tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24501628158431311832024-03-18T17:31:10.085-07:00The Shield of Faith"Go thy way, thy faith has saved thee."Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-68476298182311266552024-03-07T15:47:00.000-08:002024-03-07T15:47:49.164-08:00 St. Alphonsus responds to the Chicken Dance Mass.<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /><br /></span><h4 align="justify" class="western">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Th</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">e
Chicken Dance Mass</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
[<a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1759770896066126331" target="_blank">LINK</a>] took place on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at the Catholic parish
church of </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Christus
der König</span></i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
(Christ the King) in Ruhstorf an der Rott, in Germany. </span></span>
</h4>
<p align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
</p>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">St.
Alphonsus de Liguori: </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The
Reverence with which Mass </b></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>o</b></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>ught
to be Celebrated.</b></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b> </b></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">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.” </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">A
priest celebrating Mass ought</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">As
regards attention to the words, a priest sins by</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
being </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>voluntarily</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
distracted during Mass; and as divines </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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, </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">and</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
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 </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">him
by voluntary distraction.” And I am of the same </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">he
actually professes religiously to honor God, he is voluntarily
distracted with thoughts of other subjects.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mass
to be celebrated according to the rubrics of the Missal</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Hence
Suarez very properly says that the omission of any ceremony
prescribed in the rubrics, such</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">as
a sign of the cross, genuflection, inclination, etc., cannot be
excused from venial sin. And this is declared by Benedict XIII. […]</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">St.
Teresa </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">said:</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
“I would lay down my life for only one of the ceremonies of the
Church.” </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">[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.”] </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">were
but figures of ours: “</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
But if</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
thou wilt not hear the </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>voice
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>of
the Lord </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>thy
God </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>to
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>keep
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>and
to do all His </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>ceremonies
. . </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>all
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>these
curses </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>shall
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>c</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>o</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>me
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>upon
thee. . . </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Cursed
shall thou he in the city, cursed in the field; . </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>.
cursed shall thou be </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>coming
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>in,
and cursed </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>going
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>out.
. .</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
[Deut. 28:15].</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Hence,
seeing the greater part of priests say Mass</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">a
comedy […]. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">W</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ords
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 </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">though
they were a </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">piece
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">of
bread and a glass of wine: </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">confounding
the words and ceremonies together, placing the one before or after
the other, contrary to the order </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">prescribed
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">by
the rubrics; the whole Mass, in a word, from beginning </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">end,
nothing but a tissue of careless</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ness,
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">confusion,
and irreverence.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
whence comes all this? </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">arises
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">partly
from </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ignorance
of the rubrics, which they </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">neither
know nor endeavor to know; and partly from anxiety </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">finish
Mass in as short a time as </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">possible.
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">They
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">seem
to be </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">saying
Mass as though the Church were going </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to
fall, or </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
Turks were coming, and they should not have </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">time
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to
escape. Such priests, before saying Mass, will </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">some</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">times
be engaged for hours in worldly affairs, or in </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">use</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">less
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">There
should be always some one at hand to say to such, as Father </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Avila,
approaching the altar, once said </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">a
priest who </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">was
celebrating in this manner: “Please to treat </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">H</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">im
</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">better;
for </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">H</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">e
is the son of a respectable Father.” </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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?</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZuUUujvYEJk1cTfT27RPuK-9_Qh7f3n_VhXcyF6QfcssydCPAdhcqyw6151mCMbEy468g8HPkpm1z9z1gUhYQ_gdcGZb4NqU7S7xxuj8Aur70X6QESrIi1VdoTii1T5vz1rN4XwT5mGCeKmOcanqL_hI-6PGsdYMJJPwvavxD1uJOSv1J30vhYs8b5g/s300/alphonsus%20death.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZuUUujvYEJk1cTfT27RPuK-9_Qh7f3n_VhXcyF6QfcssydCPAdhcqyw6151mCMbEy468g8HPkpm1z9z1gUhYQ_gdcGZb4NqU7S7xxuj8Aur70X6QESrIi1VdoTii1T5vz1rN4XwT5mGCeKmOcanqL_hI-6PGsdYMJJPwvavxD1uJOSv1J30vhYs8b5g/w400-h400/alphonsus%20death.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><span> <span style="font-size: medium;"> Tomb of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Salerno, Italy</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">A
priest at the altar, as St. Cyprian says, and most</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">truly,
represents the person of Jesus Christ himself. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
in the person of Jesus Christ he says: </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hoc
est corpus meum. Hic est calix sanguinis mei. </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But,
O God! Seeing </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 o</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">f</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
Mass is performed not as a mystery of religion, </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">but
as an act of making profit.” </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">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.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">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 </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">those
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">visible
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">signs
of </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">religion
and piety, to the </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">contemplation
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">of
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">those
most </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">sublime
things which are hidden in </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">this
sacrifice.” </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But
the </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ceremonies,
</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">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 </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
saying of Mass with but little reverence induces the people to make
little account of the most holy Sacrament.</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
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 </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">than
attract them to the veneration of the sacred mysteries.”</span></h4>
<h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
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:
C</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>rucifige
eum.</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
thus the laity, when they see priests celebrate Mass with disrespect
and negligence, lose all esteem and veneration for it.</span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Taken
from the </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">chapter
“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass hurriedly said,” in the </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">book
</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Holy Mass – The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ</i></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori, available in various formats at
Amazon.com. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my most recent books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here.</a> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western">
</h4>
Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-14619676474210173532024-03-02T15:06:00.000-08:002024-03-02T15:06:35.066-08:00Sublime Importance of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Unless
a priest esteems the holy Sacrifice as it deserves, </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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
</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">and
divine as this tremendous mystery itself.” </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">God
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">himself
could not enable man to perform anything greater than the celebration
of Mass.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">All
the ancient sacrifices, by which God was so much</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">If,
as it is promised, we may confidently hope to obtain from God
whatever we ask in the name of Jesus: </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>you
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>ask
the Father anything in My name, He will give it </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>to
you</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
[John 16:23],</span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">how
much more confidently may we hope to obtain </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">what
we ask for, when we immolate to the Father Jesus himself? Our loving
Redeemer is continually </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">making
intercession for us in heaven: </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Who
also maketh </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>intercession
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>for
us </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[Romans
8:34].</span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But
this he does more especially </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">in
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3Zj6Q2jv8ZzJRVOd-aff6gJQGTpBfAITonevLiBzKUX4Q5RGHCIjFP2_DipINXm_7h9qFhjbEffR3p2tOGfy0qjqK1f_LyBSiF62xmoEey59DE1NaGoiApETkn4hpZYUH3NPPtGiSxZhDdL1SVDY8xItfieME40vRgSflrimTFj2TQThe6imRoUhyQA/s479/alphonsus%20Mass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="304" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3Zj6Q2jv8ZzJRVOd-aff6gJQGTpBfAITonevLiBzKUX4Q5RGHCIjFP2_DipINXm_7h9qFhjbEffR3p2tOGfy0qjqK1f_LyBSiF62xmoEey59DE1NaGoiApETkn4hpZYUH3NPPtGiSxZhDdL1SVDY8xItfieME40vRgSflrimTFj2TQThe6imRoUhyQA/w254-h400/alphonsus%20Mass.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">even
heinous </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">crimes
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">and
sins,” says the Council of Trent.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
a word, </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">as
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
Passion of Jesus Christ was </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">sufficient
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">save
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
whole world, so is a single Mass </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">sufficient
to save it. </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Hence,
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">at
the </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">offertory
of the </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">chalice
the priest says: </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">“We
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">offer
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">unto
Thee, O Lord, </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
chalice of salvation, . . . for </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">our
salvation, and for </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">that
of the whole world.” </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mass
is the good thing </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">and
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">beautiful
thing of </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
Church, according to the prediction </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">of
the prophet: </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For
what is the </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>good
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>thing
of </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Him,
</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>and
what </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>is
His beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect, and wine springing
forth virgins?</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
[</span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Zach.19:</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">17.]
</span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
the Mass, the Word incarnate offers himself </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Hence
St. Bonaventure</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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, </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">according
to the prediction of Daniel: </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And
strength was given him against the continual sacrifice because of
sins </i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">[Daniel
8:12]</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western" style="margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">Here
is the full quote from Daniel, which, according to St. Alphonsus,
refers to the power of the Antichrist [Daniel 8:10-12]:</span></span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western" style="margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western" style="margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">“</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><span style="background: transparent;">10</span></u></span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
And it was magnified even</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">
unto the strength of heaven: </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: transparent;">and
it threw down of the strength, and of the stars, and trod upon them.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="https://www.drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=32&ch=8&l=11-#x"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">11</span></span></a></u></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
And it was magnified even to the prince of the strength: and it took
away from him the continual sacrifice, and cast dow</span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">n
the place of his sanctuary. </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=32&ch=8&l=12-#x">12</a>
</span></u></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western" style="margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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!” </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.” </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">From</span></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
The Holy Mass,</i></span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
by St. Alphonsus Liguori, beginning of the chapter entitled ‘The
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Hurriedly Said.’ </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">View
all of my books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here.</a> </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-82308039883513242852023-12-31T06:42:00.000-08:002023-12-31T06:44:40.951-08:00Eight New Year's "Resolutions" from Padre Pio.<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>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.</span> </span><br /></h4>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Here are his thoughts - exhortations - admonitions for Dec. 31 thru Jan 7. </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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.
</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
8. In your actions, seek neither the most nor the least merit, but rather the greatest honor and glory for God. </span><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">View my Padre Pio <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank"><u>books</u>.</a> </span><br /></h4>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</h4>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</h4>
<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-15819234460711168322023-12-12T12:33:00.000-08:002023-12-12T12:33:18.503-08:00 As a boy, Jesus was homeschooled by the Blessed Virgin.
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #c9211e; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I
will never send Jesus to school!” </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">says</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
Mary resolutely. Maria Valtorta reveals wh</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">y.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">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.”</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maria
then has a vision of the Holy House in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph:</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">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.] </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">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.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">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? »</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">«
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. »</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">«
Everybody dies... but before dying I shall </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">bless
Israel, and since you are the only ones here, I shall bless the whole
of Israel in you. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
gets up smiling, runs towards Her, and kisses Her. Also James and
Judas come. They also receive Mary's caresses.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> <br /></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">«
How can Jesus remember that canticle which is so long and difficult
and all those blessings?» asks James.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK6n2LIJ9QxCt9ZGiAO-XbkSOfurTIaYHP02Io89v0U70dyJa8wiUq_8rwAZ8TPEDEj_K9goG3zRgZIL4w6IHe_dYeugy5AWSVZBBEDj8Owh8oyQnwB23PAvdH6ZKnPAV9q67J05GFOiz9gPxoChF8euOVYunJy1DHvYwdHUkO9bApylz2AQCNKx1EIQ/s800/st-james-the-less-icon-744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="629" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCK6n2LIJ9QxCt9ZGiAO-XbkSOfurTIaYHP02Io89v0U70dyJa8wiUq_8rwAZ8TPEDEj_K9goG3zRgZIL4w6IHe_dYeugy5AWSVZBBEDj8Owh8oyQnwB23PAvdH6ZKnPAV9q67J05GFOiz9gPxoChF8euOVYunJy1DHvYwdHUkO9bApylz2AQCNKx1EIQ/w315-h400/st-james-the-less-icon-744.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br /></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Mary
smiles and answers: « His memory is very good and He pays a lot of
attention when I read. »</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">«
I too, at school, pay attention. But then I get sleepy with all the
hubbub... shall I never learn then? »</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
You will learn, be good. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
And to you, and blessings. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Very good. And the children? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
They are in the garden with Mary. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Very good, and very dear. Are the relatives all well? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Alphaeus'
wife smiles. She bends over Jesus Who is looking at her with His eyes
wide open, […]</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
and she says:</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
« Do you know what I have for you? Guess. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
continues saying, « For me! For me! Thank you, father! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Do you like it so much! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgR3CToRGQVNFUJmwfLN8CQrBeQkfxDns-CWFzifPcNXJKusriipjZJSeL1v5JC4yL3EVff5euQjWCdfF_AmWJ-lBzS5eEB00LsPDZwZ2k32ZzsCOmuuoo-6uh7hNHlLu_7Hg1C-If3gzpn4Lf_5K_vL9l-CYXZOgPBe3jZFijhd8xiDbEEYzMR5-cDI/s732/St-Jude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="518" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgR3CToRGQVNFUJmwfLN8CQrBeQkfxDns-CWFzifPcNXJKusriipjZJSeL1v5JC4yL3EVff5euQjWCdfF_AmWJ-lBzS5eEB00LsPDZwZ2k32ZzsCOmuuoo-6uh7hNHlLu_7Hg1C-If3gzpn4Lf_5K_vL9l-CYXZOgPBe3jZFijhd8xiDbEEYzMR5-cDI/w283-h400/St-Jude.jpg" width="283" /></a></div> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"> Saint Jude Thaddeus</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Soon
the guests are sitting at table and Mary offers them bread, olives
and cheese. […] </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 knee</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">s.
What with the school and </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">«
I will never send Jesus to school » say</span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">s
Mary resolutely.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
It is most unusual to hear Her talk thus and above all to hear Her
talk before Joseph.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Why? The Child must learn to be ready in good time to pass His exam
when He comes of age... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
The Child will be ready. But He will not go to school. That is quite
definite. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
You will be the only woman in Israel to do that. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I will be the only one. But that is what I am going to do. Isn't that
right, Joseph? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
You are spoiling the Boy. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
You cannot say that. He is the best boy in Nazareth. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Have
you ever heard Him cry, or be naughty, or be disobedient, or lack
respect? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
No. That's true. But He will do all that if You continue to spoil
Him. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You
do not necessarily spoil your children just because you keep them at
home.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
And when Your Jesus is a Man, He will be like a silly little woman
frightened even of flies. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Perhaps Mary has decided, and you... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.
»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Joseph
pats Mary on the head as if She were a young daughter and She looks
at him with Her serene loving eyes.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Her
sister-in-law interferes: « You are quite right. I wish I could
teach! </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Our
children at school </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">learn
evil and good. A</span></span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">t
home they only learn what is good.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
But I do not know whether... if Mary... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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 sho</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">uld
love one another like brothers. Oh! </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I
would be so happy! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
They will drive You to despair, Mary » says Alphaeus.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
No! They are always good with Me. You will be good if I teach you,
will you not? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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 t</span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">he
sixth hour [a</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">r</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ound
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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Two
big kisses are the answer.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
See? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
But who puts such words on the lips of the Child » Alphaeus asks,
astonished.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Nobody, brother. Nobody in this world ».</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> -------------------------------------------------------</span></h4><p><br /></p><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">At
the close of the vision, Jesus says to Maria Valtorta:</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Did
you enjoy this sweet scene? Now be in peace. Jesus is with you. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> --------------------------- <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Based on <i>The Gospel as Revealed to Me</i>, by Maria Valtorta, Chapter 38. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Learn
more about Maria Valtorta’s works <a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"></h4><h4><br /></h4><br />Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-1842173705654539732023-11-29T14:58:00.000-08:002023-11-29T17:57:19.623-08:00 The Shepherds of the Nativity were Twelve.<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span>
</h4>
<h4 class="western" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> ---------------------------------</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
May God bless you both » exclaims Mary. « You for your love, and
you for your kindness. I will pray for you. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Are you coming from far? » asks the shepherd.<br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
From Nazareth » replies Joseph. <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
And where are you going? » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
To Bethlehem. » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">« A Long journey for a woman in Her state. Is She your wife? » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Yes, She is. » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Have you got a place where to go? » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
No, we haven't. » </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Not very. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">stables
[…], the</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">y
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
And may God give you joy » answers Mary. Joseph instead replies: «
Peace be with you. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">They
take to the road again. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>That
night the Savior is born, and Maria Valtorta is graced with a vision
of the announcement of His birth to the shepherds. </i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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 […].</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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
[…]. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">At
a certain moment he shouts: « Oh! » and remains petrified with his
arms slightly stretched out. His mates look at one another
dumbfounded.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
But what is the matter with the fool? » says one.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I will send him back to his mother tomorrow. I don't want mad people
as guardians of the sheep » says another.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">And
the old man who had spoken earlier says: « Let us go</span><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">They
go in, they call the other shepherds and they come out with torches
and clubs. They join the boy.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I can only see a rather brighter light. » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
So can I. » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
So can I » say the others. <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
No. I see something like a body » says one whom I recognize to be
the shepherd who gave the milk to Mary. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
... the Savior, Who is Christ. » The angel shines with a</span><span style="font-family: serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
... 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 […].</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2pbe6hLAXlP2MVuosgSdysiaxHT121alC5sAEBuzHmppbKxohyoBANt4MVZRv62KSL_CvXgBCkhZdi3XT_QY1P2EI0PZxu2tktRL5-crnQO-g6lbmfSvsAcm6W8MUoKFtp7KK0nUn2fCq5R7PYXhbDib5A-H8WHWGoJWsoe3tokqB-YmABrFewBHHtQ/s415/angelshepherds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="415" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2pbe6hLAXlP2MVuosgSdysiaxHT121alC5sAEBuzHmppbKxohyoBANt4MVZRv62KSL_CvXgBCkhZdi3XT_QY1P2EI0PZxu2tktRL5-crnQO-g6lbmfSvsAcm6W8MUoKFtp7KK0nUn2fCq5R7PYXhbDib5A-H8WHWGoJWsoe3tokqB-YmABrFewBHHtQ/w400-h300/angelshepherds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Go in! » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I wouldn't dare! » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
You go in! » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
No. » <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
At least have a look. » </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.]</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
What can you see? » they ask him anxiously in low voices. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
What is She saying? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Call Her! Let them hear you. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span> <br /></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
shepherd opens his mouth, but he only utters a faint moaning noise.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Joseph
turns round and comes to the door. « Who are you? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Shepherds. We brought you some food and some wool. We have come to
worship the Savior. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Come in. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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!</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
There is some milk here. Take it, Woman. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
But it is cold. It should be warm. Where is Elias? He has the sheep.
»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Who led you here? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Come in. You are wanted. » He enters with his sheep, embarrassed
because they all look at him.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
It's you! » says Joseph, who recognizes him, and Mary smiles at him
saying: « You are good. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I know » replies Mary with a deep sigh. « But there is no room for
us in Bethlehem. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Take heart, Woman. We will look for a house for You. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
For My Child, at least. Joseph and I can lie also on the floor. But
for the Little One... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
We are poor, too. And we cannot reward you » says Joseph.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
You can love My Son, and always cherish the same thoughts as you have
now. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhULQ025LHmqEYpGBY_aqNP_9ZfJvYxyACD7CV2Sk7R9mruhofPjv_WvDoz-fLmPviFfIWzKk_cjJ1yjaUJKdC58-XMgr3YIsaANG_flQ25JHLofQsTU5EpMMp0VH63IWAabrHT0kvuKOeQs-8KyIPT4wFYs0Px5YAUzE7nrsSNpmgrZlOUBH4ZqPYIZs/s1024/shepherdsmanger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="1024" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhULQ025LHmqEYpGBY_aqNP_9ZfJvYxyACD7CV2Sk7R9mruhofPjv_WvDoz-fLmPviFfIWzKk_cjJ1yjaUJKdC58-XMgr3YIsaANG_flQ25JHLofQsTU5EpMMp0VH63IWAabrHT0kvuKOeQs-8KyIPT4wFYs0Px5YAUzE7nrsSNpmgrZlOUBH4ZqPYIZs/w400-h183/shepherdsmanger.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
But what about You? Is there anything You wish? Have You no relatives
whom You would like to inform that He has been born? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Yes, I have them. But they are far away. They are at Hebron... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I will go » says Elias. « Who are they? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Zacharias, the priest, and My cousin Elizabeth. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Thank you, Elias. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.” »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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.” »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I will say that. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
May God reward You. I will remember you, Elias, and every one of you.
