17 October 2010: 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)

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; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Dedication: Cave of Our Lady of Chartres, St Pontianus. France. 46.(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html).

Our Lady of Chartres (France) Grotto dedicated in 40 AD. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html).

‘Notre Dame de Chartres’. By St Pontianus. France. 40, 46. [Jul 13, Aug 6, 17; Dec 22, 31] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm).