MY MARIAN REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Today's Message #8 is titled "Watch and Pray".

It is a timely Message, very short and to the point. We are living in some very difficult times. Our Lady speaks about those who have betrayed the Holy Gospel of Christ and have embraced the devil's gospel of Marxism! Now you're thinking "Russia has changed." Well, yes, somewhat, but the Marxist ideologies are still alive and kicking; and still spreading, especially in South America and even in our own country, we have far-left political leaders who betray Christ. And who do you think is supplying the terrorists with their bombs and rockets, communist China. So what Our Lady says here in this message is still true. And those who are spreading these errors are mostly former Catholics, who claim that they are devout, who have apostatized, and are preaching the wrong theology. Watch and pray, Our Lady says, as we witness the great tribulations unfolding around us!
Roman Deacon

THE MOTHER SPEAKS TO BISHOPS, PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS

By "Anne," a Lay Apostle

Message # 10

August 12, 2003

The Blessed Mother

I speak today to all priests and religious. You must re-examine your vocations. Look closely into your vocation and you will see the invitation that God extended to you to serve Him with the gift of your life. Now look closely at your life. Are you doing God's will? Or are you doing your own will? This is an important question, my child. Your salvation and crown in heaven depend upon the answer. Much is expected of you, yes. But not unfairly. You are given every grace and consideration to complete the missions We have entrusted to you. You must ask for these graces, it is true. But be assured, the graces you need are there for the asking. So please spend time today, and in the days to follow, examining your vocation and your life and make certain that one is guided by the other. I will help you. In fact, we will do this together, you and I. Spend time with me, your heavenly mother, and I will help you to understand if there is any area in your life that is not in keeping with the mission God has designed especially for you since the beginning of time. We will then make the necessary corrections, and I must tell you, little soul, consecrated to God, that you will be renewed. You will feel such a wash of joy and peace that you will begin to step with confidence and enthusiasm. Truly every holy duty will hold for you the greatest of consolations and unity to Christ will suffuse your soul. These are promises I am making to you. A mother never breaks her promise, my dear one. Be humble, in doing this. Do not think you must prove anything to me because I know everything. I cannot be fooled and if you are fooling yourself, I will help you to uncover that deception and toss away the cobwebs that have hidden your duty from you. Truly, we will seek out the truth together and together, we will find the truth and set matters right with you.

Do not be afraid of this process, my dear one, because if you let fear stop you, you will face this again, only perhaps not in such a sympathetic environment. A mother is all forgiving and obtains all manner of pardon for her repentant children. But even a mother cannot interfere with divine justice once it has been set in motion. So let us step with courage into the room of your vocation and make certain that all is where it should be.

Be joyful, dear soul of my heart, that I am working so lovingly with you at this time. All of heaven awaits your plea for help so do look up to heaven, and ask these holy predecessors of yours to assist us in this holy process. Your mother is with you and will come to you as soon as you ask me. Great graces, my dear ones, have been set aside for God's consecrated souls so let us not waste even one. I extend my heavenly hands over you now as I place peace in your heart and courage in your soul. Jesus is pleased with your effort to work with your mother in this holy project. Do not disappoint Him. He longs to be united completely with you so that He can save the souls of his children. Remember that you are destined for this work, so the work is for you. Do not be afraid. We will proceed together in this endeavor and soon you will marvel at the graces bestowed upon you. That is all. Your mother blesses you. Be at peace. I am with you.

These messages were excerpted from Volume Three of the Direction for Our Times series given to "Anne," a Lay Apostle. For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Direction for Our Times volumes, please contact Direction for Our Times on the Web at www.directionforourtimes.com, or mail inquiries to the following address: 9000 West 81st St., Justice, IL 60458, U.S.A.

MARY'S LAST YEARS

5. A Most Pure and Virginal Life.
She, ever a Virgin, towards the end of Her life showed a greater love for the flower of virginity with the perfumed memory of Her virtues. She wanted, it would seem, to leave a legacy for our imitation. The one whom the Church in that liturgical anthem "Holy and Immaculate Virginity, we do not know with what human words we could praise thee worthily" greets as virginity itself is Our Mother, the Virgin of virgins. Imitate that external modesty; eagerly conceal at the bottom of your soul the treasure of chastity and purity.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

St. Peter (notice the tiara!)

MY MARIAN REFLECTION FOR TODAY

Notice the change of title. I thought 'reflection' is a better word than 'thoughts'! Anyway, today's reflection is on Message # 7 of the MMP Blue Book titled "Only and Always Mother".

As I look over the words of Our Lady, they speak of how Motherly She is with us. We don't realize how She is working in the background of our lives, supplying all our needs, temporal and spiritual. You say, "Well, it is God who gives us everything!" Yes, that is true, everything comes from the Holy Trinity, but the Almighty has chosen Our Lady to be "Dispenser of All Graces"! Pope St. Pius X calls Mary “the dispenser of all gifts, which Jesus has acquired for us by His death and His blood.” Pope Benedict XV declared: “All gifts which the Author of all good has deigned to communicate to the unhappy posterity of Adam, are, according to the loving resolve of His Divine Providence, dispensed by the hands of the Most Holy Virgin.” The same Pope calls Mary: “the mediatrix with God of all graces.”

