Joseph and the mystery of the Incarnation
The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child. Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. (cf Mt 1:18-9)
Meanwhile, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him ‘Jesus’, for he will save his people from their sins.” (cf Mt, 1:18-21)
All this was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord: “Look, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emman’ü-el (ie, ‘God is with us’).” When Joseph awoke, he took Mary as his wife. (cf Mt 1:22-4)
On the Mystery of Christimas
Who is this Word, become visible to our eyes in mortal flesh? The Word Eternal, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, consubstantial with the Father. God, Creator of heaven and earth, become a mortal man and still remaining God, uniting, without mixture or alteration, the human and divine in one divine Person.
What a mystey of wisdom, power, and love! Especially, what a mystery of abasement! The omnipotent God become a little child for us!
If our faith in this mystery of abasement were more lively, instead of cherishing feelings of vanity and murmuring when we are humiliated, we would be ashamed of even an involuntary feeling of vanity; and we would love and seek for humiliations.
Such were at least the feelings and dispositions with which the memory of the cradle of Bethlehem, and those words of the Apostle, “Emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave”, inspired the saints.
Let us beg for the grace of understanding this wonderful mystery of God becoming a mortal and feeble man.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, p799
Mary’s virginity: Our purity
Mary’s virginity is a privilege intimately united with her divine maternity. It is in perfect harmony with her Immaculate Conception and her glorious Assumption. Mary is Queen of virgins: “the dignity of virginity stems from the Mother of God”. (St Augustine, “Sermon 51”)
The Blessed Virign is the most perfect example for every life that is completely dedicated to God. The renunciation of human love for God’s sake is a divine grace which drives and encourages a person to surrender body and soul to Our Lord with all the possibilities that the heart possesses.
God is thus the one and only focus of this love. It is in God that the heart finds fulfilment and perfection, without the intervention of earthly love. The result is God grants a bigger heart which, in him, is capable of loving all creatures.
For single and married people, Mary’s virginity is also a call to live with finesse the virtue of holy purity which is essential to seeing God and serving others. Many, blinded by a materialistic outlook, might misunderstand this virtue. In fact, it will be scorned and its utility debated.
The Holy Spirit acts in a special way on the soul that is refined in its chastity. Holy purity produces rich fruit in the soul. It enlarges the heart and helps in the normal growth of affections. It gives rise to deep internal happiness even amidst many obstacles. It makes us more human, more understanding and sympathetic.
On the other hand, impurity gives rise to insensitivity of heart and selfishness. It makes a person incapable of real love, and conditions the soul to nurture every kind of vice and unfaithfulness.
Today, we can offer our hearts to Our Lady and resolve to strive for greater care in living this virtue. Holy purity is pleasing to her, and produces so many fruits in our interior life and in the apostolate.
“We ask this of him through the intercession of Our Lady, she who is immaculate purity itself. Let us turn to her, ‘tota pulchra’, all beautiful, taking to heart that advice I gave many years ago to those who felt uneasy in their daily struggle to be humble, pure, sincere, cheerful and generous. ‘All the sins of your life seem to be rising up against you. Don’t give up hope! On the contrary, call to your holy Mother Mary, with the faith and abandonment of a child. She will bring peace to your soul.’” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 189)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:169-75
‘Mother most admirable. Pray for us.’
St Cyril of Alexandria, who died in 444, wrote:
“We salute you, O Mother of God, greatest treasure of the universe, lamp of inextinguishable light, crown of virgins, indestructible temple, throne of the invisible One ...
“After the fall caused by Eve, the outcast is readmitted to heaven by means of you, O Ave!
“Through you baptism is given to believers.
“Through you churches are founded throughout the world.
“Through you entire peoples are led to penance.
“Through you the only begotten Son of God became a shining light to those who lay in darkness and in the shadow of night.
“Through you the prophets utter their prophecies.
“Through you the Apostles announced salvation to all the countries of the world.
“Through you the dead come to life ... And all this through the will of the Holy Trinity.”
Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p16
· “If all the tongues of men were put together, they will not suffice to praise Mary as much as she deserves.” -- St Augustine (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p16
Recovery -- “Advent is here. What a marvellous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come -- for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. The Church encourages us: He is about to arrive!” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 548)
Our Lady’s Expectation (“Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, p630)
• Expectation of Our Lady (654). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Dedication of Our Lady of Marseilles, by St. Lazarus, in the presence of his two sisters, Mary Magdalen and Martha, and of three holy prelates — Maximus, Trophimus, and Entropius. — Cunisius, lib. v., Moral. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Dedication of Our Lady of Marseilles by St. Lazarus. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Feast of Our Lady of the Way. Miraculous image in the Philippines. [See August 11.] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
17 December 2011: Novena for Christmas -- Day 2
The Nativity: At St Joseph’s side
Joseph’s mission “... Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Mt 1:16) It would also be Joseph’s responsibility to name the Word incarnate, as instructed by the angel “... you shall call his name, ‘Jesus’ (Mt 1:21)”.
God had foreseen that his Son would be born of the Virgin Mary, in a family just like any other. The life of Jesus had to be in this respect equal to that of other men -- to be born defenseless, in need of a father who would protect and teach him things all fathers should teach their sons.
The essence and meaning of Joseph’s life lies in fulfilling his mission. He was born to act as the father of Jesus and to be Mary’s most chaste spouse, in the same way that every person has a specific vocation from God.
The angel revealed to Joseph the mystery of the virgin birth of Jesus. He accepted and remained faithful to his worldly mission -- as head of the Holy Family.
Today, let us contemplate Joseph at the side of the Blessed Virgin, soon to give birth to her only begotten Son. Let us resolve to spend the Christmas season at St Joseph’s side, a place unnoticed as it is privileged. Joseph will teach us to live side by side with Jesus and Mary.
“Weariness fills men’s hearts ... makes them sleep, as the shepherds in fields near Bethlehem. What happened in that stable, in that cavernous rock, is of profound intimacy. Something that only happens between a mother and a child about to be born. No one else is present. Even Joseph is outside, a silent witness. She alone is conscious of her maternity; sees the Child’s face at his first cry. The birth of Christ is her mystery, the mother’s festival.” (cf John Paul II, “Homily”, Midnight Mass 1978)
“Joseph contemplated the radiant happiness of this marvellous lady entrusted into his care. Enthralled by the way she gazed at her son with overflowing love; her every gesture so full of exquisite tenderness and meaning.” (cf F Suarez, “Joseph of Nazareth”)
If we stay close to Joseph these few days between now and Christmas, he will help us to contemplate this tremendous mystery; and to gaze lovingly at Mary as she holds Jesus in her arms. After the Blessed Virgin, Joseph is the person most endowed with grace.
That is why the Church has always been fervent in praising him, having recourse to him in times of greatest difficulty. In whatever need, the Holy Patriarch, with the Blessed Virgin, will hear our prayers.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:161-7
‘St Joseph our Father and Lord, intercede for us.’
St Joseph, Spouse of Mary the Virgin
The Word was made flesh and came to dwell in the Virgin, who, while remaining a virgin, became a mother.
‘This was the mystery of Mary; Joseph did not know that mystery.’ ... that in Her whose spouse he was had been accomplished the promise of faith made to Abraham. ... that the prophecy which the prophet Nathan had made to David had been achieved in her, Mary of the stock of David.
The prophecy and the promise of the faith, accomplishment of which was awaited by the whole people, by Israel, chosen by God, and all mankind. This was the mystery of Mary; Joseph did not know that mystery. She could not convey it to him because it was a mystery above the capacity of human understanding and the human tongue’s possibility of expression.
It could not be conveyed by any human means. It could only be accepted from God, and be believed. Mary believed. ...
There came a certain night when Joseph also believed. God’s word was addressed to him and the mystery of Mary, his spouse and wife, became clear to him. ...
“Joseph awoke”, the Evangelist concludes. “He did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.”
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p129
The beauty and power of Mary
“In His own Mother’s countenance God has gathered together all the splendors of His divine artistry. Mary’s glance! Mary’s smile! Mary’s sweetness! The majesty of Mary, Queen of heaven and of earth! As the moon shines resplendent in the dark heavens, so is Mary’s beauty set apart from all other beauties, which are but shadows beside her. Mary is the most beautiful of all God’s creatures.” -- Pius XII
“Enraptured in the splendor of your heavenly beauty and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, O Immaculate sweet Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary ... Receive, O most sweet Mother, our supplications, above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altar: ‘You are all beautiful O Mary! You are the glory, ... the joy, ... the honor of our people!’
