Sunday, September 30, 2007





THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD


Title: The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life
Creator(s): Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)
(Translator and Editor)
Print Basis:
Rights: Public Domain
CCEL Subjects: All; Classic; Mysticism; Proofed
LC Call no: BX2349 .H42
LC Subjects:

Christian Denominations

Roman Catholic Church

Practical religion. Christian life
_________________________________________________________________

The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life

being Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence

Good when He gives,

supremely good;

Nor less when He denies: Afflictions,

from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise.

AUTHENTIC EDITION

LONDON

THE EPWORTH PRESS

(Edgar C Barton)

25-35 City Road, E.C.1
_________________________________________________________________

PREFACE

“I believe in the ... communion of saints.”

SURELY if additional proof of its reality were needed, it might be found in
the universal oneness of experimental Christianity in all ages and in all
lands. The experiences of Thomas รก Kempis, of Tauler and of Madame Guyon, of
John Woolman and Hester Ann Rogers, how marvellously they agree, and how
perfectly they harmonize! And Nicholas Herman, of Lorraine, whose letters
and converse are here given, testifies to the same truth! In communion with
Rome, a lay brother among the Carmelites, for several years a soldier, in an
irreligious age, amid a sceptical people, yet in him the practice of the
presence of GOD was as much a reality as the “watch” of the early Friends,
and the “holy seed” in him and others was the “stock” (Isa. vi. 16) from
which grew the household and evangelistic piety of the eighteenth century,
of Epworth and of Moorfields.

“When unadorned, adorned the most” is the line which deters from any
interpolations or interpretations other than the few “contents” headings
which are given. May the “Christ in you” be the “hope of glory” to all who
read.


Saturday, September 29, 2007





FEAST OF STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL, RAPHAEL
ARCHANGELS


Check this site out for some good insight about these wonderful Angels:


http://www.catholicculture.org/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm

Friday, September 28, 2007

THE BLESSED MOTHER SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION





    HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

 



By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Blessed Mother

My dearest little child, you need not be so sad. I am with you and I will take care of you. When you do not feel heaven's presence, it is only because you have turned away. It does not mean we are not there with you, interceding for you, watching you closely, and protecting you as you suffer. I love you most tenderly and I see that your heart is heavy and burdened. I do not like to see anyone suffering, ever, but I understand that it can be heaven's will. I watched my poor little Son suffer terribly, and while I objected through my entire soul, I understood that heaven's plan was more important and more productive than a mother's plan. God's plans must always come first, of course, if we are followers of God. And there is no other way to happiness.

Please, dear child of heaven, trust me that I will remain with you through your cross and that I will obtain all that you need to persevere through this trial. I will help you in many quiet ways that you cannot see. I will always be there with you. Seek out my assistance. I will go to the Throne of God and bring you with me. I will say, God, our good Father, please grant this treasured little soul everything needed for peace and calm. God is so softhearted. He will not refuse us. I am your mother and I understand your pain. I am here to help you and you must believe that you are cherished by heaven. I trust my Son in everything. So must you. You cannot know the totality of His goodness or the totality of His love for you, but you will believe your mother when she tells you that you should place all of your hope in Him.



For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 











--
Posted By RomanCatholic Deacon to MARY, OUR MOTHER at 9/23/2007 06:58:00 PM

--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"



--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

Fr. Tom Euteneuer: Who Is Like Unto God?




 
  Spirit & Life®
"The words I spoke to you are spirit and life." (Jn 6:63)
Human Life International e-Newsletter
Volume 01, Number 86 | September 28, 2007
..................................................................................
Who Is Like Unto God?

Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of the holy Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Each year, this feast gives us a golden opportunity to renew our friendship with the angels who are given for our spiritual benefit and are eager to assist us in our battle against the principalities and powers of the world of darkness. We need only to ask their assistance and their guidance on our way to heaven.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the glorious prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, the most potent of all God's helpers. We start with his name: "Michael" is of Hebrew origin and, literally translated, means, "Who Is Like Unto God?" It is actually a composite of three little Hebrew words that form one phrase: "Mi" (pronounced "mee" and meaning "who?"); "cha" (pronounced "ka" and meaning "like"), and "el" (the Hebrew name for "God.") The phrase, "Who is like unto God?" is not a statement about this angel being so close or similar to God - no one can claim that. Rather, it is a rhetorical question. It is what Michael uttered in his disbelief that someone would claim to be like God. That someone was another angel named Lucifer.

Tradition has it that Lucifer, the sublime Seraphim, ranked highest in the order of angels and proudly asserted that he wanted to "be like the Most High" (see Isaiah 14:14 for this). One faithful angel of a lower rank, unable to countenance the impudence of a creature thinking he were equal to God, courageously stood up in the divine assembly to defend the rights of God with a rebuke that issued from the depths of his being as a question something like: "And just who could possibly claim to be like God?" And so "Mi-cha-el" became his name.

