Our Lady of Health, Vailankanni (Lourdes of the east)
Devotees walk upon their knees,
On sandy paths that's burning hot,
Unmindful of the scorching sun,
To see the Mother miraculous.
They show their faith and gratitude,
Through arduous journey from their homes;
And have a glorious glimpse of her -
The Virgin Mary, Christ's mother.
Throughout the year, millions throng here,
To see the one, who calmed the sea,
for sailors who had prayed for help,
and built a chapel, thanking her!
The shrine has turned Basilica,
Attracting pilgrims world-over;
Promising miracles to those,
Who put their trust on Mother dear.
Many come here to tonsure heads,
Or bore ear-lobes of their children;
As part of pilgrimage of towns,
To cope better life's ups and downs!
Many come here for inner peace
Of heart and mind, eluding long;
And purify their soul by grace,
By Mary's intercession fast.
Some come to spend their holidays,
To take some rest, and watch the sea!
The mystifying place has ways
To tread road to eternity!
Masses are said so frequently;
The church choir sings good melodies;
The lights and décor - feast to eyes,
that feel on earth, heavenly scene!
With gifts and offerings galore,
The pilgrims share testimonies
Of miracles that Mary wrought,
Healing the sick, diseased, infirm!
Candles are lit throughout the day;
Flowers are offered by pilgrims;
Prayers and hymns resound always;
Incense ascends heaven's stair-ways!
The Mother with her baby boy
Smiles heavenly to one and all,
And promises miracles, joy,
To those who pray, heeding her call!
The Indian Lourdes of the east!
Is spreading bliss and piety,
As Jesus lovingly obeys
His Mother's wishes, and requests!
Oh, what a way to get things done,
from Jesus Lord, Mary's own son!
The Queen of heaven and of earth,
God-blessed remains for Christ Lord's birth!
The tsunami that hit the coast
just stopped, short of the Church's steps!
Nature could not profane the place
of sanctity of Christ's Mother!
The place is much better these days,
As tall buildings afill landscape;
More pilgrims pray with piety
To Blessed Mary Ev'r Virgin,
Reciting rosaries to get
through Mary, favours from Jesus;
Purifying heart, mind and soul,
To enter God's abode - Heaven.
poem by John Celes
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Related quotes
Sonnet: Mary, Mother of God
O Heavenly Mother of Jesus Christ!
O Virgin Queen, our Mother too, divine
Who bore Him, yet became disciple first,
O Mother Great of Velankanni shrine.
O Mary, born without Original Sin!
Loving Mother of God’s begotten Son;
Conceived by Holy Spirit, still virgin;
Queen of Heaven, crowned stars and sun!
From earth, Mary assumed into Heaven;
The serpent Satan failed to win, because;
Mother of Perpetual Help for all men,
Mother of Sorrows saw Son die on cross.
O Mary, Intercessor, Lord’s with thee!
Pray for sinners, on earth and Purgatory.
13-6-2001
poem by John Celes
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Song in Honor of BVM on Her Birthday (Sept.8th)
Baby Mary born today,
Of Joachim and of Anne;
Chosen by God long ago
To Mother Jesus Christ Lord.
Blessed Virgin Mary dear,
Who found favor in God’s heart;
Mediatrix for mankind;
Pray for us to earn God’s grace!
Holy Mary, God’s Mother;
Queen of heaven forever;
Pure of heart, immaculate
Conception who bore Jesus.
Hail O Mary, clad in grace;
Crushed the Serpent’s head and face!
Help me pray more rosaries
For the souls in purgatory.
Give us health of body, mind;
Help us keep soul in pure state;
Guide us lead a holy life;
And avoid sin and all strife!
Speak O Mary to Jesus;
Help us win against Satan;
Save us from the fire of hell;
Show the way to God’s abode.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 9-8-2009
poem by John Celes
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The Holy Rosary
O let me say a ‘Hail Mary’,
And add a white rose to the crown,
Atop the head of Heav’n’s Queen –
Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ.
O let me say a rosary,
And place a crown of white roses,
Upon the head of Queen Mary –
Mother of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
The perfect array of prayers,
That brings all souls to Salvation,
By freeing them from every sin,
And bestowing God’s redemption.
Our Lady loves the Rosary,
And grants requests, reciting it;
And converts souls to divine love,
By warding off all evils rife.
Most powerful weapon on earth,
That draws God’s mercy and His grace,
And makes a person most devout,
And holy like Christ’s own mother!