“Amen.” -- Prayer of Pius XII: Marian Year, 1953. In “Two Months with Mary”, Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, 1984, p15
Dante Alighieri, one of the world’s greatest poets, wrote the most beautiful poem in honor of Mary --
Maiden and Mother, daughter of thine own Son,
Beyond all creatures lowly and lifted high, / Of the Eternal Design the corner-stone!
Thou art she who did man’s substance glorify
So that its own Maker did not eschew / Even to be made of its mortality.
Within thy womb the Love was kindled new
By generation of whose warmth supreme / This flower to bloom in peace eternal grew.
Here thou to us art the full noonday beam
Of love revealed: below, to mortal sight, / Hope, that for ever springs in living stream.
Lady, thou art so great and hast such might
That who so crave grace, nor to thee repair, / Their longing even without wing seeketh flight.
Thy charity doth not only him up-bear
Who prays, but in thy bounty’s large excess / Thou oftentimes dost even forerun the prayer.
In thee is pity, in thee tenderness.
In thee magnificence, in thee the sum / Of all that in creation most can bless.
Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, “Two Months with Mary”
• Our Lady of Amiens, the cathedral. This church had for its first bishop St. Firmin, who received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian. A part of the head of St. John the Baptist is seen in this church, which a traveller, named Galo, brought thither on his return from Constantinople, in the year 1205. — Locrius, Mariae Augustae, lib. iv, c. 59. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Amiens, France. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre-Dame d'Amiens”. France. Photographs of the Cathedral, the largest medieval building in France. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Joseph’s mission “... Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” (Mt 1:16) It would also be Joseph’s responsibility to name the Word incarnate, as instructed by the angel “... you shall call his name, ‘Jesus’ (Mt 1:21)”.
God had foreseen that his Son would be born of the Virgin Mary, in a family just like any other. The life of Jesus had to be in this respect equal to that of other men -- to be born defenseless, in need of a father who would protect and teach him things all fathers should teach their sons.
The essence and meaning of Joseph’s life lies in fulfilling his mission. He was born to act as the father of Jesus and to be Mary’s most chaste spouse, in the same way that every person has a specific vocation from God.
The angel revealed to Joseph the mystery of the virgin birth of Jesus. He accepted and remained faithful to his worldly mission -- as head of the Holy Family.
Today, let us contemplate Joseph at the side of the Blessed Virgin, soon to give birth to her only begotten Son. Let us resolve to spend the Christmas season at St Joseph’s side, a place unnoticed as it is privileged. Joseph will teach us to live side by side with Jesus and Mary.
“Weariness fills men’s hearts ... makes them sleep, as the shepherds in fields near Bethlehem. What happened in that stable, in that cavernous rock, is of profound intimacy. Something that only happens between a mother and a child about to be born. No one else is present. Even Joseph is outside, a silent witness. She alone is conscious of her maternity; sees the Child’s face at his first cry. The birth of Christ is her mystery, the mother’s festival.” (cf John Paul II, “Homily”, Midnight Mass 1978)
“Joseph contemplated the radiant happiness of this marvellous lady entrusted into his care. Enthralled by the way she gazed at her son with overflowing love; her every gesture so full of exquisite tenderness and meaning.” (cf F Suarez, “Joseph of Nazareth”)
If we stay close to Joseph these few days between now and Christmas, he will help us to contemplate this tremendous mystery; and to gaze lovingly at Mary as she holds Jesus in her arms. After the Blessed Virgin, Joseph is the person most endowed with grace.
That is why the Church has always been fervent in praising him, having recourse to him in times of greatest difficulty. In whatever need, the Holy Patriarch, with the Blessed Virgin, will hear our prayers.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:161-7
‘St Joseph our Father and Lord, intercede for us.’
St Joseph, Spouse of Mary the Virgin
The Word was made flesh and came to dwell in the Virgin, who, while remaining a virgin, became a mother.
‘This was the mystery of Mary; Joseph did not know that mystery.’ ... that in Her whose spouse he was had been accomplished the promise of faith made to Abraham. ... that the prophecy which the prophet Nathan had made to David had been achieved in her, Mary of the stock of David.
The prophecy and the promise of the faith, accomplishment of which was awaited by the whole people, by Israel, chosen by God, and all mankind. This was the mystery of Mary; Joseph did not know that mystery. She could not convey it to him because it was a mystery above the capacity of human understanding and the human tongue’s possibility of expression.
It could not be conveyed by any human means. It could only be accepted from God, and be believed. Mary believed. ...
There came a certain night when Joseph also believed. God’s word was addressed to him and the mystery of Mary, his spouse and wife, became clear to him. ...
“Joseph awoke”, the Evangelist concludes. “He did as the angel of the Lord had directed him.”
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p129
The beauty and power of Mary
“In His own Mother’s countenance God has gathered together all the splendors of His divine artistry. Mary’s glance! Mary’s smile! Mary’s sweetness! The majesty of Mary, Queen of heaven and of earth! As the moon shines resplendent in the dark heavens, so is Mary’s beauty set apart from all other beauties, which are but shadows beside her. Mary is the most beautiful of all God’s creatures.” -- Pius XII
“Enraptured in the splendor of your heavenly beauty and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, O Immaculate sweet Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary ... Receive, O most sweet Mother, our supplications, above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altar: ‘You are all beautiful O Mary! You are the glory, ... the joy, ... the honor of our people!’
“Amen.” -- Prayer of Pius XII: Marian Year, 1953. In “Two Months with Mary”, Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, 1984, p15
Dante Alighieri, one of the world’s greatest poets, wrote the most beautiful poem in honor of Mary --
Maiden and Mother, daughter of thine own Son,
Beyond all creatures lowly and lifted high, / Of the Eternal Design the corner-stone!
Thou art she who did man’s substance glorify
So that its own Maker did not eschew / Even to be made of its mortality.
Within thy womb the Love was kindled new
By generation of whose warmth supreme / This flower to bloom in peace eternal grew.
Here thou to us art the full noonday beam
Of love revealed: below, to mortal sight, / Hope, that for ever springs in living stream.
Lady, thou art so great and hast such might
That who so crave grace, nor to thee repair, / Their longing even without wing seeketh flight.
Thy charity doth not only him up-bear
Who prays, but in thy bounty’s large excess / Thou oftentimes dost even forerun the prayer.
In thee is pity, in thee tenderness.
In thee magnificence, in thee the sum / Of all that in creation most can bless.
Ref: In Rev Joseph A Viano, “Two Months with Mary”
• Our Lady of Amiens, the cathedral. This church had for its first bishop St. Firmin, who received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian. A part of the head of St. John the Baptist is seen in this church, which a traveller, named Galo, brought thither on his return from Constantinople, in the year 1205. — Locrius, Mariae Augustae, lib. iv, c. 59. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Amiens, France. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre-Dame d'Amiens”. France. Photographs of the Cathedral, the largest medieval building in France. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
16 December 2011: Novena for Christmas: Day 1
Reasons for preparing well
‘Characteristics of this feast’ -- first reason. The first in the order of our Lord’s time; and last in the order of the calendar.
‘The example of the Church’ -- second reason.
Consider the ways our Holy Mother the Church distinguishes the feast of Christmas:
1) Four weeks of Advent;
2) Holy Mass can be celebrated at midnight; and
3) Every priest celebrates three Masses in honor of the 3-fold birth of our Lord: being born of His Father from all eternity, His temporal birth at Bethlehem, and His spiritual birth in the hearts of the Faithful.
‘Graces attached to the Feast of Christmas’ -- third reason. Our Lord, ever ready to dispense graces and favors to all who ask them, is especially disposed to grant our requests on this day upon which, out of love for us, He came to this vale of tears, the consoler of our exile and our great reward.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp793-4
Mary, teacher of hope
The spirit of Advent largely consists in living close to Our Lady when she is carrying Jesus in her womb. We can regard our whole life as a somewhat longer ‘advent’, a time of waiting for that definitive moment when we will finally find ourselves with God forever.
The Christian knows that he must live this ‘advent’ beside Our Lady every day of his life if he wants to attain the only important thing in his whole existence: finding Christ now, and then being with him in eternity.
There is no better way of preparing for Christmas than by getting to know Mary and deepening our love and trust in her. Mary imparts a great joy to our souls. When we turn to her she leads us to Christ.