»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Will You tell Your Baby about us? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I certainly will. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
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. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
I will remember your names. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
We must go... But we will come back... And we will bring others to
worship Him. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
How can we go back to the sheep-fold, leaving the Child? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Glory be to God Who has shown Him to us! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«
Will You let us kiss His dress? » asks Levi, with an angelic smile.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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...</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">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.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Based
on chapter 28 and chapter 30 of Maria Valtorta’s </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Gospel as Revealed to Me. </i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Learn
more about Maria Valtorta’s works <a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-54844673220029046962023-11-12T17:29:00.000-08:002023-11-12T17:29:30.216-08:00St. Joseph Miraculously Chosen as Mary’s Spouse.<h4 align="justify" class="western">
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">They
reveal to each other their vows of chastity. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[Numbers
17:1-23]:</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>
</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">
In order to convince the Israelites that Aaron was the chosen High
Priest, God said to Moses: “Speak to the Israelites and get one
staff from each of them ... Mark each man’s name on his staff; and
mark Aaron’s name . . . Then lay them down in the Meeting Tent . .
. There the staff of the man of My choice will sprout.” . . . The
next day, when Moses entered the Tent, Aaron’s staff . . . had
sprouted and put forth not only shoots, but blossoms as well, and
even bore ripe almonds.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">According
to Catholic Tradition, and to renowned mystics Venerable Mary of
Agreda and Blessed Anne Katherine Emmerich, something analogous to
this occurred when the Priests of the Temple sought a spouse for the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Maria Valtorta’s vision of the miraculous
choice of St Joseph to be the husband of Mary is in perfect
conformity to the ancient traditional belief. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">On
September 4, 1944, Maria reported on what she saw: </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">I
see </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">a
rich hall with a beautiful floor, curtains, carpets and inlaid
furniture. It must be still part of the Temple: there are priests in
it, including Zacharias, and many men of every age, from twenty to
fifty years approximately. They are all talking in low but animated
voices […]. They are dressed in their best clothes, which seem to
be new or just recently washed and they are obviously dressed for
some special feast. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Many
have removed the piece of cloth covering their heads, others still
wear it, particularly the elder ones […]. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">They
do not all know one another, because they observe one another
inquisitively. But they seem to be akin somehow, because it is clear
that they are all concerned with the same matter.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">In
a corner I can see Joseph. He is talking to a hale and hearty elderly
man. Joseph is about thirty years old. He is a handsome man with
short and rather curly hair, dark brown like his beard and his
moustache, which cover a well shaped chin and rise towards his
rosy-brown cheeks, which are not olive-coloured as is normal in most
people with a brown complexion. His eyes are dark, kindly and deep,
very serious and perhaps somewhat sad. But when he smiles, as he does
now, they become gay and young looking. He is dressed in light brown,
very simple but very tidy.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">A
group of young Levites comes in and they take up position between the
door and a long narrow table, which is against the same wall as the
door, which is left wide ope</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">n.
A single curtain […] is drawn to cover the empty space. The
curiosity of the group increases. It grows more so when a hand pulls
th</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">e
curtain to one side to admit a Levite, who is carrying in his arms a
bundle of dry branches on which one in blossom is gently laid: it
looks like a light foam of white petals, with a vague pinkish hue
that spreads softer and softer from the centre to the top of the
light petals.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The
Levite lays the bundle of branches on the table very gently to avoid
detracting from the miracle of the branch full of flowers among so
many dry ones. Whispering spreads in the hall. They all stretch their
necks and sharpen their eyes to see. Zacharias, who is near the table
with the other priests, also endeavours to see. But he can see
nothing. Joseph, in his corner, gives a quick glance to the bundle of
branches and when the man he was speaking to says something to him,
he shakes his head in denial as if to say: « Impossible » and
smiles.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">A
trumpet is heard beyond the curtain. They all become quiet and turn
in an orderly way towards the door […</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">].
Th</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">e
High Priest enters surrounded by elders. They all make a deep bow.
The Pontiff goes to the table and begins to speak, standing up.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Men of the race of David, gathered here at my request, please listen.
The Lord has spoken, glory be to Him! From His Glory a ray has
descended and, like the sun in springtime, it has given life to a dry
branch which has blossomed miraculously, whereas no other branch on
earth is in bloom to-day […], and the snow that fell on the
mountains in Judah has not yet melted and everything is white between
Zion and Bethany.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcXy8m2xeSNgxsjsdVkA89FvCScrdvnst12Vk5GDRZ9dtANM9p1AdLBRIpUmpckKvCkw8lt-WNuowx0F86VR58ZTh4_gX8OvC_X2H7t9YOrocWcdUc3bbMwlZ0BUUC-Q_7uuJyrcO91YpPQScrcUBQZrO7OVT582sJj_Kb8aI8F8sW2EDIEjSu8OUy1k/s1180/st.%20joseph%20staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1178" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcXy8m2xeSNgxsjsdVkA89FvCScrdvnst12Vk5GDRZ9dtANM9p1AdLBRIpUmpckKvCkw8lt-WNuowx0F86VR58ZTh4_gX8OvC_X2H7t9YOrocWcdUc3bbMwlZ0BUUC-Q_7uuJyrcO91YpPQScrcUBQZrO7OVT582sJj_Kb8aI8F8sW2EDIEjSu8OUy1k/w399-h400/st.%20joseph%20staff.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
God has spoken and has made Himself the father and the guardian of
the Virgin of David Who has Him alone as Her protection. A holy girl,
the glory of the Temple, She deserved the word of God to learn the
name of a husband agreeable to the Eternal One. And he must be very
just to be chosen by the Lord as the protector of the Virgin so dear
to Him! For this reason our sorrow in losing Her is alleviated and
all worries about Her destiny as a wife cease. And to the man
appointed by God we entrust with full confidence the Virgin blessed
by God and by ourselves. </span><span style="color: #c9211e; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The
name of the husband is Joseph of Jacob of Bethlehem, of the tribe of
David, a carpenter in Nazareth in Galilee.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">
Joseph: come forward. It is an order of the High Priest ... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">There
is a lot of whispering. Heads move round, eyes cast inquisitive
glances, hands make signs: there are expressions of disappointment
and relief […]. Joseph, blushing and embarrassed moves forward. He
is now near the table, in front of the Pontiff, whom he has greeted
reverently.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Everyone must come here to see the name engraved on the branch. And
everyone must take his own branch to make sure that there is no
deception.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The
men obey. They look at the branch gently held by the High Priest and
then each takes his own […]. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
They all look at Joseph. Some look and are silent, others look and
congratulate him.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">
The elderly man to whom Joseph was speaking before, exclaims: « I
told you, Joseph! Who feels less certain, is the one who wins the
game! » </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">They
have all now passed before the Pontiff. The High Priest gives Joseph
his branch in bloom, he lays his hand on his shoulder and says to
him: « The spouse the Lord has presented you with, is not rich, as
you know. But all virtues are in Her. Be more and more worthy of Her.
There is no flower in Israel as beautiful and pure as She is. Please,
all go out now. You, Joseph, stay here. And you, Zacharias, since you
are Her relative, please bring in the bride.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">They
all go out, except the High Priest and Joseph. The curtain is drawn
once again over the door. Joseph is standing in a very humble
attitude, near the Priest. There is silence, then the Priest says to
Joseph: « Mary wishes to inform you of a vow She made. Please help
Her shyness. Be good to Her, Who is so good.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
I will put my strength and my manly authority at Her service and no
sacrifice on Her behalf will be heavy for me. Be sure of that. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Mary
enters with Zacharias and Anna of Phanuel.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Come, Mary » says the Pontiff. « Here is the spouse that God has
destined to You. He is Joseph of Nazareth. You will therefore go back
to Your own town. I will leave You now. May God give You His
blessing. May the Lord protect You and bless You, may He show His
face to You and have mercy on You. May He turn His face to You and
give You peace. »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Zacharias
goes out escorting the Pontiff. Anna congratulates Joseph and then
she goes out, too.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The
betrothed are now facing each other. Mary, full of blushes, is
standing with Her head bowed. Joseph, who is also red in the face,
looks at Her and tries to find the first words to be said. He
eventually finds them and a bright smile lights up his eyes. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">He
says: « I welcome you, Mary. I saw You when You were a little baby,
only a few days old... I was a friend of Your father's and I have a
nephew, the son of my brother Alphaeus, who was a great friend of
Your mother [...]</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">You
do not know us because You were only a little girl when You came
here. But everyone in Nazareth loves You and they all think and speak
of Joachim's little Mary, Whose birth was a miracle of the Lord, Who
made the barren old lady blossom wonderfully... And I remember the
evening You were born... We all remember it because of the prodigy of
a heavy rain that saved the country and of a violent storm during
which the thunderbolts did not damage even a stem of heather and it
ended with such a large and beautiful rainbow that the like has never
been seen again. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
And then... who does not remember Joachim's happiness? He dandled You
showing You to his neighbours... As if You were a flower that had
descended from Heaven, he admired You and wanted everyone to admire
You, a happy old father who died talking about his Mary, Who was so
beautiful and good and Whose words were so full of wisdom end
grace... He was quite right in admiring You and in saying that there
is no other woman lovelier than You are! And Your mother? She filled
Your house and the neighbourhood with her songs and she sang like a
skylark in springtime when she was carrying You, and afterwards when
she held You in her arms.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
I made a cradle for You. A tiny little cradle, with roses carved all
over it, because Your mother wanted it like that. Perhaps it is still
in the house... I am old, Mary. When You were born I was beginning to
work. I was already working... I would never have believed that I was
going to have You as a spouse! Perhaps Your parents would have died a
happier death if they had known, because they were my friends. I
buried Your father, mourning over his death with a sincere heart,
because he was a good teacher to me.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Mary
raises Her face, little by little, taking heart, as She hears Joseph
speak to Her thus, and when he mentions the cradle She smiles gently
and when Joseph speaks of Her father, She holds out Her hand to him
and says: « Thank you, Joseph. » A very timid and gentle « thank
you.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q0hx59P7qpCE9kQJ7heJXstQGNBPF4f-_pCJSdDGGGdrHueEcUf3rFkhUa5ZuOQWINDYLzJVOqD44Bibid__zp1tiNIrLPlxVEk4nU50CAUy_FZA3mX8IZjwOk_FlWJ-TpJH7p1SPOg_sMBmqc7T1wARitlIBxlvw5Y3eyw20p12mCPdc3L4Zo2RgdQ/s593/MaryJoseph2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="593" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q0hx59P7qpCE9kQJ7heJXstQGNBPF4f-_pCJSdDGGGdrHueEcUf3rFkhUa5ZuOQWINDYLzJVOqD44Bibid__zp1tiNIrLPlxVEk4nU50CAUy_FZA3mX8IZjwOk_FlWJ-TpJH7p1SPOg_sMBmqc7T1wARitlIBxlvw5Y3eyw20p12mCPdc3L4Zo2RgdQ/w400-h191/MaryJoseph2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Joseph
holds Her little jasmine hand in his short and strong hands of a
carpenter and he caresses it with an affection that expresses more
and more confidence. Perhaps he is waiting for more words. But Mary
is silent once again. He then goes on: « As You know, Your house is
still intact, with the exception of the part that was demolished by
order of the consul, to build a road for the wagons of the Romans
[…]. You know that because of Your father's illness much of the
property had to be disposed of</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
[…], the fields have been rather neglected. F</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">or
over three years the trees and the vines have never been pruned and
the land is untilled and hard. But the trees that saw You when You
were a little girl are still there, and if You agree, I will at once
take care of them.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Thank you, Joseph. But you have your work ... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
I will work in Your orchard in the morning and in the evening. The
days are getting longer and longer. By springtime I want everything
to be in order for Your happiness. Look: this is a branch of the
almond tree near the house. I wanted to pick it […] because I
thought that if I should be the chosen one, You would have been
pleased to have a flower from Your garden. But I was not expecting to
be the chosen one as I am a Nazirite [A Hebrew consecrated to the
Lord by renewable vows] and I have obeyed because it is an order of
the Priest, not because I wish to get married. Here is the branch,
Mary. With it I offer You my heart, that, like it, has bloomed up
till now only for the Lord and is now blooming for You, my spouse.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Mary
takes the branch. She is moved and looks at Joseph with a face that
has become more and more confident and bright. She feels certain of
him. When he says to Her « I am a Nazirite », Her face becomes
bright and She takes courage: « Also I am all of the Lord, Joseph. I
do not know whether the High Priest told you ... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
He only told me that You are good and pure, that You wish to inform
me of a vow, and that I must be good to you. Speak, Mary. Your Joseph
wants You to be happy in all Your desires. I do not love You my with
body. I love You with my soul, holy girl given to me by God! Please
see in me a father and a brother, in addition to a husband. And open
Your heart to me as to a father and rely on me as on a brother ... »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Since My childhood I have consecrated Myself to the Lord. I know this
is not the custom in Israel. But I heard a voice requesting My
virginity as a sacrifice of love for the coming of the Messiah.
Israel has been waiting for Him for such a long time!... It is not
too much to forgo the joy of being a mother for that! »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Joseph
gazes at Her as if he wanted to read Her heart, then he takes Her
tiny hands which are still holding the branch in blossom and he says:<span style="color: red;">
« I will join my sacrifice to Yours and we shall love the Eternal
Father so much with our chastity that He will send His Saviour to the
world earlier, and will allow us to see His Light shining in the
world.</span> Come, Mary. Let us go before His House [the Temple] and [to]
Nazareth to prepare everything for You, in Your house, if You wish to
go there, or elsewhere if You wish so.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
In My house... There was a grotto down at the bottom... Is it still
there? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
It is, but it is no longer Yours... But I will build another one for
You where it will be cool and quiet during the hottest hours of the
day. I will make it as much as possible identical to the older one.
And tell me: whom do You want with You? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Nobody. I am not afraid. Alphaeus' mother, who has always come to see
Me, will keep Me company during the day. At night I prefer to be
alone. No harm can befall Me.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
And now I am there, too. When shall I come and get You? »</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Whenever you wish, Joseph.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">«
Then I will come as soon as the house is ready. I will not touch
anything. I want You to find it as Your mother left it. But I want it
to be bright and clean, to receive You without any sadness. Come,
Mary. Let us go and tell the Most High that we bless Him.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">__________________________________________</span><br /></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Based
on Chapter 12 of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Gospel as Revealed to Me</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">,
Volume One, by Maria Valtorta.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Learn
more about MariaValtorta’s works <a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-66560051132158746782023-10-16T15:40:00.000-07:002023-10-16T15:40:53.710-07:00Living in God’s Eternal Now.<p align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
</p>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">Suffering
from five major illnesses simultaneously, Maria
Valtorta had offered her
pains to Jesus
as a victim soul for the salvation of others. In order to encourage
her in coping with her offering and suffering, the Lord said to her:</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"To love pain is indeed a
counsel of perfection [for victim souls], for the command of God, who
knows human capacity, limits itself to order you to <i>endure
</i>pain out of
obedience to God. Many – the majority – are unable to do even
this.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"To the best ones God
says, 'Love pain since my Son loved it for your good. Do the same for
the good of your brothers and sisters.'</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"But among the best, who
are faithful, convinced, generous, and loving Christians, there is a
select category. They are the seraphim of the faithful, the most
inflamed with love. The love inflaming them makes them loving <i>as
regards what is most difficult</i>,
to the point that they not only love the pain which God allows them
to be rent with, but ask for it, saying, 'Here I am, Father. I am
here to ask you for the same chalice you gave to your Son and for the
same reason.' And they become the 'victims.'</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"To these, by way of you
[Maria], who are one of them, I give this counsel of perfection.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"When pain is atrocious,
but brief, it is easier to carry out. But when in its gnawing
severity it lasts and lasts […] then it is difficult to persist in
carrying out the mission of a victim. </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"Well then, […] to live
without disequilibrium in the life of victims one must place oneself
resolutely on the spiritual plane. To see, think, and act in
everything as one acts in the realms of the spirit – that is, <i>in
an eternity which always says 'now.'</i></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"Those of you that live
for the spirit – how do you want to regard things according to the
flesh? What have you asked God for? To make you spiritual creatures.
In what time do spiritual creatures, like God, live? In God's time.
What is God's time? An eternal present. An eternal 'now.' For your
Eternal Father there is no past or future in Heaven. There is the
<i>eternal instant.</i></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"God does not experience
birth or death, dawn or sunset, beginning or end. The angels,
spiritual, like Him, know only <i>'one
</i>day.' A day which
began the instant in which they were created and which will have no
end. The saints, from the moment of their heavenly birth, become
possessors of this immutable celestial time, which does not pass and
is fixed in its splendor as a diamond inflamed by God […] while it
is always the same and will remain such. For how long? Forever.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"Consider, Maria. If you
could count all the grains of sand which are in the seas of the whole
world […] you would still have a limit to this number of days. If
I joined to them all the drops of water which are in the seas, lakes,
rivers, torrents, and brooks [...] you would still have a limit to
this number of days. And if I also added all the molecules forming
the planets, stars, and nebulae […] you would still have a limited
number of days. And if I added the dust buried in the earth, dust
which is the earth of men who have gone back with their matter to
nothingness […] awaiting the command to become man again and see
the triumph of God [..] you would still have a limited number of
days.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"The Kingdom of God is
eternal, like its King. And eternity knows only one word: 'Now.' You,
too, and, with you, all those consecrated to the holocaust [of being
a victim soul], must know this word alone to measure the time of
pain.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">" 'Now.' How long have I
been suffering. Since now. When will it cease? Now. The present. For
spiritual creatures there is only this which is God's. Time as well.
