31 March 2013 EASTER SUNDAY “He has risen, he is not here!” (Lk 24:6) Such was the angel’s greeting to the holy women who had come at early dawn to visit the place where Jesus was laid. What joy must have overwhelmed their hearts at the words! What joy even now fills the hearts of the faithful when they hear them repeated in the Mass of this great day! He, Jesus, our King, over whose sorrowful Passion we have been so lately mourning, dies no more. Death has no more dominion over him. Conqueror over death and all his enemies, he rejoices in his glorified humanity, and all power is given to him in heaven and on earth, even in hell itself. Therefore, let us rejoice with him and with his Church this day with the oft-repeated, ‘Alleluia, Alleluia!’ No one doubts that our Lord first appeared to his Blessed Mother; but how can we form an idea of the joy that filled her heart at the sight of this beloved Son, now as radiant and beautiful as he had been disfigured by his agony and crucifixion? The sorrows and joys of a mother are the sorrows and joys of her children. Mary is our Mother. So, let our joy today be as deep as our previous sorrow; and in proportion to the childlike love we bear her. Let our joy go beyond this day and produce in us all its holy and blissful effects. What great joy springs from the thought that the resurrection of our Lord is the type and pledge of our resurrection! This is no pious belief but an express article of faith “... knowing”, as St Paul says, “that he who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus, and those who have slept through Jesus will God bring with him”. This makes us cry out with the Apostle, “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Cor 15:55) Deeply impress this thought on our minds; we shall never suffer long from sadness. In all our tribulations of soul or body let us say, ‘I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting’. If we suffer, we will also reign with him. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp186-8 Our Lord’s Resurrection: The basis of our Faith The glorious resurrection of the Lord is the key to interpreting his whole life, and the ground of our faith. Without this victory over death, all our preaching would be useless and our faith in vain. (Cf 1 Cor 15:14-7) Furthermore, the guarantee of our future resurrection is secured upon the resurrection of Christ, because although we were dead through sin, merciful God, his love moved by infinite compassion, gave us Christ ... and he raised us with him. (Cf Eph 2:4-6) Easter is the celebration of our Redemption; of thanksgiving and joy. The Resurrection of the Lord is a central reality of the Catholic faith, and has been preached as such since the beginning of Christianity. The importance of this miracle is so great that the Apostles are, above all else, witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection. (Cf Acts 1:22; 2:32; 3:15) Each year on this holy day St Thomas Aquinas counselled his hearers not to fail to congratulate the Blessed Virgin on the Resurrection of her Son. (Fr JFP, “Life and Mercies of Our Lady, according to St Thomas Aquinas”) That is exactly what we do, beginning today, by reciting the ‘Regina Cœli’ in lieu of the ‘Angelus’ during Eastertide. “Queen of Heaven, Rejoice. Alleluia! ...” Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:291-2, 298 “Regina Cœli” V. Queen of Heaven, Rejoice! Alleluia. R. “For He whom you did merit to bear. Alleluia.” V. Has risen, as He said. Alleluia. R. “Pray for us to God. Alleluia.” V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia. R. “For the Lord is truly risen. Alleluia.” “Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.” Ref: “Handbook of Prayers”, edited by Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias, 1982, p23 Renewal of Baptismal Promises ‘Immediately after the blessing of the water, all present stand and renew their baptismal profession of faith. The priest speaks to the people in these or similar words’: Dear friends, through the paschal mystery, we have been buried with Christ in baptism, so that we may rise with him to a new life. Now that we have completed our lenten observance, let us renew the promises we made in baptism when we rejected Satan and his works, and promised to serve God faithfully in his holy Catholic Church. And so: V. Do you reject Satan? ‘R. I do.’ V. And all his works? ‘R. I do.’ V. And all his empty promises? ‘R. I do.’ ‘or’ V. Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children? ‘R. I do.’ V. Do you reject the glamor of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin? ‘R. I do.’ V. Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness? ‘R. I do.’ ‘(According to circumstances, this second form may be adapted to local needs by the conference of bishops.)’ ‘Then the priest continues.’ V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? ‘R. I do.’ V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? ‘R. I do.’ V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? ‘R. I do.’ ‘The priest concludes:’ V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. ‘R. Amen.’ Ref: Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, pp389-90 On the Island of Limasawa On this day in 1521, the first Christian Mass was celebrated in the Philippines. Humabon, Chief of Cebu and many of his subjects were converted. Ferdinand Magellan gifted Humabon’s wife with an image of the Infant Jesus which in 1565 was recovered by one of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s men. This providential find made Legazpi to name Cebu in honor of the “Santissimo Nombre de Jesus” (Most Holy Name of Jesus); still the official name of the Archdiocese of Cebu. (In “2000 Years of Vatican Treasures”, 1994, p235) • Dedication of Our Lady of Reparation, at Florence, by Eugenius IV., in the year 1436.—(Balingham on the Calendar.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Bonaria (Sardinia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Bonaria, Island of Sardinia (1370). Declared Patroness of Sardinia in 1908. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • ‘Madonna della Bonaria.’ Sardinia, Italy. 1370. Mary is declared Patroness of Sardinia in 1908. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Holy Cross, at Jerusalem, where is kept a part of Our Lady’s veil, given by St. Helena.—(Onuohrius, lib. vii.. Eccl.) • • Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Holy Cross. Namesake of college in New Orleans. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Holy Cross, Jerusalem. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Holy Cross (Jerusalem). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

30 March 2013 HOLY SATURDAY Admire the providence of God in all these circumstances: in the new sepulchre, near where our Lord was crucified, hewn out of a rock as well as the sealing of the stone and placing a guard; the precautions taken by his enemies making it impossible even to approach him in his grave. Our Lord permitted it, to place the truth of his resurrection beyond dispute — a truth which is the basis of his Gospel. We believe in an ever-working Providence. We must not look on events in life as accidents; that despondency overpower us at beholding the temporary triumphs of impiety. It was when the disciples of Jesus thought all was lost that their Master overcame the grave and confounded his enemies forever. Let us also avoid that melancholy which a funeral sometimes produces; but conquer it by the consoling thought of the resurrection, from which we shall pass, as did our Lord, from death unto life eternal. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp184-6 The Apostles beside Our Lady The Body of Christ lay in the tomb. The world was in darkness; Mary, the only light still burning. “The Mother of Our Lord, my Mother, and the women who have followed the Master from Galilee, after taking careful note of everything also take their leave. Night falls. “Now it is all over. The work of our Redemption has been accomplished. We are now children of God, because Jesus has died for us and his death has ransomed us. ‘... you and I have been bought at a great price.’ (1 Cor 6:20) “We must bring into our own life, the life and death of Christ. We must die through mortification and penance, so that Christ may live in us through love. And then follow in the footsteps of Christ, with a zeal to co-redeem all mankind. We must give our life for others. ... the only way to live the life of Jesus Christ, to become one and the same with him.” (Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross”, 14th Station) We don’t know where the Apostles were that evening. Perhaps they were hovering around, disorientated and confused. We see them united once more on the Sunday (Cf Lk 24:9) because on this Saturday or perhaps on Friday evening, they had turned to Our Lady. With her faith, hope and love, she protected the nascent Church, still weak and startled. “Thus was the Church born under the mantle of Mary. From the beginning she has been the ‘Comforter of the afflicted’, of those under pressure. This Saturday, when everyone fulfilled the festival day of rest ‘as the law required’ ” (Lk 23:56), was not a sad day for Our Lady. Her Son had stopped suffering. She serenely awaited the Resurrection. Thus, she did not go with the holy women to embalm the Body of Jesus. “Our Lady is rest for those who work, consolation for those who weep, medicine for the sick, a harbour for those assailed by tempests, pardon for sinners, sweet relief for the sad, succour for those who implore.” (St John Damascene, “Homily on the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary”) Beside her we live the immense joy of the Resurrection. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:291-2 The Cross Reveals All of Christ Glory to you, Word of God! This greeting is repeated day by day in the liturgy of Lent. It precedes the reading of the Gospel and testifies that the season of Lent is, in the Church, a period of particular ‘concentration on the word of God’. Such concentration was, especially in the early centuries, linked with preparation for Baptism on the night of the eve of Easter. The catechumens prepared themselves for that with increasing intensity. However, it is not only in consideration of Baptism and the catechumenate that Lent raises us to such intense concentration on God’s Word. The need arises from the very nature of the liturgical period, that is, from the ‘depth of the Mystery’, which the Church enters from the beginning of Lent. The mystery of God reaches the hearts and minds above all through God’s word. We are actually in the period of ‘initiation’ to Easter, the central mystery of Christ as well as of the faith and life of those who confess Him. Praise be to you, Word of God! This ‘word’ in the penultimate week of Lent becomes ‘particularly intense; dramatic’. The readings taken from St John’s Gospel bring this out. Christ says ever more clearly, when talking with the Pharisees, who He is, who sent Him; and His words do not meet with welcome. Who are you? “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will come to realize ...” (Jn 8:28): you will know, you will find the answer to this question which you put to Me now, without trusting to the words I say to you. ‘Lifting up’ by means of the Cross ‘in a certain sense’ constitutes ‘the key to getting to know the whole truth’, which Christ proclaimed. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p155 Fortitude in difficult circumstances In our circumstances, when attitudes draw people away from God, we must feel a call from Our Lord to show with the example of our lives that the Risen Christ is among us; for without him, man and this world will always be disoriented. If darkness is great, need for light is greater. We must struggle against the current, relying on a life of personal prayer, fortified by the presence of Jesus Christ in the Tabernacle. Our interior struggle to reject worldly values must be more meaningful. Among the greatest fruits we must draw from difficulties, whatever they are, is to be more aware of Our Lord, to be more generous in prayer and sacrifice. We cannot forget that our supernatural objective is an arduous good which demands a vigorous response full of fortitude, a cardinal virtue which helps remove obstacles and the fears which can hinder the will from resolutely following Our Lord. (Cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, q122, a3) God always gives the necessary graces at every moment and in all circumstances. When we face contradictions in our environment we should be nonetheless serene and cheerful. It will be the same joy as the Apostles had, “because they had been worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41). St John Chrysostom points out: “... it does not say that they did not suffer, but that the suffering caused them joy. ... “We can see this in the account of the freedom which they immediately put to good use; immediately after being scourged they gave themselves up to preaching with admirable intensity.” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles”, 14) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:401-2 • Grant of indulgences by Pope Calixtus III in the year 1455, to whoever visit the cathedral of Arras where a veil and girdle of Our Lady are preserved. — Andreas Herby, from the Manuscripts of the Church of Arras.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Pope Calistus III grants Indulgences to visitors of the Cathedral of Arras, which holds a Marian veil and cincture (sash). 1455. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Pope Calixtus III grants indulgences to those who visit the Cathedral of Arras, where a veil and cinture of Our Lady are kept (1455). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Indulgences granted to whoever visit the Cathedral of Arras where a veil and a cincture of Our Lady are preserved. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Mende, Africa (16th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Good Counsel. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1907) • Restoration of the chapel of Our Lady, at Boulogne-sur-mer, by Caude Dormy, bishop of that city.—(Triple Couronne, n. 53.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Notre Dame de Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Photos of 19th century basilica, damaged in 1941, subsequently rebuilt. Contains statue which was popular pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages based on 7th century miracles. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Re-establishment of the chapel of Our Lady, at Boulogne-sur-mer, by Bishope Claude Dormy. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Boulogne-sur-Mer. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

29 March 2013 GOOD FRIDAY Let us carefully meditate on these last words of our Lord, what the priest will use by our deathbed. “My Father ...” What sweetness dwells in that word! How well fitted it is to soften the bitterness of death, and to give confidence in the last struggle! “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk 23:46) [‘Commend’ signifies, according to the Greek text, ‘deposit’, or ‘place’.] I place my spirit into your hands, into the hands which created it, which gave it to me, for a time united to a mortal body, to glorify you on earth; now death separates it from its lifelong companion, till the moment of the resurrection. Until then, I commend it into your fatherly hands. “And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.” (Jn 19:30) Thus dies our loving Saviour, at the precise moment He willed to die, without suffering the agony he had previously endured in the Garden of Gethsemane. He dies abandoned and calumniated, but his death is followed by an immediate testimony to both his innocence and his divinity. The centurion at the foot of the cross exclaims, “Indeed this was a just man; indeed this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:39) Jesus is dead! But he has overcome death, and opened to us the gates of everlasting life. He is dead; but from his heart, pierced by the lance, flows the life-giving Sacraments of his spouse, the Church, which is to bring forth till the end of time countless children worldwide. His dead body remains nailed to the cross; but his Soul enjoys the Beatific Vision, and has received the adoration of the inhabitants of limbo. Contemplate the lifeless Body of our loving Redeemer. Eyes that shed so many tears of tenderness and compassion over sinners; mouth which opened only to glorify God or comfort man; pierced hands, ever ready to aid and bless; wounded feet, moving only by obedience, never weary of seeking his lost sheep. Behold the mournful scene at the foot of the cross: the three Mary’s and Apostle John remain; the crowd and soldiers gone. God sends two men to help who, before their conversion were weak, fearful; but now grace has made bold and resolute. They mount ladders, unfasten and place Jesus in his Blessed Mother’s arms. They, too aid this most sorrowful Mother to bind his sacred Body in linen cloths, with spices, and entomb in the sepulchre. Consider how God regarded his well-beloved Son. Formerly humiliated and abandoned he is now honored and cared for after death. So will God treat us if we humbly and lovingly accept his will in adversity. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp182-4 Christ is Crucified: Our Redemption is accomplished Crucifixion was the most cruel and insulting form of execution in ancient times. A Roman citizen could not be crucified. Death followed after a prolonged agony. At times, the executioners hastened the end of the crucifixion by breaking the legs of the crucified. From apostolic times till today, many still cannot accept a God made man who died on a piece of timber to save us. The drama of the cross continues to be a “scandal for the Jews and folly to the gentiles” (1 Cor 1:23). There has always been and there remains today, a temptation to detract from the value of the Cross. The intimate union of each Christian with his Lord requires a full knowledge of his life, this chapter of the Cross, too. Here the Redemption is accomplished; the key to suffering in the world. Here we learn a little about the malice of sin and the love of God for each man. We can never be indifferent in front of a crucifix. “It was not necessary for him to undergo such torment. But he wanted to suffer all this for you and for me. ... are we not going to respond? Very likely there will be times when, alone in front of a crucifix, you find tears coming to your eyes. Don’t try to hold them back. But try to ensure those tears give rise to a resolution.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross”, Eleventh Station, 1) Beside Jesus is his Mother with the other holy women. There too is John, the youngest of the Apostles. “When Jesus saw his Mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his Mother, ‘Woman, here is your son!’ Then to the disciple, ‘Here is your Mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19:26-7) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:282-3, 285 The Cross, Beginning of the Resurrection “The One who sent me is with me. He has not deserted me since I always do what pleases Him.” (Jn 8:29) As if to say, first of all, even in this supreme abandonment, I shall not be alone! I will do at that time ‘what pleases Him’, that which is the will of the Father! The Father will not leave me in the hands of death, because the Cross is the beginning of the resurrection. Thus, ‘the crucifixion’ will become ‘the lifting up’ by definition. ‘Then you shall know who I am.’ Then, too, you shall know that ‘I only tell the world what I have heard from him’. The ‘unlimited solitude’ which Christ had to experience on the cross in his ‘lifting up’ is revealed to us. That solitude was to begin during the prayer in the garden of ‘Gethsemani’. This must have been a real spiritual death agony and was to be completed in the crucifixion when Christ cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46) The crucifixion really becomes Christ’s elevation. In the Cross is the beginning of the resurrection. Therefore, the Cross becomes the definitive measure of all things, those which stand between God and man. Christ measures them exactly with this yardstick. ... The dimension of the world ‘meets with’ the dimension of God exactly ‘in the Cross’: in the Cross and in the resurrection. In his talk with Pilate, Christ was to say, “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36). Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p156 Our Lady — “Mary spent three days and three nights looking for the son who was lost. May you and I also be able to say that our willingness to find Jesus knows no rest.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 794) • Our Lady of Betharam, in the diocese of Lescar, in the province of Bearn. This image was found in the year 1503 by some shepherds who, seeing an extraordinary light on the spot where the high altar of the chapel now stands, came up and found an image of Our Lady, for which they at once erected a chapel. — Triple Couronne. n. 32. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Betharam, France (1503). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Betharam (Diocese of Lescar: Bearn, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Betharam”. Diocese of Lescar, Bearn, France. 1503. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • The Compassion of Mary. The Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother. Moveable feast — Friday after Passion Sunday. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • The Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother. Moveable feast — Friday after Passion Sunday. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Apparition of Our Lady to St. Bonet, Bishop of Clermont, in Auvergne, whom she ordered to say mass one night when he had remained in the church to pray. The saint leaning against a pillar, as if to hide himself, the stone became soft and made the place for him, which is seen to this day. But the Blessed Virgin having obliged him to officiate, she left him, when mass was over, the chasuble which had been brought him by angels to celebrate in. The heavenly present is still to be seen at Clermont, where it is preserved with great care.—(See his Life in Surius, Jan. 15.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Apparition of Our Lady to St. Bonet (7th C.) (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Apparition of Our Lady to St. Bonet. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

