Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Unite Us in Prayer!

Join Us for 40 Days to Peace Through Strength – Prayer for the Church, America and the World!

Many of you have been tuned into signs pointing to this moment in history. Besides the challenges we have faced over the past 3+ years, many discerned that this October could bring the beginnings of significant trials.

And so, here we are. On October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Holy Land was viciously attacked. Many are worried this could escalate. The time is now to UNITE IN PRAYER!

Here’s what I have discerned …

October 28 is the Feast of St. Jude, the patron saint of hope and impossible causes. A powerful saint that happens to be highlighted at this moment in time as my good friend Fr. Carlos Martins is traveling the country with the “arm of St. Jude” relic. We are prone to despair as we see terror on every side. Let’s call upon this great saint.

Moreover, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception seems to be highlighted during these times, especially since she is the Patroness of the United States of America. We celebrate this great Feast on December 8.

I find it more than interesting that there are exactly 40 days between these two amazing feasts. The 40 days begins as we conclude the month of October, dedicated to the Rosary. Also, these 40 days pass through the Feast of All Saints and the Feast of All Souls and the month of November that is traditionally devoted to the Souls in Purgatory.

We are not meant to advance unaided. In His great wisdom, God has set up a Holy Alliance that, once united, is designed to defeat any and all forces of darkness in the heavenly realm, rescue souls, and build up the kingdom of God. This alliance is called the Communion of Saints, and is comprised of the Church Militant (those alive on earth), the Church Penitent (those undergoing purification in purgatory in preparation for heaven), and the Church Triumphant (those already in heaven).

Mary, Unite Us in Prayer!

Fr. Chad Ripperger came to speak in my parish on the Vigil of the Epiphany. In the lead up to Fr. Ripperger’s talk in my parish, I asked if he could speak on this: “What does it look like if someone really wants to go all in – totally serious and committed – as a kind of “Navy Seal of Spiritual Warfare?”  That’s when he offered the topic of “Different Levels of Spiritual Warfare.” This is the battle plan we are taking (See Fr. Ripperger’s talk below).

Our Battle Plan for “40 days to Peace Through Strength” (October 29 to December 7)

The ancient maxim applies:“We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.” 

Our prayer campaign begins as the Synod on Synodality concludes. The Church, instituted by the Son of God, simply must restore its supernatural strength, as peace is now threatened throughout the world.

We simply MUST grow strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!! We MUST recover the armor of God!! (Ephesians 6:10-12)

PRAYER INTENTION: For a supernatural revival in our Church, and for peace throughout our world.

Depending upon your state in life, you will be able to choose which of these 5 levels of spiritual warfare (below) you are willing to accept. We will call upon the Communion of Saints, including St. Jude, as we call out to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the United States of America, to intercede for us.

Choose Your Level of Spiritual Warfare:

LEVEL ONE – LIEUTENANT

1. Pray in a State of Grace (Go to Confession)
2. Believe God will answer our prayers
3. Pray the Rosary Daily
4. Pray the Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
5. Pray the St. Michael Prayer

LEVEL TWO – CAPTAIN

1. Pray in a State of Grace (Go to Confession)
2. Believe God will answer our prayers
3. Pray the Rosary Daily
4. Pray the Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
5. Pray the St. Michael Prayer
6. Pray the Sacred Heart Novena Prayer

LEVEL THREE – MAJOR

1. Pray in a State of Grace (Go to Confession)
2. Believe God will answer our prayers
3. Pray the Rosary Daily
4. Pray the Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
5. Pray the St. Michael Prayer
6. Pray the Sacred Heart Novena Prayer
7. Pray the Lorica of St. Patrick Prayer

LEVEL FOUR – COLONEL

1. Pray in a State of Grace (Go to Confession)
2. Believe God will answer our prayers
3. Pray the Rosary Daily
4. Pray the Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
5. Pray the St. Michael Prayer
6. Pray the Sacred Heart Novena Prayer
7. Pray the Lorica of St. Patrick Prayer
8. Pray the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

LEVEL FIVE – GENERAL

1. Pray in a State of Grace (Go to Confession)
2. Believe God will answer our prayers
3. Pray the Rosary Daily
4. Pray the Prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
5. Pray the St. Michael Prayer
6. Pray the Sacred Heart Novena Prayer
7. Pray the Lorica of St. Patrick Prayer
8. Pray the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
9. Enroll in the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary through the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion:  https://championshrine.org/confraternity/

ADD FASTING: Fasting is a way in which the Lord gives the underdog victory. Let the Holy Spirit inspire your own level of fasting. If fasting from food is prohibitive, fast from some other creature comfort.

From Simply Catholic: “By the second century, fasting was integrated into Christian worship. Jews had long fasted on Mondays and Thursdays, but the Christians chose to fast on Wednesdays, because that was the day of Christ’s betrayal, and Fridays, the day he was crucified.”

Here are the top 10 foundational Supernatural Strength Practices:

1. The Morning Offering
2. Mental Prayer (at least 15 minutes)
3. Spiritual Reading (at least 15 minutes)
4. Holy Mass and Communion (beyond days of obligation, if possible)
5. The Angelus (6 AM, noon and/or 6 PM)
6. The Holy Rosary
7. Brief Examination of Conscience (at night)
8. Frequent Confession (at least once a month)
9. Adoration (can be offered before or after Mass)
10. Fasting & Mortification (recommend choosing something with health benefits)

Fr. Chad Ripperger speaks at St. Mary of Pine Bluff on “Levels of Spiritual Warfare.”

Fr Richard Heilman