1 November 2012 All Saints Day The feast of all the unknown saints now in heaven. The Church reminds us that sanctity is within everyone’s reach. Through the dogma of the Communion of Saints we help one another achieve sanctity. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1677) The Solemnity of All Saints Let us all rejoice in the Lord on this Solemnity of All the Saints! Ours is a sheer, limpid joy, a strengthening one, like that found in a big family, when it is the kind having its roots there, drawing the new blood of its own life and its own spiritual identity from there. Today, with our spirit, we are immersed in this numberless host of saints, of the saved. They offer us courage and sing together a chorus of glory to Him whom the psalmists call “the God of my gladness and joy” (Ps 43:4). At the center of this communion is God himself. He not only calls us to holiness but he overcomes our sins. We should always sing a hymn of thanksgiving to the Lord, as Mary did, so as to joyfully proclaim the bounty of the Father “for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light” (Col 1:12). So the Feast of All Saints calls upon us never to fall back only on ourselves, but to look to the Lord so as to be radiant (cf Ps 34:6). Not to presume on our own strength but to trust as sons in him who have loved us, never to grow weary of doing good. All the saints have ever been, and are, poor in spirit, meek, afflicted, hungry and thirsty for justice, merciful, pure of heart, peacemakers, persecuted because of the Gospel. They have been these things in varying degrees. We have to be like them. “God’s will” is our sanctification. (cf 1 Thess 4:3) Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p379 Sanctification through ordinary life Pope John Paul II has pointed out that a wealth of Christian truth is at the core of the Liturgy, especially on the Feast of All Saints. Here lies the fount of all holiness, God himself. The supernatural last end of universal redemption is signified in the Holy Mass, the source of sanctity for all who strive to practise the Beatitudes as described by Our Lord. From the Mass comes an indestructible hope in future glory and here we find the key to the relationship between suffering and salvation. The Pope emphasizes: “... the fundamental dimension of the feast we celebrate today is joy. The experience is similar to what we savour in a large family where we are very much at home.” (cf John Paul II, “Homily”, 1 November 1980) Our Mother Church invites us to recall in a special way those who experienced difficulties and temptations similar to ours during life, yet in the end triumphed over them. “There was a great multitude, no man could count, from every nation, from all tribes and tongues.” (Rev 7:9) “They are sealed on the forehead as servants of God.” (cf Rev 7:3) Our intercessors for various needs. The seal they receive and their white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb are symbols of Baptism, the sacrament of incorporation into Christ, a life of grace later renewed through other Sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist. “A magnificent panorama of lay men and women who through the activity of each day’s task were tireless workers in the Lord’s vineyard. After passing unnoticed and perhaps being misunderstood by the high and mighty they were lovingly greeted by God our Father. They were humble yet great labourers for growth of the kingdom of God in history.” (John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, “Christifideles laici”, 30 December 1988) Throughout life we are called to the fullness of Love which requires a struggle against our passions and inordinate tendencies. We must make a constant effort to improve, since “sanctity does not depend on one’s state in life: single, married, widower, or priest; but on our personal correspondence with the grace God grants each one of us.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “In Love with the Church”, 67) The Church reminds everyone, the worker who takes up his trade or profession each morning, the mother of a family committed to the daily keeping of the home, should sanctify themselves by faithfully fulfilling their daily duties. (cf John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, “Christifideles laici”, 30 December 1988) Today we share St Theresa’s prayer to the Blessed in heaven. She will be among those to hear our prayer: “O holy ones who knew how to prepare so delightful an inheritance, help us now that you are so near the fount of all holiness. Draw water for those of us who are perishing from thirst.” (St Theresa, “Exclamations of the Soul to God”, 13:4) Many saints in heaven perhaps did nothing great while on earth. However, they fulfilled their modest daily duties as best they could. Sometimes they gave in to impatience, laziness or pride; perhaps even sinned gravely. But they repented right away and took advantage of the sacrament of Reconciliation to begin anew. At times the saints were moved to tears, but they knew and put into practice the words of Our Lord: “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28) The Blessed always lean on Christ for support and often visit him in the Tabernacle to draw renewed energy from his presence there. A multitude of friends awaits. “The light of their example shines down on us, and makes it easier to see what we ought to do. They can help us with their prayers, strong prayers, wise prayers, when ours are so feeble and so blind. When we look out on a November evening, and see the sky all studded with stars, think of those innumerable saints in heaven all ready to help us.” (cf RA Knox, “Sermon”, 1 November 1950) They fill us with joy amidst any trials we need to undergo. Our Blessed Mother awaits us in heaven, too. She will offer her hand to take us into the presence of her Son and of our faithful departed loved ones who even now watch over us. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:235-41 Communion of the Saints -- “The communion of the saints. How shall I explain it to you? You know what blood transfusions can do for the body? Well, that’s what the communion of the saints does for the soul.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 544) • Feast of All Saints, instituted in honour of Our Lady and all the saints, at Rome, by Pope Boniface IV, about the year 608, and, since, in all churches of Christendom by Pope Gregory IV, about the year 829, at the prayer of Louis la Debonnairo, who made a decree for its observance in all his dominions. — Baronius on the “Martyrologium Romanum”. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Feast of All Saints, instituted in honor of Our Lady and all saints in the year 608. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Feast of All Saints. Instituted around 608 by Pope Boniface IV. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • All Saints Day. (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of the Palm (1755, Cadiz, Spain). (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p630)

31 October 2012 The reception of the prodigal son Passion teaches and makes us look into ourselves. The prodigal, examining himself, understood how sinful and miserable he had been to abandon his father. He began to feel remorse; the moment of grace for him. He corresponded with it by pondering what he must do to save his failing life. He could see one only. “I will return to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and you; I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired hands.’” (cf Lk 15:18-9) What does Jesus mean for us to learn from this episode? 1. That the contradictions, humiliations, and troubles of conscience which we sometimes must endure are God’s ways to make us look into ourselves, and to help us to rise out of the miserable state of our soul. 2. That in these moments, far from giving way to distrust and discouragement, and thus making our condition worse, we ought rather to consider the means of escaping, and take practical resolutions. 3. That we may be sure to obtain from God strength and perseverance to execute them, we should go to him as our Father. To call him ‘Father’ disarms divine justice, and brings back confidence into our hearts. This good and tender father Jesus meant no other than the Lord our God, our true Father. How wrong we are, then, when we unnecessarily torment ourselves, and hurt God by giving way so often to servile fear. When we close our hearts, or doubt our pardon, as if we were the slaves of a harsh and vindictive master! In this third point, Jesus completes the picture of his Heavenly Father in the father in this parable. After having given his penitent son a full pardon and forgotten the past, he reinstates him in all his rights as a son. “The father called his servants and told them, ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Get the fatted calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’” (cf Lk 15:22-4) God was not contented with forgiving everything; but gave him back all he had lost: the ‘robe’ of baptismal innocence; the ‘ring’, or pledge of his friendship; the ‘shoes’, that he might walk firmly in the way of grace to persevere; and the right to sit at the eucharistic banquet, where he could be filled with untold blessings. Let us redouble our love and generosity for a God who is so good, so liberal. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, 685-7 We Are All “Elder Sons” The parable of the prodigal son is above all the story of the inexpressible love of a Father -- God -- who offers to his son, when he comes back to him, the gift of full reconciliation. But when the parable evokes, in the figure of the elder son, the selfishness which divides brothers, it also becomes the story of the human family: It describes our situation and shows the path to be followed. The prodigal son represents those who are aware of the existence in their inmost hearts of a longing for reconciliation at all levels and without reserve. They realize with an inner certainty that this reconciliation is possible only if it derives from a first and fundamental reconciliation -- one which brings a person back from distant separation to filial friendship with God, whose infinite mercy is clearly known. If, however, the parable is read from the point of view of the other son, it portrays the situation of the human family, divided by forms of selfishness. It throws light on the difficulty involved in satisfying the desire and longing for one reconciled and united family. It, therefore, reminds us of the need for a profound transformation of hearts through the rediscovery of the father’s mercy and through victory over misunderstanding and over hostility among brothers and sisters. Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 10 The Meaning of Consecration to Mary Consecrating oneself to Mary means helping Her to offer ourselves and mankind to Him Who is Holy, infinitely holy; it means letting oneself be aided by her -- by having recourse to her Mother’s Heart, opened beneath the cross to love for every person, for the whole world -- to offer the world, and man, and mankind, and all nations, to Him Who is infinitely holy. God’s holiness was manifested in the redemption of man, of the world, of the whole of mankind, of the nations: a redemption which occurred through the sacrifice of the Cross. “I consecrate myself for their sakes”, Jesus said (cf Jn 17:19). The world and man ‘were consecrated through the power of the redemption’. They were consecrated to Him who is infinitely holy. They were offered and confided to Love himself, to the merciful Love. The Mother of Christ summons us and invites us to join with the Church of the living God ‘in this consecration of the world’, in this entrustment whereby the world, mankind, the nations, all individual people are offered to the Eternal Father through the power of the Redemption of Christ. They are offered up in the Heart of the Redeemer pierced on the Cross. The Mother of the Redeemer calls us, asks us and aids us to join in this consecration in our entrustment of the world. Then indeed do we find ourselves as near as possible to the heart of Christ pierced on the Cross. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p196 To the honor of Mary, the great Mother of God, for a perpetual remembrance of the prayer for her protection offered among all nations throughout the month of October to her Most Pure Heart; as an enduring testimony of the unbounded trust which we put in our most loving Mother, and in order that we may day by day more and more obtain her favorable aid; we will and decree that in the Litany of Loreto, after the invocation, ‘Queen conceived without original sin’, shall be added the suffrage, ‘Queen of the most Holy Rosary, pray for us.’ -- Pope Leo XIII (“The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:325) • In the year 1116, an altar boy having fallen into the well of St Fort, which is in the church of Chartres, was saved by Our Lady. All the time that he was in the well, he heard the angels answering the public prayers which were chanted in the church; whence the custom arose at Chartres that the choir never answer aloud to the ‘Dominus Vobiscum’, chanted at high mass and canonical hours. — Sebastian Rouillard, Parthen., c. 6, n. 14. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady saved a choir boy who fell into the well of Saint Fort in 1116. This is in the Church of Our Lady of Chartres. They heard the angels answering the public prayers, so it is a custom in this church never to answer the responses. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Church of Our Lady of Chartres - Our Lady saved a choir boy who fell into the well of Saint Fort 1116. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Miracle at St. Fort, Chartres, France (1116). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Pope Pius XII Consecrates the World to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1942). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)

