EIGHT LETTER

Concerning wandering thoughts in prayer. YOU tell me nothing new: you are not the only one that is troubled with wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving; but as the will is mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to GOD, as their last end. When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection, at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth. I believe one remedy for this is, to confess our faults, and to humble ourselves before GOD. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer; many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering: hold yourself in prayer before GOD, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man's gate: let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the LORD. If it sometimes wander, and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to re-collect it; the will must bring it back in tranquility; if you persevere in this manner, GOD will have pity on you. One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings. I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of GOD: let us set about it seriously and pray for one another.

From 'The Practice and Presence of God' Creator: Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)

OCTOBER 13 - OUR LADY OF FATIMA MIRACLE

Ave Maria! Today is the 90th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima.

From Ave Maria Meditations
by JosephMary

Our Lady of Fatima

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared 6 times to 3 shepherd children; Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta; between May 13 and October 13, 1917. She came to the little village of Fatima which had remained faithful to the Catholic Church during the recent persecutions by the government. Our Lady came with a message from God to every man, woman, and child of our century.

Our Lady of Fatima promised that the whole world would be in peace, and that many souls would go to Heaven if Her requests were listened to and obeyed. She told us that war is a punishment for sin; that God would punish the world for its sins in our time by means of war, hunger, persecution of the Church and persecution of the Holy Father, the Pope, unless we listened to and obeyed the command of God.

At Fatima, Pope John Paul II said on May 13; " the message of Fatima is more relevant and more urgent " then when Our Lady first appeared. The message is an anguished appeal of our Heavenly Mother, who sees us in great danger and who comes to offer her help and advice. Her message is also a prophesy, a clear indication of what was about to transpire in the 20th century, and what is still going to happen infallibly in the near future, depending on our response to her requests.

THE MIRACLE :

As a great sign of the whole message truly coming from God, a marvelous miracle was worked in the sky above Fatima before 70,000 witnesses on October 13, 1917 at the time, date and place that Lucy and the other two children had prophesied in the name of Our Lady of Fatima. The children were told by Our Lady that God would perform a miracle so that people would believe in the apparitions. The date the children was October 13, 1917, in Fatima.

On that date, 70,000 people came to see the phenomenon. The miracle occurred with the sun. All could stare perfectly at the sun without blinking, or even hurting heir eyes. While all were watching the sun, it rotated, got large and small, got close to the people, and got far away from them. The sun " danced ". Every single person who was there testified to seeing the sun dance, even non- believers who immediately dropped onto their knees and begged for forgiveness.

The Fatima Message

Between the months of May and October of 1917, our Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children near Fatima, Portugal, giving them a message for the world which has since become known as the "Peace Plan from Heaven." She warned men that if they did not amend their lives, God would be forced to punish them by means of wars and other sufferings.

The children were visited by the Angel of Portugal prior to Our Lady's appearance. The Angel told them, "What are you doing? Pray! Pray very much! The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful designs for you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High… In every way you can offer sacrifice to God in reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners… Above all, accept and endure with submission the sufferings which the Lord will send you.

Take and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, horribly outraged by sinful men. Make reparation for their crimes and console your God." When our Blessed Mother appeared to the children she asked them, "Do you wish to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the suffering that He may please to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and to ask for the conversion of sinners?… Then you will have much to suffer. But the grace of God will be your comfort." "…Do you suffer a great deal? Don't be discouraged. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the road that will conduct you to God. Sacrifice yourself for sinners and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice, 'O my Jesus, it is for love of Thee, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners.'

Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war… If they do what I tell you, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace. The war is going to end [World War I]. But if they do not stop offending God, another and worse one will begin in the reign of Pius XI… When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that it is the great sign that God gives you that He is going to punish the world for its crimes by means of war, of hunger, and of persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father.

To prevent this, I come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If they listen to my requests, Russia will be converted and there will be peace. If not, she will scatter her errors throughout the world, provoking wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; many nations will be annihilated.

Jesus wishes to make use of you to have me acknowledged and loved. He wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. "Here you see hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart… Pray, pray a great deal and make sacrifices for sinners. So many souls go to hell because there is no one to pray and sacrifice for them.

Our Lady's message that men "must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins," and that they "offend the Lord God no more, for He is already much offended" is meant for all of us, whether we are religious or lay. It is this message that our Congregation acts to promote, so that all people can, by praying the daily Rosary, by offering up their prayers and the sacrifices demanded by their daily duty, restore the temporal order in Christ.

 

In 1916, the year before the apparition of Our Lady, the Angel of Portugal appeared to the children and brought them Holy Communion and taught them prayers:

The Fatima Angel Prayers

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

MOST HOLY TRINITY, I adore you! My God, My God,
I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

PARDON PRAYER

MY GOD, I believe, I adore, I trust, and I love Thee!
I ask pardon for those who do not believe,
do not adore, do not trust and do not love Thee.

SACRIFICE PRAYER

Sacrifices:

   A great "secret" of converting sinners is to make sacrifices for them, as well as to pray for them. Our Lady Of Fatima said: "Many souls go to Hell because there are none to sacrifice themselves and to pray for them," And the holy Cure of Ars said that the conversion of sinners "begins with prayer and ends with penance."

  But whereas "penance" and "sacrifice" sound frightening to some people and we may not like these words, yet they are the key to obtaining Heaven for poor sinners. If we are frightened of penance, we can begin by making one little sacrifice per day—–perhaps eating something we do not like, or drinking water instead of pop, or making ourselves wait a half hour or so to take a drink when we are thirsty. These are little forms of "fasting". Some sacrifices we are obliged to make anyway, but we can offer them for sinners: examples of these are being patient with a trying person or turning off an immodest TV, program. These sacrifices will be presents for Our Lady, the precious coin she can use to buy back souls that are headed for Hell.