<span style="color: #c9211e;">Learn,
before the time comes, to calculate time as you will possess it in
Paradise. </span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><i>Now</i></span><span style="color: #c9211e;">.</span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"Oh, blessed is that time,
which is immutable possession, immutable contemplation of God,
immutable joy! 'Life is the blinking of an eye; earthly time lasts a
breath. But my Heaven is eternal.' This is the chord which must
govern your song as creatures who are martyrs and blessed.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"You read in the life of
my martyr Cecilia: 'Cecilia was singing in her heart.' You as well –
sing in your hearts. Sing the
"now" of God, who awaits me: ‘I already find myself
enveloped in the abyss of this eternal "now," and this
abyss draws me closer and closer to the center of its perfection. I
am thus seeing his dust fall away, where every atom is a day, and a
grain is a month; I see it fall, blown away by this whirlwind, which,
inhales me into God, and it is the love of God, who wants to give me
"his" time. He wants to give me his <i>eternal
present, </i>where to
every second of earthly time there corresponds a receiving into
myself of the blessedness of having God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit, in an embrace that is always new, always
desired, always wanted, without weariness, rich in ever-new
splendors, ever-new savors, and ever-new love.’ </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">And I am born [...] and am then
reborn to my joy as a blessed one to love Him on and on and on, and
to be loved by Him on and on and on. <i>Not
more</i>. For there, in
Paradise, everything has reached Perfection and is not capable of
increases or decreases, but with ever – the – same, fresh
rejoicing. Mine as a blessed one embracing God. His, as God, who can
pour his love, his essence, over a creature of his whom He created
out of love, to receive that person's love and give and give and give
that person love.'</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"Look at your suffering in
this way, my little bride, and its duration will be less than nothing
for you. At the end of it I am there. I am.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">"My peace be always with
you."</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">From <i>The
Notebooks 1944</i> by
Maria Valtorta, Entry for June 12. Her books are available <a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/" target="_blank">Here.</a></span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">View my
Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here. </a></span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0.08in;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-89571528776014340372023-09-24T09:57:00.002-07:002023-09-24T11:32:06.594-07:00Understanding Mary’s Joys. <p align="justify" class="western">
</p>
<h4 class="western" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">On the
Morning of May 13, 1944, after Communion in Honor of the
Immaculate Heart, t</span>he
Blessed Virgin said to Maria Valtorta:</span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"I
want you to understand my joys better. You will say the Franciscan
[crown] rosary more willingly [Maria was a Third Order Franciscan.]”</span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Annunciation:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"In the first one, I was not happy because of my glory and joy,
but because the time had come for man's redemption and God's
forgiveness of man.</span><i> </i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Visitation:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"The second one made me happy not because of the praise offered
me by my cousin, but because I had begun redemption by sanctifying
the Baptist by taking my Jesus, your Redeemer, to him.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Birth of Jesus:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"The blessedness of the third one was not exclusively because I
had become a mother, without pain or the staining of my virginity, or
because of the grace of being able to kiss God, my Son, either. But
because the Earth now had the Savior.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Adoration of the Magi:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"What made me happy the fourth time was that in the three Magi I
saw all of those who, from everywhere in the world and in all periods
of the earth, from that moment on, would come towards the Light,
towards my Lord, and would proclaim Him to be their King and their
Savior and God.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Finding of Jesus in the Temple:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"The joy of the fifth event did not come exclusively from my
love as a Mother who ceases to suffer because her lost Son is found
again. It would have been selfishness. But it was inexpressible joy
to hear the 'Gospel' echoing forth for the first time and to
understand that a few years in advance it was falling into some
hearts and sprouting there into an eternal plant. I rejoiced over
these people instructed in advance.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Jesus
Appears to Mary after His Resurrection:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"The sixth joy was an even greater love for you, redeemed
creatures. The Risen One told me that the Heavens were open and
already inhabited by the holy ones of the Lord who had been awaiting
that hour for centuries and that in those Heavens the seats of all
the saved were ready. And for me, your Mother, to know that your
dwelling was ready was a joy of incalculable depth.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Mary’s
Assumption and Coronation:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"Finally, the seventh joy was not because of my glory. But
because, having been made the Queen of the Heavens</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
by the goodness of God, as the Queen I could concern myself with you,
my beloved ones, and, chosen as I was to sit at the right hand of
God, I could speak, pray, and obtain graces directly for you, with
powerful entreaty.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06-bRbLfhzC7Q005xEcHCuQTo1e6qeiuy05xooC2cVsJn21EBRTPGZJdIHC-NAMv50YpwLNKBhAII-Nh100SMS3SoLzwchiTsIxPSJUdHOE1ISHPfLzS7oKoEsc7r8J4pNFVG0RMdCCN2Fl42h9AS_JM5_NnZvYJYLcXYiwIZP90K1_VnL0fHwCpXi6o/s225/crownrosary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06-bRbLfhzC7Q005xEcHCuQTo1e6qeiuy05xooC2cVsJn21EBRTPGZJdIHC-NAMv50YpwLNKBhAII-Nh100SMS3SoLzwchiTsIxPSJUdHOE1ISHPfLzS7oKoEsc7r8J4pNFVG0RMdCCN2Fl42h9AS_JM5_NnZvYJYLcXYiwIZP90K1_VnL0fHwCpXi6o/w320-h320/crownrosary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">"No
joy was for me alone. Selfishness, even the most just and holy,
destroys love. Every joy came to me through perfect love and was
spurred towards an even more perfect love.</span></span></h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"I
am now blessed. I could not be more so because I am surrounded by the
Triune embrace of God. But I still use my blessedness out of love for
you. Even here I apply the law: I love God with my whole self and my
neighbor as myself.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="display: none;">341</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
Myself, not because I am Mary, but because Mary found grace before
the Lord and is loved by Him; she is thus a holy creature in Him and
of Him, part of Him.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Oh,
my theology! It has only one key word: 'Love.' I am Queen of the
Heavens because I have understood this theology as no other creature
has.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Love.
You will be saved. Love. Love in words or in silence. Love in action
or immobility. Love in fervor or in the suffering of aridity. Love in
joy and in pain. Love in victory and in weakness. Love in temptation
and in freedom from the Enemy. Always love.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Let
there be a point in you, the deepest one, which, in the midst of a
whole wounded, stricken, agonizing being stupefied by pain, exhausted
by the devil's assaults, nauseated by life events, and tossed about
like a ship in a storm, is able to remain still and alive in love. A
point in you which has this one mission – to love – and fulfills
it for your mind, heart, and flesh. </span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
let that point be your sanctuary. Let the altar be there with the
lamp which is always lit</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">, w</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ith
flowers which are always fresh, and with praise which is always
resounding.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Whether
you weep or laugh, hope or doubt, are exhausted or not, let the
holiest part of your spirit, the one living in that point consecrated
for worship of God, always be able to say:</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Gloria
tibi, Domine. Gloria! Laudamus Te! Benedicimus Te! Adoramus Te!
Glorificamus Te! Quoniam Tu solus Sanctus, Tu solus Dominus, Tu solus
Altissimus. Cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et
Dominationibus, cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus, himnum
gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus!</i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="display: none;">Glory
to you, Lord. Glory! We praise you! Thank you! We adore you! We
glorify you! Because You are the only Holy One, You are the only
Lord, You alone are the Most High. With Angels and Archangels, with
Thrones and Dominions, with all the militia of the heavenly host, we
sing the hymn of your glory, saying without end: Holy, Holy, Holy!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="display: none;">
</span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="display: none;">Glory
to you, Lord. Glory! We praise you! Thank you! We adore you! We
glorify you! Because You are the only Holy One, You are the only
Lord, You alone are the Most High. With Angels and Archangels, with
Thrones and Dominions, with all the militia of the heavenly host, we
sing the hymn of your glory, saying without end: Holy, Holy, Holy!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="display: none;">
</span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US">[Glory
to you, Lord. Glory! We praise you! We Thank you! We adore you! We
glorify you! Because You are the only Holy One, You are the only
Lord, You alone are the Most High. With Angels and Archangels, with
Thrones and Dominions, with all the militia of the heavenly host, we
sing the hymn of your glory, saying without end: Holy, Holy, Holy!]</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Before
the Elevation comes praise. Before the Consummation comes praise. Be
able to say </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>your
</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Mass.
Every victim is a priest. [Maria Valtorta was a victim soul.] But one
is not a priest if one does not know how to celebrate Mass. In all
its parts.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA7XWeuTcU_PNhzIKxjAu1TB45JhFeFeYYUcM69KzZDKqee709BqbPUsiK5Bn3x4UJdqtIGBR5Dwk-wCtQi7Gc95btbiIixZsBdrMdaMltbuVDs8HGAxDtSDtJF5iCuRGB0R84q74IxmI9_VH84h8soWN0gfKSwVnHGJxSeyEpqOugT3iwRh1kAB-TSg/s275/sandamiano.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA7XWeuTcU_PNhzIKxjAu1TB45JhFeFeYYUcM69KzZDKqee709BqbPUsiK5Bn3x4UJdqtIGBR5Dwk-wCtQi7Gc95btbiIixZsBdrMdaMltbuVDs8HGAxDtSDtJF5iCuRGB0R84q74IxmI9_VH84h8soWN0gfKSwVnHGJxSeyEpqOugT3iwRh1kAB-TSg/w400-h266/sandamiano.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Look
at my Jesus. Before being elevated and consummated, He gave praise to
the Father.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="display: none;">343</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
And He already knew what awaited Him.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"O
Maria, let your heart sing. Let it sing even if tears rain down from
your eyes. [Maria was then suffering the abandonment of Gethsemane.]
Let song cover your moan and the voices of Satan, who wants to
convince you to mistrust yourself to keep you from following your
mission, who wants to convince you that God does not hear you to keep
you from praying, who wants to convince you that you are lost in
order to destroy you.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">"No.
You are not. Persevere. A day or an hour of faithfulness at this
moment is worth more than the ten years spent in physical pain and
penance, but with peace in your heart and God perceptible at your
side. Persevere. 'Whoever perseveres until the end will be saved.'</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="display: none;">344</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
My and your Jesus says so. And I tell you so. Suffer in peace. I will
come soon."</span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">M</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">aria
Valtorta, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Notebooks 1944</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">May
13 1944. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Order
her books <a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/">Here</a>. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm">Here.</a>
</span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<ol style="text-align: left;"><ol><ol start="2"><li><h4>
</h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></li></ol></ol></ol>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-74267817077145110442023-09-12T15:17:00.000-07:002023-09-12T15:17:38.011-07:00Faith is God.<h4 align="justify" class="western">
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">An
astonishing revelation and meditation on the theological virtue of
Faith. From
the Church approved Volume Two of Luisa Piccarreta’s </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Book
of Heaven; </i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nihil
Obstat, St. Annibale Di Francia; Imprimatur, Archbishop G. M. Leo.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> ~ ~ ~</span><br /></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Now,
while seeing the confessor, I remembered he had told me that I was to
write about Faith in the way in which the Lord had spoken to me about
this virtue. While I was thinking of this, in one instant the Lord
drew me so much to Himself, that I felt myself outside of myself, in
the vault of the heavens together with Jesus; and He told me these
exact words:</span><span style="color: #c9211e; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
“Faith is God.”</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #c9211e; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
these two words contained an immense light, such that it is
impossible to explain them – but I will say what I can. In the word
“Faith”, I comprehended that Faith is God Himself. Just as
material food gives life to the body so that it may not die, so does
Faith give life to the soul – without Faith, the soul is dead.
Faith vivifies, Faith sanctifies, Faith spiritualizes man, and makes
him keep his eye fixed on a Supreme Being, in such a way that he
learns nothing of the things of down here; and if he learns them, he
learns them in God.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Oh!
the happiness of a soul who lives of Faith – her flight is always
toward Heaven. In everything that happens to her, she always looks at
herself in God; and so, just as in tribulation, Faith raises her in
God and she does not afflict herself, nor does she lament, knowing
that she is not to form her contentment here, but in Heaven; in the
same way, if joy, riches, pleasures, surround her, Faith raises her
in God, and she says to herself: “Oh! how much more content and
rich will I be in Heaven!” So, these earthly things are a bother to
her, she despises them, and tramples them underfoot.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It
seems to me that to a soul who lives of Faith, it happens as to a
person who possessed millions upon millions of coins, and even entire
kingdoms, and someone else wanted to offer him a penny. What would he
say? Would he not disdain it? Would he not throw it in his face? I
add: and what if that penny were all muddy, just as earthly things
are? Even more: what if that penny were only lent to him? Now, this
person would say: “I enjoy and possess immense riches, and you
dared to offer me this miserable penny, so muddy, and only for a
short time?” I believe he would immediately remove his gaze from
it, and would not accept the gift. So does the soul who lives of
Faith with regard to earthy things.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I
will espouse you in the Faith.</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Now
let us go back again to the idea of food: by taking food, the body is
not only sustained, but shares in the substance of the food, which is
transformed with the body itself. The same for the soul who lives of
Faith: since Faith is God Himself, the soul comes to live of God
Himself; and by feeding herself with God Himself, she comes to share
in the substance of God; and by sharing in Him, she comes to resemble
Him and to be transformed with God Himself. Therefore, it happens to
the soul who lives of Faith, that, just as God is holy, the soul is
holy; powerful God – powerful the soul; wise, strong and just God –
wise, strong and just the soul; and so with all the other attributes
of God. In sum, the soul becomes a little god. Oh! the blessedness of
this soul on earth, to then be more blessed in Heaven.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I
also comprehended that those words which the Lord says to His beloved
souls – <span style="color: #cc0000;">“I will espouse you in the Faith”</span> – mean nothing less
but that the Lord, in this mystical marriage, comes to endow the
souls with His own virtues. It seems to me that it happens as to two
spouses: as they join their properties together, the belongings of
one can no longer be distinguished from those of the other, but both
of them become the owners. However, in our case, the soul is poor –
all the good comes from the Lord, who lets her share in His
possessions. The life of the soul is God, Faith is God, and the soul,
by possessing Faith, comes to graft all the other virtues into
herself, in such a way that Faith is like a king in her heart, and
the other virtues remain around It, as the subjects that serve Faith.
So, without Faith, the virtues themselves are virtues that have no
life.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It
seems to me that God communicates Faith to man in two ways: the first
is in holy Baptism; the second is when blessed God, by unleashing a
particle of His substance into the soul, communicates to her the
virtue of making miracles, like raising the dead, healing the sick,
stopping the sun, and the like. Oh! if the world had Faith, it would
change into a terrestrial paradise.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>The
soul who lives of Faith.</b></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Oh!
how high and sublime is the flight of the soul who exercises herself
in Faith. It seems to me that by exercising herself in Faith, the
soul acts like those timid little birds which, for fear of being
caught by hunters, or of some other snare, establish their dwelling
at the top of the trees, or in high places. Then, when they are
forced to take food, they descend, take the food, and immediately fly
back into their dwelling. And some of them, more cautious, take the
food and don’t even eat it on the ground, but in order to be safer,
they carry it up to the top of the trees, and there they swallow it. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">In
the same way, the soul who lives of Faith is so timid with earthly
things, that for fear of being snared, she doesn’t so much as
glance at them. Her dwelling is up high – that is, above all the
things of the earth, and especially in the wounds of Jesus Christ;
and from within those blessed rooms [wounds] she moans, cries, prays
and suffers together with her Spouse Jesus over the condition and the
misery in which mankind lies. While she lives inside those holes of
the wounds of Jesus, the Lord gives her a particle of His virtues,
and the soul feels those virtues within herself as if they were her
own. However, she realizes that, even though she sees them as her
own, her possessing them is given to her, for they were communicated
by the Lord.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It
happens to her as to a person who has received a gift that he did not
possess. Now, what does he do? He takes it and makes himself the
owner of it; however, every time he looks at it, he says to himself:
“This is mine, but it was given to me by so and so.” So also does
the soul whom the Lord transmutes into Himself, by unleashing from
Himself a particle of His Divine Being. Now, this soul, just as she
abhors sin, also feels compassion for others, and prays for those
whom she sees walking on the path of the precipice. She unites
herself with Jesus Christ, and offers herself as victim in order to
placate Divine Justice, and to spare creatures the deserved
chastisements. And if the sacrifice of her life were necessary –
oh! how gladly she would make it for the salvation of one soul alone.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Luisa
Piccarreta, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Book
of Heaven</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
Volume Two, entry for </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">February
28, 1899. </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic web site <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/" target="_blank">Here.</a></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-69086843189261439422023-09-05T11:26:00.001-07:002023-09-05T11:27:25.375-07:00 The Early Christian Martyrs were RIGID in their Faith.<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">They
did not waver in their resolve to resist the lures of paganism. They
did not bend their principles, and refused to even burn some incense
before the idols of Rome. They refused to show any veneration to the
false gods and religions paraded before them, if they would only
renounce the Lord Jesus. They would not participate in any pagan
worship ceremonies, which would have allowed them to escape death in
the arena for being Christians. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">They
did not waffle on their moral code; the virgins would not submit to
those who enticed them defile their purity. There was no thought of
compromising their faith, which was firm and rigid like a rock, like
that rock upon which the true Church is built. It was that very
strength and rigidity of their faith in the face of tortures and
martyrdom that led to the collapse of paganism, as explained below. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">If
you have been graced with, or are open to, appreciati</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">ng</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">
the sublimity and truth of Maria Valtorta’s revelations, read what
the Lord Himself said about the fruits of that firm faith of those
first Christian martyrs: </span>
</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“You
also fear persecutions. You no longer have the fiber
of
old. It’s true. But I am always Myself, children. You must not
think that I can’t give you an
intrepid heart in the hour of trial. Without my help, no one, even
then, could have remained steadfast
in the face of so much torture. And yet old men and children, young
girls and mothers, and spouses and parents were able to die,
encouraging others to die, as if they were going to a celebration.
And it was a celebration. An eternal celebration!</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“They
died, and their dying was a breach in the dike of paganism. Like
water which goes on eroding and eroding and slowly but inexorably
breaks man’s sturdiest works, their blood, issuing forth from
thousands of wounds, gnawed at the pagan wall, and like many brooks,
scattered into Caesar’s militias, Caesar’s royal palace, into the
circuses and spas, and among gladiators and animal keepers [...],
and the cultured and common folk – everywhere, unstoppable
and invincible. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“The
soil of Rome soaked up this blood, and the city rises – I might say
it is cemented – with the blood and dust of my martyrs. The few
hundred martyrs you are familiar with are nothing compared to the
thousands and thousands still buried in the entrails of Rome, and the
thousands and thousands of others who, having been burned at the
stakes in the circuses, became ash scattered by the wind, or, after
being torn to pieces and devoured by beasts and reptiles, became
excrement which was swept up [...]
as manure. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibALtN_9Q0FELuaCz4tX0OAgupJzT_D7UXWcr_WV6RugILLC-U0AIQgozcFo9nM3IjT7yE0TgvVX4nX-Z5stfcGSdV1yu9AhrWyQk2swWgSYXRoOsVLwMgE5WKXEC93DkY8eCyOa5CaFJosA7AQErYicAopHtoM-5CagWs6-xzg_3use0cCgsoRc7141E/s450/rigidmyrtyrs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibALtN_9Q0FELuaCz4tX0OAgupJzT_D7UXWcr_WV6RugILLC-U0AIQgozcFo9nM3IjT7yE0TgvVX4nX-Z5stfcGSdV1yu9AhrWyQk2swWgSYXRoOsVLwMgE5WKXEC93DkY8eCyOa5CaFJosA7AQErYicAopHtoM-5CagWs6-xzg_3use0cCgsoRc7141E/s16000/rigidmyrtyrs.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“But
if you do not know these unknown heroes of mine, I know them all, and
their complete annihilation, even of their skeletons, has been what
has fertilized the savage soil of the pagan world more than any
manure and made it become capable of bearing the heavenly Wheat. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Now
this soil of the Christian world is becoming pagan again, and poison
germinates, not Bread. And that is why you are afraid. You have
become too estranged from God to have the fortitude
of old in you. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“The
theological virtues are dying in the
places where they are not already dead. And you don’t even
remember the cardinal virtues. In not having charity, it is only
natural for you to be unable to love God to the point of heroism.
In not loving Him, you do not hope in Him and do not have faith in
Him. In not having faith, hope and charity, you are not strong,
prudent and just.
