1 July 2012: The World Created by God for Man

Man’s situation in the modern world seems far removed from the objective demands of the moral order, from the requirement of justice, and even more of social love. We are dealing here only with God’s message: “subdue” the earth. This message was confirmed by Christ the Lord in the mystery of the Redemption. The Second Vatican Council expressed it in the call to share in the kingly function of Christ. The essential meaning of this “kingship” and “dominion” consists in: priority of ethics over technology, primacy of person over things, and superiority of spirit over matter. An advancement of persons, not just multiplying things people can use. Not of “having more” as of “being more”. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp247-8 Cure of the paralytic at the pool of Jerusalem Jesus left Capharnaum for Jerusalem to celebrate the Pasch publicly for the second time, the second year of his ministry. As the sovereign lawgiver, he was not bound to observe the Jewish Pasch. This should teach us how we ought to faithfully observe the laws, rules and established customs of society. In certain cases we might claim exemption; but let us keep them for love of regularity and to give edification. Jesus chose to observe it by a wonderful miracle. At one of the gates of Jerusalem is a pool of water, named Bethsaida in Hebrew, with five porches. In these porches lay a great multitude of sick, blind, lame and withered, waiting for the moving of the water. An angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pool and the water was moved. Whoever goes first into the pool afterwards was cured of any infirmity. There was a man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years. Jesus, touched with compassion when he saw the man, said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The poor man thought the question was a reproach, and replied, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. For while I am going, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Arise, take your mat and walk” (cf Jn 5:5-9). It is a great consolation to learn that the paralytic’s extreme misery is what drew our Lord’s attention to him in preference to so many others. Our miseries and spiritual infirmities, however great they may be, must not bring distrust or discouragement. Let us go to Jesus, through our spiritual director, that ‘faithful friend’ whom the paralytic needed, and we shall obtain the cure of our spiritual diseases. But after we are cured, let us remember what our Lord said to the paralytic: “See, you have been made well! Do not sin anymore, so nothing worse happens to you.” (Jn 5:14) Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp410-12 Apostolate: An overflow of the interior life Closeness to Jesus makes us learn how to be joyful, to be more understanding, and to love. In short, we learn how to be good Christians. The life united with Christ necessarily goes beyond the limited sphere of the individual. “The apostolate, of whatever kind it be, must be an overflow of the interior life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 239) “This life of intimate union with Christ in the Church is maintained by the spiritual helps common to all the faithful, chiefly by active participation in the liturgy. Laymen ... while meeting their human obligations in ordinary conditions of life, do not separate their union with Christ from their ordinary lives; but carrying out their daily tasks, whose performance is God’s will for them, actually promote growth of their union with him.” (cf Second Vatican Council, “Apostolicam actuositatem”, 4) Holy Communion, the Mass (true center of the Christian life), personal prayer and mortification enhance this union with God. This union will show itself in how we set about our daily work, in dealing with others, whether believers or not, and in the way we carry out our civic and social duties. If we neglect this intimate union with God our apostolic effectiveness will weaken in the lives of people we habitually contact. At best, our advice becomes merely common sense devoid of supernatural content. Instead of Gospel doctrines, our personal beliefs emerge. If our heart is not in God we cannot share the words and the life that come from him. Let us take a look at our prayer. Do we have a set time for it? Are we punctual? Do we ask Our Lady, St Joseph and our Guardian Angel to help us maintain a lively dialogue with God? Do we make at least one small but definite resolution about what needs correcting or improving in our daily life? What efforts do we exert in preserving presence of God while walking along the street, at work, at home? How can we make God be more present there? We ask St Joseph for fortitude of spirit in bringing Christ in all realities. With faith we see the example of his life: “... as a remarkably sound man who was in no way, fearful or diffident about life. On the contrary, he faced up to problems, dealt with difficult situations; and showed responsibility and initiative in whatever he was asked to do. ...” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 40) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:659-63 No Apostolate without Interior Life A special recommendation, which I entrust to the Christian hearts of all laity. No apostolate exists, no apostolate can exist (either for priests or for laity) without interior life, without prayer, without a persevering striving toward holiness ... Such holiness is the gift of Wisdom, which for the Christian, is a particular actuation of the Holy Spirit received in baptism and in confirmation: “May God grant me to speak suitably and to have thoughts at their worth: for he is the guide of Wisdom and director of the wise. For both we and our words are in his hand, as well as all prudence and knowledge of crafts.” (Wisdom 7:15-6) May you all be called to sanctity! You have need of the abundance of the Holy Spirit for accomplishing the new and original task of the lay apostolate with his Wisdom! Hence you have to be united to Christ, for sharing in his sacerdotal [priestly], prophetic and royal office, in the difficult and marvelous circumstances of the Church and the world of today. Yes. We must be in his hands so as to be able to accomplish our Christian vocation! In his hands for bringing all things to God. In the hands of the eternal Wisdom, for participating fruitfully in Christ’s own mission! In God’s hands for building his kingdom in the temporal realities of this world! Dear brothers and sisters, I ask the Lord today for a holiness that may flourish in an original and creative apostolate, impregnated with divine Wisdom, I so pray for all of you, for all laity. I implore this through the Virgin’s intercession. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp314-5 Our Lady -- “Say to her: ‘Mother of mine -- ... may your love bind me to your Son’s cross, may I not lack the faith, nor the courage, nor the daring, to carry out the will of our Jesus’.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 497) • Dedication of the church of Jumieges in honor of Mary. Normandy, France. 1067; by Maurice, Archbishop of Rouen, at the instance of King William. — Thomas Walsingham. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Church of Jumieges in honor of Mary. Normandy, France. 1067. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

30 June 2012: Kindness and tenderness of the Heart of Jesus

‘Shown by his words and actions’ “Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.” “It is I, fear not.” “Be of good heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep.” “Be merciful.” “I will have mercy, not sacrifice.” How tender are these words which came from the lips and the heart of Jesus! The whole life of our Lord was spent in ‘doing good’. He never saw suffering, bodily or mental, without healing or consoling it. Let us take two instances out of a thousand others. Near the city of Naim, he met a widowed mother, inconsolable for the loss of her only son. And he was ‘moved with mercy’ for her, and raised her son to life. On another occasion, when four-thousand men had followed him for three days in the desert, he said to the Apostles: ‘I have compassion on the multitude ...’ The expressions, ‘moved with mercy’, or ‘have compassion’, occur no less than eight times in the holy Gospels. We, therefore, do a great injury to the Heart of Jesus when we doubt his mercy, or the pardon of our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When we look upon his yoke as heavy and difficult to bear. When we exchange confidence for fear, and fear for discouragement, or even despair. Let us be most careful never to offer him an insult such as this. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp334-5 Our duties towards the Heart of Jesus “What does the Heart of Jesus do for all people in the Blessed Sacrament?” It performs the office of a ‘mediator’, continually interceding for us. If God has not exterminated the human race due to sins which cry for vengeance to heaven, we know that it is because the heart of Jesus is perpetually pleading with Him, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). It performs the office of a ‘priest’, sacrificing itself every day for us on thousands of altars. ‘It performs the office of a father’, feeding us with its own flesh and blood. It performs the office of a ‘master’ and ‘teacher’, instructing us, by its very condition in the Blessed Sacrament, in the virtues we most need: silence, recollection, humility, patience, resignation, devotion. ‘What do we do for the Heart of Jesus?’ What does he receive from those who believe in his Presence in the Blessed Sacrament? The homage of adoration day and night, and that gratitude and filial devotion which are his due; but only from a few! And from others? Neglect, disdain, contempt, profanation, sacrilege. ‘What does the Heart of Jesus expect of us?’ To make reparation to it, by extraordinary devotion and fervor, for all the contempt, injuries, and profanations so many Catholics are guilty of. That we should receive Holy Communion worthily and hear Mass with great devotion. And make an act of reparation to the Sacred Heart. What powerful motives we have to do this with all our hearts! We owe many blessings and graces from the Heart of Jesus! Our numerous sins and infidelities cry for reparation. Many graces and benefits to pray for. To these, add public motives, especially those which affect the Catholic Church, still so bitterly persecuted. We shall never tire of finding a thousand different ways of honoring the Sacred Heart. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp336-8 ‘To Jesus Through Mary’ I was having difficulty in the seminary. Someone recommended that I read “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary” by St Louis Marie de Montfort. As a member of the Sodality of Our Lady, the motto, ‘Ad Jesum per Mariam’ was very familiar to me. St Louis Marie suggested an act of consecration of everything we do ‘To Jesus through Mary’. I thought: ‘What do I have to lose?’ Mary, as the Mother of God, was in life the perfect exemplar of doing God’s Will; and in heaven she is undoubtedly the first whose prayers we must seek to identify with ours to know and to do God’s Will in our lives. I recall that on 8 December 1958, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I knelt before the statue of Our Lady in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception in St Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, I made an act of consecration of everything to Jesus through Mary. From that moment, I have never had one doubt about my vocation; and I have found great consolation in two prayers, in particular. One is the ‘Memorare’, the great prayer of St Bernard of Clairvaux: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who sought Thy help or asked Thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I come unto you O virgin of virgins. Despise not my petition but in your mercy hear answer me. Amen.” [cf 17 August, Vol 3, p251 of “To Jesus Daily Through Mary”, these compilations] The other prayer is the ‘Morning Offering: O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates and, in particular, for the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope.’ This prayer is promoted by the ‘Apostleship of Prayer’ and the ‘League of the Sacred Heart’. Pope Paul VI particularly blessed with a plenary indulgence, a remission of all temporal punishment due to sin, for every day we sincerely offer everything to God. A humble offering to God through the Mother of God of all that we have, all that we are and all that we do will also render us more open to the insights and promptings that God gives us. We will be open to truth, ... to faith. In our admitted weakness and dependence, we will literally be given new courage, new heart -- the courage, the generosity, and the love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Ref: Archbishop JP Foley in “Alliance of the Two Hearts”, pp360-3 The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome The Church celebrates this feast in memory of the martyrs in the persecution under Nero (~64 AD). Many Christians, people from all levels of society, were tortured and killed. This celebration reminds us that Christians should seek sanctity regardless of their social status, age, or skills. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1569) • Our Lady of Calais, built by the English while they possessed that city of which they were masters during 210 years; a magnificent chapel was added to it in the year 1631 by James de Bolloye, parish priest of Calais. — Davila, ii. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Calais (Built by the English in France) 1347. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Calais (France, 1347). (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Calais”. France. 1347. Built by Anglo-Normans when they controlled the north coast of France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Rose -- Patroness of Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

29 June 2012: Solemnity -- Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles

The Church founded by Christ has Sts Peter and Paul as principal pillars. Christ chose Peter to be His first Vicar on earth, endowed with powers of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 16:13-9); and charged with role of Shepherd of Christ’s flock (Jn 21:15-7). In Peter and his successors is seen the visible sign of unity; given through them the communion in faith and charity. Divine grace led Peter to profess Christ’s divinity. St Peter suffered martyrdom (~AD 66) under Nero; was buried at the hill of the Vatican where recent excavations revealed his tomb beneath St Peter’s Basilica. Christ chose Paul on the road to Damascus to form part of the apostolic college (Acts 9:1-16). An instrument selected to bring Christ’s name to all peoples (Acts 9:15), he is the greatest missionary of all time, the advocate of pagans, the ‘Apostle of the Gentiles’. St Paul was beheaded in the ‘Tre Fontane’ and buried nearby where the basilica bearing his name now stands. Ref: Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1562 The vocation of Peter Peter met Jesus in the evening through Andrew, his brother. Andrew and John were with Jesus the whole day. Andrew could not keep to himself the immense treasure he had found. “Filled with joy he ran to tell his brother about the great benefit he had received.” (St John Chrysostom, “Catena Aurea”, vol VII) Our Lord shows He has always known Peter: “You are Simon, son of John.” Jesus also knows Peter’s future: “You will be called Cephas, which means Rock” (Jn 1:42). These words determine Peter’s vocation and prophesy his destiny. Despite his weaknesses Peter was faithful to Christ to the point of dying for him. We ask him to make us firm in the faith. We ask, too of Mary our Mother, that we may hold fast to our faith without any ambiguity wherever we live. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:364-5, 370 Our Lord chooses His disciples “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10) St Paul asked at the moment of his conversion. Jesus answered, “Rise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do”. The persecutor, transformed by grace, received Christian instruction and Baptism from a man, Ananias, in accordance with ordinary ways of providence. Once Paul realizes that Christ is all that really matters in his life, he immediately gave himself with all his strength. He knows that he is the instrument chosen to take the Gospel to many people. Let us ask Our Lady, ‘Queen of Apostles’, to make us understand better that the apostolate is a joyous undertaking, although it may demand sacrifice. That our responsibility towards people we meet daily is great. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, pp371, 377 The Good Shepherd Our Lord uses this tender and touching figure to express the love His Sacred Heart bears us, and to draw to it the hearts of men. Imagine you behold a good shepherd surrounded by his sheep. His greatest anxiety is the safety of his flock. He thinks of them night and day, ever on the watch lest they fall into harm. His love for them knows no bounds. If, despite his vigilance, a single sheep wanders from the fold, he is restless till he has found it and carried it home. Should there be any sickness among the flock, he tends them unceasingly. He devotes himself totally to them. In short, his delight is to be with them, and to lavish every sort of care upon them. We will find in Jesus, the Shepherd of our souls, that ardent love and unceasing vigilance fill his Heart towards mankind, but in a more perfect degree. Has he not completely forgotten himself for us? ... become poor to make us rich? ... deliver himself up to death to give us life? “I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Jn 10:14) What does our Lord wish us to understand by these words? That he reads the heart. That there are Christians who are good sheep only in the eyes of men. There are others who are in reality good sheep, and known as such in the All-seeing Eye that cannot be deceived. Ponder these truths. Are we among the faithful flock known to our Lord? The good sheep seeks his master’s company. Do we love to be with Jesus, and to visit him often in the Blessed Sacrament? The sheep knows and follows his master’s voice. Do we know and follow it when he speaks through our director and our norms? “And I lay down my life for my sheep.” (Jn 10:15) Our Lord tells us that “the hireling, who owns not the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep and flees” (Jn 10:12). That is, he is faithful only as long as neither trouble nor sacrifice is demanded of him. The good Shepherd, on the contrary, ‘gives his life for the sheep’. What a contrast between the conduct of the hireling and that of the good Shepherd! The hireling thinks only of his own interest and of himself. The other acts from motives of supernatural love and charity. Our Lord uses the hireling as a type of the Pharisees who publicly announce their good actions, “that they may be honored by men” (Lk 16:15). Under the figure of the good Shepherd Jesus seeks only the glory of his Heavenly Father. Let us examine the motives of our words and actions, and make some generous resolutions for the future. Humbly ask Our Lord for fidelity to them. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp214-6 The Holy Spirit, the Secret Force in Confirmation No one succeeds in being an authentic disciple of Christ if he wishes to be so alone, on his own initiative, with his own energies. That is impossible. The result would be only a caricature of the true Christian. Just as one cannot become a human adult unless there be a new and decisive contribution from nature, so it is with the Christian on another level. But with the chrism you receive a pouring out and a particular endowment of the Holy Spirit. He, just like the wind, from which the word “spirit” comes, enlivens, urges, refreshes. He is our secret strength, the inexhaustible reserve and propellent energy of all our thinking and doing as Christians. He gives you courage, as he did to the Apostles at Pentecost. He makes you understand the truth and beauty of Jesus’ words. He gives you life. He is actually the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. When he comes to you, he does not come alone but also brings the seal of the Father and his Son Jesus with him. At the same time, he introduces you into the trinitarian mystery. It is not easy to discuss this, but that does not mean it thereby ceases to be the foundation of and unmistakable stamp upon our Christian identity. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p220 • Our Lady -- “Mary, your Mother, will bring you to the Love of Jesus. There you wil be ‘cum gaudio et pace’, with joy and peace. And you will be always ‘brought’, because on your own you would fall and get covered with mud: you will be brought onward, brought to believe, to love, and to suffer.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 677) • Our Lady of Buglose two leagues from Acqs, in Gascony. This image was miraculously found in the year 1634, and removed to the parish of Buglose. — Triple Conronne, n. 36. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Buglose (15th Century). (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Buglose (Near Acqs, Gascony). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Buglose, France (1634). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Buglose”. Landes, France. 1634. History of the shrine. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