And the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: "Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." (#969).

So, let's keep in mind, and constantly thanking God and Our Blessed Mother, that Mary is always there for us, truly and only, always Mothering us!

Speaking of Mother, today's Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul can also remind us that the Church, led by the Pope, is our Mother too! She nourishes us with the Sacraments and leads us to Heaven. Obedience to the Church is obedience to the Will of God and our Gate to the Father's Kingdom. God Bless+
Roman Deacon

The Great Awakening

Mark Mallett

—Spiritual Food For Thought—

The Great Awakening

 

IT is as though the scales are falling from many eyes. Christians around the world are beginning to see and understand the times around them, as though they were waking from a long, deep sleep. As I pondered this, the Scripture came to mind:

Surely the Lord God does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7) 

Today, the prophets are speaking words which in turn are putting flesh on the inner stirrings of many hearts, the hearts of God's servants—His little children. Suddenly, things are making sense, and what people could not put into words before, is now coming into focus before their very eyes.

  
A GENTLE NUDGE

Today, the Blessed Mother is moving quickly and quietly throughout the world, giving gentle nudges to souls, trying to wake them up. She is like the obedient disciple, Ananias, whom Jesus sent to open the eyes of Saul:

So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. (Acts 9:17-19)

This is a good picture of what Mary is doing today. Sent by Jesus, she is gently laying her warm motherly hands upon our hearts in hopes that we will regain our spiritual sight.  By assuring us of God's love, she encourages us to not be afraid to repent from the sin which the Light of Truth receive Her Spouse, the Holy Spirit. Also, Mary points us to the Eucharistic Meal which will help us recover our strength , strength we have either lost or have never developed due to weakness caused by our many years of spiritual blindness.. is revealing in our hearts. In such a way, she wishes to prepare us to

 

STAY AWAKE!

And so, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, if this Mother has awakened you, do not fall asleep again into the slumber of sin. If you have dozed off, then shake yourself awake in a spirit of humility. Let the priest pour cool and refreshing waters of Mercy upon your soul through Confession, and fix your eyes once again upon Jesus, the leader and perfecter of your faith.

Can you not hear Him coming? Can you not hear the thunder of hooves of the Rider upon the White Horse? Yes, though we now live in the final moments of the time of Mercy, He is coming as a Judge. Do not be like the virgins who fell asleep without enough oil in their lamps because the Groom was delayed. There is no delay! God's timing is perfect. Is He not speaking to us of imminence when we see the signs of the times around us? Stay awake! Watch and pray! God is speaking to His servants and His prophets. 

For His secrets are soon to be fulfilled.

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL , TIME OF GRACE | on June 29th, 2007 |

MARY'S LAST YEARS

4. Life of Sacrifice.

a) In obedience, not only to the evangelical laws but also to whatever St. Peter and the apostles ordered for the welfare of the Church. She never asked an exception, She never believed Herself exempt from any rule. She was the first to obey and submit Herself. She saw the representatives of God in those vested with authority. And in their commands She saw the Will of God.

b) In Poverty. She lived on alms as Her Son had done. she was satisfied with whatever distributions the apostles made to the widows and the other poor amongst the faithful. She would never consent to any distinction whatever being made in Her behalf. Many believe that Mary so loved that poverty, which She had seen so fervently and lovingly practiced by Her Son, that She was the first to take the vow of poverty, becoming thereby the model of so many souls who in Her footsteps would eventually choose the way of poverty as an excellent means of sanctification.

c) In Mortification. As St. Ambrose says Her temperance and abstinence were admirable and even heavenly. She would eat in the most simple and ordinary manner. She would very often practice fasts and penances. Equally She would rest only for the minimum time necessary to sustain life. She would spend the greater part of the night in vigil and devote Herself to prayer. Compare your life with Hers and realize how you are not entitled to boast of your little sacrifices.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Early Church Father & Doctor of the Church

This piece on Sts. Peter and Paul is an excerpt from a sermon (Sermo 295, 1-2, 4, 7-8; PL 38, 1348-1352) by St. Augustine, bishop of Hippo, who died in the year 430AD. It is used in the Roman Office of Readings for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29 and shows that as early as the fourth century, Christians celebrated this day in honor of these two apostles and martyrs who laid down their lives for Christ in the Eternal City.

This day has been consecrated for us by the martyrdom of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul. It is not some obscure martyrs we are talking about. "Their sound has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world" (Ps. 19). These martyrs had seen what they proclaimed, they pursued justice by confessing the truth, by dying for the truth.

The blessed Peter, the first of the Apostles, the ardent lover of Christ, who was found worthy to hear, "And I say to you, that you are Peter" (Mat 16:13-20). He himself, you see, had just said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Christ said to him, "And I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church." Upon this rock I will build the faith you have just confessed. Upon your words, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," I will build my Church; because you are Peter. Peter comes from petra, meaning a rock. Peter, “Rocky”, from “rock”; not “rock” from “Rocky”. Peter comes from the word for a rock in exactly the same way as the name Christian comes from Christ.