Michael then cast Lucifer out of heaven with all his rebellious companions. No creature that rejects the sovereignty of God could ever remain in heaven. Michael is thus the defender of the rights of God and the one who manhandles the strongest of the demons. We have him to thank for showing us that proud Satan can actually be defeated and that the rights of God can be vindicated against all blasphemers.

Does God really have rights? You better believe it! The Lord of Heaven and Earth has, above all, the supreme right to be worshipped by all creation. God doesn't need our worship in an absolute sense, but all creatures need very much to worship Him and keep Him in the first place in our lives because that is how the order of the universe is maintained. When creatures replace Him with idols or arrogantly suppose that they, as creatures, are gods, then all things fall apart and man loses the very meaning of his life. God is the divine center that holds all things together and, as such, He has an absolute right to be worshipped by His creation.

Today we need St. Michael's aid more than ever. Never in the history of humanity has Satan convinced so many people to set up false idols to replace the worship of the True God. Never has Satan been so successful in getting people to abandon the worship of God and obedience to the moral law on such a massive scale. In the same way, never have we seen so much blasphemous conduct disseminated with such intensity throughout the human community by the power of modern communications; nor have we ever seen the glorification of Satan given such pride of place in the entertainment business.

We need a powerful and glorious angel to teach us to defend the rights of God again. St. Michael has been doing this since before time began and is eminently equipped to teach us to make sure that God remains as the absolute center of our lives and our society. Let us turn to St. Michael on his feast day and thank him for defending God and us against "the wickedness and snares of the devil." Let us invoke his protection over our loved ones and renew our friendship with him again on his feastday.

 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,


Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer,
President, Human Life International








Thursday, September 27, 2007


LATE NIGHT REFLECTION

A Good Friday Message #97, titled, 'See if There Is a Greater Sorrow.'

Again Our Lady is talking to her priest-sons about Her great sorrow of Good Friday. She describes Jesus' sufferings as She saw it; first He's abandoned, then scourged and crowned with thorns, next He is carrying the heavy Cross with great difficulty on His poor shoulders. He falls, His legs give out under the weight! No one pity's Him; He receives only hatred, hostility and indifference.

At that very moment, the Father gives Jesus the comfort of His Mother. Mother Mary says, think of that comfort and the pain of this meeting along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief)! Jesus looks at His Mother and a wound opens up in Our Lady's Heart that has never healed! Our Lady watched the entire crucifixion. She was full of sorrow for Her divine Son and for us!

Today the Lord continues His sacred Passion in His Mystical Body, the Church. Again Our Lady is in pain remembering the villainous betrayal of Judas and the present day betrayal of many of Her priest-sons. And She cries out in tears: "O priests, why do you betray and persist in your treason against My Son Jesus? Why don't you repent and return?"

Like Peter, who denies Jesus three times out of fear; how many priests fear of not being understood, appreciated, or esteemed? They still deny the truth of the Gospel: "I do not know the Man! (Mt. 26:72) And like the Apostles who run away and leave Jesus alone for the entire long Friday, how many run away from the Church? Some follow the world; others stay in the Church, but to please the world, abandon it in mind and heart.

Saint John remains by the Mother!

If we stay with Mother Mary, we will not betray Jesus and we will not leave the Church, the Pope, and the Bishops united with him, abandoned! Let us unite our sufferings with Our Lady's sufferings in this hour of Calvary for the Church. Then we will be signs of Her presence and comfort which the Father gives in its moment of passion and martyrdom!

Roman Deacon


SAINT PAUL CONTINUES SPEAKING ABOUT DEPRESSION




    HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

 



By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

St. Paul

Now, my friends, please understand that great sadness is not always a tragedy. If you never felt sad you would have difficulty in comforting others who feel sad. This would be the real tragedy, would it not? To see another soul in pain and not be able to offer consolation? It is better to receive consolation from a soul who has experience with the trial you are enduring. You understand this, I know. So do not begrudge Jesus this time of sadness in your life. Through it He will bring the greatest benefit to your soul.

I know that you might not agree with me but that is because you do not see what I see. I am in heaven and I see far more than you are capable of understanding. So perhaps you will trust me, and respect that I have the greater vision. If you walk through your dark period with Jesus, He will sow seeds of the greatest holiness in your soul. He will nourish your soul and tend to it lovingly. At the end of the trial, you will be a different person in that you will have a far greater capacity to house heaven in your soul and allow heaven to flow through you. You will benefit from this trial. This is Truth. You will benefit.

Will you benefit from an earthly perspective? No, my friend, not unless it is a Christian earthly perspective and then the benefits will be recognized. But generally, your world sees suffering as bad and to be avoided. We, on the other hand, see suffering as heavenly exercising or training, which conditions a soul to detach from the world. If Jesus needs you at a higher level of holiness and He seeks to do this through suffering, can you really object? I hear that you are saying, "Yes, Paul, but enough, I need relief." Jesus knows what you can bear. Again I say that you should ask Him for relief. But do understand that there are benefits to your suffering that you cannot see. I love you and send my courage to you. I am asking Jesus to send you my joy, also, because despite my great sufferings on earth, I had great joy. God's peace be with you always.