28 June 2012: Zeal of the Heart of Jesus

‘Extent of this zeal’ Great was the zeal of our Lord. He restricted its exercise to inhabitants of Palestine because such was his Father’s will, to which he was in all things perfectly conformed. But his Heart embraced the whole world. He prayed always for its conversion during his hidden life. In the three years of his public ministry he prepared his Apostles for this great work, promising to be with them “even to the consummation of the world” (Mt 28:20). After the example of our Lord, let us learn -- 1st, to let our zeal be governed by obedience, even should this compel us to restrain it within the narrow bounds of a life apparently common and obscure; 2nd, not to envy those who may be called to a more brilliant career in the exercise of their zeal, but rather to do all we can to help them; and 3rd, to let our zeal embrace the whole world, taking part in the good work everywhere, as much as lies in our power by prayers and alms. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp332-3 Triumph of the Zeal of the Sacred Heart “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself.” (Jn 12:32) This is the prophecy of the triumph of our Lord’s zeal. What a triumph! Idolatry vanquished and made despicable; the name of God known and adored everywhere; the way of salvation opened freely to all men. More than eleven million, in every condition of life, bearing witness for the faith by a cruel martyrdom! Still a triumph that so many persons, regardless of sex, draw from the heart of Jesus a zeal which gives them courage to forsake all things or go into distant and barbarous lands as missionaries. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p333 The Son and the Mother united in love Christ, the Eternal Incarnate Word, born from Mary, is always oriented towards the Father. Sent by Him into the world, Christ is in permanent union with the Father: He lives listening to His word, does only what ‘He sees the Father doing. ... always ready to fulfill His Will and seeks only His glory. ... the Father’s Will is the salvation of man.’ But Christ, though He is the only Mediator and the sole Saviour, though He does not need any help, does not act by Himself in the work of salvation of mankind because the Father arranged that to Him must be indissolubly conjoined the Mother and helper, Mary of Nazareth. The conciliar constitution, ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’ which mirrors the style and the way of thinking of Liturgy, affirms that the Blessed Virgin was ‘conjoined indissolubly with the operation of salvation of her Son’. It is the intense and extremely pure love of the Mother: a love constantly nourished by the Spirit, who is the source of the Mother-Son relationship, between Mary of Nazareth and the Incarnate Word. Though pure, their love is not limited to their persons, but given to the whole mankind. Simeon’s prophecy on the tragic end of the Messiah; and of the sword that will pierce through the heart of Mary joins in a single pain, the Mother and the Son. The Virgin’s pain will be a ‘participation to the suffering for the resistance against the Son; it will be the pain of the Messiah’s Mother, who becomes involved in the dramatic event’. May’s pain will not cease even after the death of Jesus, because ‘every refusal from Israel suffered by the Messiah was also suffered by His Mother in her heart’. Christ and Mary are driven by the same Will to please the Lord. These two wills met simultaneously at the time of the Incarnation. To the joyful ‘Fiat’ of the Virgin: ‘Here I am, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word’ was joined to the divine ‘Fiat’ of the Word: ‘Here I am, O God, I come to do your Holy Will.’ To Jesus and Mary, two ‘anawim’ (poor in spirit), the observance of the ‘Law of the Lord’ and the fulfillment of His Will, shall be the constant rule and essence of their life, and ‘the mover’ of their action. The ecclesial tradition has understood that the consent of the Virgin in faith at the time of the Annunciation was maintained without hesitation even under the Cross. In light of the liturgy, this union is a fruit of the salvific plan of God-Father; a plan which in Christ-Mary changed the ingratitude of Adam-Eve into an obedient love; mysterious, merciful, inspired by providential goodness. Ref: I Calabuig in “Alliance of the Two Hearts”, pp118-21 Our Lady -- “Our Mother, our hope! How safe and sure we are when we keep close to you, even when everything around us is quivering and shaking.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 474) ‘Ad Iesum per Mariam’ When greeting Mary, Elizabeth in no way separated Mother and Son. She associated them intimately by adding, “and blest is the fruit of your womb” (Lk 1:42). We, too must address ourselves to the Lord Jesus with the readiness of lively faith and force of ardent love. The expression ‘Ad Iesum per Mariam’, must be shown to be true for us, too ... Let us reflect: What is the meaning of Mary’s presence in that house in the hill country of Judea? Was she there only through kindness and thoughtful concern for her kinswoman who had “conceived a son in her old age”? (Lk 1:36) Was it a purely human act of assistance? No. That was a much more significant and spiritually fruitful presence, because Mary brought her cousin the incomparable gifts of grace, of joy and of light, associating the future Precursor with this bearing of gifts to his mother. The moment Mary’s greeting sounded in her ears, the old woman not only felt the child leap in her womb but was also filled with the Holy Spirit and felt strengthened, indeed enthusiastic, in her reply to the greeting. Through illumination of that Spirit who had penetrated her, she above all acquired the superior capacity to see the very Mother of her Lord in her young cousin. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, pp178-9 • Dedication of the church of the Carthusians of Paris, under the title of Our Lady, by John d’Aubigny, Bishop of Troyes in Champagne in the year 1325. — Du Breuil, Theatre des Antiquites, lib. ii. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of “Notre Dame de Paris” (1325). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Angelus” is instituted throughout Europe by Pope Callistus III in 1456, although its origins are hundreds of years earlier. The set of 2 or 3 daily prayers (6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.) commemorates the Annunciation. History and modern usage. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Institution of the “Angelus of Our Lady” (Europe, 1456). (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of the Angelus. (http://mariedenazareth.com)

27 June 2012: Mother of Perpetual Help

Ancient tradition attributes to St Luke the painting of this miraculous icon. (Eusebius, “Ecclesiastical History”, II:43) In F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:225. • Memorial: St Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and Doctor of the Church -- He presided over the General Council of Ephesus, at which Nestorius and his doctrines were condemned. Invincible champion of the oneness of Person in Jesus Christ and divine maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1559) The Zeal of the Heart of Jesus Zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls is but the love of God running over from our own hearts upon others, desiring to win them to God and to see them united with us in heaven. The measure of our love is, therefore, the measure of our zeal. What, therefore, must have been the zeal of that adorable Heart, which loved both God and man with an ineffable love! Here is a faint allegory: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!” (Lk 12:49-51) That is, until I have consummated the sacrifice I so ardently desire. To procure the glory of God and the salvation of souls was always the most ardent desire of the saints, because they were full of the love of God. We find proof of this in almost every psalm of the holy King David. ‘For the zeal of Thy house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me ... My eyes have sent forth springs of water, because they have not kept Thy law ... Let all peoples give praise to Thee.’ If we cherish similar sentiments in our hearts, we, too shall find a thousand means of exercising our zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp331-2 Confirmation Creates Witnesses to Christ The Sacrament [of Confirmation] ... confirms and seals what was already mysteriously effected in you in Baptism, when you became adoptive children of God by full right. You were beneficially brought within the range of his love’s action: not only the love which he has for every creature as the Creator, but above all, the range of that most special love which he showed for man in Jesus Christ, as Redeemer. With this chrism, you acquire a particular relationship directly with the Lord Jesus. You are officially consecrated to him as witnesses to the Church and the world. He has need of you, and he wants to employ you by lending him your countenances, your hearts, your whole persons, so that his behavior towards others will be as you behave yourselves. If you are good, responsive, dedicated to the well-being of others, loyal servants of the Gospel, then Jesus will be giving that good impression; but if you should be weak and unspirited, then you will be casting a shadow over his real identity, and you will not be honoring him. So, you are called to a very lofty task, which turns you into true, complete Christians. Confirmation actually brings you to the Christian’s adulthood. That is, it trusts you and acknowledges a sense of responsibility in you. The child is not yet master of himself, of his acts, of his life. But the adult has the courage of his own choices; knows how to bear the consequences. He is capable of paying in person, because he has gained such an inner maturity that he can decide on his own, employ his existence as he thinks best, and above all give love, instead of only receiving it. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p219 The Communal Dimension of Confirmation This particular significance of Confirmation for strengthening in us the ‘inner man’, along the threefold line of faith, hope and charity, makes easy to see how, by direct consequence, this also has great significance for “building up the community of the Church, as the Body of Christ”. Due attention must also be given to this second significance, because it enables us to grasp the communitarian dimension, properly, the ecclesial dimension, going beyond the individual dimension, of the reinforcing action of the Spirit. St Paul talked of this action, and of distribution on the Spirit’s part of his charisma ‘for the common good’. Is it not true that the vast, and today also very relevant, theme of the apostolate, and specially that of the laity, must be set in that elevated perspective? If “to teach is given a particular manifestation of the Spirit for the common benefit”, how could a Christian feel indifferent to, or be relieved of the task of building up the Church? The requirement of the lay apostolate derives from that and is defined as a dutiful response to the gifts received. I think in this regard -- but I will only make a simple reference here -- that it would be good to take up that Council text which presents the ministry incumbent on each member of the Church as a “noble pledge to labor”, on the biblical and theological foundations of our engrafting into the mystical Body of Christ through Baptism, and the strength received from the Spirit ‘through Confirmation’. “For exercise of this apostolate the Holy Spirit also imparts particular gifts to the faithful”, whence the obligation correlatively derives to operate and cooperate in “edification of the whole body in charity.” Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p224-5 Our Lady -- “Imitate the Blessed Virgin. Only by openly admitting that we are nothing can we become precious in the eyes of our Creator.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 588) • Our Lady of the “Dorada”, at Toulouse. The place which was formerly dedicated to the goddess Pallas, was changed into a church of Our Lady when the inhabitants received the faith. — Forcat, lib. i., de Gallico Imperio. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • “Notre Dame de la Dorade”. Toulouse, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of “La Dorade” (near Toulouse, France) (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (MaryLinks Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Perpetual Help / Succor. Painting. Analysis of the picture. Icon. More on the icon. Story of the image. Prayer. Irish novena. American novena. Perpetual novena. ... Shrine. Modern icon. Namesake of many churches and schools. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Perpetual Help (13th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady, Perpetual Help (Baclaran PHL); Rome 13th Century. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

