THE PERILS ON THE WAY

Out into the darkness of the night went Jesus, Mary, and Joseph journeying to Egypt. 

Can these homeless wanderers really be the three whose value in the eyes of Heaven, made all the rest of the world insignificant as a grain of sand, compared with a Continent? Yes, this is God's way of treating those whom He loves best!

Herod , in his luxurious palace, is feasting and revelling in luxury and ease whilst Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are outcasts from their home, shivering in the cold and stormy night.

How foolish then,, to desire ease and comfort or to regret the hardships and disagreeable event which befall me!

Whither were they going To Egypt, along an unknown road to a distant and idolatrous Country; not knowing the way, not knowing how they should find subsistence from day to day.

What was the trial of Abraham compared with this? He went forth with an escort of servants and camels and with tents and a store of good things for the way; the Divine Son of God and His Parents, empty -handed and alone. Compassionate the Holy Family in their sufferings along the way.

What were those sufferings?

Often, they knew not where to lay their heads and had to sleep under the starry sky. Often, they had to beg their bread. Sometimes, they were in danger from the rough bandits who infested the road. Sometimes, the wild beasts howled around them.

This is a model of the life of the Christian – sometimes, deprived of all spiritual sustenance and of all human consolation; sometimes, fiercely attacked by men, sometimes, by evil passions and the rage of Satan; yet, always safe under the watchful care of God!

(taken from the writings of Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

 

THE BLESSED VIRGIN INTERCEDES FOR US.

In the year 1514, Our Lady was venerated at a Shrine near Montserrat, Spain. A dumb man on a pilgrimage to her shrine invoked her aid and the Blessed Virgin miraculously restored his speech. And from that day the Blessed Lady was given the title of Our Lady of Speech.

From that time on, she was given the title Our Lady of Speech. Here again the words of the “Memorare” were verified:

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,implored thy help or sought thy intercession,was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in thy mercy hear and answer me.”

When God was made man, it was she who gave voice to the Word. In the Magnificat, God the Holy Ghost, her mystical spouse, spoke though her. When Christ was a child, she was His voice. When Our Lord was a man, He spoke for himself, while his mother remained silent. 

After the Ascension, she again became His voice as she guided the infant Church through those perilous times. Over and over again, the words of God came through her, for she is His Mediatrix of grace, the link between us and Him.

As a consequence, even while on earth, His Mother’s word had great influence upon Christ. “They have no wine,” uttered in behalf of the embarrassed newlyweds at Cana, was all that was necessary to bring forth her Sons’ first miracle.

And so, down the ages, Mary hearkens to the words of her Calvary-born children and speaks in their behalf to Jesus. Her intercession, her word, her speech, is never in vain. Let us never cease to invoke this powerful protectress, who wants nothing more than to intercede for us, her children, before the throne of God.

 

marian quote

 JESUS IS SAVIOUR

At the circumcision, Jewish children receive their name as Catholic children do at their Baptism. Mary’s little Son received the Name of Jesus or Saviour because He was to save men from the slavery to sin. This was His appointed office by the Divine Command – to put an end to the slavery in which men were held by the devil. 

He was sent to deliver me from the bondage under which I have long laboured, the bondage to the opinion of men, the bondage to ill-temper, the bondage to passion, the bondage to selfishness, the bondage to self-will, the bondage to riches or comforts.

O Jesus, Saviour of those in bondage, by Thy Sacred Blood deliver me!

 A RESOLVE

For Every Morning of the New Year

May 2025 be the ONE which Makes Us All Saints!

I will this day, try to live a simple,

sincere and serene life, repelling

promptly, every thought of

discontent, anxiety, discouragement,

impurity and self-seeking;

cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity,

charity and the habit of holy silence,

exercising econmy in expenditure,

carefulness in conversation,

diligence in appointed service,

fidelity in every trust

and a child-like trust in God.

Bishop John H Vincent 1900

 

REPENTANCE AND THANKSGIVING

The last day of the year has come. It should be a day of reckoning and of resolution. Think of the many benefits which God has conferred on you throughout your life, but especially in the year which is now drawing to a close.

Count the temporal favours which you have received. Many of your friends and acquaintances have died during the year, but you are still alive. God has rescued you from innumerable perils and illnesses. He has allowed you more time in which to perfect your spiritual life and to perform apostolic work on your neighbour's behalf. Try not to be like the barren tree in the Gospel, because this could be your final year of trial.

Count the spiritual blessings which you have received. Think of the graces and good inspirations which God has given you during the past twelve months. How often have you received forgiveness for your sins, been restored to the friendship of God, and experienced anew the joy and peace of being in the state of grace? How often has Jesus come into your heart under the guise of the Blessed Eucharist? How often have you been enlightened and encouraged by hearing or reading the word of God? Think, too, of the good example which you have received in private and in public, and recall the many occasions on which the helping hand of God has reached out to save you from falling into sin.