The Rosary – gift of Mother
Mary, has every prayer
That’s needed for miracles too,
And heaven’s blessings, one can woo!
Mary, Jesus’ intercessor,
Can get things done, we ask from God;
And spares sinners from fire of hell,
And from Almighty’s just, fair rod!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-27-2008
poem by John Celes
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Prayer-song to Mother Mary
Queen of heaven and of earth,
She was virgin until birth
Of Lord Jesus, Son of God,
Through humbleness, faith and nod!
Hail Mary filled with God’s grace,
Raised above all men on earth;
You lived with a heavenly gaze,
Until assumed to God’s mirth.
Mother Mary, pray for us;
Get us divine forgiveness,
For the sins that we had done,
Crucifying Christ, your son!
Mother Mary, tell your son:
Keep the devils on the run;
Free our souls from every sin;
Against satan, help us win!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-17-2009
poem by John Celes
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‘Happy Birthday’, Mother Mary!
8th September – your birthday,
O Queen of heaven, all say;
The grace that filled your heart, aye,
Gave us and world, a mighty day.
O Maria Bambina!
Daughter of Joachim and Anne;
You acceded to God’s request
Through angel Gabriel.
You grew up in great piety;
God chose you from amongst women –
A virgin to mother a child,
A baby boy, Immanuel!
By pow’r of Spirit Holy,
You bore the sacred baby,
In your womb of sanctity,
O Mother Virgin Mary.
Hail Mary, Mother of Jesus;
Heavenly mother of mankind;
Look down with mercy upon us,
Ask God to cleanse our sin-stained souls!
O New Eve of the world of men!
The Word became flesh in your womb,
And born was the Lord, ‘King of Kings’:
You trounced Satan forever then.
Conceived without Original Sin,
Becoming Mother of God;
You set aside all Natural laws,
And gave birth to the Lord.
You brought Salvation to mankind
Through Jesus Christ your son,
Who came as Savior, Messiah,
And suffered a death on cross!
O Lady of great chastity!
You obeyed Almighty’s one wish;
Exalted more than angels, saints,
Heaven is now your true abode.
O perfect vessel made by God!
Afilled by grace up to the brim;
The most blessed among women,
Our Intercessor, Pure of heart.
O Mary most immaculate,
Assumed into heaven by God;
Do pray for us sinners on earth
And protect souls from fire of hell.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 09-08-08
poem by John Celes
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‘Happy Birthday! ' Dear Mary, Mother of Christ.
Blest is the virgin child who rose
To be, Christ's mother upon earth,
Although immaculate by birth,
And through her fiat, though God chose!
Blest is the womb that bore Jesus,
‘Immanuel' or ‘God with us! '
For although vexed in mind and heart,
Obeying God, she did her part!
Blest is the disciple of Christ,
Who made Him do miracles first;
And shared His agony till cross,
With sorrowful heart, by His loss!
Blest is the Eve who's Heaven's Queen,
With stars upon her crown for sheen,
Who intercedes for sinners all,
Who repent and obey God's call!
Blest is the Lady God-favoured;
To those who pray, she keeps her word;
Recite the rosary and see,
The world of men, transformed holy!
We wish you ‘Happy Birthday' Mother dear;
Heaven rejoicing today, let's all hear;
When we succumb to death, may you be near,
And preserve soul from mortal sin's great fear!
Dedicated lovingly to the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-09-12
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Mother Mary
She was with me, my Mother all the time;
Whenever troubles came and I was sad;
She was my perpetual succor- the prime;
My Mother from Heaven since I’as a lad.
O Mother Mary, Help of Christians all;
What miracles you wrought upon this soul!
And everytime I prayed to you to call;
You came to strengthen my will in my role.
O how on earth can I thank you, tell me?
And yet ungrateful is my mind and heart;
I continue to sin repeatedly;
My sinful burden outweighs my Life’s cart!
