The gifts of wisdom and understanding, so generously bestowed upon the early Christians, completely weaned their affections from earthly goods and honors. These things became henceforth, only obstacles and hindrances in their acquiring heavenly treasures.
Therefore, “their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all, according as every one had need; ... and all things were common unto them”. (Acts 2:45) Thus, freed from all worldly cares, they thought only of heavenly things. They enjoyed great peace and joy, serving God without distraction or hindrance.
The Holy Spirit has also taught us that Christian perfection consists in detachment from earthly goods. Happy poverty! It gives us all the advantages enjoyed by the early Christians, and prepares us for eternal life, as our Lord promised: “Every one who had left house or brethren ... for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.” (Mt 19:29)
Not less wonderful than the spirit of poverty was the spirit of love and union which reigned among the early Christians. Although differing in nation, manners, habits, all were so united in heart and mind, as St Luke says, “they had but one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32).
They spoke the same language, prayed and ate together, shared the same joys and sorrows; made the same sacrifices. Men were encouraged to believe in the divine origin of a religion which produced such fruits. The number of converts increased daily.
The works of God remain in every age. The love and paternal union the Holy Spirit inspired in the early Christians, amidst a self-seeking world, still flourish.
Let us show our gratitude by carefully avoiding all that could mar this perfection. Singularity, contention, particular friendships, or special privileges hinder our desiring nothing more than to be in all things like our brethren. We must love them with a supernatural charity, in all sincerity and simplicity; ever ready to serve them even at the cost of our comfort.
“And they were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42) Before their conversion these very disciples had been worldly-minded men, whose whole religion consisted in certain external observances, without interior devotion. Our Lord had once complained: “This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (Mt 15:8)
These same men have become interior, spiritual, contemplative -- full of the most tender piety. This was the third miraculous operation of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. How did they preserve and increase this gift? By persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, in prayer and communion.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp303-5
` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` `
Mary is taken up to Heaven -- “Mary has gone to heaven in both body and soul, ... the angels rejoice. I can imagine, too, the delight of St Joseph, her most chaste spouse, who awaited her in paradise. Yet what of us who remain on earth? Our faith tells us ... here below, in our present life, we are pilgrims, wayfarers. Our lot is one of sacrifices, suffering, privations. Nonetheless, joy must mark the rhythm of our steps. ‘Serve the Lord with joy’: there is no other way to serve him.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 177)
Let us offer our Mother: ‘A smile when someone corrects us or misjudges us.’
Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p313
Papal documents on the Rosary
Encyclical Letters, Apostolic Letters, Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Exhortations, Letters to special people, ‘Motu Proprios’, Allocutions and Radio Messages. These documents represent the thoughts, teaching and interests of the Church as declared by eleven Supreme Pontiffs, regarding Devotion to the Holy Rosary.
Three major topics are treated in depth in these Documents: 1) The nature and the history of the Rosary; 2) Efficacy of the Rosary in the life of souls, in serious cases of dangers for the Church and the Christian Doctrine, in ending wars, and in the needs of our times; and 3) Devotion to the Holy Rosary.
If so many Popes, through so many Documents, are persuading us to recite the Rosary, there must be something really special, something good in this Devotion. Cardinal Gabriel-Marie Garrone, in the Preface of a book on the Rosary, wrote these beautiful words:
“The Rosary belongs to the Church. When we point out the official testimonies of the Supreme Pontiffs, their appeals, the word ‘encouragement’ would not convey their forcefulness -- which are almost disconcerting by reason of their number, seriousness, and continuity; when we reflect on the long experience of people, or on the supernatural efficacy of the Rosary in reviving and stimulating faith and zeal, then we must truly say that the Rosary belongs to the Church.
“If the Church recommends devotion to the Rosary with such insistence, she does so in undeniable obedience to the trustworthy instinct of her maternity, its educative and nutritive value for faith and charity. In all this the Church clearly has the assurance of guiding her children toward the Truth of which she is the guardian. ... the Church has the assurance of placing in the hands of her children the good tools of their conversion and sanctification.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p50
· “The Rosary is an excellent means of professing our faith.” -- Pope Leo XIII (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p50)
• Feast of relics of Our Lady, at Venice, where are exposed to the veneration of the faithful, portions of the robe of the Blessed Virgin, of her mantle, veil, and girdle. — History of the Relics published at Venice. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Feast of the Relics of Our Lady (Venice, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Feast of the Relics of Our Lady. Venice, Italy. Fragments of her veil, more. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Mary armed with a spear saves Rhodes. 1480. Web summary of the account in Robert Ernst, Lexikon der Marienerscheinungen (Lexicon of Mary Appearances) (1980): In the year 1480, 40,000 Turks besieged the fortress of Rhodus, which was defended by the Knights of St. John; the then Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson then dared to start with his knights a counter-attack. It is reported that during this fight Mary appeared in heaven. In her right hand, she held a spear, and in her left hand, a shield. In any case, the Knights of St. John were able to beat off the attack of Mohammed II against Rhodus victoriously from 23rd to 28th of May 1480. More history of the siege. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Moveable feast -- Last Saturday of the Month of May. (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
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