WEEKEND EXPERIENCE

Come and experience the monastic life during this Lent.

If you are female aged between 18 and 35 and would like to experience life with the sisters

Contact Mother Rose Therese on 2138 3341 (8.30am - 11.30am)

or email: klarissi@go.net.mt

The 14 Stations of the Cross by St Francis of Assisi

 

Preparatory Prayer

Most merciful Lord, * with a contrite heart and penitent spirit * I bow down before Thy divine Majesty. * I adore Thee as my supreme Lord and Master. * I believe in Thee, * I hope in Thee, * I love Thee above all things. * I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, * my only and supreme God. * I firmly resolve to amend my life; * and although I am unworthy to obtain mercy, * yet looking upon Thy holy Cross * I am filled with peace and consolation. * I will, therefore, meditate on Thy sufferings, * and visit the Stations * in company with Thy sorrowful Mother * and my holy Guardian Angel, * to promote Thy honor and to save my soul. * 

I desire to gain all indulgences granted to this holy exercise * for myself and for the souls in Purgatory. * 

O Loving Jesus, * inflame my cold heart with Thy love, *

that I may perform this devotion as perfectly as possible, *

and that I may live and die in union with Thee. Amen.

I - First Station - Jesus Is Condemned to Death

 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Jesus, the most innocent of beings, is condemned to death, yes, to the shameful death of the cross.  In order to remain a friend of Caesar, Pilate delivers Jesus into the hands of His enemies.  O fearful crime, to condemn Innocence to death and to displease God in order to please men. 

O innocent Jesus, * I have sinned and I am guilty of eternal death; * but that I may Live, * Thou dost gladly accept the unjust sentence of death. * For whom then shall I henceforth live * if not for Thee, my Lord? * If I desire to please men, * I cannot be Thy servant. * Let me, therefore, rather displease the whole world * than not please Thee, O Jesus! 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword had passed.

II- Second Station - Jesus Carries His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

When our divine Redeemer beheld the Cross, He most willingly reached out to it with His bleeding arms.  He embraced it lovingly, kissed it tenderly, took it on His bruised shoulders, and, exhausted as He was, He carried it joyfully. 

O my Jesus, * I can not be Thy friend and follower * if I refuse to carry my cross. * O beloved cross, * I embrace Thee, * I kiss Thee, * I joyfully accept Thee from the hand of my God. * Far be it from me to glory in anything * save in the Cross of my Lord and Redeemer. * By it the world shall be crucified to me, * and I to the world, * that I may be Thine forever. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  O, how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother, highly blest, Of the sole begotten One!

III- Third Station - Jesus Falls the First Time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Carrying the Cross, our dear Savior was so weakened with its heavy weight that He fell exhausted to the ground.  The Cross was light and sweet to Him, but our sins made it so heavy and hard to carry. 

Beloved Jesus, * Thou didst carry the burden and the heavy weight of my sins. * Should I then not bear in union with Thee * my light burden of suffering, * and accept the sweet yoke of Thy commandments? * Thy yoke is sweet and Thy burden is light. * I willingly accept it. * I will take up my cross and follow Thee. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Christ above in torment hands:  She beneath beholds the pangs  Of her dying glorious Son. 

IV - Fourth Station - Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

How sad and how painful must it have been for Mary to behold her beloved Son laden with the Cross, covered with wounds and blood, and driven through the streets by savage executioners!  What unspeakable pangs her most tender heart must have experienced!  How earnestly did she desire to die instead of Jesus, or at least with Him! 

O Jesus, * O Mary, * I am the cause of the pains that pierced your hearts. * Would that my heart might experience some of your sufferings. * O Mother, * let me share in thy sufferings and those of they Son, * that I may obtain the grace of a happy death. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Is there one who would not weep,  Whelmed in miseries so deep,  Christ’s dear Mother to behold? 

V - Fifth Station - Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Simon of Cyrene was forced to help our exhausted Savior carry His Cross.  How pleased would Jesus have been, had Simon offered his services of his own accord.  However, Simon was not invited by Christ as you are.  He says: "Take up your cross and follow Me."  Nevertheless you recoil, and carry it grudgingly. 

O Jesus, * whosoever does not take up his cross and follow Thee, * is not worthy of Thee. * Behold, I cheerfully join Thee on the way of the cross. * I desire to carry it with all patience until death, * that I may prove worthy of Thee. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Can the human heart refrain From partaking in her pain, In that Mother’s pain untold?

VI - Sixth Station - Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Moved by compassion, Veronica presents her veil to Jesus, to wipe His disfigured face.  He imprints on it His holy countenance, and returns it to her as a recompense.  Shall Christ reward you in like manner?  Then you too must do Him a service.  But you do a service to Christ every time you perform a work of mercy towards your neighbor: for He says: "What you have done to the least of My brethren, you have done to Me."

Dearest Jesus, * what return shall I make Thee for all Thy benefits? * Behold, I consecrate myself entirely to Thy service. * My whole heart I give to Thee; * stamp on it Thy holy image, * that I may never forget Thee. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld her tender Child, All with bloody scourges rent.

VII - Seventh Station - Jesus Falls the Second Time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Overwhelmed by the weight of the Cross, Jesus falls again to the ground.  But the cruel executioners do not permit Him to rest a moment.  With thrusts and blows they urge Him onward.  With what cruelty Jesus in treated and trampled under foot!  Remember, compassionate soul, that your sins caused Jesus this painful fall. 

Have mercy on me, O Jesus, * and help me never to fall into my former sins. * From this moment I will strive sincerely * never to sin again. * But Thou, O Jesus, strengthen me with Thy grace, * that I may faithfully carry out my resolution. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  For the sins of His own nation, Saw Him hang in desolation Till His spirit forth He sent.

VIII - Eighth Station - Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Moved by compassion, these devoted women weep over our suffering Savior.  But He turns to them and says: "Weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.  Weep for your sins and those of your children; for they are the cause of My suffering."  You also must weep over your sins, for there is nothing more pleasing to our Lord and more useful to yourself than the tears you shed out of contrition for your sins. 

O Jesus, * who shall give my eyes a torrent of tears, * that I may day and night weep over my sins? * I beseech Thee by Thy bitter and bloody tears * to move my heart, * so that tears may flow in abundance from my eyes, * and that I may weep over Thy sufferings * and over my sins until death. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  O thou Mother: font of love! Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with thine accord.

IX - Ninth Station - Jesus Falls the Third Time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Exhausted at the foot of Calvary, Jesus falls for the third time to the ground.  How painfully must have been reopened all the wounds of His tender body by these repeated falls.  And how enormous must my sins be, to cause Jesus to fall so painfully.  Had not Jesus taken my sins upon Himself, they would have plunged me into the abyss of Hell. 

Most merciful Jesus, * I return Thee a thousand thanks * for not permitting me to die in my sins * and fall into the abyss of Hell, * as I have deserved so often. * Enkindle in me a sincere desire to amend my life. * Let me never again fall into sin, * but grant me the grace of final perseverance. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Make me feel as thou has felt; Make my soul to glow and melt, With the love of Christ my Lord.

X - Tenth Station - Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Arriving on Calvary, Jesus was cruelly deprived of His garments.  How painful the stripping must have been, because the garments adhered to His mangled body, so that in removing them parts of the flesh were torn away.  Jesus is deprived of His garments that He may die possessed of nothing.  How happy shall not I die after laying aside my evil habits and tendencies! 

Help me, O Jesus, to amend my life. * Let it be renewed according to Thy will and desire. * However painful the correction may be to me, * I will not spare myself. * With the assistance of Thy grace, * I will refrain from all sinful pleasure and vain amusement, * that I may die happy and live forever. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Holy Mother, pierce me through; In my heart each wound renew Of my Savior crucified.

XI - Eleventh Station - Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Stripped of His garments, Jesus is violently thrown down on the Cross.  His hands and His feet are nailed to it in the most cruel way.  Jesus remains silent, because it so pleases His heavenly Father.  He suffers patiently, because He suffers for you.  How do you act in sufferings and trials?  How fretful and impatient, how full of complaints are you! 

O Jesus, * meek and patient Lamb, * I renounce forever my impatience. * Crucify, O Lord, my flesh, * with its evil desires and vices. * Punish and afflict me in this life, * but spare me in the next. * I resign myself altogether to Thy holy will. * May it be done in all things. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Let me share with Thee His pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torment died.

