17 October 2012 Spiritual advice of St Theresa of Avila Among numerous admirable and edifying writings of St Theresa, we find the rules concerning perfection a pledge of her love to the children of Carmel. Let us profit by them, and meditate today on some of them. ‘Advice on the use of the tongue.’ Speak little, especially amidst many people. Never praise yourself, your knowledge, good deeds or birth. If it may be useful, do it humbly, remembering these are all gifts of God. Never excuse yourself, unless there is some strong reason for it. Avoid all disputes especially in things of little consequence. Speak to everybody with quiet cheerfulness. Never exaggerate nor assert anything unless you are very sure of it. Never speak without first thinking so nothing which can offend may escape you. When anyone speaks on spiritual subjects, listen with humility. In talks and conversations where you must take part, always mingle some words about spiritual life. You will thus avoid idle words and detraction. Accommodate yourself to the dispositions of people you have to deal with and strive to gain everybody. Avoid individuality for it is a great evil. Do everything as if God is truly present. It is a sure means of making great progress in virtue. Never let the devotion in your heart appear, unless some great necessity requires it. ‘My secret is my own’, said St Bernard and St Francis. Don’t be curious about what do not concern you. Be gentle to others, severe towards yourself. Never reprove anyone while you are angry, but wait till you are calm. Let your joy be ever humble, gentle, modest and edifying. Make known all your temptations, imperfections, and repugnances to your director and your confessor, that they may give you counsel. Never eat and drink except at the appointed times. Never leave off humbling and mortifying yourself in all things until death; have a particular devotion to St Joseph. Think during the day on what you have meditated in the morning. Often make acts of love for God. Do think only of the virtues of others, not of their imperfection. As regards yourself, think only of your faults. Think that you have but one soul, that you will die but once; that you have but one life, which is short. That there is but one glory, which is eternal; and you will easily detach yourself from things of earth. Seek God in all things and you will find him. Let your desire be to see God, your fear be to lose him, your sorrow not yet to possess him, your joy all that can lead you to him. And you will live in great peace. Resolve, after a careful examination, to reform all that is contrary in you to these rules of wisdom. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp664-6 Criticism “I shall never tire telling you that anyone who has a duty to judge must listen to both sides, to both bells. ‘Is it that our law condemns a person without first having heard him and learned what he does?’, Nicodemus, that upright, noble and loyal man, reminded the priests and the Pharisees who sought to kill Jesus.” (“Josemaria Escrivá, 29 September 1957”) The people, things and events we meet up with provoke us to form opinions, to make judgments. The noblest gift our Lord has so generously given us, takes up a certain position vis a vis ourselves and our surroundings. Our criticism must always be that of an upright man, a friend, a Christian; constructive, pleasant and sanctifying. Strive always to avoid criticism of the person himself and his intentions. Always respect him; you must not intrude on the sanctuary of his person and his interior world. God our Lord wants us to be men of sound judgment; to be able to assess people, circumstances and events with supernatural outlook and a practical approach to life. Ref: Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp64-5 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Mystical Rose’ -- Of Mary, it is said in the sacred Canticles, was the Garden of God, “My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed” (Cant 4:12). St Bernard writes, ‘our Lord planted all the flowers which adorn the Church in this garden; and amongst others the violet of humility, the lily of purity, and the rose of charity’. ‘A rose is red, and of fiery color’, says Blessed Raymond Jordano, ‘which denotes love of God and of our neighbor’; therefore, on account of the ardent love with which the heart of Mary was always inflamed towards God and us, she is called a rose. And where can we find an advocate who is more earnest in the affair of our salvation, or who loves us more than Mary? ‘We acknowledge’, says St Augustine of her, ‘that one alone is solicitous for us in heaven’. O my dear Mother, could I but love you as you love me! I will not, however, cease to do all that I can to honor and love you. My most sweet Lady, do obtain for me the grace to be faithful to you. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:323 The Holy Rosary and Indulgence A ‘plenary indulgence’ is granted when the rosary is recited in a church or oratory; or when recited in a family, a religious community or a pious association. A partial indulgence is granted in all other circumstances. The rosary is a prayer formula divided into fifteen decades of “Hail, Mary’s” with the “Lord’s Prayer” separating each of these decades. It has become customary to call five such decades the “rosary” also. In this usage then, the following norms are given as regards a plenary indulgence: 1) The recitation of a third of the rosary is sufficient for obtaining the ‘plenary indulgence’, but these five decades must be recited continuously. 2) Devout meditation on the mysteries is to be added to the vocal prayer. 3) In public recitation the mysteries must be announced in accord with approved local custom; but in private, it suffices simply to join meditation on the mysteries to the vocal prayer. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:309 • Dedication of the Crypt of Our Lady of Chartres, by St Pontianus, in the year 46. Dedication of the Church of Citeaux, in the diocese, of Chalons under the title of Our Lady. — Sebastian Rouillard, c. 4, n. 4. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Cave of Our Lady of Chartres, France. 46, by St Pontianus. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre Dame de Chartres”. By St Pontianus. France. 40, 46. July 13, August 6, 17; December 22, 31. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Dedication of the Church “Sainte Marie” of Chartres (France, 768). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • On the “Weeping Madonna” of Syracuse. A principal address by Pope Pius XII on this day in the 1954 Marian Sicilian Congress. (“1955 National Catholic Almanac”, p46)

