17 July 2013 Sermon on the Mount: The Lord’s Prayer Jesus, after having condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees for pretending to make long prayers in public, deigned give us that wonderful ‘Lord’s Prayer’. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites.” (Mt 6:5) “... Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. Amen.” (Mt 6:9-13) The ‘Our Father’ is the most excellent of all prayers; most pleasing to God and profitable to ourselves. Yet do we always recite it with reverence and devotion? That we may do so, let us meditate on the words. ‘Our Father in heaven.’ Jesus teaches that we should think to whom we will speak, and raise our thoughts in filial confidence to God in heaven. That we pray for unity, we say ‘our’, not ‘my’, Father. ‘Hallowed be your name.’ By his name we mean all his attributes, that all may know and serve them. This first petition reminds us of our first duty: sanctifying or glorifying God in ourselves, and in others. In St Paul’s words, “Sanctify the Lord in your hearts, having a good conscience”. Then by our brethren, by our conduct in such a way “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven”. ‘Your kingdom come.’ We ask that he reign over our hearts, so that we may all submit of our own free will to his holy laws. We beg also that he will hasten the day when reunited, we shall reign eternally with him. ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ We ask for what is more perfect and glorious to his heavenly Father than simply fulfilling his commandments. That his most holy will may be done in us as perfectly as by angels and saints in heaven. That we should at least ardently desire approaching this perfection; and incessantly beg for the grace we all need. After seeking the glory of our heavenly Father, Jesus teaches what we should ask for ourselves: ‘Our bread’, all that is necessary to sustain our corporal and spiritual life ‘... daily’, to remind us that, rich or poor, we are always in need of help from our heavenly Father ‘... this day’, that we should renew our prayer daily, rely on God’s providence, and not worry about the future. ‘Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’ We now humbly beg our Father in heaven to forgive us our sins and the punishment due them. Our Lord promises his Father will grant our request, but on condition, on our side, we will pardon those who have offended us. ‘If you will forgive men their offences’, he said, ‘your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences; but if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you yours’. Thus, he added to the fifth petition, ‘as we also have forgiven our debtors’. Everyday we say, ‘Forgive us our debts’; but they bear little fruit. They are said very insincerely? We do not see the faults we commit daily. Let us weep as the saints did at our Father’s feet. He will remit and forget them if we stifle that feeling of anger which rises even involuntarily in our hearts against whoever have offended us. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp446-51 On our hope of becoming saints “In everything God works for good.” (Rom 8:28) We confidently say these words although we may be amidst a great physical or moral difficulty. We must overcome our tendency towards selfishness, sadness or merely trivial matters. We are journeying straight towards heaven. Everything should be the means to bring us closer and to arrive sooner. In particular we must frequently practise the virtue of hope in all that concerns the state of our interior life especially when we seem not to be advancing; our defects are slow in disappearing, constantly making the same mistakes. We may then view sanctity as just an illusion. Our hope should be in God alone, childlike. St John of the Cross encourages us that the soul “who has the hope of heaven achieves all that is hoped for. ... To win love’s chase I took my way, and full of hope began to fly. I soar’d aloft and soar’d so high, that in the end I reach’d my prey.” (“Poems”, VI) Hope encourages us to begin again with cheerfulness and patience. With the help of Our Lord and of his Mother, our Hope, we will be victorious, for He puts within our grasp all means by which we may conquer. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:520-21 From the Cross: The Example of Obedience “... He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) These words seem out of date today, when there is a whole systematic opposition to obedience, presented as a humiliation of one’s personality, a defeat of the intelligence and of the will, abdication of one’s human dignity. Autonomy, revolt, rebellion, are preached instead. Indeed Jesus gave us the example of obedience even unto death on the cross. All saints have passed through a test, sometimes even heroic, of obedience. As did Mary Most Holy, as did St Joseph, who obeyed the voice of God calling them to a sublime mission indeed but also to a disconcerting and mysterious one! Why must you obey? First of all, because obedience is necessary in the general framework of Providence. God did not create us by chance but for a very clear and distinct purpose: his everlasting glory, our happiness. All who are responsible for us must, in God’s name, help us reach the goal willed by the Creator. Moreover, exterior obedience teaches us to obey the inner law of conscience, God’s will expressed in the moral law. And how should we obey? With love and holy courage, well knowing that obedience is almost always difficult, sometimes even entails heroic effort. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p266-7 • In the year 1565, Pius V approved the reform of the barefooted Carmelites, instituted by St Teresa at Avila, Spain. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Humility of Our Lady. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p630) • Humility of Mary. Religious order in America. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Campitelli, Italy (524). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Madonna della Campitelli”. Italy. 524. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