Mary teaches us to hope. “‘All generations will call me blessed’, she proclaimed. Humanly speaking, how could she hope for such a thing? Who was she, in the eyes of her contemporaries? The great heroines of the Old Testament (Judith, Esther, Deborah) won a measure of human renown even here on earth ...
“What a contrast between Our Lady’s hope and our impatience! We call so often upon God to reward us at once for any little good we may have done. For us, no sooner does the very first difficulty appear than we begin to complain. Often we find ourselves incapable of sustaining our efforts, of keeping our hope alive.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 286)
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin is the greatest guarantee of our achieving the means necessary for our salvation and the eternal happiness for which we have been destined. Mary is truly ‘the port in a storm for those who are shipwrecked’. She is “the consolation of the world, ransom of captives, joy of the sick.” (St Alphonsus Liguori, “Visit to the Blessed Sacrament”, 2)
During these days that precede Christmas, and always, let us ask her to teach us how to hope in her son Jesus Christ, the Messiah whose advent was foretold by the Prophets. “She shines forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of sure hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 68)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:153-4, 159-60
Queen of apostles and of all apostolates
“What is the devotion that should be spread throughout the world? Give the most beautiful titles to Mary ... But the title that will explain all the others, the dignity that serves all her privileges, the office for which she was clothed in the highest virtues is that of being an apostle ... All of the most beautiful titles given to Mary are fine. But the one that completes them and explains her most of all is the title of ‘Queen of apostles’.” -- Rev James Alberione, SSP
“Why did the Lord make Mary so great? Why did He make her the Mother of God and of the Church? Perhaps because the ‘Queen of apostles’ is the true apostle. So the same dignity of Mother of God is related to the Apostles’ office: to give Jesus to the world.
“The first great gift received by the Church was the descent of the Holy Spirit. Mary obtained this in the Cenacle. And as she drew down this first grace of the Holy Spirit among the Apostles, so she acquired almost by right the effusion of the Holy Spirit among souls. Mary is, therefore, the Sanctifier of our souls.” -- Rev James Alberione, SSP
(Pope Paul VI called the Rev James Alberione, SSP, “a marvel of this century; ... the St Paul of the 20th century”.)
Ref: In “Two Months with Mary”, Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, 1984, p21
‘Mother most renowned. Pray for us.’
The Grace of the Coming
‘Christian expectation’: Perseverance in faith, in struggle.
Advent makes us see that salvation has been given to us through ‘the grace of the coming’ of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us open our hearts afresh so the grace of this year’s Advent may work in us with the fulness of its riches and depth.
Advent is the period of waiting: of Christian waiting and perseverance in faith and in struggle, by virtue of Christ’s grace in us. Advent opens a new chapter every year in that book of salvation which God writes in the Church through the story of man.
It is necessary to be humble to receive the divine teachings; so that divine grace may operate in us, transform our lives and bring out fruits of goodness.
Elevation of the soul is accomplished through ‘knowledge of the Lord and his ways’: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me ...” (Ps 25:4-5)
As you see, it is not a matter of abstract knowledge but of knowledge ‘having influence upon life’. “Teach me your paths” means teach me to live in conformity with God’s will.
In this internal effort it is given to us to discover once again and convince ourselves that “the Lord is good”.
There are “Advent wishes”, “Advent requests”. I express them to you in prospect of the feast of Christmas.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p15
• Our Lady of Good or Happy Deliverance, brought from Madrid, Spain to St. Augustine, Florida (1565). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Good Deliverance. (“Notre Dame de Bonne Délivrance”; “Notre Dame de Bon Secours”). Black Madonna. Statue in St “Etienne des-Grès”, the Black Madonna of Paris (“La vierge noire de Paris”). History of Parisian devotion. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Institution of the celebrated confraternity of Our Lady of Good Deliverance in the Church of St. Stephen des Gres, at Paris, about the year 1533, to which Gregory XIII granted ample indulgences in the year 1538. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Deliverance in 1583 (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Institution of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Deliverance (Saydet An-Najat, in Syriac). France. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Procession in Paris. In Peking / Beijing (critical of Cardinal Etchegaray's accommodation of Communist tyranny, similar to his support for Yassir Arafat). In the life of St. Rafqua / Rafka; ... In Iraq. Syriac Catholic diocese in New Jersey. In Lebanon. In Sri Lanka. Statue in New Orleans cathedral. In De Tout, by Joris Karl Huysmans. In Papal document from 1155. July 29. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
‘Characteristics of this feast’ -- first reason. The first in the order of our Lord’s time; and last in the order of the calendar.
‘The example of the Church’ -- second reason.
Consider the ways our Holy Mother the Church distinguishes the feast of Christmas:
1) Four weeks of Advent;
2) Holy Mass can be celebrated at midnight; and
3) Every priest celebrates three Masses in honor of the 3-fold birth of our Lord: being born of His Father from all eternity, His temporal birth at Bethlehem, and His spiritual birth in the hearts of the Faithful.
‘Graces attached to the Feast of Christmas’ -- third reason. Our Lord, ever ready to dispense graces and favors to all who ask them, is especially disposed to grant our requests on this day upon which, out of love for us, He came to this vale of tears, the consoler of our exile and our great reward.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp793-4
Mary, teacher of hope
The spirit of Advent largely consists in living close to Our Lady when she is carrying Jesus in her womb. We can regard our whole life as a somewhat longer ‘advent’, a time of waiting for that definitive moment when we will finally find ourselves with God forever.
The Christian knows that he must live this ‘advent’ beside Our Lady every day of his life if he wants to attain the only important thing in his whole existence: finding Christ now, and then being with him in eternity.
There is no better way of preparing for Christmas than by getting to know Mary and deepening our love and trust in her. Mary imparts a great joy to our souls. When we turn to her she leads us to Christ.
Mary teaches us to hope. “‘All generations will call me blessed’, she proclaimed. Humanly speaking, how could she hope for such a thing? Who was she, in the eyes of her contemporaries? The great heroines of the Old Testament (Judith, Esther, Deborah) won a measure of human renown even here on earth ...
“What a contrast between Our Lady’s hope and our impatience! We call so often upon God to reward us at once for any little good we may have done. For us, no sooner does the very first difficulty appear than we begin to complain. Often we find ourselves incapable of sustaining our efforts, of keeping our hope alive.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 286)
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin is the greatest guarantee of our achieving the means necessary for our salvation and the eternal happiness for which we have been destined. Mary is truly ‘the port in a storm for those who are shipwrecked’. She is “the consolation of the world, ransom of captives, joy of the sick.” (St Alphonsus Liguori, “Visit to the Blessed Sacrament”, 2)
During these days that precede Christmas, and always, let us ask her to teach us how to hope in her son Jesus Christ, the Messiah whose advent was foretold by the Prophets. “She shines forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of sure hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 68)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:153-4, 159-60
Queen of apostles and of all apostolates
“What is the devotion that should be spread throughout the world? Give the most beautiful titles to Mary ... But the title that will explain all the others, the dignity that serves all her privileges, the office for which she was clothed in the highest virtues is that of being an apostle ... All of the most beautiful titles given to Mary are fine. But the one that completes them and explains her most of all is the title of ‘Queen of apostles’.” -- Rev James Alberione, SSP
“Why did the Lord make Mary so great? Why did He make her the Mother of God and of the Church? Perhaps because the ‘Queen of apostles’ is the true apostle. So the same dignity of Mother of God is related to the Apostles’ office: to give Jesus to the world.
“The first great gift received by the Church was the descent of the Holy Spirit. Mary obtained this in the Cenacle. And as she drew down this first grace of the Holy Spirit among the Apostles, so she acquired almost by right the effusion of the Holy Spirit among souls. Mary is, therefore, the Sanctifier of our souls.” -- Rev James Alberione, SSP
(Pope Paul VI called the Rev James Alberione, SSP, “a marvel of this century; ... the St Paul of the 20th century”.)
Ref: In “Two Months with Mary”, Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, 1984, p21
‘Mother most renowned. Pray for us.’
The Grace of the Coming
‘Christian expectation’: Perseverance in faith, in struggle.
Advent makes us see that salvation has been given to us through ‘the grace of the coming’ of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us open our hearts afresh so the grace of this year’s Advent may work in us with the fulness of its riches and depth.
