"Mary's sole object in this world was to keep her eyes constantly focused on God so as to discover His will. Then when she had found out what God wanted, she did it." ~St. Bernadine of Siena
Prayer to Our Lady
Immaculate Mother of Jesus,
We honor You as God's chosen one, beautiful, beloved, and free from all sin. Keep watch over us, pray that we may rise above our sins and failings and come to share the fullness of grace. Be a Mother to us in the order of grace by assisting us to live your obedience, your faith, your hope and your love. Amen.
[copied from CFP handbook.]
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us
[an excerpt from "The Way of Perfection"
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/way.html]
CHAPTER 1
Of the reason which moved me to found this convent in such strict observance.
When this convent was originally founded, for the reasons set down in the book which, as I say, I have already written, and also because of certain wonderful revelations by which the Lord showed me how well He would be served in this house, it was not my intention that there should be so much austerity in external matters, nor that it should have no regular income: on the contrary, I should have liked there to be no possibility of want. I acted, in short, like the weak and wretched woman that I am, although I did so with good intentions and not out of consideration for my own comfort.
At about this time there came to my notice the harm and havoc that were being wrought in France by these Lutherans and the way in which their unhappy sect was increasing. This troubled me very much, and, as though I could do anything, or be of any help in the matter, I wept before the Lord and entreated Him to remedy this great evil. I felt that I would have laid down a thousand lives to save a single one of all the souls that were being lost there. And, seeing that I was a woman, and a sinner, and incapable of doing all I should like in the Lord's service, and as my whole yearning was, and still is, that, as He has so many enemies and so few friends, these last should be trusty ones, I determined to do the little that was in me -- namely, to follow the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity, obedience) as perfectly as I could, and to see that these few nuns who are here should do the same, confiding in the great goodness of God, Who never fails to help those who resolve to forsake everything for His sake.
---
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/teresa/way.html]
CHAPTER 1
Of the reason which moved me to found this convent in such strict observance.
When this convent was originally founded, for the reasons set down in the book which, as I say, I have already written, and also because of certain wonderful revelations by which the Lord showed me how well He would be served in this house, it was not my intention that there should be so much austerity in external matters, nor that it should have no regular income: on the contrary, I should have liked there to be no possibility of want. I acted, in short, like the weak and wretched woman that I am, although I did so with good intentions and not out of consideration for my own comfort.
At about this time there came to my notice the harm and havoc that were being wrought in France by these Lutherans and the way in which their unhappy sect was increasing. This troubled me very much, and, as though I could do anything, or be of any help in the matter, I wept before the Lord and entreated Him to remedy this great evil. I felt that I would have laid down a thousand lives to save a single one of all the souls that were being lost there. And, seeing that I was a woman, and a sinner, and incapable of doing all I should like in the Lord's service, and as my whole yearning was, and still is, that, as He has so many enemies and so few friends, these last should be trusty ones, I determined to do the little that was in me -- namely, to follow the evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity, obedience) as perfectly as I could, and to see that these few nuns who are here should do the same, confiding in the great goodness of God, Who never fails to help those who resolve to forsake everything for His sake.
---
Prayer of Penitents
(St. Francis's prayer before the San Damiano crucifix.)
Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my mind,
give me right faith,
a firm hope
and perfect charity,
so that I may always
and in all things
act according to Your Holy Will.
Amen.
[this prayer recommended by the
Confraternity of Penitents]
Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my mind,
give me right faith,
a firm hope
and perfect charity,
so that I may always
and in all things
act according to Your Holy Will.
Amen.
[this prayer recommended by the
Confraternity of Penitents]
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Consecration of the United States to the Immaculate Conception and Immaculate Heart of Mary
November 11, 2006
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL OF CONSECRATION
TO OUR PATRONESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your Mother; in union with Mary, we adore your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.
Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give our country and ourselves to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. O’ Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesized by Simeon save us from degeneration, disaster and war. Protect us from all harm. O’ Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, you who bore the sufferings of your Son in the depths of your heart be our Advocate. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.
---
The Mass for the renewal of the consecration took place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C., on November 11, 2006 at 12:00 Noon, and aired on EWTN.