For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 











--
Posted By RomanCatholic Deacon to MARY, OUR MOTHER at 9/23/2007 06:58:00 PM

--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"



--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

The Lord must be taken seriously!

VATICAN - AVE MARIA - Rev. Luciano Alimandi

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) -

Let us not deceive ourselves: the experience of the Lord Jesus in life, the delight of his peacemaking and healing presence must be taken seriously! To welcome Jesus means to make more and more room for Him in our life through true faith, which makes us not just partly, but truly and totally committed on the journey of personal conversion, in every walk of life. If commitment for conversion is only partial, this means that Jesus is not considered to be the Lord of life, but instead someone who deserves half, or part of our heart, but not the totality of our whole being.

Often our commitment to love and serve the Lord is limited and fragmented and, although we do not realize, this renders the wondrous exchange between his Holy Spirit and our spirit impossible, since we impede the continual and wonderful action of sanctifying grace, which does not allow sinful obstacles.

God wishes to transform our life, he wishes to irradiate with his Light and instead… "men have shown they prefer darkness to light because their deeds were evil" (Jn 3, 19). The Gospel clearly demonstrates that the only way to follow the Lord is to follow his commands. Hence the necessity of the presence of holy Tradition in the Church, so that all that is true, holy, sacred, is not distorted by the passing of time and the passing of men in time. The truth of the faith, the demands of "sequela Christi", remain unchanged through the centuries, like the Word of God; so there exist no easier, shorter, discount paths to holiness. The Lord came not to deceive mankind, and even less to sell a product to the best bidder!
The Lord, unlike us, is not an opportunist. Men, who could no longer bear the invincible power of the Truth which emanated from his whole Person, his every word and deed - an indelible sign that God had come down to earth and was walking among them -, crucified Him!

The Lord Jesus, as provided by divine mandate, does not come to negotiate salvation, He is salvation, He does not come to bring us a little light, He is Light; he did not come to tell us a few more truths, He is Truth, the whole Truth! This is why there is no room for uncertainty in what he asks of us: "if anyone loves me he will keep my word and my father will love him and we shall come to home and make our home with him" (Jn 14, 23).
The Risen Lord, precisely because He is such, is worthy of all our attention and our commitment, as the marvelous words of Revelation announce: "You are our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power because you made all the universe and it was only by your will that everything was made and exists " (Rev 4, 1).

In the light of the Truth, that is the Lord Jesus, even the trials of life, great or small, acquire new meaning, which is also a concrete and regular verification as to what extent our heart is truly oriented to the Kingdom of God. When the cross falls on our shoulder, whatever our situation, we must say with Saint Paul: "by turning everything to their good God cooperates with all those who love him" (Rom 8, 28). Everything! Even during the hardest trials, if we live them with the Lord - accepting his word, believing without any if or buts in the promises of the beatitudes -, we will find that the grey sky will open and the mind will rise to higher and better horizons, to things immensely greater than those which the trial takes from us here on earth: health, loved ones, security, dreams of human realization, fame, honor…

If we the Lord seriously on our way through this short life on earth, we will join all those in Heaven who "these are the people who have been through the great persecution and because they have washed their robes white again with the blood of the Lamb they now stand in front of God's throne and serve him day and night in his sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never hunger or thirst again, neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to the springs of living water and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes " (Rev 7, 14-17). At the head of the army of light stands the Queen of Saints, who in her "witness" here on earth, left us only one task: take my Son seriously, "do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2, 5)!

(Agenzia Fides 26/9/2007; righe 51, parole 790)



--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

SAINT PAUL SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

Saint Paul Preaching on Mars Hill (19th century). T. Shilippoteaux. Engraving. © The Provincial Museum of Alberta. PMA:J99.1968. Saint Paul (died c.65), known as "Apostle of the Gentiles ," pursued his missionary work vigorously. Through his encounter with Christ, life's meaning had been restored to him and he was compelled to share his new-found meaning with others.


    HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

 



By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

St. Paul

My brothers and sisters suffering from sadness should take heart. The time for sadness is ending quickly. The darkness is lifting. Are these words not proof of that? You feel the great graces that flow from these words and from this mission. Ask for these graces and continue asking for each soul you meet, because Jesus is not limiting the amount of love and healing He is sending during this time. Do you hear me? Jesus is not limiting graces. We should celebrate. You are thinking that perhaps St. Paul has gotten the wrong topic. How can I talk about joy when you feel so sad? Well, it is exactly then that I need to talk about joy and all of the saints will agree with me. You see, we had joy in hope but we did not always have joyful experiences on the earth. The very thought would make us shake our heads. We marvel sometimes at the depth of suffering that is possible while you are in exile, away from heaven. Our joy came in Christ and in the hope, well placed, that Jesus Christ lived and died and rose from the dead. Do not hope in earthly souls. They will let you down hard. They cannot help it. They have their own pains and struggles. Hope in Jesus only. If you do this, you will not be disappointed.