O Holy Mary, pray for me, I ask;
In Heaven’s Sun, one day, I wish to bask!
poem by John Celes
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Blessed Among Women
Mary is 'blessed among women'
not because of her qualifications
courses studied exalted prestigious
but because of her heart humility
all Mary’s grace came from Christ
Mary is vessel instrument of God
Mary exemplifies transformation
Mary exemplifies divine restoration
never to be forgotten in all eternity
God became human through Mary
virgin birth slays sin curse sanctified
true salvation is in Christ not Mary
Mary a human like every one of us
God born human like every one of us
Jesus Christ was a human being born
Mary gave born to God as flesh born
Jesus Christ flesh incarnate one of us
Jesus Christ flesh tempted as one of us
Jesus born our brother not a stranger
Jesus born suffers all temptation danger
Christ must grow in us as he did in Mary
Divine Kingdom of God is born in us
Holy Spirit through Christ is born in us
Holy kingdom of God is all around us
the Kingdom of God is not built of stone
the Kingdom of God is not Vatican Rome
the Kingdom of God is born in living flesh
thirty nine stripes conquers diseased flesh
Mary became blessed by accepting Christ
Christians become blessed by accepting Christ
through symbolic baptism reborn in Christ
Christ in a reborn Christian living as in Mary
all that is temporal disappears wasted despairs
heavenly soul created remains for all eternity
virginity of Mary was God's temporal restoration
paving God’s purpose choice accept salvation
poem by Terence George Craddock
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September 8th – Dear Mother Mary’s Birthday!
If not for Mary, would we have Jesus?
If not for Jesus, would we know Mary?
She was a Lady, prophesied truly;
She crushed serpent’s head, through Christ’s birth duly!
Her seed was Jesus, who fought the devil;
He won temptations, and over evil!
Mary was special, chosen by Maker,
To be Heaven’s Queen, God so did make her!
Mary was born of two saints, tells history;
Virgin was sin-free, says Bible story;
Her conception was immaculate, yes!
Generations will forever her, bless!
“Happy Birthday, Dear Mother Mary! ”
We gratefully recite your Rosary.
Prayerfully dedicated to our Heavenly Mother
By Dr. Celestine, wife Mercy, daughters: Cathy and Diana
Copyright by Dr John Celes 08-09-11
poem by John Celes
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Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Health, Vailankanni (A Thanks-giving Poem)
With hearts afilled with joy and awe,
We come to thank you, Mother dear;
For all the good things done so far,
Throughout the past, and present year!
O Queen of heaven, soul divine!
O Mary, Mother of Christ Lord!
You kept our family so fine,
Believing, living by the Word.
Do bless us in the future days,
And intercede to Jesus Christ;
Help us to live as per God's ways,
With purity of soul, as first.
O Lady of Miracles, Health!
Answer our prayers said all life;
Give us the grace and needed wealth
To tide over our earthly strife.
O Virgin who bore Jesus King!
Help us to fight the maligned foe!
Teach us to obey God and sing
A hymn of praise, thanksgiving, Oh!
O Vailankanni, born sin-free!
Help us to be holy like you;
And keep our soul heaven-ready,
By giving love to Jesus, due!
Pray for us, O Lady of Health!
Protect us from the devils' snare;
Prevent the tempter's attacks stealth;
Keep us under your loving care!
By Mrs. Mercy, Cathy, Diana and Dr.Celestine, Perundurai
Copyright by Dr John Celes 15-09-2012
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Prayer to Mother Mary
The Virgin Mother wearing stars for crown,
As angels sing a choir around her head,
And with Her feet, crushing the ‘serpent’ down!
‘Hail Mary, full of grace! ’ the angels said.
‘The lord’s with Thee; Thou art bless’d ’mongst women!
And bless’d is Jesus Christ, fruit of thy womb, ’
The mother of God and Queen of Heaven,
Our intercessor with God, beyond our tomb!
O Lady born without Original Sin,
Who brought forth Jesus on that Christmas night;
Our fight against temptations- helps us win;
O Mother chaste assumed by Heaven’s light.
Mother of sorrows- when Christ died on cross,
Please pray for us for our Heavenly cause.
30-8-2001
poem by John Celes
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A Special Prayer to the Blessed Mary Ever Virgin
Hail O Mary, full of grace!
Ev’r virgin with heav’nly gaze!
Mother of Christ and human race!
Bless’d lady with divine face!
Handmaiden of Son of God;
Woman who crushed the Serpent’s head;
Help of dying and those dead;
Favoured-most amongst kindred!
Virgin who bore Christ Jesus;
Have pity and pray for us;
Don our souls with Heaven’s dress;
Free us from all sins, trespass!
Mary with heart immaculate;
Succour to souls until date;
One who changes hell-bound state;
We pray, plead to better our fate!
Queen atop God’s mountain’s peak!
Perpetual aid of those who seek;
Mediatrix, miraculous, meek;
Strengthen minds, bodies, hearts weak!
Sorrowing heart that bears sorrows;
One who makes pleasant morrows;
Comfort of hearts pierced with arrows;
Better our lives and how world goes!