Advent is the period of waiting: of Christian waiting and perseverance in faith and in struggle, by virtue of Christ’s grace in us. Advent opens a new chapter every year in that book of salvation which God writes in the Church through the story of man.
It is necessary to be humble to receive the divine teachings; so that divine grace may operate in us, transform our lives and bring out fruits of goodness.
Elevation of the soul is accomplished through ‘knowledge of the Lord and his ways’: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me ...” (Ps 25:4-5)
As you see, it is not a matter of abstract knowledge but of knowledge ‘having influence upon life’. “Teach me your paths” means teach me to live in conformity with God’s will.
In this internal effort it is given to us to discover once again and convince ourselves that “the Lord is good”.
There are “Advent wishes”, “Advent requests”. I express them to you in prospect of the feast of Christmas.
Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p15
• Our Lady of Good or Happy Deliverance, brought from Madrid, Spain to St. Augustine, Florida (1565). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of Good Deliverance. (“Notre Dame de Bonne Délivrance”; “Notre Dame de Bon Secours”). Black Madonna. Statue in St “Etienne des-Grès”, the Black Madonna of Paris (“La vierge noire de Paris”). History of Parisian devotion. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Institution of the celebrated confraternity of Our Lady of Good Deliverance in the Church of St. Stephen des Gres, at Paris, about the year 1533, to which Gregory XIII granted ample indulgences in the year 1538. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Institution of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Deliverance in 1583 (France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Institution of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Deliverance (Saydet An-Najat, in Syriac). France. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Procession in Paris. In Peking / Beijing (critical of Cardinal Etchegaray's accommodation of Communist tyranny, similar to his support for Yassir Arafat). In the life of St. Rafqua / Rafka; ... In Iraq. Syriac Catholic diocese in New Jersey. In Lebanon. In Sri Lanka. Statue in New Orleans cathedral. In De Tout, by Joris Karl Huysmans. In Papal document from 1155. July 29. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
15 December 2011: God the Father asks for all
God does not ask merely for another place in his children’s heart, soul, and mind, alongside other loves. Rather he seeks all our love, not a bit of attention or a tad of devotion.
God seeks our entire being, without measure or end. He is a “jealous lover”, begging for all our desire. He awaits our giving him all we have, following the personal vocation wherewith he called us one day and keeps on calling us every day amid duties and circumstances, pleasant or less so, that befall us.
God has a right to ask us: Are you thinking of me? Are you aware of me? Do you look to me as your shield, as your all?
“Renew then this resolution: In times the world calls good I will cry out: ‘Lord!’ In times it calls bad, again I will cry: ‘Lord!’” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 506)
Each circumstance is a chance to love him wholeheartedly, with one’s entire soul and existence, not only when we go to church to visit him or receive communion; but also at work, in the face of suffering and failure, when unexpected good news reaches us.
Then, let us say to him in our soul’s depths: ‘Father of mine, I love you, I will peaceably accept this annoyance for your sake, I will bring this chore to a full close, done just right, because I know it pleases you ...’
We are also bound to love our Father God with our heart of flesh, affectionately, with the only heart we possess. Both human and supernatural is the love we contemplate in God’s Son.
Jesus is full of warmth, interest, and tenderness when we turn to his heavenly Father and when he converses with us. He is moved by a widow mourning the loss of her only son; he cries over a friend who has died; he appreciates the gratefulness of lepers who have been cured; he is always cordial and open to all, even amid the excruciating yet sublime stages of his passion ...
God’s children need to remind themselves often that Christian life consists not “in much thinking, but in much loving”. (St Theresa of Avila, “Interior Castle”, 4:1-7)
Ref: Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, p41
The Merciful Mother
Unfortunately, because of our weak and corrupted nature, we are all sinners. Fortunately, however, most of us hate sin; and do not want to continue living in sin, do not intend to offend God deliberately. Thus, we pray God, continuously, to deliver us from sin; and ask Our Lady to protect us from sin, and pray for us sinners.
Many sinners do not have the will to stop sinning; and because of their numerous and serious sins, can not muster the strength to get out of their miserable condition. They lack the courage to take the remedies which will help them, and so they fall into despair.
Mary knows that God does not want the death of the sinner. Thus, Mary wants to cooperate with God in every way possible, in saving sinners. She wants to be called the Merciful Mother.
Mary gave us Jesus, who was to deliver us from sin and Satan. Mary sees in us souls that have been redeemed by the death of her Son.
‘Who’, exclaims St Antoninus, ‘can ever form an idea of the tender care that this loving mother takes of all of us, offering and dispensing her mercy to every one?’ Our good and heavenly Mother desires the salvation especially of the sinners. ‘It is evident’, says St Bernard, ‘that she was solicitous for the whole human race’.
Mary even anticipates the need of whoever seek her. ‘The love that this good Mother bears us is so great’, says Richard of St Lawrence, ‘as soon as she perceives our want she comes to our assistance. She comes before she is called.’
Sinners, have no fear! Go to the ‘Refuge of sinners’ if your own sinfulness tends to crush you; if you are concerned about your family. Pray often and confidently: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p30
· “Just as the devil always goes in search for someone to devour, so Mary is always looking for someone she can help in any way.” -- Pope St Leo the Great (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, op cit)
‘Mother most admirable. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
The greatness and immensity of God -- Greatness commands respect, and respect is a part of the homage we owe to God. The Holy Scriptures are filled with the idea of the infinite greatness of God. “Of His greatness there is no end”, writes King David.
To form some idea of His greatness, recall that our world is but one of a vast system of planets. Its circumference of 27,000 miles could be completely traversed in 30 months at the rate of 30 miles a day.
The sun, being nearly three million miles in circumference, could be traversed at the same rate of speed in 274 years. Yet this sun is supposed to be infinitely inferior to certain of the fixed stars. All this greatness, relative to God’s, is as a grain of sand to a mountain!
To form some idea of the greatness and immensity of God, again call to mind the sun which is at least 95 million miles away. Such a vast space; but there are planets 20 times further away from us than the sun.
Their distance is nothing compared to that of the fixed stars. The light of some of these stars, astronomers believe, has not yet reached us, though it has been travelling at the rate of 12 million miles a minute since the creation of the world.
And each of these stars is the center of a planetary system vastly greater than our own.
But what are the millions of worlds, that surpass calculation or even conception, compared to God? The wise man answers, “As the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew that falls upon the earth.”
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp791-3
Dazzled
30 “Marvel at God’s magnanimity: he has become Man to redeem us, so that you and I -- who are absolutely worthless, admit it! -- may come to know him and trust him.”
33 “What are you so proud of? Every impulse that moves you comes from Him. Act accordingly.”
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”
• Octave of the Conception of Our Lady, instituted by Pope Sixtus IV.— Bullarium. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of the Armed Forces. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Dinagat. Dinagat, Surigao, PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
God seeks our entire being, without measure or end. He is a “jealous lover”, begging for all our desire. He awaits our giving him all we have, following the personal vocation wherewith he called us one day and keeps on calling us every day amid duties and circumstances, pleasant or less so, that befall us.
God has a right to ask us: Are you thinking of me? Are you aware of me? Do you look to me as your shield, as your all?
“Renew then this resolution: In times the world calls good I will cry out: ‘Lord!’ In times it calls bad, again I will cry: ‘Lord!’” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 506)
Each circumstance is a chance to love him wholeheartedly, with one’s entire soul and existence, not only when we go to church to visit him or receive communion; but also at work, in the face of suffering and failure, when unexpected good news reaches us.
Then, let us say to him in our soul’s depths: ‘Father of mine, I love you, I will peaceably accept this annoyance for your sake, I will bring this chore to a full close, done just right, because I know it pleases you ...’
We are also bound to love our Father God with our heart of flesh, affectionately, with the only heart we possess. Both human and supernatural is the love we contemplate in God’s Son.
Jesus is full of warmth, interest, and tenderness when we turn to his heavenly Father and when he converses with us. He is moved by a widow mourning the loss of her only son; he cries over a friend who has died; he appreciates the gratefulness of lepers who have been cured; he is always cordial and open to all, even amid the excruciating yet sublime stages of his passion ...
God’s children need to remind themselves often that Christian life consists not “in much thinking, but in much loving”. (St Theresa of Avila, “Interior Castle”, 4:1-7)
Ref: Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, p41
The Merciful Mother
Unfortunately, because of our weak and corrupted nature, we are all sinners. Fortunately, however, most of us hate sin; and do not want to continue living in sin, do not intend to offend God deliberately. Thus, we pray God, continuously, to deliver us from sin; and ask Our Lady to protect us from sin, and pray for us sinners.