In not being strong, you are not temperate, you love the flesh more
than the soul and tremble over your flesh. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">"But
I can still work the miracle. Believe, too, that in every persecution
the martyrs are able to be such through my aid. The martyrs – that
is, those who still love Me. I then take their love to perfection and
make them athletes in faith. I come to the aid of those hoping and
believing in Me. Always. In any circumstance.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“The
little martyr […] with
his hands clasping the chalice, even beyond death, teaches you where
strength is. In the Eucharist. When someone feeds on Me, as Paul
states,<span style="display: none;">204</span>
he no longer lives through himself, but Jesus lives in him. And Jesus
was able to endure all torments, </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i>without
bending</i>.</span><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> Whoever lives by Me will thus be like Me. Strong.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Have
faith.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Maria
Valtorta, <i>The Notebooks
1944</i>, Feb.
29, p. 185. Available from the “Maria Valtorta’s Readers’
Group,” <span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/" target="_blank">https://www.valtorta.org.au/</a></u></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u> </u></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here.</a></u></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> <br /></span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-30077178245162035222023-08-30T13:06:00.001-07:002023-08-30T13:08:08.243-07:00On becoming a Secular (Third Order) Franciscan.<p align="justify" class="western">
</p>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">I
believe I was named after my father’s brother, Frank Rega.
Unfortunately, my birth certificate says Frank, instead of my uncle’s
real name, Francesco. That was 1942. I would love to have been
Francesco, especially now that I am a Secular Franciscan. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">I
was just a Sunday Catholic who went to public schools. But around
the time I received the sacrament of Confirmation, I was thinking of
becoming a priest, due to our inspiring parish priest. I used to
collect baseball cards and articles about players, and I thought that
I could put them in a little suitcase and keep them even if I became
a priest. I would give everything up but not that collection!</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">Unfortunately
during my High School years I lost the faith to the point of becoming
an agnostic – maybe there is a God but we can’t know it. I was
reading a lot of Bertrand Russell, who was a non-violent pacifist
(good), but he did not consider himself a Christian (bad). Looking
back, I wish I had been reading Thomas Aquinas instead. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">I
went to college and graduated from Rutgers University in 1965 in New
Brunswick, New Jersey. Rutgers was, and probably still is, a liberal
left-wing hotbed, and I fit right in. As a Psychology major, some of
my classes treated the false theory of evolution as a scientific
fact, and I did not disagree. I don’t recall ever going to Mass
during this time. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">I
was seeking after Truth, but did not connect Truth with God. I tried
graduate school at the Yale Institute of Human Relations, but dropped
out after one year because I did not think I could really learn what
life was all about by sitting in a classroom.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">So
I found myself living and working in New York City. After a lot of
adventures and various jobs, I ended up back in New Jersey, beginning
a career as a computer programmer. Somewhere around the early
1970’s, in my search for Truth, I walked into a Catholic bookstore
and purchased a book called </span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><i>The
Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi.</i></span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">
This book put my life back on track. After reading it, I truly
believed in the Lord. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJWTY3KsoqpCUg18pIX5R6frCiJtGdS3uir6PBwHz18LrsbLNQNimz7xzGzRNoykZIL6DXI_VjWBiagxd-P5VR9Ush8aytOuYrho8zDt83CgztN72d6HZgMxlxSuy3TDSJyLnRJZV1DW1pjeAGkv2ZnVw8uN1TWpEFtj3Q_b2Wsg5ha7DyW34FAhtRCc/s500/littleflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="311" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJWTY3KsoqpCUg18pIX5R6frCiJtGdS3uir6PBwHz18LrsbLNQNimz7xzGzRNoykZIL6DXI_VjWBiagxd-P5VR9Ush8aytOuYrho8zDt83CgztN72d6HZgMxlxSuy3TDSJyLnRJZV1DW1pjeAGkv2ZnVw8uN1TWpEFtj3Q_b2Wsg5ha7DyW34FAhtRCc/w249-h400/littleflowers.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">From
an agnostic I returned to the Catholic faith, and to Mass. However
it was not the Mass I knew when I was confirmed. After the </span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Vatican
II Council, there were a lot of changes and even confusion in the
Church. I v</span></span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">isited
the parish of the priest who had inspired my youthful desire to
become one, and at his Mass, for Holy</span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
Communion </span></span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">they
gave out pieces of cake! </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">Throughout
those post-Conciliar years, I did a lot of reading from Catholic
authors, and finally got to St. Thomas Aquinas. Better late than
never. But my main attraction was St. Francis, and how he lived
close to nature, and to Jesus. I also developed a devotion to the
Blessed Virgin, to St. Joseph, and to Padre Pio. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">My
computer work took me to Philadelphia, where I lived in an apartment
within walking distance to the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul,
which became my parish. Providentially, the cathedral hosted a large
secular Franciscan fraternity, known appropriately as the Cathedral
Fraternity. Fortunately their monthly meeting was on a Saturday, so
although I was working full-time I could join with them. Many of the
members participated in a very fruitful apostolate of feeding the
hungry and helping the poor at the St. Francis Inn, a facility with a
large dining area founded by three Franciscan friars
(</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://stfrancisinn.org/" target="_blank">https://stfrancisinn.org/</a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">),
located in Kensington. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">I
was received into the Third Order on March 13, 1982 (my Reception
Day), but I was not yet professed. However, I was invested with the
Brown Scapular and the cord, sacramentals which have since been
replaced for Franciscan seculars by the TAU cross. Unfortunately,
the Cathedral Fraternity no longer exists.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">Next
stop in my computer career was Washington, D.C., and I took an
apartment near the campus of Catholic University. The Franciscan
Monastery of the Holy Land in America (</span><a href="https://myfranciscan.org/"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><span lang="zxx"><u></u></span></span></a><span style="color: navy; font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://myfranciscan.org" target="_blank">https://myfranciscan.org</a>/</u></span></span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">)
was only about two miles away, and I joined their Secular group,
named Mt. St. Sepulchre Fraternity. Since they met on the third
Sunday of the month, I was able to participate although working
full-time. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">It
was there that I became a professed Secular Franciscan, on June 19,
1983, at the age of 41. I don’t recall that the fraternity had a
special apostolate, other than helping in some way at the monastery
with the many visitors who tour the famous rose gardens and replicas
of Catholic shrines.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">After
my retirement from the computer world, I moved to coastal Sussex
County in Southern Delaware. Around 2004 I saw an announcement in my
church bulletin about an effort to form a new Secular Franciscan
fraternity to be named after St. Clare. I began going to their
gatherings, and after a few years the fraternity was granted official
canonical status. Based in Rehoboth Beach, the St. Clare Fraternity
meets on Thursdays once a month, which is not a problem for retirees
since so many live in the county, although the demographics are
changing with new construction everywhere. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">Their
apostolates revolve around providing food, clothing and other assets
for many charitable causes. Since I now had more time as a retiree,
I began to write Catholic books, including one on St. Francis titled
</span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><i>St.
Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims.</i></span><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">
Then a few years ago, mainly due to health issues, I formally became
an inactive member of the St. Clare Fraternity. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;">View
my Catholic website here </span><a href="http://www.frankrega.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><span lang="zxx"><u>http://www.frankrega.com/</u></span></span></a></h4><br /><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Libre Baskerville; font-size: large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-6744703301282680002023-08-21T08:48:00.000-07:002023-08-21T08:48:01.541-07:00God requires only faith from you in order to act.<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Everything
is possible for God. But as far as you are concerned, know that <span style="color: #c9211e;"><i>God
requires only faith from </i></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><i>you</i></span><span style="color: #c9211e;"><i>
in order to act</i></span><i>. </i><span style="font-style: normal;">We</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
accuse </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Him </span><span style="font-style: normal;">so
often of not listening to </span><span style="font-style: normal;">us</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
and of not satisfying </span><span style="font-style: normal;">us.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">On
December 31, 1943, Our Lord said to the mystic Maria Valtorta that
“...under the devil's lash, your hearts are led to waver in doubt, the
first step towards despair. That is what Satan wants. He is not so
interested in the material ruins he produces as in the spiritual
effects they have on you. It is thus appropriate for Me, the Master,
to repeat to you once more the lesson concerning the way to behave so
as to obtain.” The Lord then reflects on two points.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">[First
point:] “Mark, in the sixth chapter of his Gospel, verse 5, says,
‘And<span style="text-decoration: none;"> he could not</span> do any
miracles there, only that he cured a few that were sick, laying his
hands upon them.’ Only someone considering the perfection of the
God-Man […] can comprehend how lovingly I had gone to my homeland.
God does not deny and forbid your sentiments when they are honest and
holy. He condemns only the ones which you erroneously call
sentiments, but which are in reality perversions.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“I
loved my homeland, then, and, within it, my home town, with a special
love. My heart returned every day with loving thoughts to Nazareth,
from which I had set out to evangelize, and I returned as well, for I
would have wished to benefit and sanctify it, even though I knew it
was closed and hostile to Me. If I lavished the power of the miracle
everywhere, in Nazareth I would have wanted this power not to leave
any case of physical illness, moral illness, or spiritual illness
unresolved; I would have wanted to provide consolation for every form
of misery, give light to every heart. But against Me was the
incredulity of my fellow townsmen.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Therefore,
only those few who came to Me with faith and without pride in
judgment were granted a miracle [of cures if sickness]. You accuse Me
so often of not listening to you and of not satisfying you. But
examine yourselves, O children. How do you come to Me? In you where
is that constant, absolute faith like that of an innocent child who
knows that his older brother, his loving father, and his patient
grandfather can help him and make him content in his needs as a child
because they love him so much? In you where is such faith towards Me?</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Am
I not perhaps a foreigner among you, as I was in Nazareth, because
incredulity and criticism expelled Me from it as a citizen? You
pray. There are still some who pray. But as you ask Me for a grace,
you think, without saying so even to yourselves, but thinking in the
depths of your spirit, “God does not listen to me. God cannot grant
me this grace.” </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“He
cannot?! What is God unable to do? Consider that He made the Universe
from nothing consider that for millennia He has been launching the
planets into space and governing their course; consider that He holds
back the waters on the shores, and without barriers; consider that
from the mud He made that organism which you are; consider that in
this organism a seed and a few drops of blood mixed together create a
new man,<span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: transparent;">who
in being shaped </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent;">is
in relation to the phases of the stars thousands of kilometers away,
but also </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent;">present
in the work of forming a being,</span></span> [<i>In what way are
the stars present in the work of forming a being? A mystery that
Jesus hints at, but certainly not in the astrological sense that
one’s destiny is fated in some way by the position of the stars at
one’s birth.</i>] just as, with their ethers and their rising and
setting in your skies, they regulate the sprouting of crops and the
blossoming of trees; consider that in his wise power He has created
flowers endowed with organs capable of fecundating other flowers for
which winds and insects act as pollinators. Consider that there is
nothing which has not been created by God, so perfectly created, from
the sun to the protozoon, that you can add nothing to such
perfection.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Consider
that, from the sun to the protozoon, his wisdom has ordered all the
laws for life, and be convinced that nothing is impossible for God,
who at his ease can have all the forces of the cosmos at his
disposal, increase them, halt them, and speed them up, provided his
Thought so considers. How often, in the course of millennia, have the
Earth's inhabitants remained astonished at stellar phenomena of
inconceivable grandeur: meteors with strange lights, nighttime sun,
comets and stars arising like flowers in a garden, in God's garden,
and being launched into space as if by child's play, to amaze you?!</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Your
scientists give ponderous explanations of the […] stellar bodies to
make the incomprehensible development of the skies human. No. Be
silent. Say a single word: God. Here is the shaper of those shining,
rotating, burning lives! God is the one who, as a warning to you that
are forgetful, tells you that He exists by way of the northern
lights, the darting meteors tingeing the ether furrowed by them with
sapphire, emerald, ruby, or topaz, the comets with a flaming tail
like the mantle of a heavenly queen flying across the firmaments, the
opening of the eye of another star in the vault of heaven, and <span style="color: #c9211e;">the
whirling of the sun perceptible at Fatima</span><span style="color: #c9211e;">
</span>to convince you of God's will. Your other inductions are the
smoke of human science and envelope error in the smoke.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Everything
is possible for God. But as far as you are concerned, know that God requires only faith from you in order to act. You act as a barrier to God's power with your distrust. And your
prayers are contaminated with distrust. And I am not counting those
who do not pray, but curse.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">[Second
point:] “Another point in Mark's Gospel is verse 13 in the same
sixth chapter: ‘...And they anointed the sick with oil and healed
them.’ In empirical medicine at that time oil played a leading
role. Nor can it be said that it was more harmful or less effective
than your complicated medicines at present. Indeed, it was certainly
more innocuous.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“But
it was not in the oil that the power of healing lay for the sick upon
whom my apostles carried out the anointings. As always, a visible
sign was needed for human dullness. Who could have thought that a
touch of the hand of those poor men who were my apostles, known to be
fishermen and common people, could heal? If they had thought so, they
would have said, ‘You heal by the power of the prince of the
demons,’ as they said to Me. And they would have accused them of
being possessed by devils. That was not to be. I thus gave them the
human means to be believed by the empirical, if nothing else. But the
power was God, who infused it into them to make proselytes for his
doctrine.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“I
said, ‘Those who believe in Me will be able to walk upon serpents
and scorpions and do the works I do.’ I never lie, and into the
hand of a child believing and living in Me I can infuse divine power.
Isn't the history of Christianity filled with such miracles? The
early centuries are strewn with them, and the flowering of them has
gradually diminished, not because God's power has diminished, but
because you are not equal to the task of being ministers of God. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Have
faith. Have faith. Have faith. It will save you." </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Maria
Valtorta, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Notebooks </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">1943,
December 31. Available from the “Maria Valtorta’s Readers’
Group,” <a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/">https://www.valtorta.org.au/</a></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm">Here.
</a></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><p align="justify" class="western">
<br />
</p>
Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-38186595696872542023-08-02T16:17:00.000-07:002023-08-02T16:17:27.168-07:00War is Hatred
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">In
December of 1943 Our Lord spoke a few short but concise words to
Maria Valtorta, while WWII was raging in Italy. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">He
told her that another sign of His coming to be born on earth was
peace. “The world was entirely at peace when I was born. I was
God, and God is Love. War is hatred.” Jesus, our Redeemer was the
true Prince of Peace, and He could not come to us unless there was
peace on earth at his birth. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
is the New Adam, who established a new generation among men,
annulling by His martyrdom the perverse generation of the earlier
one. As the first of the new generation, He was “born to life
[...] when there was no fighting in the world.” Even though because
of the influence of Satan, “the massacre of the animals carried out
by man and among the animals themselves still continued […] men
were at peace among themselves. At least among themselves, they were
at peace.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">But
before the fall of Adam, “not even those two forms of slaughter
existed,” − men did not kill animals, and animals did not kill
each other!</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydgEA7OEPSy_DTX0WdNj0R-glO64zKJoJ-CrxBvYYJnBkUX2Sw85BT86n1CceVU7I61E0BQyycH8M02sPLcOIV4zePT-R5YHw4cP1xjiQhN8NcKi4qf7MeGZvxlj6ya0OZ_WxTAoYqaLBJPDK5ilRcBmq4BqPNBzGvsNkMIUrwX0GPkulOvrofqwOaM4/s705/viareggio-bombing-stazione.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="705" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydgEA7OEPSy_DTX0WdNj0R-glO64zKJoJ-CrxBvYYJnBkUX2Sw85BT86n1CceVU7I61E0BQyycH8M02sPLcOIV4zePT-R5YHw4cP1xjiQhN8NcKi4qf7MeGZvxlj6ya0OZ_WxTAoYqaLBJPDK5ilRcBmq4BqPNBzGvsNkMIUrwX0GPkulOvrofqwOaM4/w400-h295/viareggio-bombing-stazione.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Bombed
out railroad station in Maria Valtorta’s hometown of Viareggio,
Italy. WWII photo</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“War
is hatred, and God is not present where there is hatred. To merit
God, one must be without hatred. Towards anyone. Any means is useless
if God is lacking. […] The first condition in order to emerge from
this hell is for you first to emerge from the hatred which robes you
and for you to extirpate from yourselves the hatred which is like
marrow of your bones.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“Now
I say to you, ‘Pray.’ Among you there is still a minority
capable of heeding Me, of praying and suffering for the world. To
these I say, ‘Pray.’ It is time to divert the severity of the
torment which has begun with prayer and immolation... </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">“While
the world blasphemes and kills, sing hosannas to the Lord and love.
Love is more powerful than strength and defeats even hell. Love
overcomes everything, O my beloved ones. [...] And not only this, but
the good you do will attract Heavenly Good in an ever-increasing
measure, for God asks for nothing except to pour Himself out upon you
in love, and you would experience the era of peace promised to good
men at My birth.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Maria
Valtorta, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Notebooks</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">
1943, December 21 and 22. Her works are available from the Maria
Valtorta Readers’ Group, </span><a href="https://www.valtorta.org.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u>https://www.valtorta.org.au/</u></span></span></a></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books at </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm</a></u></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><br />Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-28378833915127377312023-07-04T07:52:00.003-07:002023-07-04T08:08:31.036-07:00What to do on Sunday and Holy Days. <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What
to do on Sunday if you cannot attend a true Mass. Perhaps you are one of the fortunate few that attends a parish, shrine, or Catholic organization that observes the Novus Ordo reverently. If not, consider whether or
not you are in communion with the parishioners, most of whom do not
believe in the real presence, or with pro-abortion Catholics, especially
prominent politicians.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Determine whether or not your faith and spirituality is weakened after attending the Modernist Novus Ordo Mass [<a href="https://divinefiat.blogspot.com/2023/06/on-modernist-novus-ordo-mass.html" target="_blank">link</a>]. If
your only alternative is an irreverent or progressive Novus Ordo, the Eucharist may be
valid, but it is also valid for the Eastern Orthodox, and they are not
Catholic. Therefore consider staying home and praying the Tridentine
Mass with a Spiritual Communion. <br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span>1. Obtain a Sunday Missal written prior to Vatican II, which
has the Latin text alongside the English. I use <i>My Sunday
Missal</i> by Fr. Stedman.</span></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Before praying the Mass using the Missal, pray this short
prayer, to unite your intentions with those of the Blessed
Virgin Mary at the sacrifice of her Son at Calvary. The Mass is
a sacrifice and a worship rite, not a social event. See <a href="https://divinefiat.blogspot.com/2013/10/basic-prayer-before-holy-mass-this-is.html" target="_blank">this link</a> for the prayer. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span><span>3. Pray the Mass, it is the most powerful prayer you can
pray. Prayerfully read the text of the Missal, with the
specific readings and prayers for that Sunday, known as the
Proper of the Mass.</span></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span> </span></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. Very important, at the time of receiving Communion in the
Mass, make your Spiritual Communion. Ask Jesus to enter your heart with His Real
Life, for example as taught in the revelations to Luisa Piccarreta. The
Real Life of Jesus in your heart is the same life He has in the
Eucharistic Sacrament. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
5. Additional note: I make the intention that the priest
offering this Mass is St. Padre Pio. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ILx8H3v7SZTK8Tz_yk52OY3kTMwP2pp3dBfhXbxc9B34oaTW_oKyA13OzV1F4Lbv1waEHHRMl3KC-Ql-7lSFwJ51fbZRNq4Wk_oG8xDkUcDyWCFs6uxsOJw9Kiv9ztbWFRLjOfI7JRA/s1600/mass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ILx8H3v7SZTK8Tz_yk52OY3kTMwP2pp3dBfhXbxc9B34oaTW_oKyA13OzV1F4Lbv1waEHHRMl3KC-Ql-7lSFwJ51fbZRNq4Wk_oG8xDkUcDyWCFs6uxsOJw9Kiv9ztbWFRLjOfI7JRA/s400/mass.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></h4></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">View my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here</a>. </span></h4><p> </p>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-35826316775367411362023-06-26T08:41:00.000-07:002023-06-26T08:41:45.958-07:00 St. Longinus – the Centurion at the Crucifixion – Part Two.<p align="justify" class="western">
</p>
<div id="TextSection" style="text-align: left;"><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">His
reason for piercing the Heart of Jesus with his lance. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Although
objectively the blow of the lance seems cruel, Longinus’ motive
was noble. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
great concern Longinus shows towards the Blessed Mother. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mary
obtains for him the grace of salvation.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>
</b></span>
</h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Following
is a condensed version of Maria Valtorta’s long chapter on the
Crucifixion (609), in her work The Gospel as Revealed to Me,
removing whatever is extraneous to the role of Longinus in this
tragedy. </span></i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span>
</h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Four
brawny men, certainly of the same category as the scourgers, jump
from a path onto the place of the execution. They are wearing short
sleeveless tunics, and in their hands they are holding nails,
hammers and ropes, which they show to the condemned men scoffing at
them. The crowd is excited with cruel frenzy.</span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span> <br /></h4></div><div id="TextSection" style="text-align: left;"><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
condemned men are ordered to undress. The executioners offer the
condemned men three rags, so that they may tie them round their
groins.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
Mary has noticed everything and She has removed the long thin white
veil covering Her head under Her dark mantle, and on which She has
already shed so many tears. She removes it without letting Her
mantle drop and gives it to John so that he may hand it to Longinus
for Her Son. The centurion takes the veil without any objection and,
when he sees that Jesus is about to strip Himself completely, facing
the side where there are no people, and thus turning towards the
crowd His back furrowed with bruises and blisters, and covered with
sores and dark crusts that are bleeding again, he gives Him His
Mother's linen veil. Jesus recognizes it and wraps it round His
pelvis several times, fastening it carefully so that it may not fall
off.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcGhTjESwlS8grzsudtNdwK91QVKYkmkzTdG8RZWnOizQKSfV4Z2I69Co2qYgNObo7OdYv2Z5sNWJAqvTSWd8br5-h4W5FfNjVHCNOQd6TnOQit2DQwl1dQUmlUPnHENenZoYmj6_4rOblksrXiONwJWPz9tBc9lKvQEk576eRBtqQNnVRWs2IOhRaYk/s782/spearpoint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="test" border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcGhTjESwlS8grzsudtNdwK91QVKYkmkzTdG8RZWnOizQKSfV4Z2I69Co2qYgNObo7OdYv2Z5sNWJAqvTSWd8br5-h4W5FfNjVHCNOQd6TnOQit2DQwl1dQUmlUPnHENenZoYmj6_4rOblksrXiONwJWPz9tBc9lKvQEk576eRBtqQNnVRWs2IOhRaYk/w225-h400/spearpoint.jpg" title="text" width="225" /></a></div></span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> Pope Innocent VIII holds the spear point. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"> </span></div><h4 align="justify" class="western">
</h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Now
the top of Golgotha has its trophy and its guard of honour. At the
top there is the cross of Jesus. At the sides the other two crosses.