Mary with her Lamb of God;
Mother of the Saviour Lord;
‘Rosaried’ Virgin of Word;
Grant Peace to all souls and world!
Mary assumed into Heaven!
Give us health, relieve our pain;
Change to boon, our every bane;
Help us walk in Heaven’s lane!
poem by John Celes
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Mary’s Day (Feast of BVM assumed into heaven)
The mother of Jesus –Mary,
The anguished heart at Calvary;
The figurine with the rosary,
Is live at God’s own sanctuary!
‘Hail Mary, full of grace is live,
In body, soul assumed by God! ’
Like Christ, death could not her deprive
Of victory, glory, like her Lord.
The Immaculate Conception had
Become the handmaid of the Lord;
And in her sacred womb, the Word
Dwelt, receiving flesh, and was clad.
In Mary, heaven and earth had met:
The glorious Son Of God was born;
Her obeisance to God had set
Satan’s defeat, and newer dawn.
The lady clad in sun as gown,
And stars upon her head as crown,
And moon beneath her feet to stand,
Reached heaven with angelic band.
God raised the sinless virgin bride
To be Queen of Heaven, beside
The Lamb of God, who lives and reigns
In endless glory that ne’er wanes.
All angels, saints pay homage then,
To Mary Blessed, Queen of Heaven;
All righteous souls, She longs to see –
Humanity in Eternity.
Dedicated to the BVM on her ‘Feast of Assumption’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 15-08-2010
poem by John Celes
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God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
In Bethlehem in Jury
This blessed babe was born,
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn;
The which his mother Mary
Nothing did take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came,
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
Fear not, then said the Angel,
Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of virtue, power and might;
So frequently to vanquish all
The friends of Satan quite.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
The Shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a feeding
In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed babe to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereas this infant lay,
They found him in a manger
Where oxen feed on hay,
His mother Mary kneeling
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day.
poem by Anonymous Americas
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Our Lady of Health, Vailangkanni!
O Queen of Heaven, Star of Sea!
Our dear Annai Vailangkanni!
So many met a grave, watery!
Could you not stall the Tsunami?
A lady with her infant child,
Who wore stars for crown on her head,
Had appeared in a divine way,
When sailors prayed for help, that day!
The Portuguese promised to build
A church for her if she would quell
The stormy sea, threatening to kill;
And take them safe to shore God-willed!
They knelt and prayed to her with tears:
‘Mother of Jesus, take our fears;
O Spare our lives for ones all dear! ’
The Queen of Health did promptly hear.
The sea became all quiet, calm;
The ship was protected from harm;
The sailors landed on the shore
Where stood ajar, a church’s door!
Our lady with infant Jesus
Had saved their lives from Satan’s curse;
Their hearts with gratitude afilled;
By miracle, the sea was stilled!
They built a bigger church for her;
And hoisted flag of dear Mother;
The church wrought miracles with time,
As people flocked to her all clime.
O Queen of Heaven, Star of Sea!
Our dear Annai Vailangkanni!
How many died so easily!
Could you not stall the Tsunami?
Perhaps, if they had prayed to her,
She would have saved their lives, mother;
Yet, those inside the Church escaped,
As sea-water did not enter!
While many those around saw death,
Caught by the swirling killer waves,
With death and destruction galore,
The church was spared by miracle!
Pray for us, O Mother Mary!
With tears we say the Rosary;
Our lives at times do turn scary;
Our cross in life, Help us carry!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 6-24-2008
poem by John Celes
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Assumption Of The Blessed Mary Ever Virgin, Mother Of Christ
A sun-clad lady rose up in the skies,
With body, soul soon after she had died;
The conception immaculate, divine,
Theotokos, to heaven got assumed!
All Apostles were gathered for the show,
Except St.Thomas, as angels took her,
Through clouds, heaven-wards, to be besides Christ,
Whom she borne with love as earth's mother!
Death dared not prevent her from doing so;
The woman God-favoured is Heaven's queen;
Her role against satan was spectacular;
So, God rewarded her with permanent sheen!
The virgin who bore Christ within her womb,
The lady who gave flesh to God's Word-seed,
And reared him, saw him suffer to the tomb,
Resurrect, thus became blessed indeed!
The mother with a heart of sorrows then,
Was taken now to God's abode - Heaven;
To be united with her womb's fruit, Lord -
Jesus loved her and kept His promised word!
The Son has glorified His loving mom!
