Reflection #7

Our Eternal Salvation
Is in Prayer

Prayer is not only useful to us, but necessary for salvation. Hence it is that God, because He desires that we should all be saved, has enjoined it on us by a precept. "Ask, and it shall be given you." (Matthew 7:7). It was an error of Wickliff, condemned by the Council of Constance, to say that prayer was a matter of counsel to us, and not of precept. Jesus Christ says, that men "ought always to pray." (Luke 18:1). He does not say that it is useful or benefiting, but that men "ought always to pray." Wherefore, the Doctors of the Church justly say that a man cannot be excused from grievous [i.e., mortal] sin who neglects to recommend himself to God as least once a month and whenever he finds himself assaulted by any strong temptation.
The reason for this necessity of recommending ourselves often to God arise from our inability to do any good work or to have any good thoughts of ourselves. "Without Me you can do nothing," says Jesus Christ. (John 15:5). And St. Paul teaches the same: "Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves." (2 Corinthians 3:5). Therefore, St. Philip Neri used to say that he despaired of himself. On the other hand, St. Augustine writes that God desires to give us His graces, but does not bestow them, except on those who ask for them. And especially, says the Saint, He only gives the grace of perseverance to those who seek it.
And as the devil never ceases to go about in order to devour us, we ought necessarily to defend ourselves unceasingly by prayer. "Continual prayer is necessary for man," says St. Thomas. And Jesus Christ Himself was the first to teach us: "We ought always to pray and not to faint." (Luke 18:1). Otherwise, how shall we be able to resist the incessant temptations of the world and the devil? It is an error of Jansenius, condemned by the Church, to say that the observance of certain precepts was impossible to us and that sometimes the grace which would render it possible is wanting to us. But "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able," as St. Paul assures us. (I Corinthians 10:13). Yet He requires that when we are tempted, we should have recourse to Him for help to resist. St. Augustine writes: "The law is given that grace may be sought; grace is given that the law may be fulfilled." Seeing that the law cannot be obeyed by us without grace, God has yet given us the law in order that we may seek the grace to fulfill it. And this was well expressed by the Council of Trent in these words: "God does not command impossibilities, but in commanding, He admonishes thee both to do what thou canst, and seek aid for what thou canst not do, and He helps thee, that thou mayest be able to do it." (Council of Trent, Session 6, Chapter 11).
Thus, God is very ready to give us His help in order that we may not be overcome by temptation, but this help He gives to those only who have recourse to Him in the time of temptation, and especially in temptations against chastity. For as the Wise Man wrote: "As I knew that I could not otherwise be continent except God gave it . . . I went to the Lord and besought Him." (Wisdom 8:21). Let us rest assured that we would not have strength to overcome our carnal appetites if God did not give us help to do so, and this help we shall not have without prayer; but if we pray, we shall assuredly have it in order to resist all the devils of Hell by the power of God, who strengthens us. As St. Paul says: "I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).
It also helps us very much to obtain divine grace if we have recourse to the intercession of the Saints, for they have great power with God, especially for the benefit of those who are their special clients. And this is not a mere optional devotion, but it is a duty, as St. Thomas writes. For he says that the order established by God requires, that we mortals should receive the helps which are necessary for our salvation through the prayers of the Saints.
With greater force must this apply to the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, whose prayers are of greater efficacy than those of all the Saints, the more so because, as St. Bernard says, it is through Mary that we have access to Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Savior. "Through thee," says the holy Doctor, "we have access to the Son, O thou finder of grace, mother of salvation, that through thee He may receive us, who through thee was given to us."
Let us then pray, and pray with confidence, says the Apostle. "Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in seasonable aid." (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus Christ now sits on the throne of grace, to console all who have recourse to Him, and says: "Ask, and it shall be given to you." (Matthew 7:7). On the day of Judgment also, He will be seated on a throne, but it will be a throne of Justice. What madness, then, will not be theirs who, having it in their power to be relieved of their miseries by going to Jesus now that He sits on a throne of grace, yet wait till He will be their Judge and will no more show mercy. Now He says to us that whatever we ask of Him, if we have confidence, shall all be given to us. "All things whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive, and they shall come to you." (Mark 11:24).
And what more can one friend do to another to show his love than to say, "Ask me what you wish, and I will give it to you?" St. James, moreover, says: "If any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given [to] him." (James 1:5). By "wisdom" is here meant the knowledge how to save one's soul; to have this wisdom, we must therefore seek of God the graces necessary to obtain salvation. And will God give them? Assuredly He will give them, and He will give them superabundantly, and more than we ask for. Let us observe also the words, He "upbraideth not." (James 1:5). If the sinner repents of his sins and asks salvation from God, God will not act as men do, who reproach the ungrateful with their ingratitude and refuse them what they ask; but He gives to them willingly, as much as and even more than He is asked for. If then we would be saved, we must, even till death, have our lips ever opened to pray and say: "My God, help me; my God, have mercy; Mary, have mercy." If we cease to pray, we shall be lost. Let us pray for ourselves and let us pray for sinners, for this is so pleasing to God. Let us pray also every day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; those holy prisoners are most grateful to all who pray for them. Moreover, whenever we pray, let us seek graces from God through the merits of Jesus Christ, for He Himself assures us that whatever we ask in His Name, He will give it all to us.

O my God, this is the grace which, above all others, this day I ask of Thee, through the merits of Jesus Christ: grant that throughout my life, and especially in time of temptation, I may recommend myself to Thee and hope for Thy help, for the love of Jesus and Mary.
O holy Virgin, obtain for me this grace, on which depends my salvation.
[Excepted from 'Devout Reflections and Meditations' by St. Alphonsus Liguori] (Public domain)

Is God acting upon the July 4, 2008 Consecration

of the

United States of America?