Before his passion the Lord Jesus, as you know, chose those disciples of his whom he called apostles. Among these it was only Peter who almost everywhere was given the privilege of representing the whole Church. It was in the person of the whole Church, which he alone represented, that he was privileged to hear, "To you will I give the keys of the kingdom of heaven." After all, it is not just one man that received these keys, but the Church in its unity. So this is the reason for Peter’s acknowledged pre-eminence, that he stood for the Church’s universality and unity, when he was told, "To you I am entrusting," what has in fact been entrusted to all. To show you that it is the Church which has received the keys of the kingdom of heaven, listen to what the Lord says in another place to all his apostles: "Receive the Holy Spirit; and immediately afterwards, Whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven them; whose sins you retain, they will be retained" (Jn 20:22-23).

Quite rightly, too, did the Lord after his resurrection entrust his sheep to Peter to be fed (Jn. 21: 15-19). It is not, you see, that he alone among the disciples was fit to feed the Lord’s sheep; but when Christ speaks to one man, unity is being commended to us. And he first speaks to Peter, because Peter is the first among the apostles. Do not be sad, Apostle. Answer once, answer again, answer a third time. Let confession conquer three times with love, because self-assurance was conquered three times by fear. What you had bound three times must be loosed three times. Loose through love what you had bound through fear. And for all that, the Lord once, and again, and a third time, entrusted his sheep to Peter.

There is one day for the passion of two apostles. But these two also were as one; although they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, Paul followed. We are celebrating a feast day, consecrated for us by the blood of the apostles. Let us love their faith, their lives, their labors, their sufferings, their confession of faith, their preaching.

Be sure to read Saint Leo the Great's article on Sts. Peter and Paul!

For more information on these Early Church Fathers come to read St. Cyprian's writings about Sts. Peter and Paul!

For more on the Early Church Martyrs, click here!

For more Catholic resources to feed your faith, visit the Crossroads Initiative Homepage.

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Peter, the Pope and Infallibility –

There are so many questions that our Protestant brother and sisters ask about the Papacy – this CD/AT by Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio will shed light on the history of the Papacy and will help you answer many of the common questions that they raise!

CD - $9.00 Audio Tape - $9.00

The Fathers of the Church - Who They Are and Why They Matter

In a single, upbeat talk, full of examples and fascinating stories about some of the Church's most intriguing personalities, Marcellino D'Ambrosio explains who people are talking about when they refer to the "Fathers of the Church" or "Early Church Fathers. Though the ranks of the fathers include a tremendous variety of cultures, locales, and personalities, there is surprising consensus that emerges from them on a variety of the most pressing questions of our day. In this dynamic talk, Marcellino makes clear just how much these figures have to teach us.

THE MOTHER SPEAKS TO BISHOPS, PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS

By "Anne," a Lay Apostle

Message #9

August 12, 2003

The Blessed Mother

My son, you must stand firmly with your mother during this time. It is for this you have been prepared. I am with you now in a special way and I will not leave you. You will need to remain recollected but that is easy for one who prays. I want to talk to you about salvation. There are many who do not even consider their salvation so they do not see sin as a threat. They often do not consider the idea of sin at all. There is a great deal of time spent on the consideration of why someone has committed a sin. These are diversions, my dear one. The evil one diverts attention from the sin itself and creates a dialogue where a dialogue is unnecessary. Each soul is to be held accountable for the sins he or she commits. That is quite simple. Certainly Jesus, as final judge, will take into account every factor that was involved in every sin, but the deed will stand alone and there will be no such dialogue at the time of judgment.

You see, my dear one, this modern world is so unused to the truth that the truth is deemed too difficult for people. But once the truth is again spoken, people will recognize it for what it is and cling to it. I must tell you that sinners, even those committing the grossest of sins, will cast off their evil habits and return to the Son of Man with the greatest of remorse and joy. Many of our children are being convinced that sin is not sin. They are told that sin is a choice or decision they can make and that it has to do with culture or development. Any ridiculous notion is absorbed as truth while the ones who tell the Truth are scorned and flagellated as though they lie and try to inflict pain. We must concentrate on the fundamentals, my son. Salvation is not available for those who follow the path of darkness. They find themselves lured to the evil one and often they cannot or do not extricate themselves in time. We will take these souls back now with a courageous focus on the Truth. God, your heavenly Father, who is all goodness, has given me authority over this preparation time. It is with this authority I speak today and with this authority I intend to bring about the plan for the salvation for this world. You, my son, are to play a part in that plan.

These messages were excerpted from Volume Three of the Direction for Our Times series given to "Anne," a Lay Apostle. For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Direction for Our Times volumes, please contact Direction for Our Times on the Web at www.directionforourtimes.com, or mail inquiries to the following address: 9000 West 81st St., Justice, IL 60458, U.S.A.

MY MARIAN THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Today's Message is #6 in the MMP Blue Book and it is titled: "Let It Be I Who Act".

Mother Mary starts off wondering why we are so worried and troubled? And certainly we have many worries and troubles these days, which are becoming so evil in so many ways. And so we think "What is going to happen to us next? Will we be attacked here in the USA again? What is happening to this country regarding respect for life? Why is immorality spreading everywhere, even in the schools. Why is the Catholic Church being attacked and mocked, especially by movie stars and even our own politicians?