[text of the original press release follows:]
The World Apostolate of Fatima is pleased to announce that the U.S. Papal Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Sambi will be officiating the Mass for the renewal of our country’s Consecration to Our Patroness, the Immaculate Conception. All are invited to come to our nation’s Basilica-The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, November 11, 2006, at twelve noon.
All bishops have been invited to participate at the Mass. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the bishops may sign the Consecration prayer for their dioceses, which will then be offered at the Mass. This has been provided to them by the World Apostolate of Fatima. The prayer for the Consecration was composed by our bishops in 1959, at the dedication ceremony of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; whereby, our country was Consecrated to Our Patroness, the Immaculate Conception. However, by this consecration on November 11, 2006, our country will be Consecrated to the Heart of Our Patroness; this is our apostolate’s primary mission for world peace.
During World War I, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Bourne, who was the Primate of England, Consecrated England to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. He claims, and many others as well, that it stopped World War I. The Armistice for World War I was signed after the Consecration on November 11th; this, incidentally, is the same day which the Papal Nuncio chose to officiate the Mass for the United States.
During the 1720’s, the Bubonic plague was rampant in Marseille, France. Out of the town’s population of ninety thousand, fifty thousand people died in a matter of months. The Archbishop Consecrated Marseille, France to the Sacred Heart to end the plague in the town, and this did happen without any medical means or vaccinations.
Portugal was Consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary before World War II, and this country was protected from the war. With knowledge that our nation will be Consecrated to the Immaculate Conception and the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother let us continue to work with joy and excitement for the spiritual renewal of the United States, the salvation of souls and peace on earth.
(copied from: http://www.wafusa.org)
---
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Prayer for the conversion of Scandinavia
Good Jesus, prostrate at Thy feet, we humbly implore Thee, by Thy most sacred wounds and by the Precious Blood which Thou didst shed for the salvation of the whole world, that Thou wouldst deign to cast a look of pity on the peoples of Scandinavia, seduced from the Faith for so many centuries, and plunged in the darkness of heresy, separated from thy Church, deprived of the participation of the adorable Sacrament of Thy Body and Blood, and of the other Sacraments instituted by Thee, as the refuge of souls in life and in death.
Remember, O Redeemer of the world, that for these souls too Thou didst suffer bitter death, with the loss of all Thy blood.
Bring back, O good Shepherd, these wandering sheep of Thine to the one fold and to the healthy pastures of Thy Church, so that they may form with us one flock, tended by Thee, and by thy Vicar on earth, the supreme Pontiff, whom, in the person of the Apostle St. Peter, Thou didst commission to feed Thy sheep and Thy lambs.
Graciously hear, O good Jesus, the prayers which we offer Thee with the most lively trust in the love of Thy Sacred Heart, and to Thy most holy Name be praise, glory, honour, world without end.
Amen.
(Source: from the Raccolta. An indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pope Leo XIII, 18 April 1885.)
Remember, O Redeemer of the world, that for these souls too Thou didst suffer bitter death, with the loss of all Thy blood.
Bring back, O good Shepherd, these wandering sheep of Thine to the one fold and to the healthy pastures of Thy Church, so that they may form with us one flock, tended by Thee, and by thy Vicar on earth, the supreme Pontiff, whom, in the person of the Apostle St. Peter, Thou didst commission to feed Thy sheep and Thy lambs.
Graciously hear, O good Jesus, the prayers which we offer Thee with the most lively trust in the love of Thy Sacred Heart, and to Thy most holy Name be praise, glory, honour, world without end.
Amen.
(Source: from the Raccolta. An indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Pope Leo XIII, 18 April 1885.)
Monday, April 10, 2006
grant me before my death true contrition
An Act of Contrition (version 2)
Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins;
the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul,
the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins;
the sins I know, the sins I do not know; the sins I have concealed
for so long, and which are now hidden from my memory.
I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial,
for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour.
I know my sins have wounded Thy Tender Heart,
O My Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through
the most bitter Passion of My Redeemer. Amen.
O My Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been. Amen.
[copied from catholictradition.org]
Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins;
the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul,
the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins;
the sins I know, the sins I do not know; the sins I have concealed
for so long, and which are now hidden from my memory.
I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial,
for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour.
I know my sins have wounded Thy Tender Heart,
O My Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through
the most bitter Passion of My Redeemer. Amen.