  It seems that God loves to "delegate" His work, He has given it to us to be the "secondary" causes of His work, including the salvation of our "brother" and our "neighbor." And though His Blood poured out on Calvary was sufficient to save all souls, He requires that we, the living branches on Him, the Vine, ask for and even "activate" its application to those souls by our prayers and our sacrifices.

  At Fatima both the Angel and Our Lady asked for sacrifices for sinners. They said, "Sacrifice yourself." This is done largely by generously making individual sacrifices.

The Angel of Fatima, too, told the three children to "Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High . . . Make of everything you can a sacrifice, and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners . . . Above all, accept and bear with submission the sufferings which the Lord will send you."

  If Our Lady and the Angel ask for prayers and sacrifices for the conversion of sinners, this means that they actually intend to save sinners if prayers and sacrifices are offered up. We must therefore send these up with confidence in Our Lady's intention and power to save the dying. After receiving the above-mentioned message of the Angel, the children were given to understand "how pleasing it [sacrifice] is to Him and how, on account of it, He grants the grace of conversion to sinners." It does work! This is the true recipe for saving souls, even those who are dying and have very little time left.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA SAID: SACRIFICE YOURSELVES FOR SINNERS AND SAY MANY TIMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU MAKE SOME SACRIFICE:  

O JESUS, it is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

DECADE PRAYER

(To be said after the Glory Be at  the end of each decade of the Rosary)

O MY JESUS, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of Hell,
lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need of Thy mercy.

ANGEL'S PRAYER

MOST Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference  by which He is offended.  And through the infinite merit of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

+++

From www.airmaria.com

--
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #7

"He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. . . And And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:32, 35)

PROOF OF OUR LORD'S DIVINITY taken from the angel's words. Firstly, Gabriel said that Jesus was the "Son of the most High" and the "Son of God." Secondly, he said that Jesus should "save His people from their sins." Now, God alone can redeem from sin; therefore Jesus must be God.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

SEVENTH LETTER

     At the age of nearly fourscore exhorts his correspondent, who is sixty-four, to live and die with God and promises and asks for prayer.

   I PITY you much. It will be of great importance if you can leave the care of your affairs to, and spend the remainder of your life only in worshiping GOD. He requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration: sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company: the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.

   It is not necessary for being with GOD to be always at church; we may make an oratory of our heart, wherein to retire from time to time, to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with GOD, some more, some less: He knows what we can do. Let us begin then; perhaps He expects but one generous resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live; you are near sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with GOD: sufferings will be sweet and pleasant to us, while we are with Him: and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him, a cruel punishment to us. May He be blessed for all. Amen.

   Use yourself then by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time, in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of devotion; but act with a general confidence in GOD, with love and humility. You may assure - of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and yours particularly.

From 'The Practice and Presence of God'
     Creator: Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #6

And the angel answering, said to her: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

THE INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD (the third article of the Creed).
The Son of God, who is also called "the Word," became incarnate, i.e. flesh or man by the power of the Holy Ghost, being "conceived of the Holy Ghost," i. e. having no human father--St. Joseph being only His foster-father or legal father [in the eyes of the law]--, and "born of Mary the most pure Virgin." St. John (1:18) says: "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." When the Son of God became man, He did not cease to be God, for that would have been quite impossible, but He assumed the human nature unto His Divine Person. There are, therefore, two natures in Jesus Christ, the divine nature and the human nature, but there is only one person in Him, the person of God the Son. Jesus Christ is therefore God and Man, the Son of God and the Son of David, the true Emmanuel, i. e. God with us.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT - MARK MALLETT

Some Questions and Answers

 

OVER the past month, there have been several questions which I feel inspired to respond to here… everything from fears over Latin, to storing up food, to questions on visionaries and seers. With God's help, I will try to answer them.

Question: Regarding the coming (and present) purification you are speaking of, are we to physically prepare? ie. store up food and water etc.?

The preparation Jesus spoke of was this: "watch and pray." It means first of all that we are to watch our souls by remaining humble and small before Him, confessing sin (particularly grave sin) whenever we discover it in our souls. In a word, remain in a state of grace. It also means we are to conform our lives to His commandments, to renew our minds or "put on the mind of Christ " as St. Paul says. But Jesus also told us to stay sober and alert regarding certain signs of the times which would signal the nearness of the end of the age… nation rising against nation, earthquakes, famines etc. We should watch these signs too, all the while remaining like a little child, trusting in God.

We are to pray. The Catechism teaches that "prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father" (CCC 2565). Prayer is a relationship. And so, we should speak to God from the heart as we would to someone whom we love, and then listen to Him speak back, especially through His Word in Scripture. We should follow Christ's example and pray every day in the "inner room" of our hearts. It is crucial that you pray! It is in prayer that you will hear from the Lord how you are to personally prepare for the times ahead. Simply put, He is going to tell those who are His friends what they need to know—those who have a relationship with Him. But more than that, you will come to know how much He loves you, and thus grow in confidence and love for Him.

Regarding practical preparations, I think in today's volatile world it is very wise to have some food, water, and basic supplies on hand. We see all over the planet, including North America, instances where people are left for several days and sometimes weeks without electric power or access to groceries. Common sense would say it is good to be prepared for such occasions—2-3 weeks worth of supplies, perhaps.  Otherwise, we should always trust in God's providence… even in the difficult days which seem to be coming. Didn't Jesus tell us this?

