The
Chicken Dance Mass
[LINK] took place on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at the Catholic parish
church of Christus
der König
(Christ the King) in Ruhstorf an der Rott, in Germany.
St.
Alphonsus de Liguori: The
Reverence with which Mass ought
to be Celebrated.
“In
proportion as a devout Mass excites great devotion and reverence
towards the sacred mysteries, so does an in-devout Mass destroy all
devotion and reverence due to so great a sacrifice.”
A
priest celebrating Mass ought
to
behave with all the reverence due to so great a sacrifice. To induce
him to do this is the intent, or at least the principal point, of
this treatise. Let us then see what is meant by reverence. It means,
first, a proper attention to the words of the Mass; and secondly, an
exact observance of the ceremonies prescribed by the rubrics.
As
regards attention to the words, a priest sins by
being voluntarily
distracted during Mass; and as divines say,
if it be during the consecration and elevation, or during a notable
part of the canon, he sins mortally; such is the opinion […] of
Tamburini, and
speaking on this point says: “If a priest while voluntarily
distracted during a considerable time, recites those parts of Mass
that contain the Canon, he will sin mortally. On the other hand, it
seems to me to be a grave irreverence if any one, while professing
that God should be venerated in the highest degree, should behave
irreverently towards him
by voluntary distraction.” And I am of the same opinion
[…] because, waiving the question whether the interior intention is
or is not the essence of prayer, I maintain that the holy Sacrifice
is not only an act of prayer, but also a most sublime act of
religious worship, in which a priest appears to commit great
irreverence if, while
he
actually professes religiously to honor God, he is voluntarily
distracted with thoughts of other subjects.
As
regards the performing of the ceremonies prescribed by the Rubric for
the celebration of Mass, St. Pius V. in the Bull inserted in the
Missal commands
Mass
to be celebrated according to the rubrics of the Missal.
Hence
Suarez very properly says that the omission of any ceremony
prescribed in the rubrics, such
as
a sign of the cross, genuflection, inclination, etc., cannot be
excused from venial sin. And this is declared by Benedict XIII. […].
St.
Teresa said:
“I would lay down my life for only one of the ceremonies of the
Church.”
[Here
is the full quote from St. Teresa of Avila: “I knew quite well that
in matters of faith no one would ever find me transgressing even the
smallest ceremony of the Church, and that for the Church or for any
truth of Holy Scripture I would undertake to die a thousand deaths.”]
If
the said ceremonies are performed in too hurried a manner, or
carelessly, as says Father Concilia [...] speaking of those who in
saying Mass do not touch the ground with one knee when they
genuflect, or who, when they should kiss the altar, only make an
appearance of kissing it, or who do not properly form the crosses at
the benedictions as prescribed in the rubrics; because, […] it is
the same thing as to omit the ceremonies prescribed, to perform them
improperly; Moreover, the learned in general, say, that if any one
omits a notable part of the ceremonies of the Mass, although not of
the most important, he cannot be excused from grievous sin. Such
omissions, when repeated in the same Mass, amount to something
grievous; and therefore are grievously irreverent to the Holy
Sacrifice.
We
know that even in the Old Law the Lord threatened with many
maledictions those priests that were careless of the ceremonies of
their sacrifices, which were
but figures of ours: “
But if
thou wilt not hear the voice
of
the Lord thy
God to
keep
and
to do all His .
.
.
ceremonies
. . .
all
these
curses shall
come
upon
thee. . . .
Cursed
shall thou he in the city, cursed in the field; . .
.
cursed shall thou be coming
in,
and cursed going
out.
. .
[Deut. 28:15].
Hence,
seeing the greater part of priests say Mass
with
so much hurry and carelessness in the performance of the ceremonies,
one ought to weep even with tears of blood. Well might be applied to
such the reproach of Clement of Alexandria to the Gentile priests,
that they made heaven a theatrical scene, and God the subject of a
comedy […]. Words
mutilated, genuflections half made, acts of mockery rather than of
reverence: crosses so formed that it would be impossible to know what
they meant: such movements about the altar, and turnings, as even to
excite ridicule and laughter: handling the consecrated Host and the
consecrated chalice as though
they were a piece
of
bread and a glass of wine: confounding
the words and ceremonies together, placing the one before or after
the other, contrary to the order prescribed
by
the rubrics; the whole Mass, in a word, from beginning to
end,
nothing but a tissue of carelessness,
confusion,
and irreverence.
And
whence comes all this? It
arises
partly
from ignorance
of the rubrics, which they neither
know nor endeavor to know; and partly from anxiety to
finish
Mass in as short a time as possible.
They
seem
to be saying
Mass as though the Church were going to
fall, or the
Turks were coming, and they should not have time
to
escape. Such priests, before saying Mass, will sometimes
be engaged for hours in worldly affairs, or in useless
conversation
in a shop, or in the sacristy, and then hasten to begin Mass, and
attend to nothing but to get through it as quickly as possible.
There
should be always some one at hand to say to such, as Father Avila,
approaching the altar, once said to
a
priest who was
celebrating in this manner: “Please to treat Him
better;
for He
is the son of a respectable Father.”
God
admonished the priests of the old law to tremble with awe when they
approached the Sanctuary. And shall the priests of the New Law
celebrating at the altar, in the presence of Jesus Christ really
there, taking him into their hands, offering him in sacrifice, and
even feeding upon him, dare to behave with irreverence?