16 July 2013 Our Lady of Mount Carmel This feast was established (1726) to commemorate the apparition of the Blessed Virgin on 16 July 1251 to St Simon Stock, Superior General of the Carmelite Order. To him she promised a special blessing for everyone who wears her scapular. Since then, the Church has solemnly and repeatedly approved this devotion which began in England. The devout use of the scapular shows our trust in the Blessed Virgin’s motherly care to help us at the time of our death. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1579) Love for the Virgin and the scapular of Mount Carmel The oldest tradition of the Carmelite Order connects it with the apparition “... a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising out of the sea” (1 Kings 18:44). People could see it from the summit of Mount Carmel while the prophet Elizah was beseeching the Lord to put an end to a long drought. The cloud quickly spread to cover the sky and brought abundant rain. Scripture scholars see this cloud as a type of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (cf Professors of Salamanca, “Bible Commentary”, Madrid 1961) By bringing the Saviour into the world she bore the living water to quench mankind’s thirst, and she continues to bring countless graces. This devotion “has brought down a copious stream of spiritual and temporal graces upon the earth.” (Pius XII, “Address”, 6 August 50) For centuries, Christians seek refuge in Our Lady. “Wear on your breast the holy scapular of Mount Carmel. There are many excellent Marian devotions, but few are as deep-rooted among the faithful and so richly blessed by the popes. Besides, how motherly is the sabbatine privilege.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 500) Our Lady promised the grace to repent during the final moments of life to whoever lives and dies wearing the scapular, or blessed medal with the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin of Carmel. (cf Innocent IV, Bull, “Ex parte dilectorum”, 13 January 1252) The sabbatine privilege consists in our release from Purgatory on the Saturday following our death. (cf John XXII, Bull, “Sacratissimo uticulmine”, 3 March 1322) Truly, “by her maternal charity Mary cares for the brethren of her Son who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties until such time as they are led into the eternal happiness of their true homeland ...” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 62) May we not forego approaching Our Lady many times each day so that she may help and protect us. This devotion expresses our personal dedication and all that is ours to Our Lady. “... during the apparition in which she gave the scapular to St Simon Stock, the Mother of God manifested herself as ‘Mother of divine grace’ and as ‘Mother most lovable’ who protects her children throughout life and at the moment of death ... “She offers us the following pledge in reward for our commitment to her: ‘Throughout life I protect; at the hour of death I lend assistance; and after death I save’.” (Cardinal Goma, “The Blessed Virgin Mary”, Barcelona, 1947) She is truly ‘our life, our sweetness and our hope ...’ Devotion to Our Lady of Carmel and her holy scapular ensure hope in heaven since her continued protection after our death fills our hearts with consolation. “Mary guides us toward the eternal future; she helps us desire and discover it. She gives us her hope, assurance and desire. Inspired by such a splendid reality and with unspeakable joy we can persevere in our humble and perhaps wearisome earthly pilgrimage. Mary will light up our way and transform it into a sure path to Paradise.” (Paul VI, “Address”, 15 August 1966) There with the grace of God we will one day see her. The scapular of Mount Carmel can help us to love our Mother in heaven more. It is a special reminder for us that we are dedicated to her and that in whatever moment of trouble, in the midst of temptation, we can count on her help. “Remember, Blessed Virgin Mother of God ... to speak well on our behalf before the Lord.” (“Graduale Romanum”, in loc, 580) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:13-5 Woman’s unique role in evangelizing the family The Gospel shows us how women followed and ministered to Christ; how they were present at the foot of the Cross; how they were the first to go to the empty tomb. We find in them no sign of hypocrisy, or wrongdoing or betrayal. The Church expects from women commitment and witness to all that contributes to the dignity of the human person and furthers their true happiness. St Paul had a deep insight into the role of the Christian woman as mother, spouse and sister in spreading the Christian message. This view is reflected in his preaching and letters. Some of these women are especially commended for the sacrifices they made in his work of evangelization. At all times, and no less in ours, Christian women play a most important part in the apostolate and in the handing on of the faith. “Women are called to bring to the family, to society and to the Church, characteristics which are their own and which they alone can give: their gentle warmth and untiring generosity, their love for detail, their quick-wittedness and intuition, their simple and deep piety, their constancy. “Each woman in her own sphere of life, if she is faithful to her divine and human vocation, can and in fact does achieve the fulness of her human personality. Let us remember that Mary, Mother of God and Mother of men, is a model ... a proof of the transcendental value of an apparently unimportant life.” (“Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá”, 87) We ask her to pray for fruits of Christian women’s labours in the family, society and the Church. We ask her that there always be an abundance of vocations in the Church, of many people totally committed to God. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:530 Lourdes: The eighteenth and last apparition Friday, 1858. Bernadette felt the call of the Virgin, but was torn between her desire to heed it secretly and her respect for authority. She waited until night fell. At about 8 o’clock PM, with her aunt Lucile Casterot, she went down to Massabielle. As soon as she began to recite the rosary, the Virgin appeared. Thus, Bernadette saw the Lady for the last time. (G Menotti, “Lourdes”, 16) Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Ninth Day O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your children. We glory in wearing your holy habit, which makes us members of your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death. Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Savior, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls! (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • The feast of the Scapular; tradition says that Our Lady gave it herself, about the year 1251, to the Blessed Simon Stock, an Englishman; this devotion has since spread all over the world. The popes John XXII, Gregory XIII, Sixtus V, Gregory XIV, and Clement VIII, granted indulgences to those belonging to this confraternity. — Cartagena, de Ortu ordinis Carmelitarum. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Mt Carmel (1251) (Universally Celebrated; instituted by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726) Aylesford, England. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Feast of the Brown Scapular also known as The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. History. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Feast of the Brown Scapular (1251). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html);(maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)

15 July 2013 St Bonaventure, bishop and Doctor of the Church At the University of Paris where he was a lecturer, he met St Thomas Aquinas. He became the General of the Franciscan Order and a Cardinal. Known as the ‘Seraphic Doctor’, the greatest exponent of mystical theology in the Middle Ages. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1578) Sermon on the Mount: We should fly from vainglory The Lord, having warned us against the violence of persecutions, now puts us on our guard against the danger and snares of vanity. “Beware of practising your piety before others, to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Mt 6:1) It is plain from the words of the infallible Truth, it is in the intention by which our actions gain merit. Meritorious if we perform them to please God. If done from vainglory, they have no merit, or may even deem worthy of punishment. Pride, or an inordinate desire for vainglory, is identified with us since original sin. From this springs continual and secret seeking of self or of the esteem of men in everything we do in public. This is simply vainglory, a subtle temptation; and may be compared to a worm gnawing away at fruit. The greatest saints, despite their constant vigilance, were fearful of being surprised into it, remembering our Lord’s warning, “Take heed; be on your guard” (Mk 13:37). What fear, then, must we have of losing the merit of our good works, we who watch so little over ourselves, our thoughts, and our actions! Take this matter into serious consideration. It is worth the trouble. “If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Mt 6:22) The eye of our body, of our material acts, is the understanding which never acts without an intention (St Jerome). If this eye is simple and sinless, it will always enable us to see God, our last end. Our acts will tend directly to him solely with the ‘intention’ of pleasing him, as the Author of all goodness and beauty. ‘To the only God be honor and glory.’ Great, indeed, is the Christian who has God in view in all his actions; constantly raising himself to the heights of heaven. He identifies himself with the Divinity, having but one will with it, and happy is he. For God, who sees the secrets of all hearts, will reward even the smallest action, however indifferent in its nature. Our Lord says, “Thy Father, who sees in secret will repay you” (Mt 6:4). If it is a great and happy thing to act habitually for God, how much greater and happier is it to be doing what only God sees. To lose sight entirely of self and to be safe from any temptation to vainglory. To be entirely occupied with the thought of God’s glory without regard to the promised reward! The ideal of absolute perfection. We must aspire after it even if attaining is futile. Do not be sad because of this inability. It will all end in heaven. Until then, let us do our best to renew a pure intention. If, while fulfilling our duties, we are praised and the devil tempts us to vainglories, say with St Bernard: “I did not begin for you; I will not stop for you.” Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp444-6 Purifying the monotony of our sins One day Our Lord will show us the effects of having prayed devoutly, despite some distractions, the Holy Rosary: disasters averted by Our Lady’s intercession, assistance to loved ones, conversions, and so forth. In many events of our life, this prayer, so efficacious and pleasing to Our Lady, will be the most effective channel for petition, thanksgiving, and making atonement for our sins-- “‘Immaculate Virgin, I know very well I am only a miserable wretch, and all I do is increase each day the number of my sins ...’ You told me the other day; that was how you spoke to Our Mother. “And I was confident in advising you with assurance to pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of ‘Hail, Mary’s’ which purifies the monotony of your sins!