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. (Matt 6:33) 

Question: Do you know of any Catholic communities ("sacred refuges") to go to when the time comes?  So many have new age tendencies and its hard to know who to trust?

It is possible that Our Lady and the angels will lead many to "sacred refuges" when difficult times come. But we should not speculate about how and when so much as we should simply trust in the Lord to provide in whatever way He sees fit. The safest place to be is in God's will. If God's will is for you to be in a war zone or in the middle of a city, then that's where you need to be.

As for false communities, this is why I say you must pray! You need to learn how to hear the Lord's voice, the Shepherd's voice, so that He can lead you to green and safe pastures. Many are the wolves today in these times, and it is only in communion with God, especially with our Mother's help and the guidance of the Magisterium, that we can navigate the true way to The Way.

Question: Do you think we will all be martyed?

I don't know if you, or I, or any of my readers will be martyred. But yes, some people in the Church will be, and already are being martyred, particularly in Communist and Islamic countries. There were more martyrs in the last century than all the centuries before it combined.

Our focus should always be on the duty of the moment and upon that charity which is a "white" martyrdom, a dying to self for the other. This is the martyrdom which we should focus on with joy! Yes, dishes and diapers require a "shedding of blood" for most of us!

 Question: Do you think it is okay to put blessed salt around your home and blessed medals?

Yes, absolutely. The salt and medals themselves contain no power. It is the blessing which God gives them that surrounds your home. There is a fine line here between superstition and the proper use of sacramentals. Trust in God, not the sacramental; use the sacramental to help dispose you to trust in God. But they are more than symbols; God does use objects or things as conduits of grace, just the way that Jesus used mud to heal a blind man's eyesight, or St. Paul's hankerchiefs conferred healing grace.

A Lutheran once told me about a man they were praying over who began to manifest evil spirits. He became violent, and began to lunge for one of the women praying there. Though the woman was not Catholic, she recalled something about an exorcism and the power of the sign of the cross which she quickly made in the air before the lunging man. Immediately, he fell backward.

Have your home blessed by a priest. Sprinkle salt around your property. Bless yourself and your family with Holy Water. Wear blessed crosses or medals. Wear the Scapular. Trust God alone.

God blesses objects and symbols. But moreso, He honors our faith when we recognize the One granting the blessing.

Question: There is no adoration in the Catholic churches where I live. Any suggestions?

Jesus is still present in the Tabernacle. Go to Him, love Him there, and receive His love for you.

Question: I can't find a spiritual director, what do I do?

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you find one, most preferably a priest. In the meantime, trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you. Carry the Bible in your right hand, and the Catechism in your left. Read the Saints (St. Therese de Liseux comes to mind, as well as St. Faustina's diary). Go to Mass, daily if you can. Embrace the Heavenly Father in frequent Confession. And pray, pray, pray.  If you remain small and humble, then you will hear the Lord directing you in these ways… even through His manifold wisdom revealed in creation. Don't be afraid. Trust in Jesus. He will never abandon you.

Question:  Have you heard of Christina Gallagher, Anne the Lay Apostle, Jennifer…etc.?

Whenever it comes to private revelation, we need to read it cautiously in a spirit of prayer, doing our best to avoid over-curiosity. There are some beautiful and authentic prophets in our time. There are some false ones too. If the bishop has made any statements regarding them, take heed to what is said. (The only exception to this, and it is rare, is Medjugorje in which the Vatican has declared the local bishop's statements to be only his 'opinion' and has opened a new commission, under Vatican authority, to investigate the supernatural origins of the alleged apparitions.)

Does reading certain private revelation bring you peace or a sense of clarity? Do the messages "resonate" in your heart and move you toward deeper conversion, sincere repentance, and love of God? You will know a tree by its fruits.

Question:  In To The Bastion! you refer to a communication from a priest relaying a message from Our Lady of La Salette from September 19th, 1846. This message begins with the sentence: "I'm sending out an SOS." The problem with this message is that the use of "SOS" as a distress signal originated in Germany and was only adopted Germany-wide in 1905…

Yes, this is true. And Our Lady would have also delivered the message in French. That is, you are reading a contemporary English translation of the message. Here is, apparently, a more accurate version: "I make an urgent appeal to the earth…" Essentially, it is the same meaning, but a different translation. To avoid any further confusion, I have edited the first line according to this latter version.

Question: I wonder why the Holy Father would not be saying the same thing to the flock? Why isn't he talking about the Bastion? 

I wrote in To The Bastion!: "Christ is the Rock upon which we are built—that mighty fortress of salvation. The Bastion is its upper room." The call to the Bastion is a call to the Rock, who is Jesus—but which is also His Body, the Church built upon the rock who is Peter. There is probably no prophet in the Church speaking this message louder than Pope Benedict! The Holy Father has been sending clarion warnings regarding the dangers of straying from the Rock through moral relativism, the disregard of natural law, the divorce of history from Christianity, the acceptance of gay marriage, the attack on human dignity and life, and abuses within the Church itself. Pope Benedict is calling us back to the truth which sets us free. He is calling us to trust in God, who is love, and in the intercession of the Blessed Mother. He indeed is pointing us to the Bastion, to battle against the heresies and deceptions of our times by being Christ's bold witnesses.

Heaven is speaking to us now in a myriad of different ways… not always using the same vocabulary nor the same medium. But the message is always the same it seems: "repent, prepare, witness."