30 October 2012 Parable of the prodigal son “A certain man”, said Jesus, “had two sons. The younger said, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me’. So the father divided up the property. Some days later this younger son collected all his belongings and went off to a distant land.” (cf Lk 15:11-3) The elder son stayed with his father. Who was this father, and who were the two sons to whom our Lord refers? The father is God, and the two sons, says St Jerome, represent the two classes -- 1) those who remain faithful to God and only desire to live happily under his law; and 2) those who are unfaithful, who want to enjoy unlimited liberty. The prodigal represents the latter; and his misfortunes ought, as our Lord thought, to instruct and inspire us with a great fear of abusing our liberty. Have we always belonged to this first class? Has there been a period in our life when, abusing our liberty, we were living in habitual sin, far from God and heaven, in constant risk of going into eternal misery? God has preserved us from this misfortune. He has done more: he has opened our eyes and called us to a state of life where we have many means of repairing our losses and ingratitude. The young man, in possession of a large fortune, entirely independent, and in a country where he was not known, felt extremely happy. Now he would enjoy himself without limit; satisfy every desire of his heart. Such were his delusions. But what happened? “... squandered his money on dissolute living. After he had spent everything, a great famine broke out in that country. He in dire need, went and hired himself out to one of the propertied class, who sent him to his farm to feed the pigs. He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” (cf Lk 15:14-6) Jesus shows us the picture of a man who thinks he has found happiness by forsaking God’s law and lead a sensual life. We may also see a man forsaking his first fervor and trying to find in creatures, in the satisfaction he gives to his senses, a remedy for the disgust that he feels. But what happens? Shortly, after wasting an immense treasure of grace and merit, he feels in his heart a void nothing can satisfy. Sensual and impure thoughts fill his mind, an image of the swine in the parable. He is restless; the fate of whoever seeks happiness far from God. The hunger and nakedness which the prodigal had to endure aggravate the memory of his former life. His disgrace was greater than those who had formerly been his servants. “How many of my father’s servants abound with bread, but here I am starving!” (Lk 15:17) ‘Behold’, cries St Peter Chrysologus, ‘the fate reserved for a man who no longer wishes to have God for his Father.’ Like ‘the beasts of the field’, says the Psalmist. Do we sometimes feel humbled in seeing that the faithful in the world find abundant and delicious sustenance in prayer and communion; but we, perhaps, find in them nothing which pleases and strengthens us? Let it not be said that we are dying of hunger in the midst of abundance! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp680-82 The Rosary The sensitive Catholic should have devotion to Mary the Blessed Mother. Our tradition calls for a lifelong devotion to Mary, for special devotion on Saturdays, for observance of Marian devotion during each May and October. On these days one can easily honor Mary by reciting the “Memorare” prayer (“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary ...” [see 17 September]), the “Litany of Loreto”, or just a “Hail, Mary”. But most easily you can honor Mary through the versatile Rosary prayer. Throughout life, let your use of the Rosary be tailored to the amount of time and mental peace that you possess. If you have plenty of time, recite the fifteen decades. If you are busy, recite five decades a day. If you are very busy, recite a “short rosary” each day. Say ten consecutive times on each decade only a part of the “Hail, Mary”, divided as: 1) “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” 2) “Blessed are you among women.” 3) “Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.” 4) “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.” 5) “Pray now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” And if you are very, very busy, simply carry a rosary on your person. Even that is a way of honoring Mary. Ref: “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, p1433 The Rosary and Fathers of Family May fathers and mothers of families set an example for their children in this matter especially when, at sunset, they gather after the day’s work within the domestic walls, and recite the holy rosary with their children before the image of the Virgin with one voice, with one and the same faith and with one heart. This is a beautiful and salutary custom, from which there cannot help but be derived a serene tranquility and a great abundance of heavenly gifts for the household. That is the reason why, when we grant an audience to newlyweds and address paternal words to them, we give them a rosary and earnestly recommend that they use it. We even go so far as exhort them, citing our own example, not to let even one day pass by without saying the rosary, no matter how burdened they may be with many cares and labors. For these reasons, we have thought it opportune to earnestly recommend this devotional practice to you and through you, to the faithful. There is no doubt in our mind ... you will reap abundant fruits from it. Ref: Pius XI, “Ingravescentibus malis”, 29 September 1837, “The Glories of Mary”. In “Documentation Service”, V:317 Virgin most faithful 51 “When the apostles fled, and the enraged mob made themselves hoarse shouting angrily at Jesus, the Holy Virgin Mary followed close behind her Son through the streets of Jerusalem. She did not draw back when the crowd cried out, nor did she leave our Redeemer alone when each person, anonymous in that crowd, was in his cowardice emboldened to ill-treat Christ. “Call upon her with all your strength: ‘Virgin most faithful!’, and ask her that those of us who call ourselves God’s friends may truly be so at all times.” Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow” • Our Lady of Mondevi, at Vic, in Piedmont, where there is a picture which a tile maker had painted on a brick pillar, which he had erected for that purpose. This pillar has been enclosed in a church, where the miracles which are wrought attract a great concourse of people. — History of Mondevi, c. 2. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Mondevi (Vic in Piedmont, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Mondevi, Piedmont (1540). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Mondevi (1540, Piedmont, Italy). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Madonna della Mondevi”. Piedmont, Italy. 1540. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

29 October 2012 Fidelity in little things Jesus Christ taught several practical lessons from the parable of the unjust steward, which, taken in a wide sense, also contains maxims in spiritual life. “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” (Lk 16:10) These few words teach us how much we should have at heart fidelity in little things as the constant rule of our conduct. 1. ‘Motives as regards God.’ Our first and highest duty is to love God; give him proofs of our love and fidelity. Doing his holy will in smallest things is giving him these proofs. 2. ‘Motives as regards others.’ We all wish to gain many souls, to save the most hardened sinners. We should be generous towards God, faithful in the smallest things, and our success will be certain. 3. ‘Motives as regards ourselves.’ In great trials, in strong temptations. “Courage, good and faithful servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” (Lk 19:17) Let us weigh carefully the truth of these motives, and make an act of faith on each of them. Then examine in detail our life. Does our conduct conform to these truths? Are we habitually faithful in little things? “Whoever is unjust in what is little is unjust also in what is great.” (Lk 19:10) This sentence, coming from the lips of the infallible Truth, ought to convince us that habitual infidelity to norms we count of little importance is very hurtful to us, and may bring fatal consequences to ourselves and others. 1. We lose an immense treasure of merit for ourselves and for many others. 2. By it our soul incurs many stains which we do not see, but which disfigure it in the eyes of God. 3. It is a great obstacle to the operations of grace, to God’s liberality towards us. 4. Tepidity sets in. One’s bad example entices many others, and perhaps ends in universal irregularity. We should think most seriously upon this matter. However it may be with others, let us take to ourself those words of Jesus Christ: “He who is unjust in what is little is unjust also in what is great.” (cf Lk 19:10) Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp674-6 Little things and the life of childhood Thinking of those of you who, despite years of experience, still go about dreaming (vain and childish dreams, like those of Tartarin of Tarascon), imagining they are hunting lions in the corridors of their homes, where the most they will find are mice. I insist, I can only remind you how great a thing it is to be accompanying God through the faithful fulfilment of your ordinary daily duties, coming through struggles which fill our Lord with joy, and which are known only to him and to each one of us. Rest assured you will usually find few opportunities for dazzling deeds, one reason being that they seldom occur. On the other hand, you will not lack opportunities, in the small and ordinary things around you, of showing your love for Christ. As St Jerome writes, “Even in small things, the same (greatness of) spirit is revealed. We admire the Creator, not only as the framer of heaven and earth, of sun and ocean, of elephants, camels, horses, oxen, leopards, bears and lions, but also as the maker of tiny creatures, ants, gnats, flies, worms and the like, things whose shapes we know better than their names: and in all of them (big or small) we reverence the same skill. So too, the person who is dedicated to Christ is equally earnest in small things as in great.” (“Epistolae”, 60, 12 [PL 22, 596]) A disciple of Christ will never treat anyone badly. Error he will call error, but the person in error he will correct with kindliness. Otherwise he will not be able to help him, sanctify him. We must learn to live together, to understand one another, to make allowances, to be brotherly and, at all times, in the words of St John of the Cross, “where there is no love, put love and you will find love” (cf “Letter to Maria de la Encarnacion”, 6-VII-1591). You can climb to the top of your profession, you can gain the highest acclaim as a reward for your freely chosen endeavours in temporal afairs; but if you abandon the supernatural outlook that should inspire all our human activities, you will have gone sadly astray. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 8, 9, 10 The Rosary is the best form of Prayer in Common The Rosary has been called “the psalter of Mary” for good reason. This custom which our ancestors held in high repute ought to be religiously preserved or restored. In Christian families, ... it was a sacred practice to gather before a representation of the Virgin at the close of the day when their labors were over and alternately recite the rosary. Mary accepted this faithful and unanimous homage with great delight. She was in their midst like a loving mother surrounded by a crown of children, giving them the blessings of domestic peace, a pledge of the peace of heaven. Ref: Leo XIII, “Fidentem piumque”, 20 September 1896. In “Documentation Service”, V:311 Meditations on the Litany of the Blessed Virgin ‘Queen of the family’ -- Mary, Mother of God, at your request, Jesus worked His first miracle. He changed water into wine for the wedding guests at Cana. Over the centuries you continue to obtain countless signs and wonders for the poor, exiled children of Eve. We, therefore, ask you to intercede with your Divine Son for the miraculous graces which the modern world so desperately needs: · For conversion and reconversion of whole nations to Jesus Christ and His teaching on marriage and family. · For heroic preservation among Christians of their faith in the indissolubility of marriage, marital fidelity and loving acceptance of children, as bedrock of the Christian family. · For courage of martyrs in all of us followers of Christ, that we may witness to His power to overcome the powers of darkness that are bent on destroying the human family and the moral law. Mary, Mother of the holy Family, and Mother of our families, pray for us. Amen Ref: J A Hardon, SJ, “Crusade for the Family Prayer”, Bardstown, KY40004 • Our Lady of Orope, near Bielle, in Savoy; this image, of cedar wood, six feet high, is in a chapel which St Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli, erected about the year 380; he often retired thither during the troubles caused by the Arians. — Triple Couronne, n. 112. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Orope (near Bielle, Savoy, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Oropa. Vercelli, Italy (380). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Madonna della Oropa”. Vercelli, Italy. 380; Bielle, Savoy, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

28 October 2012 Ss Simon and Jude, Apostles Simon the Zealot because he belonged to the Jewish party, ‘Zealous of the Law’. Jude, also called Thaddeus (Courageous), wrote an epistle in the New Testament. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1676) St Jude, ‘Patron of the Impossible’. Pray for me. I implore you, of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive consolations and succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings. (cf Novena prayer) The faith of the Apostles and our faith The Apostles were witnesses of the life and teachings of Jesus. They transmitted what they heard and saw with diligent fidelity. They did not spread their personal theories nor did they merely propagate human solutions gleaned from their own experience. “For we were not following fictitious myths when we made known to you the power and coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ but we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.” (2 Peter 1:16) “I write of what was from the beginning, what we have heard with our ears and seen with our eyes. We have looked upon the Word of Life and touched it with our own hands. Thus we announce it to you.” (1 Jn 1:1) The doctrine of the Twelve is the foundation of the Christian faith. It is not the free interpretation of each one, nor is it derived from the authority of wise men. St Luke confirms that all events he relates are “just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word” (Lk 1:1-3). We know furthermore that in the first Christian community “all persevered in the teaching of the Apostles” (Acts 2:42). The Apostles that the Lord chooses are very different from one another. Still, they share the one Faith and the same message. Metaphorically, they would consider themselves the ‘envelope’ of a letter from God since their sole mission was to transmit the inheritance they had received. St Josemaria Escrivá [Founder of ‘Opus Dei’] occasionally used this metaphor to highlight the Christian virtue of humility. Christ’s closest followers had only one desire: to be faithful instruments of the Lord. ‘The letter’ containing the divine message was important to him, not ‘the envelope’ it came in. Thus, we have precious little information about the two great Apostles Simon and Jude. We know Jesus expressly chose Simon to be one of ‘the Twelve’. Also that Jude was the relative of Christ who asked him a question at the Last Supper: “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?” (Jn 14:22) Nobody knows where their bodies are, nor the lands they evangelized. They did not care that their personal talents stand out, nor their apostolic victories and sufferings they endured for the sake of the Master’s kingdom. On the contrary, they tried to pass unnoticed and simply be useful in spreading the message of Christ. “I advise you not to look for praise, even when you deserve it. It is better to pass unnoticed, and to let the most beautiful and noble aspects of our actions, of our lives, remain hidden. What a great thing it is to become little! ‘Deo omnis gloria!’ -- all for the glory to God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 1051) Then we will be efficacious since “when one works wholly and exclusively for the glory of God, one does everything with naturalness, like someone who is in a hurry and will not be delayed by ‘making a great show of things’. In this way one does not lose the unique and incomparable company of the Lord.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 555) Like one in a hurry we, too must go from one task to the next without pausing over personal matters. Today let us ask the Holy Apostles Simon and Jude to help us know and love the Master more each day. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:228-4 Hearts Open to the Spirit The proclamation of the word of God has Christian conversion as its aim: a complete and sincere adherence to Christ and his gospel through faith. Conversion is a gift of God, a work of the Blessed Trinity. It is the Spirit who opens people’s hearts so they can believe in Christ and “confess him” (cf 1 Cor 12:3); of those who draw near to him through faith Jesus says: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (Jn 6:44) From the outset, conversion is expressed in faith which is total and radical, and which neither limits nor hinders God’s gift. At the same time, it gives rise to a dynamic and lifelong process which demands a continual turning away from “life according to the flesh” to “life according to the Spirit” (cf Rom 8:3-5). Conversion means accepting, by a personal decision, the saving sovereignty of Christ and becoming his disciple. Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 47 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Queen of martyrs’ -- With reason is she called such for her martyrdom in the death of her Son on the cross exceeded the sufferings of all martyrs. “There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother.” (Jn 19:25) Mothers fly from their children when they see them dying, unable to help them. Mary stayed with Jesus until she saw him expire. While Jesus was in his agony she offered the life of her Son to the Eternal Father for our salvation; but in doing so she also was in an agony, and experienced a torment greater than any death. My afflicted Mother, I beg you to help me at the hour of my death, and then obtain for me eternal salvation. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:327 Fishers of Men 198 “He told you that this way is very hard. And, on hearing it, you heartily agreed, remembering that bit about the Cross being a sure sign of the true way ... But your friend noticed only the rough part of the road, without bringing to mind Jesus’ promise: My ‘yoke is sweet’. “Remind him about it, because -- perhaps when he realises it, he will give himself.” Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow” • Our Lady of Vivonne, in Savoy, where a miraclous image is venerated, which was found by a ploughman. This statue, having been removed three times into the village church, was always found again in its former place, which necessitated the building of a church, which was given to the Carmelites. — Astolphus, in Histor. univers. imag. B. Virg. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Vivonne, Savoy, France. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Notre Dame de Vivonne”. Savoy, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Trilles (Lille, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre Dame des Trilles”. Lille, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Feast of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God is celebrated in Greece. Elsewhere, October 1. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

27 October 2012 Parable of the unjust steward “A certain rich man”, said Jesus, “had a steward, and charges were reported to him that he had squandered his property. He summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear of you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be my steward.’” (Lk 16:1-2) The steward who could not possibly show his accounts, was in great trouble. How was he to subsist for the future? He said to himself, “What shall I do? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.” (Lk 16:3) I am this steward. God is that rich Master who owns everything. He has confided a small but precious portion of them to my care: my body and its senses; my soul and its wonderful faculties; my time, my life, my liberty; many gifts of grace. And an infinity of creatures are placed in my possession. One day, when I am least thinking of it, he will demand a rigorous account of my administration of these possessions. Woe to me if it has not been in conformity with his will and commandments. If I have taken the fruit of these possessions for myself, instead of giving them to him only. Are my accounts in order? If at this moment he were to call me, and say, ‘Give an account of your stewardship’, should I be less worried than the unjust steward? What did the steward do to get out of his difficulty? “I know what to do, that when I am dismissed as steward people may receive me into their homes.” (Lk 16:4) Therefore, calling all of his lord’s debtors, he said to the first, “How much do you owe my lord?” He said, “A hundred barrels of oil.” And he said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly and write fifty” (Lk 16:5-6). He did the same with all the other debtors. “And the lord commended the dishonest steward for he had acted shrewdly; for”, added our Lord, “the children of this age are wiser in their own generation than are the children of light” (Lk 16:8). Jesus did not mean to approve the fraud of this steward, but to embarass us for the little care we give to our spiritual interests. He shows that the children of this world are all more industrious and farsighted in management of their temporal affairs than the men devoted to spiritual matters. Jesus concluded: “And I tell you, ‘Make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes’.” (Lk 16:9) We are poor. How then can we, according to Our Lord’s precept, give alms to the poor, that they may intercede for us? We can do it by inducing the rich to give more. Or, by giving spiritual alms which will more effectively enable them to reach heaven and become our intercessors there. Besides, faith shows us that in purgatory are the souls of poor people far more worthy of compassion, because they cannot help themselves, than those we see. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp672-4 Truthfulness and Justice In order to practise the human virtues, we need to make a sustained effort, since it is not easy to maintain a spirit of honesty and integrity for any length of time when faced with situations that seem to put our own safety at risk. Take truthfulness, a virtue so clean and pure. Can it be true that it has fallen into disuse? Has the practice of compromise, of “gilding the pill” and “putting on a show” finally triumphed? People are afraid of the truth and to justify their attitude, they make the shabby excuse that no one practises or tells the truth anymore, that everyone has to resort to pretense and lies. Fortunately this is not so. There are many people, Christians or not, who are ready to sacrifice honour and reputation for the sake of the truth; people who aren’t always turning this way and that in search of “the warmest place in the sun”. Because they love the truth, are happy to put things right when they discover they have made a mistake; whereas those who begin by lying, for whom the truth has become merely a high-sounding word to cover up their baseness, refuse to make amends. If we are truthful we will practise justice: giving to each one his due. I must go further and say that this is not enough. However much a particular person is due, we must be ready to give him more, because each single soul is a masterpiece of God. The best way of living charity lies in generously outstripping the demands made on us by justice. Such charity will generally go unnoticed, but very fruitful in heaven; indeed also on earth. It would be a mistake to think that when expressions such as the “the happy mean” or “a just mean” are used regarding the moral virtues, they imply mediocrity, or somehow aiming at doing half of what we could do. The mean we are asked to aim at lies midway between excess and defect, and is in fact a summit, a peak: the best course of action, as indicated to us by prudence. Although when it comes to the theological virtues, there is no middle course. We cannot believe, or hope, or love too much. We are called to love God without limit, with a love that overflows to those around us in an abundance of generosity, understanding, and charity. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 82, 83 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Help of Christians’ -- St John Damascene calls Mary ‘the prepared and always ready help of Christians, by which they are delivered from dangers’. The help of Mary is, as St Cosmas of Jerusalem writes, ‘all-powerful to deliver us from sin and hell’. St Bernard, addressing Mary, says, ‘Thou art an invincible warrior in defence of thy servants, fighting against the devils who assail them’. Thus, she is called “terrible as an army set in battle array” (Cant 6:3). My Queen, had I always had recourse to you, I should never have been conquered by my enemies. Henceforth, you shall be my strength: in my temptations I will always go to you; from you do I hope for victory. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:327 Human Respect -- “May we have the courage always to act in public in accordance with our holy faith.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 46) • Our Lady of the Basilla, in Lombardy, beyond the Po, where there is a church built by the express order of Our Lady. — Albert Leander, Descriptio Italiae. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of “La Basilla” (Lombardy, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Madonna della Basillia”. Lombardy, Italy. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians, Turin, Italy. Built by St John Bosco (1868). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)

26 October 2012 Parable of the supper “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many. ... they began all at once to be excused. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a farm, I must go out and see it’. ... another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them’. ... another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore, I cannot come’.” (Lk 14:16-20) “The master of the house being angry said to his servant, ‘Bring in the poor and the blind that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’” (Lk 14:21-4) Let us consider in this parable, the type of the calling to the Faith of Jew and Gentile, the three great obstacles which, according to our Lord, prevent men from partaking of the celestial banquet: eternal salvation. ‘I have bought a farm; hold me excused.’ The schemes for advancement, pride, and pretence, by which we wish to earn the admiration of men, are the first obstacle to salvation. How could God reward those who have done nothing for him, who have sought in all things their own glory at the expense of what is due to him? Let us thank God for having shown us our true interests. Let us try to undeceive the victims of pride when an occasion offers, and show them how lowly it is to bow before the opinion of men. ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them; please accept my regrets.’ Jesus points out the second obstacle to salvation -- avarice or a greed for riches. How can the avaricious man think of heaven? His whole life is spent in finding out ways of amassing his wealth, as if he were to live forever in this world. How blessed are we in the inspiration for overcoming this obstacle to salvation by our detachment from material goods which brings us such peace of heart and the pledge of imperishable riches in heaven! How can we show our gratitude towards God? By exercising our zeal, by trying to show men who are avaricious the vanity and deceit of the pursuit and possession of the fleeting things of earth. By striving to lead their desires and their activity towards the unchangeable and unspeakable possessions of heaven. ‘I have married a wife, and therefore, I cannot come.’ In showing this third obstacle to salvation, Jesus does not condemn marriage; but he teaches that attraction to sensual pleasures leads very rapidly to the excess of impurity. This vice so defiles the soul. The thought of heaven, even the ‘invitation’ to seek it repels us. Let us obey our loving Lord’s teaching. Pray that sensuality may never overcome us. Earnestly beg that he bless all that we do to convert victims of the spirit of impurity. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp669-71 God loves the cheerful giver We must make demands on ourselves in our daily lives. In this way we will not go about inventing false problems and ingenious needs which are prompted by conceit, capriciousness, and a lazy approach to life. We must be striding towards God at a fast pace, carrying no deadweights which might hinder our progress. Since poverty of the spirit does not consist in not having things but rather in being truly detached from what we have, we need to be vigilant so as not to be deceived by our imagination into thinking we can’t survive unless we have certain things. As St Augustine puts it: Seek what suffices, what is enough; and don’t desire more. Whatever is beyond that, produces anxiety not relief; weigh you down instead of lifting you up. (“Sermon LXXXV”, 6 [PL 38, 523]) True detachment leads us to be very generous with God and with our fellow men. It makes us resourceful and ready to spend ourselves in helping the needy. A Christian cannot be content with a job that only allows him to earn enough for himself and his family. He will be big-hearted enough to give others a helping hand both out of charity and as a matter of justice, in the manner described by St Paul: “Macedonia and Achaia have thought fit to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service in material things.” (Rom 15:26-7) Don’t be mean and grudging with people who, without counting the cost, have given of their all, everything they have, for your sake. Just ask yourselves, how much does it cost you, in financial terms as well, to be Christians? Above all, don’t forget, “God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:7-8) Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to enable us, like her, to keep all these things in our minds and ponder over them in our hearts (cf Lk 2:19). Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 125 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Comfortress of the afflicted’ -- St Antoninus says, ‘No saint can be found who compassionates us in our miseries as does this most tender Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary’. And as the miseries which afflict us the most are disorders of the soul, Blessed Henry Suso calls Mary ‘the most faithful comfortress of sinners’. We need only show Mary the wounds of our souls, and she immediately helps us by her prayers, and consoles us. Richard St Victor writes, her compassion anticipates our wants, and she relieves us before we invoke her. Let us say with St Bonaventure: ‘O Mary, console us always, but especially at the hour of our death: come at that last hour and receive our souls, and present them thyself to thy Son, who will judge us.’ Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:327 Frivolity -- “You lack the maturity and composure appropriate for those who make their way through this life with the certainty of an ideal, of a goal. Ask the Blessed Virgin to teach you how to praise God with your whole heart, without distractions of any kind.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 553) • Dedication of Our Lady of Victory, near Senlis, in the year 1225, by Guarin, Bishop of Senlis, and Chancellor of France. This abbey was built by Philip Augustus, in thanksgiving for the victory which he gained over the Emperor Otho IV, at Bouvines, in the year 214. — Carta Tabularis de Victoria. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Victory, near Senlis, France (1225). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Notre Dame des Victoires” / Victories. Senlis, France. 1225. Basilica in Paris. Church in Quebec. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Queen of All Saints (Litany of Loreto). (www/mariedenazareth.com)

25 October 2012 Parable of the coin lost and found This parable has the same end as that of the lost sheep, but the application of the types are different. What “woman”, said Jesus, still addressing the Pharisees, “having ten silver coins, if she loses one, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it?” (Lk 15:8) Interpreters tell us that this woman is the type of the Christian who has lost sanctifying grace; but how far short is the type from reality! The coin is but of small value; sanctifying grace is of infinite price: the blood of our Lord. The first can only get us a few earthly advantages. The second can give us the right to a heavenly inheritance. And yet this woman thinks it a great misfortune to have lost her coin, and will not rest till she finds it. Blind and miserable are the many Christians who have lost sanctifying grace by mortal sin and do nothing to recover it. They are indeed miserable; for in losing it they have lost God’s friendship, and the right acquired in baptism to the kingdom of heaven. If death surprises them in this state, they are damned forever! Let us compassionate their blindness; and make it practical by seizing every occasion to enlighten and inspire them with holy fear, or at least pray for them. In the woman in this parable we can see, in the second place, the person who has lost the grace of devotion, or that piety which made him so happy in his vocation. It made the practice of virtue so easy, united him to God. It made him find a charm in his spiritual duties, humiliations, mortifications, and privations. There is no loss, we ought to feel so sensibly, as the loss of this grace of devotion. It is the source of all our blessings. And yet how do we try to recover it once lost? Are we like Job in saying, “Who will grant me that I might be as in the days of my youth (ie, my first fervor), when the Almighty was with me?” (Job 29:2) Let us do better and resume our habits of regularity, recollection, and mortification; and especially of our fidelity in performing our spiritual duties. We shall recover the lost coin, the grace of devotion. Consider the joy this woman felt on finding the coin. Extremely happy, she called “together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin I had lost’.” (Lk 15:9) What is the truth behind this figurative language? No one would ever have discovered it if Jesus had not told it to us. “For so”, he concluded, “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10). We may add, ‘And also when a lukewarm person becomes fervent again’. What an encouragement! We, then, by our long negligence have saddened these angels. We must hasten to console them, and to give them joy by a prompt and perfect conversion. Great will be our blessings! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp667-9 The Interior Struggle The Christian’s life is a fight, a war, a beautiful war of peace and completely different human warfare which results from division and often hatred. The war of the sons of God is a war against their own selfishness. It is based on unity and love. “Though we live in the world, we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our war are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God.” (2 Cor 10:3-5) St Paul is referring to our relentless fight against pride, against our tendency to do evil and our exaltation of self. Look: what we must try to do is to get to heaven. If we don’t, nothing is worth while. Faithfulness to Christ’s doctrine is absolutely essential to our getting to heaven. To be faithful it is absolutely essential to strive doggedly against anything that blocks our way to eternal happiness. I know that the moment we talk about fighting we recall our weakness and foresee falls and mistakes. God takes this into account. As we walk along it is inevitable that we will raise dust; we are creatures and full of defects. I would almost say that we will always ‘need’ defects. They are the shadow which shows up the light of God’s grace and our resolve to respond to God’s kindness. And this ‘chiaroscuro’ will make us human, humble, understanding and generous. Let’s not deceive ourselves: in our life we will find vigor and victory ‘and’ depression and defeat. This has always been true of the earthly pilgrimage of Christians, even of those we venerate on the altars. Don’t you remember Peter, Augustine, Francis? I have never liked biographies of saints which naively present their deeds as if they had been confirmed in grace from birth. No. The true life stories of christian heroes resemble our own experience: they fought and won; they fought and lost. Repentant, they returned to the fray. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 76 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Refuge of sinners’’ -- Yes, of all sinners; for as the Abbot of Celles says, ‘she can despise no sinner, but receives all, and welcomes all, the moment they have recourse to her’. Hence, St John Damascene affirms that Mary is not only the refuge of the innocent, but also of the wicked, who implore her protection. Therefore, St Bonaventure says: ‘You embrace with maternal affection a sinner who is even despised by the whole world, nor do you cease your embrace until you have reconciled him with his judge.’ By this the saint makes us understand that a sinner being hated by God is also odious and abominable to all creatures; but if he has recourse to Mary, the refuge of sinners, not only does she not despise him, but affectionately embraces him and stays with him until her Son Jesus Christ, who is our Judge, has forgiven him. Since, O my Lady, you are the refuge of all sinners, you are also my refuge. You, who despises no one who has recourse to you, despise me not, who recommend myself to you: ‘Refuge of sinners, pray for us.’ ‘O Mary, pray for us, and save us.’ Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:326-7 25 • Dedication of Our Lady of Toledo, in Spain, about the year 1075, by Bernard, archbishop of that city. This cathedral has a revenue of more than 300,000 livres. — John Marian, lib. ix., c. 18. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Toledo, Spain (1075). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

24 October 2012 Our Lady of Mercy Her shrine in Macerata, Italy has been credited with saving the people from a pestilence in 1447. (Bob and Penny Lord, “Miracles of the Holy Eucharist”, Vol. I, 68) St Anthony Mary Claret, bishop He spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary by his preachings and writings. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1675) Sensuality impels us towards sin Our extreme need for mortification arises from that evil which original sin has left in our hearts: sensuality. The innate and violent inclination for all that brings enjoyment to the body, and consequently an inherent aversion for all that hurts us. ‘The imagination and thought of man’s heart are prone to evil from his youth.’ From this vicious inclination, which will last till death, springs every kind of disorderly affection which turns us away from God, our last end. He who does not vigorously resist it by a continual mortification will certainly be its miserable victim in time and eternity. We feel too keenly this vicious inclination within us. It is constantly impelling us towards disorder -- 1. ‘Disorder in sight’: We feel inclined to look at everything, read and observe everything in the house, in the conduct of our brethren. Outside, the objects which strike or please the eye; and from there springs a multitude of rash judgments, temptations, and sins. 2. ‘Disorder of hearing’: Curious to know all the news of the day, all that is said and done, gossip, and rather the evil than the good. From this spring useless conversations, loss of precious time. What is worse, criticisms, murmuring, detraction, indiscretion, an impossibility of recollection, prayer, and meditation. 3. ‘Disorder of the taste, sleep, care of the body’: Is it not true that we feel tempted to exceed the bounds of temperance, the time for sleep, the care which we might reasonably take of our body? These are, then, the effects of sensuality, the disorder which it will certainly bring to all who do not fight against it by mortification. Sensuality is not only that innate and violent inclination for all that pleases the senses, but also an aversion for all that wearies us. From this proceed offenses of the norm and the consequent scandal; so much negligence in fulfilling our temporal and spiritual duties; imperfection in all our actions; finally, lukewarmness. No great mental effort is necessary to prove these truths. We find it within us. Let us appeal to our conscience and ask why we do not observe such and such a point of our norm while we observe another. In truth, we might say, ‘We do not dislike it, but the other goes against our taste, character, and habits’. Why have we given up and forgotten the resolutions of our last retreat? They were founded on good motives, and well conceived to assist our spiritual progress. It is true; but they curtailed our liberty of action. Why are we negligent in doing our mental prayer properly, in rising promptly, in following our norms? This is humiliating; but we should not get discouraged. Let us rather avail of them to reanimate our ardor and to renew our spirit of mortification and self-denial. The harder the combat the more glorious the victory! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp660-62 The Mystery of Silent Sacrifice To become God-like, to be divinized, we must begin by being very human, accepting from God our condition as ordinary men and sanctifying its apparent worthlessness. Thus did Mary live. She who is full of grace, the object of God’s pleasure, exalted above all the angels and the saints, lived an ordinary life. Mary is as much a creature as we are, with a heart like ours, made for joy and mirth, suffering and tears. Before Gabriel communicates to her God’s plan, our Lady does not know she has been chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Messiah. She sees herself a humble creature. (cf Lk 1:48) That is why she can acknowledge with full humility, “he who is mighty has done great things” (Lk 1:49) in her. The purity, humility and generosity of Mary are in sharp contrast to our wretchedness and selfishness. To the extent we realize this, we should feel moved to imitate her. We, too, are creatures of God; if we strive to imitate her fidelity, God will surely do great things in us. Our little worth is no obstacle; God chooses what is of little value so that the power of his love be more manifest. (cf 1 Cor 1:27-9) As we meditate on Mary’s life, we come to understand better the logic of God. We come to realize that the supernatural value of our life does not depend on accomplishing great undertakings suggested to us by our overactive imagination. It is to be found in faithful acceptance of God’s will, in welcoming generously opportunities for small, daily sacrifice. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 172 The 15th Promise of Mary: Devotion to my rosary is a great sign of predestination. (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73) Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Health of the sick’ -- Mary is called by St Simon Stock ‘the medicine of sinners’; and by St Ephrem, not only medicine, but health itself: ‘Robust health for those who have recourse to her.’ Hence, those who have recourse to Mary not only find in her a remedy, but health itself; and this she herself promises to all who seek her. Neither let us fear that, on account of the bad odor of our wounds, she may refuse to take care of us. She is our Mother; and as a mother does not shrink from dressing the wound of her child, neither does this celestial physician refuse servants who have recourse to her. Wherefore, St Bernard says, ‘O Mother of God, you do not disdain a sinner, however loathsome he may be: if he sends up his sighs to you, you will deliver him with your own hand from despair.’ Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:326 • Our Lady of the Hermits, in Switzerland, where there was formerly a small hermitage in the midst of woods occupied by St Meinrad till the Emperor Otho built, a church there, in compliance with an order which he received from heaven. This church contains a small chapel of Our Lady, which was consecrated, it is said, in the year 1418, by Our Lord, accompanied by angels and saints, who performed the functions of ordinary ministers of the church, in the presence of the Blessed Virgin. — Triple Couronne, n, 84. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Hermits / Blessed Madonna of Einsiedeln. Swiitzerland. 1418. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Hermits (Viterbo, Italy 1417). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com)

