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The Way of the Cross

by Filed Under: Lent, Picture Recap, Stations of the Cross 2 Comments

We adore Thee O Christ and we praise Thee ~ Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

3.18 stations of the cross papi 3.19 stations of the cross

3.18 papi with rosary JOY

3.18 – We pray the Stations of the Cross in front of our home altar when we are unable to make it to mass.  We use The Way of the Cross for Children and these wonderful candles.

~~~

Stabat Mater

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last:
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Lo! the piercing sword had passed!

O how sad, and sore distressed,
Now was she, that Mother Blessed
Of the Sole-begotten One;
Woe-begone, with heart’s prostration,
Mother meek, the bitter Passion
Saw she of her glorious son

Who could mark, from tears refraining,
Christ’s dear Mother uncomplaining,
In so great a sorrow bowed?
Who, unmoved, behold her languish
Underneath His Cross of anguish,
‘Mid the fierce, unpitying crowd?

For His people’s sins rejected,
She her Jesus, unprotected,
Saw with thorns, with scourges rent;
Saw her Son from judgment taken,
Her beloved in death forsaken,
Till His Spirit forth He sent.

Fount of love and holy sorrow,
Mother! may my spirit borrow
Somewhat of thy woe profound;
Unto Christ, with pure emotion,
Raise my contrite heart’s devotion,
Love to read in every Wound.

Those five Wounds on Jesus smitten,
Mother! in my heart be written,
Deep as in thine won they be:
Thou, my Savior’s cross who bearest,
Thou, thy Son’s rebuke who sharest,
Let me share them both with thee!

In the Passion of my Maker
Be my sinful soul partaker,
Weep till death, and weep with thee;
Mine with thee be that sad station,
There to watch the great Salvation
Wrought upon the atoning Tree.

Virgin thou of virgins fairest,
May the bitter woe thou sharest
Make on me impression deep:
Thus Christ’s dying may I carry,
With Him in His Passion tarry,
And His wounds in memory keep.

May His Wounds transfix me wholly,
May His Cross and Life Blood holy
Ebriate my heart and mind;
Thus inflamed with pure affection,
In the Virgin’s Son protection
May I at the judgment find.

When in death my limbs are failing,
Let Thy Mother’s prayer prevailing
Lift me, Jesus! to Thy throne;
To my parting soul be given
Entrance through the gate of Heaven,
There confess me for Thine own.
Amen.

How to Attend Mass

by Filed Under: Holy Mass, Meditation

My dear love sent me a love note (email) this morning.  He attached a beautiful reflection/letter from Fr. Padre Pio.

Below is a snippet of the letter.  The letter is from St. Padre Pio to Annita Rodote – Pietrelcina, July 25, 1915.  The full letter is taken from Volume III of Padre Pio’s Letters, "Correspondence with his Spiritual Daughters (1915-1923)" and can be found here.

~~~

Comportment at Holy Mass and Afterwards

…Enter the church in silence and with great respect, considering yourself unworthy to appear before the Lord’s Majesty.  Amongst other pious considerations, remember that our soul is the temple of God and, as such, we must keep it pure and spotless before God and his angels. Let us blush for having given access to the devil and his snares many times (with his enticements to the world, his pomp, his calling to the flesh) by not being able to keep our hearts pure and our bodies chaste; for having allowed our enemies to insinuate themselves into our hearts, thus desecrating the temple of God which we became through holy Baptism.

Then take holy water and make the sign of the cross carefully and slowly.

As soon as you are before God in the Blessed Sacrament, devoutly genuflect.  Once you have found your place, kneel down and render the tribute of your presence and devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  Confide all your needs to him along with those of others.  Speak to him with filial abandonment, give free rein to your heart and give him complete freedom to work in you as he thinks best.

When assisting at Holy Mass and the sacred functions, be very composed when standing up, kneeling down, and sitting, and carry out every religious act with the greatest devotion.  Be modest in your glances; don’t turn your head here and there to see who enters and leaves.  Don’t laugh, out of reverence for this holy place and also out of respect for those who are near you.  Try not to speak to anybody, except when charity or strict necessity requests this.

If you pray with others, say the words of the prayer distinctly, observe the pauses well and never hurry.

