tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940413027578086172024-03-09T02:26:14.434-08:00The Cloud of FireThis is a Catholic Blog with comments on current events from a theological viewpoint.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-22505829875915841922013-06-02T18:41:00.000-07:002013-06-02T18:45:18.386-07:00I THIRST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hunger and thirst are two very common human experiences all of us can relate to, and it is no wonder that Christ in instituting the sacrament of the Eucharist provided us with the way to satiate our ultimate thirst and hunger. But it is those words on the cross that keep reverberating throughout history and that continue to echo in the hearts of all human beings <i>"I THIRST." </i>Those two brief words have been the source of many inspirations and even spiritual paths within the Church, we cannot forget how those simple words inspired Mother Teresa to establish some of the pillars of her newly founded religious congregation, so much that even nowadays in every religious chapel of her congregation those words are inscribed in the wall right next to the crucifix to remind her nuns of the centrality of those simple words. But what do they mean? It is certainly not possible to fully describe their meaning, but my attempt here is to provide some glimpses into their meaning. First of all, the most obvious meaning is that of a physical experience of thirst. Jesus certainly experienced that on the cross, as he has lost so much blood, and as the words of the Psalm (22) remind us: <i>"<span style="text-align: start;">My mouth</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">is dried up like a potsherd, </span></i><i><span class="indent-1" style="text-align: start;"><span class="text Ps-22-15" style="position: relative;">and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; </span></span></i><span class="text Ps-22-15" style="font-style: italic; position: relative; text-align: start;">you lay me in the dust<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14220AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></span> of death.</span><i> " </i>This is the same thirst Jesus experienced when he met the Samaritan woman, "<span class="text John-4-7" id="en-NIV-26164" style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;">When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, <span class="woj">“Will you give me a drink?”<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26164E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="text John-4-8" id="en-NIV-26165" style="text-align: start;"><i>(His disciples had gone into the town<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26165F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span> to buy food.)" </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-4-8" style="text-align: start;">But as we</span><span class="text John-4-8" style="text-align: start;"> know the thirst of Jesus was beyond the physical thirst, it was a thirst for communion with us, a thirst born out of love for us, a love that we cannot even comprehend, a thirst for a well being and for our salvation, a thirst for union with us, a thirst to satisfy the yearning and thirsts of our restless heart, knowing very well like St. Augustine well expressed it once, <i>"You have made us for yourself, Oh Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." </i>Jesus had a deep thirst for you and for me, a thirst for our happiness, a thirst to save us from our self-centeredness, a thirst to save us from our ignorance and lead us into the way of truth, a thirst for justice, a thirst to restore justice and peace,<i>"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied," </i>a thirst to satiate our deepest thirst, as he answered the Samaritan woman, </span><span class="text John-4-8" style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Jesus answered her, </span><span class="woj" style="text-align: start;"><i>“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water,”</i> and later on Jesus continues<i>"</i></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;">whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.</span><i><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26171J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;"> Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water</span><i><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: start; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26171K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span></i><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;"> welling up to eternal life.”</span><span style="text-align: start;"><i> </i>But what is this water that Jesus speaks about? In John 7, Jesus says, <i>"</i></span><span class="text John-7-38" id="en-NIV-26367" style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;"><span class="woj">Whoever believes<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)"></span> in me, as Scripture has said,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></span> rivers of living water<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></span> will flow from within them.”<span class="footnote" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-26367c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207&version=NIV#fen-NIV-26367c" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26367AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)"></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="text John-7-39" id="en-NIV-26368" style="text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">39 </span><i>By this he meant the Spirit,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26368AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)"></span> whom those who believed in him were later to receive.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26368BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)"></span> Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." </i>Jesus thirst to share His Holy Spirit with us, the Spirit is the superabundant grace of God, like flowing rivers that no heart could ever exhaust, this is the living gift of God to all those who believe and welcome Him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text John-7-39" style="text-align: start;">And because Jesus thirsts to share His very self with us, he can also be said to be thirsting for our love as Mother Teresa would often say. There is Jesus in the tabernacle, waiting for us so to speak, thirsting to be corresponded in a finite way to His infinite love, and for that reason Jesus would exclaim in his fourth apparition to Saint Margaret Mary, </span><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <i>"Behold the Heart which has so loved men that </i></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">consuming Itself, in order to testify Its </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">love; and in return, I receive from the </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">greater part only ingratitude, by their </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">irreverence and sacrilege, and by the </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">coldness and contempt they have for Me in </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">this Sacrament of Love. But what I feel most </span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">keenly is that it is hearts which are </span><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>consecrated to Me, that treat Me thus." </i>Jesus thirsts for your love and mine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">And yet there is at least another thirst in the heart of Jesus that is the "raison the etre" of the other thirsts, for is an existential thirst, a thirst for life, a thirst for love, a THIRST FOR THE FATHER, in His humanity Jesus had a thirst to worship the Father in all things, Jesus had a thirst to obey the Father and to love His will, His deeper thirst was to glorify the Father and love Him with His whole being, Psalm 42 expresses this experience <i>"</i></span><span class="versetext" id="ps42-1" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"> As the deer<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3094041302757808617" name="1"></a> yearns for streams of water,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3094041302757808617" name="2"></a> so my soul yearns<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3094041302757808617" name="3"></a> for you, O God. </span><span class="versetext" id="ps42-2" style="display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><i>My soul thirsts<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3094041302757808617" name="4"></a> for God, for the living God.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3094041302757808617" name="5"></a> When can I go<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3094041302757808617" name="6"></a> and meet with God?" </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it is on the cross that Jesus expresses this thirst in its more substantial meaning. Jesus' thirst for the Father, is expressed clearly at that moment, but this thirst for the Father does not stop there, Jesus also wants to share His thirst with us, He wants to unite us with Him in His thirst, to have the same desires and love for the Father, to have the same desires to worship Him in all things and through all things, and it is because of that reason that Jesus has left us the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus wants to unite us with Him also in Calvary, and for that reason the priest at the end of the eucharistic prayer says raising the paten and the chalice <i>"With Him, in Him and through Him....," </i>at that moment we have the opportunity to join our sentiments to those of Christ,<i> </i>and by entering into communion with Him, we can also experience the same thirst that bursts from His Sacred Heart. Jesus wants to transform our hearts into sacred hearts that thirst equally to glorify the Father, that not only look at the Father as the source of life, as the source of our existence in whom he move, operate, and have our being, but as the very reason and goal of our existence, that is, we have to thirst existentially to be in union with Him for all eternity, to enter into that Trinitarian life and share the love and and life of God forever.