MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 16 by Joe Castorino

Cause of Our Joy, together with you I bless

  And praise the great glory of the good God;

Direct my steps toward the Heavenly Homeland,

  And please give me the sweet honey of humility.

 

In danger and doubt, I seek your sincere face,

  Take me by the hand and lead me again to safety;

You swiftly and cleverly lead me out of the wicked

  Woods of temptation and onto the plateau of peace.

 

Draw me into the life-giving light of your Savior-Sun,

  And pray that I enter fully into His limitless love;

Teach me to surrender, to surrender myself to Him,

  To surrender totally, completely, and joyfully.

 

Plead with the Lord that I be purified from affection

  For the useless and dangerous things in my life;

Help me to recognize the evil one’s subtle yet

  Savage plans to maliciously murder my soul.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 15 by Joe Castorino

Seat of Wisdom, Virgin Mary, we love you,

  And we rejoice that you’re our mother;

You cuddle us in your amiable arms as

  Your cherished little babes in the Spirit.

 

Speaking through the dear apostle John,

  Jesus commanded us all to revere you;

Your humble happy obedience to God’s plan

  Inspires us to imitate your praiseworthy virtue.

 

Give us to eat of the fresh fruit of holy faith,

  Which solidly strengthens our confidence;

Give us to drink of His luscious living water,

  Which surges through and sweetens our soul.

 

Pray that we be purified from affection for

  Even the smallest of vile, venomous venial sins;

Shed upon us the radiant rays of your prudence,

  Enlighten us when we read the Word’s words.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 14 by Joe Castorino

Mirror of Justice, I am bountifully blessed

  In your precious and beloved company;

You honor me with your sweet presence,

  And I thank God for His magnificent mercy.

 

Through your priceless prayers, you pour

  Living water into my undeserving soul;

My heart feels like it will explode and burst

  With the inexpressible joy of the Holy Spirit.

 

The evil one blinded me with pretty distractions

  For so many years, and I never appreciated you;

But now, following your example of holy simplicity,

  My life ever so beautifully flowers and blooms.

 

O Treasured Gift of the Light, your exquisite

  Comeliness sweeps over my soul like a wave;

Cleanse me of all desire to sin, take your hand

  In mine, and peacefully lead me to Paradise.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 13 by Joe Castorino

Virgin Most Faithful, embrace us tenderly

  And lovingly with God’s manifold graces;

Be our compassionate consolation and

  Powerful protection in times of stress.

 

We weep with the tears and sobs of sorrow,

  Yet you draw back the drapes of the tempest;

Then we see the most dazzling Son-shine

  And it profoundly pierces our soul with agape.

 

Your holy hand gently clasps our own and

  You show us the shortcut to His Sacred Heart;

Like a trusted guide you safely lead us away

  From the near occasion of sin's seduction.

 

Queen of our hearts, pray that we may make

  A firm resolution to serve God once more;

No matter how many times we fail and fall,

  Point us towards our happy heavenly home.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 12 by Joe Castorino

Virgin Most Merciful, I humbly kneel before

  You, who are truly the Queen of my Heart;

Slam shut the horrifying, hideous gates of hell,

  And deliver me from the dangerous enemy.

 

When the raging rivers of tribulation surround me,

  I seek your calm in the chapel of my heart;

Then when I remember your peaceful presence,

  The Light pierces the darkness in my soul.   

 

The saints sublimely sing to the conquering King

  And my soul sweetly revels in pure jubilation;

Your holy prayers are my perpetual consolation,

  And the Sun’s warmth wonderfully comforts me.

 

O lovely Lady, teach me the value of making a

  Wholehearted general confession to Our Lord;

I wish to make a fresh start in this new year,

  To live in Christmas joy every day of my life.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 11 by Joe Castorino

Virgin Most Venerable, may your cheerful

  Countenance light up our lives with joy;

Let your graceful serenity bring calm to the

  Anxiety of our tangled, troubled minds.

 

Pray that we may humbly raise our heads

  To our most holy Heavenly Father;

Encourage us, Dear Lady, that we may come

  To His Royal Majesty in complete confidence.

 

Your breathtaking beauty and sweet soul

  Inspire us to pursue innocent purity;

Open wide your arms to embrace us with

  God’s grand and glorious graces.

 

Teach us to follow the path that leads to

  The pristine waterfalls of Paradise;

The immaculate incense of your prayers

  Pleasantly perfumes God’s grandiose throne.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 10 by Joe Castorino

Mother of Our Savior, protect us from

  The clever plots of political putrefaction;

The disfigured face of evil is pasted over

  By the pretty mask of political correctness.

 

Please pray to our beloved Jesus for us,

  That goodness may reign in our land again;

May Christ refresh us with the cool water

  Of integrity in this dreary desert of doom.

 

Let not our adversaries tackle us with

  The blind-side blitz of deception;

Help us sprint into the end zone of truth

  With the power sweep of wisdom.

