Nazareth House Apostolate Blog: pa barrie

St. Simeon Skete, Taylorsville Kentucky USA

With St. Simeon, the God receiver, as our patron, the skete seeks to practice the ideals found in our Rule, The Thousand Day Nazareth. In simplicity and poverty, the skete embraces the struggle of inner life through the practice of the Prayer Rope.

See our website at www.nazarethhouseap.org

Donations should be addressed to: Nazareth House Apostolate, 185 Captains Cove Drive, Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071.

Important Notice: All writings, posts, graphics & photographs in this blog are the copyrighted property of (unless otherwise indicated) Nazareth House Media, a division of Nazareth House Apostolate and cannot be copied, printed or used without written permission from NHA Media, Taylorsville, KY.

Showing posts with label pa barrie. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The 99 Intercessions of the Prayer Rope ©

"Is any among you afflicted?

let him pray," - James 5:13

The personalized, incarnational, salvific Name of the IAM is Jesus. He absorbs all the pain by becoming that pain - IAM. My Elder has wonderfully stated: "We approach the fullness of our union in Christ on earth when we begin to realize that in Christ we too are those who are like us in our pain right now. And in Christ we can cry out as them before the Father, right now, as we are! Not for them - that's caring. Not with them - that's compassion. But as them. That's Love." For whatever the hideous deeds done in His Name or in spite of His Name over the centuries, enough men and women in Christ's wake still drank deeply of His Spirit, of His Presence (IAM) Personalized (Jesus), thus opening to humanity an immense reservoir of mercy. In the following we ask for this mercy ninety-nine times, as the Father presents Jesus (33 times); as the Spirit presents Jesus (33 times); and as Jesus presents Himself IAM (33 times); thus saying "IAM Jesus" ninety-nine times for all of humanity, for all time.

When you begin, take the Prayer Rope in your left hand, with your forefinger and thumb on the tassel, which can be seen as a symbol of Pentecost, the outpouring of the the Spirit (St. Simeon Skete's Prayer Rope has a red tassel), and then asking the Holy Spirit to pray within you. Next, holding the Trinity Bead ask that "Christ, being lifted up on the Cross, might draw you to and through Himself into the communion of the Trinity." After that, make the sign of the cross with right hand saying "In the Name of the FAther and the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God" as your left hand/fingers take a hold of the first bead, launch into the 99 Intercession of the Jesus Prayer. Note: it is suggested to say the intro prayers of the Jesus Prayer Office and close with their closing prayers. You can also add this Intercession to the place within the Jesus Prayer Office where the Intercessions are made.

(proceed as so: "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on your church, Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on those who insist on being "right", Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on civil authorities...)

Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on:

...your church
...those who insist on being "right"
...civil authorities
...those who dislike us (me)
...those who love us (me)
...our parents
...the broken
...the elderly
...religious
...the defenseless
...the powerless
...youth
...schools
...those with addictions
...marriages
...families
...those who are with child
...widows and orphans
...the condemned
...those who are kind
...laity
...Bishops and clergy
...those who do not know You
...those who journey
...the imprisoned
...those in despair
...the poor
...those stripped of dignity
...those who ridicule Christianity
...those who aren't given a second chance
...the hidden
...the hungry
...those in spiritual darkness
...the sick
...the disabled
...the ill-favored
...the lonely
...those having to make a decision
...the ignored
...the despised
...the confused
...the ridiculed
...the outsider
...the weary
...those new to this country
...the confident
...those who need control
...the wronged
...those who are far from the church
...the beauty hidden in each person
...the wounded
...the suspected
...those assaulted
...the belittled
...those mocked
...the accused
...the rejected
...the forgotten
...those in sadness
...those perishing
...those who are afraid
...the untouched
....the abandoned
...those in misery
...those who trust in themselves
...those left behind
...the powerful
...the comfortable
...the afflicted
...our indifference
...those trapped in their intellects
...those who feel no need for mercy
...world leaders
...victims of human trafficking
...those hurt by 'religion'
...the stranger we saw yesterday
...the uncaring
...those who trust in their riches
...those in mental darkness
...those who extend hospitality
...those facing death
...those who use God
...those who do not practice their faith
...the proud/secure
...those who feel trapped
...those who have lost hope
...those living in time of war
...those who've had to flee
...those who embrace the system
...those who make and maintain denominations
...the abused
...those who want to end their life
...my heart
...my labors
...me to be the person You've always longed for
...me to love
...me to forgive
...me to trust
...Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner!

