29 September 2012 Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels Michael (‘Who is like God?’), the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity and reminds us of the real existence of the devil and of diabolical activity. To protect us from the snares of the devil, it is good to have recourse to St Michael. Gabriel (‘Strength of God’) announced to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting, ‘Hail, full of grace’ is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of Christians. Raphael (‘Medicine of God’) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey. Every person on his pilgrimage through life also has a guardian angel with a mission similar to Raphael’s. Ref: Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1652 The mission of the Archangels The angels continually praise God. As planned by Divine Providence “they play a part in the Almighty’s dominion over creation as ‘mighty doers of his word’.” (Ps 102) ... Their mission as ambassadors of God extends to entire nations too. Men call on angels and archangels every day, at every hour, within the Mass. Pope John Paul II often invokes an ancient prayer: “St Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle and be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.” (Fr Charles Belmonte & Fr James Socias [Eds], “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p220) The Lord wants us to be apostles of all that is positive, good and noble by “drowning evil in an abundance of good” (Rom 12:21). Like St Gabriel, may we, too be bearers of good news for the family and the world. Many are bent on spreading evil. May we exert more effort into radiating goodness, starting from our family. St Raphael is venerated as the patron of both travellers and of the sick. (cf Benedict Baur, “The Light of the World”, Barcelona 1959) Life is a long journey that ends in God who points out to each one of us the personal vocation that leads to him. St Raphael is a special guide for whoever need to know what God expects of them in life. ‘Cor Mariae dulcissimum iter para tutum.’ May the most sweet Heart of Mary prepare for them and for us a sure path. ‘Cor Mariae dulcissimum iter serva tutum.’ Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:165-6; 176; 178; 180; 182 ‘My yoke is sweet and my burden light’ Jesus devoted himself especially to his chosen disciples; but he did not neglect the people. His compassionate love extended to every child in Israel. Later on, it embraced the whole world, through the ministry of his Apostles and disciples. To imbue in them this spirit of tender universal love, he preached, “Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you” (Mt 11:28). He excludes no one; but prefers those whom the world despises: the poor, ignorant, unfortunate. We must never allow ourselves to be disgusted or disheartened. Jesus, who acts in and for us, is all-powerful. He will sustain us by his grace. He will bring us through all our difficulties, all the trials which our nature shrinks from. ‘But thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Jesus, after inviting all seeking relief from sufferings due to our human nature, appeals to those deceived by the devil’s promises. Having submitted to the devil’s yoke, they find added remorse to their former pains. “Take up my yoke and learn from me; for I am meek, and humble of heart; you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, my burden light.” (cf Mt 11:30) We have accepted our Lord’s invitation to submit to His Law and follow His counsels. But there may have been years of service to the world, of slavery to our passions, before we turned to Him. The more we believe the truth of ‘My yoke is easy’, the greater will be our fervor. ‘You shall find rest for your soul’ which the world does not know, and cannot give. A rest with spiritual joys, a foretaste of the bliss of heaven. ‘Learn from me ...’ In order to taste this delicious peace our Lord promises to whoever serve him faithfully, we must be fervent, gentle, humble; patiently bearing all injuries, and returning good for evil. To get and keep these good dispositions, which are against our natural inclinations, we must always have before us our Lord’s example and glorious promises. This will make everything easy and delightful. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp614-6 ‘Our Lady of the Tears’ From all over the world are reported statues of Mary weeping. Most recently, are reports that Mary has begun weeping tears of blood as a sign of the impending chastisement. As Jesus wept tears of blood during his agony in the Garden of Olives, so too are statues of Mary now shedding tears of blood instead of water. Mary is sending a message. At Akita, Japan, the statue, a reproduction of ‘Our Lady of All Nations’ as she appeared in Amsterdam, sweated fluid and wept blood. The seeress’ spiritual director witnessed the statue crying 98 times of the total 101 instances. Hundreds also saw the statue weep which happened for the first time on 4 January 1975. On 22 April 1984, the Bishop of Niigata, declared the events at Akita to be supernatural. Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, pp103, 182-4, 191-2 Why 101 times? The meaning of the 101 times that Mary’s statue wept during a six-year period was explained by the Guardian Angel of Sister Agnes Sasagawa, the seeress. “This signifies that sin came into the world by a woman and it is also by a woman that salvation came to the world. The zero between the two signifies the Eternal God who is from all eternity until eternity. The first one represents Eve and the last, the Virgin Mary.” Ref: Fr Edgardo Arellano, SDB, “20th Century Marian Apparitions”, 1991, p143 • Our Lady of Tongres, in the diocese of Cambray. This image, in the year 1081, was taken into a garden where the Bishop of Cambray erected a church. — Triple Couronne, n. 1602. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Tongres (diocese of Cambrai, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Tongres, France (1081). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Tongres, diocese of Cambrai, France 1081. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Apparition of the “Madonna di Tirano” to Blessed Mario Omodei. Italy, 1504. Site of a basilica built the next year. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)