XII - Twelfth Station - Jesus Dies on the Cross

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Behold Jesus crucified!  Behold His wounds received for love of you!  His whole appearance betokens love.  His head is bent to kiss you.  His arms are extended to embrace you.  His heart is open to receive you.  Oh what love!  Jesus dies on the Cross, to preserve you from eternal death. 

Most lovable Jesus, * who will grant that I may die for love of Thee? * I will endeavor to die to the world and its vanities * when I behold Thee on the Cross * covered with wounds and crowned with thorns. * Merciful Jesus, * take me into Thy wounded heart, * that I may despise all perishable things, * to live and die for Thee alone. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning Him who mourned for me, All the days that I may live.

XIII - Thirteenth Station - Jesus Is Taken Down From the Cross

 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

Jesus did not descend from the Cross, but remained on it till His death.  When taken down, He rested on the bosom of His beloved Mother as He had so often done in life.  Persevere in your good resolutions, and do not flee from the cross.  For he who perseveres till the end shall be saved.  Consider, moreover, how pure the heart should be that receives the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar. 

O Lord Jesus crucified! * I most earnestly entreat Thee: * Help me do what is right * and let me not be separated from Thy Cross, * for on it I desire to live and to die. * Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart, * that I may worthily receive Thee in Holy Communion, and that Thou mayest remain in me, * and I in Thee, * for all eternity. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. 

V. Lord Jesus, crucified.  
R. Have mercy on us.  By the cross with thee to stay; There with thee to weep and pray Is all I ask of thee to give.

XIV - Fourteenth Station - Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.  
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. 

The body of Jesus is laid in a stranger’s tomb.  He Who in this world had not whereon to rest His head, would have no grave of His own after death.  You whose heart is still attached to this world, despise it that you may not perish with it. 

O Jesus, * Thou hast singled me out from the world, * what then shall I seek in it? * Thou hast created me for Heaven, * what then shall I desire upon earth? * Depart from me, deceitful world, with thy vanities!  Henceforth I will walk the way of the Cross * traced out for me by my Redeemer, * and journey onward to my heavenly home, * where my rest and my joy shall be forever. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified. 
R. Have mercy on us. Virgin of all virgins best, Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine.

 

Prayer before a Crucifix

Look down upon me, good and gently Jesus,

while before Thy face I humbly kneel;

and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee

to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity,

true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment.

While with great love and tender pity

I contemplate Thy five wounds,

pondering over them within me,

calling to mind the words which David,

Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus:

"They have pierced My hands and My feet;

they have numbered all My bones."

O God, Who in this wonderful Sacrament,

hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion,

grant us, we beseech Thee,

so to reverence the sacred Mysteries of Thy Body and Blood,

that our souls may be always sensible of the fruit of Thy Redemption.

Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

The Divine Praises

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus!
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart!
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy!
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception!
Blessed be her glorious Assumption!
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother!
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse!
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints!

Words of our Mother St Clare to ponder during Lent

“... dwell on holy humility, the blessed poverty, the untold labours and burdens which He endured for the redemption of all mankind.  Then, in the depths .... contemplate the ineffable charity which led Him to suffer on the wood of the Cross and die thereon the most shameful kind of death. 

.... suspended on the wood of the Cross, urged those who passed by to consider, saying: “All you who pass by the way, look and see if there is any suffering lide My suffering!” (Lam 1:12).  Let us answer Him with one voice and spirit, as He said:  Remembering this over and over leaves my soul downcast within me (Lam 3:20)!   ... let yourself be inflamed more strongly with the fervour of charity!

If you suffer with Him, you shall reign with Him,

If you weep with Him, you shall rejoice with Him;

If you die with Him on the cross of tribulation, you shall possess heavenly mansions in the splendor of the saints

and, in the Book of Life, your name shall be called glorious among man.

19th March Solemnity of St Joseph Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A simple village carpenter, Joseph, the husband of Mary and guardian of the child Jesus, has become the guardian and patron of Christ's universal Church.

Mass Readings

FIRST READING - Second book of Samuel 7: 4 -5, 12-14, 16

Psalm 88: 2-5. 27. 29.

R> His dynasty shall last for ever.