There is something beautiful and right about - "God so loved the world" and in these intercessions we are invited to love what God does. Those who have no one else to pray for them, know that they are being prayed for at the skete.

These are the beads that Seraphim used in Africa to pray the 99 Intercessions.

As you can see in the next picture, Seraphim is standing by his dearest friend, Pa Amadu Barrie, Waliullah, the Sufi Saint of West Africa whose epic program was to pray daily for Peace, Love and Unity throughout the entire world.

These two men both prayed together during the war in Sierra Leone -Seraphim praying the 99 Names of Jesus, Pa Amadu praying the 99 Names of Allah. In next week's blog post Seraphim will share the 100 Names of Jesus.

Monday, March 16, 2009

From Freetown, SL to Kindia, Guinea and back...

Written by James Mansaray, 16 March, 2009

(Pa Barrie's widow, Marianna, and James at St. Laurence House)

Greetings from Freetown, Sierra Leone

Having gone through several weeks of mourning for her late husband, Mama Marianna made yet another trip to Kindia town/ Conakry Guinea to pay last respect to her late husband, Pa Barrie.

( Pa Amadu Barrie, Waliullah -صديق الله)

It was our promise at NHA to continue helping and seeing her through this and to take responsibility for her hence forth.

(Fr. Seraphim and Mama Vicki paying the rent for 2009 of Marianna's tiny little "house")

Mama Marianna, Mama Vicki, Fr. Seraphim, Pa Barrie and Jaria Barrie at the Barrie Home, September 2008.

Mama Vicki and Pa Barrie, September 2008 at his home.

Below, the photo is of the inside of the Barrie house, storage of foods, etc.

Once more, I was on the road again last week to bring Marianna Barrie home. As usual, passing through that road is always hectic, meeting more military and police check points, harassment and not mentioning the pains from the continuous road bumps. Despite the dust and broken bridges,this time round I consider it much better. No trouble on the Sierra Leonean part of the road so it was a lucky trip. Thanks to you all for your prayers.

To prevent more damage to my working tools (Cameras) I bury them among my few clothes and placed all in my bag. Remember they damaged and almost took my only camera on the Guinean part during my last trip to Kindia, so I was kind of conscious and a bit worried making way through those guys again.

A quick stop at Conakry, before jumping into another jam-packed vehicle to Kindia the following day.

(James is wearing mask to prevent all the dust from entering his lungs during the drive)

Yet again at this big check point called Transis, a Guinean soldier having found no fault in me decided to take money from me somehow so he said that I need an official medical proof to enter their Country. I did’t know what to say, as he was already walking away with my Passport. God bless the heart of a lady sitting next to me who went out arguing on my behalf and brought back my Passport. Like Mama Vicki says "Miracles are LOUD in Salone" and they were shouting to make it so easy for me to cross the border this time.

Once in Kindia, Mama Marianna was there waiting and I received a warm welcome again from the few family members that I met there.

I just could not wait to see Pa Barrie’s grave again. It all seems as if he was waiting there to say "hello". I spent sometime there in prayers with Ibrahim, one of his Grandsons

and also Sheriff, a friend I made on my way to Conakry.

The thoughts of spending another dreadful night with bed bugs and killer mosquitoes was on my mind from my last trip... so I wasted no time the following morning to make it quick out of Guinea and cross the border post before it closes down. Mama Marianna never said a word nor climb out of that vehicle till we get home in Freetown, late that evening.

Eight hours from Pamalap to Freetown in a drive that was supposed to be just three hours. This time we squeezed into the car of the most rotten and bad driver I had ever met in my life, with no spare tires, no jack for his vehicle etc.

We had ten to fifteen break downs and any time this happens we have to wait for another vehicle to help up us out.

One long stop at Boamoi village where the tire could go no more so the bad driver finally decided to buy another old one.

Here I took a walk along the village greeting some of the villagers who were all in a happy mood

collecting peanuts and getting busy.

You’ll see the need but these people have no choice but to stick with it happily.

More kids rolling on the dust keeping the dry wind alive.

Thank God I am back home and Mama Marianna happy to be here.

She, along with me and the whole St. Laurence House family, say "hello" and send love to all at NHA for providing for and praying her back home safe.

Thanks for keeping up the support of Nazareth House and not forgetting needs of those in my country. You are making a difference. God bless you.
James.

Friday, March 13, 2009

James is back in Freetown

Fr. Seraphim and I have been in prayer during James' recent trip to Guinea. You may remember the difficult times he experienced in October (See Oct 2008 blog posts) last year. Crossing the border, etc. is not easy - Custom workers looking for bribes, etc.