Tomb of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Salerno, Italy
A
priest at the altar, as St. Cyprian says, and most
truly,
represents the person of Jesus Christ himself. And
in the person of Jesus Christ he says: Hoc
est corpus meum. Hic est calix sanguinis mei. But,
O God! Seeing the
irreverent manner in which so many priests now celebrate Mass, who
could say whether they were the representatives of Jesus Christ, or
mountebanks earning their livelihood by tricks of sleight-of-hand? as
it is written in the synod of Spalatro: “Many who celebrate
endeavor not to celebrate Mass, but to finish it; not that they may
perform an act of devotion, but that they may have a means of making
a living; so that the celebration of
Mass is performed not as a mystery of religion, but
as an act of making profit.”
Hence
let priests who celebrate in this unworthy manner remember that they
not only sin by the irreverence which they commit against the holy
Sacrifice, but also by the great scandal which they give to those who
are present at it. In proportion as a devout Mass excites great
devotion and reverence towards the sacred mysteries, so does an
in-devout Mass destroy all devotion and reverence due to so great a
sacrifice. In the life of St. Peter of Alcantara it is related that
the Mass which he said devoutly produced more fruit than all the
sermons of the preachers of the province in which he then was.
The
Council of Trent says that the ceremonies of the Mass have been
ordained by the Church for no other purpose than to instill into the
faithful the reverence which is due to the sacrifice of the altar,
and to the sublime mysteries which it embraces. “The Church,”says
the Council, “has likewise employed ceremonies whereby both the
majesty of so great a sacrifice might be recommended, and the minds
of the faithful be excited by those
visible
signs
of religion
and piety, to the contemplation
of
those
most sublime
things which are hidden in this
sacrifice.”
But
the ceremonies,
when
irreverently and hastily performed, not only do not excite, but
destroy the veneration of the faithful for so sacred a mystery. Peter
of Blois says, that the
saying of Mass with but little reverence induces the people to make
little account of the most holy Sacrament.
And hence the Council of Turin, in the year 1583, ordained that
priests should be well instructed in the ceremonies of the Mass. For
what end? “Lest they withdraw from devotion the people entrusted to
their care, rather than
attract them to the veneration of the sacred mysteries.”
How
can priests by saying Mass in-devoutly expect to obtain pardon for
their sins and favors from God, if while they are offering it up to
him they are offending him, and insult him rather than honor him?
“Since every crime,” says Pope Julius, “is wiped out by
sacrifices what shall be given to the Lord for the expiation of
guilt, when in the very offering of the sacrifice sins are
committed?” A priest, by not believing in the sacrament of the
Eucharist, would offend God; but he who does believe in it, would
offend him more by not treating it with becoming respect; because he
would, by so doing, destroy it in others who saw him celebrate with
so little reverence.
The Jews respected Jesus Christ at the beginning of his mission; but
when they saw him despised by the priests, they lost all reverence
for him, and at last unanimously, with the priests, cried out:
Crucifige
eum.
And
thus the laity, when they see priests celebrate Mass with disrespect
and negligence, lose all esteem and veneration for it.
Taken
from the chapter
“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass hurriedly said,” in the book
The
Holy Mass – The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori, available in various formats at
Amazon.com.
View
my most recent books Here.
Unless
a priest esteems the holy Sacrifice as it deserves, he
can never celebrate it with suitable devotion. Assuredly there is no
action which man can perform so sublime, so sacred, as the celebration of Mass. “We must needs confess,” says the Council of
Trent, “that no other work can be performed by the faithful so holy
and
divine as this tremendous mystery itself.”
God
himself
could not enable man to perform anything greater than the celebration
of Mass.
All
the ancient sacrifices, by which God was so much
honored,
were but shadows and figures of our sacrifice of the altar. All the
honor that angels by their adorations, and men by their good works,
austerities, and even martyrdoms, have ever rendered or will ever
render to God, never could, and never will, give him so much glory as
one single Mass; for, while the honor of all creatures is only
finite, that which accrues to God from the holy Sacrifice of the
altar is infinite, inasmuch as the victim which is offered is of
infinite value.
The
Mass, therefore, offers to God the greatest honor that can be given
him, subdues most triumphantly the powers of hell, affords the
greatest relief to the suffering souls in purgatory, appeases most
efficaciously the wrath of God against sinners, and brings down the
greatest blessings on mankind.
If,
as it is promised, we may confidently hope to obtain from God
whatever we ask in the name of Jesus: If
you
ask
the Father anything in My name, He will give it to
you
[John 16:23],
how
much more confidently may we hope to obtain what
we ask for, when we immolate to the Father Jesus himself? Our loving
Redeemer is continually making
intercession for us in heaven: Who
also maketh intercession
for
us [Romans
8:34].
But
this he does more especially in
the
sacrifice of the Mass, in which, by the hands of the priest, he
presents himself to his eternal Father, to obtain graces for us.
Were
we assured that all the saints and the blessed Mother of Christ were
praying for us, with what great confidence should we expect to
receive all graces necessary for us? But it is certain that one
prayer of Jesus Christ will avail infinitely more than all the
prayers of the saints. Poor, wretched sinners, what would become of
us without this sacrifice to appease the Lord “For the Lord,
appeased by the oblation thereof, and granting the grace and gift of
penitence, forgives even
heinous crimes
and
sins,” says the Council of Trent.