So look at your sadness and say, "Jesus, I carry this sadness for You. I look up at Your figure on the cross and I offer You my own anguish." Together, you and Jesus will walk through your Calvary until He lifts it or He comes to take you home. You have a whole army of helpers in heaven who love you. We look at your struggle and we understand. Many of us carried that cross also. You are not alone. And you can be joyful because Jesus Christ lives and He will return to reclaim what is His. Now be brave a little while longer. Dymphna is right when she tells you to ask for healing. I, Paul, will join you and Dymphna in asking for your healing. We will all ask together. And if you receive healing, we will celebrate. And if you do not receive healing, we will celebrate, because all of Gods will is good.


For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 











--
Posted By RomanCatholic Deacon to MARY, OUR MOTHER at 9/23/2007 06:58:00 PM

--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

Tuesday, September 25, 2007


LATE NIGHT REFLECTION

Message 96 is titled, 'Look at My Crucified Son!'

This "Holy Thursday" Message to Our Lady's priest-sons starts off with the exclamation: "Beloved sons, look at my crucified Son." In one of our Lady's apparitions a few years ago She gave a Message which ended: "Think about the Passion of Jesus!" In another apparition elsewhere Our Lady is quoted saying, "Look at the Crucifix when you pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary."

What are we looking at when we stare at the crucifix? We are reminded of Jesus' face covered with blood, His head crowned with thorns, His hands and feet pierced by huge nails, His body which has been made an open wound by the scourging, His Heart pierced by a lance! Instead of just reading about the Passion of Christ, we are experiencing it with our eyes and our hearts.

Instead of trying to understand the sacred Passion with our own intelligence causing many to fall into serious error, in interior humility and docility, we need to listen to the Magisterium of the Church which has been entrusted with its authentic interpretation. If we remain united, humble and attentive, to what the Church points out to us, we will be faithful to the Word of Jesus.

Our Lady says that error is being spread within the Church, especially by many theologians, and propagated by Her poor priest-sons. How can we be preserved from these errors? By looking at the crucified Son of God, Mary's Son, and we will remain faithful! Jesus, the God-man, was obedient unto death on the Cross! Our Lady is calling each of us to be obedient to the Church: to the Pope and to the bishops who are united with him.

But there is suffering ahead if we do. I've been there, so I know this is true. The more we witness to this complete obedience to the Church, the more we will be criticized, ridiculed, persecuted, rejected and even abandoned by those who are supposed to be our spiritual guides. But all this is necessary, says Our Lady; this painful and crucifying witness is in order to help many of Mother Mary's poor children to remain in truth and fidelity.
Roman Deacon


Sister Lucia's Last Moments


Mother Superior Says Visionary Was Filled With Light


ROME, SEPT. 25, 2007 ( Zenit.org).- When Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone's book about the last Fatima visionary was presented, guests got a chance to watch a video about Sister Lucia's final moments, related by her Mother Superior.

Read the full article here: Zenit

 
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

Our Lady's Message of September 25, 2007


QUEEN OF PEACE
MEDJUGORJE

Our Lady's Message of
September 25, 2007

"Dear children! Also today I call all of you for your hearts to blaze with more ardent love for the Crucified, and do not forget that, out of love for you, He gave His life so that you may be saved. Little children, meditate and pray that your heart may be open to God's love. Thank you for having responded to my call."


SAINT DYMPHNA SPEAKS:








    HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

 



By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

St. Dymphna

Do not be afraid. There is nothing that should make you be afraid. Jesus will care for your needs and you will care for His. Fear is paralyzing many on earth at this time. This brings us back to the need for the heavenly eyes. If you look at your situation and view it as heaven views it, you will understand that there is nothing on the earth that should make you fearful. You will serve for a time and then you will die in your body. This is the way it has always been. This is heaven's plan. This is not a bad thing but a good thing. Imagine living on earth indefinitely. That would make you sad because it would take away your hope that your time of service will end and your time in heaven will begin. If souls on earth do not think well of you and they ridicule you, well, my friend, that puts you in the greatest company you could find. They did not think well of Jesus. They ridiculed Jesus. They put Him to death. He was the greatest gift of God, the gift of Himself, and they killed Him. Did this make Him any less a King? No. He is the King. So the treatment of the world does not dictate the treatment you will receive in heaven, where the first shall be last.

Never fear the opinions of others on earth. Good and holy people understand your value and the value of your suffering. Step away from the opinions of others. Confess your sins. Let Jesus fill your soul and you will then reflect Jesus in the world, even in your suffering, or shall I say, especially in your suffering. As Jesus flowed through me, He will flow through you. All you have to do is agree to cooperate with Him. Offer Him each day in the spirit of love and patience. He will get you through another day, yes, which is another one of your fears, is it not? That you cannot get through a day? He will get you through that day and preserve each moment for eternity by using each moment for the salvation of others, who may be suffering even more than you. This is the Truth. This is where you are needed at this moment, perhaps. Will you make the most use of it?