26 June 2012: Memorial -- St Josemaria Escrivá

• Founder of ‘Opus Dei’ -- “... a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the ordinary duties of a Christian.” (Cf Prayer Card) Meekness of the Heart of Jesus ‘Manifested in His Whole Person’ Meekness is the most universally loved and appreciated of all human qualities. A gentle, kindhearted man is easily known then loved. Everyone feels drawn to him and desires his friendship. What a marvellous attraction, then, must the sweet Heart of Jesus have for men! We read in the Gospels that as many as four-thousand once followed him for three days without having any food. So great was the charm which his gentleness and meekness exuded around him. Does our meekness come close to that of our Lord? Let us judge it by its fruits. Do we enjoy the sympathy and confidence of our colleagues? Do they seek our company gladly, especially in times of trouble? Or are they aloof from us, afraid of being contradicted? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p327 The Heart of Jesus and the meekness of His actions During his whole life he received the hatred, calumnies, and insults of the doctors and rulers of the Jews. They told him to his face, before all the people, he worked miracles by the power of Beelzebub, prince of devils. And yet he remained meek to the very end. He may indeed justly say to us, “Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:28-30). To be gentle and patient is easy when all goes well and everyone is kind and considerate. There is no merit in it here. But to be really meek and humble of heart is to be able to bear wrongs patiently, and to render good for evil, after the example of Jesus Christ. Let us earnestly strive to do this so that the words of our Lord may be applied to us: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.” (Mt 5:15) Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp328-9 Generosity of the Heart of Jesus ‘Shown by the sacrifice which he made of his reputation’ We ordinarily rate the generosity of a man by the sacrifices he makes for his fellow creatures. We may do the same with the generosity of the Heart of Jesus. What has he not sacrificed for us? He only shared our goods so that he might be able to sacrifice them for us. We jealously guard, with good reason, our honor, our reputation. Jesus sacrificed his reputation as a reparation for the dishonor sin had done to his heavenly Father; and to reconcile us to him. Submitting silently to the most atrocious calumnies, he died stripped of all reputation. As he hung on the cross, his enemies dared him if he were the Son of God: “Let Christ come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” (Mt 27:40) He did not descend, leaving them to conclude that he was powerless, an impostor, the basest of men. And thus he died. God will probably not require us to sacrifice our reputation as he has demanded of certain great saints such as St John of the Cross. He was imprisoned, and died a victim of calumny, without even a word of complaint. What our Lord asks of us is to accept all feeling of resentment when, through malice or inadvertence, someone may have injured our reputation. To receive in silence any reprimand or penance for a fault we did not commit. Although these little sacrifices are not heroic, they will be pleasing to God and merit a reward. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp329-30 Meekness of the Heart of Jesus ‘Manifested in the sacrifice of His life’ Jesus is innocence itself. He had no sins to expiate. Therefore, he had a full right to enjoy all pleasures of this life. Nevertheless, he made a generous sacrifice of them, passing his whole life subject to most severe sufferings both of body and soul, as no one had ever endured. The most generous sacrifice one man can make for another is, in our Lord’s words, the sacrifice of his life: to die to save another from death. This, then, is what Jesus has done for each one of us. We can all say with St Paul, ‘He loved me, and delivered himself for me’. Is this great proof of the love of Jesus ever present in our minds? Does it excite us to gratitude? Does this gratitude appear in works, in a readiness to make sacrifices? Or do we unwittingly evade such chances? Our hearts are far from the adorable Heart of Jesus. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp330-31 The Virgin’s Heart of the ‘Fiat’ The biblical Alliance is never absolute, an accord between two of the same degree. The distance between Jesus and Mary is infinite. On one side there is God, the Eternal, the totally Other; on the other side, a weak human, fragile, mortal. Only love is essential in the Alliance: infinite, merciful and free gift of God, humble, welcoming, grateful of Man. Alliance is never a private matter. It has a common value. It concerns the whole people. The interlocutor of God, even when he is a single man, cannot act individually, but in the name of all the people. In the Alliance of Incarnation, the human being ‘making the contract’ is Mary of Nazareth, the Daughter of Zion, personification of the faithful Israel to the Law of the Lord. In the Virgin’s Heart are concentrated Israel’s hopes and expectations. In her words and deeds is expressed the purest spirituality of the chosen people. The theological tradition of the Church proposed that the ‘representative task’ of Mary of Nazareth is not limited to Israel, but is extending, according to the affirmation of St Thomas Aquinas, to the whole humanity. The ‘Fiat’ which sprung out from the Virgin’s Heart is the expression of the faithful service of what Israel, the servant, does to Yahweh the Lord. The nuptial assent of the Bride and free word that a daughter of Adam pronounces in the name of the whole human race. Love, mercy and alliance characterize Mary’s Heart. The Heart that pronounces the salvific ‘Fiat’ is, first of all, an Immaculate Heart, which refers undoubtedly to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The Heart that will pronounce the salvific ‘Fiat’ and welcome the Saviour did not know the mystery of original sin, but rather since the first heartbeat, it was full of grace. In Mary, the ‘corporeal virginity’ and the ‘virginity of the heart’ are perfectly integrated and harmonized. In her the ‘virginity of the heart’ precedes and determines the ‘virginity of the flesh’ -- an effect of an action coming from the Holy Spirit in Mary. The Heart of the Son and the Heart of the Virgin are united in the splendor of virginity, ie, in the pure and complete faithfulness to the Truth: Christ as the Truth itself and Mary as she who was flooded with the light of Truth. Ref: I Calabuig in “Alliance of the Two Hearts”, pp123-6 Most Sweet Heart of Mary The most holy Virgin, Our Mother, will teach us how to live trustfully and with confidence in God’s omnipotence, if we have recourse to her frequently each day. In the most Sweet Heart of Mary, whose feast we celebrate in June, we never fail to find peace, consolation and joy. (Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:627) • Our Lady of Malabar / Meliapour / Meliapore. India. 1542. The Apostle Thomas was said to have preached in India, and founded the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Meliapore in the East Indies where St Francis Xavier often retired to pray. — See his Life. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Meliapore, East Indies (1542). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)

25 June 2012 :The Heart of Jesus

‘The meekness of His words’ Every page of the Gospels bears witness to this trait. “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep.” (Jn 10:11) Again: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! ... How often would I have gathered your children, yet you refused.” (Mt 23:37) And to Judas in his very act of betrayal: “Friend, do what you came for.” (Mt 26:50) “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk 22:48) Above all, he prayed on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) If ‘from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks’ (Lk 6:46; Mt 12:34), how do our hearts compare with our Saviour’s? We are so harsh in judging others or exaggerate their faults. Jesus answers with such meekness when unjustly accused. And we react with sarcasm when told of our real faults. Jesus finds an excuse for his executioners. We are angry even if the perceived hurt is justified. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp327-8 The need for vigilance The power of the Holy Spirit is unlimited. We must want to be saints, but we also have to take into account that “unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain” (Ps 126:1). Humility leads us to always count on God’s grace to which we add our efforts to acquire virtues and continuously practise them. Our apostolic zeal and desire for personal holiness should not ignore others or be indifferent to charity: that would be contradictory. Also, there is our desire to be with Christ on the Cross, to be mortified, not rejecting sacrifice in small things and, if need be, in big things. We should be forewarned about approaching God with reservations and without renunciation, trying to make the love of God compatible with what is not pleasing to him. We must be alert to developing our desires for holiness continually through prayer, by asking God for the ability to struggle and discover where our love is growing cold. Desire for holiness is real when acts of piety are punctually fulfilled. “The soul truly in love with God never fails through laziness to do all in its power to seek God’s Son, the Beloved. And having done all it could it is still not satisfied as it thinks it has done nothing.” (cf St John of the Cross, “The Spiritual Canticle”, 3, 1) The virtue of humility enables us to avoid a sense of self-satisfaction with what we have done, not to be content with impotent desires. It lets us see how we can do more to show the sincerity of our desires with deeds of love, ensuring that our sins and negligences don’t frustrate our expectations. Humility doesn’t clip the wings of our desires, but helps us understand the need to resort to God to realize them. With God’s grace we can make virtue grow in our soul by removing obstacles and fleeing from occasions of sin. Our thirst for God is compatible with our defects and falls because saints are not those who never sinned, but those who always bounced back and persisted. “Feeling easily deflated and lying down under adversity is characteristic of cowardly souls lacking the firm virtue of trusting in God’s promises.” (St Basil, “Homily on Joy”) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:431-3 Listening for God’s Call God calls me and sends me forth as a laborer in his vineyard. He calls me and sends me forth to work for the coming of his kingdom in history ... From eternity God has thought of us and has loved us as unique individuals. Everyone of us he called as the Good Shepherd “calls his sheep by name” (cf Jn 10:3). However, only in the unfolding of our lives in the events of history is the eternal plan of God revealed to each of us. Therefore, it is a gradual process, in a sense, one that happens day by day. To be able to discover the actual will of the Lord in our lives always involves: a receptive listening to the word of God and the church, fervent and constant prayer, recourse to a wise and loving spiritual guide, and a faithful discernment of the gifts and talents given by God; as well as the diverse social situations in which one lives ... No one must forget that the Lord, as master of the laborers in the vineyard, calls at every hour of life so as to make his holy will more precisely and explicitly known. Therefore, the fundamental and continuous attitude of the disciple should be one of vigilance, a conscious attentiveness to God’s voice. Ref: John Paul II, “Breakfast With the Pope”, 1995, 20 Interior Conversion, Essential for Ecumenism As Christians today strive to be sources of reconciliation in the world, they feel the need, perhaps more urgently than ever, to be fully reconciled among themselves. For ‘the sin of disunity among Christians’, which has been with us for centuries, ‘weighs heavily upon the Church’. The gravity of this sin was clearly shown at the Second Vatican Council: “Without doubt, this discord openly contradicts the will of Christ, provides a stumbling block to the world, and inflicts damage on the most holy cause of proclaiming the good news to every creature.” Restoration of unity among Christians is one of the main concerns of the Church in the last part of the 20th century. And this task is for all of us. No one can claim exemption from this responsibility. Indeed everyone can make some contribution, however small it may seem, and all are called to that interior conversion which is the condition for ecumenism. As the Second Vatican Council taught: “This change of heart and holiness of life along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and can rightly be called spiritual ecumenism.” Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, pp226-7 Our Lady -- “Mother, do not leave me! Let me seek your Son, let me find your Son, let me love your Son -- with my whole being. Remember me, my Lady, remember me.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 157) • In the year 431, the Council of Ephesus declared that the Blessed Virgin must be called “Mother of God”. — Acts of Council. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Council of Ephesus declares Mary to be the Mother of God, the "Theotokos". 431. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Council of Ephesus declared Mary to be the “Mother of God”. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Divine Motherhood of Our Lady, declared at the Council of Ephesus in 431. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • The Divine Motherhood of Our Lady. (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady Queen of Peace. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Peace. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