16 October 2012 Chastity “... our chastity is a joyful affirmation, a logical consequence of our surrender to God’s service, of our love: Josemaria Escrivá, 24 March 1931.” Chastity, perfect chastity, is the other side of the coin of love. A simple example, taken from human love, will help us understand and strengthen our hold on the meaning that this virtue should have for us. When a man really loves a woman and loves her to the extent of wanting her to be his companion for life, this love is and should be necessarily exclusive: this love fills his heart, his whole life, and logically excludes other loves which are incompatible with it. Well, this heart with which we love the world and people in the world is the same heart with which we have to love God our Lord: and this same heart which we give to the clean noble loves of the earth is the heart which you and I have given to Jesus. We have followed him, renouncing joyfully other affections which, although they are human affectons, do not cease to be fine ones. Those who followed an earthly love had their eyes open and their heart full; and we, who have followed a heavenly love, also had our eyes open and our heart full. Ref: Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, p51 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Vessel of singular devotion’ -- St Thomas teaches that devotion is the readiness with which our will conforms to the will of God. This was the principal virtue which rendered our most Holy Mother so dear to God. O blessed are you my Lady, who was always, and in all, united to the divine will. Obtain for me the grace to spend my life in constant conformity to the will of God. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:323 Jesus dines in a Pharisee’s house “A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him. Going in, he sat down to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not wash before dinner. Then the Lord said, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish; but your inside is full of greed and wickedness!’” (Lk 11:37-9) In this figure, by which a man is compared to a vessel, Jesus tells us that we should never neglect the exterior, which all can see; but the interior, the purity of the soul, claims first priority. This is what makes a man meritorious before God. If, then we wish to be free from all reproach, our endeavors should be directed chiefly to the formation of our ‘interior man’, but not to the exclusion of the ‘exterior’. There are three things which form the interior man upon whom God looks with pleasure: 1) Purity of soul: freedom from stains of mortal sin; but, as much as possible, of venial sin also. 2) Union with God by a spirit of prayer. Living by God and in God, seeing God in all things. 3) Purity of intention, by which we seek only to please God, and therefore, make our actions resemble him. How do we stand regarding purity of conscience, union with God, purity of intention? Let us ask God to show us in which of these qualities we have been wanting; and to give us the grace and courage to acquire it. Let us make it often the subject of our examination of conscience. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp645-7 St Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin A nun of the Visitation Order, she had many mystical revelations about devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and endeavored to propagate it to the whole Church. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1668) The spirituality of St Margaret Mary Her way of sanctity is rooted on the principle of what she calls ‘Pure love’, completely empty of self, persisting amidst aridity, suffering and desolation; a totality of loving because Christ will either take all or leave all. It is found in our own lowliness when we love God whatever he may do with us; a complete annihilation of self, abandonment and self-forgetfulness which lead to union with Christ. A total return of love that he desires of us. ‘Pure Love’ is connected with suffering and humiliation. First, “... self-love is a poison that ruins everything”. The self must die and be buried in oblivion. Self-love makes us want to go on our own. Such obstacle to grace is so prone to tarnish the purity of divine love. The second reason is simply their connection with Christ and his love for us. His love led him to choose suffering and humiliation as means for redeeming humankind. To love him then, is to love as he loved. There is a mystical connection between love and suffering which is characteristic of devotion to the Sacred Heart. St Margaret writes: “True it is that one who loves does not think even in the midst of the greatest suffering that he is suffering anything. You will surely grant me that no one can love without suffering.” Margaret Mary’s desire for suffering, humiliation and oblivion, arising from her burning desire for Pure Love brought her joy, happiness and peace. The rigorous logic of love makes her conclude that if God is pleased, that should suffice for us. There is no longer any suffering for those who ardently love Christ. St Margaret Mary also says that love brings peace. The gift of self in Pure Love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus brings in our hearts his reign of love and peace. Amidst very great bitterness, she finds the joy of unchanging peace arising from her desire to belong to God; to count as nothing the praise and blame of men. Ref: A F Makalinao, “St Margaret Mary Alacoque”, pp11-3 St Hedwig, religious The wife of the Duke of Poland, an exemplary mother of seven children. She led a life of piety and solicitude for the poor and the sick. On becoming a widow, she retired to a Cistercian monastery. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1668) St Gerard Majella, religious Patron of expectant mothers as a result of a miracle effected through his prayers for a woman in labor. (Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, 1989, pp431, 433-4) • Dedication of Our Lady of Milan, by Pope Martin V, in the year 1417. This church was built in 1388 by John Galleas, Duke of Milan. — Philip Bergomonsis, lib. iv Supl. ann. 1388. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of Milan (1417) by Pope Martin V. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Madonna della Milan”. By Pope Martin V. 1417. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • The Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Feast of Mary’s Purity. (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Purity (celebrated by the Theatine Fathers). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Purity of Our Lady. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p630) • Our Lady of the “Barangay”. Jaro, Iloilo PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

15 October 2012 St Theresa of Jesus (St Theresa of Avila) Virgin and Doctor of the Church In her autobiography, is a statement worthy of our attention: her endless struggle against the impulse of grace, which pressed her to give up her very frequent and intimate conversations with lay persons. “God called me on the one hand, and the world drew me away on the other. My soul was always troubled. I passed twenty years in this struggle. My falls were numerous, and I rose again but slowly. “One day, by order of my confessor, I earnestly asked God that he would make his own will known to me. I had an ecstasy, distinctly heard these words: ‘I will that for the future you converse only with the angels’.” The light of grace to Theresa, she gave up forever her old friends; and longed only for crosses and labors for the love of Jesus. Henceforth, she made immense progress in perfection. God poured his choicest gifts upon her. The wonder of her name and writings remains to this day. The saint obtained what she was always asking for: ‘To suffer for Thee, my God, or to die.’ She had continual bodily suffering, and for a long time an object of persecution from without. Treated as extravagant, a visionary, a hypocrite; even as one possessed, and a heretic. Her sufferings were equalled only by her deep humility and unshaken patience. After the example of St Theresa, let us try to make sacrifices; willingly accept the crosses God pleases to send us. We shall certainly obtain a large share in his liberal gifts. The ancient and illustrious order of Carmel, due to troubles of the times, had lost much of its primitive spirit. God inspired St Theresa to revive it. Among the greatest marvels of her life is her success in causing a very severe reform to be accepted by women and men who recognized her as their mother. She had to overcome obstacles on all sides; endure many troubles, labors, and mortifications during the last twenty years of her life which were consecrated to this difficult work. Her large heart and confidence in God, together with a wonderful skill in managing business, carried her through it all. She had the consolation of seeing firmly established seventeen convents of women and fifteen of men, which she had founded. After her death, the number greatly increased. To this day we see the order of Carmel flourishing, producing men and women distinguished by their virtues, talents, and success in the sacred ministry. Let us bless God for what he effected in St Theresa and by her in others. Let us pray that we also may do some great thing for God, or at least sanctify ourselves. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p662 St Theresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church Theresa of Jesus is the stream which points back to the spring; the splendor which leads to the light, Christ, the “Master of Wisdom”, the “Living Book”, in whom she learned her truths. He is “the light of heaven”, the Spirit of Wisdom, which she invoked that he might speak in her name and guide her pen. The ‘first woman doctor of the universal Church’, she made herself a living word with God, she called to friendship with Christ, she opened up new paths of fidelity and service to Holy Mother Church. I know she reached the hearts of bishops and priests so as to renew desires for Wisdom and Holiness in them, to be “light to the Church”. She exhorted the religious “to follow the evangelical counsels with all perfection” so as “to be servants of love”. She lit up the experience of Christian laypeople with her doctrine of prayer and charity, the universal way of sanctity. For, like the Christian life, prayer does not consist “in thinking much, but in loving much” and “all by their nature are capable of loving”. Her voice has resounded beyond the Catholic Church; aroused response at the ecumenical level and given rise to bridges of dialogue with treasures of spirituality of other religious cultures. I am happy above all, to know that the young has enthusiastically accepted St Theresa’s word. Among the holy women of the Church’s history, Theresa of Jesus is undoubtedly the one who responded to Christ with greatest fervor of heart. Christ Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, was Theresa’s model. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p360 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Cause of our joy’ -- The dawn is a cause of joy after the darkness and gloom of night. A holy Father says, ‘in Mary’s birth, the dawn appeared’, which, before the coming of Jesus Christ, had been for 4,000 years immersed in the darkness of sin. The dawn precedes the sun. Mary was the precursor of the Incarnate Word, the Sun of justice, the Redeemer, who, by his death, delivered us from eternal death. Mary was the beginning of our joy; also its completion; for St Bernard says, ‘Jesus Christ deposited the whole price of our redemption in the hands of Mary; that every grace which we receive, we may receive it from her.’ O Mother of God, my joy and hope; you deny your graces to no one, and obtain all you will from God. Ref: “The Glories of Mary”. In “Documentation Service”, V:323 The Eucharist “The other sacraments, as well as every ministry of the Church and every work of the apostolate, are tied together with the Eucharist and are directed toward it. The most Blessed Eucharist contains the entire spiritual boon of the Church, ie, Christ Himself, our Pasch and living Bread, by the action of the Holy Spirit through His very flesh vital and vitalizing, giving life to men who are thus invited and encouraged to offer themselves, their labors and all created things, together with him. In this light, the Eucharist shows itself as the source and apex of the whole work of preaching the Gospel. Those under instruction are introduced by stages to a sharing in the Eucharist, and the faithful, already marked with the seal of Baptism and Confirmation, are through reception of the Eucharist fully joined to the Body of Christ. ...” Ref: Second Vatican Council, “Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests”, n.5. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1494 • Dedication of Our Lady of Terouenne, in the year 1133, by Milo, its thirteenth bishop. — Jacob Meyerus, lib. ii., Annal. Flandriae. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of Terouenne (1133). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Terouenne (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Blessing of Our Lady of France. (Baillet-en-France, 1988). (www/mariedenazareth.com)

14 October 2012 • Our Lady of the Rosary “La Naval de Manila” Quezon City, PHL. Moveable feast -- Second Sunday [14 Oct 2012] in October. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) St Callistus I, pope and martyr Known for his mercy and understanding of repentant sinners; fixed the discipline of the Sacrament of Penance. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1666) Death of a tepid and a fervent person Sickness changes no one, but shows what he is (Thomas à Kempis, “The Imitation of Christ”); because it makes more difficult to disguise our character. How true this is in the death of a tepid person. What is he like in his last illness? As he always was: exacting, unmortified, complaining, impatient, engrossed in physical pains; thinking but little of his soul, of eternity. He shuts his eyes to danger, notwithstanding every warning. Speak to him of the happiness which death should be, of the merit he might gain by making a generous sacrifice of his life. Offer to pray with him aloud, or to read him some chapters of the ‘Gospels’, he doesn’t care; hardly listens. But tell him the news of the day, or of some wonderful medicine just discovered, he is all ears! Obviously, he meditates little upon God or the saints; shows no eagerness to make frequent Communions. His companions and visitors are grieved to see him in such dispositions. They may be thinking, ‘I should not like to be as he is in my last illness; what merit he is losing!’ We might do so too, and we would be right. If we would not be like him then, we must not be like him in health. If we want to know what dispositions we will die in, see what we are living in. If we are like those of this sick man, we will surely be no better than he is when our last illness comes. If reformation is needed, begin it now, while we are well and strong! In the case of a fervent person we will see that sickness indeed changes no one; but we see it under a different aspect. The more his brethren see of him, the more they esteem him. The virtues which his humility concealed are brought out now, and they see him as he is: a solid religious person, dead to the world and to himself, occupied above all with his spiritual concerns. When his illness becomes serious, he humbly inquires of his director what the doctor thinks of his state. If unfavorable, he immediately makes an offering of his life to God; the first to speak of the Sacraments. Throughout, his conduct is truly exemplary: patient, resigned, grateful for every service. His one thought is how to best use the time left to him. He maintains a constant union of his soul with God by pious affection. His greatest happiness is to receive him as often as possible in Holy Communion. Should he complain, it is that he can no longer recite his prayers, or read the Gospels, especially passages which concern the sick. But he makes up for it by asking his companions to read them aloud, and to speak to him of Jesus and Mary, of the happiness and joys of Paradise with which our Saviour promises to reward it. During such reading and conversation his soul appears to have a foretaste of the bliss of heaven. We would like this pleasing picture to be ourself one day. Live as a fervent person should live, and we will have our wish. As our life is, so will our death be. Lest weakness should overtake us at the last moment, and makes us unable to speak, write down now the affections we would like suggested to us, and the passages we would like read when we are on our deathbed. If we have not done so, let us do it at once. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp643-5 The Sacrament of the Sick The ‘Anointing of the Sick’ is for the benefit of the whole person. We find this point demonstrated in the liturgical texts of the sacramental celebration: “Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul and spirit, and deliver them from every affliction.” The anointing is, therefore, a source of strength for both soul and body. In her teaching on this sacrament, the Church passes on the truth contained in the Letter of St James: “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will restore them to health; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.” (5:14-5) This sacrament should be approached in a spirit of great confidence. We, too must believe in Christ’s healing love and reaffirm that nothing will separate us from that love. My dear brothers and sisters, you will find the crucified Lord in the midst of your sickness and suffering. As Veronica ministered to Christ on his way to Calvary, so Christians have accepted the care of those in pain and sorrow as privileged opportunities to minister to Christ himself. I commend and bless all those who work for the sick in hospitals, residential homes and centers of care for the dying. I would like to say to you, doctors, nurses, chaplains and all other hospital staff: Yours is a noble vocation. Remember that it is Christ to whom you minister in the sufferings of your brothers and sisters. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p244 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Virgin most faithful’ -- “Blessed is the man”, Mary says, “who hears me, and watches daily at my gates” (Prov 8:34). Mary promises that all who serve and honor her shall be free from sin and obtain eternal life. She invites all to have recourse to her, promising them every grace that they desire. St Lawrence Justinian applies to Mary that other text of “Ecclesiasticus”, “her bands are a healthful binding” (4:31); and then adds, “wherefore bands, unless to bind her servants, that they may not stray in the fields of sin”. Mary binds her servants, that they may not enjoy too much liberty which would cause their ruin. O Mother of God, in thee do I place all my confidence; you must preserve me from falling any more into sin. My Lady, abandon me not, obtain me the grace rather to die than to lose the grace of God. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:322 • Our Lady of “La Rochette”, near Geneva. A shepherd coming up to a bush, where he heard a plaintive voice, found there an image of the Blessed Virgin, which led to a church being built there. — Astolph, Historia-universalis B. Mariae Virginis. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of “Larochette” (near Geneva, Switzerland). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of “Larochelle”. Near Geneva, Switzerland 7th Century. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of “Larochelle”, France (7th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • “Notre Dame de La Rochelle”. France. 7th Century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Fountain. (Italy, 1320) (www/mariedenazareth.com)

13 October 2012 Jesus unmasks hypocrisy Jesus having left Bethany, continued working many miracles, and always doing some act of mercy. “He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. There was a woman possessed by a spirit who crippled her for eighteen years. She was badly stooped, incapable of standing erect.” (Lk 13:10-11) How humiliating; a truly pitiable state! The status to which the Evil Spirit had reduced this poor woman fills us with compassion. Yet it is but a faint shadow of the misery to which the spirit of avarice and impurity reduces so many Christians; keeping their thoughts and affections bound to material and sensual pleasures. Thus makes them incapable of raising their heart to God, to eternity! We see, too, in this faint but sad image some people we work with or even acquaintances whom the devil of tepidity has changed from spiritual to worldly. In these persons’ intentions, aspirations, there is nothing exalted, nothing heavenly. They are unable to remain in contemplation of God for long. An invisible hand bows them down to earth, to the flesh. Is this our portrait? “When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are free of your infirmity’. He laid his hand on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began thanking God.” (Lk 13:12-3) Mark the ‘place’ and the ‘time’ at which this miracle was wrought: in the synagogue, in the place set apart for common prayer, and at the hour when the congregation assembled, that the woman was cured. If she had not been regular in her attendance, she might have missed Jesus. She would have remained a cripple till death. Punctuality at spiritual activities is important. We know not to which of these exercises God may have attached special favors, special graces. Miss one, and we may lose an immense blessing. Do we sometimes allow trifling matters to keep us away? The woman suffered for eighteen years before her prayers were finally heard. What perseverance! The people rejoiced for all the things that were done by Jesus, but the Pharisees were greatly ‘indignant’ (Lk 13:14). The glory of Jesus outshone them. They would have stopped at nothing envy could suggest, provided they can make it appear as their great zeal for the law. In this spirit, the chief of the synagogue told the multitude, “There are six days for working. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath.” (Lk 13:14) The hypocrite got the humiliation he truly deserved. “The Lord replied, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or ass out of the stall and lead to water? Should not this daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years be set free from her shackles on the sabbath?’ At these words, his opponents were put to shame; meanwhile, everyone else rejoiced at the marvels Jesus was accomplishing.” (cf Lk 13:15-7) Hypocrisy will certainly be exposed some day. Beware! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp638-40 The Meaning of the Holy Rosary The evangelist Luke tells us that Mary “was troubled” at the words the archangel Gabriel addressed to her at the annunciation and wondered “what his greeting meant”. This meditation of Mary constitutes the prime model of the prayer of the Rosary, the prayer of those who hold dear the angel’s greeting to Mary. Persons who recite the Rosary take up Mary’s meditation in their thoughts and hearts; as they recite the prayer they wonder “what his greeting meant”. First of all, they repeat the words addressed to Mary by God himself, through his messenger. Those who hold dear the angel’s greeting to Mary repeat words ‘coming from God’. As we recite the Rosary, we utter these words many times. This is not just simple repetition. The words addressed to Mary by God himself and announced by the divine messenger ‘contain an inscrutable content’. “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee ... Blessed art thou among women ...” This content is closely united with the mystery of the redemption. The words of the angel’s greeting to Mary lead into this mystery and find their explanation in it at the same time. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p351 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Virgin most merciful’ -- Mary is as clement and merciful toward those who seek her intercession as she is powerful with God. St Bernard says, ‘since the power to save us cannot be wanting to Mary, as she is the Mother of God, so neither can the will be wanting to her, for she is our Mother. Who is there that ever had recourse to Mary and was abandoned? Let him cease to praise thy mercy who remembers having ever invoked thee without being graciously heard.’ Thus, to obtain her help, we are not obliged to pray much to this Mother of mercy; it is enough to ask for it with confidence. ‘Her mercy’, says Richard of St Victor, ‘comes to our aid before we invoke it. It is because she cannot know and see our miseries without relieving them.’ See, then, O Mary, see my miseries and help me. ‘Virgin most merciful, pray for us.’ Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:322 The Church It is most important to have a correct understanding of “Church”. Many followers of Christ develop difficulties with the Church. Part of the difficulty is that they do not understand properly what the Church is. The best explanation of “Church” is to be read in the masterwork of the Second Vatican Council: the “Constitution on the Church”. This document explains that the idea of Church, of a community or organization of Christians, comes from Christ. The Church is a community of God’s people. It is made up of us all. It does not belong to anyone but Christ. All of us together are in it, are co-responsible for it. The Church helps us to relate to Christ, to worship, to receive the Bread of Life, to know what to believe and do. ... Ref: In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1468 • Dedication of Clairvaux, in the diocese of Langres, in honor of the Blessed Virgin. St Bernard was the first abbot of this celebrated monastery, where he died in the year 1153, aged sixty-three years. Alphonsns I, King of Portugal, in the year 1142, bound himself and his successors to pay every year, as the vassal of Our Lady of Clairvaux, fifty gold maravedis. — Cistercian Chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com). • Our Lady of Clairvaux, France (12th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Clairvaux”. France, 12th Century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Seventh [6th?] Fatima Apparition (Portugal, 1917). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Fatima. Valenzuela, Bulacan PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

12 October 2012 Our Lady of the Pillar Christians everywhere have long rendered homage to Our Lady under this invocation. According to pious tradition the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Saragossa above a pillar. On the site a church was built and later a basilica. Pius XII extended the feast from Spain to South American nations. The shrine is among the pilgrimage centres of the Ibero-American world. (Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:209-14) Devotion to the Virgin of the Pillar An ancient and venerated tradition is, the Virgin Mary appeared in the company of angels to the Apostle James in Saragossa. The celestial host brought a pillar as a symbol of Our Lady’s presence. The Blessed Mother comforted the Apostle of Spain during the apparition by promising her maternal assistance amidst his difficulties in evangelizing the country entrusted to him. Our Lady of the Pillar is honoured as “the symbol of firm faith” throughout the world. (John Paul II, “Address”, 6 November 1982) Furthermore, we go “ad Iesum per Mariam”, to Jesus through Mary for our firm support in all our apostolic endeavours. “Countless Christians grow in faith in Christ, the Son of God, through devotion to Mary, the Mother of the Son. They are sustained through the one who is our sure guide to salvation since she conserves and strengthens our faith.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 6 November 1982) Today is an excellent occasion to petition her for an increase of faith. The greater the difficulties in our daily effort to improve and do apostolate, the more graces we will receive from Our Lady so our example will be stronger and even more efficacious. Beside her our victory is always assured. We ask her to make us firm pillars of faith so that our family and friends may lean on us for support. “Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, you grant heavenly aid to those who call on her with the invocation ‘Pillar’. Through her intercession grant us fortitude in faith, security in hope, and constancy in love.” (‘Entrance Antiphon’) Each one of us may have experienced Our Lady’s powerful help. “Yes, our guide is a strong column. She accompanies the New Israel, the Church, in its pilgrimage towards the Promised Land through Christ Our Lord. In this way, Our Lady of the Pillar is a ‘flaming torch’ and the ‘throne of glory’. She affirms the faith of a people who never tire of asking her in the Hail, Holy Queen: ‘Show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus’.