Many sinners do not have the will to stop sinning; and because of their numerous and serious sins, can not muster the strength to get out of their miserable condition. They lack the courage to take the remedies which will help them, and so they fall into despair.
Mary knows that God does not want the death of the sinner. Thus, Mary wants to cooperate with God in every way possible, in saving sinners. She wants to be called the Merciful Mother.
Mary gave us Jesus, who was to deliver us from sin and Satan. Mary sees in us souls that have been redeemed by the death of her Son.
‘Who’, exclaims St Antoninus, ‘can ever form an idea of the tender care that this loving mother takes of all of us, offering and dispensing her mercy to every one?’ Our good and heavenly Mother desires the salvation especially of the sinners. ‘It is evident’, says St Bernard, ‘that she was solicitous for the whole human race’.
Mary even anticipates the need of whoever seek her. ‘The love that this good Mother bears us is so great’, says Richard of St Lawrence, ‘as soon as she perceives our want she comes to our assistance. She comes before she is called.’
Sinners, have no fear! Go to the ‘Refuge of sinners’ if your own sinfulness tends to crush you; if you are concerned about your family. Pray often and confidently: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p30
· “Just as the devil always goes in search for someone to devour, so Mary is always looking for someone she can help in any way.” -- Pope St Leo the Great (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, op cit)
‘Mother most admirable. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
The greatness and immensity of God -- Greatness commands respect, and respect is a part of the homage we owe to God. The Holy Scriptures are filled with the idea of the infinite greatness of God. “Of His greatness there is no end”, writes King David.
To form some idea of His greatness, recall that our world is but one of a vast system of planets. Its circumference of 27,000 miles could be completely traversed in 30 months at the rate of 30 miles a day.
The sun, being nearly three million miles in circumference, could be traversed at the same rate of speed in 274 years. Yet this sun is supposed to be infinitely inferior to certain of the fixed stars. All this greatness, relative to God’s, is as a grain of sand to a mountain!
To form some idea of the greatness and immensity of God, again call to mind the sun which is at least 95 million miles away. Such a vast space; but there are planets 20 times further away from us than the sun.
Their distance is nothing compared to that of the fixed stars. The light of some of these stars, astronomers believe, has not yet reached us, though it has been travelling at the rate of 12 million miles a minute since the creation of the world.
And each of these stars is the center of a planetary system vastly greater than our own.
But what are the millions of worlds, that surpass calculation or even conception, compared to God? The wise man answers, “As the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew that falls upon the earth.”
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp791-3
Dazzled
30 “Marvel at God’s magnanimity: he has become Man to redeem us, so that you and I -- who are absolutely worthless, admit it! -- may come to know him and trust him.”
33 “What are you so proud of? Every impulse that moves you comes from Him. Act accordingly.”
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”
• Octave of the Conception of Our Lady, instituted by Pope Sixtus IV.— Bullarium. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of the Armed Forces. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Dinagat. Dinagat, Surigao, PHL. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
14 December 2011: Refuge of sinners
The greatest good that we can do to our friends: Taking them to the Sacrament of Penance.
“Arouse our hearts, Lord, to make the way for your Son. Despite all our sins, let your merciful grace hasten the work of our redemption.” (“Prayer”, Mass for Thursday in the First Week of Advent) This prayer speaks of proclaiming the coming of Jesus by asking pardon for sins.
The Messiah is very close to us. During these days of Advent we must be ready to receive him in a new way on Christmas day. Jesus says in a special way, “Strengthen the weak hands, make firm the feeble knees; and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage do not be afraid!’ (cf Is 35:3-4)”.
Daily we meet friends, relatives who have lost what is most essential to their life; and feel hopeless. Unable to go to Our Lord, we must show them the way to the cave in Bethlehem. There they will find the meaning of their lives. We must know the way by having an interior life; and strive to improve in the very things our friends need to do better.
‘Our hope in the supernatural means must be firm.’ Usually, bringing our friends closer to Christ means taking them to receive the sacrament of Penance, one of the greatest treasures Our Lord has left to his Church. A great way to help is making it easy for them to go to Confession.
Sometimes we will have to help them, with tact and kindness, make a good examination of conscience. Or accompany them to the place where confessions are being heard. At other times, an encouraging word and affection will suffice with a brief instruction about the nature and value of the sacrament.
What joy each time we get a relative, a colleague, a friend, to receive the sacrament of divine mercy! This same joy is shared in heaven by our Father God and by all the blessed. (cf Lk 15:7) Our Mother Mary will have compassion on them, and on us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:65-6, 70-71
‘Refuge of sinners. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
The providence, justice, and mercy of God -- When we call God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, we acknowledge His providence: care for all His creatures, man most particularly, made in His own image; and for a supernatural end. No earthly father could be indifferent to his children’s welfare.
Holy Scripture thus speaks of God’s paternal tenderness: “Behold, I have graven thee in My hands; thy walls always before My eyes. Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? And if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee.”
The justice and mercy of God are not contradictory. One, a necessary consequence of His sanctity which obliges him to punish sin and reward virtue. The other, consequent to his goodness which we instinctively acknowledge when we call Him the good God.
This goodness is seen as patience or longanimity awaiting the penitent, as mercy in the sinner’s pardon. “He is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and merciful.” As infinite God, so are His justice and mercy, rewarding the just with everlasting glory, the wicked with eternal punishment.
“But he delays not His promises”, writes St Peter, “as some imagine, but deals patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.” Recall the pardon extended to the good thief, and to so many other well-known penitents.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp789-91
Filipino spirituality, Mary and St John of the Cross
‘The Filipinos are natural contemplatives (V Marasigan)’. This gift of the Lord has not been made to yield returns relative to using our Christian ‘values’, drawn from such a ‘vision’, to provide us the ‘valor’ to fight the onslaughts of consumerism and materialism. We need to see and live the ‘glory’ of the Cross.
Why are we called ‘Juan de la Cruz’? The phrase ‘de la Cruz’ truly defines our being, the potential for greatness of our people; and makes St John of the Cross our angel-spirit.
As Pope Paul VI said, our national vocation is to ‘be a beacon of light of truth in Asia’ and that ‘The Philippines is the salvation of Asia’. The latter testimony was firmly re-asserted by Pope John Paul II.
The Philippines is like Mary, Mother of all mankind, longing for Christ to be born, to BE. Mary as Mother of the Church must remain at the foot of the Cross; for the Church anywhere, is being born from the pierced side of the Mystical Christ crucified. It is also from us, as ‘alter-Christus’ on the cross, that the Church in Asia will be, and will grow to the fullness of Christ as God wills, and as He alone can make possible.
Reviewing our history, our endurance as a people primarily through faith and a gut desire to survive, plus a sense of humor and a zeal to celebrate the goodness of God, we can truly say we have faithfully lived the Spirit of Mary at the foot of the Cross. Mary’s ‘Fiat’ at the Annunciation summarizes her self-renunciation.
This is what is being asked of us now. As the only Christian country in Asia, if we say 'Yes' to the vocation of the cross, in love, with God’s mercy and grace, like Mary, we too can sing her ‘Magnificat’. Let us make the Almighty work His marvels for us; and He will if we have faith and we cooperate with grace.
Ref: Susana Jose, “San Juan de la Cruz Today”, 1990, pp4, 7-8
St John of the Cross, priest and Doctor of the Church
He had a marked devotion toward the Blessed Virgin. (Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, pp507-8)
St Theresa of Jesus (Avila) persuaded him to lead the reform of his Order. He suffered many tribulations. A renowned mystic, he wrote much on the mystery of the Cross. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1715)
• Our Lady of “Alba Regia”, in Hungary, was built by St. Stephen, King of Hungary, who had given. his kingdom to the Blessed Virgin. — John Bonifacius, Historia Virginis, lib. ii., c. i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Alba Regia”. Hungary. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of “Alba-la Royale”. Hungary 1005. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
“Arouse our hearts, Lord, to make the way for your Son. Despite all our sins, let your merciful grace hasten the work of our redemption.” (“Prayer”, Mass for Thursday in the First Week of Advent) This prayer speaks of proclaiming the coming of Jesus by asking pardon for sins.