You decide!

This is the year of St. Paul, so named and dedicated worldwide by the Catholic Church. St. Paul, the great evangelist, wrote about three quarters of the New Testament. Though an unlikely choice, he was chosen to be a tool in the hands of God, transforming the known gentile world and stretching centuries into the future, even to the New World.

God can choose anyone He wants, to do what He wants.

Joan of Arc was a 13-year-old peasant girl in France. The famous 100 Year War had been raging between England and France. France had been reduced to little more than a few square blocks. The nation was doomed to history, with no hope for a future. For two years the Archangel Michael and other heavenly figures spoke to Joan’s heart, training and preparing her for a divine appointment. An unlikely choice, at 16 years of age, she became not only the youngest military officer to command all armed forces of a nation in all of history, but the only woman in the history of the world to hold such a position. Joan of Arc miraculously led her soldiers in battle and drove England out of France, restoring France as a nation. The simple peasant mesmerized the generals and the troops and the people rallied everywhere she went. She had a magnetism that could not be explained except by the Divine.

God can choose anyone He wants, to do what He wants.

We are a nation torn by a cultural civil war. Our society today is not producing fruit. Rather an internal lust of self has taken root prevailing over and oppressing those who desire a society where God is the center, marriage is uplifted and the well being of the family flourishes.

Much of this division is the result of radical feminists who have led the culture in decades of war fighting for abortion, unrestrained freedom to do whatever they want with their person, reproductive rights, easy divorce, and on and on. Feminists, along with many other radical movements, want women in every position from the work place to political office. Every new position filled as a first is hailed as a glorious moment in history for ‘women’. And yet, their path is strewn with sin, aberrant beliefs and defiance against God. Why do they suddenly not want what they have fought for?

God can choose anyone He wants, to do what He wants.

St. Paul was His choice to save the gentiles.

1.* This election year--the year of St. Paul.

2.* Joan of Arc was His choice to save France.

God speaks to us when we recognize the signs He leaves to trace His direction.

3.* An unlikely choice, Sarah Palin, a woman, with her acceptance speech, rallied the Nation to hope again, from St. Paul¹…

Minnesota that is….

Three signs? ***

You decide.

By A Friend of Medjugorje

On Behalf of Caritas of Birmingham / mej.com

P.S. This is not an endorsement of anyone. It is given to you to contemplate the July 4, 2008 consecration of our Nation^2.. The moment of consecration was definitely a commitment by “we the people” to put our Nation in Providence’s hand to move it by all matters of occurrence and unforeseen incidents to restore our land.

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

Quote by W. H. Murray

The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

Send this around the country. Keep it going to all you know.

1. St. Paul, Minnesota, the convention where Sarah Palin gave her acceptance speech.

2. On July 4, 2008, 12,000-15,000 people gathered for the purpose of placing the United States of America in the hands of God. This day was preceded by 16 years of prayers, prayed by tens of thousands of people across our nation. July 4, 2008 was part of a serious five day prayer gathering in the spirit of the people of Nineveh calling out to God, with prayer and lamentation, seeking His forgiveness and mercy. Outside of the thousands who were gathered together for this special prayer event, tens of thousands were joined in prayer across the United States during these five days.

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[MaryVitamin] oil poured out

Mary Vitamin for September 9^th

 

Topic: Holy Name of Mary

 

Quote:

St. Germanus

"[A]s breathing is a sign of life, so also is the frequent pronunciation of the name of Mary a sign either of the life of divine grace, or that is will soon come; for this powerful name has in it the virtue of obtaining help and life for him who invokes it devoutly."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books), 239.

 

Meditation:

St. Alphonsus di Liguori begins his meditation on the holy name of Mary with

 'Thy name is as oil poured out." Canticles 1:2.

 

He continues "on these words blessed Alan says, 'that the glory of her name is compared to oil poured out; because oil heals the sick, sends out a sweet odour, and nourishes flames.' Thus also does the name  of Mary heal sinners, rejoice hearts, and inflame them with divine love."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books), 238.

 

Resolution:

I will remember the words of St. Germanus who reminds us that the frequent calling upon the name of Mary is a sign of a healthy spiritual life. When I can say no other prayer today, I will remember to say the name of Mary.

 

Marian Vow:

St. Louis de Montfort

"Both Saint Bernard and Saint Bonaventure say that the Queen of Heaven is certainly no less grateful and conscientious than gracious and well-mannered people of this world. Just as she excels in all other perfections, she surpasses us all in the virtue of gratitude; so she would never let us honor her with love and respect without repaying us one hundredfold. Saint Bonaventure says that Mary will greet us with grace if we greet her with the Hail Mary."

The Secret of the Rosary, the Eighteenth Rose

 

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY # 337

So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts." (Matt. 18:35)

THE FIFTH PETITION OF THE 'OUR FATHER' is explained by this parable; it being clearly shown that he who does not forgive his fellow-men "from his heart," cannot obtain forgiveness from God, but will be rejected by Him, and banished for ever from His Presence.