In
a word, as
the
Passion of Jesus Christ was sufficient
to
save
the
whole world, so is a single Mass sufficient
to save it. Hence,
at
the offertory
of the chalice
the priest says: “We
offer
unto
Thee, O Lord, the
chalice of salvation, . . . for our
salvation, and for that
of the whole world.” The
Mass
is the good thing and
the
beautiful
thing of the
Church, according to the prediction of
the prophet: For
what is the good
thing
of Him,
and
what is
His beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect, and wine springing
forth virgins?
[Zach.19:17.]
In
the Mass, the Word incarnate offers himself in
sacrifice to his eternal Father, and gives himself to us in the
Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, which is the end and aim of
almost all the other sacraments, as the angelic Doctor teaches.
Hence
St. Bonaventure
says,
that in the Mass God manifests to us all the love that he has borne
us, and includes in it, as in a compendium, all his benefits. On this
account the devil has always endeavored to abolish the Mass
throughout the world by means of heretics, making them the precursors
of Antichrist, who before all things will endeavor to abolish, and in
fact will, in punishment of the sins of men, succeed in abolishing
the holy sacrifice of the altar, according
to the prediction of Daniel: And
strength was given him against the continual sacrifice because of
sins [Daniel
8:12]
Here
is the full quote from Daniel, which, according to St. Alphonsus,
refers to the power of the Antichrist [Daniel 8:10-12]:
“10
And it was magnified even
unto the strength of heaven: and
it threw down of the strength, and of the stars, and trod upon them.
11
And it was magnified even to the prince of the strength: and it took
away from him the continual sacrifice, and cast down
the place of his sanctuary. 12
And
strength was given him against the continual sacrifice, because of
sins: and truth shall be cast down on the ground, and he shall do and
shall prosper.”
The
same St. Bonaventure says, that the Son of God in every Mass confers
a benefit on the world not less than that which he conferred in
taking upon himself our human nature. So that, as the learned teach,
if Jesus Christ had never appeared in the world, a priest, by
pronouncing the words of consecration, would bring him down from
heaven upon the earth, according to that celebrated sentence of St.
Augustine: “O venerable dignity of the priests in whose hands as in
the womb of the Virgin the Son of God became incarnate!”
Moreover,
as the sacrifice of the altar is the application and renewal of the
sacrifice of the cross, the angelic Doctor teaches, that the Mass
procures for man the same benefits and salvation that the sacrifice
of the cross procured for him. St. John Chrysostom says the same:
“The celebration of Mass is of as much value as the death of Christ
on the cross.” And of this the Church still further assures us,
saying: “As many times as this commemorative sacrifice is
celebrated, so often is the work of our redemption performed.”
As
the same Saviour, who offered himself for us on the cross, offers
himself in sacrifice on the altar by the hands of the priest, as the
Council of Trent teaches: “For the victim is one and the same, the
same now offering by the ministry of priests, who then offered
Himself on the cross, the manner alone of offering being different;”
so the sacrifice of the cross is applied to our souls by the
sacrifice of the altar. The Passion of Jesus Christ rendered us
capable of redemption; the Mass puts us in possession of it, and
enables us to enjoy its merits.
From
The Holy Mass,
by St. Alphonsus Liguori, beginning of the chapter entitled ‘The
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Hurriedly Said.’
View
all of my books Here.
May the Lord grant a blessed 2024 to you. These resolutions are taken from the booklet "Buona Giornata," (Have a Good Day), which is
a compilation of daily meditations and observations from St. Pio's
writings and comments, published by his Friary in San Giovanni Rotondo.
Here are his thoughts - exhortations - admonitions for Dec. 31 thru Jan 7.
1. The palm of glory is reserved only for those who fight valiantly to
the end. Therefore, let us begin our holy battle this year. God will
help us and crown us with eternal triumph.
2. We are by Divine Grace at the dawn of a new year. Since only God
knows whether we will finish this year, we should spend it in reparation
for the past, and in preparation for the future. Good works go hand in
hand with good intentions.
3. Let us say to ourselves, with the full conviction of telling the
truth, "My soul: begin today to do the good works which to date you have
not done." Let us be moved by the presence of God. "God sees me," let
us often say to ourselves, "and by my actions will He judge me." Let
us be sure the He will always see only goodness in us.
4. If you have time, do not wait for time. Let us not put off until
tomorrow what we can do today. The graves are full of good intentions
that never came to pass. Besides, what assurance do we have that we
will be alive tomorrow? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience,
as said the royal prophet: "Today, if you hear the voice of the Lord, do
not turn a deaf ear." Let us come forth and treasure the fleeting
moment which alone is ours. Let us not waste time, from one moment to
another, because the latter is not yet ours.
5. When you waste time, you disdain God's gift - the present - which
He, in His infinite goodness, relinquishes to your love and to your
generosity.
6. "Let us begin today, my brothers, to do good because until now we
have done nothing." These words, which the Seraphic Father, St.
Francis, In his humility, applied to himself, should be made ours at the
beginning of the new year. We have lived thoughtlessly, as if the
Eternal Judge were not going to call us to Him one day and ask us to
account for our works, for how we have spent our time.