The Messiah is very close to us. During these days of Advent we must be ready to receive him in a new way on Christmas day. Jesus says in a special way, “Strengthen the weak hands, make firm the feeble knees; and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage do not be afraid!’ (cf Is 35:3-4)”.
Daily we meet friends, relatives who have lost what is most essential to their life; and feel hopeless. Unable to go to Our Lord, we must show them the way to the cave in Bethlehem. There they will find the meaning of their lives. We must know the way by having an interior life; and strive to improve in the very things our friends need to do better.
‘Our hope in the supernatural means must be firm.’ Usually, bringing our friends closer to Christ means taking them to receive the sacrament of Penance, one of the greatest treasures Our Lord has left to his Church. A great way to help is making it easy for them to go to Confession.
Sometimes we will have to help them, with tact and kindness, make a good examination of conscience. Or accompany them to the place where confessions are being heard. At other times, an encouraging word and affection will suffice with a brief instruction about the nature and value of the sacrament.
What joy each time we get a relative, a colleague, a friend, to receive the sacrament of divine mercy! This same joy is shared in heaven by our Father God and by all the blessed. (cf Lk 15:7) Our Mother Mary will have compassion on them, and on us.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:65-6, 70-71
‘Refuge of sinners. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
The providence, justice, and mercy of God -- When we call God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, we acknowledge His providence: care for all His creatures, man most particularly, made in His own image; and for a supernatural end. No earthly father could be indifferent to his children’s welfare.
Holy Scripture thus speaks of God’s paternal tenderness: “Behold, I have graven thee in My hands; thy walls always before My eyes. Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? And if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee.”
The justice and mercy of God are not contradictory. One, a necessary consequence of His sanctity which obliges him to punish sin and reward virtue. The other, consequent to his goodness which we instinctively acknowledge when we call Him the good God.
This goodness is seen as patience or longanimity awaiting the penitent, as mercy in the sinner’s pardon. “He is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and merciful.” As infinite God, so are His justice and mercy, rewarding the just with everlasting glory, the wicked with eternal punishment.
“But he delays not His promises”, writes St Peter, “as some imagine, but deals patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.” Recall the pardon extended to the good thief, and to so many other well-known penitents.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp789-91
Filipino spirituality, Mary and St John of the Cross
‘The Filipinos are natural contemplatives (V Marasigan)’. This gift of the Lord has not been made to yield returns relative to using our Christian ‘values’, drawn from such a ‘vision’, to provide us the ‘valor’ to fight the onslaughts of consumerism and materialism. We need to see and live the ‘glory’ of the Cross.
Why are we called ‘Juan de la Cruz’? The phrase ‘de la Cruz’ truly defines our being, the potential for greatness of our people; and makes St John of the Cross our angel-spirit.
As Pope Paul VI said, our national vocation is to ‘be a beacon of light of truth in Asia’ and that ‘The Philippines is the salvation of Asia’. The latter testimony was firmly re-asserted by Pope John Paul II.
The Philippines is like Mary, Mother of all mankind, longing for Christ to be born, to BE. Mary as Mother of the Church must remain at the foot of the Cross; for the Church anywhere, is being born from the pierced side of the Mystical Christ crucified. It is also from us, as ‘alter-Christus’ on the cross, that the Church in Asia will be, and will grow to the fullness of Christ as God wills, and as He alone can make possible.
Reviewing our history, our endurance as a people primarily through faith and a gut desire to survive, plus a sense of humor and a zeal to celebrate the goodness of God, we can truly say we have faithfully lived the Spirit of Mary at the foot of the Cross. Mary’s ‘Fiat’ at the Annunciation summarizes her self-renunciation.
This is what is being asked of us now. As the only Christian country in Asia, if we say 'Yes' to the vocation of the cross, in love, with God’s mercy and grace, like Mary, we too can sing her ‘Magnificat’. Let us make the Almighty work His marvels for us; and He will if we have faith and we cooperate with grace.
Ref: Susana Jose, “San Juan de la Cruz Today”, 1990, pp4, 7-8
St John of the Cross, priest and Doctor of the Church
He had a marked devotion toward the Blessed Virgin. (Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, pp507-8)
St Theresa of Jesus (Avila) persuaded him to lead the reform of his Order. He suffered many tribulations. A renowned mystic, he wrote much on the mystery of the Cross. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1715)
• Our Lady of “Alba Regia”, in Hungary, was built by St. Stephen, King of Hungary, who had given. his kingdom to the Blessed Virgin. — John Bonifacius, Historia Virginis, lib. ii., c. i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of “Alba Regia”. Hungary. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of “Alba-la Royale”. Hungary 1005. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Monday, December 12, 2011
13 December 2011: John the Baptist, an Advent Figure
“Behold, the Lord will come ...” (cf Is 30:19, 30) The Saviour is about to arrive but the world moves on completely oblivious; remains in darkness. Only Mary knows, and Joseph who has been told by the angel. Christ is in Mary’s womb.
The Jews still argue about the Messiah, not aware he is so near. Few people are expecting the ‘Consolation of Israel’: Simeon, Anna. We are in Advent, a time of waiting.
The Church proposes the figure of John the Baptist for our meditation. “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Mt 3:3)
“John appears as the dividing line between the Old and New Testaments. Our Lord himself teaches something about John the Baptist -- his personification of antiquity and the announcement of new times. Representing antiquity, he is born to elderly parents.
As the messenger of new times, at Our Lady’s arrival, he leaps for joy inside his mother’s womb.” (cf Lk 1:76-7) “John is called ‘the prophet of the Most High’, because his mission is ‘to go before the Lord to prepare his ways, teaching the knowledge of salvation to his people’.” (St Augustine, “Sermon” 293, 2) And to point out the Messiah.
Although fully conscious of his mission, before Christ, John admits he is not even “worthy to unfasten the strap of his sandals” (Jn 1:27), the least menial task servants do for their master. Later he would say, “He must increase; but I will decrease” (Jn 3:30). True sign of human and Christian maturity.
He is only the voice that announces Jesus: his mission, his life, his personality. His whole being is defined by Jesus, as should be also in our own lives, who alone is important in the life of any Christian.
As Christ gradually manifests Himself, John seeks to disappear. “This is the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:37) he says to John and Andrew pointing to Jesus who is passing by so that his followers should go after Christ.
“John persevered in sanctity because he remained humble of heart.” (St Gregory the Great, “Treatise on St Luke’s Gospel”, 20:5) Thus he merited that praise, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Mt 11:11).
Today, the Precursor still points the way for us. When we prepare others to meet Christ, we ought not to be the center of attraction. A desire to draw attention to oneself would leave no room for Jesus.
We are also witnesses to Christ. The grace of Baptism and Confirmation gave us the duty to make our faith in Christ known through our words and deeds. We have received so much greater than John had: “The least in the kingdom of God is greater than John.” (Lk 7:28)
Jesus is about to arrive. Is our witnessing forceful enough to convince whoever do not yet believe in Jesus; or have mistaken ideas about Him?
Our family, friends, workmates, people we interact with frequently, must be the first to benefit from our love for God. With our example and prayer we should reach even people we do not have the chance to talk to.
Our great joy will be bringing to Jesus the indifferent. God’s grace, not our human strength, can move souls towards Jesus. As we cannot give what we do not have, we must strive to grow in our interior life.
The ‘Queen of apostles’ will increase our longing and effort to bring souls to her Son in the certainty that no effort is in vain in the sight of God.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:57-63
‘Queen of prophets. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
The knowledge, beauty and sweetness of God -- Our natural understanding and acquired knowledge are limited and subject to error. Not so with God. He sees at once and without effort all that actually is, all that is possible, all that has been or will be; our thoughts, dispositions, and intentions, whether for good or evil, the most secret aspirations of our hearts.
Recall the beauties of this vast universe. The firmament above us is studded with a million resplendent stars at night; in the day made brilliant by the glorious sun, that rises and sets with equal splendor.
Around us are forests, valleys, and hills adorned with an infinite variety of trees, plants, flowers, and fruits; inhabited by every animal species of marked beauty in form and color. The beauties of our mind and soul, and those of the angels, if we could see them, would be infinitely superior to all created things.
Yet all are but the feeblest reflection of the infinite beauty of God. If we could behold it for a moment only, nothing here would ever charm us more. We should see that nothing is worth loving but God alone.