Question: Why do you think that the permission to say the Tridentine Mass is going to change anything? Isn't going back to Latin going to move the Church backwards and isolate people?

First, let me say that it would be wishful thinking to believe that the re-introduction of the Tridentine Mass is suddenly going to change the current crisis of faith in the Church. The reason is that it is precisely a crisis of faith. The solution to this troubling situation is a re-evangelization of the Church: to create opportunities for souls to encounter Christ. This "personal relationship" with Jesus is something that the Holy Fathers have spoken of often as fundamental to knowing God's love, and in turn, being His witness.

Conversion means accepting, by a personal decision, the saving sovereignty of Christ and becoming his disciple.  —POPE JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter: Mission of the Redeemer (1990) 46.

The first and most powerful way to evangelize the world is by holiness of life. Authenticity is what gives our words power and credibility. Witnesses, said Pope Paul VI, are the best teachers.

Now, the restoration of the beauty of the Mass is just one more opportunity in which we can convey the reality of Christ.

The Tridentine Mass was not without its abuses… poorly said and poorly prayed in many cases. Part of the goal of Vatican II was to bring freshness into what was becoming a rote worship, the beauty of the exterior form maintained but the heart so often missing from it. We are called by Jesus to worship in spirit and in truth, God glorified by both the internal and external, and that is what the Council hoped to revive. However, what resulted was unauthorized abuses which, rather than refreshing the Mystery of the Eucharist, diminished and even extinguished it.

What lies at the heart of Pope Benedict's recent motu proprio is the desire to reconnect the Church to more beautiful and proper forms of Liturgy in all rites; to begin moving the Body of Christ toward rediscovering the transcendence, beauty, and truth in the universal prayer of the Church. His desire is also to unite the Church, bringing together those who still enjoy more traditional forms of the Liturgy, but have been, until now, deprived of them.

Many are concerned about renewing the use of Latin and the fact that no one understands the language anymore, even many priests. The concern is that it will isolate and marginalize the faithful. However, the Holy Father is not calling for the elimination of the vernacular. He is rather encouraging the use of more Latin, which up until Vatican II, was the universal language of the Church for nearly 2000 years. It contains its own beauty, and connects the Church worldwide. At one time, you could travel to any country and participate more effectively in the Mass because of the Latin. 

During the past six years, I had been attending the Ukrainian rite of the Liturgy for the weekday masses. I barely understood two words of the language, but I was able to follow along in English. I found the Liturgy to be a powerful reflection of the transcendent mysteries being celebrated. But that was also because the priest who led the Liturgy prayed from the heart, had a deep devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist, and transmitted this in his priestly functions. Yet, I have also been to Novus Ordo masses where I found myself weeping at the Consecration for the same reasons: the prayerful spirit of the priest, often enhanced by beautiful music and worship.

The Holy Father has never said that Latin or the Tridentine Rite is to become the norm. Rather, that those who desire it can request it and that any priest throughout the world may celebrate it whenever he wishes to do so. In some ways, then, this may seem to be an insignificant change. But if the way young people are falling in love with the Tridentine Mass today is any indication, it is most significant indeed. And this significance, as I have expressed, is eschatological in nature.

Question: How do I explain to my children many of the things you have written here about things which are coming?

I would like to answer that shortly in a separate letter.

SIXTH LETTER

     To a member of the order who had received from him a book, and to whom he again enlarges on his favorite topic. * Encouragement to persevere.

   I HAVE received from Mrs. - the things which you gave her for me. I wonder that you have not given me your thoughts of the little book I sent to you, and which you must have received. Pray set heartily about the practice of it in your old age; it is better late than never.

   I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of center of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is insupportable.

   This exercise does not much fatigue the body: it is, however, proper to deprive it sometimes, nay often, of many little pleasures which are innocent and lawful: for GOD will not permit that a soul which desires to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with Him; that is more than reasonable.

   I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon ourselves. No, we must serve GOD in a holy freedom, we must do our business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet; recalling our mind to GOD mildly and with tranquility, as often as we find it wandering from Him.

   It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying aside all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion, though very good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably: because those devotions are only means to attain to the end; so when by this exercise of the presence of GOD we are with Him who is our end, it is then useless to return to the means; but we may continue with Him our commerce of love, persevering in His holy presence: one while by an act of praise, of adoration, or of desire; one while by an act of resignation, or thanksgiving; and in all the manner which our spirit can invent.

   Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may find in it from nature; you must do yourself violence. At the first, one often thinks it lost time; but you must go on, and resolve to persevere in it to death, notwithstanding all the difficulties that may occur. I recommend myself to the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I am yours in our LORD.

From 'The Practice and Presence of God'
     Creator: Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)
 

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #5

And Zachary said to the angel: "Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel answering, said to him: "I am Gabriel, who stand before God and am sent to speak to thee and to bring thee these good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be dumb and shalt not be able to speak until the day wherein these things shall come to pass: because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time." (Luke 1:18-20)

THE DOUBT OF ZACHARY; THE SIGN GIVEN HIM:
The angel said to Zachary: "Thy prayer is heard." Zachary ought to have known by these words that the speaker was a messenger sent by God, for god alone can see the heart, and it was from Him alone that the angel could have known what Zachary had prayed for. Nevertheless, Zachary would not fully believe the good tidings. He and his wife being old, it was so unlikely they should have a son that he asked for a sign. His request was granted. At that very moment he lost both speech and hearing, becoming (according to St. Ambrose, Maldonatus and others) deaf as well as dumb. We shall see in chapter IV that his friends had to make signs to him, because he could not hear them. This deafness and dumbness were meant to serve a threefold purpose:

1. They were to be a sign by which Zachary should know that the angel's message had come from God, and would surely be accomplished;

2. they were a punishment of the holy man's passing doubt, for a willful doubt is a sin. However, we may assume that Zachary's doubt was not quite willful, but rather the result of surprise and want of consideration, and that therefore his sin was only venial;

3. this particular mode of punishment was to be the means of keeping secret the revelation made to Zachary. It had been revealed to him that his son should go before the Redeemer, and that therefore the Redeemer would soon come. Zachary's impulse, in the joy of his heart, would have been to announce to all pious Israelites the good news that the day for which they all longed and the hour of salvation were at hand. Now, however, he was struck dumb, and according to the degrees of God's wisdom, the great secret could not just yet be disclosed to the world.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

FEAST OF

THE DIVINE MATERNITY OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

"The Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

Back in 1881, James A. Garfield was elected President of the United States. His mother lived near Cleveland, Ohio. He wrote to her asking her to come to his inauguration. She wrote back that it wouldn't be proper for her to be there. He wrote back, "I'll not go without you."

So they traveled together to Washington D.C., stayed at the same hotel, and when it was time for the ceremony, they drove in the same carriage to the capitol, where over 100,000 people were waiting.

What a surprise when the president-to-be climbed the high platform with his mother and before all the dignitaries; governors, judges, foreign ministers, and government officials, and the sea of faces before them, President elect James A. Garfield gave his honored chair to his mother. After his inaugural address, he walked over to his mother, put his arms around her and kissed her. The crowd was thrilled with this devotion of a son to a mother.

President Garfield was later martyred but the people remembered that beautiful thing he had done, sharing his honor with his mother. Of course nobody felt that this act of love took away the power and prestige of the presidency.

Now we can understand why Jesus, the Son of God, wants us to honor His Mother. Lets consider three things on this Feast of the Maternity of Our Lady:

1. Mary is truly the Mother of God.
2. As the Mother of God She claims the greatest dignity next to God.
3. As Mother of God we must honor and venerate her above all other creatures in Heaven and on earth.

1. The greatest joy of a mother is to see her son honored and respected.
Mother Mary experienced that joy. She knew that Jesus was God from the Archangel Gabriel's message: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most high shall overshadow thee. And therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God."

Yes, the Son of Mary is called the Son of the Most High, the Son of God. As soon as Mary gave her "fiat", the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity took a body and soul in her most chaste womb. From the very first instant of their existence the body and soul of Christ were united to His Divinity.

Jesus has two natures, divine and human. He is One Divine Person who is true God and true Man. This is what we celebrate today, October 11. Mary gave Jesus His human nature, which was instantly joined to His divine nature. Therefore Mary can be called and is the Mother of God!

2. As Mother of God, Mary enjoys the greatest dignity next to that of God Himself. A weak helpless maiden becomes the Mother of the All-powerful and eternal God. A creature becomes the Mother of the Creator! Every title on earth fades to nothing when compared with the title, "Mother of God." Just like President Garfield wanted his mother honored as mother of the president, so too Christ wants His Mother honored as Mother of God, Mother of Jesus.

3. Because Mary is the Mother of God, because she enjoys a place next to God Himself, it is only right that we honor and venerate her above all creatures. Of course we don't adore or worship her as God. Only God is adored and worshiped! But we do honor, venerate and respect her, and we hope that everyone will do the same!

May Mary, our Mother, the Mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, lead us and the whole world to the Sacred Heart of her Son. Amen.

FIFTH LETTER

     Prayer for a sister who is about to make a vow and profession. * A fresh insisting upon the necessity and virtue of practicing the Presence of God.

   I RECEIVED this day two books and a letter from Sister, who is preparing to make her profession, and upon that account desires the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I perceive that she reckons much upon them; pray do not disappoint her. Beg of GOD that she may make her sacrifice in the view of His love alone, and with a firm resolution to be wholly devoted to Him.

   I will send you one of those books which treat of the presence of GOD; a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life; and it seems to me that whoever duly practices it will soon become spiritual.

   I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of all other things; because GOD will possess the heart alone; and as He cannot possess it alone, without emptying it of all besides, so neither can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.

   There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with GOD: those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because GOD would have us.

   Were I a preacher, I should above all other things preach the practice of the presence of GOD; and were I a director, I should advise all the world to do it: so necessary do I think it, and so easy too.

   Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of GOD, we should never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment. Believe me; make immediately a holy and firm resolution never more willfully to forget Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived for the love of Him, if He thinks fit, of all consolations.

   Set heartily about this work, and if you do it as you ought, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it. I will assist you with my prayers, poor as they are: I recommend myself earnestly to yours, and those of your holy society.

From 'The Practice and Presence of God'
     Creator: Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #4

But the angel said to him: "Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard: and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son. And thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness: and many shall rejoice in his nativity. For he shall be great before the Lord and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." (Luke 1:13-15)

ABSTINENCE FROM STRONG DRINK: St. John the Baptist abstained from wine and strong drinks throughout his whole life. You ought, while you are young, to abstain from all strong drinks, and especially from spirits. Such drinks ruin the health of both the soul and body of the young.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

FOURTH LETTER

     Writes of himself as of a third person, and encourages his correspondent to press on to fuller practicing of the Presence of God.

   I HAVE taken this opportunity to communicate to you the sentiments of one of our society concerning the admirable effects and continual assistances which he receives from the presence of GOD. Let you and me both profit by them.