Half a century of soldiers, in fighting trim, is placed all round
the summit; inside this circle of armed soldiers there are the ten
dismounted soldiers, who throw dice for the garments of the
condemned men. Longinus is standing upright between the cross of
Jesus and the one on the right. And he seems to be mounting guard of
honour for the Martyr King. The other half century, at rest, is on
the left path and on the lower open space, under the orders of
Longinus' adjutant, awaiting to be employed in case of need.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
indifference of the soldiers is almost total. Only an odd one now
and again looks at the crucified men. Longinus, instead, watches
everything with curiosity and interest, he makes comparisons and
judges mentally. He compares the crucified men, and the Christ in
particular, and the spectators. His piercing eye does not miss any
detail. And to see better, he shades his eyes with his hand, because
the sun must be annoying him.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4>
</h4></div>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
sun is in fact strange. It is yellow-red like a fire. Then the fire
seems to go out all of a sudden, because of a huge cloud of pitch
that rises from behind the chains of the Judaean mountains and soars
swiftly across the sky, disappearing behind other mountains. And when
the sun comes out again, it is so strong that the eye endures it with
difficulty. While looking, he sees Mary, just under the slope, with
Her tormented face raised towards Her Son. He calls one of the
soldiers who are playing dice and says to him: «If His Mother wants
to come up with the son who is escorting Her, let Her come. Escort
Her and help Her.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">And
Mary with John, who is believed to be Her «son», climbs the steps
cut in the tufaceous rock</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
a</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">nd
goes to the foot of the cross, but a little aside, to be seen and see
Her Jesus</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
The crowd showers the most disgraceful abuses on Her at once,
associating Her with Her Son in their curses.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">In
fact Longinus has given an order, and the fifty soldiers, who were
resting, have come into action and they prick the buttocks of the
first Judaeans they find. The latter run away shouting and the
soldiers stop to block the entrances to the two roads and protect the
open space. The Judaeans curse, but Rome is the stronger.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Also
the soldiers point to the sky and to a kind of cone that seems of
slate, so dark it is, and that rises like a pine-tree from behind the
top of a mountain. It looks like a water-spout. It rises and rises
and seems to produce darker and darker clouds, as if it were a
volcano belching smoke and lava. It is in this frightening twilight
that Jesus gives John to Mary and Mary to John.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">And
fainter and fainter, sounding like a child's wailing, comes the
invocation: «Mother!» And the poor wretch whispers: «Yes, darling,
I am here.» And when His sight becomes misty and makes Him say:
«Mother, where are You? I cannot see You any more. Are You
abandoning Me as well?» and they are not even words , but just a
murmur that can hardly be heard by Her Who with Her heart rather than
with Her ears receives every sigh of Her dying Son, She says: «No,
no, Son! I will not abandon You!</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Listen
to Me, My dear... Your Mother is here, She is here... and She only
regrets that She cannot come where You are...» It is
heart-rending...</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">And
John weeps openly. Jesus must hear him weep. But He does not say
anything. I think that His impending death makes Him speak as if He
were raving and that He does not even know what He says, and,
unfortunately, He does not even understand His Mother's consolation
and His favourite apostle's love.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
– who inadvertently is no longer standing at ease with his arms
folded across his chest, and one leg crossed over the other
alternately, to ease the long wait on his feet, and is now instead
standing stiff at attention, his left hand on his sword, his right
one held against his side, as if he were on the steps of the imperial
throne – does not want to be influenced. But his face is affected
in the effort of overcoming his emotion, and his eyes begin to shine
with tears that only his iron discipline can refrain.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
head of Jesus falls on His chest, His body leans forward, the
trembling stops, He breathes no more. He has breathed His last. The
summit of Golgotha trembles and quakes like a plate in the hands of a
madman, because of the subsultory and undulatory shocks that shake
the three crosses so violently that they seem on the point of being
overturned.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Longinus,
John, the soldiers grab whatever they can, as best they can, not to
fall. But </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">John,
while grasping the cross with one arm, with the other supports Mary
Who, both because or Her grief and the unsteadiness, has leaned on
his chest. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Joseph
and Nicodemus appear and they go to Longinus. «We want the Corpse.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«Only
the Proconsul can grant it. Go quick, because I heard that the
Judaeans want to go to the Praetorium to obtain permission to
fracture His leg</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">s.
I would not like them to disfigure His Body.»</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«How
do you know?»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«A
report of the ensign. Go. I will wait.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
two men rush down the steep road and disappear. It is at this moment
that Longinus approaches John and in a low voice says </span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">something
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">to
him, which I do not understand. Then he makes a soldier give him a
lance. He looks at the women, who are all attending to Mary, Who is
slowly recovering Her strength. They have all their backs turned to
the cross.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
places himself in front of the Crucified, he ponders carefully how to
deal the blow and he strikes it. The lance penetrates deeply from the
bottom upwards, from right to left. John, wavering between the desire
to see and the horror of seeing, makes a wry face for a moment.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«It
is done, my friend» says Longinus, and he en</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">ds:</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">
«Better so. As for a knight. And without fracturing bones... He was
really a Just Man!» </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">A
lot of water and just a trickle of blood, already tending to clot,
drip from the wound. I said drip</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEx1mXrvgmvKd05c_6A8uMTKKPm0Bb6CoPmt28pmzpouMGdZISV24rcIpyYesoSZ8ETy1hH8M26agdfaQ-A1FhFdsHJs9ZISdMtmvwR9-gUL8Kc9NfDCYbkiYMH4LNrO-jH81ielMp7Nyn2cJ8rWuKl1iTFzA5aSKUmaFu_OvfC4Kg8m_nRzZlduhnmo/s682/longinusspear.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="682" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEx1mXrvgmvKd05c_6A8uMTKKPm0Bb6CoPmt28pmzpouMGdZISV24rcIpyYesoSZ8ETy1hH8M26agdfaQ-A1FhFdsHJs9ZISdMtmvwR9-gUL8Kc9NfDCYbkiYMH4LNrO-jH81ielMp7Nyn2cJ8rWuKl1iTFzA5aSKUmaFu_OvfC4Kg8m_nRzZlduhnmo/w400-h305/longinusspear.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">There
is a compassionate group that is consoling Mary, and John standing on
the left side of the cross and weeping, and Longinus, standing
straight on the right side, solemn in his respectful posture.
Nicodemus and Joseph arrive back running and they say that they have
Pilate's permission. But Longinus, who is not too trustful, sends a
horse-soldier to the Proconsul to learn what he has to do also with
regard to the two robbers. The soldier goes and come back at a gallop
with the order to hand over Jesus and break the legs of the other
two, by will of the Jews.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
calls the four executioners, who are cravenly crouched under the
rock, still terrorised by what has happened, and orders them to give
the robbers the death-blow with a club. Which takes place without any
protest by Disma, to whom the blow of the club, delivered to his
heart, after striking his knees, breaks in half, on his lips, the
name of Jesus, in a death-rattle. The other robber utters horrible
curses. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
four executioners would also like to take care of Jesus, taking Him
down from the cross. But Joseph and Nicodemus do not allow them. Also
Joseph takes off his mantle and tells John to do likewise and to hold
the ladders, while they climb them with levers and tongs.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Mary
stands up trembling, supported by the women, and She approaches the
cross. In the meantime the soldiers, having fulfilled their task, go
away. And Longinus, before descending beyond the lower open space,
turns round from the height of his black horse to look at Mary and at
the Crucified. Then the noise of the hooves resounds on the stones
and that of the weapons against the armour, and fades away in the
distance.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">On
Calvary remain the three crosses, the central one of which is bare
and the other two have their living trophies, who are dying.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">-------------------</span></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
Lord Jesus praised St. Longinus: </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Pilate
is a false good man. Longinus is good, because although he was less
powerful than the Praetor and less defended, in the middle of the
street and surrounded by few soldiers and a hostile multitude, he
dares to defend Me, help Me, grant Me a rest, to be consoled by the
pious women, be assisted by the man from Cyrene and finally to have
My Mother at the foot of the Cross. He was a hero of justice and so
he became a hero of Christ.”</span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
Blessed Virgin obtained his salvation, as she revealed to Maria
Valtorta, in </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="background: transparent;">The
Notebooks</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">,
Dec. 8, 1943:</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It
was the mercy of Longinus that allowed me to approach the Cross, at
which I had arrived by way of steep shortcuts, carried more by love
than by my own strength. Longinus was an upright soldier who did his
duty and exercised his right with justice. He was already
predisposed, then, towards the miracles of Grace. Because of that
mercy of his, I obtained for him the gift of the drops from the Side,
and they were his baptism in grace, for his soul was thirsty for
Justice and Truth. At dawn on the day of Jesus' birth, the angels
had said, “Peace on earth to men of good will.” </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">At sunset on the
day of his death, the same Christ was giving this man of good will
his Peace. And Longinus was the first son born to me from the labor
of the Cross, for Disma was the last one to be redeemed through the
word of Jesus of Nazareth, as John was the first one, and I might say
that he, with his heart like a lily made of diamonds inflamed by
love, was the light born of Light, and the Darkness was never able to
obscure it.”</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">View my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here</a></span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> <br /></span></span></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><br /></span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-18777938303047401512023-06-19T10:05:00.001-07:002023-06-19T10:45:04.481-07:00 St. Longinus – the Centurion at the Crucifixion - Part One. <h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">The Way of the Cross from the Praetorium to Calvary and the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">great sympathy Longinus shows towards Our Lord. He is listed among
the martyrs of the Church in the </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="la-VA"><i>Martyrologium
Romanum, </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="la-VA"><span style="font-style: normal;">with
a feast day of March 15. Maria Valtorta’s </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="la-VA"><i>Poem
of the Man-God</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="la-VA"><span style="font-style: normal;">
provides a detailed account of his actions during the Passion. </span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Pontius
Pilate has just decided to have Jesus crucified, bowing to the
frenzied demands of the Jews. After washing his hands, literally and
symbolically, he goes back to his little throne and summons the
centurion Longinus. Standing upright, he stretches his hand forward
with its palm turned down, while ordering: “Let Him go to the
cross. Soldier, go. Prepare the cross.” Then he descends from his
throne without even looking at Jesus or the uproarious crowd. </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8rgyaCSRPtH15tR3CxbvX558W9P2q50N6TI3wkrrJ9sNx2NmWHPA-OMcgtsMt6DFEOKmRRN4z1s549KtrHqXgp8yIK8MEW6cjd2rGqnNmlGWmeF0zNoy-KSnIa1fM-ngWfCMlyoe9kXbvpJYj1XfmRAHZ1-nTIMPSF8I-IR4Gh2TDNp3eyrfRMxRM0g/s450/LonginusFyodorZubov.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8rgyaCSRPtH15tR3CxbvX558W9P2q50N6TI3wkrrJ9sNx2NmWHPA-OMcgtsMt6DFEOKmRRN4z1s549KtrHqXgp8yIK8MEW6cjd2rGqnNmlGWmeF0zNoy-KSnIa1fM-ngWfCMlyoe9kXbvpJYj1XfmRAHZ1-nTIMPSF8I-IR4Gh2TDNp3eyrfRMxRM0g/w261-h400/LonginusFyodorZubov.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Some
time goes by, not more than half an hour, while the cross is
prepared. Valtorta writes in chapter 604: </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Then
Longinus, who is entrusted with the task of superintending the
exec</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">ution,
gives his orders. But before Jesus is taken outside, into the street,
to receive the cross and set out, Longinus, who has looked at Him
twice or three times, with a curiosity that is already tinged with
compassion and with the expert eye of one who is accustomed to
certain situations, approaches Jesus with a soldier and offers Him a
refreshment.” Valtorta </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">surmises</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
that it was a cup of wine. “In fact he pours a light blond rosy
liquid out of a real military canteen.” Longinus speaks to the
Lord: «It will do You good. You must be thirsty. And the sun is
shining outside. And the way is a long one.» And Jesus replies to
him: «May God reward you for your compassion. But do not deprive
yourself of it.»</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«I
am healthy and strong... You... I am not depriving myself... And even
if I were... I would do it willingly, to give You some solace... A
draught... to show me that You do not hate heathens.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
no longer refuses and takes a draught of the drink. As His hands are
already untied […] He can do it by Himself. But He refuses to take
more, although the good cool drink should be a great relief to His
fever, which is already showing itself in the red streaks that
inflame His pale cheeks and His dry lips. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«Take
some, take it. It is water and honey. It will give You strength and
quench Your thirst... I feel pity for You... yes... pity... It was
not You Who was to be killed among the Jews... Who knows!... I do not
hate You... and I will try to make You suffer only what is
necessary.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
Jesus does not drink any more... He is really thirsty... The dreadful
thirst of those who have lost much blood and are feverish... He knows
that it is not a drink with narcotics, and He would drink it
willingly. But He does not want to suffer less.” Valtorta writes
that she has been enlightened to understand [...] that the compassion
of the Roman is of greater solace to Him than the water sweetened
with honey.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«May
God reward you with His blessings for this solace» He then says. And
He smiles again... a heart-rending smile with His swollen wounded
lips, which move with difficulty, also because the severe contusion
between His nose and His right cheek-bone, caused by the blow with a
cudgel He received in the court-yard after the flagellation, is
swelling consider ably.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Following
is a condensed version of </i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Valtorta’s</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>
long chapter on the </i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Way
of the Cross</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>
(604), removing whatever is extraneous to the role of Longinus in
this tragedy. </i></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
two robbers are brought forward, and it is time to g</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">o.