7. Love does not brook being delayed, and the Magi, immediately upon
arrival, did everything in their power to make known Him, Who had
conquered their hearts through an influx of grace. He filled them with
the kind of charity which must overflow, because it cannot be contained
in the small structure of the heart, and must therefore be communicated.
8. In your actions, seek neither the most nor the least merit, but rather the greatest honor and glory for God.
View my Padre Pio books.
In
the century before the birth of Jesus, Simeon ben Shetach, a powerful
Pharisee who was the president of the Sanhedrin, introduced schooling
for children. Until then, instruction of children was primarily the
responsibility of their fathers. The schooling was compulsory for
boys, who were to learn the Scriptures and the Law. Simeon
established the schools in the district towns as well as in
Jerusalem.
Consequently,
it was most unusual for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to insist that she
would teach her young son herself, at home. Certainly she was well
qualified, since she had lived, and was taught, in the Temple at
Jerusalem from her youngest years until her espousal to St. Joseph.
“I
will never send Jesus to school!” says
Mary resolutely. Maria Valtorta reveals why.
On
October 29, 1944, Jesus asks Maria to come back to the years of His
childhood. “What you are now going to see is not without a reason.
On the contrary it enlightens details of My early years and
relationship among relatives. And it is a present for you […] as
you feel the peace of the house in Nazareth being transfused into you
whenever you see it. Write.”
Maria
then has a vision of the Holy House in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph:
I
see the room where they usually take their meals and where Mary works
at Her loom or needlework. The room is near Joseph's workshop and I
can hear the sound of his working. […] Jesus is playing under the
trees with two children who are about His own age. [They are Judas
and James, his cousins; Judas would become known as St. Jude
Thaddeus, and James as St. James the Less.]
They
are playing in perfect harmony with some little carts on which there
are... various articles: leaves, little stones, wood shavings, little
pieces of wood. They must be playing at shops, and Jesus is the one
who buys things for His Mummy, to Whom He takes now one thing, then
another one. Mary accepts all the purchases with a smile.
Then
the game changes. Jesus says: « Let us play this other one: when
Joshua is elected Moses' successor [...] and Judas will be happy to
be a man and My successor. Are you happy? »
«
Yes I am, Jesus. But then You will have to die, because Moses dies
afterwards. But I do not want You to die; You have always been so
fond of me. »
«
Everybody dies... but before dying I shall bless
Israel, and since you are the only ones here, I shall bless the whole
of Israel in you. »
Then
Jesus clambers up the side of the mountain that forms the boundary of
the house, or rather the garden; He stands up straight on top of the
little grotto, and speaks to... Israel. He repeats the orders and the
promises of God, He appoints Joshua as the leader, calls him, and
then Judas in his turn climbs up the cliff. He encourages and blesses
him. He then asks for a... tablet (it is a large fig leaf) and He
writes the canticle [Deuteronomy 32] and reads it. It is not quite
complete, but contains a large part of it, and He seems to be reading
it from the leaf.
He
then dismisses Joshua who embraces Him crying, and He then climbs
further up, right up to the edge of the cliff. And from there He
blesses the whole of Israel, that is the two who are prostrated on
the ground, He then lies down on the short grass, closes His eyes
and... dies.
Mary,
who has been watching from the doorstep smiling, when She sees Him
lying still on the ground shouts: « Jesus, Jesus! Get up! Don't lie
down like that! Your Mummy does not want to see You dead! »
Jesus
gets up smiling, runs towards Her, and kisses Her. Also James and
Judas come. They also receive Mary's caresses.
«
How can Jesus remember that canticle which is so long and difficult
and all those blessings?» asks James.
Mary
smiles and answers: « His memory is very good and He pays a lot of
attention when I read. »
«
I too, at school, pay attention. But then I get sleepy with all the
hubbub... shall I never learn then? »
«
You will learn, be good. »
There
is a knock at the door. Joseph walks quickly across the orchard and
the room and opens it. « Peace to you, Alphaeus and Mary! »
«
And to you, and blessings. »
It
is Joseph's brother with his wife. [They are the parents of Judas and
James.] A rustic cart, drawn by a strong donkey, is outside in the
street. « Did you have a good trip? »
«
Very good. And the children? »
«
They are in the garden with Mary. »
But
the children have already come to greet their mother. Also Mary
comes, holding Jesus by the hand. The two sisters-in-law kiss each
other. « Have they been good? »
«
Very good, and very dear. Are the relatives all well? »
«
Yes they all are. They send You their regards, and they have sent You
many presents from Cana. Grapes, apples, cheese, eggs, honey. And...
Joseph? I have found just what you wanted for Jesus. It is on the
cart, in the round basket. »
Alphaeus'
wife smiles. She bends over Jesus Who is looking at her with His eyes
wide open, […]
and she says:
« Do you know what I have for you? Guess. »
Jesus
thinks, but He cannot guess. […] Joseph in fact comes in, carrying
a large round basket. He lays it down on the floor in front of Jesus,
unties the rope which is holding the lid on, he lifts it... and a
little white sheep, a real flock of foam, appears sleeping in the
very clean hay.
Jesus
utters an « Oh! » of surprise and happiness and He is about to rush
towards the little animal, but then He turns round and runs to
Joseph, who is still bent down as before, He embraces him, and kisses
him, thanking him.