James went to Kindia to escort Mama Marianna safely home from her final respects to her late husband, Pa Barrie. Her mourning is now officially ended, but her pain of the loss is not. I know how she feels, there is not a day that goes by that Fr. Seraphim doesn't mention Pa Barrie and misses him very much. Our time with him was too brief, but we are so thankful that we had the time that we did with him.

Fr. Seraphim promised Pa Barrie just days before his death, that we would take care of him and his family always. We hold to our promise and James' made sure his widow has returned safely to her home in Freetown.

To Pa Barrie, the most he could do, the best he could do, was to pray and pray without ceasing. He truly was a holy man, he is a saint by all definitions. Nazareth House is preparing the story of his life and will share this with you in time to come.

I am happy to report that I received word last night that James is home in Freetown, safe and sound. He is weathered (the trip always takes a toll on him) but okay. Thank you James, you are an honorable and wonderful man.

We love you, James. Tenki

Friday, October 24, 2008

Struggles of travel to Sierra Leone (Day 4)

By James Mansaray, Freetown:

We managed to get to the borders again and I had to pass the night there once more since the border was already closed. Sleeping place was the problem. A call from Mama Vicki lights me up a little since it was very cold there that night.

I finally found a sleeping room of ten for just three thousand Leones a night (a dollar). Very cheap but was it worth it? This I found when I got in there and this I wrote that night as I sat on my part of the ten man bed.

" As I write this down, it is still dark here. 2:35 AM I am right at the borders between Sierra Leone and Guinea. I just cant handle sleeping with ten strangers on the same bed in this hut, fearing theft or something else. My clothes still on, fearing more mosquito bites, the guy next to me rubbing and scratching all over his body. The other on the left side snoring like thunder signifying sound sleep in the mist of mosquitoes and bed bugs, he must be very comfortable with it.

At a distance a man talking at the top of his voice in Fula and a woman laughing. They, too, just cant sleep. The man next to me is up and he is talking to himself. I am scared, so I answered him, pretending to not be scared of him and as if I am used to the place. It is a long night and my flash light in my mouth to help me see what am writing. All these struggles in the name of Pa Barrie, yes, he deserves it.

Writing is good and it's a stress killer right here in this hut. Still killing time, still no sign of the morning light. Seems quite now, no sign of man talking in Fula. Tons of snoring this time from the nine guys. I love sleep-- but not here. My camera well held, you never know what might happen".

So it was that dreaded fourth night.

To be continued on next post tomorrow...

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Travel to Guinea for Burial Rights of Pa Barrie (Day 2)

Meeting Pa Barrie's extended Family: James Mansaray, Freetown

Day two was a little bit relaxed for we were on the better side of the road to Coyah town linking the capital Conakry and the Provinces. Here I finally got hold of Mama Vicki and my family back at St. Laurence house before heading to Kindia in another full car. After two hours we were there and we met several family (Barrie) members waiting, some crying and mourning together. I was greeted with peace, love, and tears of joy. At the grave side we said a prayer and back at the house I greeted the family and explained that I was sent by Fr. Hick's, the best friend of the late man. Their mouths were full of thanks and love for us to come that far to mourn with them.

After greeting and spending time with them, arrangements were made to mark the grave well, food and transportation money from NHA given to see that Mama Marianna and Jaria returned back to Freetown after the funeral rights were all observed. I was off again on the road. This time alone and it was the third day.

They all escorted me out of the compound with tears still on. I tried to keep mine but could not control it and at the end was in tears too, till I reach the bus station.

Tomorrow: more discomforts of the road

Trip to Guinea, escorting Pa Barrie Widow (Day 1)

Travels to/from Guinea: by James Mansaray, Freetown:

Writing this makes little sense for it's the worst and best trip that I had ever made. Worst in the sense because the roads are very bad, risky to travel on, broken bridges, hostile check point's guards on the Guinean side, passengers jammed packed like sardines together with goods and most of all spending ten hours in what supposed to be two hours.

Best trip on the other hand, for it brought us (NHA) and Pa Barrie's family much closer --seeing us all as one family. This does contribute to the work of NHA here in Sierra Leone and beyond taking peace in the midst of turmoil through prayers and love. Not counting the warm welcome and appreciation I got from this people when we got there.

My pity was for the old Mama Marianna (Pa Barrie's widow) who was struggling to handle the pain of her husband's death and the struggles to get there. Climbing up and down whenever we get to a bad point on the road. Sometimes, the driver's apprentice would have to go stand into the huge pool of water to make sure it is safe to drive on. Can you imagine doing all this at night? She could not say a word till we make it to Kambia town the following morning, where she asked for water. There was pain and fear all over my body on the first day.