Lo</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">nginus
gives his instructions. As a centurion he has one hundred soldiers at
his command, some are mounted. They are now ready. And Longinus gives
the order of march. First the Nazarene, behind Him the two robbers; a
decury [a unit of ten soldiers] around each of them, with the other
seven decuries positioned on the flank as reinforcements. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
comes down the three steps that from the lobby take one into the
square. And it is immediately clear that Jesus is in an extremely
weak condition .The Jews laugh seeing Him stagger along like a drunk
man and they shout to the soldiers: «Push Him. Make Him fall. In the
dust the blasphemer!» But the soldiers do only what they have to do,
that is, they order the Condemned One to stay in the middle of the
road and walk.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
spurs his horse and the procession begins to move slowly. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Jesus
is panting more and more. He stumbles and falls on His right knee,
but He can hold Himself up with His left hand. The crowd howls with
joy… Longinus urges to make haste and the soldiers, striking with
the flat of their daggers, press poor Jesus to proceed. Longinus, who
turns round now and again, feels sorry for Him and orders a few
minutes' stop. And the rabble insults him so much that the centurion
orders the soldiers to charge them. And the faint-hearted crowds at
the sight of the shining threatening lances, run away shouting and
hurling themselves here and there down the mountain.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">And
immediately afterwards, the pain of the third fall, a complete one. </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«Make
sure that He dies only on the cross!» shout the crowd. «If you let
Him die beforehand, you will answer to the Proconsul, bear that in
your minds. The culprit must arrive alive at the execution place»
say the chief scribes to the soldiers. The latter cast withering
glances at them, but discipline prevents them from speaking. But
Longinus is just as afraid as the Jews that the Christ may die on the
road, and he does not want to have troubles. Without needing to be
reminded, he knows what is his duty as officer responsible for the
execution and he takes action.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">So
Longinus gives the order to take the longer road that winds up the
mountain and is therefore not so steep. This road seems a path that
by dint of being used by many people has changed into a rather
comfortable road. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">And
in the midst of the loud noise of weeping women and cursing Judaeans,
Jesus sets out again. Jesus is once again completely wet with
perspiration. The road continues. It goes round the mountain, it
comes back almost to the front, towards the steep road. Here, there
is Mary with John. John looks at Her with desolate pity.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
other women – Mary and Martha of Lazarus, Mary of Alphaeus and Mary
of Zebedee, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Susanna
from Cana, the mistress of the house, and </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">some
others</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
– are all in the middle of the road looking to see whether the
Saviour is coming. And when they see Longinus arrive, they rush
towards Mary to inform Her. And Mary, supported by John who is
holding Her by the elbow, departs from the hillside, stately in Her
grief, and places Herself resolutely in the middle of the road,
moving aside only at the arrival of Longinus, who from the height of
his black horse looks at the pale Woman and at Her blond wan
companion, whose meek eyes are blue like Hers. And Longinus shakes
his head while passing by followed by the eleven soldiers on
horseback.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Mary
tries to pass through the dismounted soldiers, who, being warm and in
a hurry, strive to drive Her back with their lances, all the more </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">now</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
that stones are thrown from the paved road, as a protest against so
much compassion. It is the Jews, who once again curse because of the
halt brought about by the pious women . </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 0);">
</span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">s</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">purs
his horse against the reviling pack of hounds, who run away for the
second time. And in doing so he sees a cart standing still, and is
waiting for the crowds to pass, so that it may go down towards the
town with its load of greens. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">C</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">uriosity
has made the man from Cyrene and his sons go up there. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">The</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
man, instead, a very strong man, about forty-fifty years old,
standing near the little donkey, which is frightened and tries to
draw back, looks attentively at the procession.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
looks him up and down. He thinks that he can be useful and says to
him in a commanding voice: «Man, come here.» The man from Cyrene
feigns he has not heard. But one cannot trifle with Longinus. He
repeats the order in such a way that the man throws the reins to one
of his sons and approaches the centurion.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«Do
you see that man?» he asks. And in doing so, he turns round to point
out Jesus and he sees Mary, Who is imploring the soldiers to let Her
pass. He takes pity on Her and he shouts: «Let the Woman pass.» He
then resumes speaking to the man from Cyrene: «He cannot proceed
further laden as He is. You are strong. Take His cross and carry it
in His stead as far as the summit.»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">«I
cannot... I have the donkey... it is restive... the boys cannot hold
it...» But Longinus says: «Go, if you do not want to lose your
donkey and get twenty blows as punishment.» The man from Cyrene
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">delays</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
no longer. He shouts to the boys: «Go home and be quick. And say
that I am coming at once» and he then goes towards Jesus.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHX7bcjtNCWqyokn1RorXPx7-JipNwlqU4Ftkci4jtg7_7Rdj7XrTVbarQRFd-GJZ7s13SV-bFddRYTB4jqDz5opt5qGC5LsMgbzn119tWkzFgN32o7-CtNxJdb1mcR9uB6N6Dio1CozXMtvDfwOkJv4FuklxFpqV1urk5n8UHeLafiMXt9yFWN1pAT4/s1184/longinusBernini.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bernini's statue at the Vatican" border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="820" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHX7bcjtNCWqyokn1RorXPx7-JipNwlqU4Ftkci4jtg7_7Rdj7XrTVbarQRFd-GJZ7s13SV-bFddRYTB4jqDz5opt5qGC5LsMgbzn119tWkzFgN32o7-CtNxJdb1mcR9uB6N6Dio1CozXMtvDfwOkJv4FuklxFpqV1urk5n8UHeLafiMXt9yFWN1pAT4/w278-h400/longinusBernini.jpg" title="Bernini's statue at the Vatican" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernini's Statue at the Vatican<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
turns towards His Mother, Whom only now He sees coming towards Him,
because He is proceeding so bent and with His eyes almost closed, as
if He were blind, and He shouts: «Mother!»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Since
He began being tortured, it is the first word that expresses His
sufferings. Because in that cry there is the confession of
everything, and all the dreadful sorrow of His spirit, of His morale,
of His body. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Mary
presses Her hand against Her heart, as if She had been stabbed, and
She staggers lightly. But She collects Herself, quickens Her step and
while going towards Her tortured Son with outstretched arms, She
shouts: «Son!» But She says so in such a way that whoever has not
got the heart of a hyena, feels it is breaking because of so much
grief. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">There
are </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">signs
of compassion even among the Romans... and yet they are soldiers,
accustomed to slaughters, marked by scars... But the words: «Mother!»
and «Son!» are always the same for all those who are not worse than
hyenas, they are understood everywhere and they raise waves of
compassion everywhere...</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
man from Cyrene feels such pity... And as he sees that Mary cannot
embrace Her Son because of the cross, he hastens to remove the cross,
and he does so with the gentleness of a father, in order not to give
a shove to the crown or rub against His sores. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Behind
Jesus there is now the man from Cyrene with the cross. And Jesus,
freed of that weight, is proceeding more easily. He is panting
violently, He often presses His hand against His heart, as if He had
a great pain or a wound there, but He can walk better.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus
stops and orders his men to inexorably repel everybody farther down,
so that the top, the place of the execution, may be free</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
soldiers, who have driven the people away from the top, with
convincing blows of their lances subdue quarrels and make room, so
that the procession may pass without any hindrance on the last
stretch of the road. The mountain, on the three sides on which the
slopes descend gently towards the valley, is all crowded with people.
While the men responsible for the execution prepare their
instruments, finishing emptying the holes, and the men condemned
await in the middle of the square formed by the soldiers, the Jews
insult them. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>They
insult also the Mother:</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
«Death to the Galileans. Death! Galileans! Galileans! Curse them!
Death to the Galilean blasphemer. Nail on the cross also the womb
that bore Him! Away from here the vipers that give birth to demons!
Death to them! Clear Israel of the females who copulate with the
billy-goat!...»</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<div id="TextSection" style="text-align: left;"><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Longinus,
who has dismounted, turns round and sees the Mother... He orders his
men to stop the uproar... The fifty soldiers who were behind the
condemned men charge the rabble and clear the second esplanade
completely, as the Jews run away along the mountain, treading on one
another. The centurion sets out towards the top. Everything is ready
on the summit. They make the condemned men go up. And once again
Jesus passes near His Mother, Who utters a groan, which She tries to
stifle, by pressing Her mantle against Her lips. The Jews notice it,
they laugh and deride. John, the meek John, who has one arm round
Mary's shoulders to support Her, turns round and glares at them.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">As
soon as the condemned men are on the fatal platform, the soldiers
surround the open space on three sides. Only the one that drops
sheer is empty. The centurion orders the man from Cyrene to go away.
And he goes away, unwillingly now, and I would not say out of
sadism, but out of love. The two robbers throw their crosses on the
ground swearing. Jesus is silent. The sorrowful way has come to its
end.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic web site <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/">Here.</a></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4></div>
Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-78829664073993257522023-06-12T15:06:00.001-07:002023-06-13T11:45:04.919-07:00 On the Modernist Novus Ordo Mass. <h4 align="center" class="western">
<br />
</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">A
Modernist council and Modernist Popes have given us a Modernist Mass.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">No
less an authority than Pope Paul VI himself admitted that the smoke
of Satan had entered the church through some crack. As the late </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fr.
Dominic Bourmaud stated in his classic work </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">One
Hundred Years of Modernism – A Genealogy of the Principles of the
Second Vatican Council, </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the
smoke is Modernism, and the crack was Vatican II. </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">According
to Fr. Bourmaud, the Modernist levels a three-pronged attack against
the bulwarks of Christian culture – the philosophy of being,
revelation as a fact, and the harmony between faith and reason. In
its place modernism proposes a philosophy of no being (existence
precedes essence), revelation without a historical basis, and
ultimately, “a theology without God.”</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
the current synodal process, as noted recently by Fr. Davide
Pagliarani, Superior General of the SSPX, “The underlying idea is
that God does not reveal Himself through the traditional channels of
Holy Scripture and Tradition, which are safeguarded by the hierarchy,
but through the ‘experience of the people of God’ [i.e.
revelation without a historical basis]. Such a faith-experience,
necessarily destined to evolve according to the awareness and the
needs of the different moments in history, is constantly ‘enriched’
with new contents, and at the same time leaves aside that which is no
longer current.”</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
is reflected in the Modernist Mass of Paul VI with its constant state
of flux – changes in rubrics and praxis, in rules, regulations and
ceremonies. It focuses on the personal experience and feelings of
the people, their active participation in the Mass, on self, and
secondarily on the Lord, thus approaching a “theology without God.” </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
following three facts alone indicate the Modernism of the Mass and
its theology without God – the tendency to minimize the absolute
primacy of the worship of God in the Mass:</span></span></span></h4><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The
Priest faces the assembly while praying to God.</span></span></span></h4></li><li><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Sacred Species are handled by Eucharistic ministers.</span></span></span></h4></li><li><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Communion
is received in the hand and standing – disrespectful on two counts. </span></span></span></h4></li></ol><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is ironic that the proponents of this Mass are attempting to increase
devotion to the Eucharist. Historically, only in contact with the
consecrated hands of a Catholic Priest, the Sacred Species are
touched by unconsecrated male and female lay “ministers,” and put
into the hands of the laity without exception for reception, while
everyone is standing. “And he said: I believe Lord. And falling
down he adored Him” [John 9:38].</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
am old enough to remember attending the Tridentine Mass, when as a
child I thought that the few who received Communion must be very
holy. They received only from the Priest, in the mouth and kneeling.
Confession before reception was the implied standard. This process
is of course completely alien to the Modernist Mass, as it is the
antithesis of the “welcoming, ecumenical” mindset of its
attendees, most of whom according to statistics, do not even believe
in the Real Presence. The best example of the Modernist mass-going
mentality that I have read came from a diocesan newspaper, where one
person was quoted as saying that to kneel before receiving Communion
would be “beneath her dignity.”</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
quote Fr. Bourmaud: “The religion in which man divinizes and adores
himself is thus a rejection of original sin and the refusal of the
Savior. Such is the essence of Modernism” [p. 181].</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
the Modernist Mass, the Priest is not obliged offer the Holy
Sacrifice </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">ad
orientem</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
the sermon is frequently an attempt to entertain, and talking in
Church is common. In fact, in one of the most recent Modernist </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Novus
Ordo</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Masses that I attended, the deacon had to get up on the altar before
Mass started in order to ask everyone to be quiet, because some
people </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">wanted
to pray</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">!</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
approach the altar with a “humble and contrite heart,” after
proving oneself; to deny oneself, forget oneself, and concentrate on
worshiping and adoring God. This is piety, this is reverence. Lord,
help me not to judge those who accuse worshipers such as these of
being triumphalist rigid Christians, rosary counters,
restorationists. and self-absorbed neo-pelagians.</span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
improve Eucharistic devotion, the Modernist Mass would have to change
direction and proceed in the way of the Traditional Latin Mass. But
change direction it will not and cannot, since it would be admitting
defeat. How many decades went by before they finally caved in and
restored the Eucharistic prayer to say “for many” instead of “for
all?” Instead they will tweak it in some minor, non-essentials. For
example, having communicants say more than just “Amen” upon
receiving the Host. </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Let
them tweak all they want – there is little hope for the Modernist
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Novus
Ordo</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Mass!</span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">References: </span></span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a name="title"></a><a name="productTitle"></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fr.
Dominic Bourmaud, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>One
Hundred Years of Modernism: A Genealogy of the Principles of the
Second Vatican Council,</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Kansas City, Mo., Angelus Press, 2006. </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Interview
with the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X”,
with Fr. Davide Pagliarani;
</span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://fsspx.org/en/publications/letters/interview-superior-general-priestly-society-saint-pius-x-82423 " target="_blank">https://fsspx.org/en/publications/letters/interview-superior-general-priestly-society-saint-pius-x-82423</a></span></span></span></u></span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><br /></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><br /></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">View my</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> web page at </span></span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.frankrega.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">www.frankrega.com</span></span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-75894974691317562562023-05-31T13:58:00.002-07:002023-05-31T13:59:21.197-07:00In the “Our Father” the perfection of prayer is found.<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">If the world were able to
live out the “Our Father,” the Kingdom of God would be in the
world. But the world is unable to pray. It is unable to love. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <br /></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Our
Lord explained in depth the meaning of His prayer to the mystic Maria
Valtorta on July 7, 1943. </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">In
the “Our Father” the perfection of prayer is found </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">[…].
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">In
saying it, you pray with all Paradise, during the first four
petitions; then, leaving Heaven, which is the dwelling that awaits
you, you return to the earth, remaining with your arms upraised
towards Heaven to make entreaties for your earthly needs [in the last
three petitions], and to ask for aid in the battle to be won in order
to go back up above.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Our
Father, who art in heaven.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Only
my love could tell you, “Say 'Our Father'.” By this expression I
publicly invested you with the sublime title of sons and daughters of
the Most High and brothers and sisters of mine. If someone [...] may
doubt that he is a child of God, created in his image and likeness,
on considering these words of mine, he can no longer doubt. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: red; text-decoration: none;">The
Word of God does not err and does not lie. And the Word tells you,
“Say 'Our Father'.”</span></i></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: red; text-decoration: none;"> </span></i></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">To
have a father is something sweet and a powerful aid. In the material
order, I wanted to have a father on earth to protect my existence as
a baby, as a boy, and as a young man. By this I wanted to teach you
[...] how great the moral figure of the father is. But to have a
Father of absolute perfection, as the Father in Heaven is, is the
sweetness of sweetnesses, the aid of aids. Look at this Father-God
with holy fear, but let grateful love for the Giver of life in heaven
and on earth always be stronger than fear.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Hallowed
be thy Name.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">With
the same movement as the seraphim and all the angelic choirs [...]
repeat this exalting, grateful, and just praise to the Holy of
Holies. Repeat it while thinking of Me − I, God, the Son of God,
who, before you, pronounced it with supreme veneration and supreme
love. Repeat it in joy and in sorrow, in light and in darkness, in
peace and in war. Blessed are those children who have never doubted
the Father and at every hour and in every event have been able to say
to Him, “Blessed be thy Name!”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thy
kingdom come.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">This
invocation ought to be the pulsation of the pendulum of your entire
life, and everything should gravitate around this invocation of
Goodness […]. Accentuate your lives, then, with numberless appeals
for the advent of this Kingdom. But let them be living appeals −
that is, to act in life by applying your sacrifice of every hour, for
to act well means to sacrifice nature to this end.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thy
Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
Kingdom of Heaven will belong to whoever has done the Will of the
Father […]. Here, too, you unite to all of Paradise, which does the
Will of the Father. And if the inhabitants of the Kingdom do it,
won't you do so to become, in turn, the inhabitants of Heaven? Oh,
the joy that has been prepared for you by the Triune Love of God! How
can you fail to work with a persevering will so as to conquer it?</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Those
doing the Will of the Father live in God […].</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Those
making the Father's Will their own, while annulling their will, know
and savor − while on earth − the Peace which is the endowment of
the blessed. Those doing the Will of the Father, while killing their
perverse and perverted will, are no longer men: they are already
spirits moved by love and living in love. You must, with good will,
tear your will out of your heart and replace it with the Will of the
Father.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">After
having provided for the petitions regarding the spirit, since you are
poor, living amidst the needs of the flesh, ask Him who supplies food
to the birds of the air and clothing for the lilies of the field for
bread. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Give
us this day our daily bread.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">I
said this day and I said bread</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: red;">I
never say anything useless</span>.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">“This
day. Ask the Father for help day by day. It is a measure of prudence,
justice, and humility. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Prudence:</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
if you had everything at once, you would waste a great deal. You are
eternal children and capricious, in addition […]. Furthermore, if
you had everything, you would forget God.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Justice:</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
Why should you have everything at once when I received help from the
Father day by day? And would it not be unjust to think that it is
well for God to give you everything together,[…]</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: red; text-decoration: none;">in
the fear that God will not provide tomorrow?</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Distrust
− you do not reflect on this − is a sin. God must not be
distrusted. He loves you perfectly. He is the most perfect Father. To
ask for everything at once affronts trust and offends the Father.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Humility:</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
having to ask day by day refreshes in your mind the concept of your
nothingness, of your condition as poor ones, and of the All and
Wealth of God. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Bread.
I said “bread” because bread is the king of foods, the one
indispensable for life. With one word and in that word I have
enclosed − so that all of you would request them − all the needs
of your stay on earth. But as the temperature of your spirituality
varies, so does the extent of the word.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">'Bread
as food</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">’
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">for
those who have an embryonic spirituality, to such a degree that it is
already a great deal if they are able to ask God for the food to fill
their stomachs. There are some who do not ask for it and take it with
violence […]</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">.
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">These
are looked upon with wrath by the Father because they trample upon
the precept from which the others come: “Love your God with all
your heart; love your neighbor as yourself.'</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">'Bread
as help’ in moral and material needs for those living not only for
their stomachs, but who are able to live for thought as well,
possessing a more highly-formed spirituality.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">'Bread
as religion; for those who, even more highly formed, place God before
the satisfactions of sense and of human sentiment and are already
capable of spreading their wings in the supernatural.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">‘<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Bread
as spirit, bread as sacrific</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">e’
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">for
those who, once the full age of the spirit is reached, are able to
live in spirit and in truth, concerning themselves with the flesh
only to the extent that is strictly necessary to continue to exist in
mortal life, until it is time to go to God.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">There
is no one, among the number of those created, except for my Mother,
who has not had to seek the Father's forgiveness for more or less
serious sins, according to each one's capacity to be a child of God.
Ask the Father to erase you from the list of his debtors </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">[…].
B</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ut
an essential condition to receive, to be forgiven, is to forgive. If
you only seek mercy and do not grant it to your neighbor, you will
not experience God's forgiveness. God does not like the hypocritical
and the cruel, and whoever refuses to forgive his brother refuses the
Father's forgiveness for himself.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Consider,
moreover, that no matter how much you may have been wounded by your
neighbor, the wounds you have inflicted upon God are infinitely more
serious. Let this thought spur you to forgive everything, as I
forgave through my Perfection and to teach you forgiveness.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”</i></span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">God
does not lead you into temptation. God tempts you with gifts of
Goodness alone, and to attract you to Himself. You, interpreting my
words incorrectly, think they mean that God leads you into temptation
to test you. No. The good Father who is in Heaven permits evil, but
does not create it […</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">].
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
Evil exists. It existed from the moment Lucifer set himself up
against God. It is up to you to make Evil a Good by overcoming it and
by beseeching the Father for the strength to overcome it.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">This
is what you request in the last petition. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: red;">That
God may grant you enough strength to be able to withstand temptation.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
Without his aid temptation would bend you, for it is cunning and
strong, and you are dull and weak. But the Father's Light illuminates
you, and the Father's Power strengthens you, and the Father's Love
protects you, so that Evil dies and you are left freed from it.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">This
is what you ask for in the “Our Father” which I have taught to
you. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">Observe:
no act is absent in the brevity of the formula. Faith, hope, charity,
obedience, resignation, abandonment, entreaty, contrition, and mercy
are present.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Therein
everything is comprehended; everything, understood; everything which
it is just to request and grant, requested. If the world were able to
live out the “Our Father,” the Kingdom of God would be in the
world. But the world is unable to pray. It is unable to love [...].</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
I did not give and make this prayer for the world, which has
preferred to be the kingdom of Satan. I have given and made this
prayer for those whom the Father has given to Me because they are
his, and I have made it so that they may be one with the Father and
with Me, beginning in this life, so as to reach the fullness of union
in the other. </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">From
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Notebooks 1943</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
Maria Valtorta, July 7, pp. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">150-154.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic books <span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm">Here.