You could never show sufficient gratitude for all these favours. Spend this day at least in acts of repentance and thanksgiving, and promise God to be faithful to Him in the coming year.

(from the writings of cardinal antonio bacci)

WHAT THE INFANT JESUS TEACHES US.

Socrates advised his followers to have few desires and to desire these as little as possible, in order to remain content, for the man who is full of desires is always uneasy and restless.

This human counsel is very true but, it is incomplete.

It recommends detachment from earthly things but fails to teach the ardent and practical desire for supernatural things.

Jesus Christ teaches us both.

After He has urged us to become gentle and humble like Himself, after He has told us not to worry about the future and not to fret about what to wear and what to eat, He points out the way in which Providence clothes the lilies of the filed and feeds the birds of the air.

Then He adds: “Seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be given you besides” (Cf Lk.12:22-31).

We must limit and moderate our desire for earthly goods, therefore but, should ardently yearn to love God, to serve and obey Him in this life and to enjoy Him forever in Heaven.

This is what the Infant Jesus wishes to teach us.”

(an advice from cardinal bacci.)

 

A GREAT DAY FOR US, WE PILGRIMS OF HOPE

 

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL READERS WHO POPPED INTO THIS BLOG THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

MAY THE LORD SHOWER ALL WITH HIS GRACE. AMEN

 PREPARATION FOR THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Let us ask the Divine Child to help us be more fervent in our prayers, to be more mortified and to make greater efforts to practise virtue.

Let Him help us to model our lives upon His so that they may be full of humility, love for God and our fellowmen. Let him guide us for perfect resignation to suffering and of voluntary penance and mortification.

Thus we prove our love for Jesus and expiate our sins.

THE DANGERS OF A CARELESS SOUL

1. There is in human nature a fatal tendency to procrastinate, especially when that which we know we ought to do, is something to which we are naturally disinclined.

All men are naturally disinclined to do violence to themselves and force their pride and self-will, to yield before the sway of Christ, to put on His yoke and carry His cross.

Hence, men put off and make excuses to themselves and fancy that what is difficult to them to-day, will be easy to morrow .

O fatal mistake!

Each day that we postpone the task of submission, it becomes more difficult, more distasteful.

Why then do I not hasten to submit myself entirely to Christ?

+2. From day-to-day, the careless soul thus goes on putting off, crying: “Tomorrow I will amend my ways” and when tomorrow comes, it still cries: “Tomorrow.” How fatal is this folly!

Tomorrow may never come, or, if it comes, you may have forfeited the grace!

“Today, if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts.'

+3. This postponement is always accompanied by some deliberate disobedience to the commands or to the holy inspirations of the Spirit of God.

Thus the careless soul becomes more engrossed in earthly things and more and more disinclined to make the necessary effort. Therefore, it is that, so many will be surprised by the Coming of their Judge at the moment when they least expect Him and are quite unprepared to meet Him.

O Jesus, save me at any cost from the deadly state of the careless soul!

(by Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ)

 

Therefore, let us rejoice and glory in Him, Who made us both His battle and His victory, when He said: “Have confidence, for I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33) … He, Who is unconquered, will fight for us and conquer in us. Then the prince of this darkness shall be cast out (cf Jn 12:31). He is not, to be sure, expelled from the world but from the individual, for when faith enters us, we shut him out and provide a place for Christ…

CHRIST IS OUR GLORY

Let orators keep their eloquence, philosophers their wisdom, rich men their wealth and kings their kingdoms. Christ is our Glory, Property and Kingdom! Our wisdom lies in the “foolishness of our preaching,” our strength, in the weakness of the flesh, our glory, in the stumbling block of the Cross (cf 1 Cor 1:21).” – St Paulinus of Nola (355-431) Bishop, Father of the Church (Letter 38:3-4.6).

 POEM DEDICATED TO MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD

O Purest of creatures, sweet Mother, sweet maid,

The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!

Dark night hath come down on us, Mother! and we

Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world,

And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;

And the tempest-tossed Church,—

all her eyes are on thee;

They look to thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

He gazed on thy soul, it was spotless and fair,

For the empire of sin—it had never been there;

None ever had owned thee, dear Mother but He.

And He blest thy clear shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

Earth gave Him one lodging; t’was deep in thy breast,

And God found a home where the sinner finds rest;

His home and His hiding-place, both were in thee,

He was won by thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea!

O Purest of Creatures,
Sweet Mother, Sweet Maid
By Fr Frederick W Faber C.Orat. (1814-1863)

 WHO IS MARY, THE VIRGIN MOST PURE?

She is Virgin and Mother, what will she not be hereafter? Holy in body, all beautiful in soul, pure of mind, upright in intelligence, perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful, pure of heart and filled with virtue.