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Jesus, I want to love you more deeply, increase my thirst for you, increase my thirst to spend time with you and to receive as often as I can the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist. Jesus increase in me that thirst for the Father, increase in me that thirst to do His will and to love Him above all things, to seek only His glory and not my own, to trust in His ways and not my ways. Jesus increase my thirst for the living waters of your Spirit, help me to be worthy of receiving that pure water in the vessel of my heart, and help me to never seek to satiate my thirst with anything that does not conform to your perfect will. When I thirst let it be for You alone Lord. Amen.</span></i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-19589411909608682372012-05-12T16:53:00.001-07:002012-05-12T16:53:46.628-07:00God's love in action, Fr. DamienWhen Fr. Damien arrived in Molokai to assemble a prefabricated Church for the lepers, he spent the first few weeks sleeping out under the trees, because he was unable to cope with the stench in the hovels of the lepers. He certainly wouldn't dare preach to them about God's love for them, because as they saw it, that would be offensive. But slowly he opened his heart to the grace of God which enabled him to see the suffering Jesus in them. In no time, he was washing them, bandaging them, and burying them. He came to love them, and though him, they came to believe that God loved them. He smoked a pipe to counteract the stench, but soon he was passing the pipe around for others to have a smoke. He ate food with them from a common bowl, out of which they scopped the food with hands that had no fingers. He caught the disease himself, and he was happy to be able to live and to die for them. Thus, St. Damien followed Jesus' commandment of love given to us: <i>This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-25256645620450468612012-05-12T16:45:00.002-07:002012-05-12T16:57:33.833-07:00The wounded heartTHE WOUNDED HEART<br />
<br />
If only the heart was right<br />
we could give so much more<br />
But alas, the heart is often empty.<br />
It is often cold and unwelcoming<br />
It is often hard and unyielding.<br />
It is often weighted down with worry.<br />
It is often sad and lonely.<br />
It is often in darkness.<br />
It is often wounded,<br />
and it is sometimes broken.<br />
We have to heal the wounds of the heart<br />
in order to be able to love.<br />
Lord, touch our hearts and heal them,<br />
so that we may be able to bear the fruits of love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-45205831984852896012012-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:002012-01-15T16:35:12.759-08:00Novena to St. Joseph<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV2QUYnmoBUsXiI5in6NuZzqvNpKQjsjUfKYbITBmHjQ757ujmn6GfTAkO6a95bFaMl92Yy4UWnau4EFWZ7lHlrC13_rV3G32hyphenhyphenpUkGG1QubOxaLav8tEnpbP8hPshjb_Yeq78ygjBBU/s1600/JOSEPHANDJESUS.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV2QUYnmoBUsXiI5in6NuZzqvNpKQjsjUfKYbITBmHjQ757ujmn6GfTAkO6a95bFaMl92Yy4UWnau4EFWZ7lHlrC13_rV3G32hyphenhyphenpUkGG1QubOxaLav8tEnpbP8hPshjb_Yeq78ygjBBU/s320/JOSEPHANDJESUS.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698021737369776434" /></a><br />JMJ<br />AMDG<br />As we know St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, workers, those who are suffering, those who are close to death, and of course patron saint of the Universal Church. St. Joseph is an outstanding example of faithfulness, loyalty, and above all of perfect conformity with God's will. I would love to share a beautiful Novena that I found on the EWTN site.<div><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/joseph.htm">http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/joseph.htm</a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-76248201072451647662011-05-06T18:14:00.000-07:002011-05-06T18:15:46.810-07:00The Mother<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">The most important person on earth is a mother.<br /><br />She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral.<br /><br />She need not.<br /><br /><br /><em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">“She has built something more<br /><br />magnificent than any cathedral –<br /><br />a dwelling for an immortal soul,<br /><br />the tiny perfection of her baby’s body…</em><br /><br /><br />“The angels have not been blessed with such a grace.<br /><br />They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to<br /><br />bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can.<br /><br />Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature;<br /><br />God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation…<br /><br /><br />“What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this; to be a mother?”<br /><br /><br /><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 140px; ">— Cardinal Mindszenty</p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-59755084032128908432011-05-06T06:56:00.000-07:002011-05-06T06:57:06.019-07:00Words of Wisdom<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're<br />the statue!<br /><br />2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat<br />them.<br /><br />3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle<br />of it.<br /><br />4 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their<br />Maker..<br /><br />5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague<br /><br />6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably<br />worth it.<br /><br />7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning<br />to others.<br /><br />8 * Never buy a car you can't push.<br /><br />9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you<br />won't have a leg to stand on.<br /><br />10 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.<br /><br />11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.<br /><br />12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.<br /><br />13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.<br /><br />14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.<br /><br />16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.<br /><br />17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and<br />some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they<br />all have to live in the same box.<br /><br />18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-9250389924531628432011-05-05T22:43:00.000-07:002011-05-05T22:44:35.875-07:00St. Jerome and the Lion<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 33px; "><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">He was sitting—so runs the story—with some of his [28] monks in the cell of Bethlehem, when a lion entered the open door. The brethren all jumped up in a fright, and tumbled as fast as they could through the window, while Jerome stayed quietly in his chair and waited. The lion looked at him doubtfully for a moment, then limped towards him, holding up a paw. This Jerome took, and examined carefully. At first he could see nothing, the soft pad was so badly swollen; but at length he detected a thorn, near one of the nails, and managed to pull it out with a pair of pinchers. He next boiled some water, in which he soaked some dried herbs, and bathed the sore place till the swelling began to go down, when he tied a linen rag round it, so that the dirt might not get in and inflame the wound afresh. As soon as he had finished, and the look of pain had disappeared from the lion's eyes, Jerome expected him to depart, but instead the huge beast stretched himself out comfortably on the floor. Jerome pointed to the door; the lion wagged his tail happily, and took no notice. This happened several times, till at last Jerome gave up the struggle and went to bed, the lion on the floor sleeping beside him. Next morning Jerome said to this visitor: "You seem to intend to live for ever in my cell"—the lion wagged his tail again—"but learn that no one here spends his time in idleness. If you stay here, you must be ready to work"—the tail wagged a second time—"and you will therefore accompany my donkey daily to the forest to defend her from robbers and savage wolves, when she brings back the firewood needful for the monastery."</p><table align="center" width="90%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.4; "><br /><center><img src="http://www.mainlesson.com/books/langm/saints/zpage029.gif" width="362" height="538" vspace="2" hspace="2" alt="[Illustration]" /></center><br /><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1; "><span style="font-size: 17px; ">THE</span> <span style="font-size: 17px; ">LION</span> <span style="font-size: 17px; ">REFUSES</span> <span style="font-size: 17px; ">TO</span> <span style="font-size: 17px; ">DEPART</span>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">So for many months the lion and the donkey might have been seen setting off side by side every morning to the forest, and the lion lay down and watched while an old man heaped up the donkey's panniers from the stack of wood which he had gathered in readiness. The work took some time, but when the panniers could hold [31] no more the donkey gave itself a shake, and the lion jumped up, waiting till she began to move. The journey back to the monastery was much slower than the one to the forest, as the donkey had to be very careful not to make a false step. If she had stumbled and fallen, she would have found it very difficult, with her loaded panniers, to get on her feet again, and even the lion could not have helped her.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">But one morning a terrible thing happened. The sun was very hot, and when the lion lay down as usual he fell sound asleep, and never heard two men creep up behind the old man and the donkey and tie a cloth over the mouths of both man and beast, so that they could not utter a sound. Then the robbers drove them away, wood and all, to the caravan which was waiting at a little distance.