On Easter Sunday, 28 March 1171, on the altar of Our Lady in the church of “Sta Maria Vado” (Blessed Mary in the water) in Ferrara, Italy, there occurred a Eucharistic Miracle.
This image of Our Lady, believe to have been painted by St Luke, was stolen from the church now a Basilica, on 26 April 1994. Police searched the house of the thieves. They found many paintings but not that of Our Lady. They were about to leave when the Police Chief faintly heard a voice say, ‘Return to the house!’ There was a big cupboard with a false back which on lifting, revealed the missing image.
Ref: Bob and Penny Lord, “Miracles of the Eucharist”, II: 21-33
Practising the virtue of humility
An essential condition for holiness is learning to forget about ourselves. In this way, we are able to see God as our absolute Good, and to think about others.
Together with prayer, the first means we must always use, we should also practise the virtue at work, in family life, when we are alone ... always.
We ought to exert every effort not to be too concerned with our health, our rest; whether people think well of us and regard us sufficiently. We must try to minimize talking about ourselves, of whatever can possibly put us in a good light.
We should avoid curiosity, the desire to know everything and to let everyone know we know it.
Patiently, with good humour, we will accept difficulties and offer them up joyfully as sacrifices to God. We shall not insist on our own point of view unless the truth or justice demands it, and even then we shall be moderate while remaining firm.
We shall overlook the mistakes of others; find excuses for them and in all charity assist them to overcome their failings.
We will accept corrections even if these seem unfair, and yield on appropriate occasions to other people’s opinions when charity or duty is not at stake.
We will avoid displaying our good qualities, possessions, knowledge or experience.
Mary, as the “Handmaid of the Lord”, has shown us how to practise the virtue of humility.
“We turn to her, since she is the Mother of both mercy and tenderness, and no one has ever gone to her in vain. Cast yourself with confidence into her maternal embrace; ask her to obtain for you this virtue she esteemed so highly. ...” (J Pecci [Pope Leo XIII], “The practice of humility”, pp85-6)
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:296-8
Grace begets more graces
Our Lady had plenitude of grace which corresponded to her at every moment. This grace grew and increased day by day, since graces and supernatural gifts do not limit one’s capacity to receive them.
Instead, they increase and expand that capacity for new gifts. The more we love God, the more our soul is enabled to love him further and to receive more grace.
By loving we obtain new powers to love. Whoever loves more has a greater desire to love and a greater capacity for loving.
Grace invites more grace, and a plenitude of grace calls for an ever greater plenitude. Mary’s soul at the first instant of its creation received an immense treasure of graces.
From the beginning Mary has been loved by God above all creatures, because the Lord was fully pleased with her and filled her with supernatural graces, “more than all the angelic spirits and more than all the saints.” (cf Pius IX, “Ineffabilis Deus”, 8 December 1854)
Of Our Lady, St Thomas states that “her dignity is in a certain sense infinite” (“Summa Theologiae”,1, q.25, a.6 ad.4). This grace was given to Mary due to her divine Motherhood.
Fulness of grace and fulness of freedom went together in Our Lady, since one is more free in so far as one is more holy. Thus, she gave a most faithful response to God’s gifts and obtained great merit.
Let us go to her now. We have such great need of her help.
Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:611-2
The treason of Judas
“As he spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs ...” (Mt 26:47)
Judas, taught by Jesus for three years, confirmed in the faith by so many miracles, loaded with favors, has become the tool of those who plot the death of his Lord. For thirty pieces of silver he treacherously delivers him into their hands. Such is the depth of blindness into which avarice has slowly plunged Judas!
What revolting hypocrisy! Did Judas believe that he could deceive God, as he had deceived men? How passion blinds its victims!
Everybody detests the crime of Judas; but there are Christians nowadays who renew it by making a sacrilegious Communion. They in reality deliver up Jesus under the cloak of piety, to the demons in their hearts.
May God preserve us from such a crime! There are acts of hypocrisy less revolting but which we ought neverthess to fear and detest -- contenting ourselves with exterior virtue and piety, being more careful about duties before colleagues than when alone, alleging false pretexts to attain our ends, etc.
Which is the more wonderful -- the sweetness of Jesus, or hardness of heart of Judas? In addressing Judas, “My friend”, Jesus signified his readiness to pardon him. By asking Judas, “What did you come for?” (Mt 26:50) Jesus wished to help Judas examine himself, to recognize and abhor his crime. But Judas was firm.
Jesus tried again to convert him by showing he knew of his treachery, saying: “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk 22:48) All was in vain. He remained obstinate.
The extraordinary gentleness of Jesus ought to redouble our love for him. The unusual hardness of the traitor should fill us with fear and extreme distrust of ourselves, no matter how virtuous we believe we are.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp96-8
Penance
Let us not forget that in all human activity there must be men and women who, in their lives and work, raise Christ’s Cross aloft for all to see, as an act of reparation. It is a symbol of peace and of joy, a symbol of the Redemption and of the unity of the human race. It is a symbol of the love that the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has, and continues to have, for mankind.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 985
• Our Lady of Castelbruedo, at Olian, in Catalonia. It is related that every year, on the day of the Annunciation, three lights were seen of a blue color, which shone through the glass windows of this church, lighted the lamps and wax candles, went out by the same way; and immediately disappeared. — Ludo Marinaeus. lib. Y., de rebus Hispanicis, c. ultimo. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Castelbruedo, Catalonia, Spain. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Castelbruedo (“Nuestra Señora de Castelbruedo”). Catalonia, Spain. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Castelbruedo Olian, Catalonia, Spain. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Castelbruedo (Olian, Catalonia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Bocciola (Italy, 1543) (http://mariedenazareth.com)
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