For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 












Monday, September 24, 2007



MY EVENING REFLECTION

Message 95 in the MMP Blue Book is titled, 'Your Light Will Shine Resplendently.'

Our Lady continues to speak to Her priest-sons and to us too! It's a First Saturday and She thanks them joyfully for their homage that they gave to Her Immaculate Heart. I always try to honor Our Lady on the First Saturday's by completing the Fatima devotions asked for during the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima.

Requirements For The First Saturday Devotions

“I promise to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation all those who, on the First Saturday of five consecutive months, confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

~ Our Lady of Fatima to Sister Lucia 10 December 1925

Mass, confession, Rosary, 15 minutes meditation on the Mysteries and the intention of offering it all in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, doesn't seem too hard! If you do this for five months straight, Our Lady promises that She will be at our side at our death to support us and save our souls! What a gift!

Now She speaks about the coldness of the world in its denial of God, of its hatred, egoism, impiety, and rebellion. The cup is almost full and God's justice demands atonement. Her priest-sons are being formed by Mother Mary into victims worthy to be offered to the divine justice. And so are many of the hidden victim's in the world, chosen by God as victim souls. Many are called to suffer in union with Christ's sacred Passion in reparation for sin.

Our Lady says that even in the Church errors are being spread more and more, and even the good are accepting them. Infidelity is rampart among the clergy and consecrated souls; even in the hierarchy! Many have attacked the Pope, the Vicar of Christ; he is criticized and calumniated, challenged and left more and more alone by his own sons.

Mother Mary wants her priests to share this suffering with the Holy Father: this is the hour of Gethsemane and we are to live it in the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady asks us for prayer, suffering and silence; and we will be a crown of love to comfort Jesus and His Vicar on earth. Can we do this? Only by the grace of God through Our Lady's loving guidance.

Yes, we must be the light shining ever more brightly in this world where darkness envelops everything. We must be the light reflecting Jesus and Mary during this time of trial. And Our Lady promises that Her motherly and merciful intervention will then be manifested to all the world. The time of Her triumph is near!
Roman Deacon

SAINT DYMPHNA CONTINUES SPEAKING:






    HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

 



By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

St. Dymphna

Dear soul, how you suffer because you do not feel understood. Others make your cross heavier through their judgments and impatience. I want to tell you that I understand. I understand completely. And more important than my understanding is the total understanding that comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus knows your every hurt. He loves you so tenderly and wants to help you. Do you allow Him into your pain? Do not keep this pain from Him because if you do, you make it worse. Constantly give Him your pain. There are few souls on earth who use heaven as completely as heaven would like to be used. Trust heaven for everything.

You worry that you are not pleasing to heaven because of your sadness and heavy heart. I assure you, heaven is pleased right now that you are taking the time to read these words and work with us. You are not a burden to heaven. You are heaven's joy and you are a gift to the world in which you live. You may feel you are not treated like a gift in the world. That may be very true. But most of heaven's greatest gifts to the world are treated badly so do not let this worry you. Look what they did to our Jesus. The world does not always recognize heaven's little treasures. But you are different because you are going to trade earthly eyes for heavenly eyes. Look with the eyes of heaven now and view your suffering as temporary and valuable. Soft little hearts are wounded easily but that does not mean you should desire to have a hard heart. I shudder at the thought. Be happy with the heart that Jesus has given you. Seek understanding from the angels and saints and you will find it. Be patient with those around you because perhaps they are in their own pain and it makes them unable to minister to you. This is the state in much of the world, my dear friend. That is why there is so much sadness. But we will deal with your sadness first, and then you will help others to find heavens joy.