Sweetness is among the most beautiful qualities of man. It proceeds from God, the source of all beauty. He possesses it in infinite perfection. If He imposes commands upon us, he strengthens us to fulfil them by His powerful grace. He encourages us by the hope of an eternal reward; ever ready to pardon if we fail.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp787-9
Memorial -- St Lucy, virgin and martyr
Patroness of the blind
A native of Syracuse in Sicily, from her cradle, she was educated in the Faith of Christ by her widowed mother, Euthychia. At an early age she secretly made a vow of virginity. Her mother, when informed much later, in gratitude for recovery from a long illness, sustained her pious inclinations.
This vow so enraged the young nobleman who had sought her in marriage and accused Lucy of being a Christian. She was imprisoned, but God gave her grace to overcome her tortures. About the year 304, during the persecution by Diocletian, St Lucy met her death by the sword.
Ref: Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, p507
• Our Lady of the Holy Chapel, at Paris. This image, which is under the portal of the lower Holy Chapel has wrought many miracles. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Holy Chapel (Paris) (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame de Sainte Chapelle” (Our Lady of the Holy Chapel). Paris. Very historic chapel in Paris. Setting of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
The Jews still argue about the Messiah, not aware he is so near. Few people are expecting the ‘Consolation of Israel’: Simeon, Anna. We are in Advent, a time of waiting.
The Church proposes the figure of John the Baptist for our meditation. “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Mt 3:3)
“John appears as the dividing line between the Old and New Testaments. Our Lord himself teaches something about John the Baptist -- his personification of antiquity and the announcement of new times. Representing antiquity, he is born to elderly parents.
As the messenger of new times, at Our Lady’s arrival, he leaps for joy inside his mother’s womb.” (cf Lk 1:76-7) “John is called ‘the prophet of the Most High’, because his mission is ‘to go before the Lord to prepare his ways, teaching the knowledge of salvation to his people’.” (St Augustine, “Sermon” 293, 2) And to point out the Messiah.
Although fully conscious of his mission, before Christ, John admits he is not even “worthy to unfasten the strap of his sandals” (Jn 1:27), the least menial task servants do for their master. Later he would say, “He must increase; but I will decrease” (Jn 3:30). True sign of human and Christian maturity.
He is only the voice that announces Jesus: his mission, his life, his personality. His whole being is defined by Jesus, as should be also in our own lives, who alone is important in the life of any Christian.
As Christ gradually manifests Himself, John seeks to disappear. “This is the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:37) he says to John and Andrew pointing to Jesus who is passing by so that his followers should go after Christ.
“John persevered in sanctity because he remained humble of heart.” (St Gregory the Great, “Treatise on St Luke’s Gospel”, 20:5) Thus he merited that praise, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Mt 11:11).
Today, the Precursor still points the way for us. When we prepare others to meet Christ, we ought not to be the center of attraction. A desire to draw attention to oneself would leave no room for Jesus.
We are also witnesses to Christ. The grace of Baptism and Confirmation gave us the duty to make our faith in Christ known through our words and deeds. We have received so much greater than John had: “The least in the kingdom of God is greater than John.” (Lk 7:28)
Jesus is about to arrive. Is our witnessing forceful enough to convince whoever do not yet believe in Jesus; or have mistaken ideas about Him?
Our family, friends, workmates, people we interact with frequently, must be the first to benefit from our love for God. With our example and prayer we should reach even people we do not have the chance to talk to.
Our great joy will be bringing to Jesus the indifferent. God’s grace, not our human strength, can move souls towards Jesus. As we cannot give what we do not have, we must strive to grow in our interior life.
The ‘Queen of apostles’ will increase our longing and effort to bring souls to her Son in the certainty that no effort is in vain in the sight of God.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:57-63
‘Queen of prophets. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
The knowledge, beauty and sweetness of God -- Our natural understanding and acquired knowledge are limited and subject to error. Not so with God. He sees at once and without effort all that actually is, all that is possible, all that has been or will be; our thoughts, dispositions, and intentions, whether for good or evil, the most secret aspirations of our hearts.
Recall the beauties of this vast universe. The firmament above us is studded with a million resplendent stars at night; in the day made brilliant by the glorious sun, that rises and sets with equal splendor.
Around us are forests, valleys, and hills adorned with an infinite variety of trees, plants, flowers, and fruits; inhabited by every animal species of marked beauty in form and color. The beauties of our mind and soul, and those of the angels, if we could see them, would be infinitely superior to all created things.
Yet all are but the feeblest reflection of the infinite beauty of God. If we could behold it for a moment only, nothing here would ever charm us more. We should see that nothing is worth loving but God alone.
Sweetness is among the most beautiful qualities of man. It proceeds from God, the source of all beauty. He possesses it in infinite perfection. If He imposes commands upon us, he strengthens us to fulfil them by His powerful grace. He encourages us by the hope of an eternal reward; ever ready to pardon if we fail.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp787-9
Memorial -- St Lucy, virgin and martyr
Patroness of the blind
A native of Syracuse in Sicily, from her cradle, she was educated in the Faith of Christ by her widowed mother, Euthychia. At an early age she secretly made a vow of virginity. Her mother, when informed much later, in gratitude for recovery from a long illness, sustained her pious inclinations.
This vow so enraged the young nobleman who had sought her in marriage and accused Lucy of being a Christian. She was imprisoned, but God gave her grace to overcome her tortures. About the year 304, during the persecution by Diocletian, St Lucy met her death by the sword.
Ref: Rev Hugo Hoever, SOCist, PhD, “Lives of the Saints”, p507
• Our Lady of the Holy Chapel, at Paris. This image, which is under the portal of the lower Holy Chapel has wrought many miracles. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Holy Chapel (Paris) (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “Notre Dame de Sainte Chapelle” (Our Lady of the Holy Chapel). Paris. Very historic chapel in Paris. Setting of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Sunday, December 11, 2011
12 December 2011: Feast, Our Lady of Guadalupe
On this day in 1531, Juan Diego brought to his Bishop some roses (Castillian and not in season) that Our Lady gave as a sign of her request for construction of a church. As the roses from his ‘tilma’ (cloak of maguey fiber) fell to the ground before the Prelate, the image of the Blessed Virgin miraculously appeared, before their eyes, on the garment .
That cloak should have deteriorated -- rags in 40 years; dust in 100. The image should have faded; but has not. No one knows how that image was created. It is not paint nor dye. There are no brush marks ... It is the only supernatural image of the Virgin Mary that has come to us. And she is a brown Lady ... like the Aztecs, the Mexicans, the Filipino.
She came to Guadalupe to stop human sacrifice. The Aztecs were killing 20,000 human beings for their gods yearly. Population control people once proudly announced the more than 60 million abortions in 1995.
In all the wars put together, with machine guns, missiles, and (atomic) bombs, we did not kill 60 million. In 1995, 60 million mothers killed their babies.
When the Virgin appeared to that poor peasant, the Philippines belonged to the Diocese of Mexico.
Ref: James B Reuter, SJ, “At 3:00 A.M.”, 1996, pp188-90
The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe
On December 9 and 12, 1531, Our Lady said to Juan Diego:
“Know for certain I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God. I will show and offer all my love, my compassion, my help and protection. I am your merciful Mother, of all who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who have confidence in me. I will hear their weeping, their sorrows, their necessities and misfortunes.
“Listen and let it penetrate your heart. Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.” (W H Carroll, “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, 99)
“Am I not your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?” (Francis Anson, “Guadalupe: What her eyes say”, 1994, p72)
The Bishop had asked for a sign as proof of Mary’s petition. Our Lady appeared again later and directed the amazed peasant to cut long-stemmed roses growing nearby on the arid hillside to be presented to the Bishop. This miraculous event took place on this day, in the dead of winter, 2,000 feet above sea level.
When Juan Diego spread out his white cloak to deliver the roses, “the beloved image of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared, impressed upon it, as is plain for any observer to see today.” (“Nican Mopohua”, Mexico 1981, pp181-3) This image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, surrounded by a radiant light, gradually appeared in full colour on his simple garment.
