The Nag Hammadi manuscripts, also known as the Nag Hammadi library, are a collection of ancient Christian and Gnostic texts discovered near the town of Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt in 1945. This significant archaeological find consists of thirteen leather-bound papyrus codices (ancient books) that were buried in a sealed jar. The manuscripts are dated to around the 4th century CE, although the texts within them are likely from earlier periods.

Key aspects of the Nag Hammadi manuscripts include:

1. Gnostic Texts: The majority of the texts in the Nag Hammadi library are Gnostic in nature. Gnosticism was an early, diverse religious movement that emphasized gnosis, or knowledge of the divine, as the path to salvation. Gnostic beliefs often differed significantly from mainstream Christianity, particularly in their cosmology and view of the material world.
2. Diversity of Writings: The library contains a wide variety of texts, including Gnostic gospels (such as the Gospel of Thomas), philosophical texts, and apocalyptic writings. These documents provide a rich tapestry of religious thought and practice in the early Christian era, reflecting the diversity of beliefs and traditions that existed before the establishment of an orthodox Christian canon.
3. Alternative Christian Perspectives: Many of the texts present alternative views of Jesus' teachings and early Christian thought. For instance, the Gospel of Thomas is a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus, some of which are similar to those in the New Testament, while others provide a different perspective on his teachings.
4. Insights into Early Christianity and Gnosticism: The discovery of the Nag Hammadi library has greatly enhanced our understanding of Gnosticism and early Christian history. It has provided scholars with primary sources for studying these complex and often misunderstood religious traditions.
5. Language and Translation: The texts were originally written in Greek and later translated into Coptic, which is the language of the manuscripts. This fact underscores the multicultural and multilingual context of early Christianity in Egypt.

​The Nag Hammadi manuscripts are valued for their contribution to our understanding of early Christian theology, history, and the diversity of beliefs and practices during Christianity's formative centuries. They challenge the traditional narrative of the early church's development and provide a window into the rich spiritual and intellectual landscape of the time.

​Personal prayers usually involve saying out specifically worded prayers or even simply conversing and communicating with God. Many a times, Christians will pray, meditate, study the Bible as well as sing hymns as part of their daily personal prayer session. Depending on their denominational faith, different Christians utilize different symbolic objects to aid them with their prayers.

Usually lighting a candle and reading verses from the Bible is included across all denominations. In addition, some folks could hold on to a cross or crucifix as a reminder of Jesus’s death on the cross and his subsequent resurrection. Here the main difference observed is between the Catholic and Christian crucifix. Usually, Catholic cross shows Jesus being crucified whereas Christians show an empty cross to uphold and honor his resurrection!

Orthodox Christians as well as many Catholics use icons representing saints to help them focus their prayers and assist them with their meditation. They believe that the icons contain the spirit of the saint represented.

In addition, Roman Catholics might use a Rosary, a string made of beads that helps them count their prayers while they meditate on Jesus' life and call upon Mary to offer their prayers to God.
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Conducting daily prayers is believed to deepen faith among all denominations of Christians. It is believed that spending time in divine presence during one’s daily prayers can help a person to understand the grand divine plan for their life! Because of this, many Christians utilize the time of their daily prayers to also seek direction and guidance in their life. 

​Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I am bringing you this teaching-message here so that, it helps us to address some of the pressing needs of our current time- not just the time and situation we are in, but for the things that could be coming up in the days (and weeks, months) ahead for all of us- collectively as a society. 

Of course, any changes, any action we take is always going to be as an individual… after all, each one of us as individuals ultimately make up the collective- this could be our immediate society, region, country or the world at large.
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St Catharina (also called as St. Catherine) has an amazing story and the narrative almost seems too unbelievable at times- but it clearly exhibits how with her belief and surrender to Lord Jesus, she was not only able to bear intolerable circumstances, but rise from those situations with grace and victory.

Whenever we think of these medieval saints, the one thing that immediately comes to mind, is the fact that, back in those days, the society was very intolerant of other faiths. It could be the Christians being intolerant of the Pagans or it could be the Catholics being intolerant of the Protestants and so on. 

Why I am bringing this up is because, in a strange way, that kind of strong, almost fanatic opinions are again on the rise. We find that there is a much stronger and deeper divide between people- that seems to be widening the gap between various groups within our society. 

Now, this divide may not as much be about religion as it was back then, but now, it is possibly about race, language, a person’s country of origin or some other aspect.

But the reality is that we are all children of the same God- our creator. We may think of him and/or pray to him (or her, or both- if we want to be politically correct :-)) with different names or in different ways- our prayers, our rituals could be different, but it is the same God. 

Also, when people are faced with tough times, emotions tend to run high and usually we find people exhibit more anger, intolerance and impatience. 
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Tough times are precisely when we need to strengthen our belief, our commitment to the path of conscious and aware living and seek more strength, help and guidance from the divine. It is when we need to show more love and compassion to those who are worse affected than us and at the same time, feel a level of loving comfort and support, that the Divine providence will take care of us.

St Catharina asks us to seek Divine help to address any and all of our challenges. This prayer is not where we are simply seeking, asking for favors- but it is where we are truly committed to our path of ascension and spiritual living. 

This is when our prayers are a way of communicating with the Divine and we think of divinity, not as someone “high” up there- but it is genuine and real. The Divine is someone with whom we have a true and deep relationship.