For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 











--
Posted By RomanCatholic Deacon to MARY, OUR MOTHER at 9/23/2007 06:58:00 PM

--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

OUR LADY OF RANSOM

GREATER DOUBLE / WHITE
This feast was extended to the whole Church in thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin, for having in the thirteenth century inspired St. Peter Nolasco and St. Raymond of Pennafort to found a religious order for the release of Christians captured by the Saracens. The Mercedarians vowed to give themselves up as hostages for the imprisoned Christians when ransom and military means failed. Their heroism saved countless souls from apostasy and despair.
Mass of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, except
TRADITIONAL MASS PRAYER
O God, through the glorious Mother of Your Son You enriched the Church with a new religious congregation dedicated to freeing Christians from slavery among the heathens. We venerate Mary as the foundress of this institution and pray that she may also deliver us from our sins and the slavery of the devil through her own merits and intercession. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Today's Feast of Our Lady of Ransom, September 24
From THE LITURGICAL YEAR,
by Dom Gueranger
THE Office of the time gives us, at the close of September, the Books of Judith and Esther. These heroic women were figures of Mary, whose birthday is the honor of this month, and who comes at once to bring assistance to the world. 'Adonai, Lord God, great and admirable, Who hast wrought salvation by the hand of a woman:' the Church thus introduces the history of the heroine, who delivered Bethulia by the sword, whereas Mardochai's niece rescued her people from death by her winsomeness and her intercession.
The Queen of Heaven, in her peerless perfection, outshines them both, in gentleness, in valor, and in beauty. Today's feast is a memorial of the strength she puts forth for the deliverance of her people. Finding their power crushed in Spain, and in the east checked by the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem, the Saracens, in the twelfth century, became wholesale pirates, and scoured the seas to obtain slaves for the African markets. We shudder to think of the numberless victims, of every age, sex, and condition, suddenly carried off from the coasts of Christian lands, or captured on the high seas, and condemned to the disgrace of the harem or the miseries of the bagnio.
Here, nevertheless, in many an obscure prison, were enacted scenes of heroism worthy to compare with those witnessed in the early persecutions; here was a new field for Christian charity; new horizons opened out for heroic self-devotion. Is not the spiritual good thence arising a sufficient reason for the permission of temporal ills? Without this permission, Heaven would have for ever lacked a portion of its beauty.
When, in 1696, Innocent XII extended this feast to the whole Church, he afforded the world an opportunity of expressing its gratitude by a testimony as universal as the benefit received. Differing from the Order of holy Trinity, which had been already twenty years in existence, the Order of Mercy was founded as in were in the very face of the Moors; and hence it originally numbered more knights than clerics among its members. It was called the royal, military, and religious Order of our Lady of Mercy for the ransom of captives. The clerics were charged with the celebration of the Divine Office in the commandaries; the knights guarded the coasts, and undertook the perilous enterprise of ransoming Christian captives.
St. Peter Nolasco was the first Commander or Grand Master of the Order; when his relics were discovered, he was found armed with sword and cuirass. . . .
At the time when the Saracen yoke oppressed the larger and more fertile part of Spain, and great numbers of the faithful were detained in cruel servitude, at the great risk of denying the Christian faith and losing their eternal salvation, the most blessed Queen of Heaven graciously came to remedy all these great evils, and showed her exceeding charity in redeeming her children. She appeared with beaming countenance to Peter Nolasco, a man conspicuous for wealth and piety, who in his holy meditations was ever striving to devise some means of helping the innumerable Christians living in misery as captives of the Moors. She told him it would be very pleasing to her and her only-begotten Son, if a religious Order were instituted in her honor, whose members should devote themselves to delivering captives from Turkish tyranny.
Animated by this heavenly vision, the man of God was inflamed with burning love, having but one desire at heart, viz.: that both he and the Order he was to found, might be devoted to the exercise of that highest charity, the laying down of life for one's friends and neighbors.
That same night, the most holy Virgin appeared also to blessed Raymund of Penafort, and to James, king of Aragon, telling them of her wish to have the Order instituted, and exhorting them to lend their aid to so great an undertaking. Meanwhile Peter hastened to relate the whole matter to Raymund, who was his confessor; and finding it had been already revealed to him from Heaven, submitted humbly to his direction.
King James next arrived, fully resolved to carry out the instructions he also had received from the blessed Virgin. Having therefore taken counsel together and being all of one mind, they set about instituting an Order in honor of the Virgin Mother, under the invocation of our Lady of Mercy for the ransom of captives. On the tenth of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand two hundred and eighteen, King James put into execution what the two holy men had planned. The members of the Order bound themselves by a fourth vow to remain, when necessary, as securities in the power of the pagans, in order to deliver Christians. The king granted them license to bear his royal arms upon their breast, and obtained from Gregory IX the confirmation of this religious institute distinguished by such eminent brotherly charity. God Himself gave increase to the work, through the Virgin Mother; so that the Order spread rapidly and prosperously over the whole world. It soon reckoned many holy men remarkable for their charity and piety who collected alms from Christ's faithful, to be spent in redeeming their brethren; and sometimes gave themselves up all ransom for many others. In order that due thanks might be rendered to God and His Virgin Mother for the benefit of such an institution, the Apostolic See allowed this special feast and Office to be celebrated and also granted innumerable other privileges to the Order.
Blessed be thou, O Mary, the honor and the joy of thy people! On
the day of thy glorious Assumption, thou didst take possession of thy queenly dignity for our sake; and the annals of the human race are a record of thy merciful interventions. The captives whose chains thou hast broken, and whom thou hast set free from the degrading yoke of the Saracens, may be reckoned by millions. We are still rejoicing in the recollection of thy dear birthday; and thy smile is sufficient to dry our tears and chase away the clouds of grief. And yet, what sorrows there are still upon the earth, where thou thyself didst drink such long draughts from the cup of suffering! Sorrows are sanctifying and
beneficial to some but there are other and unprofitable grief, springing from social injustice: the drudgery of the factory, or the tyranny of the strong over the weak, may be worse than slavery in Algiers or Tunis. Thou alone, O Mary, canst break the inextricable chains, in which the cunning prince of darkness entangles the dupes he has deceived by the high- sounding names of equality and liberty. Show thyself a Queen, by coming to the rescue. The whole earth, the entire human race, cries out to thee, in the words of Mordechai: 'Speak to the King for us, and deliver us from death!'
Amen.