May the hearts of virgins rejoice in Mary, since of her was born the One Who set humankind free from dreadful slavery. May the old Adam, wounded by the serpent, rejoice in Mary; it is Mary who gives Adam a posterity which allows Him to crush the accursed serpent and Who cures him of his mortal wound (Gen 3:15). Let Priests rejoice in the blessed Virgin; she has brought the High Priest into the world, Who gave Himself as a Victim, putting an end to the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. … Let the Prophets rejoice in Mary, since in her were fulfilled their visions, in her were realised their prophecies, in her were confirmed their oracles. Let all the Patriarchs rejoice in Mary, since she received the blessing promised to them, she, who, in her Son, has brought them to completion. …

Mary is the new tree of life who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that sweet fruit on which the whole world is fed!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Marian Hymn).

 TO DAY IS THE FEAST OF SAINT LUCY

13TH DECEMBER

Lucia of Syracuse ( c. 283 – 304 AD), also called Saint Lucia (Latin: Sancta Lucia) and better known as Saint Lucy, was a Roman Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Prayer to St Lucy for the Protection of our Eyes and the Eyes of our Faith

O St Lucy, preserve the light of my eyes

so that I may see the beauties of creation,

the glow of the sun,

the colour of the flowers

and the smile of children.

Preserve also the eyes of my soul,

the faith, through which,

I can know my God,

understand His teachings,

recognise His love for me

and never miss the road that leads me

to where you, St Lucy,

can be found in the company

of the angels and saints.

St Lucy, protect my eyes

and preserve my faith.

St Lucy, “Bringer of Light”

Pray for those with eye ailments,

Pray for us all!

 

12TH DECEMBER IS THE DAY ON WHICH OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IS COMMEMORATED

Ask her to intercede for the whole world where wars and battles are taking place, wars and battles that are devasting humanity, that are wrecking havoc on whole families.

Above all, let her intercession blesses us all with the grace of the Almighty God .

 TODAY IS THE FEAST OF POPE ST DAMASUS.

Read below what Pope Pius XII has to say about Peter's Successors:

A SHORT EXTRACT:

Peter's successors, mortal like all men, pass, more or less quickly. But the primacy of Peter will always remain, thanks to the special assistance which was promised to him when Jesus charged him to confirm his brothers in faith (Lk 22:32). Whatever the name, the face, the human origins of each Pope; it is always Peter who lives in him, it is Peter who directs and governs, it is Peter especially, who teaches and who spreads to the world, the liberating Light. A great sacred orator said, that God established in Rome, an eternal pulpit: “Peter will always live in his successors and speak in his pulpit.” - Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) Pope from 1939 to 1958 (Pius XII Audience of 17 January 1940).

 TODAY, 10TH DECEMBER IS THE FEAST OF

OUR LADY OF LORETO

 

The title Our Lady of Loreto is associated with the Holy House of Loreto in Italy. The house believed to have been miraculously transported from Nazareth to Europe by angels. St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine,  built a basilica over the house. In 1090, the basilica was destroyed but the house remained intact. Another basilica was built, and it was again destroyed, but the Holy House was intact. Today a great basilica contains the house of the Holy Family. Above the altar inside the Holy House is an ancient statue of Our Lady holding the Infant Jesus. The statue is the origin of the title Our Lady of Loreto. Pope Francis added the feast for Our Lady of Loreto in 2019.

OUR LADY OF LORETO PRAY FOR US.

 BE AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Another way of increasing our sense of the Presence of God, is to perceive Him in all His creatures.

St Therese of the Child Jesus loved to contemplate the image of her Creator in the flowers of the fields and in the stars of the firmament.

God has created all things for our benefit and He is Present in all things.

He sees what use we make of them and can judge whether we employ them to honour Him, Who is our beginning and our end.

The ray of Divine Beauty,which shines in every created thing, should attract us towards its Creator and cause us to adore and serve Him.

Whenever we meet a learned and holy person, moreover, the reflection of God’s Power and Goodness, is even more compelling.

“Learn to love the Creator in the creature,” says St Augustine, “lest the thing which He has made should grip you and you should lose Him by Whom you also were created” (In Ps 19),

In other words, let us learn to see the Creator in all His creatures so that these may not enslave us but cause us to love Him, Who is our highest Good.”

cardinal antonio bacci

 BE A SOLDIER FOR CHRIST

NEVER BE SHY TO PROFESS YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH.

 There are many ways of doing this. 

For example:

Be strong enough to make the sign of the cross before whoever you are, whether before starting your journey on a public bus or before your meals when you are in a restaurant.

or

giving a fraternal correction to him who transgressed the will of God.

or

always give preference to the will of God no matter what inconvenience you might suffer.

etc etc etc.

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.