24 June 2011: Solemnity -- The birth of St John the Baptist

Born six months before our Lord; the son of Zachary and Elizabeth, cousin of our Lady. The last and greatest of the prophets. As the precursor of the Saviour to prepare the Jews for His coming, when He had come, St John bore witness to Him and encouraged his disciples to follow Him. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1552) St John the Baptist ‘And you, O child, shall be called prophet of the Most High.’ These words are about today’s saint. With these words the priest Zachariah greeted his own son, after having regained his power of speech. With these words he greeted the son to whom, through his will and to the surprise of the whole family, he gave the name of ‘John’. Today the Church recalls those events to us by celebrating the solemnity of the birth of St John the Baptist. It might also be called ‘the day of the calling of John’, son of Zachariah and of Elizabeth of Ain-Karim, to be the last prophet of the Old Alliance, to be the messenger and immediate Forerunner of the Messiah -- Jesus Christ. For he, who came into the world in such unusual circumstances, bore the Divine Call with him. This call derived from the design of God himself, from his salvific love, and was written in the history of man from the very moment of his conception in the womb of his mother. All the circumstances of that conception, together with the birth itself of John at Ain-Karim, indicate an unusual call. ... We know John the Baptist responded to that call with the whole of his life. We know he remained faithful to it until his last breath. And that breath was breathed in prison, by order of Herod, at the desire of Salome, acting at instigation of her vengeful mother, Herodias. The liturgy does not mention that; but keeps it for another day. Today the liturgy tells us to rejoice at the birth of the Precursor of the Lord. It tells us to give thanks to God for the call given to John the Baptist. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, pp234-5 The mission of St John the Baptist “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” (Jn 1:6-7) “Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight’ ...” (Mk 1:2-3) “... the Church celebrates the birth of John as something sacred, and he is in fact the only saint whose day of birth is celebrated; we celebrate the birth of John and that of Christ.” (St Augustine, “Sermon 293”, 1) John the Baptist fulfilled his mission so faithfully. Today we can ask ourselves if we, too prepare others to meet our Lord. As Christians, we are the forerunners of Christ. “The Lord uses us as torches, to make that light shine out. ... if we respond many people will remain in darkness no longer, but will walk instead along paths that lead to eternal life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 1) The precursor’s role is to disappear when the one he heralds has arrived. “... this is why God allowed John to suffer an early death, so that once he had disappeared all the fervour of the crowd would be directed towards Christ rather than being shared between the two.” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on St John’s Gospel”, 29, 1) Humility and detachment are the essential virtues for anyone who announces Christ. Of the twelve Apostles, the Gospels mention five who had been disciples of John. Most likely the other seven also were or at least had known him and could give witness of his preaching. (cf Acts 1:22) Let us ask God: ‘May I be like a reed-pipe, simple and hollow, where only you make the sound. ...’ your voice, Lord, where you want me to live. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:357-63 The Joy of Reconciliation “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Lk 3:4) John the Baptist’s testimony suggests that to go and meet the Lord it is necessary to create ‘desert’ spaces within us and around us -- opportunities to give up what is superfluous; seek the essential, an atmosphere of silence and prayer. St John the Baptist invites us above all to return to God, decisively fleeing sin, which infects the human heart and causes man to lose the joy of meeting the Lord ... It is especially through the sacrament of reconciliation that Christians can experience this, rediscovering the truth of their own existence in the light of God’s word. They can taste the joy of being once more at peace with themselves and God. Ref: John Paul II, “Breakfast With the Pope”, 1995, 82 The Heart of Jesus submits to all kinds of persons On the same principle, Jesus obeyed and submitted to even the most wicked men, and those whose hypocrisy he had proclaimed to the people. Caiphas, as high priest, adjured him to say if he were the Son of God or not. Immediately, Jesus breaks his silence and answers him fully. He submitted even to the heathen, Pontius Pilate, by accepting the sentence without a word. He even obeyed his executioners when they ordered him to stretch out his arms on the cross: immediately, with heart and will. Thus, as St Paul says, he became “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:18). It is his love for us, and for our instruction and encouragement, that Jesus gave these examples of obedience. With Jesus on the cross before our eyes, no act of obedience will seem too hard for us. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp326 Our Lady -- “The solitude of Mary. Alone! ... She weeps, forsaken. You and I should keep our Lady company, and weep too, for our sins have fastened Jesus to the cross -- with nails.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 503) • Our Lady of “Clos-Evrard”, near Treves. This image was fastened to an oak by a vinedresser who wished to honor it; but Our Lady ordered him to build a small hut in her honor. The miracles which were wrought there caused this hut first, to be exchanged for a little chapel, and at last for a church, which was dedicated in the year 1449 by James de. Rircq, Archbishop of Treves. — Triple Couronne, n. S2. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of the “Clos-Evrard” Near Treves, Germany 1449. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of “Clos Evrard”, Trier, Germany (1449). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

23 June 2012: The Most Holy Eucharist, the Sacrifice of Humanity

By extending the application of the work of redemption to humanity, the Eucharistic sacrifice contributes to the building ‘of the Church’. On Calvary, Christ merited salvation not only for every single man but also for the whole community. His oblation obtained the grace of reunification of mankind in the Body of the Church. The Eucharist tends to realize this objective by daily building up the ecclesial community. The sacrifice of the altar reinforces the Church’s holiness and favoring her expansion in the world. In this sense the Eucharistic celebration is always a missionary act. It invisibly obtains a greater force of penetration for the Church into all human environments. Building up the Church means, in addition, consolidating unity more and more. It was no accident that, at the last Supper Jesus prayed for his disciples to be united. So we can understand how, in every Eucharistic celebration, the Church follows the example of the Master by praying that unity may be evermore real and perfect. In this way, the Eucharist causes ecumenical rapprochement among all Christians to make progress and, within the Catholic Church, tends to tighten the bonds uniting the faithful, above and beyond legitimate differences existing among them. By cooperating responsibly in such a unifying dynamics, Christians will show the world that their Master did not suffer in vain for the unity of mankind. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p236-7 The effects of Communion on the soul Communion sustains the life of the soul as food sustains the body. The reception of the Holy Eucharist keeps Catholics in God’s grace, since the soul recovers its energies from the continual ‘wear and tear’ it suffers through the wounds of original sin and of personal sins. It maintains the life of God in the soul, freeing it from lukewarmness; and it helps us to avoid mortal sin and struggle effectively against venial sins. It makes supernatural life grow and develop. Finally, the grace we receive in each Communion delights the person who receives with good dispositions. Nothing can be compared to the joy of the Holy Eucharist, to the friendship and nearness of Jesus, present within us. Among all the practices of piety there is none whose sanctifying effectiveness can be compared to the worthy reception of this sacrament. In it, not only do we receive grace, but the Source and Fountainhead from which all grace flows. All the sacraments are ordained towards the Holy Eucharist: it is the pivotal sacrament. (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, III, q65, a3) We ask Our Lady to help us go to Communion every day with better dispositions. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:409-10 Solitude and Silence Nourish Spiritual Life Jesus, before beginning his public life, prayed for forty days in the desert. You, too try to bring a little silence into your lives, so as to be able to think, to reflect, to pray with greater fervor and make more decisive resolutions. It is difficult to create “zones of desert and silence” these days. You are continually being overcome by complications of work, the uproar of events, attraction of the communications media. It is difficult, but possible and important to know how to succeed in it. Jesus also inculcated the necessity for ‘commitment to overcome evil’. He willed to suffer temptation in order to lay emphasis on its reality and to teach the strategy for fighting it and winning. Being Christian means accepting the reality of life and undertaking the necessary struggle against evil. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, pp260-61 The imagination in our prayer Mortification of the imagination brings countless benefits for the soul. First, it purifies the soul and disposes it towards living the presence of God better; causes us to make good use of time dedicated to prayer by avoiding distractions. The imagination often inhibits dialogue with Our Lord when we should be more attentive -- eg, in Holy Mass and Communion. Mortification of the imagination permits us to make better use of our time at work, to do it conscientiously and sanctify it. In the area of charity it facilitates our attention to others instead of being engrossed in ourselves. “My advice is that, in your prayer, you actually take part in the different scenes of the Gospel, as one more among the people present. ... imagine the scene or mystery you have chosen to help you meditate. “Next apply your mind, concentrating on the particular aspect of the Master’s life you are considering: his merciful Heart, humility, purity; the way he fulfills his Father’s Will. Tell him what happens to you in these matters, how things are, what is going on in your soul. “Be attentive, he may want to point something out to you, and you will experience suggestions deep in your soul, realizing certain things and feeling his gentle reprimands.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 252-3) It is of great help particularly when contemplating the Passion of Our Lord and the mysteries of the Rosary. We shall imitate Our Lady, who kept all the events of Our Lord and “pondered them in her heart”. (Lk 2:19) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:347-8 • The Justinian Madonna at Carthage. This church was built by the Emperor Justinian in honor of the Blessed Virgin, to whom he attributed the victories which he gained over the Vandals. — Baronius, year 534. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady Justiniani (Carthage). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady Justinienne at Carthage (6th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