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

Reflection #6

On the Science of the Saints

There are two kinds of knowledge upon earth, one heavenly, the other worldly. The heavenly is that which teaches us to please God and to become great in Heaven. The worldly is that which moves us to please ourselves and to become great in this world. But this world knowledge is folly and real madness in the sight of God. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (I Corinthians 3:19). It is folly, for such wisdom makes fools of those who cultivate it. It makes them fools and like the brutes, for it teaches them to gratify their sensual appetites like the brute beasts.
St. John Chrysostom writes: "We call him a man who preserves unimpaired the likeness of man," namely, that which distinguishes him from a brute. "What is that likeness? The gift of reason." From this it follows that as we should say of a brute which always acted according to reason, that it behaved like a man, so on the contrary, we ought to say of a man who acts according to his sensual appetites and in opposition to reason, that he behaves like a brute beast.
But even speaking of human and natural knowledge of earthly things, what do men know of them, however much they have studied? What are we but so many blind moles, who besides the truths which we know by faith, know all the rest only by means of our senses, or by conjecture, so that everything is for us uncertain and liable to error? What writer on such subjects, however applauded by many, has escaped the criticism of others? Bit the evil is that, as St. Paul says, "Knowledge" (that is to say, worldly science) "puffs up," and makes men proud and prone to despise others. (Cf. I Corinthians 8:1). And this is a defect most injurious to the soul, for as St. James says, "God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble." (James 4:6).
"Oh that they would be wise and would understand and would provide for their last end!" (Deuteronomy 32:29). Oh if men would act by reason and the Divine Law--and thus would learn to provide, not so much for a temporal life, which speedily ends, as for eternity--they would certainly not occupy themselves in the attainment of any other knowledge, except such as aids them in obtaining eternal happiness and avoiding eternal torments!
St. John Chrysostom advises us to go to the tombs of the dead in order to learn the science of salvation. Oh what admirable schools of truth are the sepulchers to make us know the vanity of the world! "Let us go to the tombs; there," said the Saint, "there I see nothing but corruption, bones and worms." Among all these skeletons which I see, I cannot tell which belong to the ignorant and which to the learned; I only see that, with death, all the glories of the world were ended for them. What has remained of a Cicero, a Demosthenes, an Ulpian? "They have slept their sleep, and . . . have found nothing in their hands." (Psalms 75:6).
Blessed is he who has received from God the science of the Saints. The science of the Saints is to know how to love God. How many in the world are well-versed in literature, in mathematics, in foreign and ancient languages! But what will all this profit them if they know not how to love God? "Blessed is he," said St. Augustine, "who knows God, even if he knows nothing else." He that knows God and loves Him, though he be ignorant of what others know, is more learned than all the learned who know not how to love God.
"The unlearned arise and seize upon Heaven!" cried out the same Saint. How learned were a St. Francis of Assisi, a St. Pascal, a St. John of God! Ignorant in worldly science, but well-skilled in that which is divine. "Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones." (Matthew 11:25). By the wise, we are here to understand the worldly-wise, who labor for the possessions and glories of the world and make little account of eternal goods. And by little ones, we are to understand simple souls (like children), who know little of worldly wisdom, but devote all their care to pleasing God.
Oh, let us not then envy those who know many things; let us only envy those who know how to love Jesus Christ; and let us imitate St. Paul, who desired to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; for he says: "I judged not myself to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:2). Happy are we if we attain to the knowledge of the love which Jesus crucified has borne us and from this book of divine love learn to love Him!

O my True and Perfect Lover, where shall I find one who has loved me as much as Thou hast loved me? In the past I have lost my time in learning many things which have profited my soul nothing; and I have thought little of knowing how to love Thee. I see that my life has been lost. I hear Thee calling me to Thy love; behold me here; I leave all; from this day forth, my one, only thought shall be to please Thee, my Supreme Good. I give myself wholly to Thee; do Thou accept me; give me help to be faithful to Thee; I resolve to be no longer my own, but all, all Thine.
O Mother of God, do thou also succor me by thy prayers.
[Excepted from 'Devout Reflections and Meditations' by St. Alphonsus Liguori] (Public domain)

FROM MARK MALLETT
- SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT -
CONTINUED

Controversial Images

Scene from The Passion of the Christ

EVERY day as I comb the news headlines, I am faced with the violence and evil of this world. I find it exhausting, but also recognize it as my duty as a "watchman" to try and sift through this stuff to find the "word" hidden in the world’s events. But the other day, the face of evil really got to me when I entered the video store for the first time in months to rent a movie for my daughter’s birthday. As I scanned the shelves for a family movie, I was faced with image after image of dismembered bodies, half-naked women, demonic faces, and other violent images. I was looking into the mirror of a culture obsessed with sex and violence.

And yet, no one seems to openly object to this gruesome display which is scanned each day by young and old alike, and yet, when a picture of the reality of abortion is shown, some people are deeply offended. People pay to see violent movies, even rousing dramas such as Braveheart, Schindler’s List, or Saving Private Ryan where the reality of evil is graphically portrayed; or they play video games depicting unbelievable brutality and gruesome violence, and yet, somehow this is acceptable—but a photo giving voice to the voiceless is not.

CONTROVERSIAL IMAGES

I received a couple of letters from mothers who were upset at the image I used in the Hour of Decision. Understandably so. I’m a soon-to-be father of eight, and these images disturb me to the core. I wept when I saw them the first time. For some reason, some people think that I actually made this image… that I found two fetal arms and placed them intentionally on an American coin. I did not create this image, which came from the website www.abortionno.org and the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform. According to their website, "The coins and pencils are included as a size reference and are part of the original photos." While I did not readily read how the fetus was recovered, it is possible this baby was salvaged from a garbage dump or medical waste bin where many aborted babies often end up. The idea that this was an anti-American message, as two readers implied, is kind of befuddling, especially when it addresses Canadian bishops specifically, as well as references the warning I gave while in Canada’s capital.

It sometimes takes a while for me to pick an image for my writings, as they often convey a "word" in themselves. My spirit was unsettled with using the typical quiet fetus sucking its thumb in the womb. For the message I sent yesterday is grave. It essentially warns that far more difficult and painful images of death will fill our cities and streets if abortion is not repented of. With such a powerful warning, is this the time for comfortable images? My newsman background in television has led me in the past to warn readers of graphic images in my meditations. Should I have made this a choice this time, as some have suggested? Perhaps… but the baby in that image had no choice. That’s the point. Every day, some 126, 000 babies are aborted in the world. Over a hundred babies were aborted in the time it took you to read this far. I think it is time, in this age of images, internet, and media which inundates us, that we squarely face the painful reality of what abortion is in all its horror instead of trying to cover it up, keeping the truth in the darkness. For many people still believe that that fetus is just a blob, even at 10 weeks.

