7 May 2012: Jesus appoints Peter Head of the Church

The miraculous catch of fishes should have reminded the disciples of our Lord’s promise, “I will make you fishers of men” (Jn 5:10). Simon Peter had a larger share in it, by Divine Providence, because he will take greatest part in fishing for souls. He will be made head of the apostles as Sovereign Pontiff. To hold this great dignity worthily, Jesus required great sanctity; or love, the perfection of sanctity. That is why “when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you’. He said to him ‘Feed my lambs’.” (cf Jn 21:14-5) We, also, by the grace of our vocation, are obliged to tend to a higher degree of charity or sanctity. To each of us also, our Lord asks, ‘Do you love me more than these?’ What heartfelt answer can we give him? “Jesus asked him again, ‘Peter, son of John, do you love me?’ He said, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you’. ‘Feed my lambs.’ Jesus said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ And he said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know I love you’. ‘Feed my sheep.’” (cf Jn 21:16-7) By the words, ‘Feed my sheep’, not only the lambs, but their mothers, too Jesus Christ placed the faithful and their pastors under the charge of St Peter and his lawful successors. As sole visible head of his Church he will thus ensure its perfect unity till the end of time. St Peter speaks with great modesty! Unlike during the Last Supper, he doesn’t say his love is sure. Now he appeals to his Master who knows the depths of the heart. His faults and weaknesses had made him humble but not distrustful of his Lord’s goodness. Imitate him in this attitude and we will draw good out of evil. Note also the eagerness and happiness by which St Peter seized the occasion offered to him of repairing the scandal of his three-fold denial: a three-fold and fervent declaration of love. “Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’” The poor Galilean fisherman was about to be promoted to the highest dignity and crowned with honors by the Son of God himself. Such distinction should naturally have made him joyful and happy. However, he was sad; aggrieved. Why? Because he was afraid of not ‘really’ having the love for his Divine Master which he ‘believed’ he had, or of failing a second time in manifesting it. Our Lord’s three questions awoke this fear in his heart. Happy is the person whose love of God and the desire of increasing it reigns supreme; and has no other cause for fear than a decreasing fervor or generosity in the service of the Lord his God! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp249-51 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary is our model in ordinary life “We can’t forget that Mary spent nearly every day of her life just like millions of other women who look after their family, bring up their children and take care of the house. Mary sanctifies the ordinary everyday things -- what some people wrongly regard as unimportant and insignificant: everyday work, looking after those closest to you, visits to friends and relatives. What a blessed ordinariness that can be so full of love of God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 148) Let us offer our Mother: ‘Affectionate details of service and attention to those closest to us.’ Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p314 ‘Mary’s Psalter’ Ever since St Dominic established the devotion to the Holy Rosary until the time when Blessed Alan de la Roche re-established it in 1460, it has always been called the ‘Psalter of Jesus and Mary’. This is because it has the same number of Angelic Salutations as there are psalms in King David’s Book of Psalms. Since simple and uneducated people cannot read the Psalms of David, the Rosary is just as fruitful for them as David’s Psalter is for others. But the Rosary can be considered even more valuable because: 1) the ‘Angelic Psalter’ bears a nobler fruit, the Word Incarnate; whereas David’s Psalter only prophesies His coming; 2) just as the real thing is more important than its prefiguration; as the body is more than its shadow, similarly, the ‘Psalter of Our Lady’ is greater than David’s Psalter which just prefigured it; and 3) ‘Our Lady’s Psalter’ (the Rosary) is the direct work of the Most Blessed Trinity and was not made through a human instrument. ‘Our Lady’s Psalter’ is divided into three parts of five decades each for the following special reasons: 1) To honor the three Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity [now four parts with the “Luminous mysteries”]; 2) To honor the life, death and glory of Jesus Christ; 3) To imitate the Church Triumphant, to help the members of the Church Militant and to lessen the pains of the Church Suffering; 4) To imitate the three groups into which the Psalms are divided: a) The first being for the purgative life; b) the second for the illuminative life; c) the third for the unitive life. 5) And, finally, to give us abundant graces during our lifetime, peace at death, and glory in eternity. Ref: St Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”, 1954, pp25-6 The Rosary is most pleasing to Mary She recommended it at Lourdes and Fatima. The Rosary must be recited when we are discouraged, during temptations; or before making a serious decision. The Rosary was the common practice of many Saints; and serves for all life’s needs, consoles us at the point of death. It serves like a chain that will pull us up to Heaven. Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p57 • Our Lady of Haut, in Hainaut, where is seen one of the three little statues of the Blessed Virgin which St Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew II, King of Hungary, had religiously honored, and which she left by will to her holy daughter Sophia, who gave it to the church of Haut, in the year 1267. Several miracles have been since wrought by it. — Justus Lipsius, History of Our Lady of Hal, o. 3.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Haut (Hainaut, France, 1267). (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Second feast of Our Lady of Haut. Hainaut, France 1267. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Second feast of Our Lady of Haut (Hainaut, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); • Seven Joys of Our Lady (11th Century). (MaryLinks Calendar.htm)