28 March 2013 HOLY THURSDAY The Last (Paschal) Supper Jesus left Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, and slept at Bethania, returning to the city towards sunset of Thursday, first day of the Azymes. The Apostles came to him, asking, ‘Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Pasch?’ ... he sends two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city ... there you will meet a man carrying a jar of water; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks, Where is my refectory, where I may eat the Pasch with my disciples?”...’ (Mk 14:12-5) His disciples went into the city, and found the place, furnished, as he had told them. They prepared the Pasch undoubtedly, with the help of the Blessed Mother and the pious women (they procure a paschal lamb, slaughtering it in the Temple then roasted; unleavened bread [azymes], wine, and lettuce or other vegetables). This chamber is an image of our heart which our Lord makes his dwelling-place in Holy Communion. To receive him, our heart must be large and spacious in desires and generosity. Never give our Lord only what we cannot refuse him under pain of mortal sin. It must also be well-furnished: adorned with virtues, true humility, ardent love. He sat down with the twelve Apostles and said, “I have desired to eat this Pasch with you before I suffer” (Lk 22:15). In the Paschal lamb Jesus must have forcibly seen his imminent passion; but he remained calm. Thus the paschal Supper, institution of the Eucharist, agony in the Garden, his death and burial, all took place in one day, consummated on the cross. Judas had, on the day before, promised to deliver his Lord into the hands of his enemies for thirty pieces of silver. To be consistent with our Lord’s glory and not appear ignorant of this base betrayal, Jesus predicted it during the Paschal Supper: “Amen, I say to you one of you who eats with me will betray me.” (Lk 22:21) The Apostles began to be sorrowful and one by one asked him, “Is it I?” Judas does not seem to show any emotion despite our Lord’s denunciation: “It were better for him if that man had never been born.” (Mt 26:24) Let us, at this sad spectacle of weakness and treachery in the person of an Apostle, humiliate ourselves profoundly before God, and beg him to preserve us in his holy fear with the aid of his all-powerful grace. The Paschal Supper will shortly become the Eucharistic feast in which the Lamb of God gives himself as food of his creatures. Before instituting this mystery, Jesus chose to act with utmost humility: wash the feet of his apostles including Judas. By it he intends to give us some idea of the purity of soul with which we must receive Holy Communion. “... rising from supper and removing his garments, he tied a towel around himself. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet; and to wipe them with the towel ...” (Jn 13:4-5) Then he sat down and said, “You call me Master and Lord. ... If, then I, being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.” (Jn 13:13-5): His example as the rule of our words, thoughts, and actions. The institution of the Holy Eucharist is narrated in the Gospel: “... while they were at supper, Jesus took bread, blessed, broke, gave to his disciples, and said, ‘Take and eat; this is my Body’. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, gave to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’.” (Jn 13:22; Lk 22:19-20; Mt 26:26-7) At Holy Mass imagine hearing Jesus say, ‘Do this for commemoration of me’; and behold him, in the person of the priest, changing bread and wine into his adorable Body and Blood. Jesus, knowing his hour has come, showed a deeper love for his followers. For the first time he calls them: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you.” (Jn 13:33) “... if I go and prepare a place for you” (Jn 14:3), “I will ask the Father ... he shall give you the Paraclete, to be with you forever” (Cf Jn 14:16). “... In the world you face persecution; but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16:33) “Amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you.” (Jn 14:13-4) As a dying father exhorts his weeping children, Jesus commands his Apostles — “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:35) Jesus had begun his public life by prayer, and ends it similarly. “He looked up to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you’ ...” (Jn 17:1) He asks to be loved, known, and served by all men, but only for the glory of his Father. We here learn: To begin and end all our good works by prayer, asking God’s blessing on them. He prays further, “that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”; and asks it as the price of his merits: “I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (Jn 17:3-4) Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp756-64 The ‘New Commandment’ of Our Lord “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (Jn 13:34-5) New because the reasons for it are new: the neighbor, one with Christ and the object of the Father’s special love; the Model, always current, establishing a new relationship with men; its degree of fulfilment “... as I have loved you”; and a fresh approach between men. Let us recall Mary’s dedication to the accomplishment of God’s Will and her service to others. So great is Mary’s love for all mankind that she, too, fulfilled Christ’s words when he affirmed: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends” (Jn 15:13). (Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 287) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:278-80 • Institution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, at Toledo, in the year 1506, by Cardinal Francis Ximenes, archbishop of that city. — See his Life by Gormez, etc. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Institution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, Toledo, Spain (1506). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Institution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in 1503. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) Our Lady of the Precious Blood On Easter Sunday, 28 March 1171, on the altar of Our Lady in the church of Sta Maria Vado (Blessed Mary in the water) in Ferrara, Italy, there occurred a Eucharistic Miracle. This image of Our Lady, believe to have been painted by St Luke, was stolen from the church now a Basilica, on 26 April 1994. Police searched the house of the thieves. They found many paintings but not that of Our Lady. They were about to leave when the Police Chief faintly heard a voice say, ‘Return to the house!’ There was a big cupboard with a false back which on lifting, revealed the missing image. Ref: Bob and Penny Lord, “Miracles of the Eucharist”, II: 21-33 • Our Lady of Castelbruedo, at Olian, in Catalonia. It is related that every year, on the day of the Annunciation, three lights were seen of a blue color, which shone through the glass windows of this church, lighted the lamps and wax candles, went out by the same way, and immediately disappeared.—(Ludo Marinaeus. lib. Y., de rebus Hispanicis, c. ultimo.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Castelbruedo, Catalonia, Spain. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Castelbruedo (‘Nuestra Señora de Castelbruedo’). Catalonia, Spain. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Castelbruedo (Olian, Catalonia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

27 March 2013 Wednesday in Holy Week On this eve of Holy Thursday the princes and doctors of the nation, gathered in council under Caiphas, have determined to put our Lord to death. Judas had agreed to betray him to them for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus, as usual, taught in the Temple, and denounced the Pharisees who misled the people by an outward semblance of virtue and religion. “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill and cummin, and have neglected weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. ... blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel; ... you are like white-washed tombs, outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all filth.” (Cf Mt 23:23-7) Did our Lord address these bitter reproaches to the Pharisees alone? Did he have in mind Christians who are prone to scruples and accuse themselves of trifles, while they ignore grave omissions in the discharge of their duties? Truly, when they examine their conscience, ‘strain out a gnat and swallow a camel’. Are there not others who only care for appearances, who wish to be virtuous in the eyes of men, while in the sight of heaven they are unclean and mere whited sepulchres? Do we belong to either of these two classes? In general, hypocrites loudly censure others, while they allow themselves great liberties. The Pharisees belonged to this class. Our Lord again denounced them, saying, “... you hypocrites, you shut the kingdom of heaven against men! You neither enter nor allow those who were entering to do so” (Cf Mt 23:13) “... they bind heavy and oppressive loads, lay them on men’s shoulders, but will not lift a finger to move them.” (Cf Mt 23:4) We condemn the conduct of these hypocritical Pharisees, as did our Lord; but are we not disposed to exact as much from others, our subordinates, which we do not consider is required of us? Do we practise what we teach? Jesus also condemned the Pharisees for their pride and self-interest. Doing all their works to be seen by men; they make their phylacteries* broad, and enlarge their fringes. They love first places at feasts, and first chairs in synagogues; while they devour the houses of widows. “They will receive the greater judgment.” (Mk 12:40) The world often complains that some Christians are proud and self-interested. May we never give it any excuse for such reproaches. Let us carefully examine our conscience regarding our intentions, words, and behavior before God. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp753-5 *Little boxes containing Scripture texts bound to the forehead and left arm when the Jews say their prayers. (In Juan MH Ledesma, SJ, STD, “The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ”, p233) Jesus meets His Mother ‘In the Way of the Cross’, we meditate on the meeting of Jesus with his mother in one of the narrow streets where the cruel procession passed. Jesus stopped for a moment. “With immense love Mary looks at Jesus, and Jesus at his Mother. Their eyes meet, and each heart pours into the other its own deep sorrow. Mary’s soul is steeped in bitter grief, the grief of Jesus Christ. “O all you that pass by the way, look and see, was there ever a sorrow to compare with my sorrow? (‘Lamentations’ 1:12) But no one notices, no one pays any attention: only Jesus ... “In the dark loneliness of the Passion, Our Lady offers her Son a comforting balm of tenderness, of union, of faithfulness: a ‘yes’ to the divine will. Hand in hand with Mary, you and I also want to console Jesus, by accepting always and in everything the Will of his Father, of our Father. “The Lord continues on his way, and Mary accompanies him a few yards behind, right up to Calvary. Simeon’s prophecy is being fulfilled to the letter. What man would not weep seeing the Mother of Christ in such a cruel torment?” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way of the Cross”, Fourth Station) Her Son so stricken ... we, cowards, keep our distance, not wanting to accept the Will of God. My Mother and Lady, teach me how to pronounce a ‘Yes’, which, like yours, will identify with the cry Jesus made before his Father: “not my will but God’s be done” (Cf Lk 22:42). When we suffer pain or affliction, when these are all the more piercingly severe, we turn to Our Lady, to the ‘Mater dolorosa’, to implore her to strengthen us and so that we may learn to sanctify them with peace and serenity. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:272-3 Not Momentary Practices but Constant Attitudes During Lent we often hear directed at us these words: ‘prayer’, ‘fasting’, ‘almsgiving’. We are accustomed to think of these things as good, pious works, which every Christian ought to do at this time above all. This is a correct, but incomplete way of thinking. Prayer, almsgiving and fasting require to be more deeply understood. If we wish to bring them more into our lives, it is not simply as passing practices but ‘constant attitudes of mind’, which give lasting form to our conversion to God. We mature spiritually by converting to God, and conversion is effected through prayer as well as through fasting and almsgiving, properly understood. As a liturgical season, Lent lasts only forty days in each year; but we have to stretch out to God always, that is, converting continually. Lent ought to leave a strong and indelible imprint on our lives. It ought to renew the knowledge in us of our union with Jesus Christ, who makes us see the need for conversion and shows us the way to accomplish it. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are exactly the way pointed out to us by Christ. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp145-6 • Our Lady of Scheir, in Bavaria. This church was built on the spot where the castle stood, which those of the house of Scheir voluntarily ceded to Our Lady, except Arnaud, who, in punishment of his obstinacy, was drowned in a neighboring lake. — Herith, de origine gentis et principibus Bavariae. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Scheir, Bavaria. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Scheir. Bavaria, Germany. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Mother of Vocations. (“2002 Calendar”, Rogationist Fathers) • Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady immediately after his resurrection. — (Alphonsus a Castro, c. 17.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady, as soon as He was risen from the dead (in accordance with original date) (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Apparition: Our Lord to Our Lady after His Resurrection. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

26 March 2013 Tuesday in Holy Week Jesus, back to Jerusalem, spent most of the day in the Temple teaching, chiefly in parables. He saw how the people put money into the collection box. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. “He called his disciples, and told them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all those who donated to the treasury. They gave from their abundance, but she of her want cast in all she has to live on.’” (Mk 12:41-4) The Scribes and Pharisees, in order to ensnare Jesus, hoping to make him look bad to the people, or a criminal in the eyes of the Roman government, came to him with a cunning question -— “Tell us what you think. ‘Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why do you test me, hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ They brought him a small Roman coin and he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose inscription?’ They replied, ‘Caesar’s’. At that he said to them, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ ... taken aback by this reply, they went away.” (Mt 22:17-22) We do wrong to yield to fear and discouragement when we see the enemies of religion craftily endeavoring to ensnare us. Such a weakness is injurious to God and hurtful to ourselves. After Jesus had confounded the Scribes, the Sadducees came on a similar task. “Master”, they said, speaking of a woman who had successively married seven brothers, “at the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven shall she be, for they all had her?” (Lk 20:32) “Our Lord answered, ‘In the resurrection they will neither marry nor be married, but will be as the angels of God in heaven’.” (Lk 20:34-6) What consoling words! Like angels who are pure spirits? Yes, as the Apostle says, because our body shall rise a spiritual body, possessed of angelic qualities -— agile, lucid, subtle, and incorruptible. “There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug in it a wine-press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went into a far country.” (Mt 21:33) It must have been almost impossible for the Jewish priests and rulers not to have understood the meaning of this parable. So clearly does it refer to Almighty God and his chosen people, whom he blessed above all others, and who made so ungrateful a return. The vineyard is our religion. The fence is our norms; the wine-press, pouring its costly juice, is an image of our spiritual life from which flows an inexhaustible stream of grace and merit. The tower represents the tabernacle, from where our Lord watches with a special care over those admitted into his vineyard. He has let out to us this vineyard that we may labor in, and cultivate, it. He appears to be distant, hidden from our eyes, though near in reality, observing if we are faithful and diligent; preparing a reward proportioned to our efforts. “When harvest time had come, he sent his servants to the tenants, to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; they were treated in like manner.” (Mt 21:33) “Finally, he sent his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son’. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him and get his inheritance’. So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.” (Mt 21:34-9) Here our Lord refers not only to the obstinate and ungrateful Jews, but to those unhappy Christians who despite warnings of their spiritual directors, the representatives of God, and the inspirations of their guardian angels — leave the vine committed to their care uncultivated, and consequently, produce no fruit. Jesus concludes, “When, therefore, the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (Mt 21:40) The Jews reply, unconsciously pronouncing their condemnation: “He will put those wretches to a miserable death; and lease the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him the fruits at harvest time.” (Mt 21:41) Jesus confirms it in these words: “I tell you, the kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a people that produces fruits of the kingdom.” (Mt 21:43) Many of us after long years in spiritual formation and direction, deserve such penalty. Let us be truly sincere with our spiritual director. As to our sins, temptations, fears and doubts, follow his advice. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp747-51 On the ‘Via Dolorosa’ “The Saviour walked, his body bowed down under the weight of the Cross, his eyes swollen and almost blinded by blood and sweat and tears; each step made painfully slow and difficult by his failing strength. His knees buckled as he virtually dragged himself along behind his two companions in punishment. The Jews laughed; the executioners and the soldiers pushed them forward.” (L de la Palma, “The Passion of the Lord”) In the Fourth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, we contemplate Jesus carrying his cross. “We are sad, living the Passion of Our Lord Jesus. See how lovingly He embraces the Cross. Learn from him. Jesus carries the Cross for you: you carry it for him. “But don’t drag the Cross ... Carry it squarely on your shoulder, because your Cross, if you carry it like that, will not just be any cross ... It will be the Holy Cross. ”Don’t carry your Cross with resignation: resignation is not a generous word. Love the Cross. When you really love it, your Cross will be ... a Cross without a Cross. “And surely you will find Mary on the way, as Jesus did.” (Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Holy Rosary”, Fourth Sorrowful Mystery) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:271-2 The little we do, Our Lord increases Sometimes, Jesus makes us see the problems are too great for us, that we are helpless. He asks us not to focus on the material resources, because they may only cause us to be pessimistic. Instead, we should rely more on the supernatural means ie, to count on him and his power. Our Lord wants us to avoid thinking the solution lies in human effort alone. He also wants us to avoid passivity, which under the pretext of total abandonment in God’s hands, converts hope into a disguised spiritual laziness. Jesus asks us for faith, obedience, daring and always to do whatever we can; not to omit available human means. “The farmer, as he proceeds to turn over the furrows of his field, or scatter seed, suffers cold, bears the discomfort of rain, looks at the sky ... sees it overcast, nevertheless, continues sowing. The only thing he fears is he may be held by woes of life and time will go by, leaving him with nothing to harvest. Don’t put it off till later; do your sowing now.” (Cf St Augustine, “Commentary on Psalm 125, 5”, PL 36, 164) Do this even if probably the field will not yield anything. Don’t wait until we have all the human means or when all difficulties disappear. On the supernatural plane Our Lord blesses our efforts, multiplies them; always brings fruit. As in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes Jesus makes use of whatever is available. He added the rest. But he did not wish to do without the human means (in reality he desires our cooperation) although they were few. To count on God always is a good sign of humility. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:367-70 • Confirmation of the Feast of the Conception of Our Lady, by the Council of Trent, in the year 1545. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Confirmation of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Council of Trent 1545). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Council of Trent confirms the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. 1545. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Lyons, France (1643). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • “Notre Dame de Lyons”. France. 1643. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) Spiritual compilations • Our Lady of Soissons, occupied, by Benedictine nuns. In this abbey is seen one of the shoes of Our Lady.—(Hugo Farcitus.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Notre Dame de Soissons. France. 1128. Relic of a Marian shoe. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Soissons, France (1128). In the Abbey one of the shoes of Our Lady is kept. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Soissons (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

