting time in family life. Today, unfortunately, our cultural climate has bent so drastically towards diabolical doctrine, it has become a little scary for families. We can certainly see this as homeschooling has increased by 30% over the last 5 years, with 3.62 million students now being homeschooled. That increase speaks volumes! While homeschooling may be on the upswing, this option is simply not possible for many families.
So, as millions of children head back to school, I want to remind families of the Flame of Love “firepower” which Our Lord and Our Lady have given us… powerful weapons to protect your families during these times.
Here are some practical ideas on how to implement the Flame of Love prayers into a busy back to school schedule:
We’re never too young, nor old, to bring this prayer into our daily prayer life. Praying the Unity prayer brings a torrent of graces into our day because this prayer is about UNION with Jesus Christ, becoming transformed by Love Himself and in effect, blinding satan. The Unity Prayer set to music is a great way to learn and teach this song to our families.
Another way to help your child remember to pray the UNITY Prayer is by placing prayer cards in places they’ll see them throughout the day. For example, the bathroom mirror, so in the morning and evening, when they brush their teeth, they’re reminded. Tucked under the fruit snacks in a lunch sack. One friend shared that she was putting together a college care package and stuck the Unity Prayer cards in with other goodies. I’m sure you will find many ways to get creative with this. Instead of Elf on a Shelf, how about prayer cards in a pew!
As a parent, one way that I cover my family in the graces of the Unity Prayer is by praying the prayer this way…
My Adorable Jesus,
May your feet journey with Lucy’s feet.
May your hands gather with Lucy’s hands.
May your heart beat with Lucy’s Heart.
May your souls be in harmony with Lucy’s soul.
May your thoughts be as one.
May your ears listen to the silence together.
May your glances profoundly penetrated one another.
May your lips pray together to gain mercy from the Eternal Father.
Amen
It’s very powerful and I’m often awaken in the night to this prayer in my heart.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNIONS–
The weekly agenda was given to Elizabeth Kindelmann from Our Lord and teaches us how to live with Jesus and Mary in sacrificial love for the salvation of souls. TUESDAYS in the Flame of Love, we offer this day for Families.
Jesus: “Make spiritual communions* for each member of the family. Offer each person, one by one, to our dear Mother. She will take them under her protection.”
The following prayer was composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori in the 18th century and is a beautiful prayer of spiritual communion, which can be adapted like this for each member of your family:
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire that _______ receives You into [their] soul. Since [they] cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into [their] heart. [Have them] embrace You as if You had already come, and unite [them] wholly to You. Never permit [them] to be separated from You. Amen.
Learn more about Tuesday’s Spiritual Exercise and the Weekly Agenda.
FAST–
Recently my family, particularly one of my children has been in an intense spiritual battle. I had been praying for this child for a long while, novena after novena, rosary after rosary, until one day I had a interior prompting to fast from something I REALLY liked… COFFEE CREAMER!! I said Lord, if I have to give up the creamer… I’ll just give up the coffee! Two weeks after giving up coffee, I began to see significant and notable changes in my child’s life.
As we know from Holy Scripture and the diary of Elizabeth Kindelmann (Weekly Agenda), FASTING is a very powerful weapon in saving souls so I would encourage you to add this to your arsenal.
Whether you have littles, grands, or young adults, the fact is, our youth are under attack… families are in a battle. If you’re new to the Flame of Love or have been participating for many years, the Flame of Love Promises for Families never grows old! I have offered only a few so be sure and check the Family tab of the website to learn more. Our Children are literally LIFE to the WORLD and depend on us to do our part to provide for their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
I pray you and your family are blessed during this transition back into school. Please join me in praying for our youth.
During a rather noisy Sunday Mass some time ago, all the babies decided to “sing” at once, causing quite the commotion. The pastor paused the homily to stop the parents from making their way nervously out the door and said, “let the babies cry… it means our parish is ALIVE!” Amen!