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">At last the lion awoke, and gave a great yawn, and stretched himself. He lay still for a few minutes, till suddenly he noticed that the shafts of light that fell through the trees, struck the ground in a different way from usual.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"It must be later than I thought," he said; "they never look like that till the sun is going to set. Has the donkey been waiting for me all this time? Poor thing, how tired she must be! But why didn't she wake me?" and he rose to his feet and turned towards the old man's hut, but no donkey was there.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"She must have gone home," he said to himself again; "but then—where is the old man?" and bending his head, he examined the soil carefully.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"These are human footprints, I am sure they are," he exclaimed in his own language; "more than one man has been here. And here are the donkey's. She was stolen while I was asleep, and I, who was set to guard her, have been unfaithful to my trust! How shall I face the holy father who cured my wound?"</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">[32] However, there was no use waiting or trying to track the lost donkey; the thieves had got too long a start, and with bent head and heavy heart the lion followed the road home, and entered, as he had done once before, the cell of his master.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"Wherefore are you here, and where is the donkey?" asked Jerome sternly. In answer, the lion bowed himself to the earth, with his tail between his legs, awaiting his sentence.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"I had faith in you, and you have put me to shame," continued Jerome, "and as it is quite plain that you have eaten the donkey, you must take her place, and for the future the panniers will be put upon <i>your</i> back, and it is <i>you</i> who will fetch the wood from the forest."</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">And the lion, when he heard, wagged his tail in relief, for he had been very much afraid that his master would send him away altogether.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">Now it was at the end of the summer that the donkey had been stolen, and as soon as the spring came round the caravan went past again, the camels laden with swords and silks from Damascus for the cities of Egypt. The lion was standing behind a group of trees, while another old man was piling up the panniers with wood, when the crackling of twigs caused him to turn round, and a little way off he beheld the long train of ugly, swaying creatures, with the donkey walking at their head. At the sight of his friend he gave a bound forward, which knocked over the old man, and sent the wood flying in all directions, and so frightened the camel-drivers that they ran away to hide themselves. As to the rest of the caravan he drove them before him into the monastery, keeping his eye carefully on the riders; and if anyone's hand so much as moved towards his side where his short sword was buckled, the lion had only to growl and to show his teeth for the hand quickly to move away again.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">[33] In this manner they proceeded till the monastery was reached, and Jerome who was seated in his cell, unfolding the copy of a new book, beheld their arrival with astonishment. What were all these people doing here, and why was the lion with them? And surely that was—yes, he was certain of it—his old donkey, which he imagined was dead months ago. So he hastened out of his cell to the court-yard, where the merchants, who by this time had dismounted from their camels, fell on their knees before him.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"O holy father, if you are the lord of this lion, bid him spare our lives, and we will confess our sin," they cried. "It was we who stole the donkey, while her guardian, the lion, was sleeping; and behold, gladly will we restore her to you, if we may go our way."</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">"It is well, go in peace," said Jerome, and the merchants needed no second bidding.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">Joyful indeed was the donkey to be at home again; and the next day she got up early and trotted off to the forest by the side of the lion, throwing up her head and sniffing the air as she went, from very delight at being freed from captivity. And the heart of Jerome rejoiced likewise that, after all, his trust in the lion had not been in vain.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in; ">That is the story of the lion of St. Jerome.</p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-10360846118284690322011-05-05T14:16:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:18:00.563-07:00Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><span ><p align="CENTER"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><span ></span></span></span><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><b>1.</b>O my Jesus, Thou said "Verily I say unto you, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you", behold I knock, I seek and I ask for the grace of ..... (Pater, Ave, Gloria)</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Sacred Heart of Jesus I put all my trust in Thee.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><b>2.</b>O my Jesus, Thou said "Verily I say unto you, whatever you shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it to you", behold in Thy Name I ask the Father for the grace of ..... (Pater, Ave, Gloria) Sacred Heart of Jesus I put all my trust in Thee.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><b>3.</b>O my Jesus, Thou said "Verily I say unto you. Heaven and earth shall pass away but My words shall not pass away" behold I encouraged by Thy infallible words, now ask for the grace of ..... (Pater, Ave, Gloria)</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Sacred Heart of Jesus I put all my trust in Thee.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom one thing alone is impossible, namely not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of Thee through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thy and our tender Mother.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Recite the 'Hail Holy Queen' and add, 'St. Joseph, foster Father of Jesus, pray for us'<br />(This novena prayer was recited by Padre Pio, everyday)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-55834629382227004162011-05-05T14:15:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:16:24.602-07:00Litany of the Sacred Heart<p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><b>Litany of the Sacred Heart</b></p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Lord, have mercy on us.<br />Christ, have mercy on us.<br />Lord, have mercy;</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Christ, hear us,<br />Christ, graciously hear us,<br />God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us<br />God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us<br />God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us<br />Holy Trinity one God, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, hypostatically united to the Word of God, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, infinite in majesty, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the most High, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, full of kindness and love, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, King and centre of all hearts, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, wherein are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, wherein abides all the fullness of the Godhead, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, desire of the eternal hills, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, patient and abounding in mercy, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, rich unto all who call upon Thee, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, source of life and holiness, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, atonement for our iniquities, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with reproaches, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, bruised for our sins, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, made obedient even unto death, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, pierced by the lance, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, Victim of sins, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, salvation of all who trust in Thee, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, hope of all who die in Thee, Have mercy on us<br />Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, Have mercy on us<br />Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.<br />Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.<br />Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Let Us Pray</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">O Almighty and Eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy dearly beloved Son, and upon the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners and for those who seek Thy mercy; be Thee appeased, and grant us pardon in the Name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son,</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-23534116039879337162011-05-05T14:12:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:13:52.077-07:00A Secret to Happiness<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I am going to reveal to you a secret of sanctity and happiness. If every day during five minutes you will keep your imagination quiet, shut your eyes to all the things of sense and close your ears to all the sounds of earth so as to be able to withdraw into the sanctuary of your baptized soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) speaking there to the Holy Spirit saying:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">" Come, Holy Spirit "</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "> </span>O Holy Spirit, Soul of my soul, I adore thee. Enlighten, guide, strengthen and console me. Tell me what I ought to do and command me to do it. I promise to be submissive in everything that thou shalt ask of me and to accept all that thou permits to happen to me, only show me what is thy will.