</a></i></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-66388709098976450982023-05-28T12:52:00.006-07:002023-05-28T13:02:04.830-07:00God Cannot Cease to Love You <h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Do we really believe that since God is love, He cannot cease to love us? </span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">The following paragraphs are taken from <i>Meditations for Layfolk</i>, a book by Father Bede Jarrett, that first appeared in 1915. Devotion to the Holy Ghost was a notable feature of Father Bede Jarrett’s spirituality. </span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: EdwardianScriptITC, serif;">The
Holy Ghost (Love) </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: EdwardianScriptITC, serif;">God’s
Love Personified </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
Third Person of the Blessed Trinity is the most mysterious. About
Him, we
seem to hear the least and to understand the most vaguely. The work
of Father
and Son, their place in the economy of the divine plan, is simple and evident,
at least in its main lines. However, of the Holy Spirit, it appears
as though
His precise purpose has not been sufficiently described to us. He is the
equal of the Father and the Son, of the same nature, power,
substance, and eternally
existent with them, participating in the same divine life, and
forming with them the ever-blessed Three-in-One. He represents to our
human point of view that wonderful mystery, the personified love that
proceeds from Father and from Son forever, and by this act completes
the perfections of God.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We
can conceive of no further addition to that being, save power,
knowledge, and
love. Yet we know also that He has His place, not only in the
interrelation (if
the word may be allowed) of the Godhead, but in the relationship (though
this phrase is certainly inaccurate) that exists between God and us. Since
God is one and indivisible, His love for us cannot be other than the
love that He has for Himself. In Him, there can be no distinction at
all. Therefore, we discover that He loves Himself and us in the love
of the Holy Ghost.</span></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
</span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
</span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We
see His love to be nothing else than Himself</span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;">—</span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">unchanging,
undying, without
shadow of alteration. Sin as we may, we cannot make God love us less.
Though we be children of wrath, He cannot help but love us, for the
gifts of God, especially the supreme gift of Himself, are without
repentance.</span></span></h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: EdwardianScriptITC, serif;">God’s
Love Eternal </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">God
cannot cease to love me. That is the most startling fact that our
doctrine reveals.
Sinner or saint, He loves and cannot help Himself. Magdalen in her sin,
Magdalen in her sainthood, was loved by God. The difference in her position
made some difference also in the effect of that love on her, but the love
was the same, since it was the Holy Spirit who is the Love of the
Father and
the Son. Whatever I do, I am loved. Then, if I sin, I am unworthy of
love? Yes, but I am unworthy always. He cannot love me for what I am,
since in that case I should compel His love and force His will by
something external to Himself. </span></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
fact, really, if I consider, I should find that I was not loved by
God because
I was good, but that I was good because God loved me. My improvement
does not cause God to love me, but is the effect of God loving me.
Consequently, even when I am punished by God, He cannot hate me. It is
His very love itself that drives Him (out of the very nature of its
perfection) to
punish. So, Dante spoke truly when he imagined over the portals of
Hell the
inscription: </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;">“</span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">To
rear me was the work of Immortal Power and </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;">Love.”</span></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Each
of us is, therefore, sure that he is loved </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;">eternally
and that God’s </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">love can
suffer no change from </span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRoman, serif;">God’s
</span></span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">side.
How, then, is it that we grow evil, or lose
the familiar intercourse that we once had with Him? It is because He
has given
us the terrible power of erecting, as it were, a shield between
ourselves and
His love. He loves forever the same, but it is we who, by our sins,
have the
power to shut off that love from effecting anything good in our
souls.</span></span></h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
</span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: EdwardianScriptITC, serif;">God’s
Unchanging Love </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">As
I was deep in His love when I was a child, so also does He love
me now.</span></span></h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">Link to the full e-booklet: <a href=" https://servi.org/weekly-featured-ebooklet/" target="_blank"> https://servi.org/weekly-featured-ebooklet/</a></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">View my website <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/" target="_blank">Here. </a></span></h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-21347872278028790092023-04-06T11:12:00.001-07:002023-04-06T11:12:23.588-07:00 Jesus is nailed to the Cross.<p align="justify" class="western">
</p>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">An
edited excerpt from Maria Valtorta’s 28-page description of the
Crucifixion. </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
two malefactors to be crucified with the Lord will be fastened to
their crosses with ropes, rather than being nailed. The executioners
offer the condemned men three rags, so that they may tie them round
their groins. […] Jesus, Who strips Himself slowly because of the
pangs of the wounds, refuses it. He perhaps thinks that He can keep
on the short drawers, which He had on also during the flagellation.
But when He is told to take them off as well, He stretches out His
hand to beg for the rag of the executioners to conceal His nakedness.
Valtorta remarks that He is really the Annihilated One to the extent
of having to ask a rag of criminals.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
Blessed Virgin has noticed everything and She removes the long thin
white veil covering Her head under Her dark mantle, and on which She
has already shed so many tears. She</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
[…] g</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ives
it to John so that he may hand it to Longinus for Her Son. The
centurion takes the veil without any objection and, when he sees that
Jesus is about to strip Himself completely, facing the side where
there are no people, and thus turning towards the crowd His back
furrowed with bruises and blisters, and covered with sores and dark
crusts that are bleeding again, he gives Him His Mother's linen veil.
Jesus recognizes it and wraps it round His pelvis several times […].
And on the linen veil, so far soaked only with tears, the first drops
of blood begin to fall, because many of the wounds, just covered with
blood-clots, have reopened again [...] and blood is streaming down</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Jesus
now turns towards the crowd. And one can thus see that also His
chest, legs and arms have all been struck by the scourges. At the
height of His liver there is a huge bruise, and under His left costal
arch there are seven clear stripes in relie</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">f,
[…] a cruel </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">blow
of a scourge in such a sensitive region of the diaphragm. His knees,
bruised by repeated falls that began immediately after He was
captured and ended on Calvary, are dark with hematomas and the
knee-caps are torn, particularly the right one, by a large bleeding
wound.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
crowds and bystanders scoff at Him in chorus: […] “Oh! Oh! the
Perfect One! Are You the Son of God? Certainly not. You are the
abortion of Satan! At least he, Mammon, is powerful and strong.
You... are in rags, You are powerless and revolting.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
robbers </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">are
tied to the crosses with ropes and they are</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
carried to their places, one to the right, one to the left, with
regard to the place destined to Jesus. They howl, swear, curse,
particularly when the crosses are carried to the holes, and […</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">]
t</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">heir
oaths against God, the Law, the Romans, the Judaeans are hellish.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It
is Jesus' turn. He lies on the cross meekly. [</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">…]
He lies d</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">own
and places His head where they tell Him. He stretches out His arms
and His legs as He is told. He only takes care to arrange His veil
properly. Now His long, slender </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">pale</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
body stands out against the dark wood and the yellow ground. Two
executioners sit on His chest to hold Him fast. Valtorta </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">laments</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
as she thinks of the oppression and pain He must have felt under that
weight. A third one takes His right arm, holding Him with one hand on
the first part of His forearm and the other on the tips of His
fingers.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
fourth executioner, who already has in his hand the long
sharp-pointed quadrangular nail, ending with a round flat head, as
big as a large coin of bygone days, watches whether the hole already
made in the wood corresponds to the radius-ulnar joint of the wrist.
It does. The executioner places the point of the nail on the wrist,
he raises the hammer and gives the first stroke. Jesus, Who had
closed His eyes, utters a cry and has a contraction because of the
sharp pain, and opens His eyes flooded with tears. Valtorta comments
that the pai</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">n
He suffers must </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">be
dreadful...</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
nail penetrates, tearing muscles, veins, nerves, shattering bones…
Mary replies to the cry of Her tortured Son with a groan that sounds
almost like the moaning of a slaughtered lamb; and She bends, as if
She were crushed, holding Her head in Her hands. In order not to
torture Her, Jesus utters no more cries. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
the strokes continue, methodical and hard, iron striking iron […]
The right hand is now nailed. They pass on to the left one. The hole
in the wood does not correspond to the carpus. So they take a rope,
they tie it to the left wrist and they pull it until the joint is
dislocated, tearing tendons and muscles, besides lacerating the skin
already cut into by the ropes used to capture Him. The other hand
must suffer as well, because it is stretched as a consequence, and
the hole in it widens round the nail.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-bhIoo98lI1kgqBbk_VjZKvE2jg0mL1iV3fWv7YIIGRIiTmfyiqNM6fpxAVldHGf6LygGTnPldBxZlj8lCqTqzCNN_XAS4sWsg3hUTJXf0JMFnIBR2RE1JT-FnHyEd_v7nN2LYPCYG8XX05bB8kJQr7FMMbnlDh9m890yignuLNRP3TX6ykMu3TQ/s900/shroud-of-turin-jesus-christ.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-bhIoo98lI1kgqBbk_VjZKvE2jg0mL1iV3fWv7YIIGRIiTmfyiqNM6fpxAVldHGf6LygGTnPldBxZlj8lCqTqzCNN_XAS4sWsg3hUTJXf0JMFnIBR2RE1JT-FnHyEd_v7nN2LYPCYG8XX05bB8kJQr7FMMbnlDh9m890yignuLNRP3TX6ykMu3TQ/w209-h400/shroud-of-turin-jesus-christ.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Now
the beginning of the metacarpus, near the wrist, hardly arrives at
the hole. They resign themselves and they nail the hand where they
can, that is, between the thumb and the other fingers, just in the
middle of the metacarpus. The nail penetrates more easily here, but
with greater pain, because it cuts important nerves, so that the
fingers remain motionless, whilst those of the right hand have
contractions and tremors that denote their vitality. But Jesus no
longer utters cries, He only moans in a deep hoarse voice with His
lips firmly closed, while tears of pain fall on the ground after
falling on the wood.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It
is now the turn of His feet. At two meters and more from the foot of
the cross there is a small wedge, hardly sufficient for one foot.
Both feet are placed on it to see whether it is in the right spot,
and as it is a little low and the feet hardly reach it, they pull the
poor Martyr […] so that</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
the </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">coarse
wood of the cross rubs on the wounds, moves the crown that tears His
hair once again and is on the point of falling. One of the
executioners presses it down on His head again with a slap...</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Those
who were sitting on Jesus' chest, now get up to move to His knees,
because Jesus with an involuntary movement withdraws His legs upon
seeing the very long nail, which is twice as long and thick as those
used for the hands, shine in the sunshine. They weigh on His flayed
knees and press on His poor bruised shins, while the other two are
performing the much more difficult operation of nailing one foot on
top of the other, trying to combine the two joints of the tarsi.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Although
they try to keep the feet still, [...] the foot underneath is shifted
by the vibrations of the nail,</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">
and […]</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
is to be moved a little closer to the center. And they hammer, and
hammer, and hammer... Only the dreadful noise of the hammer striking
the head of the nail is heard, because all Calvary is nothing but
eyes and ears to perceive acts and noises and rejoice...</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
harsh noise of iron is accompanied by the low plaintive lament of a
dove: the hoarse groaning of Mary, Who bends more and more at each
stroke, as if the hammer wounded Her, the Martyr Mother. And one
understands that She is about to be crushed by such torture. Valtorta
remarks that </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">while
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">crucifixion
is dreadful, equal to flagellation with regard to pain, it is more
cruel to be seen, because one sees the nails disappear in the flesh.
But in compensation it is shorter, whereas flagellation is enervating
because of its duration.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
cross is now dragged near the hole and it jerks on the uneven ground
shaking the poor Crucified. The cross is raised and twice it slips
out of the hands of those raising it; the first time it falls with a
crash, the second time it falls on its right arm, causing terrible
pain to Jesus, because the jerk He receives shakes His wounded limbs.
But when they let the cross drop into its hole and before being made
fast with stones and earth, it sways in all directions, continuously
shifting the poor Body, hanging from three nails – the suffering
must be atrocious.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">All
the weight of the body moves forward and downwards, and the holes
become wider, particularly the one of the left hand, and also the
hole of the feet widens out, while the blood drips more copiously.
And if that of the feet trickles along the toes onto the ground and
along the wood of the cross, that of the hands runs along the
forearms, as the wrists are higher up than the armpits, because of
the position, and it trickles down the sides from the armpits towards
the waist [as indicated in the Holy Shroud]. When the cross sways,
before being fastened, the crown moves, because the head falls back
knocking against the wood and drives the thick knot of thorns, at the
end of the prickly crown, into the nape of the neck, then it lies
again on the forehead, scratching it mercilessly.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">At
long last the cross is made fast and there is only the torture of
being suspended.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><br /></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">This
edited excerpt is based on Chapter 605 of </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>The
Poem of the Man-God</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
by Maria Valtorta. At one time placed on the Index primarily because
it was published without an Imprimatur, the work has now garnished
Imprimaturs from a number of Catholic Bishops. </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">View
my Catholic writings <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">HERE. </a></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-42449066260261375642023-03-28T11:20:00.004-07:002023-04-03T08:25:38.335-07:00 When a woman disciple rebuked Peter and Apostles.
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Concerned
by the increasing adulation among the populace for Jesus after He
raised Lazarus from the dead, the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders
convened under Caiaphas the High Priest. It was on this occasion
that Caiaphas prophesied that it was expedient for one man to die for
the nation, and mandated His arrest. In order to elude capture, Jesus
was forced to retreat to the Samaritan city of Ephraim for an exile
lasting many weeks. He would be safe there, because the righteous
Pharisees, Scribes and Judeans would not ritually defile themselves
by consorting with “impure” and inferior Samaritans. (John 11:
47-54; see below.)</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Maria
Valtorta’s </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Poem
of the Man-God</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
elaborates in detail on the exile of Jesus to the city of Ephraim.
He and the apostles spent about six weeks at the home of a hospitable
widow, located near the border of Samaria with Judea. It was towards
the end of winter in the year in which He was crucified. Except for
the Sabbaths when they were all together, most of the apostles spent
the week evangelizing the Samaritans.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">After
a few weeks at Ephraim some of the woman disciples began to arrive,
including Eliza. She was an elderly widow from Bethsur, who as a
child knew the Blessed Virgin because they had both lived together
for a time in the Temple at Jerusalem. She would be present at
Calvary with the holy women, and be a witness to the Ascension.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">It
was on a Sabbath day, while Jesus and a few of the apostles had gone
out of the house, that some of the remaining apostles began to vent
their anger and frustration at the open persecution of Jesus.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">James,
the brother of John the Evangelist, is speaking: “How much fear!
Now, when we go to Jerusalem, I want to send my brother to Annas
[High Priest Emeritus, father-in-law of Caiaphas]. I could go myself,
because I also know the sly fox well. But John is more capable. […]
I will send John. He will be able to put up even with abuse without
reacting. I... if he said anathema of the Master to me, or even if he
only said that I am anathema because I follow Him, I would jump to
his neck, I would seize him and squeeze his old stout body as if it
were a net out of which water is to be squeezed. I would make him
give back the wicked soul he has! Even if all the soldiers and
priests of the Temple were around him!” [...]</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You
are right! You are not the only one to have certain wishes. I have
them, too!” says Peter.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
I, too, and not only with regard to Annas,” says Jude Thaddeus.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Oh!
in that case I... would serve several of them. I have a long list...
Those three old crocks of Capernaum – I leave out Simon, the
Pharisee, because he seems to be tolerably good – those two wolves
of Esdraelon, and that old heap of bones of Hananiah, and then... a
slaughter, a real slaughter, I tell you, at Jerusalem, with Helkai
[the Pharisee] at the head of them all. I cannot bear those snakes
lying in wait any longer!” Peter is furious.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Thaddeus,
calm in speaking, but even more impressive in his glacial calm than
if he were as furious as Peter, says: “And I would give you a hand.
But... perhaps I would begin by removing the snakes close at hand.
[…] There are many who show a face but their souls are different
from the face they show! I never lose sight of them. Never. I want to
be sure before acting. But when I am sure! David's blood is hot, and
hot is the blood of Galilee. They are both in me through my paternal
and maternal lines.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Oh!
In the event... tell me! I will help you...” says Peter.</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">No.
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Blood
revenge</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
is the concern of relatives. It's for me to take it.” [The father
of Thaddeus was the brother of Saint Joseph.]</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Finally,
Eliza breaks in: </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But,
my dear children! Do not speak thus. That is not what the Master
teaches! You look like little furious lions instead of being the
lambs of the Lamb! Restrain so much spirit of revenge. The days of
David went by long ago! The law of blood and retaliation has been
canceled by the Christ. He confirms the ten unchangeable
commandments, but He cancels the other hard Mosaic laws. The
commandments of Moses concerning pity, humanity and justice remain
and are condensed and perfected in His greater commandment: “To
love God with our whole selves, to love our neighbor as we love
ourselves, to forgive those who offend us, to love those who hate us. </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWpnIX86VVXxXavWpbpnczku09TT0CNGKDQeSWLFIvx6KB8poJDWRwJwZGl_kSolmQfOqY8wz-xFI21pRv7wZwT6yZ70WjbUrKbkXUFQGXKzPxBxIXAsLw0BKp44d2KS9oqXgC-ingT9diFMapnhKTFfNP--qGhTM37DurvMa6jLd-JIDtqMd4uVq/s470/Stpetercover2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWpnIX86VVXxXavWpbpnczku09TT0CNGKDQeSWLFIvx6KB8poJDWRwJwZGl_kSolmQfOqY8wz-xFI21pRv7wZwT6yZ70WjbUrKbkXUFQGXKzPxBxIXAsLw0BKp44d2KS9oqXgC-ingT9diFMapnhKTFfNP--qGhTM37DurvMa6jLd-JIDtqMd4uVq/w260-h400/Stpetercover2.png" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1517167353/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1517167353&linkCode=as2&tag=homeplate-20&linkId=IKLMMKFEAEFI7MGT" target="_blank">Available at Amazon</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Oh!
forgive me, if I, a woman, have dared to teach my brothers, who are
greater than I am! But I am an old mother. And a mother can always
speak. Believe me, my children! If you yourselves call Satan by
hating enemies, by wishing for revenge, he will come into you and
corrupt you. Satan is not strength. Believe me. God is strength.
Satan is weakness, a burden, he is sluggishness. You would not be
able to move a finger any more, not only against your enemies, but
not even to caress our distressed Jesus, if hatred and revenge should
enchain you. Cheer up, my dear children, all of you! </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You
are all sons for a woman who loves you, for a mother who has found
once again the joy of being a mother by loving you as her children.
Do not make me feel distressed once again, having lost my dear
children again and for good; because if you die cherishing hatred or
crime, you die forever, and we shall not longer be able to gather all
together up there, in joy, around our common love: Jesus. Promise me
here, at once, as I implore you, promise me, a poor woman, a poor
mother, that you will never have such thoughts again. Oh! they even
disfigure your faces. You seem strangers to me, you are different!
How ugly hatred makes you! You were so meek! But what is happening?
Listen to me! </span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mary
would say the same words as mine to you, with greater power, because
She is Mary; but it is better if She is not aware of all the grief...
Oh! poor Mother! But what is happening? So have I to really believe
that the hour of darkness has already come, the hour that will
swallow everybody, the hour in which Satan will be king in everybody,
with the exception of the Holy One, and he will lead astray also
saints, you also, making you cowards, perjurers, as cruel as he is?
Oh! so far I have always hoped! I have always said: “Men will not
prevail against the Christ.” But now! But now I am afraid and I
tremble for the first time! I see the great Darkness, whose name is
Lucifer, stretch out and invade this serene sky of Adar and darken
all of you, and pour poisons that make you sick. Oh! I am afraid!”</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Eliza,
who for some time had been weeping silently, drops with her head on
the table at which she was sitting and sobs sorrowfully. The apostles
look at one another. Then, although distressed, they begin to console
her. But she does not want consolations and she says so: “One, only
one is good for me: your promise. For your own good! So that Jesus
may not have the greatest of His sorrows: to see you, His beloved
disciples, damned.”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Of
course, Eliza. If that is what you want! Do not weep, woman! We
promise you. Listen. We will not lift a finger against anybody. We
shall not even look, so that we may not see. Don't weep! Don't weep!