 

Guide those whom we elect to serve us,

  That their actions may please God;

Remind them of Judgment Day, that

  They may courageously choose life.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 9 by Joe Castorino

Mother of Our Creator, do not forget me

  When sudden sickness comes upon me;

Pray that the Master will lead me out of

  This medical maze of woeful weariness.

 

Kindly and gently open my clenched fists

  Which constantly seek complete control;

Help me to serenely surrender to the

  Savior and wholeheartedly trust in Him.

 

I thirst for living water, and you bountifully

  Bring me to the fountain of grace;

My heart leaps as it sees the falling water

  Glistening like strings of liquid diamonds.

 

Help me to prepare daily for death, the

  Bitter bridge leading to everlasting love;

Guide me towards the Messiah’s golden

  Light, that I may always choose life.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 8 by Joe Castorino

Mother of Good Counsel, teach me to

  Clearly comprehend God’s commandments;

In the storms of daily life, may the bright

  Beacon of His Word help me to choose life.

 

Blessed are your resplendent eyes, which

  Looked with love at the Babe of Bethlehem;

Blessed are the holy hands that compassionately

  Caressed Him in His swaddling clothes.

 

Assembled on the holy hills of Heaven, the

  Communion of saints rejoices in you;

In sunny splendor, the Lord of Light

  Smilingly crowns you as His wondrous one.

 

Pray that our frail feet may be kept far from

  The steep slope that slides down to sin;

Instead, let us find friendly comfort

  In your calm, caring countenance.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 7 by Joe Castorino

Mother Most Amiable, our hearts hail

  The stalwart strength of your friendship;

The soft whisper of your name is calamity

  And confusion to the odious enemy.

 

Our souls are consoled by your comforting

  Compassion and sincere care for us;

With the living water of the most holy Word,

  Cleanse us from the contamination of sin.

 

Pray that our carnal desires may drown

  In the pure, pristine ocean of God’s mercy;

Ask the Divine Captain to swiftly steer

  Our ships through the sweet seas of sanctity.

 

Let us never lose sight of the Lighthouse,

  Whose rays destroy the deadly darkness;

Guide us towards the Heavenly Harbor,

  The destination meant for us all.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 6 by Joe Castorino

Mother Undefiled, awaken me from my

  Slumber, to see the Son-shine again;

Coach me as I wrestle with the wrathful

  Enemy’s deceitful distractions.

 

God’s sword has cut the tangled tentacles

  Of temptation and has freed me;

Sweetly smile upon me, rejoice with me,

  And warmly welcome me home.

 

In my last bittersweet hour, calm me

  With your comforting countenance;

Pray that the Lord will drive away the evil

  One, lashing him with His whip of light.

 

With your words of wisdom, teach me to

  Appreciate God’s grand gift of creation;

Help me to grasp His goodness, that

  He has loved me from all of eternity.

TO ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS by Joe Castorino

A mystical priest, you are paradoxical:

Hated, you encountered Love,

Suffering, you experienced joy,

In trouble, you found peace,

Isolated, you surrendered in patience,

Maltreated, you felt kindness,

Kidnapped, you were generous,

Abandoned, you kept faith,

Abused, you replied with mildness,

Chaste, you were in ecstasy,

Unknown, you became famous,

Imprisoned, you found freedom,

In the dark night, you discovered Light.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 5 by Joe Castorino

Mother Inviolate, together with you,

  Let us offer a happy hymn of praise;

We worship the great God for blessing

  Us with the fragrance of His love.

 

Precious Lady, you are the most brilliant

  Star in all God’s glorious galaxies;

In your peaceful presence, we sigh

  Joyfully and contentedly.

 

Hoist up the flag of our devout faith,

  As we traverse the spiritual ocean;

Lead us safely through the savage storms of

  Temptation, and into the harbor of pardon.

 

Through your intercession, Jesus rains down

  Goodness and graces upon each of us;

Pray that He may totally cleanse sin’s

  Corrosive acid from our sullied souls.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 4 by Joe Castorino

Mother Most Chaste, I will always love

  You as my generous, gentle guide;

Our Father in Heaven has healed my

  Troubled heart through your holy hands.

 

I honor you, Jesus’ happy helper, who

  Wishes to bring harmony into my life;

Dear amiable advocate, pray that your

  Son will strengthen me against evil.

 

Let me sip of the cool refreshment

  Of your spouse, the Holy Spirit;

As the Messiah’s mother, you teach me

  The path that leads to total truth.

 

Marvelous Madonnina, let your dulcet

  Voice rise to God on our behalf;

Please petition His Divine Majesty, that

  He may annihilate all affection for sin.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 3 by Joe Castorino

Mother of Divine Grace, ever so kindly

  Preserve me in humble piety and patience;

Ask the gentle Jesus to pour upon me

  His heavenly hope and gladdening grace.

 

You merit praise for being a perfect mirror,

  Reflecting His merciful compassion;

Because of you, divine favors fall upon me

  Like starry raindrops from the sky.