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 478) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:506 Pride vs. humility In all the world there is no virtue as rare or as beautiful as humility. Or as powerful. As humility is the most rare of virtues, pride is the most common of sins. But it is by no means common in the sense that it is easily recognized by those who suffer from it. On the contrary it is the most subtle, the most delicate, the most ingenious. Pride is the favorite, the most beloved of all the Devil’s agents. When Anger, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony, Envy, and Avarice have all returned to the throne of hell broken and defeated, His Invidious Majesty sends out Pride, supremely confident that Pride will win again. And like as not, Pride wins. Yes, humility is rare and powerful. It is almost never found except in persons with strong religious convictions. Undoubtedly, humility rests upon faith. A story is told of a young man who attended a school of higher learning. He was a leader in many phases of college life and enjoyed the respect of both faculty and students. One day a box arrived from home and that night he invited some of his friends to his room for a feast. One of the young men noticed a motto on his desk enclosed in a beautiful frame: “I am third”. “What does it mean, Bob?” echoed a succession of voices. Finally, when Bob was sure his friends really did want to know he began to explain: “I have one of the finest mothers in the world. She is a good Catholic. So is Dad. It has meant downright sacrifice to keep me in college. On the night before I left home she brought this little frame to me and asked me to keep it where I could see it every day. It has stood right on my desk, and I shall take it with me wherever I go. I hope I’ll always remember its admonition. My mother explained it to me that night and I shall never forget a word she said. “‘My son’, she told me, ‘always remember that God is first; others are second; and you are third!’” Ref: In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1022, 1026 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Eighth Day You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints. (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, ‘Mary and Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • In the year 1099, the Turks were defeated by Godfrey of Bouillon, who on this day took Jerusalem, of which he was made king; and formerly the feast of this event was celebrated annually with a double office and octave. — Molanus, at this day. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Godfrey de Bouillon defeated the Turks through the Blessed Virgin's intercession. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Molanus. 1099. Godfrey de Bouillon defeats the Turks at Jerusalem in 1099, through Mary's intercession. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)

14 July 2013 Sermon on the Mount: Persecutions The doctrine and life of Jesus Christ were a condemnation of the sins and hypocrisy of the Pharisees. It was enough to draw down upon him their hatred, calumnies, and deadly persecution. We profess being the disciples and apostles of Jesus. Is it, then, any wonder that we are an object of hatred to the wicked? Jesus had foretold what we have to expect. The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: “... they will deliver you up in councils, and scourge you in their synagogues. ... Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; ... and you will be hated by all for ‘My name’s sake’.” (cf Mt 10:17-22) We have witnessed the blind fury of the Godless. We may have been victims. Instead of being sorrowful, our hearts should be joyful and recall the words of Jesus: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you, and utter all kinds of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:11-2) Let us now meditate on the precepts that our Lord commands us to follow in respect to those who persecute us, or rather the Church of Jesus Christ in our persons. “Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you” (Lk 6:27-8); “that you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who makes his sun rise upon the good and bad” (Mt 10:45). What wonderful gentleness is contained in these words! Are they impossible to obey? No, says St Jerome. We see them fulfilled in St Stephen, the first martyr, and those who followed him. All of them, when dying, prayed for their murderers. We find them obeyed again by the first Christians, of whom St Paul says boldly, “We are reviled, and we bless. We are blasphemed, and we entreat.” (1 Cor 4:12) The Church, the interpreter of Jesus Christ, teaches us in how we should pray for our enemies, by the words in the Litany of the Saints: “That thou would vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church: we beseech thee hear us.” (“Manual of Catholic Devotions”, 1938, p185) We thus ask that by temporal misfortunes they may be rendered powerless to do harm, and that, like Saul thrown from his horse and deprived of his sight, they may feel the hand of God, recognize their errors, and humbly implore pardon, that they may be converted, and make a good death. It is by humility only that these poor creatures will be brought back to God; and if we could obtain such a result by our prayers, we would have done an immense good. The Lord was not contented, says St Augustine, with giving us his precepts, and promising great rewards to those who keep them. He chose to give us also his example. When he was dying, he prayed for his enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) If we meditate on the charity and heroic greatness of a God who had been calumniated, hated, put to death by his creatures, those whom he had loaded with blessings, all difficulties and seeming impossiblities of pardoning offences, of returning good for evil, will disapppear. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp442-4 On the fruit Our Lord expects from us The fruits which Our Lord expects from us are of many kinds. But everything would be useless if we had no life of prayer, if we were not united to Our Lord. It would be like trying to collect good bunches from a vine that got separated from the main stem. “See how full of fruit are those vines, because they are getting the sap which comes from the main trunk. Only in this way have those tiny buds of a few months ago been able to change into sweet, mature fruit which gladden the sight and the heart of people.” (cf Ps 103:15). On the ground perhaps a few single twigs remain, half buried. They were vines too, but dry and withered, the most graphic symbol of sterility.