25 March 2013 Monday in Holy Week On the evening of Palm Sunday Jesus returned to Bethany, but proceeded to Jerusalem on the next day. On his way, St Matthew relates that he was hungry. Most probably, Jesus had fasted the whole day before; and therefore, must have been greatly famished. We know that Jesus frequently fasted, and the Holy Spirit no doubt especially mentions his hunger in this place to encourage those who imitate his example and suffer likewise. But it is the spiritual rather than the bodily hunger of our Lord that we should emulate. St Mark wrote, “Seeing in the distance a fig-tree in leaf, he went to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the time for figs.” (11:13) This barren tree offers a striking image of the Jewish nation, whose religion consisted only in outward forms and blind adherence to the letter of the law, without imbibing its spirit or living the virtues it prescribed. The fig-tree also is an image of weak and lukewarm Christians who neglect doing good works; and content with mere prayers and outward practices. How easily we may also fall into this state. “And he said to it, ‘May no fruit grow on you henceforth forever!’ And the fig-tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig-tree wither at once?’” (Mt 21:19-20) How much greater will be the sinner’s astonishment, surprised by death amidst his vain plans of future conversion, on hearing the words, “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41); and finds his regrets useless, and the time for bringing forth works of penance lost forever! Let this thought inspire us with zeal for conversion of sinners; and our own conversion and sanctification. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp745-7 ‘Redemptoris Mater’ (Mother of the Redeemer) (Pope John Paul II’s sixth Encyclical, 25 Mar 1987) (In George Weigel, “Witness to Hope”, 1999, p577) Solemnity: The Annunciation of the Lord The Archangel Gabriel communicated to Mary that she will be the Mother of the Son of God. Mary’s ‘Fiat’ (Consent) initiated the working of the Holy Spirit and she conceived the Saviour. In this dialogue Our Lady appears to us so humble; yet so great. Through her consent to God’s plans, she takes part in the whole redemptive work of her Son, Jesus. We venerate her as the Mother of Christ and our Mother. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1499) ‘The Word was made flesh ...’ “... the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Upon arriving, the angel said to her: ‘Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.’ When she had heard him she was troubled at his word, and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be.” “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end.’ ”(Lk 1:26-33) Our Lady, having been allayed by the angel about fearing the loss of her virginity, gave her consent: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.” (Lk 1:38) Immediately, “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). Here ... is the answer given by a mother, ... the reply of a young woman: a “yes” which suffices for a whole life. (Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p134) Many practical reflections flock to the mind -- 1. Mary endowed with grace, raised to a dignity above all other creatures, looks on herself as nothing, calls herself only “the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). And I, empty of mind, full of sins and imperfections, raise myself in thought above others. 2. Mary recognizes the great things that have been wrought in her; but, as she answered the congratulations of Elizabeth, she looks on them only as the free gift of God: “He that is mighty has done great things to me.” (Lk 1:49) And I look on the little good I do as my own personal merit: I like to be esteemed before men. 3. Mary was more anxious to please God by preserving her virginal purity than to have the honor of the Divine motherhood. And I fear so little to tarnish the purity of my soul in the eyes of God. What did God do on this day in our favor? He gave us the proof of his infinite love by giving us his only Son. ‘For God so loved the world’ (the men who are in the world) ‘as to give his only-begotten Son’ (become a mortal Man capable of suffering), that the world may be saved by him. It is by Mary who became on this day a mother while still a virgin, that he has willed to give him to us; ‘Mary, of whom was born Jesus’. Let us be disposed to what the Church inspires in us as the fruit of this feast by rekindling love in our hearts towards our God and Creator, our heavenly Father. Let us be grateful towards the Eternal Son of God, made Man for us on this day. Let us have a filial devotion to Our Lady who on this day became Mother of God. Let us activate these feelings: our ‘love’, by striving to fulfill more faithfully our Father’s Will -- our sanctification; our ‘gratitude’, in honoring this wonderful abasement of the Son of God in his Incarnation, by exalting and practising humility; our ‘filial devotion’ towards the Mother of God and our Mother, by being like her. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp857 Our Lady “See the simplicity? ‘Ecce ancilia’ -- ‘Behold the handmaid!’ And the Word was made flesh. That’s how the saints worked: without any outward show. And if there was any, it was in spite of themselves.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 510) “Mary most holy, Mother of God, passes unnoticed, as just one more among the women of her town. Learn from her how to live with ‘naturalness’.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 499) Lourdes: The sixteenth apparition ‘Thursday.’ Bernadette didn’t sleep well -- her Lady was calling. She got to the grotto at 5:00 A.M. “Aquero” was waiting. After saying her rosary, she entered the grotto. On coming out her face was joyful. Dropping the candle in her great haste, she ran off to tell Peyramale the news. Bernadette narrated: “... I again asked her three times in a row who she is. She continued to smile. Finally, I dared ask once more. Unclasping her hands, she stood with her arms at her sides; then once more crossed her hands up to her breast, meanwhile looking up to heaven. And told me she is the Immaculate Conception ...” Peyramale asked her if she was certain of the Lady’s reply. Bernadette said she was and that she had repeated the words -- mysterious for her -- the whole way back so she wouldn’t forget them. This day was the high point of the story of Lourdes. The name “Immaculate Conception” was totally foreign to Bernadette’s simple vocabulary. Practically illiterate at the time, it had to be explained to her later by M. Estradre: only the Virgin Mary could have said “I am the Immaculate Conception”. Peyramale’s doubts were dissipated. He remained prudent and reserved; but he had already decided. He would later say, “even if the roses never bloomed, water undeniably did spout from the spring”. Ref: Cf G Menotti, “Lourdes”, p14 “Alma Mater” “Nourishing mother”, from a hymn to the Blessed Mother, “Alma Redemptoris Mater”. Applied to universities and schools, considered foster mothers of students. (Cf “The 1955 National Catholic Almanac”, p212) • Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord to Our Lady, instituted by the apostles; the most ancient of all feasts. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • The Annunciation of Our Lady. This feast was instituted by the apostles, and is the most ancient of all.—(John Bonifacius, lib. ii., Historia Virginis, c. 5.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Annunciation (Instituted by Apostles -- most ancient festival of Our Lady). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • The Annunciation. Instituted by the Apostles. The oldest Marian festival. In years when this falls during Lent, the celebration is transferred to earlier in the Month. The day marked beginning of the New Year in old style calendars. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

24 March 2013 PALM SUNDAY All the ceremonies of Palm Sunday: the blessing of the palms, the procession, the chanted hosannas, are instituted by the Church to recall the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem on that day. “He entered Jerusalem, and into the Temple”, there were certain Gentiles “who came up to adore on the festival day; these therefore, came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’. Philip tells Andrew. ... Andrew and Philip spoke to Jesus.” (Jn 12:20-22) Let us, after the example of Jesus, hasten into his sanctuary to thank him for any success we may have obtained. If we visit a place, let us first of all, if possible, visit the church to adore our Lord, and ask his blessing on our labors. Does our indifference in this respect contrast unfavorably with the behavior of the Gentiles mentioned above? Jesus, having granted the request of the Gentiles, foretells in their presence and before the multitude his approaching death, speaking of it under the guise of a parable which would shortly be made clear to them. “The hour has come”, he said, “for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (Jn 12:23-4) Thus Jesus speaks of his death and of its fruit, the conversion of the Gentiles. What a lesson for us! Our Lord gave his life for the salvation of souls; and we will not suffer. We would choose another road to heaven for ourselves and others than the royal road of the cross. What extraordinary blindness! “Now is my soul troubled” (Jn 12:27), continues Jesus. Why? It was at the thought of the cruel and shameful death which awaited him. But he goes on, “Father, save me from this hour”; and then adds, “Father, glorify your name”. Thus, a voice came from heaven: “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” (Jn 12:28) Our anxiety at a prospective humiliation or affliction is not an imperfection, still less a fault, since our Lord experienced it. But do we as he did, sanctify it by prayer and submission to the holy will of God? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp171-3 The triumphal entry into Jerusalem “How different the cries, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him’, and then ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, hosanna in the highest! ... the cries now calling him ‘King of Israel’ and then in a few days time will be ... ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ “What a contrast ... the green branches and the cross, the flowers and the thorns! ... they were offering their own clothes for him to walk upon ... so soon afterwards they are stripping him of his, and casting lots upon them.” (cf St Bernard, “Sermon on Palm Sunday”, 2, 4) Also in Jerusalem is Mary, wanting to be close to her son in celebrating the Passover. It is to be the last Jewish Passover; and the first Passover in which her Son is both Priest and Victim. Let us stay beside Her. She will teach us how to remain constant, to struggle in little things, to grow continually in love for Jesus. May She be close to our side as we contemplate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of her Son. We will not find a more privileged place. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:251-2 Conversion, God’s Gift Conversion is fundamentally a turning away from sin and a return to the Living God, to the God of the Alliance: “Come let us return to the Lord, for it is he who has torn, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds” (Hos 6:1) is the invitation of the prophet Hosea. He insists on the interior character of true conversion. It should always be inspired and moved by love and knowledge of God. And Jeremiah, the great master of interior religion, prophesied an extraordinary spiritual transformation of the members of the People of God, through the action of God: “I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord. They shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” (Jer 24:7) Conversion is a gift from God which man must ask for with fervent prayer and which was merited for us by Christ, ‘the new Adam’. Sin and death entered into the world through the disobedience of the first Adam and dominate man. But, “If death began its reign through one man because of his offense, much more shall those who receive the overflowing grace and gift of justice live and reign through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:17) The Christian, strong with the strength which comes to him from Christ, moves farther and farther from sin, that is, from the sad reality of the original disobedience. This occurs to the degree to which Grace abounds through the merits “of one man, Jesus Christ” (cf Rom 5:15). Conversion is thus an almost gradual, effective and continuous transition from the ‘old’ Adam to the ‘new’ one, who is Christ. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p130 Hear His voice today: “Harden not your hearts.” (Ps 95:8) This prayer is relevant and necessary, but it is particularly recommended in the course of the forty days ‘that we hear the voice of the living God’. It is a penetrating voice, when we consider how God speaks in Lent not only with the exceptional richness of His Word in the liturgy and in the Church’s life; but above all with the paschal eloquence of the Passion and Death of his own Son. He speaks with His cross and with His sacrifice. In a certain sense, this is his last discourse in His dialogue with man, ... with his mind and with his heart, with his conscience and his conduct. The heart means man in his inner spirituality, the very center of his likeness with God. The interior man. ‘The man of conscience.’ Our prayer during Lent aims at awakening of consciences, arousing them to the voice of God. A man who has a hardened heart and a degenerate conscience is ‘spiritually a sick man’, even though he may enjoy the fullness of his powers and physical capacities. Everything must be done to bring him back to having a healthy soul. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p131 • Our Lady of Arabida, in Portugal, where an image is seen which an English merchant used to carry about him. Finding himself one day in danger of shipwreck, he saw this image surrounded with a great light on top of the rock of Arabida, which induced him to build a little hermitage there, in which he spent the remainder of his days. — Triple Couronne, n. 16. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Arabida, Portugal (16th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Arabida (Portugal). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • “Nossa Senhora” / Our Lady of Arabida. Portugal. 16th Century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of the Tears. (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html) • The Seven Dolors of Our Lady (traditional). Moveable feast — Passion Sunday. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) Our Lady of the Dove (‘Nuestra Señora de la Paloma’) This devotion celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation. In her image, the doctrine of the virgin birth is presaged by presence of the symbolic dove, representing the Holy Spirit; and lilies and roses, symbols of her purity. She is crowned by cherubs as the ‘Virgin of virgins’. (Fr Charles Belmonte, “Aba Ginoong Maria”, 1990, p27) • Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lady, instituted by Gregory II. On this day, Our Lady kept the Passover at Jerusalem, in the year of Our Lord 49. —(Balingham, Metaphrastes.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Eve of the Annunciation, instituted by Gregory II. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Vigil of the Annunciation. Instituted by Pope Gregory XI. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Vigil of the Annunciation (Instituted by Pope Gregory XI). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

23 March 2013 5th Week of Lent -- Saturday Pilate tries to save Jesus from the fury of the Jews “Pilate said to them, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus, called Christ?’ They all say, ‘Let him be crucified!’ ”(Mt 27:22) Pilate’s efforts to rescue Jesus only incensed his enemies further. They thought Jesus would elude them. Three classes were concerned in bringing about his death -- Pilate, the people, and the priests. The priests had the greater guilt. Jealous, they invented and sustained the accusation; excited and seduced the people who overpowered the judge by cries of rage and fury which they made the crowd shout. Their sin was great. The sanctity of their office, the greater light and grace they had received, ought to have made them models to their people. Here is another sad proof of the truth of the old saying: ‘The best when corrupted become the worst.’ And this unhappily continues nowadays. “The governor said to them, ‘Why what evil has he done?’”(Lk 23:22) This question ought to have reminded the Jewish people of the public life of Jesus which had brought blessings on them. Among them might have been many he had miraculously cured -- given sight, hearing, or use of their limbs. A still greater number delivered from the possession or temptations of the devil. All our life, and especially since we entered into our state in life, we can remember many wonderful graces and blessings. They constantly flash across our minds, and ought to increase our love and devotion to Jesus. How is it, then, that we correspond so little with these graces, that we are so lukewarm in his service? “He said to them the third time, ‘I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him, and let him go.’” (Cf Lk 23:22) Three times Pilate had declared Jesus innocent. Still, he condemned him to a cruel and shameful punishment. He aimed to save his life by exciting compassion for his sufferings; but did not see what the Jews were aiming at. Scourging often preceded crucifixion. How often have our passions -- pride or sensuality -- made us act like fools? Have we tried to escape from the humiliations and mortifications which we ought to seek? Have we sought pleasures and distinctions which we knew well would harm us? Are we then, on guard against our passions? Do we earnestly fight them? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp136-8 The scourging of Jesus Christ Our innocent Lord heard himself sentenced to the humiliation and suffering of scourging. He was dragged to the place of punishment; saw the preparations and anticipated all its horror. How terrible must this fear have been to his sensitive nature! But he never wavered and went resolutely forward in bearing all for us. How differently do we act! How often do we waver or actually shrink from carrying out our resolutions! And only because we are terrified by the anticipation (which usually exaggerates) of the trouble they would cost us. Such as, rising on time, doing an act of penance or mortification, or faithfully fulfilling a particular duty. The horror of scourging is nondescript. Imagine yourself undergoing it -- clothes torn off, bloodied body bound to the pillar, while strong men armed with whips, straps, cords or iron spikes, scourge you till their arms drop with fatigue. Your whole body is sore, flesh torn, the ground covered with blood. In all our troubles, of mind or body, let us fix our eyes on Jesus our King bound to the pillar. This sight will make all our sufferings seem nothing. We will then bear them with courage and with love. It was a cruel and cowardly expedient for Pilate to appease the people and to save Jesus from death. Our Lord bore it out of his heroic love for us. He abandoned his body into the hands of the executioner, that he might expiate, in his innocent flesh, the countless sins by which men dishonor God. If I have offended against holy purity even but once, I ought to say to myself -- ‘Here is my work! It is I who, by the hands of the executioners, have torn the body of Jesus, who have covered it with blood and wounds.’ Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp138-40 ‘Refugium peccatorum’ (Refuge of sinners) But now we assure him that we want to follow him closely, to stay with him and not leave him alone, in those moments and in those places when it is not easy to say that we are his disciples. We want to follow him in our work, or studies, on the street; and when we are in the church, with the family; or during healthy recreation. But we know that by ourselves we cannot do anything: with our daily prayers, we can. Perhaps one of his disciples went in search of the Holy Virgin and told her that they had taken her Son. And she, despite her immense pain, gave them peace in those bitter hours. We, too can find refuge in her -- ‘Refugium peccatorum’ -- if despite our good intentions we were not brave enough to stand up for the Lord when he was counting on us. In her we will find the necessary strength to remain with the Lord in bad times, and to be reinforced by her in our desire to make amends. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:246 Entrusting the World to Mary The Second Vatican Council renewed in us consciousness of the Church and her mission; and also consciousness of a particular relationship between the Church and the contemporary world. This conciliar program of renewal leads me to add a particular act of entrustment of the contemporary world to the act of entrustment of the Church to the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church which I pronounced last year. I desire to make reference in this way to the act which Pope Pius XII performed forty and thirty years ago and which was recalled also by Pope Paul VI, when he proclaimed Mary ‘Mother of the Church’ on the occasion of the closure of the third session of the Council. The contemporary world is threatened in various ways. It is perhaps threatened more than it has been at any other time in the course of history. So it is necessary for the Church to wake and watch at the feet of Him who is the Sole Lord of history and Prince of the age to come. I, therefore desire to watch and wake together with the whole Church, raising a cry to the Heart of the Immaculate Mother. I invite all to join me in spirit. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p187 • Our Lady of Victory. This image bears that name, because the French having fortunately taken it from the hands of the Greeks, during a sanguinary engagement with them near Constantinople, in the year 1204, they gained by means of it a complete victory.—(Spondanus, Annals ann. 1204.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Victory of Lepanto. Hungary. 1716. (See Oct. 7 for details). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Victory of Lepanto, Hungary (1716) (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Victory. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Victories. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