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 15 November 1987) Mary is our Model in the evangelization we are called to carry out with naturalness and simplicity. Let us contemplate her very normal life on earth: her friendly charity, the spirit of service she shows in Cana, and her ‘haste’ to help her cousin St Elizabeth. Her habitual smile made her ordinary social relations so attractive. Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Pillar, we ask the Lord to make us strong in faith and generous in love. ‘Faith’ is our greatest gift. We must protect it from anything harmful including materials or television programmes detrimental to a Christian outlook. As the column that guided and sustained the Chosen People in their desert journey, the Blessed Mother leads us along the sure path to Jesus, our Promised Land: “She always does so, as many of her images depict. There she appears with her Son in her arms like Our Lady of the Pillar. She never ceases to point out to us Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John Paul II, “Address”, 6 November 1982) St Josemaria Escrivá described his own love for the Blessed Virgin of Saragossa: “God wants us to draw close to Our Lady of the Pillar so that we may be comforted by her understanding, her affection and her power. She will increase our faith, assure our hope and help us to be more fervent in our loving concern to serve all souls. May we dedicate ourselves to others with renewed energy as we sanctify our work and everyday activities. In a word, may we convert every aspect of our life into an occasion for dealing with God.” (“Memories of Our Lady of the Pillar”, 47) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:209-14 [In 1635 at what is now Zamboanga City, Fr Melchor de Vera, SJ built a fort for the King of Spain and named it “The Fort of Our Lady del Pilar”. “By the name of the Mother of God shall the Moros know it”, he informed the Spanish captain who scanned the blue horizons of the southern sea for the sails of Tagal, that indomitable Moro buccaneer. “It will be a stout little fort when it is done”, he continued. “See that you keep it with honour.” (In Horacio de la Costa, SJ, “Light Cavalry”, 1997 p106) This fort stands to this day.] Mary Our Mother “Admiration for Mary and imitation of her can not be separated from her cult which must be just and holy in accordance with the Church’s desire, a devotion both internal and external, private and public, leading to a profound veneration for her, absolute confidence in her, and filial love of her. “This veneration is founded on her dignity as the Mother of God and on the consequences inherent to it. Thus, it does not mislead us to glorify God in her for the privileges with which he has endowed her, and for her role as Dispensatrix of all graces. Indeed, what veneration is there that is not to be rendered to her whom the Son reveres as His Mother, whom the Father lovingly contemplates as His beloved daughter, and whom the Holy Spirit considers the temple in which he delights to dwell.” Ref: Rev James Alberione, SSP, STD, “Pauline Calendar”, 1974, 1:1. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1429 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Virgin most powerful’ -- Who among the saints is as powerful with God as his holy Mother? She obtains all that she pleases. ‘Thou willest’, St Bernard says, ‘and all is done’. St Peter Damian adds, ‘when Mary asks graces from God, she does not ask, but, so to say, commands, for her Son honors her by refusing her nothing’. Thus does the Son honor his beloved Mother by granting whatever she asks, even in favor of sinners. Hence St Germanus says, ‘Thou, O Mother of God, art omnipotent to save sinners, and needs no other recommendation with God, for thou art the Mother of true life’. O Mary, you can make me a saint; I rely on you. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:321-2 • Our Lady of Faith, in the county of Liege. This image was found by a carpenter named Gilles de Wanlin, in the year 1609, who, as he was cutting down an oak with the intention of making a boat found in it, enclosed in an iron grating, an image of Our Lady, made of white clay a foot high, which was placed in another oak, and afterwards in a church which was built on the very place of the oak which had borne this fair fruit. — Triple Couronne, n. 60. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Faith. Liege, Belgium. 1609. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Faith district of Liege, Belgium. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of the Pillar / “Notre Dame dal Pilla”. Saragossa, Spain. 36. Church and cathedral with a miraculous image of Mary. Catholic scholars disagree about authenticity of the tradition that the shrine was originally built by St James the Apostle after she appeared to him while praying by the Ebro River. Appearance was said to have taken place while Mary was still living in Israel; a phenomenon of "bilocation". (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Pillar. Saragossa, Spain. 36. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Pilar Saragossa, Spain; also celebrated in Zamboanga, PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre Dame dal Pilla”. (Spain) (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Zapopan, Mexico (1541). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • “Nuestra Señora de Zapopan”. Mexico. 1541. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); • Our Lady of Jerusalem. Moscow, Russia. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Aparecida – Queen of Brazil. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