6 May 2012: Jesus works another miracle

“As soon as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread.” (Jn 21:9) Exhausted by fatigue and hungry, they had neither fire nor food. To procure either would take much time. Jesus provided for them another miracle — instantly, they had all they needed. So that they should have the pleasure of contributing something and of tasting what is theirs, he said, “Bring here the fishes which you have now caught”. And he invited them, “Come and dine” (Jn 21:10, 12). What a refinement of love and goodness our Lord showed to his poor servants! One remarkable circumstance of this appearance to the seven disciples was, “... none of them dare ask him, ‘Who are you?’ knowing that it was the Lord.” (Jn 21:12) We must, therefore, conclude that Jesus appeared to them under some form which disguised him from their sight. They could not see that it was he, and yet they ‘knew’ — they ‘believed’ without doubting. What gave them this faith? The exterior testimony of a miracle and the interior voice of grace. This happens when we are in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament or approach the tabernacle. We do not see Jesus Christ. He is veiled from our eyes under the appearance of bread; but we ‘know’ that it is he. We believe without doubting, assured by the testimony of faith, and by the inspiration of grace from our Lord who speaks and acts within us. We ought, then, to try to equal the respect and love which the disciples gave to his Person. Our Lord, never weary of showing his love and care to his dear disciples, “comes and takes bread, and gives them; and fish in like manner”. (Jn 21:13) And thus he daily treats us. A continual miracle of his power and goodness makes the earth yield food for nourishment. We owe it all to him. Yet, by requiring us to do our part, he gives us the satisfaction of thinking we are tasting the fruit of our labors. He alone, with his grace, gives supernatural merit to our good works. Still, he rewards in proportion to our efforts, as if all the merit were our own. As if we made our own fortune when in reality it is his own gifts that he ‘crowns in his elect’, as St Augustine so beautifully says. Here is what our loving Lord will one day tell and do to his faithful servants: “I am among you as one who serves all who have stood by me in my trials; and I dispose to you as my Father has disposed to me, a kingdom; and may sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (cf Lk 22:27-30) Let us expand our hearts at the thought of these encouraging and glorious promises. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp246-8 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` The Annunciation: Mary is the First Tabernacle “If you seek Mary, you will find Jesus. And you will learn a bit more about what is in the heart of God who humbles himself, discarding all manifestations of his power and majesty to take the form of a servant. Speaking in human terms, we could say God outdoes himself, because he goes much further than necessary in order to save us. The only way to measure what he does is to say that it cannot be measured; it comes from a madness of love which leads him to take on our flesh and bear the weight of our sins.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 144) Let us offer our Mother: “The ‘Regina Cœli’ recited punctually at noon and with great affection.” “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 The Prayers of the Rosary The Rosary consists of: ‘mental’ and ‘vocal’ prayers. Mental prayer is meditation of the chief mysteries of the life, death and glory of Jesus Christ and of His Blessed Mother. Vocal prayer is saying the fifteen decades of the ‘Hail, Mary’, each decade headed by an ‘Our Father ...’ at the same time meditating on and contemplating the fifteen principal virtues Jesus and Mary practised as recalled in the fifteen mysteries of the Holy Rosary. [Now twenty to include “The Mysteries of Light” (‘Luminous Mysteries’) John Paul II added in his Apostolic Letter, “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” on 16 October 2002. These additional mysteries include moments in Christ’s public life, beginning with his baptism in the Jordan and ending with the passion.] We honor the five ‘Joyous Mysteries’ and meditate on them in the first five decades; in the next five, the ‘Sorrowful’ Mysteries’; [in the following five, the ‘Luminous Mysteries’]; and in the last five, the ‘Glorious Mysteries’. The Rosary is a blessed blending of mental and vocal prayers by which we honor the virtues of the life, death, passion and glory of Jesus and Mary. Since the Holy Rosary is composed, principally and in substance, of the ‘Prayer of Christ’ and the ‘Angelic Salutation’ (‘Our Father’ and ‘Hail, Mary’), it is without doubt the first prayer and the first devotion of the faithful and has been in use throughout the centuries, from the time of the apostles and disciples, to the present. In the year 1214, St Dominic who had received the Rosary from the Blessed Virgin as a powerful means of converting the Albigensians and other sinners, gave