In short, behave in such a way that all present are edified by it and, through you, are urged to glorify and love the heavenly Father.

On leaving the church, you should be recollected and calm.   Firstly take your leave of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; ask his forgiveness for the shortcomings committed in his divine presence and do not leave him without asking for and having received his paternal blessing.

Once you are outside the church, be as every follower of the Nazarene should be.  Above all, be extremely modest in everything, as this is the virtue which, more than any other, reveals the affections of the heart.  Nothing represents an object more faithfully or clearly than a mirror.  In the same way, nothing more widely represents the good or bad qualities of a soul than the greater or lesser regulation of the exterior, as when one appears more or less modest.  You must be modest in speech, modest in laughter, modest in your bearing, modest in walking.   All this must be practiced, not out of vanity in order to display one’s self, nor out of hypocrisy in order to appear to be good to the eyes of others, but rather, for the internal virtue of modesty, which regulates the external workings of the body.

Therefore, be humble of heart, circumspect in words, prudent in your resolutions.  Always be sparing in your speech, assiduous in good reading, attentive in your work, modest in your conversation.  Don’t be disgusting to anybody but be benevolent towards all and respectful towards your elders.   May any sinister glance be far from you, may no daring word escape your lips, may you never carry out any immodest or somewhat free action; never a rather free action or a petulant tone of voice.

In short let your whole exterior be a vivid image of the composure of your soul…

~ Fra Pio, Capuchin

Viva San Giuseppe

by Filed Under: 03 March, 03 March Saints, Dad, Patron Saint, St. Joseph

On March 19th, the Festa San Giuseppe takes place. Although traditionally it began in Sicily, the Feast of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph) is now celebrated throughout most of Italy. According to legend, during the Middle Ages a terrible drought and famine plagued the people of Sicily. It virtually destroyed most of their crops and many people in the western part of Sicily died of starvation. The people began praying to St. Joseph and begged for his intercession to their plight. In return they promised to celebrate his feast day by having special altars abundant in food that would be shared with all people rich and poor as their thanksgiving to him.image

This is dad’s family crest from his maternal grandfather.

~~~

We had a simple celebration for the feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Virgin Mary.  We honored our earthly father (husband) and St. Joseph.

dad with his treat

Sparkles coordinated a surprise for dad.  She led her siblings in a St. Joseph procession around the house.  Then she presented dad with his treat, a yummy peanut butter, and chocolate, caramel ice-cream sundae.

dad's treatWe had not planned to create a St. Joseph’s Altar but we decided to improvise while dad went out for an errand.  Our St. Joseph Altar was simple and non-traditional.

We placed some of dad’s favorites on the altar.  It was our first official break in our Lenten fast.  Dad was elated to see what we worked on for him in honor of St. Joseph.  All, including Papa & Nana, enjoyed it.

dad's st joseph's altar

Sparkles invented a sweet game for the feast of St. Joseph.  She hid St. Joseph’s heart (chocolate heart candies) in the sawdust (breadcrumbs).  Everyone took turns finding his heart in the sawdust.  Papi (3) loved this game and insisted he needed more hearts.

May St. Joseph Always Smile Upon Us.

 

~~~San Giuseppe

 “Day after day, at home in the carpenter’s shop, his eyes rested on Jesus: he  protected Him against the dangers of childhood; he guided His advancing years, and by hard work and with religious devotedness he provided for the increasing needs of the Mother and the Son… And there was Joseph, modest, self effacing, yet exercising authority over the family.  How holy he must have been!  Under his fatherly protection and ceaseless tireless care the young Boy grew into manhood…Don’t you think that now in heaven he is the same loving father and guardian of the whole Church, of all its members, as he was of its Head on earth?  We hear your answer; Yes.  And does he not know that oh so many of its children are terribly in need of help?  They need help for their souls – grace of repentance, the grace of humble, unstinted surrender to the holy will of God; and Joseph turns to Jesus, of old his Boy of Nazareth and at once graces flow abundantly for the souls of men.”  ~ Fr.  Gilsdorf, Go to Joseph

 

 

~~~

2011blogfest

Lenten Resolution Renewal

by Filed Under: Lent, Meditation

I am finding it necessary for me to renew my Lenten resolutions on a regular basis.  My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
Below is an excerpt from a sermon on Audio Sancto.  It has helped me stay firm in my resolve.

+AMDG+
~~~
Lent: Our Spiritual Tithe – Audio Sancto Sermon  Romans10seventeen.org
It is urgent that we return to the pristine spirit of the great fast, which is so badly needed, in our materialistic world.