My people perish for lack of knowledge. (Hos 4:6)

THE MOST PAINFUL IMAGE

In nearly every traditional Catholic Church, there is a crucifix hanging in the center. Some of them depict a bloody lifeless corpse. Why? Why does the Catholic Church makes this the centerpiece of its churches? Because the image sends us a message. A message of truth, a message of love, a message of warning. It is a scandal. Man crucified his God. It is an image of the horror of the consequences of evil introduced into the world by sin.

When I watched the graphic movie The Passion of the Christ—its scenes flowing with the blood of our Lord—I was horrified… horrified at the cost of my sin. I wept, and wept, and wept. And that was the third time I saw it. When I prayed the Stations of the Cross at Hanceville, Alabama where Mother Angelica lives, and came upon the heavily mutilated body of Our Lord depicted on the Cross, it elicited the same powerful reaction. I was not angry at Mother Angelica. I was moved by the truth that I wasn’t doing enough for my Lord.

When I saw the photos of aborted babies on Pro-Life websites, I was sickened. It moved me to action. It convicted me that I needed to do and say more. For every day, there are babies being slaughtered just as the photo I published depicts. This is a scandal. It is an image of the horror of evil introduced into the modern world by sin. Is it right for us to try and hide the images of this holocaust, or the Jewish holocaust, or the images of starving babies in Ethiopia, another form of injustice?

One writer asked how I, with seven children, could possibly post an image like this. One of my daughters just walked into my office now and said, "If people never see this, they won’t ever fully grasp how terrible this is." Out of the mouths of babes.

Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. (Matt 10:34)

There should be no false peace in your soul or mine so long as abortion exists. The photo I published brings the truth of abortion into the light.

And I would publish it again in a heartbeat.

FURTHER READING:

• More on the hard truth of graphic photos: The Hard Truth - Part I
  

• A powerful testimony: The Hard Truth - Part IV

• Does the fetus feel pain? The Hard Truth - Part V

• Is a Fetus a Person?

• War drums… a press release today: Russia sending heavily armed nuclear ship into Caribbean waters… first time since Cold War

Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, THE HARD TRUTH | on September 8th, 2008 |

Monday	September 8, 2008

Monster Fire Threatens
Medjugorje Apparition Site

The days here in Medjugorje have been blistering hot, with no rain for at least the last 1 ½ months. There have been many sporadic fires behind the mountains and in the fields throughout Medjugorje and the surrounding area. Because the area is so dry, it only takes one little spark to ignite into an out-of-control fire in just minutes. Coming out of English Mass today, which was at noon, in celebration of the day the Church recognizes as Our Lady’s birthday, the Caritas Community members noticed a lot of smoke coming in the direction of Apparition Hill. As they got closer, they saw that there was a fire on the right side and back of Apparition Hill.

The fire from a distance as it is moving towards Apparition Hill. You can see the flames, still small, a good distance away.

As the wind picked up, they watched as the flames became larger and started to spread out, heading in the direction of the Apparition site. One of the Caritas members grabbed the camera as they headed towards Apparition Hill. There were many pilgrims and villagers alike who were stopped along the trails, standing outside of shops, sitting outside their homes, or just standing on the streets, watching as the wind blew and flames continued to draw closer to the statue of Our Lady. The pictures show the fire sweeping across the mountain like a monster toward the Apparition site.

A wider view of the fire as it comes closer to the site of the Apparitions.

The desire of satan is to devour you. He never rests and is lurking for you.

May 25, 1995

“…satan is strong and with all his forces wants to bring the most people possible closer to himself and to sin. That is why he is on the prowl to snatch more every moment…”

satan hates and has no regard for anyone or anything.

July 31, 1986

“…hatred gives birth to dissensions and does not regard anyone or anything…”

How does God speak to us? Our Lady has told us:

March 25, 1990

“…God wants to save you and sends you messages through men, nature, and so many things which can only help you to understand that you must change the direction of your life…”

It was at this moment that the fire was halted dead in its tracks. Seemingly miraculously the fire changed directions and did not come any closer to the statue. The fire was approximately 35-50 yards to the statue of Our Lady.

Medjugorje is a place where signs abound and the supernatural is continually at work. A porthole from Heaven connecting hearts to Our Lady’s daily presence through Her apparitions. Medjugorje is the place of the supernatural. It is the spot on the earth for the world’s renewal; a cosmic battle ground in which the whole world’s population is the prey to win for salvation and the eternal reward in Heaven or destruction and punishment in the eternal fire in hell. This battle was launched from the little village of Medjugorje and is Revelation, Chapter 12 in the present. The Woman coming to do battle with the dragon.

August 2, 1981

“A great struggle is about to unfold. A struggle between my Son and satan. Human souls are at stake.”

This fire today, its closeness to Our Lady’s most profound apparition site in the history of the world; the hatred of satan in desecrating the statue last week, as can be seen in the picture, with Our Lady’s arm broken off and nose damaged, should speak clearly to you of the battle raging between Heaven and hell. Read the signs of the time. You must change everything in your life which hinders you from growing in holiness and closer to God and prevents you from living Our Lady’s messages. Everyone wants insurance for unforeseen future catastrophes. Living Our Lady’s messages and changing your life fully is your insurance for the future, in this life, stretching into eternity. Let this be a sign in nature to you today to evaluate what you need to change in your life.