She did as God commanded her to do,
And helped defeat satan and his legions;
O Mary, help of Christians, Pray for us!
poem by John Celes
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A Catholic House-warming Prayer
By sweat of human forehead built,
And money earned in honest ways;
Reside good Christians within it;
God bless this family always!
O Holy Spirit, Dove of peace,
Preserve love, faith and unity;
Help us to live our life with ease
Through fortitude and piety.
O Mother Mary, pray for us!
Ask Jesus Christ to ever bless,
And keep our souls in grace of God,
Until we part to His abode!
Saint Joseph, show us God is first,
And how to be a father best;
And teach our children about Christ,
And emulate the Holy Nest.
O saints and angels, dwell here-in;
Pray that we stay away from sin;
And keep our soul’s gaze towards God,
Living our lives, like Jesus Lord.
O Jesus Lord, bless us, we pray;
Protect this home both night and day;
Help us to carry our life’s cross,
And serve God nobly without pause!
Lord Jesus, be our guiding Light;
Help us to speak the Truth always;
Goad us to do all things aright;
Proclaiming God to human race!
Dedicated lovingly to my dear sister Dr. A.Sugagemma, M.D.,
Dr. Gangadharan M.S., and son, Gautham Anto
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-17-2009
poem by John Celes
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Pray to Mary!
Pray to Mary, ask her help!
The Queen of Heaven is the one,
Who wears the stars and sun for crown;
The Mother of Jesus, God’s Son:
All miracles, she can get done.
Pray to Mary, plead to her,
To free the world from sin and crimes;
To free the minds from sinful thoughts;
To free the atheists, heretics;
To free the devil-stricken souls!
Pray to Mary, beg mercy:
Of souls who won’t believe in God;
To spread the Word of God to all;
To free earth from Nature’s onslaughts;
To safe-guard man from disasters.
The rosary is the weapon
To free the world from all evils;
The rosary is the device
To drive away devils and vice;
The rosary is Mary’s choice
Of prayer by all men, soul-wise!
poem by John Celes
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Mary Mary Magdalene
Mary Mary Magdalene,
what do all those stories mean?
Mary, Mary, is it true,
Jesus had a thing for you?
Mary, Mary – He lay with you?
Mary, Mary, tell me true
Mary, Mary, red hair wild,
did He leave you great with child?
Mary, was your love so steady,
that you had had His kids already?
Mary, Mary, at the Cross,
did it feel a gain or loss?
Mary, Mary – on that third day,
what was it like with the stone rolled away?
Mary, Mary, running there with love,
what did you think when He rose above?
Mary, Mary – what was it like, after?
Were there tears or joyful laughter?
Mary, Mary – the kids you had –
did they turn out like their Dad?
Mary, Mary, whore redeemed,
did it work out like you dreamed?
Mary, Mary – your afterlife –
was it mostly love, or mostly strife?
Mary, Mary, were you worshipped or despised
As Mary’s daughter-in-law, Mrs. Christ?
Mary, Mary, did you stay,
or feel you had to take the kids away?
Mary, Mary, with so much love,
did you, too, rise to heaven above?
Mary, Mary, in the sky,
all we ask are the reasons why…
Mary, Mary Magdalene,
What is really true? What does it really mean?
poem by Michael Shepherd
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Home Above
Home is not this earth for us, for soon we’ll be with Christ Jesus,
With Him in our Heavenly abode, at the end of our temporal road.
A place He prepared for those, who truly believe the Savior rose,
And this home is for all eternity, where with Christ we’ll forever be.
Until then, we shall live for God, as pilgrims upon this earthly sod,
Living for The Lord in The Light, in this world where wrong is right.
As we journey, in this dark place, through the power of His Grace,
Pointing all men to Eternal Life, through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Told by Christ to feed His sheep, this as this world is fast asleep,
So together more can behold, God’s Shepherd of an eternal fold.
We’re given by Him eternal hope, helping us in this world to cope,
Not to focus only down here, but, on Christ, whose return is near.
We, who are like sheep going astray, need to be ready every day,
For the return of Christ, our Lord, who’s now standing at the door,
The door of each believing heart, who from earth will soon depart,
To be where we’re meant to be, with our Savior forever, in eternity.
Soon He’ll come for all His own, to take us to our Heavenly home,
When in the twinkling of an eye, we’ll meet Christ Jesus in the sky.
When we hear the trumpet sound, here on earth we’ll not be found,
As we’re gathered in the clouds, with many other heavenly crowds.
(Copyright ©03/2008)