22 March 2013 5th Week of Lent -- Friday Barabbas compared with, and preferred to, Jesus “So after they have gathered, Pilate said, ‘You have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Pasch. Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’” (Mt 27:17) Pilate had declared the innocence of Jesus. It was against his conscience to condemn him; but self-interest prevails to gratify the Jews, or lose favor before Cæsar. Conscience and interest put Pilate in a dilemma. He offered the people their choice between a hated criminal and the Saviour, whom till then they had reverenced so much. But his efforts proved futile. Always shirking from doing his duty and after some more futile attempts, he completed his evil work by condemning the innocent. He thus lost his own soul. How true are our Lord’s words -- ‘No man can serve two masters!’ It is impossible to steer a course between God and the world. We cannot hover between virtue and vice, even if the misdeed may be trivial. An unjust friendship, although based on good motives, may cause us qualms of conscience. Our good sense and spiritual director advise us to be decisive and abandon it. But we answer, ‘No, you expect too much; but I will be more careful for the future. My case is special.’ This delusion of self-love leads nowhere. Let us try to understand how much Jesus was insulted. Pilate placed him on a level with the greatest criminal in prison. To his surprise, the people unanimously demanded: “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Lk 23:18). Pilate’s wife warned him against getting involved in the passion of the Jews towards Jesus, an extraordinary grace granted Pilate at the critical moment -- debating between doing a great act of justice, which would have won his salvation, and an atrocious crime. He fell into disgrace and was banished; finally, killed himself. Most interpreters believe that the uneasiness of Pilate’s wife was an inspiration of grace which obtained her salvation. The Greeks honor her as St Claudia Procula. How many times and in how many ways have our guardian angels and directors warned and tried to strengthen us; when our passions dominate and darken our judgment; and we were vacillating between good and evil? These warnings were extraordinary graces. Did we correspond? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp133-6 Striving for virtue God doesn’t ask the impossible. He expects all Christians to live the christian virtues in their entirety, even if they find themselves in environments that seem to be moving farther and farther away from God. He will give the graces necessary for being faithful in such situations. Furthermore, the good example He expects of all of us will often be the means of making Christ’s doctrine attractive to others, and of evangelizing again the world. To grow in the human and supernatural virtues, as well as in grace, we must make a personal effort to develop the practice of these virtues in our everyday lives “until we acquire authentic habits, and not only the appearance of virtue. The facade appears full of strength and resilience. But how much softness and lack of will-power there is within! You must hold to your determination not to let your virtues become fancy dress, but clothes that define your character.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 777) What is important is we should make a definite and loving decision to strive after virtue in our everyday affairs. The more we practise doing these good acts, the easier it will be to do them again. In this way we will identify ourselves more and more with Christ. Our Lady, “Model and school of all virtues” (St Ambrose, “Treatise on Virginity”, 2) will teach us to achieve our wish if we turn to her for help and advice. She will make it easier for us to reach the goal we have set in our particular examination of conscience wherein we will often decide to aim at the acquisition of a very specific virtue. Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:137-8 “Paid in full with one glass of milk” (A touching true story, on the power of one good act. This anecdote is copied from “Word Alive” by Fr Bel R San Luis, SVD, “Manila Bulletin”, 2 Sept 2001.) One day a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” “Then, I thank you from my heart.” As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man became strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown, he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day on, he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ... “Paid in full with one glass of milk.” (Signed) Dr Howard Kelly The intercession of our Mother The Church has always shown us the way to ensure that our petitions reach God more promptly through the mediation of Mary, Mother of God. We turn to her now: · “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence I fly to thee Oh Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.” (“Memorare” prayer by St Bernard of Clairvaux in “Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, pp636-7) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:54 • On Palm Sunday, in the year 1098, St. Robert, Abbot of Moleme, retired with twenty-one of his monks to the diocese of Chalons-sur-Saone, where he built, in honor of Our Lady, the celebrated monastery of Citeaux, the head house of the order. —(Arnold Vionus, lib. L; Ligni vitae c. 47.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Notre Dame de Citeaux. France. 1098. Constructed by St. Robert. • Our Lady of Citeaux, France (1098), built by St. Robert. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Citeaux. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

21 March 2013 5th Week of Lent -- Thursday Jesus insulted at the court of Herod Herod had put St John Baptist to death. He wanted the Saviour of the world of whom he had heard so much, to work a miracle before him, not that he might be converted; but simply to gratify his vanity and curiosity. God does not grant extraordinary graces to such men; but reserves them for the humble, who deem themselves unworthy of them. He delights to pour them on those who are emptied of self, dead to self-love, seeking only his greater glory. These souls ask for extraordinary graces or miracles only that they may serve him better, or gain others to his service. Why do we receive so few extraordinary graces? We probably lack these dispositions or made little progress in them despite many years in our state in life. Wonderful indeed was the silence and passiveness of our Lord before Herod. He was accused of great crimes; but he could have confounded them in a few words, and turned the tide in his favor. Yet he held his peace. He went there to receive a sentence for life or death. Had Jesus worked a miracle as Herod desired, he would have found protection; but he did not. Herod and his court regarded the calm silence of our Lord as helplessness and stupidity; and treated it as such. Jesus kept silence to punish Herod’s pride and to teach us to mortify ours. Pride is our greatest trial: it makes us desire esteem, notice, praise, and applause, especially from the powerful. Have we fought steadfastly against this unruly passion of pride? Let us contemplate Jesus, the King of Glory, the eternal Wisdom; standing before Herod, insulted by the coarse and stupid mob. Let us, in spirit, follow him wearing the fool’s robe through the streets of Jerusalem. The immense crowd which the Paschal feast had brought into the city jeering at him. When we contemplate Jesus Christ as the living model of perfection, it should kindle in our hearts an ardent desire to imitate him, and willingly serve him. To be ready for his love, to be despised, insulted, reviled, and even considered a fool despite our innocence. This is the ‘foolishness of the Cross’. Many of God’s servants have travelled by this road. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp131-3 On Making Disciples Jesus Christ said: “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt 28:19-20) Since then, there has been ceaseless organizational or communal response from those who believe and are baptized. In the “Acts of the Apostles” we read: “Those who accepted his message devoted themselves to the apostles’ instruction and the communal life ...” (2:41-2) Here we already see the Church’s communitarian nature. ... “This is how all men will know you for my disciples: your love for one another.” (Jn 13:35) The communal dimension of your Christian vocation was strongly emphasized by the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council. Every liturgical act is an act of the entire Body of Christ ... and every Mass is an act of Christ in his Body. Every good deed done by a member is to the advantage of all the members together, and every sin is not only an offense against God but is also a wound inflicted on Christ’s Body ... Clearly, it is not even thinkable that a Christian should live solely for himself. A Christian who has not learned to see and love Christ in his neighbor is not fully Christian. We are our brothers’ keepers; bound to each other by the bond of love ... This communal or organizational nature of our vocation ought to be directed toward the universal Church. We are a local Church instituted by Christ the Lord only to the degree in which we are part of the universal Church. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p56 Who Is My Neighbor? Do you remember? Was it not with the parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus answered a question put by a doctor of the Law? The doctor had just quoted the Law: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Lk 10:27) ‘The Good Samaritan is Christ.’ It is he who comes to us first, making us his neighbor, to succor us, heal us, save us. But if there be still some distance between God and us, that depends only on us, on the obstacles which we put up against such rapprochement. The sin in our hearts, the injustices we commit, the hatred and divisions which we nourish -- all these things cause us not to love God yet with all our souls, with all our strength. The season of lent is the privileged time for ‘purification’ and ‘penitence’, for letting the Lord make us his neighbor and save us with his love. The second commandment is like the first (cf Mt 22:39) and forms one whole with it. We must love others with the same love which God pours into our hearts and with which he himself loves us. Here, too, what obstacles stand in the way of making the other our neighbor: we do not love God and our brethren enough. Why still so many difficulties, raised against leaving the important but insufficient stage of reflections, declarations and professions, to become emigrants with emigrants, refugees with refugees, poor with those lacking everything? Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp146-7 Our Lady -- “Love of our Lady is proof of a good spirit, in works and in individuals. Don’t trust the undertaking that lacks this characteristic.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 505) “Before, by yourself, you couldn’t. Now, you’ve turned to our Lady, and with her, how easy!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 513) • Our Lady of Bruges, in Flanders, where a lock of the Blessed Virgin’s hair is exhibited, given by a Syrian bishop, named Moses.—(Hugo Farcitus, lib. i., Miracnl. B. Virg.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Bruges. Flanders. 1150. Relic of Mary's hair. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Bruges, Flanders (1150), where a lock of Our Lady’s hair is preserved. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Bruges (Flanders). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