We will forgive those who offend us. We will love those who hate us!
Don't weep.”</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Eliza
raises her face shining with tears and says: “Remember. You have
promised it! Repeat your promise!”</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We
promise you it, woman.”</span></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">How
dear you are, my children! Now I do like you! I see that you are good
again. Now that my worry is appeased and that you are once again free
from that bitter ferment, let us get ready to receive Mar</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent;">y.
What is there to be done?” she asks [...] as they prepare for the
arrival of the Blessed Virgin at Ephraim. </span></span></span>
</h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">John
11: 47-54. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
chief priests therefore, and the Pharisees, gathered a council, and
said: What do we, for this man doth many miracles? If we let him
alone so, all will believe in him; and the Romans will come, and take
away our place and nation. But one of them, named Caiaphas, being the
high priest that year, said to them: You know nothing. Neither do you
consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the
people, and that the whole nation perish not. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">And
this he spoke not of himself: but being the high priest of that year,
he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation. And not only for
the nation, but to gather together in one the children of God, that
were dispersed. From that day therefore they devised to put him to
death. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Wherefore
Jesus walked no more openly among the Jews; but he went into a
country near the desert, unto a city that is called Ephraim and there
he abode with his disciples. </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Based in Chapter 564 in <i>The
Poem of the Man-God</i> by Maria Valtorta. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">View Frank Rega’s website <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.frankrega.com/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></u></span></span></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <br /></span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-31635117827677642482023-03-19T15:32:00.000-07:002023-03-19T15:32:31.671-07:00Benito Mussolini is in Heaven?<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The website Mystics of the Church, maintained by Glenn Dallaire, says this about Edvige Carboni:</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><div style="text-align: justify;"><h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">The Servant of God, Edvige Carboni,</span></b> (1880-1952) Mystic, Stigmatic, Victim Soul & Laywoman.<b> </b>On November 8, 2018
Pope Francis approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of the
Venerable Servant of God, Edvige Carboni, thereby giving the green light
for the beatification of this extraordinary mystic.</span></h4></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></h4></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <br /></span></h4><h4></h4></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormal"><h4><span style="font-size: x-large;">
Edvige wrote in her
diary:<i> “While I was praying in front of the Crucifix, a person appeared to me
suddenly all in flames, a heard a voice say, </i></span></h4></div><div class="MsoNormal"><h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span></h4><h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘I am Benito Mussolini. The Lord
has allowed me to come to you in order to get some relief from my sufferings in
purgatory. I beg you as an act of charity to offer for me all your prayers,
sufferings and humiliations for two years, if your director allows it. God’s
mercy is infinite but so is His justice. One cannot enter Heaven until one has
paid the last penny of the debt owed to Divine Justice. Purgatory is terrible
for me because I waited until the last moment to repent.’</i></b></span></h4><h4><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i> </i></b></span></h4><h4>
</h4><h4><span style="font-size: x-large;">
On spring day in
1951, Jesus told me after Holy Communion: <span style="color: red;">‘<b><i>This morning the soul of Benito
Mussolini has entered into Heaven.’”</i></b></span></span></h4></div><h4>
</h4></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">View full article <a href="https://www.mysticsofthechurch.com/2014/02/edvige-carboni.html" target="_blank">Here</a></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">View my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here. </a></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My the Lord be praised for his Mercy and forgiveness when we are truly repentant. </span><br /></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-61701159141735884012023-03-15T13:30:00.001-07:002023-03-17T13:36:39.600-07:00When Padre Pio was put under "house arrest"<br /><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">From The Diary of Cleonice Morcaldi </span></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">one of St. Padre Pio's spiritual daughters.</span></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Three
Years of Privation!</span></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
moonlit night. We are at dinner one evening. A person shouted in the
streets: "Hurry everyone, a monk, a stranger, has arrived to
take away Padre Pio!". </span></i></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
arose, mother and children, and scampered to the monastery. The moon
was bright! The road which led to the friary church was filled with
people. </span></i></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
arrived in front of the friary. It was closed. I lingered near the
door of the church. It was Easter Monday. </span></i></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">During
the years 1931-33 the Holy See, behind the false accusations and
slanders stemming from certain quarters of San Giovanni Rotondo and
Manfredonia, prohibited Padre Pio from going down into the church. No
longer did we see him on the altar, nor in the confessional, and not
even in the choir loft. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Three
years of intense martyrdom, for him and for us! The obedient and
gentle lamb, though suffering the insufferable, exclaimed "What
return can I render to God for this trial by fire?" </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They
even prevented him from approaching the railing of the choir. Word
was spread that the decree of the Holy See was to be for life, and
that they wanted to exile him to Spain. It was at that time that
Padre Pio wrote to the mayor of his ardent desire: "that these
bones would find their final rest in a tranquil corner" of San
Giovanni Rotondo. Against the innocent one, the just one, as were
the sons of Jacob against beloved Joseph. Not only to imprison him,
but to destroy him. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
gentle lamb did not raise his voice, did not defend himself. The
victim bowed down his head. Little by little the people kept away.
They no longer came to the friary, which began to seem like a
hermitage.</span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They
even transferred the friars away to other places. They removed Padre
Pio as the director of the local Franciscan Third Order, but I still frequented the friary church all the
same. I was very careful not be seen by the monks, who seemed to be
like policemen. I lingered in the church with the hope that I would
at least hear the voice of Padre Pio. I walked around the outside of
the monastery in the hope of seeing him pass by a window. A few times
I did see him pass by in a hurry. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pietruccio,
the young blind man, had permission to go up to visit him and
kiss his hand. I took advantage of this by entrusting to Pietruccio
some written messages to give to the Padre. I knew that Padre Pio
remained in the choir loft until 11:00 at night, and before going to
his cell, he would extinguish the light of the choir window, a bright
light that illumined all of the area that led to the friary and that
could be seen from the town. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
one note I wrote to the Padre, I asked him to remember to send me a
blessing whenever he put out that light. He sent back a reply that he
would. Then every evening, from 9:00 to 11:00 I was in the attic</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
at the lone window up by the roof. I remained in prayer, always
looking at the light that in the darkness and silence of the night
seemed to shine like a bright star. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n4xYYj6KSRi-XpTVlBxq_a05Z0nIkq3q1_-OVbi28ZmMdR4ksa8ka7QDLbFbfzStwo4-YsNqrIuK7J6AP1mS5-kxhR9uljIvmxpS8CWBGNtL7ry2mgTsq0qaENh9_916vtYdFDjXyjchPYrZ24tisMNs74nFJcg2Cp6eak34R240Gkd2x9wI2Ai0/s346/cleonice%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="233" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n4xYYj6KSRi-XpTVlBxq_a05Z0nIkq3q1_-OVbi28ZmMdR4ksa8ka7QDLbFbfzStwo4-YsNqrIuK7J6AP1mS5-kxhR9uljIvmxpS8CWBGNtL7ry2mgTsq0qaENh9_916vtYdFDjXyjchPYrZ24tisMNs74nFJcg2Cp6eak34R240Gkd2x9wI2Ai0/w269-h400/cleonice%20book.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /></span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
united my soul with the noble soul of my crucified spiritual Father.
I prayed and I cried. I felt myself near him in his sufferings and
pains. I seemed to hear his groans, his sighs, his weeping! My mother
was in bed asleep; however, every once in a while she would call me.
How sorry I was then to have to leave Padre Pio alone in his
Gethsemane. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When
he extinguished the light, I would feel a great relief and comfort in
my being. This came from the blessing that the dear Father had sent
me. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Just
a few months before he was released from these restrictions I had a
dream, I don’t remember if I was just half-asleep or what, that the
Padre in the form of a Seraphim issued forth from the Tabernacle,
passed through the closed door of the church, and came towards me. I
made a vow to go on foot to thank St. Michael the Archangel in the
grotto at Monte Sant’Angelo, on the day that the Lord would
liberate Padre Pio. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On
the morning of July 16, 1933, while alone and feeling desolate, I was
at the back of the friary church praying to the Virgin Mary. I saw a
friar preparing the altar at an unusually late hour, and he was in
the process of placing the chalice on the altar. What could this be
about? Only when Padre Pio celebrated Mass did they set up the
chalice beforehand! My God! I kept looking, wondering...my heart was
pounding! Then a multitude of townspeople started arriving - men,
women, children. Many of them went down on their knees in tears,
kissing the pavement...instantly the little church was filled. They
had learned that Padre Pio was to celebrate Mass! It was the
Provincial who had carried the news to them. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What
went through me, I don’t know how to describe. I had to go outside
to vent my sobs; a reaction that I just could not contain. Too much
had I suffered...and too great was this joy. I was powerless to
worthily thank the good God who had come to our aid against all hope. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After
three years, the Padre came forth, with his face full of emotion, and
tears streaming down his eyes. He began the Mass amidst the sobs and
tears of his children. He was crying, and all of us were crying. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When
it came time to bring us Jesus in Holy Communion, every so often he
would say: "Enough. No more crying!". </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After
that Holy Mass I went on foot all the way up to the grotto at Monte
Sant’Angelo to render thanks to the Archangel Saint Michael. </span></span></b></span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b></span><br /></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Extracts
</span></span></b><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">from
"Diario" part 6, Voice of Padre Pio, Italian edition,
Vol.32, no. 3, March 2001, translated by Frank M. Rega.</span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 align="center" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">View my Catholic books <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/AllBooks.htm" target="_blank">Here.</a> </span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></h4><h4 class="western" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></h4>
<hr style="text-align: left;" />
<h4 align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-56423821568572570502023-03-14T12:51:00.001-07:002023-03-14T12:51:11.948-07:00A Prophetic Vision of the Church from 1903, does it apply today?<h4 align="justify" class="western">
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Though
the Church is laid low and infirm in her members, she is not infirm
in herself and never loses her majesty and venerability . . . There
are only a few true defenders of the Church, who are ready to give
their all.”</span></b></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">An
overview of a vision of the Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, as
reported in </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Life
of the Mystic Luisa Piccarreta, Journeys in the Divine Will – the
Early Years</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
by Frank M. Rega OFS, based on the Church-approved volume 5 of
Piccarreta’s</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Book of Heaven.</span></i></span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Luisa
experienced a vision of the Church after she had received Communion,
at a time when she was wondering whether or not her victim state was
the Will of God. It began as she saw Jesus looking at her with His
hands joined in a plea for pity and help. Then she suddenly found
herself outside of her body, and inside a room made of stone, where a
venerable and majestic looking woman lay in bed, extremely ill. The
bed had a headboard so tall as to reach the ceiling. Luisa was
ho</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background: transparent;">ve</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">ring
at the top of this headboard high above the bed, forcibly held there
by the arms of a priest.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Her task was to keep the headboard steady
while watching over the sickly woman. Luisa witnessed a few people in
religious garb tending to the needs of the patient and discussing
among themselves how even a little shake of the bed could severely
affect her since she was so infirm. Luisa continued to keep the
headboard still for fear that the lady might die if the bed moved.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But
as time when on, Luisa began to be annoyed and impatient with her
task, which, she was beginning to think, was an idle waste of time.
She asked the priest that was holding her to let her down to where
the woman was, so that at least she could be of some real assistance
to her. But the priest rebuked Luisa, reminding her that with no one
to keep the bed still, a little shake could make the patient worse
and even cause her death. Luisa for her part kept insisting, saying
that she did not believe that she was doing any good at all by simply
holding the headboard steady. After repeating these words a few times
to the priest, he finally put her down to the floor.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Luisa started to approach the patient, but just then she saw with horror the bed begin to shake and move. The venerable patient trembled, her fact turned blue, and
she emitted a death rattle. The little group of religious started to
cry, lamenting that the lady was now in the last moments of her life.
At that instant, some enemies barged into the room. They appeared to
be soldiers and officers, and they began to cruelly beat the sick
woman. Although she was near death, she arose in majesty, and with
boldness she submitted herself to be wounded and beaten by them. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Luisa began to quake, realizing that she had been the cause of this
evil, by her failure to remain at her post and keep the bed steady.
She understood that the woman represented the Church, which was sick
in her members. Then Luisa found herself back in her own body. Jesus
appeared and told her that if He suspended her from her state of
victimhood, His enemies would proceed to make His Church shed blood.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
next day the Confessor gave her the obedience to explain more fully
the meaning of the vision. Luisa wrote that even though the Church is
laid low and infirm in her members, she is not infirm in herself and
never loses her majesty and venerability. The bed that she lies in
while ill signifies that the Church, no matter how strongly she is
oppressed, always rests eternally in the peace and safety of the
bosom of God. The headboard reaching up to the ceiling represents the
divine assistance given to the Church in the form of celestial
doctrine, the sacraments, and other continuous and uninterrupted
helps. By the small number of religious present at the bedside, Luisa
understood that there are only a few true defenders of the Church,
who are ready to give their all, and who consider the evils the
Church receives as given to themselves.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">The
room made of stone stands for the firmness and solidity, and even the
severity, of the Church in refusing to surrender her rights. The
woman herself, bold and intrepid while facing the inevitable
beatings, seems to be dying, but she rises with great courage to face
the blows. She represents the true spirit of the Church, always ready
to fearlessly suffer and shed her blood, accepting mistreatment and
mortifications, as did Jesus Christ.</span></h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Based
on Luisa Piccarreta’s, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Book
of Heaven</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">,
Volume 5, October 24 and 25, 1903, </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Imprimatur</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
and Nihil Obstat. </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western">
</h4>
<h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="color: navy; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1451530498?tag=homeplate-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1451530498&adid=0X1VFVJ1R6QTFPPQ0KPD&"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">L</span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1451530498?tag=homeplate-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1451530498&adid=0X1VFVJ1R6QTFPPQ0KPD&">INK</a></span></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">
to the Book on Amazon.</span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 align="justify" class="western"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqCwePUydGKfYCUpc4UZfvJxg7YczOpSq6ig10BPk26yHopDxOYvWd1JnkWxnQchThdYnikydnK888dJPzcU6V-e0eoUhs6WyOeWY7WitLgcrsj9AaWpDt5Mwm-janDdNDrDad55ITORNzgwY39HOfDgonBnGCCAlHYGCUHC8ptLeJq7hGNPNnOgG/s240/cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="158" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqCwePUydGKfYCUpc4UZfvJxg7YczOpSq6ig10BPk26yHopDxOYvWd1JnkWxnQchThdYnikydnK888dJPzcU6V-e0eoUhs6WyOeWY7WitLgcrsj9AaWpDt5Mwm-janDdNDrDad55ITORNzgwY39HOfDgonBnGCCAlHYGCUHC8ptLeJq7hGNPNnOgG/w263-h400/cover.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450162815843131183.post-42907044839287227692023-03-07T12:40:00.000-08:002023-03-07T12:40:38.924-08:00The Triumph of God's Kingdom in the Millennium and End Times<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The Triumph of God's Kingdom in the Millennium and End Times - A Proper Belief from the Truth in Scripture and Church Teachings</i></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> </i></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">by Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi, OSJ</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">St. John the Evangelist Press, Havertown PA. 1999. </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Just what is the Millennium and is it an acceptable part of Roman Catholic teaching?
What follows is a brief summary of Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi’s landmark book. The book
clears up two points that are very relevant to the current dialog among Christians
regarding the end times – Jesus does not come in the flesh to usher in the
Millennium, nor does the Rapture begin the Millennium. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fr. Iannuzzi asks the question: "Did the Apostolic Fathers ever mention an 'era of
peace' or an intermediary reign of Christ on earth?" (p. 10). He shows unequivocally
that the answer is yes. The first half of the book is a rather difficult, slow read, since
Fr. has to prove that the Fathers of the Church did in fact leave a legacy of writings
that gives a specifically Catholic understanding of the Millennium.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">He shows that the proper concept of the Millennium is consistent with Catholic
teaching, and can be traced back to the earliest Church Fathers. This view is derived
solely from Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. No visionaries or private
revelations are cited (making this book unique in Catholic circles among books that
discuss the end times). </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGImKLj8B9AvHl_F_UBTC28FbPVyQaERSWjBK1_b8N4JiT-1ZjFn7WBC-WOf9KGrkBO7oIL4hLGar20UeASLrSgAdknoNINVmBF8JHXAk4WX-jf46RjmuU8sb_rMfc31c0U4U4ji8iGWlJ1NCI9V28xuhlD2IqP5I-ZzaLpwiuXzDIZ111jdZmA6Ns/s327/frJoeA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="209" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGImKLj8B9AvHl_F_UBTC28FbPVyQaERSWjBK1_b8N4JiT-1ZjFn7WBC-WOf9KGrkBO7oIL4hLGar20UeASLrSgAdknoNINVmBF8JHXAk4WX-jf46RjmuU8sb_rMfc31c0U4U4ji8iGWlJ1NCI9V28xuhlD2IqP5I-ZzaLpwiuXzDIZ111jdZmA6Ns/w256-h400/frJoeA.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">To summarize very briefly, there will be two tribulations, two triumphs, two remnants
and two kingdoms. One set of these events occurs at the beginning of the Millennium, and
the other at its end. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fr. Iannuzzi makes no predictions as to actual dates and times. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">However, in salvation history, four thousand years preceded Christ, and two thousand
years have followed upon his birth. The next thousand years would be the seventh thousand,
or the seventh day, the Sabbath day rest. Hence this period may very well be the
millennial period. After the end of the seventh day, comes the eighth or eternal day of
God's everlasting kingdom. However, we do not know for sure if the thousand years is to be
taken literally, nor for sure when it will begin. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In scripture, the Day of the Lord refers to the whole seventh day, or the whole
thousand-year period. The Millennium is the period of peace which marks the peak of this
Day. The defeat of Antichrist will herald the beginning of the Millennium, or thousand
year spiritual reign of Christ. The binding of Satan for a thousand years is also at the
beginning of the Millennium. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The reign of Jesus during the Millennium will be a Eucharistic reign. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus will <b>not</b> come in the flesh to begin the Millennium, but will come in
spirit and power. To say that Jesus will come in the flesh for the thousand years is the
heresy of Millenarianism. To say that He will come in the flesh for a thousand years and
establish a 'sensual' kingdom of carnal banquets is the heresy of Chiliasm. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The end of the Millennium is marked by the final defeat of Satan (Gog, Magog period).
The Rapture or gathering up with Christ refers to the final judgement, and will be at the
end of the millennial period, not at its beginning. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The end of the seventh day is the end of time, and the beginning of eternity, or the
eighth day of eternal rest, the eternal kingdom of God. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thus there are then two separate tribulations, one at the beginning of the day
(Antichrist), and one at the end of the day (Satan), the 'great' tribulation. There are
two remnants, the Christian survivors of each of the two tribulations. There are two
triumphs - the first triumph heralds the Temporal Kingdom and the second triumph heralds
the Eternal Kingdom. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The book goes into detail about the characteristics of these two Kingdoms, the
information coming from the same sources he uses throughout: Scripture, Church Fathers and
Doctors, and the Magisterium. </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disclaimer: This review is a good faith sharing from my own personal notes, and is not
to be construed as a 100% accurate representation of the book’s contents. I am merely
carrying out Fr. Iannuzzi’s wishes for this book as expressed in the Epilogue (p.
169): "Please share it with others for God’s glory. If you found this book to be
helpful or valuable, please recommend it to your friends and family." <br /></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">View my Website <a href="http://www.frankrega.com/" target="_blank"><i>Here.</i></a> <br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4>Frank Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16899023221249548349noreply@blogger.com2