it to Holy Mother Church in its present form according to the method we use today. Ref: St Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”, 1954, pp17-8 • Our Lady of Miracles, in the Church of Our Lady of Peace, at Rome. It is related that in the year 1483, a man who had lost his money by gaming, after blaspheming this picture, gave it four stabs with a dagger, and that it bled so copiously that the miracle was at once divulged all over the city. This picture is still preserved in the Church of Our Lady of Peace, where it can be seen at the high altar, set in marble. — Gabriel Pennotti, History of the Canons Regular, lib. iii., c. 33, § 3.) (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Miracles (in the Church of Our Lady of Peace, Rome; 1483). (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm; (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Miracles (Church of Our Lady of Peace, Rome). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

5 May 2012: Promise of the Holy Spirit

“... now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asks, ‘Where will you go?’ But because I have spoken these things sorrow fills your heart. I tell you the truth; it is expedient that I go.” (cf Jn 16:5-7) Such was the unselfish love of Jesus for us. His Ascension was for our interest, our advantage; and not the rest, bliss and glory promised to his sacred humanity. To the very last moment of his sensible presence on earth he forgot himself, and thought only of us. It was thus during his whole life, from the stable where he wept to Calvary, when he told the women, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves and your children” (Lk 23:28). “If I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn 16:7-8) Why couldn’t the apostles receive the Holy Spirit before his ascension? St Augustine, especially, insists on one reason: The attachment of the apostles to his bodily presence was too human and sensible. Their love for him was too natural, imperfect. The sensible object of their love, the ‘humanity’ of the Word, should be removed. Otherwise, they could not receive the fulness of the Holy Spirit; and cannot be really spiritual men. “And when he comes, he will teach you all truth.” (Jn 16:13) When the Holy Spirit possesses a soul, it always produces two effects -- 1) a spirit of sanctity which censures with the slightest sin, corrects and rectifies a defective judgment, and shows the great insufficiency of imaginary goodness; and 2) a spirit of light which instructs about duties, helps to understand and relish eternal truths, always shows new means and practices of advancing in perfection. Compare our love for God with that disinterested love Jesus has shown. We will probably find our love has so much self-love mixed up in it. The generous efforts we sometimes make to avoid sin or to practise virtue is, mainly, if not entirely, influenced by the fear of punishment or the hope of reward. The presence of Jesus was an obstacle to the reception by the apostles of the fulness of the Holy Spirit. What should we think of our affection for so many objects, which when removed touches us so deeply? Do we perceive and feel these wonderful operations of the Holy Spirit? Are we docile to them; attentive to the movements they produce in our heart? If we cannot answer 'yes', we can conclude that our interior life is poor or absent. We are insensible, not docile, to the inspirations of grace. “... stiff-necked, in heart you always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51) Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp243-6 The greatest promise of Mary The gates of hell will be closed on the First Saturdays of each month. Nobody will go to hell on those days. However, the gates of Purgatory will be open. So many souls will be able to reach heaven. It is the result of the merciful Love of My Son -- It is the reward of these souls who venerate My Immaculate Heart. Ref: “Imprimatur:” Local bishop of Hungary. Taken from the “Revue de Coeur Immacule Reine de la Paix”, Vol. I, No. 4 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary and her Immaculate Conception “How would we have acted, if we have chosen our own mother? I’m sure we would have chosen the one we have, adorning her with every possible grace. That is what Christ did. Being all-powerful, all-wise, Love itself, his power carried out his will ... This is the clearest reason why Our Lord granted his Mother, from the very moment of her immaculate conception, all possible privileges. She was free from the power of Satan. She is beautiful, spotless and pure in soul and body.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 171) Let us offer our Mother: ‘The renewal of our baptismal vows.’ (Please refer to Easter Sunday, 8 Apr 2012.) Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p305 A Rosebud Dear little friends, this beautiful rosebud is for you; it is one of the beads of your Rosary, and it may seem to be such a tiny thing. But if you only knew how precious this bead is! This wonderful bud will open out into a gorgeous rose if you say your ‘Hail, Mary’ really well. It would be too much to expect you to say the whole fifteen mysteries every day, but do say at least five mysteries, and say them properly with love and devotion. This Rosary will be your little wreath of roses, your crown for Jesus and Mary. Please pay attention to every word I have said -- and listen carefully to a true story I would like you to remember. Two little sisters were saying the Rosary very devoutly in front of their home. A beautiful Lady suddenly appeared, walked towards the younger -- who was only about six or seven -- took her by the hand, and led her away. Her elder sister, very startled, looked