Corporal: (external practices)

  • Take less of what you like today and more of what you dislike at meals today.
  • Take nothing to drink between meals.
  • Do not use seasoning on your food today.
  • Do not use any sweeteners with your food or drinks today.
  • Avoid listening to the radio at all today.
  • Take nothing to eat between meals today.
  • Avoid any TV or videos, instead, read the passion of the Christ in your bible or missal.
  • Take only one helping of each item at meals today.
  • Say an extra rosary.

Spiritual: (internal practices)

  • Don’t do any unnecessary talking instead say little prayers, aspiration throughout the day – My Jesus Mercy.
  • Exercise your patience today in all things.
  • Don’t make any complaints today.
  • Restrain any anger and go out of your way to be kind to the person who caused you anger.
  • Don’t be distracted with someone else’s business.
  • Avoid any gossip today. Instead, say an extra rosary to overcome this great fall.
  • When asked to do something extra, do it with a joyful and pleasant attitude today.
  • Speak in a pleasant tone to everyone today.
  • Avoid using the phone today.
  • Tell the truth in all your dealings today.
  • Avoid any vanity or self-seeking today.

Practices to Grow in Virtue & Good Works:

  • Practice humility today in all your actions.
  • Be generous today. Help someone in need.
  • Look for ways to be helpful throughout the day.
  • Do a job that needs to be done without being asked.
  • Be courageous, walk away from any impure situations today.
  • Don’t be idle at all today, always be doing something for others or for your spiritual growth.
  • Go out of your way today to help or talk to someone who is usually difficult.
  • Volunteer for an extra job today.
  • Say an extra rosary today for the conversion of a sinner.
  • Visit someone who is sick or lonesome today and offer to say the rosary with them
Pray & Sacrifice
I resolve to have the holiest Lent that I’ve ever had.
~~~

Second Sunday in Lent

by Filed Under: Lent

[trasfigurazione.jpg]

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / PURPLE

Knowing what Christ taught and lived, we perceive the contrast between what we are and what we are meant to be. What we are, if patiently accepted, is a help toward that Christian humility which is the foundation of personal holiness. Original sin and personal sins have upset our inner harmony. Still, even though appetites are greedy, they are not our masters.
"God has called us unto holiness" — that is, to be mature, balanced, happy Christians who share the responsibility of bringing persons of every race to holiness in Christ. Inner transformation ought to shine outwardly in apostolic zeal. resurrection to glory is life’s reward.

~~~

GOSPEL Matth. 17. 1-9.
Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
[Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Thabor: manifestation of the divinity of Jesus.]

   At that time Jesus took Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then Peter answering said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they, lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man till the Son of Man be risen from the dead.

~~~

The below meditation is taken from Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s – The Church’s Year.

Grant, O God, that I may live an honest, chaste and holy life in accordance with my vocation, and go not after earthly and carnal pleasures, as the heathens who know Thee not.image

Why was Christ transfigured in the presence of His apostles on Mount Thabor?

To permit them to see the glorious majesty of His divinity; to guard them from doubts when they should afterwards see Him die on Mount Calvary; to encourage the disciples and all the faithful to be patient in all crosses and afflictions, for the bodies of the just at the resurrection will be made like the glorified body of Christ. (Phil. III. 21.)

Why did Moses and Elias appear there?

That they might testify, that Jesus was really the Saviour announced by the law and the prophets, and that the law and the prophets received fulfillment in Him. The former was represented by Moses, the latter by Elias.

Why, did Peter wish to build three tabernacles there?

The delightful sweetness of the apparition in which Jesus made him participator so enraptured him, that he knew not what he said, not considering that glory can be attained only through sufferings, the crown through fight, joy through crosses and afflictions.

ASPIRATION Draw us, O Jesus, to Thee, that by the contemplation of the sacred joys awaiting us, we, by Thy grace, may not be defeated in the spiritual contest, but conquer through Thy grace and carry off the unfading crown of victory.

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