23 October 2012 St John of Capistrano, priest He worked as a lawyer and joined the Franciscan Order. He preached a crusade and gathered a strong army which defeated the Turks in the Battle of Belgrade. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1674) On the virtue of mortification We have a strong inclination for all which pleases our senses. From it springs an infinity of sins and miseries. The resistance to this inclination is called mortification, an act of the will. By mortification we repress and kill the vicious desires which spring from concupiscence. If done from a supernatural motive, the habit of doing it is the virtue of mortification. There is, then, a great difference between an act and the virtue of mortification. Like other virtues, it has different degrees. It becomes more perfect as we acquire greater ease and perseverance in practicing it. “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:27) What value do we put upon this virtue? What progress have we made in it? All that is outside us, as well as that which is within, shows us the absolute necessity of mortification. Outside us, we have the precept and example of Jesus Christ, the doctrine and example of the Apostles; also the example of all the saints. Where can we find one who has not excelled in the practice of mortification? We have experienced that if we do not at least continually and energetically fight against the irregular desires of our hearts, we fall into every kind of disorder as St Paul reminds us, ‘If by the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live’. Without mortification, then, there is no perseverance, no salvation for us. There can be no progress in virtue. If we agree, acknowledge that our want of mortification is because we are so erratic in our resolutions; far from living a spirit of prayer; often unfaithful to many points of the norms and certain obligations of our work. To be mortified is to die to one’s self and the world. To live only to God. It is to conquer, to repress sin in our hearts. To overcome all obstacles to perfection. And to let Jesus reign over us as our sovereign Master. To destroy all that displeases God in us. To love God, as the Apostle St John expresses it, “in deed” (1 Jn 3:18). Finally to follow Jesus, bearing his cross. To die with him, ‘With Christ I am nailed to the cross’. Do we need further argument to induce us to fervently embrace the austerities of mortification? All of us, though weak in health, can mortify ourselves in many ways. Before, we took delight in them; but now? Let us go back to our first fervor. What joy we shall have at death and overflowing happiness in eternity! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp657-9 Conversion “If you desire to reach the highest pitch of evangelical perfection, O Christian soul, and if you want to unite yourself so intimately with God as to become one spirit with Him, it is necessary to acquaint yourself with the true nature of spirituality. Then you may succeed in this purpose, the sublimest that can be expressed or imagined. “Spiritual life properly consists in knowledge of the infinite power and goodness of God, joined to a true sense of our own wretchedness and inclination to evil; in love of God and hatred of self; in humiliations not only before God, but also before men out of love for God; in the entire renunciation of our own will to follow His; and, as a crown on our work the accomplishment of all this only for the glory of His holy name, with no other intention than to please Him and no other motive than to wish Him loved and served by every creature.” Ref: Dom Lawrence Scupoli, “The Spiritual Combat”, Ch. 1. In “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, p398 The Laity Spread Their Faith The Divine Wisdom is that sublime science which preserves the savor of salt, so it will not become tasteless, which feeds the light of the lamp, so it may light up the depths of the human heart, guide its secret yearnings, seeking and hopes. The Pope exhorts all laity to assume their responsibility with coherence and vigor. ... The Christian vocation is essentially apostolic. Only in this dimension of service to the Gospel will the Christian find the fulness of his dignity. In fact, the laity are “incorporated in Christ through baptism and constituted People of God; to their measure, made partakers of the sacerdotal, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ”; called to holiness, and are invited to announce and realize Christ’s kingdom until He returns. If you wish to be faithful to this dignity, it is not enough to accept passively those riches of the faith handed down in your tradition and culture. A treasure is entrusted, talents are offered, which ought to be accepted with responsibility, so they may bear fruit in abundance. The grace of Baptism and of Confirmation is renewed by the Eucharist; restored by Penance. It possesses vital energies for vitalizing faith; with the creative dynamism of the Holy Spirit, for directing activities of the members of the Mystical Body. The laity, too are called to this interior spiritual growth, which makes them ‘fellow workers of the Holy Spirit’. With his gifts, he renews, rejuvenates and perfects the work of Christ. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp312-3 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Morning Star’ -- St John Damascene calls Mary ‘the Star which indicates the rising of the sun’. As the morning star precedes the sun, so does devotion to the most Blessed Virgin precede the sun of divine grace; for St Germanus says, ‘devotion in a soul towards Mary is a sign either that it is already in a state of grace, or it will very soon be so’. Our Lady is ‘the Star of the Sea’ because, St Thomas explains, ‘as mariners, in tempestuous weather, are guided by the star of the sea into port, so are souls guided by Mary over the sea of this world into Paradise’. Hence, St Bernard warns, ‘If you do not wish to be lost in the storm of temptations, turn not your eyes from this star of salvation. If you follow Mary, you will not go astray; if Mary protects you, you cannot fear to be lost; if Mary favors you, you will reach Paradise.’ Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:326 • Our Lady of Consolation, near Honfleur. This chapel is much frequented; two children have been raised to life there, in memory of which their figures are there in silver. — Archives of the place. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Consolation / “Notre Dame de Comfort”. Honfleur, France. Basilica and National Shrine in Carey, Ohio. Franciscan Friars. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Consolation, near Honfleur, France. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Comfort or Consolation. Near Honfleur, France. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Comfort. (www/mariedenazareth.com)

22 October 2012 The qualities of a disciple Among the crowd who followed Jesus, and who listened to him with very different dispositions from those of the hypocritical Pharisees, many show their desire to be numbered among his disciples. But must have been surprised when they heard the conditions that Jesus had laid down before they could be admitted! The first was: “Whoever comes to me and hates not his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:25-6). That is to say, if he cannot relinquish their friendship except that of God. If he has not the courage and determination to resist or even give them up. If they oppose the certain will of God in regard to a state of life. Jesus Christ, then, righteously demands from us, who glory in being his disciples, that in all circumstances we give him the first place in our esteem and love as the Sovereign Good. That we be entirely detached from the world, and at least, keep our hearts free from any affection which may disturb our peace with him. “If any man hate not his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” (cf Lk 14:26) According to St Jerome, our Lord meant that we should be ready to sacrifice our life rather than lose the faith and grace of God. That we should hate and cast away from us all that could flatter our self-love and our senses, all that is capable of soiling our soul in the eyes of God. ‘To hate one’s self thus in time’, says St Augustine, ‘is to love one’s self in eternity’. The fulfilment of this second condition, so rigorously exacted by our Lord, evidently supposes two things: First, great vigilance over all our senses and the most secret movements of our hearts; and second, a continual fight against the aspirations of our minds and the disorderly inclinations of our heart. These words evidently suppose this: ‘The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away.’ Is it because we fail in this violence and this vigilance over ourselves that we are still so little dead to the world, and its lusts; such weak disciples of Jesus Christ? Whosoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. This third condition is very easily understood. To carry the cross after Jesus is to bear patiently for love of him all that wearies us; goes against our ideas, tastes, and habits. All that contradicts our temper, inclinations, customs. All that can cause us suffering of mind or body. To carry the cross after Jesus is to ‘bear about in our bodies the mortification of Jesus’. It is to mortify ourselves continually in all things, so that, dead to the world and ourselves, we may live only to God. Examine carefully how we stand as regards this spirit of mortification and this self-immolation. If we are animated by this spirit, our happiness is certain. If we are a stranger to it, we have everything to fear. St Paul says this expressly: ‘They that are Christ’s have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences ... If any man has not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.’ Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp655-7 Christian Poverty Jesus did not glorify human want and misery. A person in material privation cannot live a truly human life. “Poverty of the body”, wrote Lacordaire, “entails poverty of the soul ... The really poor man develops the instincts of an animal; under the preoccupation of his material needs he forgets his origin and his end; he throws to the wind the divine life whose need is in him and his only care in the future is to force the earth to yield him the goods of eternity.” St Thomas Aquinas taught that it is impossible for anyone to practice virtue if he does not possess a minimum of well-being. He did not prescribe the ‘necessary’ minimum material goods without which one would just die; he demanded the ‘well-being’ every person needs in order to have a dignified human life. Development of the spirit, moral education and solicitude for one’s soul are denied to a person who is not freed from material necessity. Poverty, more than wealth, makes human beings materially minded. Msgr. Chevrot commented that if he had to sum up in one phrase the behavior of Christians in the face of riches, he would opt for what St Paul wrote at the end of his remarkable life: “I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too.” (Phil 4:12) The great Apostle of the Gentiles elaborated saying: “I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:12-3) Msgr. Chevrot continued: “The Apostle takes the days as they come and turns each of them to account. If he gets enough, he does not disdain the gifts of fortune; he uses them in moderation and shares them joyfully with his brethren. If he is in want, he does not moan or grumble. He accepts privation as long as God judges it to be useful to his advancement as well as to his apostolate. He achieves this balance of soul through his trust in Jesus Christ.” Ref: Cf Fr M Guzman, “Encounters with Christ”, 1990, pp72-3 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Gate of Heaven’ -- St Bonaventure declares, ‘no one can enter heaven unless by Mary, as through a door’. Our Queen says “My power is in Jerusalem.” (Ecclesiasticus 24:15) Richard of St Laurence adds: ‘Commanding what I will and introducing whom I will.’ I can obtain whatever I please for my clients and introduce all whom I please into paradise. Hence, St Bonaventure writes, ‘those who enjoy the favor of Mary are recognized by the citizens of heaven; and those who bear her stamp, ie, have the grace to be her servants, are inscribed in the Book of Life’. For this reason, Bernardine de Bustis calls Mary ‘the Book of Life’, and says that whoever, by this devotion, is written in this book, is certain to be saved. My Mother, in you do I repose my hope of eternal salvation. I love you; do save me; never allow a servant of yours who loves you to blaspheme you in hell. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:325-6 • Our Lady of the Underground, half a league from Grand Cairo. It is held by tradition that the Blessed Virgin lived for some years in this subterranean chapel. — Triple Couronne, n. 0. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of the Underground / Our Lady of the Vault. Grand Cairo, Egypt. 12th Century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of the Rock (Rocamadour, France). (www/mariedenazareth.com)