<br /><br />If you do this, your life will pass happily and serenely. Consolations will abound even in the midst of trouble, for grace will be given in proportion to the trial, as well as strength to bear it, bringing you to the gates of paradise full of merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret to sanctity.<br /><br />(Cardinal Mercier)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-4900992350402821812010-10-25T23:00:00.000-07:002010-10-27T21:49:44.579-07:00Marian Pilgrimage to Spain and France, May 2011<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">VIRGIN MARY AND S. IGNATIUS<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-size:180%;"><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:'Albertus Extra Bold', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;">Sunday, May 15 – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date year="2011" day="28" month="5" st="on">Saturday, May 28, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-size:180%;"><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-family:'Albertus Extra Bold', 'sans-serif';font-size:12;">LOS ANGELES/LOS ANGELES - $3699.00</span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">( Airline taxes & Flamenco Show included)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-family:CarawayBold;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Optional Insurance $271.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-family:CarawayBold;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Single room supplement $595.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b><u><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;"></span></span></o:p></u></b></p><b><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="15" month="5" st="on">Sunday, May 15, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u>DEPART LOS ANGELES<o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u>Our spiritual journey begins as we depart <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> on AF69 at <st1:time st="on" minute="45" hour="18">6:45pm</st1:time> on our non-stop flight to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;"><u></u></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="16" month="5" st="on">Monday, May 16, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u>PARIS/BARCELONA<o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u>Arrive <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Paris</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place> at <st1:time st="on" minute="15" hour="14">2:15pm</st1:time> and connect with AF1948 departing <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city> at <st1:time st="on" minute="45" hour="15">3:45pm</st1:time>, arriving <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Barcelona</st1:place></st1:city> at <st1:time st="on" minute="25" hour="17">5:25pm</st1:time>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Upon arrival, you will be welcomed to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> by your tour guide and driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Transfer to the hotel. </u></span></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="17" month="5" st="on">Tuesday, May 17, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">BARCELONA</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u>We will spend all day in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Barcelona</st1:place></st1:city> visiting the Basilica of the Holy Family and later we will have a panoramic tour of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Barcelona</st1:place></st1:city> with its elegant tree-lined Ramblas and Plaza de Cataluna, historic buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will have free time on our own to walk and enjoy the center of the city. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Evening Flamenco Show.<o:p></o:p></u></span></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;"><u></u></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="18" month="5" st="on">Wednesday, May 18, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><u>BARCELONA/MONTSERRAT</u></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10;" >This morning we drive to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat to visit the Monastery and see the Statue of Our Lady and the cave where tradition says the statue <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>was found. We will spend some time at this beautiful sanctuary before returning back to our hotel.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><u></u></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="19" month="5" st="on">Thursday, May 19, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>BARCELONA/ZARAGOZA<o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Today we depart <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Barcelona</st1:place></st1:city> and drive towards <st1:place st="on">Zaragoza</st1:place> to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, the second most popular pilgrimage site in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Visit the magnificent altar in the Basilica, built on the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle James. We see the Chapel of the Virgin, Assumption of the Virgin Mary marble statue and other numerous chapels and artworks inside the Basilica.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="20" month="5" st="on"></st1:date></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="20" month="5" st="on">Friday, May 20, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>ZARAGOZA/JAVIER/LOYOLA<o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Depart <st1:place st="on">Zaragoza</st1:place> in the morning and we drive to Javier, home of the Javier Castle where Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier was born. Afterwards we stop in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Pamplona</st1:place></st1:city> where St. Ignatius was wounded. On to Loyola in the Basque country, where we find the Sanctuary of Loyola as well as St. Ignatius of Loyola’s <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Family</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Castle</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><u></u></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="21" month="5" st="on">Saturday, May 21, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>LOYOLA/LOURDES<o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10;" >Today after Mass at the Sanctuary we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>depart Loyola and enjoy the drive in the country side of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> and later <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We arrive <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lourdes</st1:place></st1:city> in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After dinner join pilgrims from around </p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>the world in the nightly rosary and candlelight procession.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><u></u></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>Sunday, May 22 – <o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="23" month="5" st="on">Monday, May 23, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">LOURDES</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>During our stay in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lourdes</st1:place></st1:city>, we visit the historical and spiritual sites associated with Bernadette, the visionary child of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Lourdes</st1:place></st1:city>. We will have a walking tour of the Shrine’s ground, the Basilica of St. Pius X, Boly Mill, the Soubirous family home, the Basilica of the Rosary and the miraculous spring and healing baths. There will be an afternoon tour to Bartres. We will spend time in prayer and meditation and join the nightly rosary and candlelight procession.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="24" month="5" st="on"></st1:date></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="24" month="5" st="on">Tuesday, May 24, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>LOURDES/LYON/LA SALETTE <o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10;" >Early morning transfer to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Pau</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place> to take our Air France flight to <st1:place st="on">Lyon</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Upon arrival at <st1:place st="on">Lyon</st1:place> airport, we will be met by our bus driver and drive towards La Salette to visit the Marian shrine of </p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Our Lady of La Salette where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Melanie and Maximin in 1846.</u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"></span><u><st1:date year="2011" day="25" month="5" st="on">Wednesday, May 25, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>LA SALETTE/LYON<o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Today we depart La Salette and make our way back to <st1:place st="on">Lyon</st1:place>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Lyon is listed as a World Heritage Site. Visit the beautiful Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere that sits upon a hill offering a wonderful panorama of the city.