Our Lady says to entrust yourself like a little child to Her, as a child lets itself be led by its mother. Do not worry about tomorrow! By consecrating yourself to Mary's Immaculate Heart, She will take care of your future! She will shape you, protect you, and ACT through you! You will become a new person; you must die to yourself and become an image of Jesus, our Lord. And so you will suffer (Jesus suffered); you will be misunderstood (Jesus was misunderstood, even called a devil); You will be ignored and trampled upon [boy do I know about that] (Jesus was almost pushed off a cliff by His own towns-people). But Our Lady says by imitating Jesus in these things, you will be an good example to others and they in turn will listen to you when you speak about the Faith!

Mary's last words today are "I love you; I love you so very much!" How could we not do what She wants?
Roman Deacon

MARY'S LAST YEARS

3. Eucharistic Life.
Her life during those years must have been an intense Eucharistic life. Who could ever receive Holy Communion with Her fervor? If Holy Communion is the most intimate union of the soul with God, how fervent would Her Communions be! It would seem to Her that the Incarnation was renewed in every Holy Communion. On receiving Jesus She would again feel the effective, real and true presence of Her Son. Not a day would pass without Her receiving Our Lord. For Her Holy Communion would be the central action of every day. The whole day would seem too short for Her preparation and thanksgiving.

If the saints say that one Holy Communion would suffice to make a saint, what effects would it have on the soul of Our Lady? In many souls the effects of Holy Communion are conspicuous. Try then to guess what Holy Communion means for Mary. You should also center your life around the Holy Eucharist. Holy Communion and visits to the Blessed Sacrament must be the most important acts of your life. Remember Mary, imitate Her, pray to Her, entreat Her not to abandon you and ask Her to teach you how to receive Holy Communion well.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE MOTHER SPEAKS TO BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND RELIGIOUS

By "Anne," a Lay Apostle

Message #8.

August 11, 2003

The Blessed Mother

I am concerned about the lack of follow through on the part of my priest sons. Too often, they are given direction from the Holy Father, and they listen, and intend to follow the instructions, but then do not. We must have a universal adherence to the guidance and directives of the Pope. Priests must agree to be led by this holy man. In fact, they do agree to be led by him when they are ordained. So now we must have a rededication to our Holy Father, whom I have chosen especially for this time in history. My dear son, the only way to proceed is in unity. But unity does not mean a compromise with the teachings of your holy mother, the Church. Unity does not mean we adapt to the teachings of other churches, not led by my Son's chosen Vicar. On the contrary, unity means we set the standard and be firm in our conviction that Christ established this Church and He will guide it and steer it through these decisive times.

My son, there is really no battle left. Yes, the darkness remains, but only briefly. God has decreed that the time of the evil one is over. He will soon exert dominion over your earth. What is left to do is the work of salvation. We must do whatever is necessary to salvage souls from this spiritual waste land. Your part deals with the reassertion of the authority of the Church. No more compromise. The rules are dear. There is no need and no benefit to extended discussion. And this is the course I want you to take. Loving firmness. All of God's children are welcome in heaven, assuming the correct posture of repentance, but that does not mean that we are going to do away with the Church God decided would lead humanity. The Church is nearly finished with her passion. A New Time is upon us now and the Church will take her rightful place as the leader in this new Age of Obedience. You will help to make this happen. Be at peace and meditate on these words in the presence of Jesus, because it is there, in your soul, you will receive your instructions. I am asking you for a great effort at alignment of your will right now. You must be disciplined in this regard. See this with great joy, my son, and you will please your mother. Many are called but few are chosen and I tell you now, you are chosen for this work. Be at peace. Your mother blesses you and protects you while you organize your priorities.

These messages were excerpted from Volume Three of the Direction for Our Times series given to "Anne," a Lay Apostle. For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Direction for Our Times volumes, please contact Direction for Our Times on the Web at www.directionforourtimes.com, or mail inquiries to the following address: 9000 West 81st St., Justice, IL 60458, U.S.A

MY MARIAN THOUGHTS FOR TODAY . . .

Message #5 in the MMP Blue Book is titled "I will be your Leader," and it was given on July 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Now you all know how devoted I am to OLMC! I have Her picture posted on my Blog and I wear the Brown Scapular. So let's see what She has to say to us today . . .

First of all, Our Lady tells us that She picked us to be in Her Movement because we are so inadequate and helpless! Well, I can second that! If anyone is more weak and total nothingness than me, I wouldn't believe it! And that's why I totally rely on Mother Mary for everything in my life. I place myself in Her arms as a little baby, needing nourishment and love. Try it, you'll like it!

So, Mary reminds us that She is the Leader of the army She has formed and this army is hidden, like Jesus was, in Her womb. In this hiddenness, She is forming us for the great battle that is coming soon! And Mary is calling us from every walk of life and from everywhere! We are to be united as brothers and sisters, loving, understanding and helping each other spiritually. Mary says we must allow Her to form each one of us by entrusting ourselves to Her, just as Jesus entrusted Himself totally to Her; then She will be able to take care of us completely!

As we are formed by Mother Mary, we will have Her love for the Pope and the Church that is united to him; and She will prepare us for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus, even with shedding our blood, martyrdom! Wow! Are you ready for that? If it comes to that, Mary will give us the strength to bear it. She says the devil has formed his army too! When the right time comes, She will call us out into the open to the big fight for the Glory of God!