O My Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been. Amen.
[copied from catholictradition.org]
Monday, March 20, 2006
from Tobit
"Throughout all of your days, keep the Lord in mind, and suppress every desire to sin or to break his commandments." Tobit 4:5
(copied from: http://www.diocs.org/)
(copied from: http://www.diocs.org/)
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Faith of Our Fathers
One of my favorite Catholic hymns. Written by Frederick William Faber (1814-1863), son of an Anglican clergyman, Faber graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, was ordained an Anglican minister, and became Rector of Elton in 1843. Three years later, he converted to Roman Catholicism and founded the Brotherhood of St. Philip Neri, in King William Street, Strand. He later moved to the Brompton Oratory. Faber published a number of prose works, and three volumes of hymns.
Faith of Our Fathers
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!
(Refrain)
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.
(Refrain)
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
(Refrain)
Faith of our fathers, Mary’s prayers
Shall win our country back to Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
England shall then indeed be free.
Faith of Our Fathers
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!
(Refrain)
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.
(Refrain)
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
(Refrain)
Faith of our fathers, Mary’s prayers
Shall win our country back to Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
England shall then indeed be free.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Examination of Conscience
For an Examination of Conscience
From a Pastoral Letter of Archbishop Bruno Forte
CHIETI, Italy, FEB. 21, 2006 (Zenit.org).- In an appendix to a pastoral letter on the sacrament of reconciliation, Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto outlines questions that could be used for examining one's conscience before going to confess.
The last part of the pastoral letter appears in today's dispatch.
* * *
For the Examination of Conscience
If possible, prepare yourself for confession with regularity, not allowing too much time to pass. Prepare your confession in a climate of prayer, responding to these questions under the gaze of God, seeing him as the one you can go to for help to progress more quickly along the path of the Lord.
1. "You shall not have other gods besides me" (Deuteronomy 5:7). "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).
Do I love God like this? Do I give him the first place in my life? Do I eagerly reject all idols that could get between him and me, be it money, pleasure, superstition, or power? Do I listen with faith to his Word? Do I persevere in prayer?
2. "You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain" (Deuteronomy 5:11).
Do I respect the holy name of God? Do I abuse him in my references to him, offending him, or making use of him, instead of serving him? Do I bless God in each one of my actions? Do I surrender myself without reserve to his will for me, trusting entirely in him? Do I entrust myself with humility and confidence to the guidance and teaching of the pastors which the Lord has given to his Church? Do I make an effort to go deeper in and strengthen my life of faith?
3. "Take care to keep holy the Sabbath day as the Lord, your God, commanded you" (Deuteronomy 5: 12-15).
Do I make Sunday the center of my week, beginning with the most important moment, the celebration of the Eucharist? Do I use it, and the other days consecrated to the Lord, to praise and give thanks to God, to entrust myself to him and take rest in him? Do I participate faithfully and actively in the liturgy, preparing myself beforehand with prayer, and making the effort to obtain its fruits during the entire week? Do I sanctify the holy day with some act of love toward the needy?
4. "Honor your father and your mother" (Deuteronomy 5:16).
Do I love and respect those who have given me life? Do I make the effort to understand and help them, above all in their weaknesses and limits?
5. "Thou shalt not kill" (Deuteronomy 5:17).
Do I make the effort to respect and promote life in all of its stages and aspects? Do I do everything in my power to promote the good of the others? Have I done evil to someone with the explicit intention of doing it?
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
How do I live charity toward my neighbor? Am I attentive and available, above all with the poorest and weakest? Do I love myself, knowing how to accept my limits under the gaze of God?
6. "You shall not commit impure acts" (cf. Deuteronomy 5:18). "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife" (Deuteronomy 5:21).
Am I chaste in thoughts and actions? Do I make the effort to love with gratitude, free of the temptation to possess or be jealous? Do I always respect the dignity of the human person? Do I treat my body and the bodies of others as a temple of the Holy Spirit?
7. "You shall not steal" (Deuteronomy 5:19). "You shall not desire your neighbor's goods" (Deuteronomy 5:21).
Do I respect the goods of creation? Am I honest in my work and in my relations with my neighbor? Do I respect the fruit of others' labor? Am I envious of the goods of the others? Do I make an effort to make others happy, or do I only think of myself?
