A Franciscan, renowned for his profound knowledge of theology. The Evangelical Doctor because he based all he said on texts of the Gospels. He died in Padua. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1547)
PAX
St Anthony in a Homily on Christ as our peace said: ‘Pax’, Latin for peace also stands for the Holy Trinity. The letter P is for ‘Pater’ (Father); A, the first letter of the alphabet refers to the First-born Son; and X, a consonant of letters K and S, refers to the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son.
Ref: Bob and Penny Lord, “Miracles of the Eucharist”, Vol 2, p305
St Antony, Preacher of Penance
‘Preaching and Penance': a great binomen of pure evangelical origin. It is put to you again through the luminous example of Anthony, because it is completely valid and urgent in our days, although they are different from his. Times change. Methods and forms of pastoral action change according to the Church’s sage directives. But the fundamental principles remain.
Likewise unchanged are the nature and problems of man, the apex of divine creation, yet seems to be always exposed to the dramatic possibility of sin. That means there is urgent need to announce the kerygma of salvation, unchanged in its content, ‘to man of today as well’; ie, there is need to preach salvation. There is urgent need as well today to offer the instrument ‘to sinful man’ -- the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance).
Penance and reconciliation. After the great themes of evangelization, of catechesis and family, it has seemed fitting to examine this grave matter under all its aspects. It is a subject which engages a great part of the Church’s life and activity.
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp223-4
Fatima: The second apparition
On the morning of this day in 1917, Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco with a few dozen curious people went to the Cova da Iria. Precisely at noon the Lady appeared above the holm oak again. Everyone saw a small white cloud float down from the eastern sky and hover over the tree where the children were kneeling in ecstasy.
‘My Lady’, Lucia began in a fearful voice, ‘what do you want of me?’ “I want you to come here on the 13th day of next month, to pray the rosary every day; and to learn to read.”
Lucia asked for the cure of a sick person. The Lady said, “If she is converted, she will be cured within a year.” ‘I want you to take us to Heaven’, Lucia said with childish simplicity.
“Yes”, the Lady replied, “I will take Francisco and Jacinta soon, but you must remain for some time. Jesus wishes to use you to make me better known and loved; to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.”
Lucia was suddenly sad. ‘Must I stay here alone?’ “No, my child”, the Lady replied gently. “And would that make you suffer? Do not be disheartened. My Immaculate Heart will never abandon you, but will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
As she said these words, the Lady again opened her hands on the three children and communicated to them the same immense light that had overwhelmed them last month. Francisco and Jacinta seemed to be in that part of the light which rose towards Heaven and Lucia in the rays which spread over the world.
In the palm of the Lady’s right hand, they saw a Heart ringed by thorns which seemed to pierce it. They believed it to be the Immaculate Heart of Mary grieved by the sins of humanity and seeking reparation.
As the Lady rose into the sky, Lucia stood up and cried: ‘Look! There she goes!’ The bystanders saw the little cloud of light drift away into the eastern sky. Then they noticed the leaves of the holm oak bent towards the direction the Lady had taken as if her garments had trailed across them. The leaves gradually returned to normal position after some hours.
Ref: Francis W Johnston, “Fatima, The Great Sign”, 1980, p29
The Heart of Jesus is exempt from even the thought of sin
We may say that the Mother of Jesus, by virtue of her Immaculate Conception, never had an evil thought disturb the peace of her heart. Much more can we say that of her Divine Son. Jesus Christ was absolute master over all the movements of his heart. He could open or close it at will to the emotions of joy, grief, etc.
How very different it is with us! Bad thoughts seem to follow and persecute us everywhere, and at all times, even in our prayers, even before the altar.
The seeds of original sin remain in our hearts. ‘The imagination and thought of man’s heart are prone to evil from his youth.’ We are often tempted to complain of this, but unwittingly increase the evil by allowing too much liberty to our senses, especially our eyes, which the Holy Spirit calls the windows of the soul. ‘Death comes up through our windows.’
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp321-2
Humility of the Heart of Jesus
‘Humility of heart or of will’, as distinct from ‘humility of mind’ or of ‘intellect’, is a virtue. A habitual disposition and state of the will by which a man forgets himself, and seeks only the glory of God in all things. Dead to himself, the humble man lives only for God, the sole object of his thoughts and intentions. The only motive and end of all he does, desires, fears, or hopes, because to God alone all glory and honor are due.
Such was our Lord during the whole of his mortal life: “I seek not my own glory.” (Jn 8:50) Witness also the whole course of his life which St Paul sums up briefly in the words: “He humbled himself.” (Philippians 2:8)
Do we find a like humility in ourselves? Do we seek always the glory of God alone, or have we not in the secret depth of our hearts some self-love, or desire for the esteem of men, even in our holiest actions?
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp322-3
Jesus Beckons to Suffering Souls
Isaiah clearly prophesied how Jesus would bear our sufferings and carry our sorrows. It was essential that Christ should completely become like his brethren so he could be a compassionate and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of his people. Since Christ himself has suffered and has been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (cf Heb 2:17-8)
Near the heart of Jesus, we understand that suffering is the presence of God in the soul. Divine action is direct in suffering. Each sorrow is like a kiss of Christ on our soul. Jesus lovingly embraced the life-giving cross. ‘Those whom I love most’, he said to St Angela de Foligno, ‘eat nearest to me at my table. ... partake of the same bread of tribulation and drink from the same cup of the chalice of my Passion’.
Our Lord sends us sufferings always for our greatest good; he never sends it without giving us at the same time the strength to bear it and draw profit from it. “My grace is enough for you”, he told St Paul (2 Cor 12:9). At the height of our sorrow, we can say with the great Apostle of the Gentiles: “... we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (cf Rom 8:37).
Ref: cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters With Christ”, 1990, pp106-7
Prayer
Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, hope and comfort of dejected and desolate souls, through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart while thine only Son, our Lord suffered death, and ignominy on the Cross:
through that filial tenderness and pure love he had for thee, grieving in thy grief while from His Cross He recommended thee to the care and protection of His beloved disciple, take pity, we beseech Thee, on our poverty and necessities; have compassion on our anxieties and cares; assist and comfort us in all our infirmities and miseries.
Attend with an ear of pity, we beseech thee, to our humble and earnest request. We ask it through the mercy of Jesus Christ, thy Son, the Redeemer of the world. ...
Ref: Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p198-9
Dedication of Our Lady of Sichem, near Louvain in the year 1604 by Mathias Hovius, Archbishop of Mechlin. The image of the Blessed Virgin seen in this church, was originally placed in the hollow of an oak-tree. — Justus Lipsius de Virg. Aspricol., c. 4. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Sichem (Belgium, 1604). (http://www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (http://www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (MaryLinks Calendar.htm) Dedication of the Church (http://www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm) (MaryLinks Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Our Lady of Sichem, Belgium. 1604. Original Sichem was an Israeli town. Christians built a church dedicated to the Virgin in 5th Century, but Christian population was later wiped out by Muslims. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Our Lady of Sichem near Louvain. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
Our Lady of the Miraculous Candle / ‘Nossa Senhora da vela miraculous’ (Portugal). (Moveable feast-- 3rd Sunday after Pentecost [23 May2010]-- (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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