   You must know, his continual care has been, for above forty years past that he has spent in religion, to be always with GOD; and to do nothing, say nothing, and think nothing which may displease Him; and this without any other view than purely for the love of Him, and because He deserves infinitely more.

   He is now so accustomed to that Divine presence, that he receives from it continual succors upon all occasions. For about thirty years, his soul has been filled with joys so continual, and sometimes so great, that he is forced to use means to moderate them, and to hinder their appearing outwardly.

   If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that Divine presence, GOD presently makes Himself to be felt in his soul to recall him; which often happens when he is most engaged in his outward business: he answers with exact fidelity to these inward drawings, either by an elevation of his heart towards GOD, or by a meek and fond regard to Him, or by such words as love forms upon these occasions; as for instance, My GOD, here I am all devoted to Thee: LORD, make me according to Thy heart. And then it seems to him (as in effect he feels it) that this GOD of love, satisfied with such few words, reposes again, and rests in the depth and center of his soul. The experience of these things gives him such an assurance that GOD is always in the depth or bottom of his soul, and renders him incapable of doubting it, upon any account whatever.

   Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys, while he continually finds in himself so great a treasure: he is no longer in an anxious search after it, but has it open before him, and may take what he pleases of it.

   He complains much of our blindness; and cries often that we are to be pitied who content ourselves with so little. GOD, saith he, has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion which passes in a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder GOD, and stop the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favors plentifully; there they flow like a torrent, which, after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.

   Yes, we often stop this torrent, by the little value we set upon it. But let us stop it no more: let us enter into ourselves and break down the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace; let us redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left; death follows us close, let us be well prepared for it; for we die but once, and a miscarriage there is irretrievable.

   I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses: there is no room for delay; our souls are at stake. I believe you have taken such effectual measures, that you will not be surprised. I commend you for it, it is the one thing necessary: we must, nevertheless, always work at it, because not to advance, in the spiritual life, is to go back. But those who have the gale of the HOLY SPIRIT go forward even in sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the LORD, who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the sea.

   I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments, that you may compare them with your own: they will serve again to kindle and inflame them, if by misfortune (which GOD forbid, for it would be indeed a great misfortune) they should be, though never so little, cooled. Let us then both recall our first fervors. Let us profit by the example and the sentiments of this brother, who is little known of the world, but known of GOD, and extremely caressed by Him. I will pray for you; do you pray instantly for me, who am yours in our LORD.

From 'The Practice and Presence of God'
     Creator: Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)

FROM MARK MALLETT: THE FINAL CONFRONTATION

The Final Confrontation

The New Exodus, by Michael D. O'Brien

As in the Passover and Exodus of the Old Testament, God's people must cross the desert toward the Promised Land. In the New Testament era, the "pillar of fire" is the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. In this painting, ominous storm clouds gather and an army approaches, intent on destroying the children of the new covenant. The people are in confusion and terror, but a priest lifts high a monstrance in which the Body of Christ is exposed, the Lord rallying to Himself all those who hunger for truth. Soon the light will scatter the darkness, divide the waters, and open an impossible path to the promised land of Paradise. —Michael D. O'Brien, commentary on the painting The New Exodus

 

THE PILLAR OF FIRE

JESUS is going to lead His people into the "promised land"—an Era of Peace where the Covenant people of God will rest from their labors.

For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works"… Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. (Heb 4:4, 9)

Indeed, that Pillar of Fire is the burning Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eucharist. His Mother, Mary, is the Pillar of Cloud which has been leading this little remnant of the Church out of the night of sin during the past 40 years. But as the Dawn approaches, we are to Look To The East, for the Pillar of Fire is rising to lead us to victory. We, like the Israelites, are to smash our idols, to simplify our lives so that we may travel lightly, to fix our eyes upon the Cross, and place our trust completely in God. Only in this way will we be able to make the journey.

 
THE GREAT EVANGELIZATION

Mary is preparing us for the Great Battle… the Battle for souls. It is so very near my brothers and sisters, so very near. Jesus is coming, the Rider upon a White Horse, the Pillar of Fire, to bring about great victories. It is the First Seal:

I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories. (Rev 6:2)

[The Rider] is Jesus Christ. The inspired evangelist [St. John] not only saw the devastation brought about by sin, war, hunger and death; he also saw, in the first place, the victory of Christ. —POPE PIUS XII, Address, November 15, 1946; footnote of The Navarre Bible, "Revelation", p.70

When the Seals of Revelation are broken, many will turn back toward the Pillar of Fire, especially those for whom we are now praying and fasting for. Our role will be to point them toward this Pillar of Fire.

I see the dawning of a new missionary age, which will become a radiant day bearing an abundant harvest, if all Christians, and missionaries and young churches in particular, respond with generosity and holiness to the calls and challenges of our time. —POPE JOHN PAUL II, December 7, 1990: Encyclical, Redemptoris Missio "The Mission of Christ the Redeemer"

Tragically, many will be lost for eternity, choosing instead the false light of the prince of darkness. During this period, there will be much confusion and anguish. This is why Jesus called these times "labor pains", for they will be giving birth to new Christians in the midst of pain and suffering.

Do not expect to see the whole world convert. In fact, what I see in my heart is a further separation of the wheat from the chaff.