Every day let us consecrate ourselves to Mary's Immaculate Heart so that she can use us for the reign of God's Kingdom on earth. God Bless+
ROMAN DEACON

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
Feast Day June 27

"He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." (St. Luke 1:49)

Some say this Icon (its style is Byzantine) was painted by St. Luke, the Evangelist. Only in Heaven will we know for sure; but for many years it was venerated in a Roman church, where many favors and miracles were obtained.
In 1812, the French Army took possession of Rome and the picture; and it disappeared for about forty years until it was discovered by the Redemptorists. On April 26, 1866, St. Alphonsus Liguori brought it to his church where Blessed Pius IX himself was one of the first to visit the Image at its new home. In 1867, he had it solemnly crowned and about ten years later granted a proper Mass and Office for the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, translated Our Lady of Perpetual Help, as the picture was then and has ever since been called.

Lets take a close look at this miraculous Image. Notice Her eyes--entreating, even begging us to come to Her in all our miseries. In the "Hail Holy Queen" prayer we are always asking Our Lady to "turn thine eyes of mercy towards us"! In Mary's eyes we see so much--Her desire to help us, Her desire that we come to Her and ask for help. We see Her pity for our needs of body and soul. Those eyes draw us to Her!

Notice the small lips to show that Mary spoke very little, and yet, when She did speak, She spoke wisely and kindly. And most of Her speech was directed to God. "He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." (St. Luke 1:49) These words are from the Magnificat, the song Our Lady sang in glorifying the Lord who had done so much for Her.

At the top of the painting, on either side, are four large Greek letters M P O U, which means Mother of God. Over the Child there are four small letters I C X C, which means Jesus Christ. The Greek letters over the angel, who holds a spear and a reed with a sponge on it, instruments of the passion, show that it is the Archangel Michael. The other angel with the cross and the nails is the Archangel Gabriel.

The Divine Child is represented as holding a vision of His passion. In fact, He is staring at the cross, which He embraced all His short life! Notice the sandal slipping off His right foot; there is an ancient tradition that tells us what this signifies, that upon seeing the cross, the Child Jesus ran so fast to His Mother's arms that one of His sandals came loose.

Notice Jesus clasping Mary's hand, teaching us to go to Her in every need, spiritual and temporal. Our Lady's right hand is reaching out to Her children. Mother Mary is always there with Her perpetually helping hand, with the grace and power God gave Her, even miracles.

Yes, Our Lord gives us a divine example, to do what He did, put our hand into the hand of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Amen.
Roman Deacon

MARY'S LAST YEARS

2. Life of Fervor.
There is no sanctity without fervor. How great, then, was the fervor of Mary since Her sanctity was so high. Can you even imagine that She could do anything carelessly, ungracefully, distractedly, only through compulsion? She is always endeavoring to serve God as real handmaid, always better and always more; with an ever increasing charity, uprightness of intention, interest.

On the road to sanctity, to stop is to go back. Imagine, then, how great must have been the growth in virtue of that Heavenly Lady. While thinking of this be ashamed of yourself in Her presence. She, always pure, always holy, always full of grace, strives nevertheless ceaselessly after the better, never stopping while we, what are we doing? Let our heart give the answer.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

MY MARIAN THOUGHTS

THE REASON FOR MY TEARS is the title of Message #4 from the Blue Book.

Our Lady was so pleased when Fr. Gobbi paid homage to Her Image that shed tears and is now a famous shrine. Father celebrated Mass there and Mother Mary thanked him for his love and consolation which changed Her tears into joy!

How about us? Do we honor Our Lady's images? Do we offer reparation and try to console the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. I remember at Fatima that the angel asked the three seers to do that. Mary says that many are indifferent to these tears and they are shed in vain. Now you ask, what are the reasons for Our Lady's tears?

They are manifold:
For the great number of atheists who live as if there is no God.

For those who are living impure lives and are rushing to hell. Again at Fatima, Mary said that most souls go to hell because of the sin of impurity!

For those who no longer love Her, especially consecrated souls.

For those who don't believe in or listen to Jesus' words in the Gospel.

For those who deny Jesus True Presence in the Eucharist.

For sacrilegious Communions.

For those who are not united with the Holy Father and the Church of Rome.

But Our Lady says that She loves and blesses each one of us who are consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart, whom She calls Her cohort, her army; and She is the Head! Thank you, Blessed Mother, for your love. I unite myself with all those children of yours who are offering reparation and homage to your Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in all the tabernacles of the world!
Roman Deacon

It is only through reflecting upon
the Passion that we come to know
how much we are truly loved.

Meditation 74

MARY'S LAST YEARS

We do not know for certain but it is easy to guess how Our Heavenly Mother passed the last years of Her life. First it must have been a life of prayer. The whole life of Our lady was a life of prayer since She never lost sight of the presence of God either before or after the Incarnation. However, towards the end of Her life this prayer was bound to be even more intense. How could She spend one single moment without thinking of Her beloved Son? Would She not think of Him constantly? Would She not incessantly recall His words, His miracles, His preaching, His passion and death, His Resurrection and ascension, His love for men?