NASA scientists who thoroughly analyzed the image under infrared light conclude that “The whole face is formed by unknown pigments that cannot be explained by the present state of science.” (Francis Anson, “Guadalupe: What her eyes say”, 1994, p94) Furthermore, image digitalization of the eyes of the image reveals different human figures that “have been there for 450 years”. (Ibid, op cit, pp115-6)
A wave of conversions in the entire Aztec territory, extending from Central America to the Philippines, took place following Our Lady’s apparition on Tepeyac hill.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to be a great sign of Christ’s nearness to us ... She extends an invitation to all men and women to enter into communion with the Father. At the same time, Mary encourages all of us to enter into greater communion with one another ...” (John Paul II, “Address”, 13 December 1987)
On a pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Pope John Paul II prayed: “Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas ... behold how great is the harvest. Intercede before the Lord for us so our hunger for sanctity in the world may increase ... May all the faithful strive to follow Christ closely. May the life of each one be filled with loving and humble service, carried out for the glory of God and the good of all souls.” (Ibid, “Prayer of Petition”, 27 January 1979)
Our Lady’s efficacious intercession has always prepared the way for the work of evangelization of nations. We cannot even imagine carrying out the apostolate of friendship and confidence without the help of Our Lady.
We ask Our Lady of Guadalupe: “Queen of Apostles, accept our complete readiness to work for the restoration and fulfilment of your Son’s kingdom. May we not withhold anything at all in helping to bring his salvific Will to fruition. May we be completely dedicated to the cause of the Gospel and of ultimate peace ... May our struggle be firmly grounded on justice, and be a stimulus for reciprocal charity ...” (Ibid, op cit)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:351-8
‘Virgin most merciful. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
Omnipotence, sanctity, and happiness of God -- Whenever we call to mind the creation of the world, we are at once struck with the omnipotence of God. To create, ie, to make anything out of nothing, presupposes infinite power. God is, therefore, omnipotent.
“By His word the heavens were established, and all the power of them by the spirit of His mouth.” A single act of His will could, as instantly recall the whole into nothing, or as instantly create millions of new worlds.
The sanctity of God, being inherent to His infinite essence, is likewise necessarily infinite. Thus God loves above all things the good that we do, while He hates the evil in like proportion.
God, being infinitely holy, powerful, wise, and just, is necessarily infinitely happy. He is to Himself and in Himself supreme and infinite bliss, from which angels draw for all eternity ever new and endless joys.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp785-7
Dazzled -- “Christ ascended the Cross with his arms wide open, with the all-embracing gesture of the Eternal Priest. Now he counts on us -- who are nothing! -- to bring the fruits of his Redemption to ‘all’ men.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 4)
• Our Lady of Good Tidings at Abbeville, [France]. This little chapel, which is in St. Peter’s priory, has always been much frequented.— Antiquites d’Abbeville. liv. i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Good News (Abbeville, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle” (Our Lady of Good News / Good Tidings). Abbeville, France. Cathedral in Nancy, France. Church in Paris, and name of a region of Paris. Very interesting cross from a chapel in Quimper, France. See September 16, November 19. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, Mexico (1531) (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
And the Forever Whole and Perfect Maiden said: "Comprehend and know, my youngest child, nothing should scare or concern you. Don't worry. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.
Am I not right here who is your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not the foundation of your being, your sustenance, your happiness, peace and effortlessness?
Are you not in the fold of my mantle? Do you need anything else? Don't allow anything to disturb you any more."
Mary the Virgin of Guadeloupe to Juan Diego, December 12, 1531. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
That cloak should have deteriorated -- rags in 40 years; dust in 100. The image should have faded; but has not. No one knows how that image was created. It is not paint nor dye. There are no brush marks ... It is the only supernatural image of the Virgin Mary that has come to us. And she is a brown Lady ... like the Aztecs, the Mexicans, the Filipino.
She came to Guadalupe to stop human sacrifice. The Aztecs were killing 20,000 human beings for their gods yearly. Population control people once proudly announced the more than 60 million abortions in 1995.
In all the wars put together, with machine guns, missiles, and (atomic) bombs, we did not kill 60 million. In 1995, 60 million mothers killed their babies.
When the Virgin appeared to that poor peasant, the Philippines belonged to the Diocese of Mexico.
Ref: James B Reuter, SJ, “At 3:00 A.M.”, 1996, pp188-90
The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe
On December 9 and 12, 1531, Our Lady said to Juan Diego:
“Know for certain I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of the True God. I will show and offer all my love, my compassion, my help and protection. I am your merciful Mother, of all who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who have confidence in me. I will hear their weeping, their sorrows, their necessities and misfortunes.
“Listen and let it penetrate your heart. Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.” (W H Carroll, “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, 99)
“Am I not your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?” (Francis Anson, “Guadalupe: What her eyes say”, 1994, p72)
The Bishop had asked for a sign as proof of Mary’s petition. Our Lady appeared again later and directed the amazed peasant to cut long-stemmed roses growing nearby on the arid hillside to be presented to the Bishop. This miraculous event took place on this day, in the dead of winter, 2,000 feet above sea level.
When Juan Diego spread out his white cloak to deliver the roses, “the beloved image of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared, impressed upon it, as is plain for any observer to see today.” (“Nican Mopohua”, Mexico 1981, pp181-3) This image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, surrounded by a radiant light, gradually appeared in full colour on his simple garment.
NASA scientists who thoroughly analyzed the image under infrared light conclude that “The whole face is formed by unknown pigments that cannot be explained by the present state of science.” (Francis Anson, “Guadalupe: What her eyes say”, 1994, p94) Furthermore, image digitalization of the eyes of the image reveals different human figures that “have been there for 450 years”. (Ibid, op cit, pp115-6)
A wave of conversions in the entire Aztec territory, extending from Central America to the Philippines, took place following Our Lady’s apparition on Tepeyac hill.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to be a great sign of Christ’s nearness to us ... She extends an invitation to all men and women to enter into communion with the Father. At the same time, Mary encourages all of us to enter into greater communion with one another ...” (John Paul II, “Address”, 13 December 1987)
On a pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Pope John Paul II prayed: “Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas ... behold how great is the harvest. Intercede before the Lord for us so our hunger for sanctity in the world may increase ... May all the faithful strive to follow Christ closely. May the life of each one be filled with loving and humble service, carried out for the glory of God and the good of all souls.” (Ibid, “Prayer of Petition”, 27 January 1979)
Our Lady’s efficacious intercession has always prepared the way for the work of evangelization of nations. We cannot even imagine carrying out the apostolate of friendship and confidence without the help of Our Lady.
We ask Our Lady of Guadalupe: “Queen of Apostles, accept our complete readiness to work for the restoration and fulfilment of your Son’s kingdom. May we not withhold anything at all in helping to bring his salvific Will to fruition. May we be completely dedicated to the cause of the Gospel and of ultimate peace ... May our struggle be firmly grounded on justice, and be a stimulus for reciprocal charity ...” (Ibid, op cit)
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:351-8
‘Virgin most merciful. Pray for us.’
On the Divine Attributes
Omnipotence, sanctity, and happiness of God -- Whenever we call to mind the creation of the world, we are at once struck with the omnipotence of God. To create, ie, to make anything out of nothing, presupposes infinite power. God is, therefore, omnipotent.
“By His word the heavens were established, and all the power of them by the spirit of His mouth.” A single act of His will could, as instantly recall the whole into nothing, or as instantly create millions of new worlds.
The sanctity of God, being inherent to His infinite essence, is likewise necessarily infinite. Thus God loves above all things the good that we do, while He hates the evil in like proportion.
God, being infinitely holy, powerful, wise, and just, is necessarily infinitely happy. He is to Himself and in Himself supreme and infinite bliss, from which angels draw for all eternity ever new and endless joys.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp785-7
Dazzled -- “Christ ascended the Cross with his arms wide open, with the all-embracing gesture of the Eternal Priest. Now he counts on us -- who are nothing! -- to bring the fruits of his Redemption to ‘all’ men.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 4)
• Our Lady of Good Tidings at Abbeville, [France]. This little chapel, which is in St. Peter’s priory, has always been much frequented.— Antiquites d’Abbeville. liv. i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Good News (Abbeville, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle” (Our Lady of Good News / Good Tidings). Abbeville, France. Cathedral in Nancy, France. Church in Paris, and name of a region of Paris. Very interesting cross from a chapel in Quimper, France. See September 16, November 19. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, Mexico (1531) (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
And the Forever Whole and Perfect Maiden said: "Comprehend and know, my youngest child, nothing should scare or concern you. Don't worry. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.
Am I not right here who is your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection?
Am I not the foundation of your being, your sustenance, your happiness, peace and effortlessness?
Are you not in the fold of my mantle? Do you need anything else? Don't allow anything to disturb you any more."
Mary the Virgin of Guadeloupe to Juan Diego, December 12, 1531. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