Jesus
continues saying, « For me! For me! Thank you, father! »
«
Do you like it so much! »
«
Oh! Very much! White, clean... a little lamb... Oh! » and He throws
His little arms round the sheep's neck, He lays His blond head on its
little head and remains thus, happy.
«
I brought two, also for you » says Alphaeus to his sons. « But they
are dark. You are not quite so tidy as Jesus and your sheep would
always be untidy, if they were white. They will be your herd, you
will keep them together and so you will no longer be loitering in the
streets, you two little rascals, throwing stones at each other. »
Saint Jude Thaddeus
Soon
the guests are sitting at table and Mary offers them bread, olives
and cheese. […] The
elder people are talking and Alphaeus says: « I hope I have solved
the matter of the boys' quarrels. I got the idea from your request,
Joseph. I said to myself: “My brother wants a little sheep for
Jesus, that He may have something to play with. I will get two, also
for those naughty boys, to keep them quiet a little, and avoid
continuous arguments with other parents with regard to bruised heads
and skinned knees.
What with the school and what
with the sheep, I will manage to keep them quiet.” But this year
You also will have to send Jesus to school. It is time. »
«
I will never send Jesus to school » says
Mary resolutely.
It is most unusual to hear Her talk thus and above all to hear Her
talk before Joseph.
«
Why? The Child must learn to be ready in good time to pass His exam
when He comes of age... »
«
The Child will be ready. But He will not go to school. That is quite
definite. »
«
You will be the only woman in Israel to do that. »
«
I will be the only one. But that is what I am going to do. Isn't that
right, Joseph? »
«
Yes, that's correct. There is no need for Jesus to go to school. Mary
was brought up in the Temple, and She knows the Law as well as any
doctor. She will be His Teacher. That's what I want, too. »
«
You are spoiling the Boy. »
«
You cannot say that. He is the best boy in Nazareth.
Have
you ever heard Him cry, or be naughty, or be disobedient, or lack
respect? »
«
No. That's true. But He will do all that if You continue to spoil
Him. »
«
You
do not necessarily spoil your children just because you keep them at
home.
To keep them at home implies loving them with good common sense and
wholeheartedly. And that is how we love our Jesus, and since Mary is
better educated than a teacher, She will be Jesus' Teacher. »
«
And when Your Jesus is a Man, He will be like a silly little woman
frightened even of flies. »
«
He will not. Mary is a strong woman, and She will give Him a manly
education. I am not a coward, and I can give Him man-like examples.
Jesus is a creature without any physical or moral faults. He will
grow, therefore, upright and strong, both in His body and in His
spirit. You can be sure of that, Alphaeus. He will not be a disgrace
to the family. In any case, that is what I have decided, and that is
all. »
«
Perhaps Mary has decided, and you... »
«
And if it were so? Is it not fair that two, who love each other,
should have the same thoughts and the same wishes, so that each may
accept the wishes of the other as if they were his own? If Mary
should wish silly things, I would say to Her: “No.” But She is
asking for something which is full of wisdom, and I agree, and I make
it my own. We love each other, we do as we did the first day, and we
shall go on doing so as long as we live. Is that right, Mary? »
«
Yes, Joseph. And let us hope it will never happen, but when one
should die without the other, we will still go on loving each other.
»
Joseph
pats Mary on the head as if She were a young daughter and She looks
at him with Her serene loving eyes.
Her
sister-in-law interferes: « You are quite right. I wish I could
teach! Our
children at school learn
evil and good. At
home they only learn what is good.
But I do not know whether... if Mary... »
«
What is it you want, My dear sister-in-law? Speak freely. You know
that I love you and I am happy when I can do something that pleases
you. »
«
I was thinking... James and Judas are only a little older than Jesus.
They are already going to school... for what they have learned!...
Jesus instead already knows the Law so well... I would like... eh, I
mean, if I asked You to take them as well, when You teach Jesus? I
think they would behave better and be better educated. After all,
they are cousins, and it is only fair that they should
love one another like brothers. Oh! I
would be so happy! »
«
If Joseph wants, and your husband agrees, I am quite willing. It is
the same to speak to one as to speak to three. And it is a joy to go
through the whole of Scripture. Let them come. » The three children,
who have come in very quietly, are listening and are awaiting the
final decision.
«
They will drive You to despair, Mary » says Alphaeus.
«
No! They are always good with Me. You will be good if I teach you,
will you not? »
The
two boys move near Mary, one on Her left side, the other on Her
right, they place their arms around Her shoulders, they lean their
little heads on Her shoulders, and they promise all the good in the
world.
«
Let them try, Alphaeus, and let Me try. I am sure you will not be
dissatisfied with the test. They can come every day from the
sixth hour [around
noon] until evening. It will be enough, believe Me. I know how to
teach without tiring them. You must hold their attention and let them
relax at the same time. You must understand them, love them, and be
loved by them, if you wish to get good results. And you will love Me,
will you not? »
Two
big kisses are the answer.
«
See? »
«
I see. I can only say: “Thank You.” And what will Jesus say, when
He sees His Mummy busy with others? What do you say, Jesus? »
«
I say: “Happy those who listen to Her and build their dwelling near
Hers.” As for Wisdom, happy are those who are My Mother's friends,
and I am happy that those whom I love are Her friends. »
«
But who puts such words on the lips of the Child » Alphaeus asks,
astonished.