8. "You shall not bear dishonest witness against your neighbor" (Deuteronomy 5:20).
Am I sincere and loyal in each word and action? Do I always speak only the truth? Do I try to give confidence and act in a way that inspires confidence in the others?
9. Do I make an effort to follow the example of Christ in my life of surrender to God and my neighbor? Do I try to be like him: humble, poor and chaste?
10. Do I faithfully find the Lord in the sacraments, in fellowship, and in service to the poor? Do I live with hope in eternal life, seeing each thing under the light of God, always trusting in his promises?
[Translation by ZENIT]
ZE06022105
From a Pastoral Letter of Archbishop Bruno Forte
CHIETI, Italy, FEB. 21, 2006 (Zenit.org).- In an appendix to a pastoral letter on the sacrament of reconciliation, Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto outlines questions that could be used for examining one's conscience before going to confess.
The last part of the pastoral letter appears in today's dispatch.
* * *
For the Examination of Conscience
If possible, prepare yourself for confession with regularity, not allowing too much time to pass. Prepare your confession in a climate of prayer, responding to these questions under the gaze of God, seeing him as the one you can go to for help to progress more quickly along the path of the Lord.
1. "You shall not have other gods besides me" (Deuteronomy 5:7). "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).
Do I love God like this? Do I give him the first place in my life? Do I eagerly reject all idols that could get between him and me, be it money, pleasure, superstition, or power? Do I listen with faith to his Word? Do I persevere in prayer?
2. "You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain" (Deuteronomy 5:11).
Do I respect the holy name of God? Do I abuse him in my references to him, offending him, or making use of him, instead of serving him? Do I bless God in each one of my actions? Do I surrender myself without reserve to his will for me, trusting entirely in him? Do I entrust myself with humility and confidence to the guidance and teaching of the pastors which the Lord has given to his Church? Do I make an effort to go deeper in and strengthen my life of faith?
3. "Take care to keep holy the Sabbath day as the Lord, your God, commanded you" (Deuteronomy 5: 12-15).
Do I make Sunday the center of my week, beginning with the most important moment, the celebration of the Eucharist? Do I use it, and the other days consecrated to the Lord, to praise and give thanks to God, to entrust myself to him and take rest in him? Do I participate faithfully and actively in the liturgy, preparing myself beforehand with prayer, and making the effort to obtain its fruits during the entire week? Do I sanctify the holy day with some act of love toward the needy?
4. "Honor your father and your mother" (Deuteronomy 5:16).
Do I love and respect those who have given me life? Do I make the effort to understand and help them, above all in their weaknesses and limits?
5. "Thou shalt not kill" (Deuteronomy 5:17).
Do I make the effort to respect and promote life in all of its stages and aspects? Do I do everything in my power to promote the good of the others? Have I done evil to someone with the explicit intention of doing it?
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
How do I live charity toward my neighbor? Am I attentive and available, above all with the poorest and weakest? Do I love myself, knowing how to accept my limits under the gaze of God?
6. "You shall not commit impure acts" (cf. Deuteronomy 5:18). "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife" (Deuteronomy 5:21).
Am I chaste in thoughts and actions? Do I make the effort to love with gratitude, free of the temptation to possess or be jealous? Do I always respect the dignity of the human person? Do I treat my body and the bodies of others as a temple of the Holy Spirit?
7. "You shall not steal" (Deuteronomy 5:19). "You shall not desire your neighbor's goods" (Deuteronomy 5:21).
Do I respect the goods of creation? Am I honest in my work and in my relations with my neighbor? Do I respect the fruit of others' labor? Am I envious of the goods of the others? Do I make an effort to make others happy, or do I only think of myself?
8. "You shall not bear dishonest witness against your neighbor" (Deuteronomy 5:20).
Am I sincere and loyal in each word and action? Do I always speak only the truth? Do I try to give confidence and act in a way that inspires confidence in the others?
9. Do I make an effort to follow the example of Christ in my life of surrender to God and my neighbor? Do I try to be like him: humble, poor and chaste?
10. Do I faithfully find the Lord in the sacraments, in fellowship, and in service to the poor? Do I live with hope in eternal life, seeing each thing under the light of God, always trusting in his promises?