In the Love of Our Lady,
A Friend of Medjugorje

P.S. In regards to recent actions against Fr. Vlasic, of Medjugorje, we will be responding to the alleged reports of condemnation. Check this site over the next two days.

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Last Updated ( Monday, 08 September 2008 )

OUR LADY OF CHARITY FEAST DAY

Tribulation Times

September 8, 2008     

(Mat 1:23) Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

FEAST DAY: Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, Patroness of Cuba

MORE: Our Lady of Charity is a revered symbol in Cuba. A small statue of the Virgin Mary is revered in Cuba as Our Lady of Charity, a symbol of faith and national identity.

Our Lady of Charity has been entwined with the island's history for nearly 400 years, ever since the statue was found floating in the Bay of Nipe off the island's northeast coast.

The discovery is chronicled in an account set down decades after the events happened.

Between 1606 and 1612, two Indian brothers -- Juan and Rodrigo de Hoyos -- set out with the 10-year-old African slave Juan Moreno to collect sea salt for the Spanish colony's booming copper-mining settlement of El Cobre.  Crossing the bay in a small craft, the three spied an object -- ``a white thing floating on the foam.'' When they drew near, they found it was a statue of the Virgin Mary, about a foot high, carrying the infant Jesus on her left arm and a gold crucifix in her right hand.  The statue was attached to a plank inscribed: `Yo soy la Virgen de la Caridad [I am the Virgin of Charity].'' They carried the statue to El Cobre, where it became an object of veneration whose image spread throughout the island, often shown rising above a stormy sea before the gaze of three awestruck voyagers in a tiny boat.

Our Lady of Charity was declared Cuba's patron saint by Pope Benedict XV in 1916.

CUBAN NEWS HEADLINE: Deadly Ike rakes Cuba, could hit Havana head-on 

WEATHER BLOG: As promised, here is why the passage of Hurricane Ike just north of the Bay of Nipe in eastern Cuba is so significant:

Firm documentation exists of the experiences of three very young sea salt gatherers who went into the bay to gather salt in the early 1600's. They ran into a storm and prayed for help. They saw and recovered from the water a statue of the Virgen Mary, floating on a board, whose clothing was completely dry. They carried her ashore and after more miraculous happenings, a shrine was built in her honor on Copper Mountain (El Cobre) in eastern Cuba. She has become known as Our Lady of Charity and has inspired love and devotion and a spirit of nationhood under her Queenship throughout Cuba during the last four centuries.

Her feast day is SEPTEMBER 8TH (the same day in which the Church celebrates the Blessed Mother Mary's Birthday). Many a lost rafter in the Florida Straits have begged for her help and protection.

EWTN: Prayer to Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, Patroness of Cuba

Most Holy Mother of Charity
who came to us as a messenger of peace across the sea.
You are the Mother of all Cubans
To you we come, Most Holy Mother of God
to honor you with love as your children.
To your motherly heart
we entrust our desires and hopes
our work and our prayers.
We pray for our torn country
that we may be able to build
a nation based on peace and unity.
We pray for our families
that they may live in fidelity and love.

We pray for our children
that they may grow strong
in spirit and in body.

We pray for our young people
that their faith may increase,
as well as their attachment to
the truth.

We pray for the sick, the homeless,
the lonely, the exiled,
and for all suffering souls.
We pray for the Catholic Church in Cuba,
for its mission,
for its priests, deacons,
religious and laity.

We pray for the victory
of justice and love
in our country.

Mother of Charity!
We place ourselves
under your mantle of protection!
Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus!
And to Him be the glory and the power
now and forever. Amen.

(Add one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Gloria).

Ladder of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 7- "On Joy-Making Mourning"

34. It is not surprising if mourning begins with good tears and ends with bad. But it is praiseworthy if reprehensible and natural tears are goaded on to spiritual tears. People inclined to vainglory understand this problem clearly.   

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Prayer request?  Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.

[MaryVitamin] The Birth of Mary

Mary Vitamin for September 8^th

 

Topic: The Birth of Mary

 

Quote:

"As the dawn is a cause of joy after the darkness and gloom of night, so was the birth of Mary."

St. Alphonsus di Liguori, The Glories of Mary, (Tan Books: 1978), 628.

 

Meditation:

St. Peter Julian Eymard

"Even in her cradle, Mary was the delight of the most Holy Trinity, the admiration of the Angels. 'Who is this privileged one,' they ask, 'who at the first dawn of life, is so rich in virtue and adorned with such glory?

In like manner should we rejoice, since Mary brings us the Bread of Life. From the day of her birth, we salute her as the aurora of the Eucharist, for we know that the Savior of mankind will take from her the substance of that Body and Blood which He will give us in the Adorable Sacrament of His love."

St. Peter Julian Eymard, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, (Eymard Library), 31.

 

Resolution:

In honor of Our Lady's birthday, as a present to my Heavenly Mother, I will say my prayers well. I will include a spiritual Communion and reflect that this day, the birthday of Mary, is the dawn of the Eucharist.

 

Marian Vow:

St. Vincent de Paul

"Among our daily works, those which we ought to have most at heart are the spiritual. We should make every effort to perform them well, and let everything else yield to them, when necessity or obedience does not forbid; for they regard God most directly, and do the most to advance us in perfection. If we act otherwise, we draw upon ourselves the malediction fulminated by the Holy Spirit against those who do the work of God negligently."

 A Year With The Saints, (Tan Books: 1988), 232.

 

I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

Thanks be to God for graces received.