The Gospel says that Mary used to keep whatever Jesus said even from childhood deep in Her heart. And apart alone She would meditate on it. Could She now live without this meditation, She who only lived of Jesus and for Jesus?

On the other hand Her duties as Mother were already terminated. Her household work no longer occupied Her for She was lovingly taken care of in the house of St. John. Consequently, all Her time would be spent conversing with Her Son, Her God. It is natural to suppose that often, perhaps daily, She would visit the spots sanctified by the one-time presence of Her Son. Accompany Her on these visits and see Her enter the Garden of Olives, to spend there a long while remembering the agony of Jesus. See Her climb Mount Calvary, one by one going over the stations of the cross, prostrating Herself at the place of the crucifixion, kissing the tombstone of the Holy Sepulcher and returning once more through the streets of sorrows as She did on the day of Her solitude.

Ask Our Lady to accompany you; especially when you make the stations of the cross or meditate on the passion. How devout and loving would the prayer of this Virgin be!

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

THE MOTHER SPEAKS TO BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND RELIGIOUS

Message #7.

August 11, 2003

The Blessed Mother

My son, I wish to tell you about Our plan for you. You are to be the recipient of the graces necessary to implement this plan for priests. It is through you we wish to send information, instruction, and grace. For a time, We will communicate in this way. Later, We will communicate more directly. Be assured, dear one, that mistakes are not possible in this endeavor because it will be Our work and therefore divine. In the beginning, much groundwork must be laid. This will involve talking to a great many priests about commitment and renewal. You will want to assess whether or not certain men are willing to follow your direction in a dedicated fashion. We want follow through now and will not tolerate anything less than a full implementation of this plan. Let nothing remain undone if you feel We are asking you to do it. Such faith you are practicing but you are not alone and you will soon be apprised of others who are being asked to work in this way. Our plan is perfect. It cannot be improved upon. So remain focused on its simplicity and you will find your way easy. So easy, you will wonder. But it is to be this easy because of the vast amount of grace attached, grace that was not available at any other time in history. This life-saving grace is what is going to move this plan and persuade souls that this is the only way for each of their lives at this time.

Such relief and joy will be felt, my son, because my poor priests suffer silently. They suffer in isolation, even from each other, because none want to admit that they feel empty and directionless. Only the few who are relying on me, their heavenly mother, continue to experience the flow of grace. Again I say, this is because of the great darkness. My son, spend much time in prayer now. Limit conversation because you are being infused with both knowledge and love. The love in your heart will be from Christ and will steady you in such a way that your only course is Our course. How grateful We are for souls willing to serve. Have no fear. We are with you and all of heaven stands ready to assist with your mission."

These messages were excerpted from Volume Three of the Direction for Our Times series given to "Anne," a Lay Apostle. For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Direction for Our Times volumes, please contact Direction for Our Times on the Web at www.directionforourtimes.com, or mail inquiries to the following address: 9000 West 81st St., Justice, IL 60458, U.S.A

UPDATE FROM MEDJUGORJE

Monday	June 25, 2007

Medjugorje 26th Anniversary

The above audio is the novena prayers prayed after the Croation mass by Jakov, Mirjana, Ivanka, Marija, and Ivan.

June 25, 2007 - Five of the Six visionaries from left to right: Ivan, Jakov, Mirjana, Ivanka, Marija, praying the novena prayers after the evening mass.

Our Lady's Monthly Message

Tonight’s evening apparition to Marija was held in the small Adoration Chapel near the Church of St. James. It was here that Our Lady gave the monthly message to the world, on this special 26th anniversary of Her apparitions, June 25, 2007. After leaving the Adoration Chapel, Marija spoke to the founder of Caritas and said that Our Lady had given a very beautiful message this evening. Croatian Mass followed the Rosary and apparition, and then for the second evening in a row, five of the six visionaries gathered in the area of the altar to end the novena of prayers to Our Lady for the anniversary, as well as pray the 7,7,7 prayers. It was a very moving scene to see the original visionaries together again after all these years. Mirjana, Ivanka, Ivan, Marija and Jakov took turns praying the prayers. Vicka, who is still recovering from a back injury, was not able to be present. Tens of thousands of pilgrims, after Mass was finished, streamed through the fields and vineyards to attend Ivan’s prayer group where Our Lady appeared at 10:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Medjugorje's June 25, 2007 Monthly Message to the World given through Marija:

“Dear children! Also today, with great joy in my heart, I call you to conversion. Little children, do not forget that you are all important in this great plan, which God leads through Medjugorje. God desires to convert the entire world and to call it to salvation and to the way towards Himself, who is the beginning and the end of every being. In a special way, little children, from the depth of my heart, I call you all to open yourselves to this great grace that God gives you through my presence here. I desire to thank you for the sacrifices and prayers. I am with you and I bless you all. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Ivanka's Annual Apparition

Ivanka is pictured here at the church after having the apparition of Our Lady in her home. The excitement of waking up this morning knowing that she would be seeing Our Lady once again, ends with the bittersweet realization that she must wait another entire year before seeing Our Lady again.

The visionary Ivanka Elez received Our Lady in her home, for her annual apparition today, June 25th 2007. Ivanka’s last daily apparition was on May 7, 1985 and on that day, after Our Lady confided to her the 10th secret, She promised to appear to Ivanka every year on the anniversary of the apparitions, until her death.