for the little girl everywhere. At last still not having found her, she went home and heart-brokenly told her parents that her sister had been kidnapped. For three days the poor father and mother sought the child but could not find her. At the end of the third day, they found her at the front door looking extremely happy and pleased. Naturally they asked her where on earth she had been, and she told them the Lady to whom she had been saying her Rosary had taken her to a lovely place where she had given her delicious things to eat. She said the Lady had also given her a Baby Boy to hold, that He was very beautiful and that she had kissed Him over and over again. The father and mother, who had been converted to the Catholic Faith only a short time before, sent at once for the Jesuit Father who had instructed them for their reception into the Church and who had also taught them devotion to the Most Holy Rosary. They told him what had happened. This priest told me this story. It took place in Paraguay. So, dear children imitate these girls. Say your Rosary every day as they always did. If you do, you will earn the right to go to heaven and see Jesus and Mary. Ref: St Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”, 1954, pp15-6 • Our Lady, on the Mount of Olives, witnesses the Ascension of Our Lord, and then returns to Jerusalem, to retire into the upper room with the apostles. — Acts i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady’s presence at the Ascension. (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles. (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

4 May 2012: Miraculous catch of fishes

Admitting and humbly confessing their helplessness, Jesus had prepared his disciples for an extraordinary favor. He said in his usual tone of authority, “‘Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you will find.’ So they cast, and now they were unable to draw it for the multitude of fishes.” (Jn 21:6) This improbable success was the reward of the prompt and blind obedience to one who seemed to speak in the name of God. “Their eyes were held.” (Jn 21:4) They did not recognize their Divine Master. The miracle would, presumably, immediately reveal to them who caused it. John, the beloved disciple, alone recognized Jesus. He told Peter, “It is the Lord” (Jn 21:7). Why did St John receive this supernatural light? St Jerome explains: ‘It was the virgin disciple only who recognized the King of virgins.’ The purity of his heart had won for him this special preference. Thus we see the literal fulfilment of our Savior’s words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8). Simon Peter, on hearing ‘It is the Lord’, jumped into the sea. St Peter’s love for his Master was so great that he was impatient to reach shore. Love does not wait to reason. The dangers of jumping into the water did not enter his mind. To be with Jesus soonest, his sole thought, ignored all difficulties. To succeed always, let us be obedient, submissive in faith and in love to whoever directs in the name and with authority of God. Let us obey promptly and blindly, trusting him whose hand is omnipotent and who has said, ‘an obedient man shall speak of victories’. Are we habitually in spiritual darkness? Perhaps, we cared little to preserve our purity of heart? Does our want of mortification lead to many faults? These faults may be minor but stain our soul and keep light out. St Peter’s conduct shows that “Love oftentimes knows no measure, but is fervent beyond all measure, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; it is, therefore, able to undertake all things, while he who does not love would faint and lie down.” (Thomas à Kempis, “Imitation of Christ”) Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp241-3 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary’s Holy Family: The Trinity on earth “It is but natural that the Church rejoices as it contemplates the modest home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We read the words from matins on the feast of the Holy Family: ‘It is pleasing to recall the lowly house of Nazareth and its slender resources; it is pleasing to tell again in song Jesus’ hidden life. Jesus grows up in hidden seclusion, to be trained in Joseph’s lowly trade. The loving Mother sits beside her dear Son, the good wife by her husband, content if her loving attention can ease and comfort them in their weariness.’” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 22) Let us offer our Mother: ‘A loving review of her life with Jesus as we recite the joyful mysteries (Rosary).’ Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p305 A mystical rose tree Good and devout souls, who walk in the light of the holy Spirit: You will not mind my giving you this little mystical rose tree which comes straight from heaven and is to be planted in the garden of your soul. It cannot possibly harm the sweet smelling flowers of your contemplations; for it is a heavenly tree and its scent is beautiful. It will not interfere with your carefully planned flower beds; for, being itself all pure and well-ordered, it inclines all to order and purity. If it is carefully watered and properly attended to every day it will grow to such a marvelous height and its branches will have such a wide span that, far from hindering your other devotions, it will maintain and perfect them. Of course you understand what I mean, since you are spiritually-minded; this mystical rose tree is Jesus and Mary in life, death and eternity. Its green leaves are the ‘Joyous Mysteries’, the thorns, the ‘Sorrowful’ ones and the flowers, the ‘Glorious Mysteries’ of Jesus and Mary. The buds are the childhood of Jesus and Mary, and the full-blown roses symbolize