22 June 2012: Taking the Most Holy Eucharist into the World

As we reflect on the mystery, how much we comprehend the jealous love with which the Church guards this treasure of inestimable value! How logical and natural in the course of their history, that Christians have felt the need to give expression ‘in the external world as well’ to their joy and gratitude at the reality of such a great gift. They grew aware of the fact that celebration of this divine mystery could not be reduced to being kept within the walls of a church, however large and artistic it might be; but that it was necessary to take it out ‘along the streets of the world’, for He whom the frail specie of the host conceals came to earth so as really to be “the life of the world” (Jn 6:52). That is how the ‘Corpus Christi’ procession came about. The Church has celebrated it for many centuries now with quite particular solemnity and joy. We, too shall set off shortly in procession through the streets of our city. We shall go forward with hymns and prayers, bearing the sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord with us. We shall go among houses, schools, workshops, offices ... where the life of mankind is bubbling ... where its conflicts explode ... Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p238-9 Examination of conscience In the silence of this examination I like to reflect on, and apply, these words of the sequence in the Mass for the Dead: ‘The book will be read out in which everything is written.’ When the moment comes for us to meet Jesus the pages of this book, which contains everything we did during our lifetime, will be turned quickly before our eyes. To make sure there are no surprises at the last moment, I often like to take this book, I’m in the process of writing, in my hands whether I like it or not as long as I live. I like to open it and let my soul read it. That’s very easy and useful to do at the time of prayer or of examining one’s conscience. I do want, Lord, to learn how to write this book; to let my hand be guided by your hand, so I can do your will at every moment. And I would like to fill every one of these pages with expressions full of sincere affection and love. Or at least, when I don’t manage to write what I ought, with sincere, serene words of contrition. Ref: Cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp77-8 The particular examination of conscience Many of Our Lord’s followers were scandalized when he promised the Eucharist in the synagogue at Capharnaum. Misunderstanding his wonderful self-giving in Eucharistic Communion, a large number of his followers turned their backs on him and left. It was not the crowd as such but his own disciples who abandoned him. The Twelve remained faithful to their Master and Lord. They had not understood much about Our Lord’s promise also; however, they remained by his side. Why were they loyal at that time of disloyalty? It was because they were his friends. Through living with him day after day they had come to understand that he had the words of eternal life, because they loved him deeply. “Lord, to whom can we go? ...” is Peter’s reply to Jesus’ query as to whether they, too were leaving: “You have the words of eternal life. We ... believe and know, you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68-9) Life is a constant struggle between love for Christ or giving in to lukewarmness, our passions, or comfort-seeking, which destroys love. Faithfulness to Christ is forged daily by struggling against whatever separates us from him and striving to be virtuous. Then we will be faithful when few seem to remain by Our Lord’s side. To be steadfastly faithful to Our Lord we must always struggle cheerfully, although the battles may be minor. The particular examination of conscience is one way for getting closer to God, of loving him ever greater. It helps us to struggle effectively against the defects and obstacles separating us from Christ and others. We acquire virtues and develop habits which will smoothen any roughness in our relationship with Jesus. The particular examination specifies the targets for our interior life, and helps us to soar, with the help of God’s grace, to the height of holiness. Or to repulse an enemy, who causes widespread damage and setbacks. As we tell Our Lord that we want to be faithful, we should ask ourselves: Are my desires to grow in love truly sincere? Am I docile in spiritual direction? Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:417-9 Our Lady -- “Don’t ever lose the supernatural point of view. Correct your intention as the course of a ship is corrected on the high seas: by looking at the star, by looking at Mary. Then you will always be sure of reaching harbour.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 749) Ss John Fisher and Thomas More, Martyrs I would like to recall another aspect of Baptism, perhaps the most universally familiar. In Baptism we are given a Christian name. In the tradition of the Church it is a saint’s name, a name of one of the heroes among Christ’s followers, an apostle, a martyr, a religious founder, like St Benedict, whose monks founded Westminster Abbey ... Taking such names reminds us again that we are being drawn into ‘the Communion of Saints’, and at the same time that great models of Christian living are set before us. London is particularly proud of two outstanding saints, great men also by the world’s standards, contributors to their national heritage, John Fisher and Thomas More. John Fisher, the Cambridge Scholar of Renaissance learning, bishop in his loyalty to the faith and in his devoted attention to the people of his diocese, especially the poor and the sick. Thomas More was a model layman living the Gospel to the full. He was a fine scholar and an ornament to his profession, a loving husband and father, humble in prosperity, courageous in adversity, humorous and godly. Together, they served God and their country: bishop and layman. Together they died, victims of an unhappy age. Today all of us have the grace to proclaim their greatness and to thank God for giving such men to England. ... Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p232 • Our Lady of Narni, in Italy. It is said that this image spoke to the Blessed Lucy, to whom she gave the Infant Jesus to hold. — Triple Couronne, Trait 3. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • “Madonna della Narni”. Italy. 15th Century. Mary speaks to the virgin stigmatine Blessed Lucy of Narni (1476-1547). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Narni, Italy (15th Century), spoke to Blessed Lucy. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Narni (Italy). (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)

21 June 2012: The Heart of Jesus submits to Mary and Joseph

“And he was obedient to them.” (Lk 2:51) These words contain the whole life of Jesus Christ during the thirty years he spent with Mary his Mother, and Joseph his foster father. But what is this? A God subject to two creatures? Is this not inconsistent with the sovereign dominion of God over all creation? No; because the obedience of Jesus is really given to God his Father, represented to him by Mary and Joseph. The true model of obedience, the obedience of faith. Submission to God in the persons of who represent him to us, and of whom he said: “Whoever listens to you listens to me.” (Lk 10:16) To obey thus is to have the same will with God. Is it in this spirit that we obey our directors despite their personal qualifications? If so, our obedience, as far as is possible, will be perfect like that of our Lord: prompt, generous, unlimited, and full of merit before God. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp325-6 Constancy in struggle Each person must work out the details of his or her own examination of conscience. Some people, by temperament, have to be especially specific and keep careful track of progress. This may be due to their tendency to generalities. We can be helped in spiritual guidance if we open up and let ourselves be known. We should not be surprised if it takes time to attain the proposed objective in our struggle. If our target is well-chosen, usually it will be a fairly deep-rooted defect which requires a patient struggle. Thus, beginning again and again without getting discouraged should mark our determination. In beginning again with God’s help we strengthen the foundations of our humility. Fortitude, constancy and humility keep the particular examination alive. Love, always resourceful, will refresh our daily struggle because through it we are seeking to love Our Lord. Love gives us an opportunity to make many acts of contrition for failures, and acts of thanksgiving for our successes. A daily struggle in a given particular examination is the best remedy for lukewarmness and softness. What a wonderful thing it would be if our Guardian Angel could testify that we struggled each day although we weren’t always victorious! In some instances the objective of the particular examination might appear negative, opposition to a particular evil, for example. The best approach is to practise the virtue contrary to the defect we are trying to uproot. In this case, practising humility by overcoming the tendency to be the centre of everything. One topic for particular examination that can leave a deep impression on our soul will be to attend Mass and to receive Holy Communion with greater love. Interior struggle becomes more effective and attractive. “The tendency of the soul towards good is greater than that towards the avoidance of evil.” (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, I-II, q29, a3) We ask Our Lady, ‘Virgo fidelis’, Virgin most faithful, to help us to be faithful, trying to remove daily the very definite obstacles that separate us from her Son. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:420-22 Meekness Our Lord chose to join meekness and humility on the same page of the Gospel. Recall his friendly, clear words: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29) Meekness and humility are two virtues which should always be in our heart, two sisters who live the same life, two precious metals which fuse perfectly: one remarkable for its solidity, the other with a rare splendor. Two very positive and very virile aspects of our interior life, for by humility we win God’s heart, and by gentleness we attract and win over the hearts of our brothers. We all need this virtue very much, because life is a continuous relationship with other people, an opportunity for encounters of all kinds. Families, brothers, friends, social and professional relationships; superiors, peers, subordinates. That is where the Lord is awaiting you. In all these circumstances your Christian meekness should shine. If you are able to anoint your character with these virtues, your heart will become like Christ’s. We tend to think it is better and easier to do good by being noisy and bossy; that education is achieved by threats; that respect is obtained just by raising one’s voice. What room is left in our life for Christian meekness? Why did Jesus recommend it in the Gospel? How often has experience taught us that corrections and reproaches, made without human meekness, have closed the heart of the person who should have received them. This should help us remember that, when we cease to be a father, brother or friend to our neighbor, every word that leaves our lips is ignored. Try always, through Christian meekness to hold the hearts of whomever divine providence has placed beside us and given us to look after. If we lose men’s hearts, it will be difficult to bring light to their minds and get their wills to follow the path we show them. You who feel on your shoulders and in your heart responsibility for other souls the weight of other lives: never forget that trust cannot be imposed; it must be inspired. And without the trust of people around us, who work with us and who serve us, how bitter life will be and fruitless. Let us not forget that our Lord promised his effectiveness to friendly faces, cordiality, good manners and persuasive words which direct and form without wounding. We ask Mary, sweet Mother: ‘Turn your eyes of mercy towards us.’ Under the gaze of so affectionate a Mother, we will understand very well the value, need and efficacy of Christian meekness. Ref: Cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp40-43 • Our Lady of Matarieh, at Grand Cairo in Egypt, where is seen a miraculous fountain which Our Lady obtained by her prayers, when she fled there with the Holy Family; and it is held by tradition, that there she washed the swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus. — Triple Couronne, n. 5. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Matarieh, at Grand Cairo, Egypt. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)