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><o:p><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><u></u></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="26" month="5" st="on">Thursday, May 26, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>LYON/ARS/PARAY LE MONIAL <o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Our spiritual journey will continue as we visit Ars to see the Basilica where the incorrupt body of St. John Vianney lies..Then on to Paray Le Monial , home to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Visit the chapel of the Visitation where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a number of apparitions. Return to <st1:place st="on">Lyon</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><u></u></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="27" month="5" st="on">Friday, May 27, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>LYON/ LE PUY EN VELAY<o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Today we continue our journey in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> and call on Le Puy en Velay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The most striking attraction is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Puy. In this place many pilgrims start their walking journey to Santiago de Compostela. Each morning there is a blessing for any such pilgrims. Visit to the chapel of St. Michael.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Return to Lyon.<o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><u></u></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u><st1:date year="2011" day="28" month="5" st="on">Saturday, May 28, 2011</st1:date><o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>LYON/PARIS/LOS ANGELES<o:p></o:p></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Transfer to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Lyon</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place> to take our Air France flights to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city> and then to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Arrive <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> at <st1:time st="on" minute="0" hour="16">4:00pm</st1:time><o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><o:p><u></u></o:p></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><u>Itinerary is subject to change without notice. </u></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 562 9247591</u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoBodyText2"><u>or email: <a href="mailto:frfercuenca@gmail.com">frfercuenca@gmail.com</a></u></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"></span></b></span></b></span></b></span></o:p></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-43219605547329091342010-03-28T16:10:00.000-07:002010-03-28T16:13:50.109-07:00The Face of Christ by Claude Mellan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6NruGjt_vG2RvEJrUIKm7dtqabOIcWeCgjTKORWqsvBTfqHpW2Sq0F612z_zrh8h0Htc7S-K_zfEU2W4zdZ3MQF10UfhQqvJrUTT-6oRPzgbRjvAilsE9jHD89XAZgXWL0BaFdE_7DI/s1600/claude-mellan-sudarium-british-museum+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453826821133991922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6NruGjt_vG2RvEJrUIKm7dtqabOIcWeCgjTKORWqsvBTfqHpW2Sq0F612z_zrh8h0Htc7S-K_zfEU2W4zdZ3MQF10UfhQqvJrUTT-6oRPzgbRjvAilsE9jHD89XAZgXWL0BaFdE_7DI/s320/claude-mellan-sudarium-british-museum+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>THis is an amazing engraving of Christ based on the story of the Sudarium of the Veronica.<br />Veronica , filled with compassion for the suffering of Jesus on the road to Calvary, wiped his sweating face with a cloth. An image of his features was miraculously transferred to the fabric. Mellan (1598-1688) has achieved something like a miracle of a different sort. In a single line and starting from the tip of Jesus' nose, Mellan has engraved the entire face, the folded veil, and the lettering below. The modulations in direction, from thick to thin, model the image in chiaroscuro (light and dark). Thus the shapes and volume of the engraving are achieved.<br />Mellan studied engraving for five years in Paris before travelling to Rome in 1624. He remained in Rome for twelve years, refining the Italian engraving style he found in the work of Francesco Villamena and Agostino Carracci. He learned to dispense with cross-hatching and model forms just by controlling the swelling and tapering of his lines.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-10187420360715240222010-03-23T20:27:00.000-07:002010-03-23T20:31:20.048-07:00How Old is your Church?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSgaSwTqYStjFj54JQ9MKP6ADydqr6N4gIMDCNvxlxDun6JZnjzaprf3uyrJcYUVO5T3rEVK3wlovSOGWVLFcorFNqSmWFPibnd5S1iUP_tqtv2SYfCdRC-VLxiTvTIEdcfLAH9fiipM/s1600-h/Cross+Crucifixion.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 209px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452037778767144322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSgaSwTqYStjFj54JQ9MKP6ADydqr6N4gIMDCNvxlxDun6JZnjzaprf3uyrJcYUVO5T3rEVK3wlovSOGWVLFcorFNqSmWFPibnd5S1iUP_tqtv2SYfCdRC-VLxiTvTIEdcfLAH9fiipM/s320/Cross+Crucifixion.jpg" /></a><br /><div>THIS IS A MOST INTERESTING QUESTION!!!<br /><br />THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL ASTOUND MANY OF YOU!<br /><br />If you are a LUTHERAN, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, IN THE YEAR 1517.<br /><br />If you belong to the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII IN THE YEAR 1534, because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.<br /><br />If you are a PRESBYTERIAN, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland<br />IN THE YEAR 1560.<br /><br />If you are a member of the CONGREGATIONALIST, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland IN THE YEAR 1582.<br /><br />If you are a BAPTIST, you owe the tenets of your religion to your founder, John Smyth, who launched this denomination in the city of Amsterdam IN THE YEAR 1605.<br /><br />If you are of the DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, you recognize Michaelis Jones as your founder, because he originated your religion in New York IN THE YEAR 1628.<br /><br />If you are a PROTESTANT EPISCOPALIAN, your religion was an offshoot of the Church Of England, and your offshoot was founded by Samuel Seabury in the American Colonies in the 17th Century.<br /><br />If you are a METHODIST, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England IN THE YEAR 1744.<br /><br />If you are a UNITARIAN, then Theophilus Lindley is the founder of your church, in London IN THE YEAR 1774.<br /><br />If you are a MORMON (LATTER DAY SAINTS) your modern religion was started by Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York, IN THE YEAR 1829.<br /><br />If you worship with THE SALVATION ARMY, your sect began with Willian Booth in the city of London IN THE YEAR 1865.<br /><br />If you are a CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST, you recognize that your religion was begun by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy IN THE YEAR 1879.<br /><br />If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as "CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE", or "PENTECOSTAL GOSPEL", Or "HOLINESS CHURCH", or "PILGRIM HOLINESS CHURCH", or "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES", Or any of the MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF STOREFRONT CHURCHES, then your religion is one of the thousands of new sects founded by men WITHIN THE PAST 150 YEARS!<br /><br />If you are a ROMAN CATHOLIC,<br />Then you know that your Church was founded IN THE YEAR 33<br />BY JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD,<br />AND IT IS STILL THE SAME CHURCH!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-6535561951098846862010-03-21T08:29:00.000-07:002010-03-21T08:31:13.780-07:00Holes in the fence<div class="itemhead"><h3>There was once a boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.<br />On the first day the boy drove 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled.<br />He discovered that it was easier to hold his temper than to drive nails into a fence. Finally, a day came when he didn’t need the hammer and nails at all. Proudly, he went to tell his father. This time the father suggested that each day he kept his temper, the boy should pull out a nail from the fence.<br />The days passed, until eventually the boy was able to tell his father that at last all the nails were gone. The father took the boy by the hand and led him to the fence. “You have done well — but look at all the holes in the fence! It will never be the same again. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”</h3></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-83225332031878265812010-03-09T17:53:00.000-08:002010-03-09T18:00:08.770-08:00Anoche Cuando DormiaAnoche cuando dormía<br />soñé, ¡bendita ilusión!,<br />que una fontana fluía<br />dentro de mi corazón.<br />Di, ¿por qué acequia escondida,<br />agua, vienes hasta mí,<br />manantial de nuestra<span lang="ES-VE"> vida<br />de donde nunca bebí?</span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-VE"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-VE"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES-VE">Anoche cuando dormía<br />soñé, ¡bendita ilusión!,<br />que una colmena tenía<br />dentro de mi corazón;<br />y las doradas abejas<br />iban fabricando en él,<br />con las amarguras viejas,<br />blanca cera y dulce<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> miel.</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Anoche cuando dormía<br />soñé, ¡bendita ilusión!,<br />que un ardiente sol lucía<br />dentro de mi corazón.<br />Era ardiente porque daba<br />calores de rojo hogar,<br />y era sol porque alumbraba<br />y porque hacía llorar.</span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"> </p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Anoche cuando dormía<br />soñé, ¡bendita ilusión!,<br />que era Dios lo que tenía<br />dentro de mi corazón.