We should not think that in the near future Christianity will become a movement of the masses again, going back to a situation like Medieval times …the powerful minorities, which have something to say and something to bring to society, will determine the future. —POPE BENEDICT XVI (Cardinal Ratzinger), Catholic News Agency, August 9, 2004

Before the Seventh Seal is broken, God ensures that His people will be marked by His angels for protection:

Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea. Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God… The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. (Rev 7:2-3, 15)

The armies of God, and the armies of Satan will be sifted further and defined throughout this period, and the great confrontation Pope John Paul spoke of will reach its climax:

We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-Church, of the Gospel and the anti-Gospel… It is a trial which the whole Church . . . must take up.  —reprinted November 9, 1978, issue of The Wall Street Journal

 

THE SEVENTH SEAL

Those who decide for Christ will be spiritually sheltered as they follow the Pillar of Fire. They will be in the Ark, who is Our Lady.

When the Seventh Seal is broken…

…there was silence in heaven for about half an hour…. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Rev 8:1, 5) 

The Seventh Seal marks the silence of the Lord, when the Church will be officially silenced, and the time of the famine of the word of God commences:

Yes, days are coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send famine upon the land: Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)

It marks the beginning of the definitive stage of the war between the Church and the anti-Church. We see this scene in detail in Revelation 11 & 12:

Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm.  A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. (11:19, 12:1-4)

The Blessed Mother is clothed with the Sun, for she signals the dawning of the reign of the Sun of Justice, the Eucharist. Remember that this "woman clothed in the sun" is also a symbol of the Church. You see now how our Mother and the Holy Father are working in unison to birth the reign of the Eucharist! There is a mystery here: The child whom this woman is giving birth to is Christ in the Eucharist, which is also at the same time the remnant Church who are mystically the Body of Christ. The woman, then, is laboring to give birth to the whole Body of Christ who will reign with Him during the Era of Peace:

She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God, that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days. (Rev 12:5-6)

The "son" who is caught up to the throne, I believe, is Jesus, the one "who sits on the throne." That is, the daily sacrifice of the Mass will be banned from public worship—(see The Eclipse of the Son.) At that time, the Church will have to flee persecution, and many will be taken to "sacred refuges" where they will be protected by God's angels. Others will be called to confront the army of Satan in an attempt to convert them: the time of the Two Witnesses.

I will commission my two witnesses to prophesy for those twelve hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth.  (Rev 11:3)

 
THE TIMES OF ANTICHRIST

The Dragon sweeps a third of the stars in the sky toward the earth. This marks the beginning of the Time of the Seven Trumpets, and what may in fact be a full blown schism in the Church, with the stars representing, in part, a portion of the hierarchy falling away:

When the first one blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass. When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked… (Rev  8:7-9)

After this schism, there will rise the anti-Christ, whose time the Holy Fathers of this past century have suggested is near.

When all this is considered there is good reason to fear… that there may be already in the world the "Son of Perdition" of whom the Apostle speaks (2 Thess 2: 3).  —Pope St. Pius X

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. It took its position on the sand of the sea… Then I saw a beast come out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads; on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads blasphemous names. To it the dragon gave its own power and throne, along with great authority. (Rev 12:17, 13:1-2)

For a short period of time, with the abolition of the Eucharist, darkness will hem in the earth's inhabitants until Christ destroys the 'lawless one' with His breath, throwing the Beast and the False Prophet into the lake of fire, and chaining Satan for a "thousand years."

Thus will begin the universal reign of the Body of Christ: Jesus, and His Mystical Body, a union of hearts, through the Holy Eucharist. It is this reign which will bring about His return in glory.

 

THE WORDS OF THE KING

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place. All these are the beginning of the labor pains. Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:7-14) 

A new missionary age will arise, a new springtime for the Church. –POPE JOHN PAUL II, Homily, May, 1991

Saint Luke

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #3

And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame. (Luke 1:6)

STEADFASTNESS & TRUE JUSTICE: Zachary and Elizabeth are models of steadfastness in what is right. They lived in an evil time when most of the Israelites, and even most of the priests, had grown lax in the service of God, and no longer worshiped Him in their hearts. But in spite of the evil example of those around them, Zachary and Elizabeth remained true to God, and faithfully observed His commandments. Zachary and Elizabeth were not only just in the eyes of men, as were the hypocritical Pharisees, but were "just before God."

Many people think it is enough to appear righteous in the eyes of the world. This may be sufficient to save us from being put into prison, but it will not prove enough to obtain for us an entrance into heaven. He who wishes to be just before God, and to dwell with Him one day in heaven, must observe all God's commandments, and must do His will in all things as Zachary and Elizabeth did.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

From Mej.com

Medjugorje Not Real?

On June 26, 1981, a crowd of nearly three thousand people were drawn to Apparition Mountain by the luminary signs coming from the hill. The visionary, Ivanka, asks Our Lady why She is here and what does She want from the people. Our Lady responded:

"I have come because there are many true believers here. I wish to be with you to convert and to reconcile the whole world."

Twenty-six years later, on October 7, 2007, when the above picture was taken outside of St. James Church, the thousands still gather in Medjugorje, pilgrims from around the world mixed with the Croatian villagers of the region. No where in the world can one see the lines formed behind the confessional as one sees them in Medjugorje. Night after night, month after month, year after year…Our Lady continues to convert and reconcile the whole world…through one little village.

- A Friend of Medjugorje

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"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"

For a soldier friend whom he encourages to trust in God.

WE have a GOD who is infinitely gracious, and knows all our wants. I always thought that He would reduce you to extremity. He will come in His own time, and when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than ever: thank Him with me for the favours He does you, particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions: it is a plain mark of the care He takes of you; comfort yourself then with Him, and give thanks for all.