Today’s apparition to Ivanka lasted 17 minutes. Ivanka’s husband and their three children were present for the apparition. Following is the description of the apparition from Ivanka:

“Our Lady remained with me for 17 minutes. She was joyful and spoke to me about Her life. Our Lady said:

‘Dear children, receive my motherly blessing.’ ”

Ivan's Prayer Group Apparition

This picture was taken at 9:05 p.m. the night of June 25, 2007, less than an hour before Our Lady came in Her apparition to Ivan. She gave no message this night, but the apparition lasted a long time, in which She prayed over everyone gathered. Ivan ended the evening by encouraging everyone to live the message Our Lady had given to the world just hours earlier to Marija.

Ivan's prayer group apparition took place on Apparition Hill at 10:00 PM. Following is Ivan's description of the apparition:

Tonight, when Our Lady came She was very, very happy. She came with three angels and greeted us by saying,

“Praised be Jesus, my dear little children.”

Our Lady then prayed a long time with Her hands extended over all of us and blessed us all with Her Motherly Blessing, and gave a blessing for all religious articles, Rosaries, everything that you brought for blessing. I then recommended all your intentions, petitions, all your families, and especially for all those who are sick. Then Our Lady continued to pray a long time with Her hands extended over all of us. I then prayed an Our Father and a Glory Be with Our Lady. And after finishing this prayer, Our Lady spoke to me, just for me, privately. And after She finished this conversation, Our Lady left saying

“Go in peace, my little children.”

This is tonight, important for meeting. You know Our Lady give message for all in the world through Marija. You need to live this message, this last message, Our Lady gave today.

Apparition Hill - June 25, 2007 - 9:38 PM.

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LIVE WEBCAM OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT!

LIVE WEBCAM OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT!

Here's the url for this Web Site where there is 24 hour online devotion and viewing of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament!

http://www.savior.org/devotions.htm

clipped from 68.gmodules.com

Monthly Message of June 25, 2007 “Dear children! Also today, with great joy in my heart, I call you to conversion. Little children, do not forget that you are all important in this great plan, which God leads through Medjugorje. God desires to convert the entire world and to call it to salvation and to the way towards Himself, who is the beginning and the end of every being. In a special way, little children, from the depth of my heart, I call you all to open yourselves to this great grace that God gives you through my presence here. I desire to thank you for the sacrifices and prayers. I am with you and I bless you all. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

**More will be added later as Ivanka's and Ivan's Apparitions will be made available.

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MY MARIAN THOUGHTS

Here's my thoughts on Message #3 from Our Lady in the M.M.P. Blue Book.

Today Our Lady is reminding us how happy She is with us! Imagine that! How many times do we feel downhearted and wondering if God really loves me? We think that all our prayers and good works are not helping us get closer to God. But Mother Mary is saying "My child, I am so pleased with your efforts to come closer to Us! Look deeply into your soul and see how everything around you bores you now; you are no longer happy in this world, you want to leave this planet and go to Heaven to be with Us."
Well, this is a special grace from God and a virtue called 'detachment'! It is a sure sign that God loves you and is drawing you to Himself, little by little. So be happy and let Our Lady take possession of you; let Her run your life, let Her mother you, let Her act in and through you for the glory of God!
You know, Jesus was with His Mother Mary for thirty years before He started His mission of proclaiming the Father's Kingdom and then dying for us so that we can enter that Kingdom. From the moment He was born, Mary fed Him, cleaned Him, clothed Him, taught Him , suffered with Him! Now She wants to do the same with you! Open your heart to Her and taste the sweetness of the Immaculate and motherly Heart of Mary! Have courage! Mother Mary says She will always be with you! Roman Deacon

MARY AND THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

4. The Holy Spirit Within Us.
Do not forget that at Baptism you also received the Holy Spirit. It was He who made you a child of God. You received Him in Confirmation where He strengthened you in your faith and took you under His protection. By means of sanctifying grace you constantly receive Him in all the Sacraments through the effusion of the divine life. Do not forget that the Holy Spirit dwells in souls as in His living temple and therefore you have Him close in your very heart. It is He who sustains, helps enlightens and leads you along the way of sanctity. Thank Him for His inexhaustible love which never tires of you or of your ingratitude. Promise that you will correspond better to His divine gifts. That you will labor with more effort and will cooperate with more interest with the work of grace.

Entrust this task to Our Heavenly Mother that She may prepare your heart as She did with the hearts of the Apostles. She will render fruitful and abiding the coming of the Holy Spirit into your soul.

[Excerpted from 'MARIAN MEDITATIONS' Book by Rev. Dr. Ildefonso R. Villar, Salesian Philippine Province, Nihil Obstat; Imprimatur]

MY MARIAN THOUGHTS

I'm posting some of my meditations based of the different Messages of Our Lady to Fr. Gobbi in the blue book titled "To the Priests, Our Lady's Beloved Sons." These Messages are for everyone who is Consecrated to Mother Mary and is trying to grow spiritually.

