‘Thursday’, the last of the fifteen meetings promised by the Lady. Word of the apparitions had spread all over France. Commissioner Jacomet, after a minute inspection of the grotto yesterday and this morning, had stationed an impressive contingent of police on the spot. The crowd was estimated at eight- to ten-thousand.
After attending mass for a deceased relative at 6:30 A.M., Bernadette left for the grotto. Two gendarmes helped her through the crowd, her cousin Jeanne Vedere beside her. At the third ‘Ave, Maria’ of the second mystery, she fell into ecstasy which lasted about an hour.
Bernadette received no special revelation. Feeling very sad, she went home but remained calm and collected. That afternoon she told Father Peyramale that she had again asked the Lady’s identity and make the roses bloom. “Aquero” just smiled and insisted on the chapel.
Peyramale was adamant -- if she wanted the chapel she would have to say who she is and provide the funds. Bernadette remained tranquil. She had fulfilled her promise; her fifteen appointments were over.
Ref: G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p12
Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives
“Being in an agony, his sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground.” (Lk 22:44) Jesus, choosing to submit to all humiliations and sorrows, suffered them before his physical exhaustion. An interior struggle between feeling and the will aggravated the agony. A great proof of love and a lesson for us!
The bloody sweat makes us realize the torment in the soul of Jesus during his agony of nearly two hours. It shows his great suffering. He could have avoided this humiliating agony, but desired it for our sake.
The humble petitions of Jesus brought an angel who strengthened his body, fortified his soul, praised his resignation; and showed him all that his passion should do for his Father’s glory and for the happiness of men. What Jesus as man had asked for, was denied him; but his prayer obtained a wonderful consolation.
In trouble and anguished, recourse to God is always fruitful. If a heavy cross burdens us, the angel of divine consolation will shed the unction of grace in our heart. Our soul strengthened and invigorated, the cross becomes light. We will bear it with sweet resignation and sensible joy with a fresh increase of merit.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp89-91
The need for prayer in order to follow Jesus
Three times he looks for his three disciples to pray with him. Perhaps in that state of helplessness he seeks a touch of human warmth. But his friends abandoned the Friend. A night they should have stayed awake, to have prayed; but they slept. They still did not love enough. Yielding to weakness, they left Jesus alone. The Lord found no support. He had chosen them for this; they had let him down.
We must always pray, but there are times when prayer must be intensified. To abandon it would be like abandoning Christ, leaving ourselves at the mercy of the enemy. “Why do you sleep?” He asks them [and] us, too. “Rise and pray that you may not come into temptation.” (Lk 22:46)
Thus, we say to Jesus: “If you see me asleep, if you discover that I am afraid of pain, if you notice that I stop when I see the cross more closely, Do not leave me! Tell me, as you told Peter, James and John, that you need my affection, my love. Tell me that in order to follow you, in order never to abandon you again into the hands of those who plot your death, I have to overcome my drowsiness, my passions and my comfort ...” (C O’Shea, “The Way of the Cross”)
Jesus wants us to accompany him; “without prayer, how difficult it is to accompany him!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 89) Our experience tells us so. Yet, through a strong daily relationship with him we can say: “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” (Mk 14:31)
Peter could not fulfil his promise that night. Among other things, he did not persevere in prayer as Jesus had asked. After his repentance, he remained faithful, even dying for his Master years later.
Meditating on this scene in the passion can be of great help in making us strong so as never to omit our daily prayer and to carry out the will of God in the things we find difficult. Lord, may things be done not as I want, but as you want!
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:237-9
Prayer Helps Read ‘the Signs of the Times’
Through prayer especially to Jesus at Communion, you will understand so many things about the world and its relationship to him. You will be in a position to read accurately what are referred to as the ‘signs of the times’. Above all, you will have something to offer those who come to you in need.
Through prayer you will possess Christ and be able to communicate him to others, the greatest contribution you can make in your lives: ‘to communicate Christ to the world’.
Through prayer you will receive the strength to resist the spirit of the world. You will receive the power to show compassion to every human being -- just as Jesus did.
Through prayer you will have ‘a part in salvation history’ as it unfolds in your generation. You will be able to enter into the heart of Jesus and understand his feelings towards his Church. ...
Going to Jesus in prayer and through him to the Father, you will always find inspiration in Mary, his Mother. You will learn to pray with her, and with her to await the action of the Holy Spirit in your lives. (cf Acts 1:14)
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions:, 1994, pp263-4
St Casimir -- The son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth, monarchs of Poland and Lithuania. He had a great love for the Eucharist and for the Virgin Mary. Patron saint of Poland. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1487) He died of lingering tuberculosis at twenty-four years of age. (Rev H Hoever, “Lives of the Saints”)
Our Lady de la Garde, in Aragon, so-called for having preserved from death a child who had fallen into a well, in the year 1221. — Bzovinus, year 1221. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Guard (de la Guard). Aragon, Spain [(maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)]; Marseille, France. 1221. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lady de la Guard (Marseille, France, 1221) (http://www/divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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