Words of the Emperor to St. Francis Borgia:
The number of those who will envy you will be greater than those who will
imitate you, since it is easy to admire beautiful examples, but difficult to
follow them.
Now there is a goal! To be such a good and beautiful example so as to make people envious of said example!
October 12, 2013
Armed for Christ
I'm a big fan of Ben's Blog, he's my hero and wears a bowtie! Anyway, this one really struck me. Read here and then go polish up your armor.
October 11, 2013
Our Lady's Week
October 7th - Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Rosary as we know it was given to St. Dominic. In a number of pictures is also portrayed St. Rose of Lima. Her father refused to allow her to become a nun so she became a Third Order Dominican Tertiary. At one point her only friend was St. Martin de Porres. In the words of St. Rose:
† Lord, increase my sufferings, and
with them increase Your love in my heart.
† Apart from the cross there is no
other ladder by which we may get to heaven.
The Rosary lead to the defeat of the Muslims at Lepanto. We need the Rosary today.
October 8th - Feast of Our Lady of Good Remedy
800 years ago Christians were being captured and sold into slavery by the thousands, and nobody knew what to do about it. Then, in the year 1198, a man had an idea. St. John of Matha founded the Trinitarians to go to the slave markets, buy the Christian slaves and set them free. To carry out this plan, the Trinitarians needed large amounts of money. So, they placed their fund-raising efforts under the patronage of Mary. They were so successful at that, over the centuries, the Trinitarians were able to free thousands and thousands of people and to return them safely home. In gratitude for her miraculous assistance, St. John of Matha honored Mary with the title of "Our Lady of Good Remedy." Devotion to Mary under this ancient title is widely known in Europe and Latin America, and the Church celebrates her feast day on October 8. Our Lady of Good Remedy is often depicted as the Virgin Mary handing a bag of money to St. John of Matha. When in need - for whatever reason, but especially where you have had difficulty obtaining help - invoke the aid of Our Lady of Good Remedy, and you will surely experience the power of her intercession.
EWTN
October 11th - Feast of the Divine Maternity of Our Lady
At the Annunciation Our Lady became the Mother of God, at the Crucifixion She became Our Mother when Our Lord, on His Death Bed of the Cross gave Her to St. John the Beloved Apostle Mother of Heaven and Earth.
October 12th - Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar
Our Blessed Mother appeared to St. James the Apostle in Spain on a pillar accompanied by angels. She reassured him that the people would be converted and be as strong as the pillar upon which she stood. There have been a number of disasters, including bombs which did not destroy the pillar. Interestingly, there is a post at Fr. Z's Blog about this very things that just happened recently. Read here. How awesome!
October 13th - Feast of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima
(repost from 2011)
"What do you want of me?"
I want a chapel built here in my honor. I want you to continue saying the Rosary every day. The war will end soon, and the soldiers will return to their homes.
"Yes. Yes."
"Will you tell me your name?"
I am the Lady of the Rosary.
"I have many petitions from many people. Will you grant them? "
Some I shall grant, and others I must deny. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. They must not offend our Lord any more, for He is already too much offended!
"And is that all you have to ask?"
There is nothing more.
As the Lady of the Rosary rises toward the east she turns the palms of her hands toward the dark sky. While the rain had stopped, dark clouds continued to obscure the sun, which suddenly bursts through them and is seen to be a soft spinning disk of silver.
"Look at the sun!"
I want a chapel built here in my honor. I want you to continue saying the Rosary every day. The war will end soon, and the soldiers will return to their homes.
"Yes. Yes."
"Will you tell me your name?"
I am the Lady of the Rosary.
"I have many petitions from many people. Will you grant them? "
Some I shall grant, and others I must deny. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. They must not offend our Lord any more, for He is already too much offended!
"And is that all you have to ask?"
There is nothing more.
As the Lady of the Rosary rises toward the east she turns the palms of her hands toward the dark sky. While the rain had stopped, dark clouds continued to obscure the sun, which suddenly bursts through them and is seen to be a soft spinning disk of silver.
"Look at the sun!"
October 6, 2013
Words of Wisdom - St. Margaret Mary
I think He
intends to try you like gold in the crucible, so as to number you amongst His
most faithful servants. Therefore you must lovingly embrace all occasions of
suffering, considering them as precious tokens of His love. To suffer in
silence and without complaint is what he asks of you.
St. Margaret Mary
St. Margaret Mary
October 4, 2013
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
† Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.
† It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.
† It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
† While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
† I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.
† Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life
(methinks there's a list of lots to work on there... that's for sure!)
I must add on a beautiful line which was sent to me about St. Francis....
[St. Francis prayed] "that his heart might be filled, as far as possible, with the same excessive love which induced our Lord to undergo His sufferings for man"
Love is severely lacking in this world... let's change that. "Love one another as I (Christ) have loved you."
October 3, 2013
The Monk Who Met Death Joyfully
God will be merciful in His judgements of
those who are charitable in their judgements of others. A monk who lay on his
deathbed appeared cheerful and joyous.
The abbot wondered. "How is this." he asked. "You will, in all probability, soon appear before the judgement-seat of God, and yet you can be so light-hearted!"
"Father," the dying man replied, "when my brethren have annoyed or wronged me in any way, I have always put the best construction on their words and actions. Since I have never judged others uncharitably. I venture to hope that I may find mercy in the presence of my Divine Judge. My trust in the hour of death is in Our Lord's words, 'Judge not, that you may not be judged.'"
The abbot wondered. "How is this." he asked. "You will, in all probability, soon appear before the judgement-seat of God, and yet you can be so light-hearted!"
"Father," the dying man replied, "when my brethren have annoyed or wronged me in any way, I have always put the best construction on their words and actions. Since I have never judged others uncharitably. I venture to hope that I may find mercy in the presence of my Divine Judge. My trust in the hour of death is in Our Lord's words, 'Judge not, that you may not be judged.'"
October 2, 2013
Happy Feast of Our Guardian Angels
Angel of God My Guardian Dear,
to whom God's Love entrusts me here.
Ever this day be at my side to light and guard,
to rule and guide. Amen.