</span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px" align="left"><span lang="ES-VE" style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><em>Antonio Machado</em></strong></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-57314601012541133882010-03-02T22:11:00.000-08:002010-03-02T22:12:47.927-08:00Prayer for New Archbishop of Los Angeles<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3><div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">His Eminence Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is asking all Catholics to pray for the appointment of his successor as archbishop of Los Angeles. Here is the official prayer:</span><br /><br />Lord God, you are our eternal and guide. In your mercy,<br />grant to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles a shepherd<br />who will walk in your ways and who watchful care will<br />bring us your blessing.<br /><br />In your love for us, give us the joy of receiving a shepherd<br />who will be an example of goodness to your people and<br />who will fill our hearts and minds with the truth of the Gospel.<br /><br />We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who<br />lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for-<br />ever and ever. AMEN. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-80309807873741198612010-02-23T21:03:00.000-08:002010-02-23T21:04:20.487-08:00The Dark Night<strong>THE DARK NIGHT<br /><br /></strong><em>Songs of the soul that rejoices in having reached the high state of perfection, which is union with God, by the path of spiritual negation.</em><br /><br />One dark night,<br />fired with love's urgent longings<br />--ah, the sheer grace!--<br />I went out unseen,<br />my house being now all stilled.<br /><br />In darkness, and secure,<br />by the secret ladder, disguised,<br />--ah, the sheer grace!--<br />in darkness and concealment,<br />my house being now all stilled.<br /><br />On that glad night,<br />in secret, for no one saw me,<br />nor did I look at anything<br />with no other light or guide<br />than the one that burned in my heart.<br /><br />This guided me<br />more surely than the light of noon<br />to where he was awaiting me<br />--him I knew so well--<br />there in a place where no one appeared.<br /><br />O guiding night!<br />O night more lovely than the dawn!<br />O night that has united<br />the Lover with his beloved,<br />transforming the beloved in her Lover.<br /><br />Upon my flowering breast,<br />which I kept wholly for him alone,<br />there he lay sleeping,<br />and I caressing him<br />there in a breeze from the fanning cedars.<br /><br />When the breeze blew from the turret,<br />as I parted his hair,<br />it wounded my neck<br />with its gentle hand,<br />suspending all my senses.<br /><br />I abandoned and forgot myself,<br />laying my face on my Beloved;<br />all things ceased; I went out from myself,<br />leaving my cares<br />forgotten among the lilies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-66673608137845428122010-02-21T14:49:00.000-08:002010-03-09T18:01:51.100-08:00Cell Phone Etiquette Rules<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;font-size:14;" ><span style="font-size:180%;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Do we really need to talk about this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You’d think with over a decade of living with cell phones that we had already figured out by now how to be respectful toward others and how not be rude and unconcerned about the dignity of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sadly still today things at times seem to be getting worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here are some rules that we can practice during Lent, to exercise Christian Charity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><b>TURN OFF YOUR CELL </b>phone when going to Church, a conference, a class, the library, the movies, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>a museum, a public performance, and please respect not only those carrying out the services and the performances, but also those attending, who do not appreciate the distractions, the noise and the selfishness of those who fail to turn their cell phones off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is considered even ruder to answer the phone after having distracted everybody with your cell. Texting in Church is also considered disrespectful to God and to those who are praying around you.</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">2.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" >When talking in public places, like restaurants, shopping malls, buses, planes, make sure you <b>DO NOT SPEAK TOO LOUDLY, MODULATE YOUR VOICE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Please <b>DO NOT CARRY OUT PRIVATE or INAPPROPRIATE CONVERSATIONS</b> in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;" >Observe the 10-foot Proximity Rule</span></strong><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: minor-latinfont-family:Arial;" >: maintain a distance of at least 10-feet from the nearest person when talking on a <span class="yellowfadeinnerspan">cell</span> <span class="yellowfadeinnerspan">phone</span>.</span><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">3.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" >If you are meeting with someone, please <b>GIVE THAT PERSON YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION, and DO NOT RUDELY <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>INTERRUPT THEM</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>If you get a call, do not answer it,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you can press ignore it or let it roll <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>to voicemail, you can always retrieve the message or return the call later, unless you know with certainty that it is REALLY important or you are actually expecting a call due to an emergency (in that case warn the other party that you may have to answer a call because you are expecting an urgent message).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have you ever carried out a really interesting conversation in which you were talking about something really important and meaningful to you only to be interrupted by the other person: “Sorry, have to get this!”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some people have lost a potential job for answering their cells during an interview, some others have lost a date for being rude and making a bad first impression, and some others have lost potential contracts during business presentations due to their lack of courtesy.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">4.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" >DO NOT TEXT OR TALK WHILE DRIVING, </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" >this is not only rude, but you also endanger your life and the lives of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Similarly <b>DO NOT TEXT WHILE TALKING TO SOMEONE</b>, please respect that person.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">5.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" >SPARE US FROM LOUD AND ANNOYING RINGTONES, </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" >I guess the word annoying says it all.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">6.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" >RESPECT CASHIERS, WAITERS, WAITRESSES, CLERKS, AND OTHER WORKERS, </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" >they<b> </b><u>are people too</u>, and although they may not be your friends, they still deserve your respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How many times have we seen people carrying out conversations on their cells while talking with the cashiers/clerks at fast food restaurants, stores, malls, banks, etc?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That is simply rude.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-list: Ignore">7.<span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" >APPLY YOURSELF THE GOLDEN RULE, </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latinfont-family:Helvetica;" >do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being a Christian begins with small acts of charity and courtesy.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Blessings<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" >Fr. Fernando, OMV </span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-: symbolfont-family:Calibri;" ><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;font-family:Wingdings;" >J</span></span></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 25.5pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; BACKGROUND: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri', 'sans-serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: 18.0ptfont-family:Helvetica;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-: minor-latinfont-family:'Calibri', 'sans-serif';font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-39910339196136616172009-10-05T10:24:00.000-07:002009-10-05T10:25:18.582-07:00Asking for MercyPope John Paul II refers to the need to pray for mercy with a new urgency for our own times: <strong><em>"At no time… especially at a moment as critical as our own — can the Church forget the prayer that is a cry for the mercy of God… The Church has the right and the duty to appeal to the God of mercy 'with loud cries' "</em></strong> (Rich in Mercy, 15).<br />To St. Faustina, Jesus revealed this same message once again. He gave her three new ways to ask for mercy on the strength of His passion: the Chaplet, the Novena, and prayer at three o'clock; and He taught her to transform her daily life into a continuous prayer for mercy. Through her, He calls us all to ask for His mercy:<br /><strong><em>Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion (Diary, 1146). Beg for mercy for the whole world (570). No soul that has called upon My mercy has ever been disappointed (1541). </em></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-16961071023125089492009-10-05T10:03:00.000-07:002009-10-05T10:24:01.356-07:00Prayer to be Merciful to Others<em>This prayer gives us a true measure of our mercy, a mirror in which we observe ourselves as merciful Christs. We can make it our morning invocation and our evening examination of conscience.