21 October 2012 Parable of the lost sheep This parable completes that of the Good Shepherd. Jesus gave it in the form of a question to the Pharisees, “who murmured, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’. ‘Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after that which is lost until he finds it?’” (Lk 15:4) Note the promptitude of the shepherd. He immediately hastens to seek the missing sheep. Consider the perseverance and solicitude with which he seeks it. Without taking time to eat, nothing discourages him: distance, accidents, or fatigue; never rests till he has recovered his dear sheep. Has not God acted thus when we were miserable as to be separated from him by sin? Were we not promptly recalled by the voice of conscience, by the fear and trouble which he excited in our soul, until finally his grace triumphed over our resistance, and the deceits of the devil? When the shepherd at last finds this sheep, he gently calls it to him. Far from punishing it, he caresses it and smiles to show he is not angry. Moved with compassion, seeing the sheep panting and exhausted, “He lays it on his shoulders rejoicing” (Lk 15:5); carries it back to the fold. The Saviour of our souls pictures himself under this image of winning tenderness. This image is real. Every penitent sinner is a proof of it. From the moment he renounces sin, and makes the resolution of returning to God, the reproaches of his conscience cease, and remorse is silent. He feels himself prevented and strengthened by a grace which is so abundant that he is carried rather than work his way. Nothing now costs anything. What seemed impossible is made easy. Coming home, he calls his friends saying, “Rejoice with me. I have found my sheep that was lost”. (Lk 15:6). Jesus continued: “I say to you even so will there be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:7) These wonderful words teach us to appreciate God’s infinite goodness and mercy towards the penitent sinner. They teach us also the injury to God and the harm we do to ourselves, when, recalling our past sins, we yield to discouragement, as if the pardon we received is doubtful. Is this so? Acknowledge the fault. And if in the future we are tempted to fall again, recall what Jesus Christ says: “our conversion has been a subject of joy in heaven among saints and angels” (Lk 15:10). This thought will affirm our confidence, and help us greatly to advance in perfection. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp652-4 On Pilgrimage to the Light that Never Sets The Second Vatican Council (“Lumen Gentium”, 9) speaks of the pilgrim church, establishing an analogy with the Israel of the Old Covenant journeying through the desert. The journey also has an external character, visible in the time and space in which it historically takes place. For the church “is destined to extend to all regions of the earth and so to enter into the history of mankind”, but at the same time “she transcends all limits of time and space”. And yet the essential character of her pilgrimage is interior: through faith, by “the power of the Risen Lord”, in the Holy Spirit, given to the church, as the invisible Comforter ... (cf Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:7) “Moving forward through trial and tribulation, the church is strengthened by the power of God’s grace promised to her by the Lord, so that moved by the Holy Spirit, she may never cease to renew herself, until through the cross she arrives at the light which knows no setting.” Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 9 The Mercy of God Leaf through holy Scripture and you will find constant references to the mercy of God. “Mercy fills the earth.” (Ps 32:5) “It extends to all his children” (Sir 18:12), and is “all around us” (Ps 31:10). It “watches over me” (Ps 58:11). It “extends to the heavens” (Ps 35:8) to help us, and has been continually “confirmed” (Ps 116:2). “God in taking care of us as a loving father looks on us in his mercy” (Ps 24:7) that is “tender” (Ps 108:21), welcome as “rain-clouds” (Sir 35:26). The life of Jesus Christ is a summary and compendium of the story of divine mercy: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Mt 5:7) On another occasion he said: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36) Many other scenes of the Gospel are his forgiveness of the adulterous woman, the parables of the prodigal son, of the lost sheep, of the pardoned debtor; the resurrection of the son of the widow of Naim (cf Lk 7:11-7). How many reasons based on justice could Christ have found to work this great wonder! The only son of the poor widow had died, he who gave meaning to her life, he who could help her in her old age. But Jesus didn’t peform the miracle out of justice, but out of compassion, because his heart was moved by human suffering. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 7 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Ark of the Covenant’ -- Hesychius calls Mary ‘an ark more spacious than that of Noah’ where only two animals of every kind were received; but under the mantle of Mary the just and sinners find place. This was one day revealed to St Gertrude for the way a multitude of wild beasts, lions, leopard, and the like, that took refuge under the mantle of Mary; and she not only did not drive them away, but with her benign hands caressed them, that they might not flee. The animals that entered the ark remained animals; but sinners received under the mantle of Mary do not remain so. She is certain to make their hearts agreeable to God. The Blessed Virgin told St Bridget, “However much a man may have sinned, if he returns to me with a real purpose of amendment, I am ready at once to receive him. Neither do I pay attention to the sins; but only to the good disposition in which he comes. I do not disdain to anoint and heal his wounds, for I am called and truly am the ‘Mother of Mercy’.” O Mother of Mercy, ‘Remember that it has never been heard of in any age, that any sinner who had recourse to you was rejected by you’. I, a miserable sinner, have recourse to you and trust in you. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:325 • Our Lady of Talan, near Dijon. — Ex monamentis Divion. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Notre Dame de Talan”. Dijon, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Europe. (www/mariedenazareth.com)

20 October 2012 The Pharisees try in vain to intimidate Jesus Jesus was still staying away from Jerusalem, evangelizing the countries bordering upon Galilee with great success. This was enough to make the Pharisees envious. Thus, they resolved to hinder his mission, and even make him abandon it under some false pretext. Assuming a hypocritical air, the Pharisees said, “Master, we hear that Herod, who murdered John the Baptist, intends to kill you. Save your life, leave!” (Lk 13:31) This is how the devil, jealous of whoever do works of charity and zeal, tries to hinder their success. He even drives them away from where they are doing good. Sometimes he tries to frighten and discourage them. Or he stirs up false brethren against them who try to drive them away under the pretext of avoiding disagreements. He endeavors, and even succeeds, in belittling them before their colleagues, by intrigue or calumny. We may be the victim of these snares. Great servants of God have been so, as we see in the lives of St John of the Cross and St Francis Regis. They were not disturbed but left their cause in the hands of God who sustained them in their trials; and glorified them. Instead of feeling fear, as the Pharisees wished, Jesus answered them calmly: “Go and tell that fox, ‘Listen, I cast out devils and do cures today, tomorrow, and on the third day’” (Lk 13:32); ie, as long as My mission requires me. This courageous answer should have impressed the Pharisees: ‘I do what I have willed, what is necessary for my mission. I fear no one; and I will die only at the time and in the manner I have appointed.’ The just man who obediently does his duty must answer with equal courage: ‘I do what God wills, what obedience has laid on me. I fear him only; and I will die at the time and in the manner he has resolved that I should die. Happy should I be if I might die a martyr to my duty and to obedience.’ Is this courage and constancy to be found in me? Am I often influenced and upset by fears which are usually imaginary? Do I apprehend many difficulties, contradictions, and annoyances? Has the simple fear that I may not succeed before men in my assignment made me resort to false pretences? “It cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.” (Lk 13:33) Thus, Jesus made the Pharisees realize that he knew their snares laid for him in Jerusalem. There indeed he would die, only because he so willed it. Then thinking of the terrible fate reserved for inhabitants of Jerusalem, he cried out in grief, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murderess of prophets and stoner of those who were sent to you! How often have I yearned to gather your children, as a mother bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused me!” (Mt 23:37) How wonderfully is the tenderness of the Divine Heart manifested to us in these words! Let us try to form our own hearts on the model of this tender and zealous heart. Let us try also to forget our own troubles, that we may only think how we can relieve the sorrows and needs of our brethren, of all confided to our care. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp650-52 Intimacy with God As he parted with the apostles on the eve of his Passion, Jesus said: “Anyone who loves me will be true to my word, and my Father will love him; and we will come to him, and make our dwelling place with him.” (Jn 14:23) Just a few moments before being handed over to death, he reveals the heights and depths of an immense love. He reveals to us the mystery of God’s indwelling presence. Yes, man is called to become a temple for the Blessed Trinity. What greater degree of communion with God could man ever aspire to? What greater proof than this could God ever give us of his saving love? The God of all wants to enter into communion with man. All the age-old history of Christian mysticism, even some of its most sublime expressions, can speak only imperfectly about the unutterable presence of God in our hearts. Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 14 The Heart of the World “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! ... Let us rejoice and be glad he has saved us!” (Is 25:9) These words invite us to trust in the Lord. On the mountain of victory he is preparing a banquet for all peoples. Tears will be wiped away from all faces; and death will be eliminated for ever. Peace will reign. Christ, Son of the Virgin Mary, will be the heart of the world. Let us pray that the Father’s will may be done, making all people children of God through unifying action of the Spirit. Ref: Cf “Pope John Paul II, Breakfast with the Pope”, 1984, 120 The 15 Promises of Mary: 14. I have obtained from my Divine Son: all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73) Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘House of gold’ -- Gold is a symbol of love. Therefore, St Albert the Great calls Mary ‘a golden temple of charity’. And with reason, for St Thomas says, that ‘as all in the temple was covered with gold, so was everything in the beautiful soul of Mary filled with sanctity’. Mary was the house of gold which Eternal Wisdom, ie, the divine Word, chose for his dwelling on earth: “Wisdom hath built herself a house.” (Prov 9:1) ‘This House of God is so rich that it can relieve all our wants.’ (Richard of St Laurence) O Mary, you love God so much, and therefore, you desire to see him loved by all. This is the grace which above all others I ask of you, and which I hope from you; obtain me great love for God. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:324 Prayer for a deceased priest O LORD, we pray Thee that the soul of Thy priest, Thy servant N., which, while he abode in this world, Thou didst adorn with sacred gifts, may ever rejoice in a glorious place in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Ref: In “Blessed Be God”, by Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, 1925, p484 • Dedication of the church of Pontigny, four leagues from Anxerre, under the title of Our Lady. This abbey was founded in 1114 by Thibaud, Count of Champagne. — Angl. Manriq. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Abbey of Our Lady. Pontigny, France 1114. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Immaculate Heart of Mary. Marianist Missal. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Mother Most Admirable. (www/mariedenazareth.com)