«
Nobody, brother. Nobody in this world ».
-------------------------------------------------------
At
the close of the vision, Jesus says to Maria Valtorta:
«
And Mary was My teacher and the teacher of James and Judas. That is
why we loved one another like brothers, not only because of our
relationship, but for our science and the fact that we had grown up
together, like three shoots supported by one pole only: My Mother.
There
was no other doctor in Israel like My sweet Mother. Seat of Wisdom,
and of true Wisdom, She taught us for the world, and for Heaven. I
say: “She taught us” because I was Her pupil exactly as My
cousins. And the “seal” was kept on the secret of God against
Satan's investigations, and it was safeguarded by the appearance of a
normal life.
Did
you enjoy this sweet scene? Now be in peace. Jesus is with you. »
---------------------------
Based on The Gospel as Revealed to Me, by Maria Valtorta, Chapter 38.
Learn
more about Maria Valtorta’s works HERE.
View
my Catholic books HERE.
The
Shepherds who visited Baby Jesus were twelve, according to Maria Valtorta. They
were the first to come and adore the Incarnate Word. And we know
their names! After
the Lord began His public ministry, he sought out the shepherds, many
of whom were still living.
---------------------------------
Mary
and Joseph are nearing Bethlehem when they meet a shepherd, who cuts
across the road with his herd […]. Joseph bends down to say
something to him. The shepherd nods in assent. Joseph takes the
donkey and leads it behind the herd into the grazing ground. The
shepherd pulls a coarse bowl out of his knapsack, he milks a big
sheep with swollen udders and hands the bowl to Joseph who offers it
to Mary.
«
May God bless you both » exclaims Mary. « You for your love, and
you for your kindness. I will pray for you. »
«
Are you coming from far? » asks the shepherd.
«
From Nazareth » replies Joseph.
«
And where are you going? »
«
To Bethlehem. »
« A Long journey for a woman in Her state. Is She your wife? »
«
Yes, She is. »
«
Have you got a place where to go? »
«
No, we haven't. »
«
That's bad! Bethlehem is overcrowded with people who have come from
all over to register there, or are on their way to register
elsewhere. I don't know whether you will find lodgings. Are you
familiar with the place? »
«
Not very. »
«
Well... I will explain it to you... for Her... (and he points to
Mary). Find the hotel, but it will be full. But I will tell you just
the same, to guide you. It's in the square, in the largest one. This
main road will take you to it. You can't miss it. There is a fountain
in front of it, it is a long and low building with a very big door.
It will be full. But if you do not find room in the hotel, or in any
of the houses, go round to the back of the hotel, towards the
country.
There
are some stables in the mountain, which are used sometimes by
merchants to keep their animals there, on their way to Jerusalem,
when they don't find room in the hotel. They are stables
[…], they
are damp and cold and there are no doors. But they are always a
shelter, because your wife can't be left on the road. Perhaps you
will find room there and some hay to sleep on and for the donkey. And
may God guide you. »
«
And may God give you joy » answers Mary. Joseph instead replies: «
Peace be with you. »
They
take to the road again.
That
night the Savior is born, and Maria Valtorta is graced with a vision
of the announcement of His birth to the shepherds.
She
writes: […] I see a very wide country. The moon is at its zenith
and she is sailing smoothly in a sky crowded with stars [...], the
moon is smiling in the middle of them with her big white face, from
which streams of light descend and make the earth white […].
On
my right I see a place enclosed by a thorn-bush hedge on two sides
and by a low rugged wall on the other two. The wall supports a kind
of low wide shed, which inside the enclosure is built in masonry and
part in wood […]. From the enclosure intermittent short bleatings
can be heard now and again.
It
must be the little sheep which dream or perhaps sense that it is
almost daybreak because of the very bright moonlight. The brightness
is intense to an excessive degree and it is increasing more and more
[…].
A
shepherd looks out of the door, and lifting one arm to his forehead
to shield his eyes, he looks up. It seems improbable that one should
protect one's eyes from moonlight. But the moonlight in this case is
so bright that it blinds people, particularly those who come out from
a dark enclosure. Everything is calm. But the bright moonlight is
surprising. The shepherd calls his companions. They all come to the
door: a group of hairy men of various ages. Some are just teenagers,
some are already white haired, They comment on the strange event and
the younger ones are afraid. One in particular, a boy about twelve
years old, starts crying, and the older shepherds jeer at him.
«
What are you afraid of, you fool? » the oldest man says to him. «
Can't you see that the air is very quiet? Have you never seen clear
moonlight? You have always been tied to your mother's apron strings,
haven't you? But there are many things for you to see! [...] Oh! Many
things you will see, if you live long enough. »
But
the little shepherd is no longer listening to him. He looks as if he
is no longer frightened, because he leaves the threshold and steals
from behind the shoulders of a brawny herdsman, behind whom he had
previously sought shelter, and goes out on to the grassy fold in
front of the shed. He looks up and walks about like a sleep-walker or
one hypnotized by something that compellingly attracts him.
At
a certain moment he shouts: « Oh! » and remains petrified with his
arms slightly stretched out. His mates look at one another
dumbfounded.
«
But what is the matter with the fool? » says one.
«
I will send him back to his mother tomorrow. I don't want mad people
as guardians of the sheep » says another.