Sunday, September 23, 2007


MY EVENING REFLECTION

Message 94 is titled 'Mother of Jesus, and Yours.'

What's interesting is that Our Lady is now speaking to all Her priest-sons in these Messages, where before they were directed towards Fr. Gobbi. It shows us that Her cohort is ready and able to assist Her in Her great plans for the salvation of many. She continues where She left off in the last Message, saying to Her priest-sons that they have need of Her to become perfect consolers of Jesus.

Our Lady now gives us some theology regarding the Annunciation! She says that at the moment She uttered Her "Fiat", Her yes to the Will of God, overshadowed by the light of the Holy Spirit, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity descended into Her most pure womb, and received from Mother Mary His human nature, thus Jesus became the God-man!

It was God's love that caused Him to entrust Himself to Mother Mary! He saw her littleness, Her poverty, and especially Her willingness to accomplish His Will. God could have chosen many other ways to come down to earth, but He chose Mary's way. Now therefore, if God chose Mary as the way to come here to us, it is necessary for us to go through Mary to reach God!

Our Lady says that with great love She formed the human nature of the Word; now She wants to form us into that image which is in the plan of God, to be images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By our unconditional yes by consecrating ourselves to Her Immaculate Heart, our complete abandonment to Mother Mary, will allow Her to act.

Our Lady is the Mother of God because She was chosen to bring God to us; Our Lady is our Mother because She has the duty of bringing to God all those redeemed by Jesus and who have been entrusted by Jesus at the Cross to Mother Mary!

It is not given to everyone to understand this great mystery of God's love; only those who are pure of heart, simple, child-like, and poor can contemplate this mystery! And so with courage, we go forward, consoled and encouraged by Our Mother Mary to fearlessly proclaim the Love of God for all mankind!
Roman Deacon

SAINT DYMPHNA SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION


    HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION

 



By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

St. Dymphna

My most loving greetings flow down to you. I am asking Jesus to send you a glimpse of heavenly joy. If you have this glimpse, even the smallest bit, you will proceed in great hope because you will know that you will not feel this way forever. And that is your fear, is it not? That you will be sad and downhearted forever? I am going to ask you to look at things a little differently. If you do, I feel sure you will find strength. You are only on the earth for a short time. There are many souls on earth today who do not see with clarity. They, these poor mistaken souls, think that the world and the time spent on earth are all that matter. They think you are on the earth to have fun. Well, this is not the case. Jesus is joyful, of course. Apostles who are serving Jesus are joyful. But your life on earth is not play time. It is time for service to heaven. Many beloved servants of Jesus suffer from great sadness and loneliness. You might say that this condition is common. Let me explain it another way.

While I was on the earth, I knew that I was separated from Jesus. I did not want to be separated from Jesus. This made my heart terribly heavy and sad. But I also knew that Jesus needed me to serve cheerfully, so this is what I did. I served as cheerfully as possible and allowed Jesus to use my sadness to console others. I traded my sadness for graces to heal others and bring others to His heart. This made me feel better because I knew that I was helping Jesus and working with heaven. It gave me a feeling of accomplishment, even in my depression. I am going to ask you to do the same thing. First, though, we will ask Jesus to heal you. It is always the right thing to do to ask for healing. If Jesus heals you, you will serve Him, of course. If Jesus wills that you carry the cross of sadness for a time longer, will you allow me, Dymphna, to assist you? I am going to obtain graces for you that will give you fresh strength. The Kingdom needs you. Jesus needs you. We will work together, you and I, to insure that souls are benefiting from any sadness that is yours.


For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 









Rare photo of my friend Joey Lomangino
kneeling before Padre Pio around 1965




HAPPY FEAST DAY
SAINT PIO OF PIETRELCINA
ST. PIO PRAYER
Gracious God, You blessed Padre Pio with
the five wounds of Christ Crucified,
making him an inspiring witness to
the saving love of Jesus in our world,
and a powerful reminder to us of
Your infinite mercy and goodness.
Through the heavenly intercession
of St. Pio, I ask the grace of . . .
(Here state your petition.)
Help me, O Lord, to imitate Padre Pio's
devout faith, prayerful holiness,
patient forgiveness and loving
compassion toward others.
Amen.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
pray for us!

Saturday, September 22, 2007



LATE NIGHT REFLECTION

Message 93 is titled 'The Perfect Consolers.'

Our Lady is speaking to all Her priest-sons and to us too! "Be perfect consolers of My Son Jesus." Yes, that's our mission, our task, our life; to console Jesus and Mary in their Sacred Hearts! The Lord is again lamenting: 'I looked for comforters, and I found none!' (Psalm 69:20) Will we answer that lament?

Jesus is the perfect God-man; His Sacred Heart beats with divine and human love; it has loved the most, but it has also suffered the most. His Sacred Heart is ever so sensitive to the outrages, offenses, and ingratitude of humanity. He still loves us most dearly, but his love only receives offenses and sins. Even the Father, whom Jesus has revealed to us, has been rejected! Atheism is the thorn which causes Jesus' Heart to bleed continuously.