 

Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria

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SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY # 336

" Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would make a reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow–servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay what thou owest.' So his fellow–servant fell down and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due. So when his fellow–servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, 'Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow–servant, even as I had mercy on thee?' And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts." (Matt. 18:23-35)

THE INFINITE MERCY OF GOD TO REPENTANT SINNERS, and the hardness of man towards his neighbor are equally shown in the parable we have just read.
The king is God. The servant who owed ten thousand talents is the sinner. Sin being an injury to the infinite Majesty of God, there rests on the sinner the burden of an infinite debt, which he can never pay of himself, and for which he deserves an eternal punishment. If, however, the sinner confesses his guilt with contrition, and prays to God for pardon, Almighty God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, will remit the whole overwhelming debt of his sin, as well as its eternal punishment--but on the condition that he will equally forgive those who injure him.
The second servant who owed the first a hundred pence is one who has injured his fellow-man. In comparison with the offense against the Majesty of God, any injury towards a fellow-creature is, as far as the fellow-creature is concerned, only a trifle. Now, if the injured man, who is a sinner in the eyes of God, wishes to obtain from the divine mercy pardon of his infinite debt of sin, it is only fair and just that he should himself show mercy to one who has injured him, and forgive what is such a trifling debt. If he will not do so, he proves himself to be unforgiving and revengeful; the just (the angels and saints) will be filled with holy indignation, and accuse him before God; and God will not forgive him his debt, but will thrust him into hell, where he must remain forever, because he is incapable of ever paying his debt.

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

Reflection #5

The Two Great Means
for Becoming Holy:
Desire and Resolution

All holiness consists in loving God. Divine love, says Holy Scripture, "is an infinite treasure to men! which they that use, become the friends of God." (Wisdom 7:14). God is ready to give us this treasure of His holy love, but He requires that we should greatly desire it. He that little desires any good thing, takes little trouble to attain it. On the other hand, St. Lawrence Justinian says that a great desire lightens the labor and gives strength.
And thus, he who has little ambition to advance in divine love, instead of becoming more ardent in the pursuit of perfection, will go on becoming always more lukewarm; and continuing thus tepid, he will be in great peril of falling at last down some precipice [i.e., into some mortal sin]. On the other hand, whoever aspires with fervent desires after perfection, and makes efforts daily to advance, will little by little in time attain it. St. Teresa says: "God does not bestow many favors, except on those who earnestly desire His love." And again: "God leaves no good desire without its reward." Therefore, the Saint exhorted everyone not to suffer his desires to slacken, because, "trusting in God and striving our best, little by little, we shall reach that point which the Saints reached."
It is a deceit of the devil (according to the opinion of the same Saint) which makes some think that it is pride to desire to become saints. It would be pride and presumption if we trusted in our own efforts or resolutions, but not if we hope for all from God. For if we do so, He will give us that strength which we have not. Let us, then, desire with a great desire to attain to a sublime degree of divine love, and let us say with courage: "I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13). And if we do not find that we possess this great desire, at least let us seek it urgently from Jesus Christ, for He will give it to us.
We will now pass on to the second means--resolution. Good desires must be accompanied by a determined will to make great efforts for the attainment of the good desired. Many desire perfection, but never take the means to gain it; they wish to go and live in a desert, to do great penances and practice great prayer and endure martyrdom; but all such desires are nothing better than mere fancies, which, instead of benefiting them, do them great harm. These are the desires which "kill the slothful," as the Scripture says. (Proverbs 21:25). For, such a person, feeding himself upon these fruitless desires, pays no heed meantime to the correction of his defects, the mortification of his appetites, and patience in suffering contempt and contradictions. He wishes to do great things, but such as are incompatible with his present condition; and thus his imperfections increase. In every adversity he is disturbed, every infirmity makes him impatient; and thus he lives always imperfect, and imperfect he dies.
If then we truly desire to become saints, let us resolve first to avoid every venial sin, however slight; secondly, to detach ourselves from every affection to earthly things; thirdly, let us never omit our accustomed exercises of prayer and mortification, however great may be the weariness and disgust we feel in them; fourthly, let us meditate daily on the Passion of Jesus Christ, which inflames with divine love every heart that meditates upon it; fifthly, let us resign ourselves in peace to the will of God in all things that annoy us. Father Balthasar Alvarez used to say: "He that in troubles resigns himself to the Divine Will runs to God posthaste." And, sixthly, let us continually beg of God the gift of His holy love.
Resolution, resolution! St. Teresa often said: "The devil has no dread of irresolute souls." On the contrary, he who really resolves to give himself to God will overcome even what seemed to him insuperable. A resolute will conquers everything. Let us endeavor to repair lost time. The time that remains, let us give it all to God. All time that is not spent for God is lost. Why do we delay? Is it that God should abandon us in our lukewarmness. which may lead us at last to utter ruin? No, let us take courage, and from this day forth act upon this holy maxim: "We have only to please God and die." Souls thus resolute are made by God to fly in the way of perfection.
He that would belong wholly to God must therefore put into practice these resolutions: first, never to commit even the least venial sin; secondly, to give himself to God without reserve, and therefore to neglect nothing which is pleasing to God, provided he has the approval of his director; thirdly, among all good works, to choose what is most pleasing to God; fourthly, not to wait for the morrow, but whatever can be done today, to do it; fifthly, to pray daily to God for an increase in His love. With love, everything will be done; without love, nothing will be done. To gain all, we must give all. Jesus has given Himself entirely to us, that we may be entirely His.