And
the old man who had spoken earlier says: « Let us go
and
see before we judge him. Call also the others who are sleeping and
bring your sticks. It might be a wild animal or some robber... »
They
go in, they call the other shepherds and they come out with torches
and clubs. They join the boy.
«
There, there » he whispers smiling. « Above the tree, look at the
light that is coming. It seems to be coming on the ray of the moon.
There it is, it is coming near. How beautiful it is! »
«
I can only see a rather brighter light. »
«
So can I. »
«
So can I » say the others.
«
No. I see something like a body » says one whom I recognize to be
the shepherd who gave the milk to Mary.
«
It is... it is an angel! » shouts the boy. « Here he is, he is
coming down, he is coming near... Down! On your knees before the
angel of God! »
A
long and venerable « Oh! » comes from the group of shepherds, who
fall down face to the ground and the older they are, the more they
appear to be crushed by the refulgent apparition. The young ones are
on their knees, looking at the angel who is coming nearer and nearer,
and then he stops mid-air above the enclosure wall, waving his large
wings, a pearly brightness in the white moonlight surrounding him.
«
Do not fear. I am not bringing you misfortune. I announce you a great
joy for the people of Israel and for all the people of the world. »
The angelic voice is the harmony of a harp and of singing
nightingales.
«
Today, in the City of David, the Savior has been born! » In saying
so, the angel spreads out his wings wider and wider, moving them as a
sign of overwhelming joy, and a stream of golden sparks and precious
stones seem to fall from them: a real rainbow describing a triumphal
arch above the poor shed.
«
... the Savior, Who is Christ. » The angel shines with a
brighter
light. His two wings, now motionless, pointed upright towards the sky
like two still sails on the sapphire of the sea, seem two bright
flames ascending to Heaven.
«
... Christ, the Lord! » The angel gathers his sparkling wings and
covers himself with them as if they were a coat of diamonds on a
dress of pearls, he bows down in adoration, with his arms crossed
over his heart, while his head bent down as it is, disappears in the
shade of the tops of the folded wings […].
But
now he stirs. He spreads out his wings, lifts his head, bright with a
heavenly smile, and says: « You will recognize Him from the
following signs: in a poor stable, behind Bethlehem, you will find a
baby in swaddling clothes, in a manger for animals, because no roof
was found for the Messiah in the city of David. » The angel becomes
grave, almost sad, in saying that.
But
from the Heavens many angels – oh! how many! – come down, all
like him – a ladder of angels descending and rejoicing and dimming
the moonlight with their heavenly brightness. They all gather round
the announcing angel, fluttering their wings, exhaling perfumes,
playing notes in which the most beautiful voices of creation find a
recollection, but elevated to uniform perfection [...]. To hear this
melody is to know Paradise, where everything is harmony of love which
emanates from God to make the blessed souls happy, and then from them
returns to God to say to Him: « We love You! »
The
angelical « Glory » spreads throughout the quiet country in wider
and wider circles and the bright light with it. And the birds join
their singing to greet the early light, and the sheep add their
bleatings for the early sun. […] I love to believe that the animals
are greeting their Creator, Who has come down among them to love them
both as a Man and as God.
They
set out in the moonlight aided by their torches, after closing the
shed and the enclosure […]. They go round Bethlehem. They reach the
stable not the way Mary came, but from the opposite direction, so
that they do not pass in front of the better stables, instead they
find this one first. They go near the hole.
«
Go in! »
«
I wouldn't dare! »
«
You go in! »
«
No. »
«
At least have a look. »
«
You, Levi, who saw the angel first, obviously because you are better
than we are, look in. » Before they said he was mad... but now it
suits them if he dare what they do not.
The
boy hesitates, but then he makes up his mind. He goes near the hole,
pulls the mantle a little to one side, looks... and remains
enraptured. [St. Joseph had hung his mantle in front of the opening
to the stable.]
«
What can you see? » they ask him anxiously in low voices.
«
I can see a beautiful young woman and a man bending over a manger and
I can hear... I can hear a little baby crying, and the woman is
speaking to Him in a voice...oh! what a voice! »
«
What is She saying? »
«
She is saying: “Jesus, little one! Jesus, love of Your Mummy! Don't
cry, little Son..”.. She is saying: “Oh! If I could only say to
You: 'Take some milk, little one'. But I have not got any yet..”..
She says: “You are so cold, My love! And the hay is stinging You!
How painful it is for Your Mummy to hear You crying so, without being
able to help You!.”.. She says: “Sleep, soul of Mine! Because it
breaks My heart to hear You crying and see Your tears!” and She
kisses Him, and She must be warming His little feet with Her hands,
because She is bent with Her arms in the manger. »
«
Call Her! Let them hear you. »
The
shepherd opens his mouth, but he only utters a faint moaning noise.
Joseph
turns round and comes to the door. « Who are you? »
«
Shepherds. We brought you some food and some wool. We have come to
worship the Savior. »
«
Come in. »
They
go in, and the stable becomes brighter because of the light of the
torches. The older men push the young ones in front of them. Mary
turns round and smiles. « Come » She says. « Come!», and She
invites them with Her hand and Her smile, and She takes the boy who
saw the angel and She draws him to Herself, against the manger. And
the boy looks, and is happy.