</em><br />O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify Your mercy.<br />I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.<br />Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.<br />Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.<br />Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.<br />Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.<br />Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.<br />Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.<br />You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy — if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer — if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically.<br />O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for You can do all things (163).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-86433160926453469642009-10-04T19:17:00.000-07:002009-10-04T19:18:43.249-07:00Difference Between Living in the Divine Will and Doing the Will of GodMay 31, 1926 Volume 19The Difference Between Who Lives In the Divine Will and Who is Resigned and Submitted. The First is Sun; the Other is Earth Who Lives by the Effects of the Light.The Light of the Divine Will continues to envelop me; and my little intelligence, while it swims in the immense sea of this light, scarcely can take some drops of light and some little flame of the so many truths and knowledges and happinesses that this interminable sea of the Eternal Will contains. At times I do not find the vocabulary adapted to put on paper that little bit of light. I say little; by that I leave out so much because my poor, little intelligence takes as much as suffices to fill me; the rest I leave.It happens as to a person who dives into the sea. She becomes all wet; the water flows everywhere over her, perhaps even into her vital organs; but, going out of the sea, what does she bring with her of all the water of the sea? Very little and almost nothing compared to that water that remains in the sea.And, by having been in the sea can it be said, perhaps, how much water, how many species and quantity of fish that remain there in the sea?... Certainly not; but, nevertheless, she will know how to speak about that little that she has seen in the sea. Such is my poor soul. And so, my sweet Jesus, while I found myself in this light, went out from my interior and said to me: "My daughter, this is the unity of the light of my Will; and so that you always love It more and confirm yourself increasingly in It, I want to let you know the great difference that there is between who lives in my Will in the unity of this light and who is resigned and submitted to my Will. And, to make you understand well, I will present you the similitude of the sun in the sky.The sun being in the vault of the heavens expands its rays upon the surface of the earth. Look, between earth and sun there is a kind of agreement: the sun in touching the earth and the earth in receiving the light and touch of the sun. Now, the earth, by receiving the touch of the light submits itself to the sun, receives the effects that the light contains; and these effects transform the face of the earth. They make it green again, they flower it; the plants develop; they mature the fruits and so many other marvels that are seen upon the face of the earth -- products always of the effects that the solar light contains.But the sun, by giving its effects, does not give away its light; indeed, jealous, it conserves its unity; and the effects are not lasting. Therefore, the poor earth is seen now all flowered and then all stripped; in nearly every season it is changed; it undergoes continued mutations.Now, such is the soul who is resigned and submits herself to my Will. She lives by the effects that are in It; and, not possessing the light, she does not possess the sources of the effects that there are in the Eternal Will. And, therefore, she is seen almost as earth, now rich in virtue, then poor. She is changed in every circumstance; much more so that if she is not always resigned and submitted to my Will, she will be as the earth that does not want to be touched by the light of the sun; since, if it receives the effects, it is because it let itself be touched by its light. Otherwise, it would remain squalid without producing a blade of grass. Such became Adam after sin; he lost the unity of the light and, therefore, the source of the goods and effects the Sun of my Will contains. He no longer felt in himself the fullness of the Divine Sun; there no longer flowed in him that unity of the light that his Creator had fixed in the depths of his soul, which, communicating to him his likeness, made of him a faithful copy. Before sinning, possessing the source of the unity of the light with his Creator, bringing Him the love and the exchange of all that had been made by Him in all Creation, it was he who harmonized everything and formed the note of accord between Heaven and earth. But, as he withdrew from my Will, no longer did his acts as rays invade Heaven and earth but were restrained almost as plants and flowers in the little circuit of his terrain.Therefore, losing the harmony with all Creation, he became the discordant note of all Creation. Oh! how he descended to the bottom and cried bitterly. He lost the unity of the light which, elevating him above all created things, made of Adam the little god of the earth.Now, my daughter, from that what I have said to you, you can understand that the living in my Will is to possess the source of the unity of the light of my Will with all the fullness of the effects that there are in It. So there rises in her every act light, love, adoration, etc. Who delivers herself up, act for each act, love for each love, as solar light invades everything, harmonizes everything, centers everything in herself and, as refulgent ray, carries to her Creator the exchange for all that I have done for all creatures and the true note of accord between Heaven and earth. What a difference there is between who possesses the source of the goods that the Sun of my Will contains, and who lives by the effects! There would be the difference that there is between the sun and the earth. The sun possesses always the fullness of the light and of the effects. It is always brilliant and majestic in the vault of the heavens, nor does it have need of the earth; and, while it touches everything it is untouchable; it does not let itself be touched by anyone. If someone would even dare to stare at it, with its light it eclipses, blinds him and terrifies him. On the other hand the earth has need of everything, to be touched, stripped; and, if it were not for the light of the sun and its effects, it would be a dismal prison, full of squalid misery.Therefore, there is no comparison that rules between who lives in my Will and who subjects himself to It. Such was the unity of the light that Adam possessed before sinning, and he could not recover it during his life. With him it happened as the earth that goes around the sun, which, not being fixed, while it rotates, it opposes itself to the sun and forms its night. Now, to render him firm again and thus be able to sustain the unity of this light, there was needed a Repairer; and He had to be superior to him. A divine strength was needed to rectify him. Behold the necessity of the Redemption.My Celestial Mamma possessed the unity of this light; and, therefore, more than sun, She can give light to everyone; and, so, between Her and the Supreme Majesty there was never night nor any shadow but always full day. And, therefore, in each instant this unity of the light of my Will made flow in Her all the Divine Life which brought Her seas of beauty, of glory and of love. and She, as in triumph brought her Creator all these seas as hers to attest her love for Him, her adoration, and to make Him fall in love with her beauty. And the Divinity made flow other new seas more beautiful. She possessed so much love that, as connatural, She could love for everyone, adore and supply for everyone. Her little acts, done in the unity of this light, were superior to the greatest acts and all the acts of all creatures together. Therefore, the sacrifices, the works, the love of all other creatures can be called little flames before the sun, little drops of water before the sea, in comparison to the acts of the Sovereign Queen.<br />April 8, 1918 Volume 12Difference between living united with Jesus, and living in His Will. Returning to the point about living in the Divine Will, I was told that it was like living in the state of union with God; and my always adorable Jesus, in coming, said to me: "My daughter, there is a great difference between living united with Me and living in my Will." As He was saying this, He stretched His arms toward me and told me: "Come into my Will, even for one instant, and you will see the great difference."I found myself in Jesus. My tiny atom was swimming in the Eternal Volition. And since this Eternal Volition is one single Act that contains, altogether, all the acts, past, present and future - as I was in the Eternal Volition, I took part in that Act which contains all acts, as much as it is possible for creature. I took part also in the acts which do not exist, and which must yet exist, until the end of the centuries, and until God will be God. And for these acts too I loved Him, I thanked Him, I blessed Him, etc. There was no act which escaped me. I took the Love of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and I made it mine, just as their Will was mine; and I gave it to Them as if it were my own... How happy I was to be able to give Them their own Love as though my own! And how They found their full contentment and complete outpouring in receiving their own Love from me, as if It were mine! But who can say everything? I lack the words.Now, blessed Jesus told me: "Have you seen what living in my Will is? It is to disappear and to enter the sphere of Eternity; it is to penetrate into the Omnipotence of the Eternal One - into the Uncreated Mind, and take part in everything and in each divine act, as much as it is possible for creature. It is to make use, even while on earth, of all the divine qualities; it is to hate evil in a divine way. It is spreading oneself to everyone without exhaustion, because the Will which animates this creature is divine. It is the Sanctity which is not yet known, which I will make known, and which will place the last adornment, the most beautiful and the brightest among all other sanctities. It will be the crown and the fulfillment of all the other sanctities. Now, to live united with Me is not to disappear - two beings appear together; but one who does not disappear cannot enter into the sphere of Eternity to take part in all the divine acts. Ponder well, and you will see the great difference."