‘Wednesday.’ Bernadette, with her mother and faithful aunt Bernarde, left for the grotto at seven in the morning. She had to cross a mass of about three-thousand people to reach her usual place. Despite her prolonged prayers, Bernadette was not awarded with an apparition. Crying, she anxiously thought of reasons for Aquero’s not appearing. Finally, she returned home and went to school.
That afternoon, her uncle advised her to go back to the grotto. On arrival, she found the Lady awaiting her. As soon as she fell into ecstasy, as we read in her memoirs: “... when I was inside the grotto, after reciting the rosary, I asked on behalf of our parish priest, to tell me her name.” The answer she got was a tender smile.
When Peyramale was informed, he was skeptical. While he couldn’t deny that the visions had reawakened religious fervor in Lourdes, the affair was dangerous. Bernadette should stop meeting with a stranger.
If she really wanted a chapel built, she would just have to identify herself and give some sort of sign, for example, make the rose arbor in the grotto bloom. That would certainly be tangible proof of her powers.
Ref: cf G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p12
Prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Olives
Jesus Christ knelt down, hit his face on the earth, and remained prostrate as if unworthy to look to heaven. He thought of the infinite majesty of God to whom he spoke as man bearing the weight of our sins. “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevetheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Lk 22:4)
Jesus gives us the example of a heroic resignation. Like us in his human nature, the sight of death, the thought of sufferings and humiliations which will precede it, made him implore his heavenly Father, to spare Him these sacrifices. Still he declared his readiness to endure them if it is His will.
This is how we ought to pray when we ask God to deliver us from anything against our natural inclination. But we should always say ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ in everything we ask for daily.
Jesus interrupted his prayer three times to inquire of his disciples who seemed unaware of the greatest danger. Immediately he went back to pray, and repeated ... ‘not as I will, but thy will be done’.
We learn two things: 1) We ought not to pray too long as to neglect works of charity. Neither must we allow our charitable zeal lead to neglect of prayer. We should sanctify zeal by prayer, and enrich prayer by zealous charitable labors.
2) We ought not to pray with a variety of forms and expressions, nor be weary of repeating our petitions.
In any activity, much prayer should precede action.
Ref: cf Practical Meditations by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp87-9
We pray for those who do not like us
A Christian must always have a big heart and show respect for all, even for those who act as enemies, “not because they are brothers, but because brothers they must become; one must show fraternal love towards him who is already a brother, and towards the one who acts as an enemy, so that he may become a brother”. (St Augustine, “Commentary on 1 John”, 4, 10, 7)
This attitude presumes a prayerful life. It distinguishes us from those who refuse to be Christ’s disciples. For “if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the Publicans do that? And if you greet only your brethren, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do that?” (Lk 6:32-3; Mt 5:45-6)
Our Faith calls not merely for a correct human behavior, but for living heroic virtues daily. Trusting in everyone’s capacity to rectify his errors, charity will impel us to devote ourselves to prayer, to give good example; and to do apostolate and practise fraternal correction. If at some time we suffer through particularly painful offences, injustices or calumnies, we must ask Our Lady’s help.
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, "In Conversation with God", 3:342-3
Prayer Transforms Our Lives
Prayer transforms our individual lives and the life of the world. Young men and women, when you meet Christ in prayer, when you get to know his Gospel and reflect on it in relation to your hopes and plan for the future; everything is new ... [and] different when you begin to examine in prayer the circumstances of every day, according to the set of values that Jesus taught.
These values are so clearly stated in the Beatitudes: “Blest are the merciful; they will receive mercy. ... Blest too the peacemakers; they will be called children of God.” (cf Mt 5:7-9)
In prayer, united with Jesus -- your brother, friend, Savior, God -- you begin to breathe a new atmosphere, you form new goals and new ideals. Yes, in Christ you begin to understand yourselves more fully.
This is what the Second Vatican Council wanted to emphasize when it stated: ‘The truth is that only in the mystery of the Incarnate Word does the mystery of man take on light.’ In other words, Christ not only reveals God to man but also reveals man to himself. In Christ we grasp the secret of our own humanity.
But there is more. Through prayer you come ‘to experience the truth that Jesus taught’: “The words that I spoke to you are spirit and life.” (Jn 6:63) In Jesus, whom you get to know in prayer, your dreams for justice and for peace become definite and look for practical applications.
When you are in contact with the Prince of Peace, you understand how totally opposed to his message are violence and terrorism, hatred and war. In him you experience the full meaning of an interpersonal relationship that is based on generous love. Christ offers you a friendship that does not disappoint, a fidelity beyond compare.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp262-3
· My Mother and Lady, teach me how to pronounce a ‘yes’ which, like yours, will identify with the cry of Jesus before his Father: “not my will but God’s be done” (Lk 22:42). (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross” 4th Station, 1)
Our Lady of Angels of Toulouse, France (http://www/divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Our Lady of Longport, in Valois. This abbey of the Cistercian order was founded in the year 1131 by Josselin, Bishop of Soissons. — Gallia Christiana, t. iv.
(“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Longpont / Longport. Valois, France. 1131. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (http://www/divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (1131) (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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