[Translation by ZENIT]
ZE06022105
Monday, February 20, 2006
Song of the Sinful Woman
Click here then scroll down to download a free mp3 of Khouriye Joyce Black singing "The Song of the Sinful Woman" by Kassiani the Nun. It was recorded in a service during Great Week at St. Philip's Antiochian Orthodox Church (Souderton, PA). It is simply beautiful!
Below I've transcribed the lyrics as best as I can make them out.
---
O Lord God,
the woman who hath fallen into many sins,
having perceived thy divinity,
receive a rank of ointment bearer
offering these spices before thy burial.
Wailing and crying:
Woe is me! for the love of adultery and sin
hath given me a dark and lightless night.
Accept the fountains of my tears,
O thou who draweth the waters of the sea by the clouds.
Incline, O incline thou to the sighing of my heart,
O thou who didst bend the heavens,
by thine incomprehensible condescension.
I will kiss thy pure feet
And I will wipe them with my tresses.
I will kiss thy feet, those that tread
when it fell on the ears of Eve
in paradise, dismayed her,
so that she defiled herself because of fear.
Who then shall examine the multitude of my sins
And the depth of thy judgement?
Wherefore, O My Savior and the deliverer of my soul,
turn not away from thy handmaiden.
O thou of countless mercies.
Below I've transcribed the lyrics as best as I can make them out.
---
O Lord God,
the woman who hath fallen into many sins,
having perceived thy divinity,
receive a rank of ointment bearer
offering these spices before thy burial.
Wailing and crying:
Woe is me! for the love of adultery and sin
hath given me a dark and lightless night.
Accept the fountains of my tears,
O thou who draweth the waters of the sea by the clouds.
Incline, O incline thou to the sighing of my heart,
O thou who didst bend the heavens,
by thine incomprehensible condescension.
I will kiss thy pure feet
And I will wipe them with my tresses.
I will kiss thy feet, those that tread
when it fell on the ears of Eve
in paradise, dismayed her,
so that she defiled herself because of fear.
Who then shall examine the multitude of my sins
And the depth of thy judgement?
Wherefore, O My Savior and the deliverer of my soul,
turn not away from thy handmaiden.
O thou of countless mercies.
St. Raphael, pray for us.
A beautiful prayer to St. Raphael, my patron saint, sent to me by a dear friend.
O Raphael,
lead us towards those we are waiting for,
those who are waiting for us!
Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings,
lead us by the hand towards those we are looking for!
May all our movements,
all their movements,
be guided by your Light and transfigured by your Joy.
Angel Guide of Tobias,
lay the request we now address to you at the feet of Him
on whose unveiled Face you are privileged to gaze.
Lonely and tired,
crushed by the separations and sorrows of earth,
we feel the need of calling to you
and of pleading for the protection of your wings,
so that we may not be as strangers in the Province of Joy,
all ignorant of the concerns of our country.
Remember the weak, you who are strong--
you whose home lies beyond the region of thunder,
in a land that is always peaceful,
always serene,
and bright with the resplendent glory of God.
Amen.
O Raphael,
lead us towards those we are waiting for,
those who are waiting for us!
Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings,
lead us by the hand towards those we are looking for!
May all our movements,
all their movements,
be guided by your Light and transfigured by your Joy.
Angel Guide of Tobias,
lay the request we now address to you at the feet of Him
on whose unveiled Face you are privileged to gaze.
Lonely and tired,
crushed by the separations and sorrows of earth,
we feel the need of calling to you
and of pleading for the protection of your wings,
so that we may not be as strangers in the Province of Joy,
all ignorant of the concerns of our country.
Remember the weak, you who are strong--
you whose home lies beyond the region of thunder,
in a land that is always peaceful,
always serene,
and bright with the resplendent glory of God.
Amen.
desert trials
Desert spirituality is not for everyone. On this subject, St. Francis de Sales remarked thusly:
"Lot, who was so chaste in the city, defiled himself in the desert"
~ Introduction to the Devout Life, pt.1, ch.3
"Lot, who was so chaste in the city, defiled himself in the desert"
~ Introduction to the Devout Life, pt.1, ch.3
Theology and Sanity
Recommended by a friend for converts from Mormonism:
Theology and Sanity by FJ Sheed, c1946
first 3 paragraphs:
"MY concern in this book is not with the will but with the intellect, not with sanctity but with sanity. The difference is too often overlooked in the practice of religion. The soul has two faculties and they should be clearly distinguished. There is the will: its work is to love—and so to choose, to decide, to act. There is the intellect: its work is TO KNOW, TO UNDERSTAND, TO SEE: to see what? TO SEE WHAT'S THERE.