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-51581763023126941292009-09-20T14:43:00.000-07:002009-09-20T14:48:08.920-07:0040 Days for Life Campaign, beginning this Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_sYNikNy5KmzJuI8CLs2132hAAMsqgt12ysvq2Bk48tSY7OTUsQLxim3gwPrxafAVVdvO-juCwrcTVudpuHTXQuoJM9tXdiGT_FZRCQxsuZpU8ZqaGnIX1jGoafVTcy1BlJg6SWa6LQ/s1600-h/40daysforlife.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383669683442177410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_sYNikNy5KmzJuI8CLs2132hAAMsqgt12ysvq2Bk48tSY7OTUsQLxim3gwPrxafAVVdvO-juCwrcTVudpuHTXQuoJM9tXdiGT_FZRCQxsuZpU8ZqaGnIX1jGoafVTcy1BlJg6SWa6LQ/s320/40daysforlife.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Check out the trailer for the 40 days for life Campaign</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On9jankGqB0&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On9jankGqB0&feature=related</a> </div><br /><div>Check out their website for Los Angeles </div><br /><div><a href="http://40daysforlife.com/losangeles/">http://40daysforlife.com/losangeles/</a> </div><br /><div>For Orange COunty </div><br /><div><a href="http://40daysforlife.com/orangecounty/">http://40daysforlife.com/orangecounty/</a> </div><br /><div>for other cities check </div><br /><div><a href="http://40daysforlife.com/">http://40daysforlife.com/</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>40 DAYS FOR LIFE This fall, from September 23rd thru November 1st, Los Angeles will be one of more than 170 cities in 45 states joining together for the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history -- the 40 Days for Life campaign. 40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of: </div><br /><div>40 days of prayer and fasting</div><br /><div>40 days of peaceful vigil & prayer walk</div><br /><div>40 days of community outreach</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city -- and throughout America. While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion, the most visible component is the peaceful prayer vigil outside the local abortion facility. You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at:<br />Family Planning Associates</div><br /><div>S. 601 Westmoreland Ave.</div><br /><div>Los Angeles CA </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-48474483958435216902009-09-09T09:22:00.000-07:002009-09-09T09:24:19.855-07:00Prayers to Eliminate RacismPrayers for the Elimination of Racism<br /><br />To God the Father, Creator of all races and peoples, who loves each of us for our uniqueness, we offer our prayers of petition:<br />For an end to discrimination in all its forms, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That each person may be respected and valued as a child of God, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That the Church may be a witness and a universal sign of unity among all peoples, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That each of us may acknowledge our part in mistakes and sins of the past pertaining to discrimination and racism, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />For a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation among peoples who share a history of mutual mistrust, hatred or aggression, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That the victims of racial prejudice may forgive those who persecute them, and that their persecutors may have a change of heart, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That the Church will continue to strive to make every element of human life correspond to the true dignity of the human person, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />For those who have struggled in the past and continue to do so today for civil rights, economic justice and the elimination of discrimination based on race, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who allow another's race to influence their relationships and limit their openness, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That we may work to influence the attitudes of others by expressly rejecting racial stereotypes, slurs and jokes and be affirming of the cultural contributions of every racial group in our world, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That we may make a personal commitment to abolish social structures which inhibit economic, educational and social advancement of the poor, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br />That we may work for decent working conditions, adequate income, housing, education and health care for all people, we pray ... Lord of all nations, hear our prayer.<br /><br />Almighty God, source of our life, we acknowledge you as Creator of all people of every race, language and way of life. Help us to see each other as you see us: your sons and daughters loved into being and sustained by your parental care. Keep watch over our hearts so that the evil of racism will find no home with us. Direct our spirits to work for justice and peace so that all barriers to your grace which oppress our brothers and sisters will be removed. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-32319954939444121542009-09-08T22:16:00.000-07:002009-09-08T22:20:21.176-07:00Fight World SlaveryLet us fight to erradicate from the face of the earth the 27 million men, women and children that continue to be oppressed by the scourge of slavery. Educate yourself and see how you can help to free these our brothers and sisters.<br />Please check this link, Slavery 101<br /><a href="http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=348">http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=348</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3094041302757808617.post-85127045332418414632009-09-08T21:47:00.000-07:002009-09-08T22:00:01.903-07:00St. Peter Claver, September 9St. Peter Claver (1580-1654) was a Spanish Jesuit missionary to Latin America. He is known as the "Apostle of the West Indies" and the "Slave to the Slaves."<br />Peter Claver was born in Verdu, Catalonia, on July 26, 1580, of prosperous parents. Little is known of his early years. In 1602 he entered the Society of Jesus. Three years later he began to study with Alphonsus Rodriquez in Majorca, with whom he shared a spiritual model of life focused on "suffering with Christ," which he would try to emulate for the rest of his life.<br />Haunted by a vision of going where he was really needed, Claver left his theological studies before completion and in 1610 went to Cartagena, New Granada (now Colombia). "Why stay in Europe," he asked, "when there are so many men of God needed in America?" He finished his Jesuit requirements and was ordained a priest in 1616 in Bogotá at the age of 35. In his profession he stipulated that he would "never admit any inferiority in the Negro slaves," and so that there would be no doubt of this, he proclaimed himself their slave, adding to his signature ethiopium semper servus (slave of the Negroes forever). One of his biographers states that "there have been few saints so specialized."<br />For the remaining 38 years of his life, Claver lived in Cartagena, one of the major Caribbean ports in Latin America to which slaves were imported. He had no social program but simply geared his life to the primary needs of the often sick and broken slaves who arrived on American shores. He was not a "revolutionary" priest, intent on changing the fabric of society; he simply cared for the slaves and exhorted the slave masters to be humane.<br />Claver made himself available to the black slaves. He met them at the port of the city, inquired about their Christian state, catechized those who had had no instruction before crossing the Atlantic, and allegedly baptized more than 300,000. After baptism he tried to nurture his "children," visiting the plantations and mines where the slaves were employed. In accordance with Pauline maxims, he urged slaves to be obedient but exhorted slave masters to be generous. In order to humanize these people hardly regarded as humans, he visited prisoners, nursed lepers and the sick, and worked for the release of some. He often protected fugitive slaves while seeking out good masters for them.<br />In 1650 Peter Claver became a victim of the plague and lived the rest of his life in almost complete solitude, dying on Sept. 8, 1654. The city magistrates, who had previously frowned at his constant solicitations on behalf of the slaves, ordered that he should be buried at public expense and with great pomp. Only after his death did people begin to realize the true scope of his activities; and the astronomical number of persons he had single handedly baptized. He was canonized in 1887, and Pope Leo XIII declared him the worldwide patron of missionary work among black slaves. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez was canonized on the same day as Peter Claver.<br />His bones were moved to a glass coffin under the altar of Cartagena's Cathedral de San Pedro Claver, where Pope John Paul II prayed during his 1986 visit. In the cloister adjoining the Cathedral, the room where he spent the last years of his life is open to visitors, along with a series of graphic paintings telling the story of how he helped the slaves.<br /><br />Quote: Peter Claver understood that concrete service like the distributing of medicine, food or brandy to his black brothers and sisters could be as effective a communication of the word of God as mere verbal preaching. As Peter Claver often said, "We must speak to them with our hands before we try to speak to them with our lips."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1