20 March 2013 5th Week of Lent -- Wednesday Jesus is silent before Pilate The first accusations by the Jews were vague and false. Pilate rejected them and declared Jesus innocent. Some points were beneath our Lord’s dignity to merit a reply. The sanctity of his life answered for him and proved his divinity. Despite efforts to appear human, his answers to the judge revealed his divinity. Happy is the man whose conduct is a conclusive defence against the false accusations of the wicked and envious! Happier still if his conscience bears witness to his constant effort to be spotless before God. The astonishment of Pilate was not surprising. It was natural for an accused to defend himself before a tribunal from which there was no appeal, and whose death was eagerly sought. Particularly when the judge favors his cause. But Jesus was silent. Pilate could not understand the calm dignity of our Lord’s silence. We are better off than Pilate, for we know why Jesus was silent. He was determined to die for us. Having manifested the truth, he would not say a single word to save his life. By his silence he chose to expiate our sins of the tongue, and to teach us to avoid an angry reply to whoever wounds our feelings, or injures us. After Pilate had acknowledged the innocence of Jesus, his duty was to silence the accusers, and dismiss them with the contempt they deserved. This he dared not do. The Jews, perceiving his weakness, pressed their advantage. They succeeded in besieging him to grant what was against his conscience. The devil treats us in this same way. Once he sees us hesitating between God and creatures, or conscience and our passions, he takes advantage of our weakness, and grows bolder than ever. His arguments deafen our ears. He terrifies us with imaginary difficulties, and gives us no peace till we consent to sin. Let us be aware of our weakness; and reasonably in fear of the tempter, never yield a bit. We must firmly resist his first suggestions, arming ourselves, as the Apostle says, with the shield of faith and prayer. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp129-31 Love of God God expects from each one of us an unconditional response to his love for us. Our love for God is shown in numerous little incidents of each day. We love God through our work done well, how we live our family life, our social interactions, the use we make of our leisure time. Everything can be converted into a deed of love. “While we carry out as perfectly as we can (with all our mistakes and limitations) the tasks allotted to us by our situation and duties, our soul longs to escape. It is drawn towards God like iron drawn by a magnet. One begins to love Jesus in a more effective way, with the sweet and gentle surprise of his encounter.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 296) “... all sorts of setbacks are encountered as difficult by those who do not love; those who do love, on the contrary, find them trivial and easily manageable. There is no suffering, however cruel or violent it may be, which is not made bearable or even reduced to nothing by love.” (St Augustine, “Sermon 70”) Our love for God has to be supreme and absolute. Within this love all the noble loves of the earth are found, according to each one’s vocation and with naturalness. “It would not be fair to say ‘either God or man’. They ought to love ‘God and man’ ... In other words, love for God is certainly dominant, but is not exclusive. ...” (John Paul I, ‘General Audience’, 27 Sept 1978) Love for God is necessarily shown in love for others; in the way we live charity with whoever are with us everyday. “In this they will know you are my disciples ...” (Jn 13:35) In refined dealings with others; in mutual respect. In thinking favorably of others, in helping in little things at home or at work, in a loving and appropriate fraternal correction, in prayer for the one who needs it most ... Let us ask Our Lady to teach us to respond to the love of her Son, so that we may also know how to love, with deeds, her other children who are our brothers. Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:148-150 Remembrance and Challenge Lent reminds us of the way the Lord pointed out by His forty days’ fast at the beginning of his messianic mission. It also reminds us — at whatever point one may be on his earthly path — one must detach oneself from the “threefold desires” (cf 1 Jn 2:16), “works of the flesh” (Gal 5:19), which “oppose the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51), and so leave room for “the fruit of the spirit” (Gal 5:22), by following Christ in prayer and fasting, so far as one is capable. If, therefore, we feel ourselves to be in that unity with Christ which makes us remember the very name of Christian, we cannot admit that this exceptional period in the Church’s life does not stand out in some way in our lives ... Let us live the spirit of penitence better. Let us remember that the Christ of Lent is above all the Christ who awaits us in every suffering person, He who urges us to love and judges according to what we have done for even one only of our weaker brethren. Lent is therefore, not only remembrance, but also continual ‘challenge’. Entering into this period and living it in the spirit which the oldest and ever-living tradition of the Church transmits to us, means: opening up our consciences; letting Christ Himself open them for us with the word of His Gospel, above all with the eloquence of His Cross. Lent is thus an exceptional occasion for saving ‘the inner being’ in each of us (cf Eph 3:16). He is often forgotten, yet he is created “in justice and holiness” (Eph 4:24) through the operation of the Sufferings and the Resurrection of Christ. Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p114 • Our Lady of Calevoirt, at Uckelen, near Bussels. This image began to work miracles in the year 1454, which induced the erection of a magnificent chapel in honor of Our Blessed Lady, in the year 1623. The Infanta of Spain, Isabella Clara Eugenia, devoutly visited it the same year.—(Aub. Miraeus, in Annalis Belgicis.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Calevourt. Uckelen, Belgium. 1454. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Calevourt, near Brussels, Belgium (1454) (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Calevoirt (Uckelen, near Brussels). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

19 March 2013 5th Week of Lent -- Tuesday Solemnity of St. Joseph. 29 A.D. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) St Joseph, the husband of Mary Considered as the greatest saint, next to the Blessed Virgin Mary, because of his humility and closeness to Jesus. Sacred Scripture records that Joseph was just, pure, gentle, prudent, and unfailingly obedient to the divine will. We wish to imitate him by renewing our desire to be faithful to the Lord till the last day: the only meaning of our life. Patron of the Universal Church. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], Daily Roman Missal, p1494) ‘Go to Joseph’ St Joseph, as the legal husband of the Blessed Virgin, was head of the Holy Family. He supported them by manual labor; governed and guided them in obedience to direction from on high, through the ministry of angels. Jesus and Mary strictly obeyed him. Thus, he is invoked as the protector of Christian families who desire to obey the will of God. The Gospel records that Jesus submitted to the direction of St Joseph. Jesus and Mary obeyed him in everything. “And he was subject to them.” (Lk 2:51) We may say that he had charge of the education of Jesus as a child, youth, and young man. He enjoyed the greatest happiness a father can have: seeing him increase in age, in wisdom before God and men. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp228-9 Going to St Joseph for our every need By the example of their life in Nazareth Jesus and Mary invite us to seek Joseph’s assistance. They frequently went to Joseph for his help in all kinds of needs. Their attitude and behavior is a wonderful model for us to imitate. When “we go to Joseph for help we should have no fear at all. We ought to have a steadfast faith that what we are doing is the most pleasing to God Almighty and the Queen of Angels.” (Isidoro de Isolano, “The Gifts of St Joseph”) With the exception of God himself, Our Lady loved no one more than she loved St Joseph, her husband. Who can imagine the strength of Joseph’s petition before Our Lady, Mediatrix of all graces? Spiritual authors have seen fit to make this comparison: “Christ is the one mediator before the Father, and the way to reach Christ is through Mary, his Mother. Similarly, the best way to reach Mary is through St Joseph. The ascending order is from Joseph to Mary, from Mary to Christ, from Christ to the Father.” (B Llamera, “Theology of St Joseph”, 315) Reflect on the teaching of St Thomas concerning divine vocation: “To those whom God calls for his work, God provides the necessary preparation and graces so that they will be the ideal instruments for that work.” (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, 3, q27,a4,c) St Joseph fulfilled the mission which God had entrusted to him. His whole life was an unconditional gift to God for the good of the Holy Family and all people. (cf John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, “Redemptoris custos”, 15 Aug 1989, 17) We ask the Holy Patriarch to help us fulfill the will of God in everything. We pray that he show us how to live out our commitments joyfully and without reservation. Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:162, 165-6, 171 St Joseph’s eminent dignity and great power To form an idea of St Joseph’s attributes, we should reflect that God called him to the holiest and most exalted of all offices -- to be the spouse of the Mother of God, foster-father of the Eternal Son of God made man, ruler of the Holy Family, and guardian of the secret of the Divine Incarnation. Reflect that God always proportions his gifts to the dignity to which he raises whomever it pleases him to elevate. Reflect that St Joseph whom the Holy Spirit called a just man (Mt 1:18), corresponded most faithfully to the abundant graces which he received. Thus he laid up an immense treasure of merits and sanctity, and we will draw the certain conclusion that, after the Mother of God, St Joseph is the nearest to the Eternal Throne; and that his intercession must be all-powerful. How can Jesus refuse the prayer of him whose will he obeyed in all things while on earth? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p855 Be silent and listen Here was an ordinary man to whom God granted extraordinary graces. Joseph was to fulfill a most singular mission in God’s salvific design. He experienced indescribable joys along with trials of doubt and suffering. We recall his perplexity at the mystery of Mary’s conception, the extreme material poverty in Bethlehem, the prophecies of Simeon in the Temple, the hurried flight into Egypt, the difficulties of having to live in a foreign land, the return from Egypt, and the threat posed by Archelaus. Joseph proved himself always faithful to the will of God; ever ready to set aside his own plans. Ref: Cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:162, 165-6, 171 And yet there is not a single word spoken by him in the Gospels. Truly he lived the wonderful implications of two words -- ‘silent’ and ‘listen’. Applied to our spiritual life, they dispose us to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. If we “make” time to be ‘silent’, we become docile and disposed to ‘listen’ to the Holy Spirit. Joseph Believed St Joseph of Nazareth was a ‘just man’; said to his credit, ‘as justice’, ‘that he believed in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things which do not yet exist’. That happened at the ‘decisive moment for the history of salvation’, when God, the eternal Father sent His Son into the world to accomplish the promise made to Abraham. It was exactly then that the faith of Joseph of Nazareth was manifested. It showed itself to be up to the measure of the faith of Abraham. It was evident even more when ‘the Word of the living God became flesh in Mary’; by the announcement of the angel, ‘she was with child through the power of the Holy Spirit’. The faith of St Joseph was bound to be manifested ‘before the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God’. And Joseph believed in God: ‘Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife.’ Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp22-3 • The Beautiful Lady, at Nogent-Sur-Seine. It is affirmed, that it is impossible to remove this celebrated picture from its little chapel, which is only four or five feet square.—(Ex monumentis Novigentenis.) “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • The Beautiful Lady, Nogent-sur-Seine, France. (http://www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady Fair (La Belle Dame) (Nogent-sur-Seine, France) [Impossible to move image, miraculously held in place.] (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady Fair (La Belle Dame, The Beautiful Lady). Nogent-sur-Seine, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)