19 October 2012 Ss John de Brebeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs; and companions, martyrs Jesuit missionaries who died martyrs in Northern America where they preached the Gospel. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1672) [The parish church of Hinsdale, Illinois, USA is named after St Isaac Jogues.] Parable of the barren fig tree Some Jews told Jesus of the punishment Pilate had inflicted on certain Galileans. He, thus, took the opportunity to show them by a parable that they and their whole nation would be severely punished if they waste the graces he had lavished on them during his ministry of three years. “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came seeking fruit on it and found none. He told the gardener, ‘Look! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, leave it another year while I hoe around and put manure; then perhaps it will bear fruit. If not, it can be cut down.’” (cf Lk 13:6-9) [“The fig tree symbolizes the Jewish nation which, though rich in foliage, bore no fruit.” (In JMH Ledesma, SJ, “The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ”, 221)] Church Fathers remark that in this parable, our Lord did not have the Jews only in mind, but also whoever in future ages should become special objects of God’s grace. We have been receiving spiritual formation for weeks, months, years; tended with the utmost care, watered with a greater abundance of heavenly dew in a day than many others get in weeks and months. Where, then is our fruit? What progress have we made since our last retreat, the last monthly recollection? Perhaps nothing but barrenness and graces wasted. Let us ask God to enlighten us. Think of the mischief we have done through this barrenness, this tepidity. Have we robbed God of the honor due to him, our Saviour, of the fruit of his Passion; our neighbor, of the good we might have done him, our conduct actively and positively hurtful? Look closely and see that it may be so. Then think of the dangers to which this barrenness has exposed our soul. “Every tree that brings not good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire. The unprofitable servant cast out into the exterior darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (cf Mt 25:30) Among these barren trees (unprofitable servants) who have incurred the wrath of God, could be some acquaintances who have been surprised by an unhappy death and cast into the flames of hell. This thought must inspire us with a holy fear and induce us to examine ourself in earnest; and make generous resolutions. The tender-hearted, zealous gardener, who obtained a year’s reprieve for the fig tree, represents our Lord, who as man intercedes for us with his Father -- who obtains for us a further trial, more graces. Let this thought increase our confidence. Say with St Paul, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). I will seek a director and say to him, ‘Show me how to rid myself once for all of this spiritual stupor, and to bring forth fruits of righteousness in abundance. Cost what it may, I am determined to begin at once.’ Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp647-9 The seasoning of mortification In order to reach sanctity, an ordinary Christian (who is not a [member of a] religious [order]) has no reason to abandon the world, since that is precisely where he is to find Christ. He needs no external signs, such as a habit or insignias. All the signs of his dedication are internal: a constant presence of God and a spirit of mortification. As a matter of fact, only one thing is necessary, because mortification is nothing more than prayer of the senses. The christian vocation is one of sacrifice, penance, expiation. We must make reparation for the many times we turned our face aside so as to avoid the gaze of God, and all the sins of mankind. We must try to imitate Christ, “always carrying about in our body the dying of Christ”, his abnegation, his suffering on the cross, “so that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies” (2 Cor 4:10). Our way is one of immolation and, in this denial, we find both joy and peace. Mortification is the seasoning of our life. And the best mortification is that which overcomes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life in little things throughout the day. Ours should be mortifications that do not mortify others, and which give us more finesse, more understanding and more openness in our dealings with everybody. Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 9 The 15 Promises of Mary: 11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary. 12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities. 13. All you who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ. Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p73 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Tower of ivory’ -- “Thy neck is a tower of ivory.” (Cant 7:4) Mary is called a neck for she is the mystic neck through which the vital spirits, ie, divine help which preserves in us the life of grace, are transmitted from Jesus Christ the Head to us the faithful, who are members of his Mystical Body, the Church. St Bernardine says, ‘The life-giving graces flow from Christ the Head, through the Blessed Virgin, into his mystic body’. The saint then adds, ‘that from the time when Mary conceived the Incarnate Word, she received the great honor from God, that no one should receive any grace otherwise than through her hands’. Hence, the Abbot Rupert writes of Mary, ‘that as a tower of ivory she is beloved by God, and terrible to the devil’. O my sovereign Lady, you are so beloved of God, you can obtain for us every grace; and because you are terrible to the evil spirits, you can deliver us from all their snares. Have mercy on us, who glory in living under your protection. Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:324 • Dedication of the Abbey of Royaumont, under the title of the Holy Cross and Our Lady, by John, Archbishop of Mytileme, in the year 1235. This monastery had been founded by St Louis in the year 1227 — Gallia Christiana, t. iv. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Holy Cross and Our Lady Abbey, Royaumont, France (1235), founded by St. Louis. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Royaumont”. France. 1235. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Valencia. (Spain, 1380) (www/mariedenazareth.com)

18 October 2012 St Luke, Evangelist A physician from Antioch, convert to the Christian faith. St Paul’s disciple and faithful companion in all his journeys, he wrote the third Gospel and the “Acts of the Apostles”. He wrote about the childhood of Jesus; and the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1670) St Luke the Evangelist At the shrine of St Luke, on the ‘Colle della Guardia’, beneath the ancient image of Mary Most Holy, which a pious and meaningful tradition attributes to him, I would put a query to you ... How have you responded to this call from Jesus, who wishes to make you collaborators, more intimate successors to his salvific mision? How do you respond today? Be generous with Jesus! Look to her, to Mary, as St Luke presents her in his account of the mystery of the Annunciation. We might say, he paints her in his Gospel, with extraordinary effectiveness and intense delicacy. God chose her for the singular, unique vocation of being Mother of the Messiah, Son of the Most High. After the initial upset troublng her before the exceptional privilege, she replied: “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me as you say.” (Lk 1:38) Imitate Our Lady’s absolute readiness in the face of God’s project. You, too say to the call of Jesus: “Here I am, let what you have said occur in me.” Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p363 The painter of the Virgin We find fundamental teachings of the Lord in St Luke’s Gospel. He succintly points out the importance of humility, sincerity, poverty, acceptance of daily Cross and the need for thanksgiving. Our love for God moves us to give thanks to Luke for the exquisite delicacy of his soul which is shown in his refined work. From the days of antiquity, Christians have called him “the painter of the Virgin”. (Eusebius, “Ecclesiastical History”, 11:43) Some sketches and paintings of our Blessed Lady are attributed to him [including that of Our Mother of Perpetual Help]. The Gospel of St Luke is a fundamental source of knowledge for devotion to our Lady, and has inspired Christian art for centuries. No person in the history of the Gospel except for Jesus is described with as much affection as our Mother Mary. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, St Luke writes about the gifts bestowed on the Blessed Virgin. She is “full of grace” and the Lord is with her. As Mother of Jesus, she conceives by the power of the Holy Spirit without losing her virginity; and is intimately united to the redemptive mystery of the Cross. All generations shall call her blessed, since the Almighty has done great things for her. Rightly does a local woman full of fervent enthusiasm praise the Mother of Jesus. (cf “The Navarre Bible”, Pamplona, 1983, pp706-7) Our Lady’s faithful correspondence to her vocation is constantly obvious. She humbly receives the Archangel’s announcement about her dignity as the Mother of God by wholeheartedly accepting the divine plan. She immediately helps others. Twice (at the Presentation and finding Jesus in the temple) Luke wrote that “she pondered all these things in her heart” (Lk 2:19, 51). Mary would have shared with St Luke her most intimate memories of life with our Lord. Thanks to Luke’s close correspondence with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can read an account of Jesus’ infancy and the superb parables he alone recounts. We recall the parable of the prodigal son, the one of the good Samaritan, the other about the negligent administrator, and of course the episode of poor Lazarus and the rich man. Also unique to his Gospel is the wonderful account of the two travellers to Emmaus. St Luke alone describes the divine mercy shown to those most in need. He stresses Christ’s love for sinners to show that Jesus came to “save those who were lost” (Lk 19:10). He also relates the Lord’s forgiving the woman accused of adultery (Lk 7:36-50), his stay in the home of Zaccheus of ill repute (Lk 19:1-10), and the gaze of Jesus that transforms Peter after his denials (Lk 22:61). He tells us about Christ’s promise of salvation to the repentant thief (Lk 23:42); and of our Saviour’s prayer for those who crucify and insult him on Calvary (Lk 23:34). The role of women in society, seldom considered in the first century of Christianity, plays an important part in St Luke’s Gospel. Jesus makes a concerted effort to restore to them their dignity. St Luke alone describes such figures including the widow of Naim (Lk 7:11-7), the woman who bathed Christ’s feet as a sign of her fervent repentance (Lk 7:36-50), and the Galileans who put their goods at Jesus’ disposal to follow and serve him (Lk 8:1-3). Then there are his friends, the two sisters from Bethany (Lk 10:38-42), the stooped woman whom he cured (Lk 13:10-17), and the group of weeping women from Jerusalem who show Christ their compassion while he carries the Cross (Lk 23:27-32). We honor the legacy of St Luke by contemplating the noble and uplifting description he gives us of the Saviour. Let us ask him for the joy and apostolic fervour of our first brothers in the faith as we read and meditate on the “Acts of the Apostles”, the renowned “Gospel of the Holy Spirit”. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:222-6 Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Tower of David’ -- Mary is called in the sacred “Canticles” (4:1) the Tower of David: “Thy neck is as the tower of David; a thousand bucklers hang upon it; all the armor of valiant men.” St Bernardine says that the tower of David stood on high, ie, on Sion. Therefore, Mary is called such to denote the height of her perfection. My Queen and Mother, I rejoice in your greatness, and am willing to sacrifice my life rather than your glory should be diminished in the least degree if that were possible. O that I could only by shedding every drop of my blood cause all nations of the earth to adore and love you as the great Lady which you are! Ref: “The Glories of Mary.” In “Documentation Service”, V:324 • Dedication of Our Lady of Rheims, built by St Nicasius, archbishop of that city, in the year 405. This church having fallen to ruins, was rebuilt by Ebo and Hincmar. It was finished in the year 845. — Flodoardus, lib. i., c. 6. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of Rheims (405), built by St Nicasius. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • “Notre Dame de Rheims”. Built by St Nicasius. 405. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)