Oh, miserable being that I am! O God of my soul, so many years have I lived upon earth, and what progress have I made in Thy love? My progess has been in my defects, in my self-love, in my sins. And must I live this kind of life even until death? No! Jesus, my Savior, help me; I will no longer be so ungrateful to Thee as I have been till now. I am resolved truly to love Thee, and I will leave all to please Thee. Stretch out to me Thy hand, O Jesus, Thou who hast shed all Thy Blood that Thou might make me Thine. Yes, such I will be, by Thy grace. Death is near; aid me to free myself from everything which hinders me from belonging wholly to Thee, who hast loved me so much. Do this, by Thy merits; from Thee I hope for it.
And I hope it also from thee, O my Mother Mary. By thy prayers, which are all-powerful with God, obtain for me the grace to belong wholly to Him.
[Excepted from 'Devout Reflections and Meditations' by St. Alphonsus Liguori] (Public domain)

FROM MARK MALLETT
- SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT -

The Hour of Decision

Aborted baby at 10 Weeks

ON THE VIGIL OF THE FEAST OF MARY’S BIRTH

SOMETHING remarkable has happened in this Year of the Unfolding. All over the world, there has been a sudden and pointed emergence of the abortion "issue." It has come to the surface of the courts, governments, and media. It has been a centerpiece of social change in several countries, usually opening the door to abortion. It has emerged as the clear dividing line between left and right, conservative and liberal, the modernist and the traditionalist. But there is more to this, I believe, than meets the eye.

I sensed the Lord saying that this emergence of abortion to the forefront of politics and debate is a test: the world is on trial, and before the Judge lays down the sentence, there is one last opportunity to repent of this horrific crime.

TO THE FOREFRONT

From a North American perspective, two unexpected and significant events have occurred. Dr. Henry Morgentaler is a leading abortion advocate in Canada. He boasts of having aborted over 100, 000 babies himself. Recently, he was awarded the highest honor in the country, the Order of Canada. His appointment—and the ensuing outrage it provoked from certain sectors of the country—-has brought abortion to the forefront of the Canadian conscience.

The other event is the nomination of Sarah Palin for Vice President of the United States. She is a strong advocate for life, from the unborn to those with "special needs." She stands in stark contrast to her presidential rival, Barack Obama, who is on record for defending every form of abortion, including partial birth and live birth abortions which are clearly infanticide. Her nomination has brought the battle between the culture of life and the culture of death to the forefront of the American conscience.

It is time to choose. To face the reality of what abortion is, and stop it—or face the reality of what abortion is, and deny it… and face the consequences of our choice.

THE HOUR OF DECISION

This is not about another round of debates on women’s rights or the right to choose. This is an illumination of conscience on perhaps the most pivotal social issue in the modern world. A life is taken in the process of an abortion. A human heart ceases to beat. Body pieces are drawn out of the mother, the baby often burned by saline solution or diced into several parts. This is about human sacrifice in modern times. This is about homocide, infanticide, and genocide. And now it is facing North America squarely in the face.

The kings of Judah have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. They have built high places for Baal to immolate their sons in fire as holocausts to Baal: such a thing as I neither commanded nor spoke of, nor did it ever enter my mind. (Jer 19:4-5)

It has not entered the mind of God, this daily horror played out in our tax-funded clinics and for-profit abortuaries. Who could have conceived a billion dollar industry whose trade is the smallest and most helpless individuals? Who could have thought that the safest place on earth—a mother’s womb—would become the most violent?

It is no coincidence that the world now speaks of "terror" and "terrorists." For that is the sentence God laid upon Jerusalem and all of Judah for their sacrifice of the innocents to Baal:

For thus says the LORD: Indeed, I will deliver you to terror, you and all your friends. Your own eyes shall see them fall by the sword of their enemies. All Judah I will deliver to the king of Babylon, who shall take them captive to Babylon or slay them with the sword. (Jeremiah 20:4)

A PROPHETIC WARNING

To speak of these things is difficult. To say what has been laid upon my heart is necessary:

Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; The word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. (Jeremiah 20:8-9)

I have already spoken about the unmistakable warning I received on one of my concert tours through the United States on route to the capital of Canada (see 3 Cities and a warning for Canada). That warning rises in my heart again in much clearer words. If the sin of abortion is not repented of, God will lift His protection from this continent, and a military invasion will become imminent.

You say, "The LORD’S way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? (Ezekiel 18:25)

How can we sow in death without reaping death? How can we sow in violence without reaping violence? Are we so foolish as to believe that spiritual laws are suspended for this generation?

The fruit of abortion is nuclear war. —Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The only thing suspended is God’s judgment…

…for gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. (Joel 2:13)

As I was preparing this writing, a reader suddenly decided to send me a dream he had this time last Fall. Something tells me his timing is no coincidence:

Let me tell you of a vision or dream I had on 9/18/07 at 3am. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sound asleep when suddenly I saw 4 or 5 nuclear explosion on the west coast or out west. It was like I was up in the air looking at them at a distance. It only lasted a minute or so when I woke up startled. Tears were streaming down my eyes and I kept hearing a voice over and over: "The year of repentance" and yet I was not crying, but the water was streaming down my cheeks. I have never experienced anything like it before or since and I know the year is almost up…

Is his dream literal? Is it symbolic? Is it an urgent message to the thousands who read these writings? I will say it again: if this generation were to repent, God would relent. But the sun is setting on this culture of death, and soon the whole land will be plunged in darkness if we do not turn from this path of destruction.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! (Joel 2:1-2)

REPARATION

We, the Church, must be the first to repent. When Paul VI cried out through his encyclical Humanae Vitae that birth control would lead to a lowering of moral standards and the misuse of power by the state to intervene in human sexuality, he was mostly ignored. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released the "Winnipeg Statement" which stated that the one who follows…

…that course which seems right to him, does so in good conscience. —Canadian Bishops response to Humanae Vitae; Plenary Assembly held at St. Boniface, Winnipeg, Canada, Sept 27th, 1968

It set a precedent, not only in this country, but throughout the world for clergy to advise the faithful to simply do that "which seems right" in one’s own mind. Indeed, I too followed that erroneous process, but by God’s grace the Holy Spirit pointed out my grave error and I was given an opportunity to repent (see An Intimate Testimony).