 

I am a little candle in the cave, and the

  Birth of the blessed Babe is mystical to me;

Pray that your sovereign Son will help me

  To be single-hearted in the Spirit.

 

The Timeless One is triumphantly shoehorned

  Into Time, and He totally transfigures it;

Guide me and show me how to live in the

  Eternal present of the loving Lamb.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 2 by Joe Castorino

Mother of Christ, you are the treasured

  Tabernacle of the Most High;

The brilliant Sun magnificently shines

  Forth from you in spiritual direction.

 

Pray that we may be poor in spirit,

  Surrendering to Christ the Compassionate;

Pray that we may be pure in heart,

  Like the precious Poverello of Assisi.

 

Your luminous light-brown hair cascades

  Over your shoulders like a waterfall;

Your radiant smile lights up my soul,

  As I hold your soft, gentle hand.

 

You lead me in His holy footsteps, showing

  Me the short way, the easy way, to Jesus;

From the depths of my soul I love you,

  My Heavenly guide, my darling friend.

MARIAN SYMPHONY NO. 1 by Joe Castorino

Holy Virgin of Virgins, the foolish enemy

  Feverishly and frantically pursues me;

Bravely brandish the sword of the Spirit,

  And courageously cut him down.

 

Scatter his seditious stratagems, and

  Utterly destroy his devilish plans;

Through your lovely, delicate hands,

  May my prayers arise to Jesus’ throne.

 

The humble beauty of your sweet smile

  Eclipses the light of both sun and moon;

Your pristine prayers for me perfume

  Highest Heaven with the fragrance of roses.

 

Ask the Father to teach me truth: that holy

  Devotion is possible in any profession;

Quiet queen, ignite the little candle

  Of my heart with the fire of compassion.

TO SAN JUAN DIEGO by Joe Castorino

Humility was your middle name,

So at Tepeyac to you she came;

You really didn’t know what to say,

Your only thought was to stop and pray;

You became Our Lady’s holy slave,

Always trustworthy, and very brave;

You saw sweet roses out of season,

The Virgin gave them for a reason;

Then you brought them to the bishop’s place,

The people filled with God’s dazzling grace;

As at your tilma everyone gazed,

The most wondrous sign left all amazed.

OUR LADY OF JOY by Joe Castorino

As she serenely stepped out of the upper

  room, she rejoiced in a fresh new day,

She looked about her peaceful surroundings,

  drinking in the delicious goodness of God;

Clusters of clouds casually wafted by, so low

  that they brushed the pinnacle of the temple,    

They passed by like eager pilgrims, Eucharistic

  white against the bright blue morning sky;

Later that morning, she and the Apostles were

  deeply immersed in prayer when, suddenly,

She inhaled the sweet scent of God’s presence,

  and joyfully breathed in the Lord’s love;

The balmy breeze of grace swirled around her

  and compassionately caressed her,

She reflected on God’s glorious grandeur,

  and His magnificence soaked into her soul;

Then, the Word rushed through them all,

  as the Holy Spirit swiftly swooped down,

The bold beautiful breeze of heavenly hope

  placidly filled the sails of their souls;

The Paraclete, like a powerful, whirling wind,

  spectacularly sparked the wicks of their

Souls, and ignited the fire of love, which

  rippled through and rhymed in their hearts;

Then, Our Lady’s heart was passionately,

  preciously pierced by the sweet sword

Of the Spirit; her soul, suddenly

  brimming with God’s majestic mercy,

Soared in a spiraling celestial

  crescendo of God’s love for her;

With peaceful confidence, her heart,

  like a fiery supernova, exploded with

Feelings of love, joy, and peace,

  of patience, kindness, and generosity;

Her smiling eyes then beheld the

  flaming fire of Love resting on all, and as                                                           

She serenely surrendered all to the Spirit,

  like a giddy geyser she gushed

Torrents of light-hearted laughter

  and happy, heavenly tears; this golden

Cascade of pure love poured over

  her soul like a warm, wonderful

Waterfall of holy honey; deep down

  inside, the Spirit was strumming on

The harmonic harp of her heart, and

  she was deliciously, delightfully deluged

By this overwhelming ocean of her

  Jesus’ magnificent mercy and love;

The Light of the World had scattered

  and defeated the dreary dark night.

OUR LADY, UNTIER OF KNOTS by Joe Castorino

Their perplexed brows are

knitted into knots

as they impatiently try to

conquer the unconquerable,

and so they slowly slide down,

down the slippery slope

of depression and despair

into the murky darkness

of melancholic misery;

but Our Lady touches their hearts,

and most lovingly leads them

along a path trustworthy and true,

through the White Way of Light,

and up the majestic mountain;

then as they drink the delicious

new wine of Divine Mercy,

their wrinkles of worry dissolve,

their souls serenely smile,

their hearts are made whole,

and, to their utter amazement,

they are absolutely and totally

born again.