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 254) The life of union with Our Lord goes beyond the personal sphere and can be seen in everything: our way of working, dealings with others, care for our family. From that union springs a wealth of apostolate. Are we bearing the fruit Our Lord expects from us? Have many of our friends come close to Our Lord as a result of our dealings with them? Have we helped any of them go to the sacrament of Confession? Do we yield fruits of peace and cheerfulness among whom we spend most of our day? These questions could help us make specific resolutions in our prayer with Mary, our shortcut to Jesus. She says: “Like a vine I caused loveliness to bud, and my blossoms became glorious and abundant fruit.” (Sir 24:23) “He who finds me finds life and obtains favour from the Lord.” (Prov 8:35) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:487-8 Christians continue Christ’s divine sowing In the parable of the sower, Jesus explained that the seed is the word of God. This seed can never root in souls packed down with other interests; nor can it root deeply enough on the surface of a shallow mind where trouble can wither it. Nor can the word be reconciled with the spirit of the world, any more than grain can ripen in an acre of weeds and thistles. In short, the word of God will be fruitful only in souls receptive to it. For the indifferent, the flighty and the worldly, it can make at most a very passing impression. Christ, the divine sower, urges all Christians to open to his love all paths of the earth, to spread his divine message, by teaching and example, among members of our family, colleagues and friends; and even among non-Christians in the farthest corners of the earth. Ref: Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, p51-2 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Seventh Day O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul with your continual aid. may all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to you. (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • Our Lady of the Bush, in Portugal. This image was seen in the middle of a burning bush by a shepherd; Vasquez Perdigon, Bishop of Evora, caused to be built in this place in the year 1403, a church and monastery which was given to the monks of St Jerome. — Vasconcellius Descriptio regni Lusitaniae, c. vii. § 5. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of the Bush. Portugal. 1118. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Nossa Senhora do arbusto” / Our Lady of the Bush. Portugal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

13 July 2013 Fatima: The third apparition Late in the morning of this day in 1917, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco went to the ‘Cova da Iria’ where some 5,000 people had crowded around the holm oak. On reaching the tree, the children fell to their knees and began reciting the rosary. Minutes later Lucia cried out: “Shut your umbrellas, the Lady is coming!” All at once, a little white cloud could be seen floating down from the eastern sky and coming to rest on the holm oak. “What do you want of me?” Lucia asked, now in ecstasy. And the Lady answered, “I want you to come here on the thirteenth day of next month and to continue to pray the rosary everyday in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war, for she alone can help.” “I would like to ask who you are”, Lucia said “and to perform a miracle so people will believe you are appearing to us.” The Lady replied, “Come here every month. In October I will tell you who I am, what I want. I will perform a miracle everyone may see and believe.” The Lady’s face then grew very grave and told the children to sacrifice for sinners as she taught them a prayer. Then she opened her hands on the three children once again and the light streaming from them seemed to penetrate the earth; the children beheld a vision of hell. Lucia cried out in terror to Our Lady. “We could see a vast sea of fire”, she revealed years later. In praying the rosary the Lady also taught them to pray after each mystery: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need.” After a pause, Lucia then said: “Do you want anything more of me?” “No”, the Lady replied. “Today, I want nothing else of you.” Lucia got up off her knees and pointing to the sky she cried: “There she goes! There she goes!” And then: “Now you can’t see her anymore.” Ref: Francis W Johnston, “Fatima: The Great Sign”, 1979, pp32-4 On fervour in serving God Fervour is promptly devoting our whole self with all our heart to the service of God. A fervent person will be faithful to the smallest observance of his norm in which he sees the expression of the Will of God. With fervour, we have everything; without it, nothing. There is purity and peace of conscience, perfect happiness. Labour is no longer a burden. The yoke becomes light and sweet. The greatest sacrifices become delightful. We quickly heap up merits, a consolation to our spiritual directors; edification to others. We draw down blessings from heaven for our good works. Lastly, with fervour we make constant progress in virtue, obtain final perseverance, and a weight of glory in heaven. If we begin to grow lukewarm, we will begin to be uneasy. A negligent and lukewarm person reaps troubles and on every side suffers anguish. He is indeed miserable, the salve of his passions daily staining his soul with sin. The peace he seeks eludes him. He carries the yoke of his norms without its consolations. He labors hard but reaps little for eternity. Lastly, he risks losing his vocation, friendship of God and final perseverance. Let these thoughts inspire us with a lively horror of lukewarmness, and especially because our vicious nature leans towards it. If we have fallen into it, come out with a holy indignation against ourself and vigorously begin again the practise of preserving fervour. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp439-41 Perfection and Sanctity “If I had to sum up the way of perfection briefly, I would describe it this way: meditate on the purpose for which we have been created, directing your thoughts often to heaven; be indifferent as to whether you earn heaven in health or sickness, in one position or another, esteemed or despised, poor or well-off, here or there. Consider that Jesus chose a life of poverty, obedience, mortification, humility and patience. “So we, too should choose, insofar as we can, humiliation, poverty, suffering and a life of obedience. We must feel the need of giving ourselves unreservedly to God. Quite unconsciously, we are still keeping too many things for ourselves. We say big things, but when our self-love is wounded, we see only too clearly that God is not yet the absolute master of our heart.” (Rev J Alberione, SSP, STD, “Pauline Calendar”, 1974, 2:28) “Sanctity is the supreme good we can attain in this life. By its very nature it is something infinitely desirable, but since it is also an arduous and difficult good, it is impossible to tend toward it efficaciously without strong impulse of a will which is determined to attain it at any cost. “St Teresa of Avila considers it of decisive importance ‘to have a great and very determined resolve not to stop until one reaches it’, without reckoning the difficulties along the way, the criticism of those around us, the lack of health, or the disdain of the world. Therefore, only resolute and energetic souls, with the help of divine grace, will scale the heights of perfection.” (Antonio Royo, OP and Jordan Aumann, OP, “The Theology of Christian Perfection”, p571) “Set yourselves to work for the acquisiton of virtue; otherwise, your spiritual growth will be stunted. Neither should you think you have acquired a virtue if you have not been tried by its opposite and have not had the occasion to faithfully practice it. Therefore, you should never flee the occasions to practice it, but rather desire them, seek them and willingly embrace them.” (St Teresa of Avila, “Spiritual Diary”, p26) “Humility and charity are two main parts of the spiritual edifice. One is the lowest and the other the highest and all the others depend on them. Hence, we must keep ourselves well founded in these two, because the preservation of the entire edifice depends on the foundation and the roof.” (St Francis de Sales, “Spiritual Diary”, p27) Ref: In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1268, 1271-2, 1275 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Sixth Day With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defense against the Evil One. Through your assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • A century before the birth of our Saviour, the image of Our Lady of Chartres was carved in a forest in the midst of the plains of La Beauce, by order of Priscus, king of the people of Chartres; and was set up afterwards with this inscription, “Virgini pariturae” — that is, “To a Virgin who is to bring forth” — in the same place where it is seen at the present day, which was then a cave, where the Druids offered their sacrifices. St Potentianus, second Bishop of Sens, whom the Apostle St Peter had sent into France, stopped at Chartres where he blessed this image, and dedicated the cavern as a church in the year of Jesus Christ 46. — Sebastian Rouillard, Parthen; c. iv. n. 1. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • On this date 100 years before the birth of Our Lord, an image of Our Lady was carved in the forest on the plains of Beance, with the inscription, “To the Virgin who is to bring forth” This still exists and is known as Our Lady of Chartres. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Image of Our Lady of Chartres, France, carved in 100 B.C. with the inscription, “To a virgin who is to bring forth.” (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Chartres. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre Dame de Chartres”. In 100 B.C., a statue of Mary seated on a throne and holding a child on her knees was carved in the forest on the plains of Beance, with the inscription "To the Virgin who is to bring forth". The statue and altar are known as "Virgini paritur" and were built by Druids. Religious history of Chartres, one of the most important cathedrals of the Middle Ages. As a locus of eastern and western Christian unity. Pilgrimage history. See also August 6, 17; October 17; December 22, 31. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Mystical Rose. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Apparition at the Cova da Iria (Fatima, 1917). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)

12 July 2013 Exact observance of the law “Do not think I came to abolish the law. ... For I truly tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter will pass from the law till all be accomplished.” (cf Mt 5:17) These words teach us that an exact observance of the rule and discipline is pleasing to our Lord. Let us earnestly meditate on his words: “Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; for I tell you unless your justice exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19-20) Consider what the author of the “Imitation” [Thomas à Kempis] says: “A religious man that lives not in discipline (ie, who excuses himself from what is irksome) lies open to dreadful ruin. He who does not shun small defects, by little and little, falls into greater.” Then we will understand the presumption and peril of an ‘habitual’ neglect of the norms -- peril for ourself and for others from our bad example. Let us meditate further on our Lord’s words: “He that shall do and teach them” (ie, the smallest precepts) “shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:19) Great, because he will have shown great generosity in the service of God. Great, because by his example, still more than by his words, he will have done much to secure the perseverance and spiritual progress of his neighbor. This thought is a most encouraging one, and we shall be always faithful to the smallest observances if we can but always keep them in mind. Let us beg of God that it may be thus, and that the words of the author of the “Imitation” may be applicable to us: “Oh, how sweet and comfortable it is to see brethren fervent and devout, regular and well-disciplined!” Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp437-9 Offering God our day God has given us days and nights so that we may order our lives. As we leave the previous day, each new day reminds us that we must continue the work interrupted by night, and move on with our projects and hopes. “Man goes forth to his work and to his labour until the evening; then night comes, and with a kindly smile bids us put away all the toys we poor mortals make such a fuss over; shuts our books for us, hides our distractions from us, draws a great black coverlet over our lives ... As the darkness closes round us, we go through a dress-rehearsal of death; soul and body say good night to one another ... And then morning comes, and with morning, a re-birth.” (R A Knox, “A Retreat for Lay People”, pp21-2) In a certain sense, each day, begins with a birth and ends with a death. It is a microcosm of life. ‘Today’ is the only time we can offer to God. “Each day echoes its secret to the next, ...” (Ps 18:2); yesterday whispers to today, and on God’s behalf says to us: begin well. “Do your duty ‘now’, without looking back on ‘yesterday’, which has already passed, or worrying over ‘tomorrow’, which may never come for you.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 253) What we must sanctify is the present day. And how are we going to do that if we don’t start by offering it to God? Only those who don’t know God, and lukewarm Christians are who routinely start their day. The ‘Morning Offering’ is an act of piety which focuses the day properly from the outset, directing it towards God. Our ‘Morning Offering’ disposes us to listen to the Holy Spirit, and to heed the inspirations and graces he sends all day. God does talk to us each day. Let us tell our Lord we want to serve him today and to be conscious of his presence. “Renew your decision each morning, with a very determined ‘Serviam’, I will serve you, Lord. Renew your resolution not to give in, not to give way to laziness or idleness; to face up to your duties with greater hope and more optimism, convinced that if we are defeated in some small skirmish we can overcome this setback by making a sincere act of love.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 217) Our actions will be all the more pleasing in the eyes of God if our offering is made through his Mother, who is also our Mother. “Try to put whatever you wish to offer to God into the hands of Mary -- her hands are most gracious and worthy of all esteem -- so that your offering will be happily accepted by our Lord.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, 18) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:489-91 The Christian Vocation With words simple and clear, ‘Jesus offered reflections on every aspect of daily life. Jesus proposed a new concept of living.’ In the short introductory phrases of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sounded the keynote of the new era he had come to proclaim. The new spirit is to be gentle, generous, simple and above all sincere. To avoid being arrogant, censorious or self-seeking. The disciples of the new Kingdom must seek happiness even amidst poverty, deprivation, tears and oppression. To aim for the new kingdom requires a ‘radical change’ in outlook, in mentality, in behavior, in relations with others. Just as the law was revealed to Moses on Mt Sinai, so, in this Sermon on the Mount, ‘Jesus, the new Lawgiver, offers to all mankind a new way of life, a charter of Christian life’. It is this loving Fatherhood of God which pervades every word of Jesus. Throughout this discourse he appeals to his listeners to respond to the Father, with a response of filial love. “Everyone who will be animated by this new spirit is a child of God.” The spirit of sons which makes us cry out, “Abba, Father” (Rom 8:14-5). Love will be the mainspring of the new era. Jesus later affirmed this, saying: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them; we will come to them and make our home with them.” (Jn 14:23) Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p253 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Fifth Day O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people. (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • Dedication of Our Lady of all Graces, at the convent of the Minims of Nigeon, near Paris, in the year 1578. This house was given in the year 1476, by Ann of Brittany, wife of Louis XII, to St Francis of Paula, who had instituted his order in the year 1436. — Du Breuil, Antiquite’s de Paris. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of All Graces. (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 Lure, Avignon, France (1110). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Notre Dame de Lure”. Avignon, France. 1110. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