In this regards, St Catharina almost reminds us of Radha, the divine consort of Lord Krishna. Radha always felt totally immersed and engrossed in her divine love for Lord Krishna.
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St. Catharina is asking us to develop such a relationship with the Divine. She is also asking us to face any challenges that may come up in our life with a brave face, with complete trust and belief in the Divine. Do the actions that are necessary with love and compassion- but surrender to the Divine will and trust that ultimately you will be provided for by the Divine providence.

Also, when we have people with strong minds, with set beliefs and there is much strife in this world, it is important to develop our ability to persuade others. We need to work on our communication ability, our skill to speak and work with others in the best possible way and with minimal friction! This way we will be able to accomplish simple as well as difficult tasks with great love and compassion. 

Such a scenario will ultimately help to bring more joy and goodness in this world- to the one performing the act and the one benefitting from such a divinely guided action.

​Eternal Father, by virtue of Your generosity and love, I ask that You accept all my actions, and that You multiply their value in favor of every Soul in Purgatory. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Lord God Almighty, You have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us in it by your mighty power, that this day we may not fall into sin, but that all our words may be spoken and all our thoughts and actions directed in such a manner as always to be pleasing in Your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Lord, we beg of you, go before us with your gracious inspiration in all our doings, and help us with your continual assistance, that our every prayer and work may begin from You and be duly ended by You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

​Eternal Father, by virtue of Your generosity and love, I ask that You accept all my actions, and that You multiply their value in favor of every Soul in Purgatory. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

I adore you, my God, and I love you with all my heart. I thank you for having created me, for having made me a Christian, and for having preserved me this day. Pardon me for the evil I have done today. If I have done anything good, be pleased to accept it. Protect me while I take my rest and deliver me from all dangers. May your grace be always with me.  Amen.

Oh Lord, we pray you to visit this home and drive from it all snares of the enemy. Let your holy angels dwell in it to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

If you would like to learn more about Saint Anthony of Padua, the Patron saint of Lost Things, then check here... You will also find a wonderful prayer to Saint Anthony at that link.  

O wonderful St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of your miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms, obtain for me of his bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart . (State your intention)

You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you, but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified by the granting of the particular request (State your intention) which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!

Day I
O holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures made you worthy while on earth to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle; even so, you are the saint of miracles. O gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and thee gratitude of my heart will always be yours.

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day II
O miracle-working St. Anthony, remember that it never has been heard that you left without help or relief anyone who in his need had recourse to you. Animated now with the most lively confidence, even with full conviction of not being refused, I fly for refuge to thee, O most favored friend of the Infant Jesus. O eloquent preacher of the divine mercy, despise not my supplications but, bringing them before the throne of God, strengthen them by your intercession and obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention) .

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day III
O purest St. Anthony, who through your angelic virtue was made worthy to be caressed by the Divine Child Jesus, to hold him in your arms and press him to your heart. I entreat you to cast a benevolent glance upon me. O glorious St. Anthony, born under the protection of Mary Immaculate, on the Feast of her Assumption into Heaven, and consecrated to her and now so powerful an intercessor in Heaven, I beseech you to obtain for me the favor I ask in this novena (State your intention). O great wonder-worker, intercede for me that God may grant my request.

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day IV
I salute and honor you, O powerful helper, St. Anthony. The Christian world confidently turns to you and experiences your tender compassion and powerful assistance in so many necessities and sufferings that I am encouraged in my need to seek you help in obtaining a favorable answer to my request for the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention). O holy St. Anthony, I beseech you, obtain for me the grace that I desire.

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day V
I salute you, St. Anthony, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Christianity. I salute you, great Saint, cherub of wisdom and seraph of divine love. I rejoice at the favors our Lord has so liberally bestowed upon you. In humility and confidence I entreat you to help me, for I know that God has given you charity and pity, as well as power. I ask you by the love you did feel toward the Infant Jesus as you held him in your arms to tell Him now of the favor I seek through your intercession in this novena (State your intention).

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day VI
O glorious St. Anthony, chosen by God to preach his Word, you received from Him the gift of tongues and the power of working the most extraordinary miracles. O good St. Anthony, pray that I may fulfill the will of God in all things so that I may love Him, with you, for all eternity. O kind St. Anthony, I beseech you, obtain for me the grace that I desire, the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention).

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day VII
O renowned champion of the faith of Christ, most holy St. Anthony, glorious for your many miracles, obtain for me from the bounty of my Lord and God the grace which I ardently seek in this novena (State your intention) . O holy St. Anthony, ever attentive to those who invoke you, grant me that aid of your powerful intercession.

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day VIII
O holy St. Anthony, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and so compassionate towards those who honor you and invoke you in suffering and distress. I beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessities and to obtain for me the favor I desire (State your intention). Recommend my request to the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of her Divine Son.

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
 
Day IX
Saint Anthony, servant of Mary, glory of the Church, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops, our priests, our Religious Orders, that, through their pious zeal and apostolic labors, all may be united in faith and give greater glory to God. St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me and intercede for me before the throne of Almighty God that I be granted the favor I so earnestly see in this novena (State your intention).

Then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!

May the divine assistance remain always with us. Amen

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
O God, may the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony, your confessor, be a source of joy to your Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and deserve to enjoy eternal rewards. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.