Jesus and Mary in their triumph and glory. A rose delights us because of its beauty -- so here we have Jesus and Mary in the ‘Joyous Mysteries’. Its thorns are sharp, and prick, which make us think of them in the ‘Sorrowful Mysteries’; and last of all its perfume is so sweet that everyone loves it, and this fragrance symbolizes their ‘Glorious Mysteries’. So please do not scorn this beautiful and heavenly tree, but plant it in the garden of your soul, resolving to say your Rosary every day. By saying it daily and by doing good works you will be tending your tree, watering it, hoeing the earth around it. Eventually, this little seed which I have given you, and which seems so very small now, will grow into a tree so great that the birds of heaven, ie, predestinate and contemplative souls, will dwell in it and make their nests there. Its shade will shelter them from the scorching heat of the sun and its great height will keep them safe from the wild beasts on the ground. And best of all, they will feed upon the tree’s fruit: none other than our adorable Jesus, to Whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. So be it. Ref: St Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”, 1954, pp13-4 The Popes and the Rosary · “If you desire peace in your hearts, homes and country, assemble every evening to recite the Rosary.” -- Pius IX · “The Rosary is my favorite, a marvelous prayer.” -- John Paul II · “The Rosary is the glory of the Church.” -- Julius II Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, pp43-4 • Our Lady of Succor, three leagues from Caen, in Normandy. Every year a solemn procession is made to this chapel. — Triple Couronne, n. 51. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady the Helper near Caen, Normandy, France. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady the Helper (near Caen, Normandy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady the Helper. Near Caen, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady the Helper, Normandy, France. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • “Notre Dame-des-Victoires”. Church in San Francisco founded in 1856, and named in gratitude for Anglo-French victory in the Battle of Sevastopol, during the Crimean War. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

3 May 2012: Ss Philip and James, Apostles

Philip introduced Bartholomew to Christ who declared to Philip, “Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father ... I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (cf Jn 14:8-10) James (the Less, to distinguish him from the other James) was our Lord’s cousin. He wrote one epistle of the New Testament. Thrown from the Temple terrace, he was then stoned to death. Ref: Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1521 Our Lady of Jasna Gora (Poland) (http://www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm; MaryLinks Calendar.htm) Most famous of all the ‘Black Madonna’ paintings attributed to St Luke. Our Lady, the Polish National Madonna, was credited with repulsing Turkish invasion (~1453). Our Lady of Jasna Gora was an immense source of inspiration and strength for Solidarity members, especially including Lech Walesa, in the worker and peasant struggle against exploitation by the atheist Communist ruling elite. (MaryLinks Calendar.htm) Our Lady of Grace and Consolation The Shrine in Ittre, Belgium was the site of a Eucharistic Miracle in 1405. On 3 May 1411 the auxiliary bishop consecrated the then chapel in honor of the Precious Blood, Our Lady and St John Baptist. A Papal Bull (10 October 1413) confirmed the authenticity of the Miracle. The Shrine is popular for pilgrimages. (Bob and Penny Lord, “Eucharistic Miracles”, I:137, 143) Jesus appears on the shore of Lake Tiberias “Together with Simon Peter were Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing’. They say to him, ‘We will go with you’. ... and boarded the ship.” (Jn 21:2-3) They were united in feelings and wishes! They labored all night; caught nothing. It was God’s will that when our Lord was absent, their labors were fruitless. “At daybreak, Jesus stood on the shore. The apostles did not recognize him. Jesus asked, ‘Children have you any fish?’ They answered, ‘No’.” (cf Jn 21:4-5) Jesus knew they had nothing. They were hungry, fatigued and exhausted. He had decided to supply their wants by a miracle but he chose to question them. In this way, he draws from their own lips and kindles in their hearts, an earnest desire for assistance. This incident teaches us that our labors for eternal life will be futile if God is not in our souls by sanctifying grace; and when we are not united to him by purity of intention and a spirit of prayer. Truly pitiful are those who labor and gain nothing, or very little, for eternity. Who are these unfortunate ones? Those who: 1) knowingly are in the state of mortal sin, deprived of sanctifying grace; and 2) in a state of grace but lose all or partly the merit of their good works due to a bad intention, or ‘they have no good intention at all’. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp239-41 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary and the Blessed Trinity “Through Our Lord’s Incarnation in her immaculate womb, Mary, the Daughter of God the Father, is also the Spouse of God the Holy Spirit and the Mother of God the Son.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 274) Let us offer our Mother today: “A ‘Hail, Mary’ each time the clock strikes another hour.” Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p305 A Red Rose Men and women who are sinners, I a greater sinner than you, wish to give you this rose: a crimson one, because the Precious Blood of Our Lord has fallen upon it. Please God that it will bring true fragrance into your lives. Above all may it save you from the danger you are in. Every day unbelievers and unrepentant sinners cry: “Let us crown ourselves with roses.” [Wis 2:8] But we cry: ‘Let us crown ourselves with roses of the Most Holy Rosary.’ How different it is! Their roses are pleasures of the flesh, worldly honors and passing riches which wilt and decay in no time. Ours, the ‘Our Father’ and ‘Hail, Mary’, which we have devoutly repeated and to which we have added good penitential acts, will never wilt or die; remaining as exquisite thousands of years from now as today. On the contrary, sinners’ roses only look like roses. In fact, they are cruel thorns which prick them during life by giving them pangs of conscience. At death they pierce them with bitter regret and, still worse, in eternity, they turn to burning shafts of anger and despair. But if our roses have thorns, they are the thorns of Jesus Christ Who changes them into roses. If our roses prick us, it is only for a short time -- and only in order to cure the illness of sin and to save our souls. So, by all means we should eagerly crown ourselves with these roses from heaven; and recite the entire Rosary every day, ie, three parts of five decades each. These are like three little wreaths or crowns of flowers. There are two reasons for doing this: First of all to honor the three crowns of Jesus and Mary -- Jesus’ crown of grace at the time of His incarnation, His crown of thorns during His passion and His crown of glory in heaven; and of course the three-fold crown which the Most Blessed Trinity gave Mary in heaven. Secondly, we should do this so that we may receive three crowns from Jesus and Mary -- a crown of merit during our lifetime; a crown of peace at our death; and a crown of glory in heaven. If you say faithfully the Rosary until death, I assure you, despite the gravity of your sins you will receive a “never fading crown of glory” [1 Pet 5:4]. Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted. You will amend your life and save your soul if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth; and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins. Ref: St Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”, 1954, pp11-2 • Apparition of Our Lady to the Blessed Mary Razzi, of the order of St Dominic in the year 1597. — Balingham on the Calendar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Jasna Góra. Poland. The most famous of all the "Black Madonna" paintings, attributed to St. Luke. The Polish national Madonna. Mary is credited with turning back a Turkish invasion around 1453. Mentioned early in the great Polish epic poem "Pan Tadeusz". (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of “Jasna Gora” was an immense source of inspiration and strength for Solidarity members, especially including Lech Walesa, in worker and peasant struggle against hegemonic neo-colonial exploitation by atheist Communist ruling elite. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of “Jasna Gora”, Poland. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Mary, Mother of Jasna Gora and Queen. (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Kiev. Ukraine. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Kiev (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)

2 May 2011: “My Lord and My God”

The Apostle Thomas must have been surprised when Jesus Christ appeared before him! He had refused to believe in the resurrection which Jesus had so often foretold and desired his apostles to believe. Thomas had been dictating conditions out of whim: “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (Jn 20:25) Such pride and presumption deserve a most just indignation. Nevertheless, Jesus graciously granted what Thomas had demanded with only a gentle reproach. “... Thomas, ‘Put in your finger here, and see my hands; and bring here your hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing’.” (Jn 20:27) In this same way, that he may gain a soul, the good Shepherd actually bends to our inclinations, weaknesses and whims. What infinite goodness and leniency! The brightness of the Divinity shining in the glorified body of Jesus, his sweet words, and above all his wonderful gentleness, instantly converted and gained the heart of Thomas. He could only utter, “My Lord and my God! My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) These few words expressed the strongest profession of faith in the ‘humanity and divinity’ of Jesus. This powerful statement of veneration, repentance, submission, hope, love, and devotion which were burning in St Thomas’ heart was most pleasing to our Lord. The penitent Apostle’s sin was forgiven and forgotten. We learn here that the worth of our prayers is not in the number and choice of words; but in the disposition of heart where they come. How readily our Lord hears and pardons us. He gives us back his grace despite a grievous offense against him. A want of faith and confidence alone hinders us from being purified of our sins. Note how our Lord answered the apostle’s declaration of faith -- “Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.” (Jn 20:29) What does Jesus mean? Simply that the merit of faith and its heavenly reward will depend not on miracles, but in blindly submitting our understanding to the revealed word of God. This lively faith which Jesus commended is a special grace and gift from God. We must, therefore, beg for it from the Author of all grace. We must pray as the Apostles did -- “Lord, increase our faith” (Lk 17:5). Why is our faith so weak, unfruitful in deeds of zeal and sanctity? Because we are not earnest enough in asking to have it strengthened and increased? Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp236-9 Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Church The Council of Ephesus (431) defined Mary as “Mother of God”. Can we fathom the depth of meaning these three words imply? Can God unite Himself more intimately to a creature than through the mystery of motherhood? God must hold an exceptional love for the woman chosen from all eternity, to form the body of His Son, to nourish and educate Him. “Mary”, according to Pope Paul VI “is the greatest, most perfect, most important and most chosen member of the Church.” Mary is truly the mother of each member of the Church, whether clergy or laity. When we contemplate the Church, we also find Mary. “Mary is not only our Mother and Queen; she is our sister and companion. She, too was a citizen of this world, she trod our streets, and felt more keenly than others do, the heavy weight of the vast human family, stricken with so much hurt.” Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, pp11, 13 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary is the Most Excellent Creature of God “She who is full of grace, the object of God’s pleasure, exalted above all the angels and the saints, lived an ordinary life. “Mary is as much a creature as we are, with a heart like ours, made for joy and mirth as well as suffering and tears. Before Gabriel communicates to her God’s plan, Our Lady does not know she has been chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Messiah. She sees herself a humble creature. Thus, she can acknowledge, with full humility, that ‘he who is mighty has done great things’ in her.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 172) Let us offer our Mother: ‘Many glances of affection and many words of love when we see her image or picture in our home and office, in the church and streets.’ Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p304 ‘Prayer to Our Lady of Manaoag’ · “Virgin Mother of God, Queen of the most Holy Rosary, thou who hast chosen to raise thy throne of mercy in Manaoag to be the beloved protectress and Patroness of the Province of Pangasinan, and therefrom to bestow thy graces on us, thy children, banished in this valley of tears, look down with thine eyes of mercy upon me, who am beset with so many dangers of body and soul. Despise not my petition, O dearest Mother, but intercede for me before thy divine Son now and at the hour of my death. Amen.” “Virgin of Manaoag, pray for us.” ‘Partial indulgence granted by Mariano A. Madriaga, D.D.’ ‘Bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. 1976.’ · Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag -- Canonical Coronation Diamond Jubilee (1926-2001) Souvenir Program, Our Lady of Manaoag Feast, May 2000 · St Athanasius, bishop and Doctor of the Church -- Champion of the faith against Arianism in the Council of Nicaea. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1520) The expressions and ideas of the Athanasian Creed reflect his influence. (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, pp272-3) • Our Lady of Oviedo, in Spain, where some of the Blessed Virgin’s hair is kept. — Balingham on the Calendar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Oviedo. Spain. 711. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Oviedo (Spain). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of the Airways. Parañaque City MM PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Joys of Our Lady. Moveable feast -- Monday after Low Sunday [16 Apr 2012]. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

1 May 2012: Memorial -- St Joseph the Worker

Jesus was called “the son of the carpenter” (Mk 6:3). This feast reminds us that honest work, even if seemingly menial, can be sanctified. Through work, we can sanctify ourselves and others. We become participants in the work of redemption. Many countries honor labor on 1 May. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1517) Work is a gift from God “By the labor of your hands shall you eat.” (cf Ps 128:2) The Church, in presenting St Joseph to us today as a model, is not endorsing one particular form of work, manual labor, but is testifying to the dignity and value of all honest human occupations. God placed man in the garden of Eden “to till it and keep it” (Gen 2:15). From the beginning of man’s existence, work is a command of nature, a feature of his being as a creature, an expression of his dignity, whereby he cooperates in the overall task of Divine Providence. What original sin did was to change the ‘form’ of this cooperation. “... In the sweat of your face shall you eat.” (Gen 3:17-9) For many centuries manual work was seen only as a way of earning a living, basically worthless or degrading. Nowadays some societies tend to classify people according to ‘how much they make’ and to their ability to secure a higher level of material comfort at any cost. “It is time that Christians shout from the rooftops work is a gift from God and that it makes no sense to classify men according to their occupation, as if some jobs were nobler or of less significance than others. Work, all work, bears witness to the dignity of man, his dominion over creation. It is an opportunity to develop one’s personality. It is a bond of union with others, the way to support one’s family, a means of contributing to improvement of society and to the progress of all humanity.