I have said that my concern is with the intellect rather than with the will: this not because the intellect matters more in religion than the will, but because it does matter and tends to be neglected, and the neglect is bad. I realize that salvation depends directly upon the will. We are saved or damned according to what we love. If we love God, we shall ultimately get God: we shall be saved. If we love self in preference to God then we shall get self apart from God: we shall be damned. But though in our relation to God the intellect does not matter as much as the will (and indeed depends for its health upon the will) it does matter, and as I have said, it is too much neglected—to the great misfortune of the will, for we can never attain a maximum love of God with only a minimum knowledge of God.
For the soul's full functioning, we need a Catholic intellect as well as a Catholic will. We have a Catholic will when we love God and obey God, love the Church and obey the Church. We have a Catholic intellect when we live consciously in the presence of the realities that God through His Church has revealed. A good working test of a Catholic will is that we should do what the Church says. But for a Catholic intellect, we must also see what the Church sees. This means that when we look out upon the universe we see the same universe that the Church sees; and the enormous advantage of this is that the universe the Church sees is the real universe, because She is the Church of God. Seeing what She sees means seeing what is there. And just as loving what is good is SANCTITY, or the health of the will,
so seeing what is there is SANITY, or the health of the intellect."
Theology and Sanity by FJ Sheed, c1946
first 3 paragraphs:
"MY concern in this book is not with the will but with the intellect, not with sanctity but with sanity. The difference is too often overlooked in the practice of religion. The soul has two faculties and they should be clearly distinguished. There is the will: its work is to love—and so to choose, to decide, to act. There is the intellect: its work is TO KNOW, TO UNDERSTAND, TO SEE: to see what? TO SEE WHAT'S THERE.
I have said that my concern is with the intellect rather than with the will: this not because the intellect matters more in religion than the will, but because it does matter and tends to be neglected, and the neglect is bad. I realize that salvation depends directly upon the will. We are saved or damned according to what we love. If we love God, we shall ultimately get God: we shall be saved. If we love self in preference to God then we shall get self apart from God: we shall be damned. But though in our relation to God the intellect does not matter as much as the will (and indeed depends for its health upon the will) it does matter, and as I have said, it is too much neglected—to the great misfortune of the will, for we can never attain a maximum love of God with only a minimum knowledge of God.
For the soul's full functioning, we need a Catholic intellect as well as a Catholic will. We have a Catholic will when we love God and obey God, love the Church and obey the Church. We have a Catholic intellect when we live consciously in the presence of the realities that God through His Church has revealed. A good working test of a Catholic will is that we should do what the Church says. But for a Catholic intellect, we must also see what the Church sees. This means that when we look out upon the universe we see the same universe that the Church sees; and the enormous advantage of this is that the universe the Church sees is the real universe, because She is the Church of God. Seeing what She sees means seeing what is there. And just as loving what is good is SANCTITY, or the health of the will,
so seeing what is there is SANITY, or the health of the intellect."
Friday, January 20, 2006
Our Lady of Good Success
Recently I was reading about Our Lady of Good Success and Mother Mariana de Jesus and I felt inspired to make a novena. One of the things that especially drew me to this story is the presence of the Archangels, including St. Raphael, my patron saint. Our Lady of Good Success and Venerable Mother Mariana are very little known so I've included some links below for further reading.
By way of a quick summary, devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Good Success officially originated in Spain in the 1600's ... it has also long been approved by the bishops of Equador and supported by the Vatican, though it is now not popularly known. Mother Mariana, a Conceptionist Nun, helped to found a convent in Equador in the late 1500's. In apparitions that were later approved, Our Lady of Good Success appeared to her several times. A large part of these apparitions included visions of the late 19th and 20th century when terrible calamaties and scandals would rock the Church and the world. Mother Mariana has been declared Venerable in the first step towards her canonization, her case was presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the late 1980's under the direction of the Archbishop of Quito, Equador.