(to be continued next post...)

Friday, October 17, 2008

Report about Pa Barrie from James Mansaray

Photos #1 & #2 are from the burial of Pa Barrie, his family with photos of Pa Barrie & Fr. Seraphim; and at grave side. The remaining are of Pa Barrie, James, Fr. Seraphim, Lucy and Roo of Nazareth House Apostolate.

Freetown, Sierra Leone: By James Mansaray, 17 Oct. 2008:
I must confess that the last couple of days have been very hectic, heart breaking, time of loss and mourning for Nazareth House Apostolate. In the midst of it all we see success and work still on for Nazareth House Apostolate in Sierra Leone. Thanks to all praying and supporting us.

After few weeks of the grand school opening ceremony in Kabala, NHA was greeted with several hiccups starting with the sorrowful death of baby Bangura in her mother's womb, and then the loss of our best friend Pa Barrie. I choose calling him
''THE PRAYER WARRIOR".

When this news broke up last Monday morning, it took us a moment to handle it. This holy man was everything you could think of. He was Poor, simple, honest and he was prayer. Due to some family reasons, Pa Barrie Was relocated to Kindia town which is in the northern part of Guinea by his eldest son. It is common in Africa that parents who always gets ill, weak or tired of working are sent to the village to rest and die. This was what happened in the first place and Pa Barrie had no choice but to go back home. We tried to convince him to stay but that he said he will do later.

On hearing the news of Mama Vicki and Father's presence in Sierra Leone, Pa Barrie wasted no time in making yet another trip in the broken roads and bridges linking Sierra Leone and neighbouring Guinea. Old and ill as he was, Pa Barrie managed it to see us all spending two odd days to reach Freetown.

It was a big reunion for him to be with us again. Fr. Just can't believe it when i told him that Pa Barrie's daughter called to tell me that the old man is here to see him before he returns to America. With no time wasted, we changed plans and went straight to the old man's house at Krootown Road. And then the interpretation started again between him and Fr. Seraphim. You can see the joy in him as he smiles to Father and as he kept looking at him every moment, rolling over his beads every second without even looking at them. Like Father always does, you will never see Pa Barrie idle, his hands always has a job to do with his beads. It's amazing seeing the two guys doing the same thing and at the same time. It must have started a long time ago, ordained by God.

I remember interpreting between him and father during this last visit. My mouth sometimes dry with over use of words. Father keen about learning more from this holy man, asking more questions on prayer as if he knew that Pa Barrie will soon be gone. Pa Barrie sick inside could not tell us how sick he was feeling inside. Maybe he thought he will be alright. He stressed about his desire to finish the month of fasting and then he will go on with more medical treatment. His desire and dream to see the holy land etc.

Looking at his medical papers, Mama Vicki gave him some Cipro and a full worm medication hoping this will help him out. We paid his way back and give him some pocket money for him to pack his stuffs and return back soon to Freetown. He has lost so much weight and looks thin inside but you could hardly tell he was here to say good bye.

On his way back to Guinea, Pa Barrie fell terribly ill. According to one of his relatives there, his desires was to better up, pack and return but his condition got so bad that he could not sit, eat nor walk out of the house. No chance for them to take him to the hospital, he soon lost his hands and legs and after several days his speech. Jaria his daughter who was here in Freetown was sent for to help him out. On arrival there, she called telling me about the seriousness of the illness and that Mama Marianna should go before it's too late. Plans were on for me to escort her to the village that way she won't go alone. Two days later we got the news that he is gone.

On his sick bed, Jaria was able to get few words from Pa Barrie. When Jaria mention of Fr. Seraphim, she said Pa Barrie smiled and was struggling to say something but his tongue could not let him. All he could do was pointing to his prayer beads as if asking Jaria to give them to father, followed by a long smile and tears in his eyes. Few minutes later that Sunday evening, he passed on to the other side of life leaving a legacy in the life of so many and more especially to father Seraphim who always sees Pa Barrie as a holy man.

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE AND MAY LIFE PERPETUAL ALWAYS SHINE ON HIM. AMEN.

To be continued....................

James B. Mansaray

St. Laurence House, Freetown.

Sierra Leone.

To see the photo web album of Pa Barrie, his family, etc. click on the link at the right side bar of this blog (under VISIT OUR OTHER LINKS) and be sure to view in Slide Show Option.

As with any pictures on this blog; click on any photo above to enlarge it.