But we are called by the divine plan to be His ministers, His apostles, His consolers. But many do not respond to that call. Many flee and leave Jesus and His Church abandoned and alone. Where are the sons of Mary who will keep watch? 'Watch and pray lest you give in to temptation!' 'The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!' (Mark 14:38)

Our Lady is calling us, gathering us together from all over the world as a mother does her chicks; She is gathering us into Her Immaculate Heart. She cannot be indifferent to the great abandonment and the great sorrow of Jesus, Her Son. Her first duty is to console Jesus, and She is going to make us perfect consolers too!
Roman Deacon

HEAVEN SPEAKS ABOUT DEPRESSION



 
Heaven Speaks About Depression

By "Anne," a Lay Apostle   
Saturday, 16 June 2007


We would like to offer these words of encouragement and comfort from Heaven for those suffering from depression, given through "Anne," a lay apostle. "Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

August 8, 2005

Jesus

I send the greatest graces of courage to all who read these words. My children in the world can become discouraged and sad. Dearest little ones, if you are this way you must come to Me and rest your worries in My heart. I do not like to see you sad, even though life can be difficult. You feel you are alone and that is part of the reason why you feel such sadness. But you are never alone because I never leave you. To leave you would be acting against My very nature and such a thing is impossible. I am with you now, as you read these words, and I minister to your wounded heart with graces of love and courage. Continue on and I will send you relief. I have told you this and you must believe Me. It would also be acting against My nature to tell an untruth so you may believe Me and trust Me when I say this to you. I will send you relief. Bring all of your sadness to Me. Pour it out to Me. I will listen and I will continue to listen for days and days and on into eternity if necessary. I have the time, My beloved apostle. I am not too busy to listen to you.

You may cry if you wish because I assure you, when I lived upon the earth, I also cried. Pain is unavoidable until you arrive in heaven. You are not the only one who suffers in this way. There are many souls in your world today who are suffering the sadness that you are feeling. Your world does not always nourish souls. Only I, the Divine Healer, can heal you. I can give you nourishment that will set your soul alight again. Come to Me in all trust. Be patient while I see to your wounds and hurts. You did not become sad like this in a moment. Come to Me all throughout your day and allow Me to help you carry this heavy cross of sadness.



For further information regarding the Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King, or to purchase Heaven Speaks booklets, 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.

 






Friday, September 21, 2007


LATE NIGHT REFLECTION

# 92. Our Lady's Message to Fr. Gobbi is titled 'The Perfume of Your Purity.'

Our Lady is offering to Almighty God the 'perfume' of the purity of Her priest-sons in reparation for the filth that has submerged the world! So many of Her children are defiled by the filth that is spreading across the world and dragging numerous souls to hell! How can this be, you say? Don't you remember the words of Our Lady at Fatima: "Most souls go to hell because of the sins of impurity!"

That's why we need Our Dearest Mother Mary: the Immaculate One: total purity! We need to take refuge in Her Immaculate Heart. We cannot do it by ourselves. Even though we are surrounded by this impurity, we must breathe in Mother Mary's heavenly perfume! That's why She has descended from Heaven, so that Her priest-sons will reflect Her light, spread the perfume of Her virtue and draw souls to salvation.

But the Pope has been viciously attacked; insults have been hurled at him which deeply pain Our Mother's Heart! Our Lady says: Listen to him! Defend him! Console him! The filth is reaching his very feet; we must set up a wall to assist this angelic Pastor; the gentle "Christ on earth"!

Through Our Lady's intervention, and the assistance of Her priest-sons, the devil's wave of rebellion and filth will stop at the Pope's feet and the greatness of his innocent person and sanctity will appear intact to the whole world! Pray for the Pope every day!
Roman Deacon

THE REASON FOR BEING CATHOLIC!




The other day (Tuesday, September 18) was the Feast of St. Joseph of Cupertino, once celebrated by the entire Church in the old calendar. I mentioned this to some of the parishioners after Mass that morning and we had a good laugh as I told them what I knew about the "Flying Saint."
Today, just before Mass, one of the men who attends daily Mass too stopped me for a moment and gave me a sheet of paper. He said that after our conversation the other day, he went home and composed a poem in honor of St. Joseph of Cupertino. I asked him if I could post it on my blog and he said Okay! So here it is, enjoy!

JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO
(1603-1663)

How will God be all in all if something human survives.
Bernard of Clairvaux

Giuseppe Desa could not learn.
He seemed to be without a brain,
not smart enough to be ordained,
at first, then disrespected for his holiness.

Not plain enough to walk in Jesus' steps,
God taught him how to fly,
and brought on him derision, and the sigh,
sequestered him in solitaire unto his rest.

Giuseppe lived his latter life entombed,
so like his Master whom he emulated,
enkindled spite, as He was immolated;
at last, gave up himself, to be outcast.

by Bernie Welch