11 October 2012 Our Lady of ‘La Leche’ This devotion dates back to the 16th century in Madrid, Spain where she is known as ‘Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto’ (Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery). Spanish settlers enshrined a replica of the image at St Augustine, Florida, USA. In the Philippines, Jaime Cardinal Sin granted official permission for propagation of the devotion to Our Lady of ‘La Leche’ in 1999 upon suggestion of “Baby” Ticzon Gonzales to Fr N Blanquisco. (“Manila Bulletin”, 21 April 2001, B-5) Mary, Mother of Peace ‘Implore peace with us.’ Mary’s motherhood is like a final message from the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord. Birth always speaks of the Mother, of her who gives life ... The first day of the New Year is the day of the Mother. There is no image of the mystery of the birth of the Lord simpler than the image of the Mother with Jesus in her arms. Is not this image the source of our singular confidence? But there is another image of the Mother with the Son in her arms: the “Pietà”, Mary holding Jesus taken down from the cross. With Jesus, who expired before her eyes ... and, after death, he returned to those arms in which at Bethlehem He was offered as Savior of the world. I would therefore join our prayer for peace with this twofold image: “Mother, you who know what it is to hold the corpse of Your Son in your arms, ... spare all mothers the death of their sons, torments, slavery, the destructions of war, persecutions, ... prison! Preserve the joy of birth to them, of nourishment, of development of man and of his life. In the name ... of the birth of the Lord, implore peace together with us, with all the beauty and majesty of Your motherhood, which the Church exalts and the world admires. We beg you: be with us at every moment! ... Amen. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p45 On Sudden Death The story of the rich man, especially his sad end, had greatly impressed the crowd. Jesus thus warned them, “Be ready for you know not when the Son of Man will come.” (Lk 12:40) Nothing is more common than sudden deaths. But are they such a great evil? Certainly not. It is often a grace. Saints have asked it of God as a favor, that they may escape assaults which are common to a long and painful agony. Thus, it is not sudden death which we should fear, but sudden ‘and unprovided’ death. Sudden and in a state of mortal sin. What is sudden death for the faithful, fervent Christian? An instantaneous passage from this world to the next. What would a sudden restoration of sight be to a blind man? But how feeble a comparison is this to the delight and joy a holy soul must feel at seeing God! God for whom it has sacrificed so generously, in whose service it has passed so many years, borne so many humiliations, privations, sufferings. That God whom it has always feared to offend, to whom it has constantly referred every affection, every action; whom day and night it has adored, sighing for the time when it should see him face to face. That moment has come. And shall we dread this moment? Shall we think of sudden death as a calamity, when instantaneously, painlessly, it gives us such unspeakable happiness? To judge by the ordinary course of events, our death will be preceded by a protracted illness. We must, then, learn to be resigned to it, especially to the loneliness we will have to bear; learn to suffer. Happy is he who, while still healthy, accustoms himself to be left alone; and when in solitude to hold communion with God, with his guardian angel, and the saints. To patiently accept privation and neglect. If we do not learn this, our lot at the last end will not be a happy one, nor will our conduct be educational. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp634-6 The 15 Promises of Mary: 8. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life. 9. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise. 10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven. Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73) Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Virgin most renowned’ -- The Holy Church proclaims that this divine Mother is ‘most worthy of every praise’. As St Ildephonsus says, ‘all praise given to the Mother redounds to the honor of the Son’. The Blessed Virgin promises Paradise to him who endeavors to make her known and loved. Thus, Richard of St Laurence writes, ‘all who honor her in this world will be honored by her in the next’. St Anselm says, ‘that as Mary, by becoming the Mother of God was the means of the salvation of sinners, so are sinners saved by proclaiming her praises’. All cannot be preachers, but all can praise Mary; and speak to relatives and friends in plain words her merits, powers and mercy; thus lead them to devotion towards this divine Mother. O Queen of heaven, I am determined to do all I can to cause thee to be venerated and loved by all. Accept my desire; help me to execute it. Inscribe me among thy servants; never permit me to become Lucifer’s slave. Ref: “The Glories of Mary”. In “Documentation Service”, V:321 Our Lady -- “When you were asked which image of our Lady aroused your devotion most, and you answered with the air of long experience, ‘all of them’, I realized you are a good son. That’s why you are equally moved -- ‘they make me fall in love’, you said -- by all the pictures of your Mother.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 501) • Our Lady the White, in the church of the monastery of the Feuillants, at Ouville, in the district of Caux. This image is much venerated in the country. — Archives of the Monastery. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com). • Our Lady, the White. Ouville, Caux, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Feast of the Divine Maternity of Our Lady. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady, Mother of the Savior (celebrated by the Salvatorians). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Motherhood of Our Lady. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 630)