SECOND READING - from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 4:13, 16-18,22

Gospel Acclamation -  Psalm 83:5

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

They are happy who dwell in your house, O Lord, for ever singing your praise.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

GOSPEL - St Matthew 1: 16. 18-21. 24

_________

Here are some prayers dedicated to St Joseph

Prayer to St Joseph

O My beloved St Joseph, adopt me as your child, take care of my salvation, watch over me day and night, preserve me from the occasion of sin, obtain for me purity of soul and body!

Through your intercession with Jesus grant me a spirit of sacrifice, of humility and self-denial, a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and a sweet tender love for Mary, my Mother.

Saint Joseph, be with me living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favourable judgement from Jesus my merciful Saviour.  Amen

TALBA LIL SAN ĠUŻEPP

     O Mqaddes Ġużeppi, fil-hemm li fih ninsabu, lejk nirrikorru u b’tama kbira nsejħu l-patroċinju tiegħek, wara l-patroċinju tal-Għarusa mqaddsa tiegħek.  Mela, f’gieħ dik ir-rabta għażiża ta’ mħabba li biha kont marbut max-Xebba bla tebgħa, Omm Alla, u f’ġieh dik l-imħabba ta’ missier li biha ħabbejt lit-tfajjel Ġesù, nitolbuk li tħares ħarsa ħelwa lejn il-wirt għażiż, li Ġesù Kristu rebaħ b’Demmu, u bis-setgħa u bil-għajnuna tiegħek tidħol għalina fil-bżonnijiet tagħna.

Kif int, o Ġużeppi, kont taħseb f’din l-art għall-Familja Divina u tħarisha, hekk ukoll ħu ħsieb tal-familja maħtura ta’ Ġesù Kristu. 

Eqred minn ġo nofsna, o Missier ħanin, din il-pesta ta’ erruri u ta’ ħażen li qegħdin imarrdu d-dinja, ieqaf magħna mis-smewwiet, f’din il-gwerra li għandna mal-qawwa tad-dlamijiet, o Protettur qawwi tagħna;

u kif darba ħlist mill-mewt lill-Bambin Ġesù, hekk issa ddefendi l-Knisja mqaddsa t’Alla mit-tnassis tal-għedewwa u minn kull hemm.

Xerred dejjem fuq kull wieħed minna l-patroċinju tiegħek, sabiex bl-eżempju u bil-għajnuna tiegħek, nistgħu ngħixu ħajja qaddisa, nagħmlu mewta tajba, u naqilgħu l-hena ta’ dejjem ġewwa l-ġenna.  Ammen.

Memorare to Saint Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you, and beg your protection.  Despise not, O foster-father of the Redeemer, my humble supplication but in your bounty hear and answer me. Amen.

Ftakar, O Għarus purissimu ta' Marija Verġni, O ħelu Protettur tiegħi San Ġużepp, li qatt ħadd fid-dinja ma' nstama li sejjaħ il-għajnuna u talab il-protezzjoni tiegħek mingħajr ma' ġie minnek ikkonsolat.  B'din it-tama qawwija, jiena niġi quddiemek, u b'ħerqa kbira lilek, nirrakommanda ruħi. Deh! ilqa t-talba tiegħi, O Missier Puttativ tar-Redentur, u ismagħni bil-ħniena.  Ammen

A Special Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.

Lenten Prayer Vigils 2011 Every Saturday

LENTEN PRAYER VIGILS 2011 

Every Saturday Evening from 8pm till 9pm

As our monastic tradition continues, this year we are also organising prayer vigils for Lent. 

These religious prayers at night will consist of the singing of liturgical hymns, 

psalms and canticles together with readings from the Holy Gospel and from the Fathers of the Church

 according to the liturgical Tradition of the Church.

These vigil (prayer) meetings will be held every Saturday during Lent 

starting at 8.00pm at the monastery’s Chapel

in Mikiel Anton Vassalli Road, St. Julians.

Prayer Vigils will be held on the following days:

Saturday  12^th March

Saturday 19^th  March

Saturday 26^th  March

Saturday 2^nd April

Saturday 9^th April

Saturday 16^th April

Everyone is invited to attend so come and join us! 

For those using private transport, you may use our parking area