The
others, invited also by Joseph, move forward with their gifts and
they place them at Mary's feet with few deep-felt words. They then
look at the Baby Who is weeping a little and they smile moved and
happy.
And
one of them […] says: «Mother, take this wool. It's soft and
clean. I prepared it for my child who is about to be born. But I
offer it to You. Lay your Son in this wool. It will be soft and warm.
» And he offers the sheep hide, a beautiful hide, well covered with
white soft wool.
Mary
lifts Jesus, and puts it round Him. And She shows Him to the
shepherds, who, kneeling on the hay on the ground, look at Him
ecstatically!
They
become bolder, and one suggests: « He should be given a mouthful of
milk, better still, some water and honey. But we have no honey. We
give it to little babies. I have seven children, and I know... »
«
There is some milk here. Take it, Woman. »
«
But it is cold. It should be warm. Where is Elias? He has the sheep.
»
Elias
must be the shepherd who gave the milk. But he is not there. He
remained outside and is looking from the hole, but he cannot be seen
in the dark night.
«
Who led you here? »
«
An angel told us to come, and Elias showed us the way. But where is
he now? » The sheep declares his presence with a bleat.
«
Come in. You are wanted. » He enters with his sheep, embarrassed
because they all look at him.
«
It's you! » says Joseph, who recognizes him, and Mary smiles at him
saying: « You are good. »
They
milk the sheep and with the hem of a piece of linen dipped into the
warm creamy milk, Mary moistens the lips of the Baby Who sucks the
sweet cream. They all smile, and even more so, when Jesus falls
asleep in the warmth of the wool, with the little bit of linen still
between His lips.
«
But You can't stay here. It's cold and damp. And... there is too
strong a smell of animals. It's not good... it's not good for the
Savior. »
«
I know » replies Mary with a deep sigh. « But there is no room for
us in Bethlehem. »
«
Take heart, Woman. We will look for a house for You. »
«
I will tell my mistress » says Elias. « She is good. She will
receive You, even if she had to give You her own room. As soon as it
is daylight, I will tell her. Her house is full of people. But she
will find room for You. »
«
For My Child, at least. Joseph and I can lie also on the floor. But
for the Little One... »
«
Don't worry, Woman. I will see to it. And we will tell many people
what we were told. You will lack nothing. For the time being, take
what our poverty can give You. We are shepherds... »
«
We are poor, too. And we cannot reward you » says Joseph.
«
Oh! We don't want it. Even if You could afford it, we would not want
it. The Lord has already rewarded us. He promised peace to everybody.
The angels said: “Peace to men of good will.” But He has already
given it to us, because the angel said that this Child is the Savior,
Who is Christ, the Lord. We are poor and ignorant, but we know that
the Prophets say that the Savior will be the Prince of Peace. And he
told us to come and adore Him. That is why He gave us His peace.
Glory be to God in the Most High Heaven and glory to His Christ here,
and You are blessed, Woman, Who gave birth to Him: You are holy,
because You deserved to bear Him! Give us orders as our Queen,
because we will be happy to serve You. What can we do for You? »
«
You can love My Son, and always cherish the same thoughts as you have
now. »
«
But what about You? Is there anything You wish? Have You no relatives
whom You would like to inform that He has been born? »
«
Yes, I have them. But they are far away. They are at Hebron... »
«
I will go » says Elias. « Who are they? »
«
Zacharias, the priest, and My cousin Elizabeth. »
«
Zacharias? Oh! I know him well. In summer I go up those mountains
because the pastures are rich and beautiful, and I am a friend of his
shepherd. When I know you are settled, I will go to Zacharias. »
«
Thank you, Elias. »
«
You need not thank me. It is a great honor for me, a poor shepherd,
to go and speak to the priest and say to him: “The Savior has been
born.” »
«
No. You must say to him: “Your cousin, Mary of Nazareth, has said
that Jesus has been born, and that you should come to Bethlehem.” »
«
I will say that. »
«
May God reward You. I will remember you, Elias, and every one of you.
»
«
Will You tell Your Baby about us? »
«
I certainly will. »
«
I am Elias. », « And I am Levi. », « And I am Samuel. », «And I
Jonah. », « And I Isaac. », « And I Tobias. », « And I
Jonathan. », « And I Daniel. », « And I Simeon. », « My name is
John. », « I am Joseph and my brother Benjamin, we are twins. »
«
I will remember your names. »
«
We must go... But we will come back... And we will bring others to
worship Him. »
«
How can we go back to the sheep-fold, leaving the Child? »
«
Glory be to God Who has shown Him to us! »
«
Will You let us kiss His dress? » asks Levi, with an angelic smile.
And
Mary lifts Jesus slowly, and sitting on the hay, envelops the tiny
little feet in a linen, and offers them to be kissed. And the
shepherds bow down to the ground and kiss the tiny feet, veiled by
the linen. Those with a beard clean it first; almost everyone is
crying, and when they have to go, they walk out backwards, leaving
their hearts there...
The
vision ends thus, with Mary sitting on the straw with the Child on
Her lap and Joseph who, leaning with his elbow on the manger, looks
and adores.
Based
on chapter 28 and chapter 30 of Maria Valtorta’s The
Gospel as Revealed to Me.
Learn
more about Maria Valtorta’s works HERE.
View
my Catholic books HERE.