The novena to Our Lady of Good Success officially starts on January 24th (next Tues.) and ends February 2nd (Thur.), Feb. 2nd being the feast day of Our Lady of Good Success (which also happens to be the feast of Our Lord's Presentation and the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
links for further reading:
the story of Our Lady of Good Success
the admirable life of Mother Mariana and prophecies
the relation between the feast days of good success and purification
the link between St. Mariana and Mother Mariana (at first I had them confused)
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Excerpts from Horvat's book:
Our Lady speaking to Mother Mariana: "Woe to the world should it lack monasteries and convents! Men do not comprehend their importance, for, if they understood, they would do all in their power to multiply them, because in them can be found the remedy for all physical and moral evils... No one on the face of the earth is aware whence comes the salvation of souls, the conversion of great sinners, the end of great scourges, the fertility of the land, the end of pestilence and wars, and the harmony between nations. All this is due to the prayers that rise up from monasteries and convents." ...
The Lord assured Mother Mariana that He was greatly pleased by those souls who take upon themselves the sublime task of suffering for the sanctification of the Clergy by means of their prayers, sacrifices and penances, and promised such souls a special glory in Heaven.
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By way of a quick summary, devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Good Success officially originated in Spain in the 1600's ... it has also long been approved by the bishops of Equador and supported by the Vatican, though it is now not popularly known. Mother Mariana, a Conceptionist Nun, helped to found a convent in Equador in the late 1500's. In apparitions that were later approved, Our Lady of Good Success appeared to her several times. A large part of these apparitions included visions of the late 19th and 20th century when terrible calamaties and scandals would rock the Church and the world. Mother Mariana has been declared Venerable in the first step towards her canonization, her case was presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the late 1980's under the direction of the Archbishop of Quito, Equador.
The novena to Our Lady of Good Success officially starts on January 24th (next Tues.) and ends February 2nd (Thur.), Feb. 2nd being the feast day of Our Lady of Good Success (which also happens to be the feast of Our Lord's Presentation and the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
links for further reading:
the story of Our Lady of Good Success
the admirable life of Mother Mariana and prophecies
the relation between the feast days of good success and purification
the link between St. Mariana and Mother Mariana (at first I had them confused)
-------
Excerpts from Horvat's book:
Our Lady speaking to Mother Mariana: "Woe to the world should it lack monasteries and convents! Men do not comprehend their importance, for, if they understood, they would do all in their power to multiply them, because in them can be found the remedy for all physical and moral evils... No one on the face of the earth is aware whence comes the salvation of souls, the conversion of great sinners, the end of great scourges, the fertility of the land, the end of pestilence and wars, and the harmony between nations. All this is due to the prayers that rise up from monasteries and convents." ...
The Lord assured Mother Mariana that He was greatly pleased by those souls who take upon themselves the sublime task of suffering for the sanctification of the Clergy by means of their prayers, sacrifices and penances, and promised such souls a special glory in Heaven.
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Sunday, January 01, 2006
Question & Answer
"Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God so that I may do it?" ~Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680)
"A soul can do nothing that is more pleasing to God than to receive Communion in the state of grace." ~St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
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"A soul can do nothing that is more pleasing to God than to receive Communion in the state of grace." ~St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
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Monthly devotions
Special devotions for months:
January -- Month of the Holy Name
February -- Month of the Passion of Our Lord
March -- Month of St. Joseph
April -- Month of the Holy Eucharist
May -- Month of Our Lady
June -- Month of the Sacred Heart
July -- Month of the Most Precious Blood
August -- Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
September -- Month of Our Lady of Sorrows
October -- Month of the Most Holy Rosary
November -- Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
December -- Month of the Divine Infancy
[copied from TAN Book's 2006 Calendar]
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January -- Month of the Holy Name
February -- Month of the Passion of Our Lord
March -- Month of St. Joseph
April -- Month of the Holy Eucharist
May -- Month of Our Lady
June -- Month of the Sacred Heart
July -- Month of the Most Precious Blood
August -- Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
September -- Month of Our Lady of Sorrows
October -- Month of the Most Holy Rosary
November -- Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
December -- Month of the Divine Infancy
[copied from TAN Book's 2006 Calendar]
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