20 June 2012: Our Lady of the Consolation

Also known as the ‘Nuestra Señora de la Correa’ ‘Our Lady of the Cord.’ Like the scapular, the cord or belt, is a symbol of Mary’s promise to save from perdition whoever seek her protection. (Fr Charles Belmonte, “Aba Ginoong Maria”, 1990, p141) Tradition has it that Our Lady appeared to St Monica holding a black cincture (‘correa’, Spanish) as a sign that her son, Augustine will be converted and become a great saint. (“A Marian Pilgrimage”, Sinag-Tala Publishers, Inc, Manila, p2) Obedience of the Heart of Jesus ‘Submission to his Father’ Obedience is the first-fruit of humility. Jesus is “humble of heart”; therefore, he is docile and obedient of heart. He makes the will of his Heavenly Father his own. “Father ... not my will, but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42) And that he submits and conforms himself to it in everything: “I do always the things that please him.” (cf Jn 14:31) And this even in things most repugnant to nature such as his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. His obedience was perfect, because the foundation on which it rested was perfect. He did the will of his Father because it was the will of his Father. What an excellent example for our imitation! Have we followed it by trying to make the will of God our own? By accepting all the various circumstances of our life, whether agreeable to us or not, with an entire submission of heart to the will of God, without whose permission nothing can befall us in this world? Have we obeyed always in a spirit of faith and love? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp324-5 Wanting to be a saint “For what will profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” (Mt 16:26) This question forces us to examine our life to which only God gives final meaning. “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Ps 41) The saints greatly desired to belong to God completely despite their defects. We must start by making the desire for holiness flourish in our soul, telling Our Lord: ‘I want to be a saint’; or at least “When I experience my softness and weakness, I ‘want’ to want to be a saint.” To banish doubt and make holiness truly meaningful, let us look at Christ -- “The Lord Jesus, divine teacher and model of all perfection, preached holiness of life (of which he is author and maker) to each and every one of his disciples without distinction: ‘You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’” (Mt 5:48) (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 40) He has taken the initiative. Otherwise, desiring to be a saint would be improbable to us. Jesus commands: “... be perfect!” And so it is not surprising that the Church makes sure her children hear the following resounding words: “Therefore, all the faithful are invited and obliged to holiness and the perfection of their own state of life.” (“Lumen gentium”, 42) Souls who embark on the path of holiness must first really want to be saints “whatever may come, whatever may happen to them, however hard they may have to labour, whoever may complain of them, whether they reach their goal or die on the road”. (St Theresa, “The Way of Perfection”, 21, 2) “Allow your soul to be consumed by desires: desires for loving, for forgetting yourself, for sanctity, for heaven. ... Let your desires be operative, and put them into practice in your daily tasks.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 628) Therefore, we must examine our conscience to see if our desires of holiness are sincere and effective; if we take them as ‘obligatory’ for a faithful Christian. This examination could reveal the reason for so much weakness and apathy in interior struggle. “You tell me, yes, you want to. Very good: but do you want as a miser longs for gold, as a mother loves her child, as a worldling craves for honours, or as a wretched sensualist seeks his pleasure? No? Then, you don’t want to!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 316) Let us develop these desires with the virtue of hope. Effectively desiring something goes with hope of attaining it. Our theological hope rests on God. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:429-31 Interior Life “We have need of a rich interior life -- a sure sign of friendship with God and an essential condition for any kind of work with souls.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, 31 May 1943) All the values of this world just disappear if compared with the least of supernatural values. St Thomas Aquinas expressed this idea in a metaphysical way: ‘a single grace is a greater good than all the natural good of the entire universe’. The heart of of a man is like a cradle in which Jesus is born again. That is why, in all the hearts which have chosen to receive him, Jesus grows in age, in strength and in grace according to a person’s capacity to receive him. He shows himself in the life of men as a child, or as an adolescent in full development, or as a mature man. Christ’s desire is to be born and to grow in the heart and in the life of Christians. Thus, he wants to make each Christian, another Christ. We should all respond to this calling of grace, repeating the words of the Precursor [St John the Baptist]: “He must become more and more, I must become less and less.” (Jn 3:30) This fruit of interior life affects everything we do and makes us enjoy the consoling parable of the vine and branches: “He who remains in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5) Ref: Cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp21-2, 24 Our Lady -- ‘Help of Christians’, says the litany of Loreto with confidence. Have you tried to repeat that aspiration in time of difficulty? If you do it with faith, with the tenderness of a daughter or a son, you will discover the power of the intercession of your Holy Mother Mary, who will lead you to victory. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 180) • Our Lady of Blachernae, in the harbor of Constantinople, where they possess the winding-sheet of Our Lady, given by the Empress St Pulcheria, who had received it from Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem. — Nicophorus, lib. xv, c. 14. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Blaquernes (At Constantinople). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Blaquernes. Constantinople. Basilica. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Consolation. Luxembourg, 1624. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Consolation. Luxembourg. 1624. Shrine in West Grinstead, England. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

19 June 2012: The Fruit of the Redemption Is the New Creature

The Redemption is a “new creation” because by reason of sin, man fell from his “original justice”. He broke the Alliance with God. Consequently, he suffered incapacity to build communion with others in the truth of self-giving. We must deepen our consciousness of sin, the indispensable starting point for personal participation in the mystery of the Redemption. The Redemption worked by Christ brought man back to “the dignity of his first origins”. In Christ, the second and true Adam, the new humanity takes its origin. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!” (2 Cor 5:17) A change in the very essence of the human person who has been redeemed brings man back to the fulness of his being as ‘God’s image’ (cf Gen 1:27). Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p268 Indulgences The invisible unity of the Church has many visible expressions. A privileged moment of that unity takes place in the sacrament whose name is precisely Communion, in that august Sacrifice which is the same all over the world. One is the priest who offers it, one the Victim, one the people who also offer it, one the God to whom it is offered, and one the result of the offering. The one bread makes us one body, though we are many in number; the same bread is shared by all. (cf 1 Cor 10:17) Just as yesterday that bread was a handful of separate grains of wheat, so too, Catholics, in the measure of their unity with Christ, are fused into one body, although their circumstances are very different. “In the Sacrament of the Eucharistic Bread, the unity of the faithful is represented and reproduced.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 3) The sacrament of charity, (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, III q73, a3) presumes unity among the brethren. It is also a truth of faith that the same interchange of spiritual benefits exists between the faithful who make up the Church triumphant in heaven, the Church suffering in Purgatory and the Church militant on earth. We can commend ourselves to, and so receive help from, the saints in Heaven (canonized or not), from the angels, from the souls who are still being purified in Purgatory (and we can help them to alleviate their burden) and from our brothers and sisters who, like us, are still on pilgrimage towards our ultimate homeland. When we fulfil the pious duty of praying and offering suffrages for the souls of the faithful departed, we must take particularly into account those with whom we had stronger bonds on earth: parents, brothers and sisters, friends, relations. They count on our prayers. The Holy Mass is also the best suffrage we can offer for them. The doctrine of indulgences is based on this dogma of the Communion of Saints. Through indulgences the Church administers the graces gained by Christ, Our Lady and the Saints. Under certain conditions, the Church avails of these graces to forgive punishment due our sins and for what the souls in Purgatory need. This doctrine on the exchange of spiritual benefits is a great stimulus for us to fulfil our duties faithfully; and to pray devoutly, knowing that all our tasks, sicknesses, difficulties and prayers are an immense help to others. Nothing we do with rectitude of intention is ever lost. “‘The more my faithfulness increases, the better will I be able to contribute to the growth of others in that virtue.’ How good it is to feel supported by each other.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 948) If we keep in mind that someone is interceding for us at this moment, and that another will be hoping for our prayer to overcome a bad situation; or to decide to stay closer to Our Lord, we will be inspired to practise our Faith more deeply. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:415-6 Mediatrix of all graces A mediator’s job is to bring together, or at least to open communication between, two distant parties. Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is the only and perfect mediator between God and men (cf 1 Tim 2:5), because, as God and man, he offered up a sacrifice of infinite value (his own death) to reconcile men with God. (St Thomas Aquinas, “Summa Theologiae”, III, q26, a2) But this does not keep the saints, Christians in general, and, in a most particular way, our Lady from functioning as mediators. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 60) The Virgin, Christ’s Mother and mother of disciples desirous of identifying themselves with her Son, is a singular “Mediatrix before the Mediator”. (St Bernard, “Sermon 2, Sunday, Octave of the Assumption”) With respect both to Christ and to mankind hers is a motherly role. Consequently, in interceding, Mary “places herself ‘in the midst’, that is, makes herself a mediator not like a stranger, but in her role as mother, aware that as such she can -- rather, ‘has the right to’ -- lay before her Son the needs of men.” (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 21) Hers is a mediation intimately linked to her role as mother and our condition as needy children. Pope John Paul II explains in detail that “this mothering in the order of grace arises from her very divine motherhood” (“Redemptoris Mater”, 6). Since she is God’s Mother, our Lady finds herself, as we saw, closely related to the Trinity. And since she is mother of all mankind, she is divinely charged with caring for her pilgrim children on the way to the house of their Father. God so wanted, teaches St Bernard, that all good come to us through her. “It’s God’s will that we obtain everything through Mary.” (“Sermon on the Aqueduct”) She was not merely a passive instrument in God’s hands, but cooperated in the salvation of men with voluntary faith and obedience. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 56) Ref: F Fernandez-Carvajal, ‘et al’, “Children of God”, 1997, pp65-6 • At Treves, in Germany, is seen in the church of St John the Evangelist, built in 333, the comb of Our Lady, given by Agritius, archbishop of that city. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • In the Church of St John the Evangelist at Treves, Germany, is venerated on this day the comb Our Lady used. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • St. John the Evangelist church where the comb of Our Lady is venerated. Treves, Germany. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of “Monte Senario” . (Florence, Italy, 1240). (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Madonna della Monte Senario”. Florence, Italy. 1240. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Order of the Friar Servants of Mary (Servites). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