I admire also the fortitude and bravery of M. . GOD has given him a good disposition, and a good will; but there is in him still a little of the world, and a great deal of youth. I hope the affliction which GOD has sent him will prove a wholesome remedy to him, and make him enter into himself; it is an accident very proper to engage him to put all his trust in Him, who accompanies him everywhere: let him think of Him the oftenest he can, especially in the greatest dangers.

A little lifting up the heart suffices; a little remembrance of GOD, one act of inward worship, though upon a march, and sword in hand, are prayers which, however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to GOD; and far from lessening a soldier's courage in occasions of danger, they best serve to fortify it. Let him then think of GOD the most he can; let him accustom himself, by degrees, to this small but holy exercise; nobody perceives it, and nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day these little internal adorations.

Recommend to him, if you please, that he think of GOD the most he can, in the manner here directed; it is very fit and most necessary for a soldier,who is daily exposed to dangers of life, and often of his salvation. I hope that GOD will assist him and all the family, to whom I present my service, being theirs and yours.

From 'The Practice and Presence of God'
Creator: Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691)

MARK MALLETT: THE SUN OF JUSTICE

The Sun of Justice

 

Look to the East! The Sun of Justice is rising. He comes, the Rider Upon the White Horse!

 
THE call to the Bastion is a call to come to Jesus, the Rock, in the Blessed Sacrament, and there, to wait for the Battle orders with the Blessed Mother. It is a time of intense preparation—not anxious—but intense, by fasting, frequent Confession, the Rosary, and attending Mass whenever one can, so as to be in a state of childlike attentiveness. And do not forget love, my friends, which without, all the others are empty. For I believe the Seals of Revelation are about to be broken by the "Lamb who seemed to have been slain", as St. John foresaw it in chapters 5-6.

That is, the Eucharist is intimately connected to The Time of the Seals.

THE PAINFUL PURIFICATION

This week, I have been hearing these words:

You are entering the most painful part of the purification.

Yet at that same time, I sense a great anticipation. For as I wrote in Look to the East! I believe there is going to be a manifestation of Jesus related to the Blessed Sacrament which will awaken the world to His Eucharistic Presence. Indeed, the "warning" which saints and mystics have spoken of is an interior illumination of one's conscience triggered by the vision of Jesus crucified, a visual reproduction of the Eucharistic Sacrifice:

All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.  —St. Faustina, Diary of Divine Mercy, n. 83

In this regard, is not the warning at Fatima also related? Tens of thousands, gathered on October 13th, 1917, witnessed the sun begin to spin and change colors. It was described as a "disc".

Then, suddenly, one heard a clamor, a cry of anguish breaking from all the people. The sun, whirling wildly, seemed all at once to loosen itself from the firmament and, blood red, advance threateningly upon the earth as if to crush us with its huge and fiery weight. The sensation during those moments was truly terrible. All the phenomena which I have described were observed by me in a calm and serene state of mind without any emotional disturbance. It is for others to interpret and explain them. —Professor Almeida Garrett, Novos Documentos de Fatima (Loyala editions, San Paulo, 1984)

And today, many around the world have related seeing again this "miracle of the sun" at famous apparitions sites, often describing the miracle as a "Eucharistic Host" spinning in the sky, and sometimes falling to the earth as thought it were a warning. Why a warning? Because as the Eucharistic Reign of Jesus approaches, so too does His Justice. His reign will be one of peace, not chaos. This present chaos must come to an end.

And so then, one sees the purpose of the Seals: they are the arrival of a merciful judgment to shake souls from their complacency into conversion. For as the world is plunged into war, famine, plagues, and earthquakes, many souls will turn at last to Jesus, present in the Eucharist, and repent. This is why you are called to the Bastion. You are being readied to meet and love many souls and point them to the "source and summit" of their existence: Jesus.

The Sun of Justice is coming… and the first signs of Dawn are here.

 

THE "END TIME" DEVOTIONS

While the revelations of the merciful Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690 A.D.) and St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) were separated by three centuries, they have a common theme: devotion to the Heart of Jesus will be a sign of the end times.

I understood that devotion to the Sacred Heart is a last effort of His Love towards Christians of these latter times, by proposing to them an object and means so calculated to persuade them to love Him. —St. Margaret Mary, Antichrist and the End Times, Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi, p. 65

This devotion was the last effort of His love that He would grant to men in these latter ages, in order to withdraw from the empire of Satan which He desired to destroy, and thus to introduce them into the sweet liberty of the rule of His love, which He wished to restore in the hearts of all those who should embrace this devotion. —St. Margaret Mary, www.sacredheartdevotion.com

Jesus appeared to St. Faustina with rays of light pouring from His Merciful Heart. From her Diary:

I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of [sinners]…. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy… He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice. —Diary of St Faustina, 1160, 848, 1146

You will prepare the world for My final coming. —Diary, n.429

And recall again the words of St. John Bosco in his famous dream of the two pillars:

There will be chaos in the Church. Tranquility will not return until the Pope succeeds in anchoring the boat of Peter between the Twin Pillars of Eucharistic devotion and devotion to Our Lady. —Forty Dreams of St. John Bosco, compiled and edited by Fr. J. Bacchiarello, S.D.B.

The call to the Bastion is a call to look to the Eucharist, which is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To entrust our whole beings to Him who is our refuge. We now see these devotions to His Heart converging in our times.  

The call, then, is to prepare for the end of this age.

 

FURTHER READING

• Prophetic Perspective

• Too Late?

 

* Dear readers, I have been inundated with emails and am several weeks behind in replies. Once again, I cannot reply to every letter. But I do read them all, and keep each of you in my daily intercessions. Thank you for understanding. Please pray for me. Yes, watch and pray!