It is time for the CCCB to retract their statement, correct its errors, and teach in harmony with the Holy Father the powerful truths of human life and sexuality in that encyclical.

The consequences of the culture of contraception are visible in the culture with abortion and with the question of marriage. I think we have to revisit it (Humanae Vitae) and reopen our hearts to the wisdom of this document. —Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Primate of Canada, LifeSiteNews.com, Quebec City, June 19th, 2008

The wide acceptance of birth control in the Church has led to a moral and spiritual tsunami which now, ironically, threatens the Church’s very freedom to existence in the West (see Persecution!). Masses of reparation should be offered in every Church in North America for the sin of contraception as well as for abortion. Then the leaders—the politicians, government officials, and justices of the Supreme Court—must renounce the practice of abortion and banish the laws which have permitted it.

Then, perhaps, the Lord will relent, and embrace us as the father did the prodigal son. This is His burning desire!

I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy. (Jesus, to St. Faustina, Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, n. 1588)

Yes, the message I write today is one of hope: that the path of destruction we are headed down can perhaps be averted through repentance, because the God who created us is patient, kind, and merciful.

But oh, the hour is so very late!

When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life… (Ezekiel 18:26-27)

Listen to a radio interview of Mark Mallett in Ottawa, Canada with David MacDonald of CatholicBridge.com. Mark gives the prophetic message he received, as well as some of his personal testimony. To listen,

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Published in: DAILY JOURNAL, THE HARD TRUTH | on September 7th, 2008 |

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY # 335

"And if thy brother sin against thee, go, shew him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. (Matt. 18:15-17)

TO ADMONISH AND CONVERT SINNERS is a spiritual work of mercy; but it should be done without passion, and with a pure intention of converting and saving the sinner. "He who causes a sinner to be converted from the error of his ways, shall save his soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:20).

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

Reflection #4

To Become Holy, A Soul Must
Give Itself to God without Reserve

Saint Philip Neri used to say that so much of our love as we fix upon creatures we take away from God, and therefore our Savior, as St. Jerome writes, is jealous of our hearts. As He Himself loves us exceedingly, He desires to reign alone in our hearts and to have no companions there to rob Him of a portion of that love which He wills to have entirely for Himself; hence, it displeases Him to see us attached to any affection which is not for Him. And does our Savior demand too much, after having giving us all His Blood and His life, dying upon a cross? Does He not deserve to be loved by us with all our hearts and without reserve?
St. John of the Cross says that every attachment to creatures hinders us from belonging wholly to God. "Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?" said the Psalmist. (Psalms 54:7). There are some souls called by God to become saints, but because they come to Him with reserve and do not give Him their whole love, but retain some affection for earthly things, they do not become, and never will become, saints. They gladly would fly to God, but being held down by some attachment, they do not fly, but remain always on earth. We must, therefore, detach ourselves from everything. Every thread, says the same St. John, whether thick or slender, hinders the soul from flying to God.
St. Gertrude one day asked Our Lord to make known to her what He desired of her. Jesus answered: "I desire nothing from thee but a heart that is empty." And it was this that David sought from God: "Create a clean heart in me, O God." (Psalms 50:12). O my God, give me a pure heart that is emptied and stripped of every earthly affection.
"All for all," wrote Thomas Kempis. To gain all, we must give all. To possess God, we must leave all that is not God. Then indeed the soul can say to Him: "My Jesus, I have left all for Thee; now give Thyself all to me." To attain to this state, we must not cease to beg of God that He would fill us with His holy love. Love is that mighty fire which consumes every affection in our hearts that is not for God. St. Francis de Sales used to say that, when a house is in flames, we throw all the furniture out of the windows, by which he meant that when a soul is inflamed and divine love takes possession of it, it has no need of sermons or spiritual directors to detach it from the world; the love of God itself will burn and strip the heart of every impure affection.
Divine love is represented in the Sacred Canticles under the symbol of a wine-cellar: "He brought me into the cellar of wine; he set in order charity in me." (Canticle of Canticles 2:4). In this blessed cell, souls which are the spouses of Christ, inebriated with the wine of holy love, lose all relish for the things of the world, see God alone, seek God alone in all things, speak only of God and desire not to hear anything but of God alone; and when they hear others speak of riches, dignities and pleasures, they turn to God and say to Him with a burning sigh: "My God, and my all! My God, what is the world to me? What are pleasures, what are honors to me? Thou art all my treasure. all my contentment." St. Teresa, speaking of the prayer of union, says that this union consists in dying to all worldly objects in order to possess nothing but God.
That a soul may give itself wholly to God, three principle means are to be employed: The first is to flee from all defects, even the least, and also to repress every little inordinate desire, such as curiosity in seeing or hearing, and to refrain from certain little pleasures of sense, from certain witty but useless remarks, and such like; secondly, among things which are good, always to choose that which is the best and the most pleasing to God; and thirdly, to receive from the hands of God, with peace of mind and thnaksgiving, the things which are displeasing to our self-love.

O my Jesus, my Love, my All, how can I see Thee dying upon a shameful gibbet, despised by all and consumed with anguish, and yet seek for myself earthly pleasures and glory? I will be wholly Thine. Forget the offences I have committed against Thee, and receive me. Teach me to know from what things I ought to detach myself and what I must do to please Thee, for I resolve to do all. Give me strength to keep my resolution and to be faithful to Thee. O my beloved Redeemer, Thou dost desire that I should give myself all to Thee without reserve in order to unite myself wholly to Thy Heart. Behold, this day I give myself all to Thee, all without reserve, all--all! From Thee I hope for grace to be faithful to Thee till death.
O Mother of God, and my own Mother Mary, obtain for me holy perseverance.
[Excepted from 'Devout Reflections and Meditations' by St. Alphonsus Liguori] (Public domain)