In Message #2, Mary is trying to help us grow spiritually by reminding us to be detached from this world. Sure we have to live in it; we have to work to support ourselves or our family; we have to deal with issues that could cramp our life style, especially when it comes to practicing our Faith, but by giving up reading newspapers or watching TV, we can deal more directly with the problems of our personal life, our family's needs and our own spirituality. Mary wants us to focus on Her and let Her inspire you on what to do and not be guided by the mass media which will send you down the wrong road. Now you ask, "How can I break away from this habit of watching TV or reading newspapers every day?" The answer Our Lady gives is "Prayer!" We need to pray more and keep our minds on God. The more you pray, the more you will relish it and be consoled in it. Why not try Mary's advise today? Pray, pray pray!
Roman Deacon

Here is another powerful post from my friend Mark Mallett:

Triumph of Mary, Triumph of the Church

St. John Bosco’s Dream of the Two Pillars

WHAT is this "triumph of the Immaculate Heart" that Mary has spoken of? It is also the simultaneous triumph of the Church.

THE HEEL OF MARY

We see this concurrent triumph of Mary and the Church foreshadowed in the Garden of Eden:

I will put enmities between you (Satan) and the woman, and your seed and her seed: she shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait for her heel. (Genesis 3:15; Douay-Rheims)

What will crush Satan, but the little remnant flock who form her heel? Her seed is Jesus, and thus we, His body, are her seed as well by virtue of our Baptism. Do not expect to see Mary suddenly appear in the heavens with a chain in her hand to personally bind Satan. Rather, expect to find her beside her children, with the chain of the Rosary in her hand, teaching them how to become like Christ. For when you and I become "another Christ" on earth, then we rightly set about destroying evil through the weapons of faith, hope, and love.

Then the legion of little souls, victims of merciful Love, will become as numerous ‘as the stars of heaven and the sands of the seashore’. It will be terrible to Satan; it will help the Blessed Virgin to crush his proud head completely. —St. Thérése of Lisieux

This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

Note, that Genesis says Satan also has "seed."

Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus. (Rev 12:17)

Satan wages war through his "army," those who follow after the "lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" (1 Jn 2:16). What is our victory, then, but to conquer the hearts of Satan’s children with love and mercy? The martyrs, "the seed of the Church" in particular, conquer evil by their ineffable witness to the truth of the Gospel. Satan’s kingdom will eventually fall, then, by the obedience, humility, and charity of little "red" and "white" martyrs formed by Mary. These form the "armies of heaven" that with Jesus will throw the Beast and the False Prophet into the Lake of Fire:

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war… And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses… The beast was captured, and with it the false prophet… These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone. (Rev 19:11, 14, 20,)

THE ARK OF VICTORY

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (Rev 11:19)

(As I write you now, an extraordinary storm has broken out all around us with tremendous lightning and peals of thunder!)

Mary is the one appointed by Jesus to lead the Church to the Era of Peace. We see this foreshadowed when the Israelites, under Joshua, follow the Ark of the Covenant into the Promised Land:

When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord, your God, which the levitical priests will carry, you must break camp and follow it, that you may know the way to take, for you have not gone over this road before. (Joshua 3:3-4)

Yes, Mary is calling us to "break camp" with the world and follow her lead through these treacherous times. Like the Israelites entering the Promised Land, it is a road the Church has never gone over as it prepares to enter a new Era. Ultimately, Mary will accompany us to surround "the wall" of the enemy as did Joshua and the Israelites when they surrounded the wall of Jericho.

Joshua had the priests take up the ark of the Lord. The seven priests bearing the ram’s horns marched in front of the ark of the Lord… on the seventh day, beginning at daybreak, they marched around the city seven times in the same manner… As the horns blew, the people began to shout… the wall collapsed, and the people stormed the city in a frontal attack and took it. (Joshua 5:13-6:21)

Part of the remnant will be those bishops and priests whom Satan could not sweep away into apostasy. Some scripture scholars suggest that approximately two thirds of the hierarchy will not apostasize (see Rev 12:4). These "seven priests" bearing the ram’s horns (bishop’s miter) are not behind, but ahead of the ark carrying the seven Sacraments, symbolized by the number "seven" in this text. Do you see how the Mother always puts Jesus first?

Indeed, Satan’s attempts to entirely extinguish the Sacraments will meet utter failure, his grand efforts collapsing in an instant like the wall of Jericho. The Church will enter "at daybreak" into a new Era in which the Holy Spirit will descend in a Second Pentecost, and Christ will reign through His Sacramental presence. It will be an age of saints, with souls growing in unparalleled sanctity, united to the will of God, forming a spotless and pure Bride… while Satan remains chained in the abyss.

This will be the ultimate victory, the triumph of Mary, when evil is conquered in the hearts of the Church, until that final loosing of Satan, and the return of Jesus in glory.

In these "end times," ushered in by the Son’s redeeming Incarnation, the Spirit is revealed and given, recognized and welcomed as a person. Now can this divine plan, accomplished in Christ, the firstborn and head of the new creation, be embodied in mankind by the outpouring of the Spirit: as the Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. —Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 686

If before that final end there is to be a period, more or less prolonged, of triumphant sanctity, such a result will be brought about not by the apparition of the person of Christ in Majesty but by the operation of those powers of sanctification which are now at work, the Holy Ghost and the Sacraments of the Church. —The Teaching of the Catholic Church; cited from The Splendour of Creation, Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi, p.86