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 47) Saint Joseph worked for his living as a tradesman. (cf John Paul II, “Redemptoris custos”, 15 August 1989, 22) We should frequently pray to him so that our work never loses its innate dignity or value. Oftentimes, when God is forgotten, “from the factory dead matter goes out improved, whereas the men there are corrupted and degraded”. (Pius XI, “Quadragesimo anno”, 15 May 1931, 135) Our work, with St Joseph’s help, ought to leave our hands as a prayerful and pleasing offering to God. Any honest occupation can be a means to perfect the worker and society. Through the unity among all members of Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church, man’s work can become a means of helping others. Every human enterprise, even the most laborious and difficult, must be ‘supernatural’ with a human purpose. Let us meditate today, with St Joseph’s help, on aspects of love and esteem for our job. Do we endeavor to do things perfectly and punctually? Always careful and considerate in every detail of our work? Work well done is work done with love. A proper regard for our task is the first step in raising it to the supernatural level. St Joseph teaches us to love the occupation in which we spend so much of our life -- keeping the home, in the factory, at the office, etc. Let us ask St Joseph to teach us the awareness of God’s presence as he had while engrossed at work. We must not forget our Blessed Mother to whom we lovingly dedicate this month. Let us offer daily in her honor a particular hour of work or study, each day better and more perfectly done. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:208-14 May*, Month of Mary “Month of sun and flowers ... month of Mary ... Since Advent our thoughts have followed Jesus; now that the great peace that follows the resurrection is in our souls, how can we not return to her who gave Him to us? “She appeared on earth to prepare His coming; she lived in His shadow, such that we do not see her intervening in the Gospel except as the mother of Jesus, following Him, watching Him. And when Jesus leaves us, she effaces herself. ... but she remains in the memory of the people because we owe Jesus to her.” (cf J Leclerq, “A Year with the Liturgy”) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:519 *A month of pilgrimages to the “Shrine of Our Lady of Antipolo”. The statue of the “Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage” (Antipolo) was brought by Governor Juan Niño de Tavora from Mexico to Manila in 1626. On his death (1636), the statue was turned over to the Jesuits for the church of Antipolo. The “Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buenviaje” was proclaimed patroness of galleons. The statue crossed the Pacific and returned eight times on board galleons of Acapulco: 1641-1748. The statue was canonically crowned on 26 November 1926 by Archbishop Michael J O’Doherty at the Luneta attended by at least 100,000 people. (Philippine Historical Commission marker) ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary is the Mother of God “When the Blessed Virgin said ‘yes’, freely, to the plans revealed to her by the Creator, the divine Word assumed a human nature: a rational soul and a body, which was formed in the most pure womb of Mary. The divine nature and the human nature were united in a single Person: Jesus Christ, true God and, henceforth, true Man; the only-begotten and eternal Son of the Father and, from that moment on, as Man, the true Son of Mary. “This is why our Lady is the Mother of the Incarnate Word, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity who has united our human nature to himself forever, without any confusion of the two natures. The greatest praise we can give to the Blessed Virgin is to address her loud and clear by the name that expresses her very highest dignity: Mother of God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 274) Let us offer our Mother: ‘Brief but frequent prayers of love, eg: “Mother of God, you are omnipotent in your petition.”’ Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p304 The late Pope, John Paul II, has been beatified at a ceremony at the Vatican in front of hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful. Among those at St Peter's Square is French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, who says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease. Her apparently miraculous cure is part of the case for the beatification, the last stage before sainthood. It comes amid criticism of the Church for the speed of the beatification and the clerical child sex abuse scandal. Much of the abuse, or its alleged cover-up, occurred while John Paul II was Pope, from 1979-2005, and the Church has been criticised for not doing enough to punish those found responsible. Police in Rome estimated that one million people had come to the city for the event, including large numbers of pilgrims from the late Pope's native Poland. St Peter's Square, in the Vatican, was packed, with the faithful waving banners and flags as Pope Benedict XVI declared his predecessor 'Blessed', or beatified. • In the year 1449, some of the principal goldsmiths of Paris began to give the May-pole to the Church of Our Lady. — Da Breuil, Antiquites de Paris, liv. i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Queen of May. Donation of May-pole to “Notre Dame” church. 1449. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Donation of the May-pole to the church of Notre Dame. Paris, France 1449. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady Queen of May. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Our Lady of Charity. Agoo, La Union PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady the Divine Shepherdess. Gapan, N Ecija PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Miracles. Andria, Italy. Moveable feast -- First Sunday in May. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady, Queen of Lebanon. Moveable feast -- First Sunday in May. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)