28 February 2012: “Nuestra Señora de la Soledad”

The Virgin of Solitude
The image at the shrine of Porta-Vaga at San Roque, Cavite City was found floating at sea surrounded by strange lights; presumed to have come from a wrecked ship. Many galleons originated from the naval port of Cavite. Devoutly venerated by sailors. (Fr Charles Belmonte, “Aba Ginoong Maria”, 1990, pp160-61)
Also known as “Nuestra Señora de La Paloma”. (Nicanor G Tiongson, in “Filipino Heritage”, 1977, VII:1735)

Lourdes, The eleventh apparition
‘Sunday.’ The crowds kept growing larger. About 1500 people gathered to watch Bernadette repeat the gesture of penitence that the Virgin asked her to do. After her ecstasy she went off to church to attend Mass.
As in the previous Sunday, a policeman, waiting at the exit took her to M. Dutour’s office for further questioning, this time in the presence of Magistrate M. Riges. Scoldings, warnings, threats all failed to move Bernadette’s steadfast self-control.
Ref: G Menotti, “Lourdes”, 10

On the three temptations of Jesus
The devil, a skilful tempter, studies our natural dispositions of body and mind. Seeing that Jesus, having fasted forty days and forty nights, was hungry; he pretended to take compassion on him.
Approaching Jesus in human form, he said -- “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Lk 4:3).
Jesus rebuked him, “Not in bread alone does man live, but in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Lk 4:4). Though rebuffed, the devil returns to try a more subtle temptation addressed to the intellect.
“... he took him up into the holy city, and set him upon a pinnacle of the temple, ... said to him -- ‘If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down; for it is written, he has given his angels charge over you, in their hands shall they bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone’. ... Jesus replied: ‘It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God’.” (cf Mt 4:6-7)
The devil, defiantly taking advantage of the permission to tempt Jesus, took him to the top of a high mountain. Showing to Jesus all kingdoms of the world, told him:
“To you will I give all this power and their glory; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will give them. If you, then, will adore me, all shall be yours. Jesus said to him, ‘Begone, Satan; for it is written, The Lord thy God shall you adore, him only shall you serve’. The devil left him; behold angels came and ministered to him.” (cf Lk4:5-8)
The first temptation was of ‘gluttony’, that Jesus satisfy the demands of nature by a miracle. In our case, we must not seek eagerly what gratifies the palate, or to eat and drink simply for enjoyment.
Let us feed the body for necessity, but the soul in abundance. What folly would it be to entertain our body at the expense of our soul -- of our eternal salvation!
The second temptation, a trap for ‘vain-glory’, would have established the authority of Jesus and prepared the way for the success of his preaching. Admittedly, the devil made use of a most clever pretext.
The devil never retires from the assault. Even our victories give him fresh matter for temptation.
He may even transform himself into an angel of light and suggest some evil disguised as a virtue. Such as anger, strife, vengeance, under the guise of zeal; intemperance or idleness, for reasons of health.
The devil seduces us by lies and false promises, picking our pride and evil inclinations. In a word, ‘ambition’.
On the other hand, God is faithful and generous in consoling those who resist temptations steadfastly, even sending his angels to give them the virtue of fortitude.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp344-7

To Catholics
“Favor and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter 1:2)
Like Peter, I would first of all give thanks for the lively hope that is in you and which comes from the risen Christ. I would exhort each of you to be grateful to God and firm in faith, as ‘children of obedience’, also keeping your souls ‘in obedience to the truth’, in a sincere fraternity, with honorable behavior among the peoples, so that, seeing your good works, they may glorify God ...
Yes, I would invite you to consider this letter as particularly yours ... read it carefully and meditate on every statement ...
I would draw your attention to one of its exhortations: “Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply, but speak gently and respectfully. Keep your conscience clear.” (2 Peter 3:15-6)
These words are the golden rule for relationships and contacts which the Christian has to have with his fellow citizen of a different faith. ... Always have the courage and pride of your faith. Deepen it.
‘Get close to Christ ceaselessly’, as living stones in the cornerstone, sure of reaching the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls ... Draw with joy upon the gushing fount of the Eucharist. May He fill you with His charity!
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p68

Our Lord always hears us
If we learn to remain attentive, Jesus will reply in words inviting us to a greater generosity, in words that will enlighten us so that we may act according to the will of God. Without his word we would stumble, lost or disoriented. Guide me, Lord, in my ways, and do not leave me in the midst of such darkness.
“The ears of the Lord are always attentive” (St Peter of Alcantara, “Treatise on Prayer and Meditation”, I, 4) to a sincere request, made with a right simple intention, like that of a child who speaks with his father, as a friend speaks with a friend. Our heavenly Father always hears us, though at times the impression is he does not. On occasion, prayer will be a conversation without words but remain equally effective.
“It is also of benefit”, states St Peter of Alcantara, “to consider that we have our Guardian Angel beside us, and in prayer more effectively than at any other time, because he is there to help us and to bear our prayers to heaven and defend us from the enemy.” (St Peter of Alcantara, “Treatise on Prayer and Meditation”, II, 4, note 5)
Jesus speaks to us in prayer. And the Blessed Virgin, our Mother, shows us how to go about it: ‘Do whatever he tells you’, she advises us, as she did the servants at Cana.
Let us go to her to teach us to speak to Jesus, and to know how to listen to him. Let us renew our resolve to put more effort each day into our prayer.
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:335-8

• Our Lady of Tears (1522, Italy). (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Institution of the monastery of the Annunciation, at Bethune in Artois, by Francis de Melun and Louisa de Foix, his wife, in the year 1519. — Fereolus Locrius. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Monastery of the Annunciation at Bethune in Artrois 1519. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Institution of the Monastery of the Annunciation, Bethune, France (1519). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Monastery of the Annunciation. Bethune, France. 1519. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)