11 July 2013 St Benedict, abbot Born (480) at Nursia, Italy. Sent to Rome to be educated; but chose to lead a solitary life at Subiaco; eventually organized twelve monasteries. The monks who joined St Benedict were devoted to work and prayer. Pope Paul VI proclaimed him Patron of Europe because of his wonderful influence in the formation of Christendom in Europe during the Middle Ages. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1575) St Benedict of Nursia St Benedict was endowed with profound human sensitivity. In his project for reform of society, he looked to man above all, following three guidelines: the value of the single man as person; the dignity of work, understood as service to God and the brethren; the necessity for contemplation, ie, prayer. Having understood that God is the Absolute and we live in the Absolute, he understood that the soul of everything ought to be prayer: ‘That God be glorified in all things.’ Thus, we may summarize St Benedict’s message as a call to inner knowledge. Man must first of all enter into himself. He ought to know himself deeply; discover yearning for God and traces of the Absolute in himself. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p254 St Benedict, Father of Europe The voice of our times, in which we live with anxiety and trepidation, tells us mankind is tending more and more toward unity. Need is felt for greater knowledge of one another, among individuals and among peoples. Europe is accomplishing her unity, especially today; not only economic unity, but social and political unity as well, with respect for individual nationalities. Problems that must be faced and resolved are complicated and many. They range from the cultural and educational fields to those of law and economics. Pius XII declared St Benedict to be ‘Father of Europe’, and Paul VI decreed him as Europe’s heavenly patron. Listening to St Benedict, we know the times are moving us toward an ever more intense understanding of one another such as to overcome social inequalities, egotistical indifference, undue use of force, intolerance. And is not this the message of the Christian faith? This Christian faith which is the soul and spirit of Europe and which calls upon us to be mild, patient, merciful, peacemaking, pure of heart, poor in spirit, hungry and thirsty for justice. St Benedict’s voice thus joins with the voice of the times. May the Beatitudes be the living program for all Europe! We would here pray for the peace of Christ. And if we look at all the present seeking after greater unity among the peoples of Europe, let us also hope that it will lead as well to profound awareness of the roots -- spiritual roots, Christian roots. Why? Because, if you must build a house in common, deeper foundations are needed. A superficial foundation is not enough; and that deeper foundation is always called ‘spiritual’. May Mary assist us all to agree for uniting Europe and the whole world under the one sun who is Christ. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp255-6 The Christian roots of Europe The evangelization of Europe began with a mother, Lydia, who immediately evangelized her own family and brought them all to be baptized. (Acts 16:14-5) in F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:529. [She initiated the conversion of a continent from her home. (F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:41)] During the fifteenth centennial commemoration of St Benedict’s birth, Pope John Paul II recalled the ‘gigantic contribution’ this saint made toward the formation of Europe. (John Paul II, “Address”, 1 January 1980) It was a time when “the Church, civil society and Christian culture itself were in great danger. Through his sanctity and singular accomplishments, St Benedict gave testimony of the perennial youth of the Church. He and his followers drew the barbarians from paganism toward a civilized and truly enhanced way of life. The Benedictines guided them in building a peaceful, virtuous and productive society interwoven by bonds of fraternal concord.” (Pius XII, Encyclical, “Fulgens radiatur”, 21 March 1947) Benedict contributed much towards forming the essentially Christian souls and roots of Europe. Without Christianity neither our common culture nor our way of being can be explained or understood. (cf L Suarez, “Christian roots of Europe”, Madrid 1986) European identity itself is not intelligible without Christianity since “herein we find the common roots that have brought continental civilization to maturity -- Europe’s dynamism, activity and capacity for constructive expansion to other continents as well; in short, all that constitutes her glory”. (John Paul II, “Address”, 9 November 1982) Today we have the misfortune of seeing a concerted and systematic effort to do away with the deeply Christian meaning of our existence, its most essential aspect. At times it seems as though entire nations are heading toward a new barbarism considerably worse than any other in history. In the face of this situation, Pope John Paul II has called us all on various occasions to a new evangelization of Western Europe and the world. Today, on the feast of St Benedict, let us examine our Christian perspective on life and the apostolic spirit that must inspire all our acts. An ancient proverb says ‘it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness’. Complaining about the evils in society is not appropriate behavior for the children of God. If each Christian decides to bring to completion the task at hand, we will change the world as the first Christians did. They were few but they had a living and operative faith. ‘It’s a big mistake not to do anything with the excuse one can do so little.’ To reach our goals we also need to count on the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Guardian Angels, and on the fortitude we derive from the Communion of Saints which affects even those most alienated from God. Holy Mary, Queen of Europe and of the world, pray for all those who continue each day on their way towards Christ ... pray for us. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:7-12 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) Fourth Day When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us to be not only servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as you children in joy, peace and love. (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • Our Lady of Clery, four leagues from Orleans. This church was rebuilt by King Louis XI who was buried there in the year 1483. — Locrius, M. Aug. lib. iv. c. 68. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Clery, near Orleans, France (15th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Clery”. Near Orleans, France. 15th century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)