18 June 2012: The mystery of the Sacred Heart

In many passages of the Gospel, we discover the wealth of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which give us a glimpse of the quality of his Sacred Heart and its holy affectivity. In these passages our Lord directly discloses the life of his Sacred Heart and grants us an insight into this most intimate holy secret. We are granted a glimpse of the wounds inflicted on his heart by the infidelity of his disciples, by the insipidity of Jerusalem and of the elected people. We are privileged to divine his tender love for his disciples, his underlying outlook at his supreme sacrifice, his anxieties, his loneliness. We are even granted a glance into an incomparably more sublime secret of his Sacred Heart: the motions directed to his heavenly Father, his abandonment to God, his supreme sacrifice, his infinite love. In these intimate revelations of his heart, Christ’s human nature certainly manifests itself in a specific fashion. And yet we are confronted with the great mystery that precisely in these manifestations of his Sacred humanity by which his divinity is revealed most intimately. It is the mystery that his Heart is substantially united to the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Ref: D von Hildebrand, “The Sacred Heart”, p145 Purity of the Heart of Jesus The Heart of Jesus, formed out of the blood of an Immaculate Virgin, was itself immaculate, always free from any hint of sin. Our Lord even offered a proof to his calumniators. “... from the heart come forth” all kinds of sins, and demanded: “Which of you will convict me of sin?” (Jn 8:46) They did attempt to do so on the day of his Passion, but failed and Pilate was compelled to publicly proclaim, “I find no cause in him” (Lk 23:22). He was incapable of sin by virtue of the hypostatic union of the humanity with the divinity. It was impossible that the breath of sin should even for an instant smear the perfect purity of his most adorable Heart. How different are our hearts from the pure and immaculate Heart of Jesus! Ours, stained with the guilt of original sin; more deeply stained afterwards by so many personal sins daily. Seemingly little in our eyes, but in the just judgment of God, these stains can only be effaced by penance in purgatory. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p320 Humility of the Heart of Jesus manifested in His acts The whole life of our Lord on earth was only a series of humiliations. He endured them voluntarily to make amends for the insulted Majesty of his Father, pay the debt of our pride, and give us an example of humility. He was born in a stable; lived for thirty years unknown to the world. During the three years of his public ministry he allowed envy and calumny to accuse him of being a seducer, an impostor, and possessed by the devil. He was crucified as a criminal between two thieves. Could he have abased himself more? We, too, should act thus, if we are truly ‘humble of heart’. Instead of seeking praise and honors, we must be hidden from men, that we may please God alone. To shut ourselves out from the world, that our hearts may be free for God only. At least we should not be troubled if we are spoken against, reproved, or humbled. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p324 At Garabandal, Spain On this day in 1965, vistors flocked to Garabandal to see the visionaries. It had been foretold months before that an apparition would occur on this date. True enough, the Archangel Michael delivered to Conchita (one of four visionaries) a message in Our Lady’s name. ‘As my message of 18 October 1961 has not been complied with and has not been made known to the world, I am advising you that this is the last one. Before, the cup was filling up. Now it is flowing over. Many cardinals, ... bishops and ... priests are on the road to perdition and are taking away many souls with them. ‘Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist. You should turn the wrath of God away from yourselves by your efforts. If you ask Him forgiveness with sincere hearts, He will pardon you. I, your Mother, through the intercession of St Michael, the archangel, ask you to amend your lives. ‘You are now receiving the last warnings. I love you very much and I do not want your condemnation. Pray to us with sincerity and we will grant your requests. You should make sacrifices. Think about the passion of Jesus.’ (In 1986, Bishop Del Ballo of Santander declared these messages to be authentic and reliable.) Ref: Fr Edgardo M Arellano, “20th Century Apparitions”, pp104-5 Mother of Mercy “The motherhood of Mary in the order of grace”, as the Second Vatican Council explains, “lasts without interruption from the consent which she faithfully gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without hesitation under the Cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. In fact, being assumed into heaven she has not laid aside this office of salvation; but by her manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the graces of eternal salvation. By her maternal charity, she takes care of the brethren of her Son who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into their blessed home.” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church “Lumen Gentium”, 62: AAS 57 [1965], p63) Ref: “Dives in Misericordia”, Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II, 1980, 50-51 • Apparition of Our Lady to St Agnes of “Monte Pulciano”, with whom, it is said, she left a small cross which is still shown with great solemnity on the 1st of May. — Chronicle of St. Dominic, part. i, lib. i, c. 72. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Apparition of Our Lady to St. Agnes of Mount Pulciano, Italy. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Mount Pulciano. (http://mariedenazareth.com)

17 June 2012: The Sacred Heart of Jesus

‘The Object of our devotion’ The ‘material’ or ‘sensible’ object is the Heart of the Incarnate Word, inseparably united to his humanity and his divinity, and as much an object of worship as Jesus Christ himself, with whom it is identified. The ‘spiritual’ or ‘abstract’ object is the love of Jesus Christ, of which his Heart is the symbol. In however we consider the ‘object’ of this devotion, it is most worthy of our adoration. It is the Heart of a God who loves us tenderly, Jesus Christ himself, represented by the most noble organ of his humanity, the most beautiful attribute of his divinity: his love. We think ourselves happy if we possess, or even if we only press with our lips -- a relic of the true cross, one of the nails, one of the thorns which pierced the hands and head of Jesus. But what are these compared with the Heart of Jesus? May our devotion be worthy of its great and most sacred object. May it increase a thousandfold our love and devotion to the Sacred Heart! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp315-6 The Sacred Heart of Jesus ‘Novena or practical devotion’ The better we prepare ourselves for great feasts, the more graces we may expect to receive; for God demands our cooperation. Also, preparation strengthens our faith and confidence, the first conditions our Lord requires for any miracle. To ensure its success, determine now what we will do each day; what prayers we will use, what visits to the Blessed Sacrament, what mortifications. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p317 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 Humility “Truth, St Thomas says, lies in the understanding in so far as it is in agreement with the known object; and one could add that, if a man is not humble, he will find it difficult to know and accept the truth just as it is, in all its scope and with all it entails.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, 24 October 1965) The virtue of humility resents its name and all that it implies. In other words, no other virtue is less valued and so little and so badly known; no other Christian virtue is so ignored and so deformed. The virtue of humility is a humiliated virtue. I cannot work out whether more harm is done it by people just forgetting about it and jeering at it or by the inaccurate and embarassing way some people present it. It is very, very necessary for us Christians to get to know this virtue better and have a real grasp of its importance; to strive to acquire and practice it correctly. In this way we can show forth its true features to the eyes of the world suffering from vanity and pride. We ought to feel that Jesus Christ is inviting us to this effective and forgotten apostolate of good example when he says: “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Mt 11:29) That’s how our Lord wants us to be; to have that humility which is born in our heart and makes our actions fruitful. For the other humility, born and dies on our lips, is false: a caricature. Words, actions, manners, cannot in themselves create a virtue; but they can deform one. Our mind can open up for us the road of the heart and help us place there, to good effect, the seed of true humility which, with time and God’s grace, will put down deep roots and yield sweet fruits. True humility begins at that bright point where the mind discovers and admits, sufficiently clearly for the heart to be able to love it, the simple, deep, basic truth that “without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). We ought to learn to break, with our proud hands, the white bread of evangelical truth and spread it out before our clouded eyes, which give so much importance to our ego and our qualities. Look: all our efforts to be better and grow in love for Jesus and in the practice of the evangelical virtues will be in vain if his grace doesn’t help us: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Ps 127:1) No amount of vigilance, no matter how attentive and constant, will be of any use without the strong and loving protection of his grace: “Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.” (Ps 127:1) A sincere and prudently humble heart will never be upset by anything. The humble soul puts self-esteem and others’ regard into God’s hands. And he knows there they will be safe. Let Mary’s humility be our consolation and our model. Ref: Cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp37-9 • Our Lady of the Forest, near “Boulogne-sur-Mer”. This little chapel is very celebrated in that country. — Triple Couronne, n. 53. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of the Forest. “Boulogne-sur-Mer”, France. Shrine in Illinois, USA. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Forest (Near “Boulogne-sur-Mer”). (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html) • Our Lady of the Forest, Britanny, France (1419). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Pious Schools (celebrated by Piarists). Moveable feast -- Third Sunday in June. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); ; (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Pious Schools. Celebrated by the Piarists (also known as Poor Clerks of the Mother of God or “Ordo Clericorum Regularium Pauperum Matris”), an educational Order. Moveable feast -- Third Sunday in June. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)