I took the above picture when I was a chaplain at the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
Almost twenty years ago, when I was but a fledgling priest, I was brought into a most horrendous pastoral situation, a true nightmare, in which someone was on the verge of dying, and wanted to return to the Church and receive the last sacraments, and couldn’t get them because of the truly hellish belligerence of others. On my way to meet him, about a half-hour drive, I must say it was like my guardian angel was encouraging me to take out my rosary and to pray for the success of this encounter, which, humanly speaking, could not possibly take place because of that hellish belligerence of others in the house.
I was a bit too anxious to pray the rosary, and felt I had to place my petition even more directly in front of the Immaculate Virgin. What felt like the insistance of my guardian angel to pray to the Immaculate Virgin was overpowering: the weight of the glory of God. I still remember this clearly to this day. I had learned how powerful was her intercession during exorcisms, and now felt drawn to seek her protection right here, right now! This was an emergency!
What came out of my mouth was what I’ve called since then the Emergency Chaplet of the Immaculate Conception. It’s really very easy, just what one needs in an emergency. On the large beads of the Rosary, recite your act of contrition. On the small decade beads, say, “Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” That’s it! I love this chaplet, just love it.
The Immaculate Conception came through, by the way. I think that that was one very, very happy soul, for he had a very, very holy death. It was truly awesome to behold. I was able, I’m sure thanks to my guardian angel working way overtime in keeping people busy in this way and that, to escape the situation unscathed. I was filled with consolation and a spirit of thanksgiving all the way home. Needless to say, I’ve used this chaplet countless, countless times. Try it out!
Accompany me, Father George David Byers, S.S.L., S.T.D., as I begin life as a Catholic Priest-Hermit by choice. Holy Souls Hermitage is dedicated to the sanctification of my fellow priests, bishops, deacons & seminarians going through the purgatory of this life or the next. Prayer and sacrifice go up, of course, for both Benedict XVI and the next Successor of Saint Peter. 
Hi Father George,
I really liked hearing about what Our Lady said to Bernadette. I plan to pray this chaplet today…I wonder can you tell me or have you a post about the significance of the holy picture on the right side of your web page. I see the 24 hours in an oval(frame), it sort of reminds me of the 24 hours of the Divine Will prayers of the Servant of God,Luisa P.
This blog almost made me think of the name in religion – sr Mary Bernadette of Jesus Crucified, but I still like Sr. Bruno of Jesus Crucified. Some day that may be the name I may be given.
Pax,
Diane
Hello Diane,
Wonderful to hear about another possible vocation. You have my prayers and, I’m sure, those of many readers of the blog. They are very good about that.
This Mass Clock has a huge story in my life. I’ll have to write a post about that…
It’s all about uniting oneself to the Holy Sacrifice wherever and whenever Jesus is offering Himself and us with Him in the Mass. The places on the clock approximate the times that perhaps most Masses would be said in those places.
Dear Fr George,I am glad that I get from ,fr Gordons helpers who deserve my prayers. I cannot thank you the Sacerdotal how you lead us laity.Special thanks for your chaplet which I have just read,” Immaculate conception one.Even though I live in,England,I still pray for your country,God bless you all,IHS.