Ijournal entry 040416 #14. April, month of the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Spirit. Maxim by Helen Keller. Quotes from St. Bonaventure, St. Isaac of Syria, and St. Rose Duchesne. "Prayer for the Conversion of the Infidels", by of St. Francis Xavier. "Eastertide", Fisheaters. "Sacrificed to God: The Mystery of Holy Easter", by Rev. Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo.
This tradition has developed because Easter Sunday often falls in April, and when it does fall in March, the Easter season continues on through all of April. In essence, April is a month of Easter, and during the Easter celebration we remember the Eucharistic sacrifice Christ gave us and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which would come after Jesus's resurrection".
Info from this site:
http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/monthly-dedications-of-the-church-year/article/184/sort/relevance/productsperpage/12/layout/grid/currentpage/1/keywords/missal,%20magnificat,%20calendar
Info from this site:
http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/monthly-dedications-of-the-church-year/article/184/sort/relevance/productsperpage/12/layout/grid/currentpage/1/keywords/missal,%20magnificat,%20calendar
"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship". By Helen Keller
MTA= When we fully surrender to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us, we have mastered the art of spiritual sailing.
MTA= When we fully surrender to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us, we have mastered the art of spiritual sailing.
🔴 "When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than the proceedings from the mouth." By St. Bonaventure
🔵 "What is a merciful heart? It is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity, for the birds, for the animals, for demons, and for all that exists. By the recollection of them the eyes of a merciful person pour forth tears in abundance. By the strong and vehement (i.e. passionate) mercy that grips such a person's heart, and by such great compassion, the heart is humbled and one cannot bear to hear or to see any injury or slight sorrow in any in creation". By St. Isaac of Syria
⚫️ "We may not understand his will for us in time, but in eternity the veil will be drawn and we shall see that he acted only for our happiness". By St. Rose Duchesne
🔵 "What is a merciful heart? It is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity, for the birds, for the animals, for demons, and for all that exists. By the recollection of them the eyes of a merciful person pour forth tears in abundance. By the strong and vehement (i.e. passionate) mercy that grips such a person's heart, and by such great compassion, the heart is humbled and one cannot bear to hear or to see any injury or slight sorrow in any in creation". By St. Isaac of Syria
⚫️ "We may not understand his will for us in time, but in eternity the veil will be drawn and we shall see that he acted only for our happiness". By St. Rose Duchesne
Sharing a snapshot from Holy Saturday. It was my first time attending
a prayer vigil from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in reparation with the Blessed Mother, sharing in her abandonment and sorrow while she waits the resurrection of Jesus, her Divine Son. One year was led to spend Holy Thursday with her, by keeping company privately interiorly in moments all during the evening and waking moments at night. It was such a grace filled time.
Later in the evening on Holy Saturday, reading was on my agenda. Something from the book "Divine Intimacy", caused me to spend a little more time than usual to reflect. The part being shared led to a little meditation of my own. After reading Fr. Gabriel Magdalen's writings, it's pondering time, then on to writing my response.
Fr. Gabriel Magdalen, O.C.D. # 121
"💠Jesus lived for 33 years subject to Blessed Mary and St. Joseph, recognizing His Father's authority in theirs.
💠To follow Jesus means to carry out fully His invitations.
💠 Nothing is dearer to man than the freedom of his own will, so the greatest act of renunciation that man can make is the sacrifice of his liberty. Surrendering the freedom of his own will, by which he is master of himself, he renounces himself. Therefore St. Thomas says that the vow of obedience is the greatest and most meritorious sacrifice man can offer God.
💠Every man is free to govern himself according to his own judgment, having received the liberty from God. Voluntarily offering it as a free holocaust for God's glory, honors God.
💠He who hears you, hears me, teach me to forget my own will.
a prayer vigil from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in reparation with the Blessed Mother, sharing in her abandonment and sorrow while she waits the resurrection of Jesus, her Divine Son. One year was led to spend Holy Thursday with her, by keeping company privately interiorly in moments all during the evening and waking moments at night. It was such a grace filled time.
Later in the evening on Holy Saturday, reading was on my agenda. Something from the book "Divine Intimacy", caused me to spend a little more time than usual to reflect. The part being shared led to a little meditation of my own. After reading Fr. Gabriel Magdalen's writings, it's pondering time, then on to writing my response.
Fr. Gabriel Magdalen, O.C.D. # 121
"💠Jesus lived for 33 years subject to Blessed Mary and St. Joseph, recognizing His Father's authority in theirs.
💠To follow Jesus means to carry out fully His invitations.
💠 Nothing is dearer to man than the freedom of his own will, so the greatest act of renunciation that man can make is the sacrifice of his liberty. Surrendering the freedom of his own will, by which he is master of himself, he renounces himself. Therefore St. Thomas says that the vow of obedience is the greatest and most meritorious sacrifice man can offer God.
💠Every man is free to govern himself according to his own judgment, having received the liberty from God. Voluntarily offering it as a free holocaust for God's glory, honors God.
💠He who hears you, hears me, teach me to forget my own will.
💠St Teresa said: Once I am master if myself, I will be able to consecrate myself perfectly to You by offering you a pure will, for you to unite to your own.
My Response
2 major points
🌰a) Able to see how we can show thanks to the Lord for what He has just accomplished for us by His Passion, Death and Resurrection
🌰b) It's very clear how powerfully our Blessed Mother Mary can come to our aid.
My meditation
Jesus lived for 33 years subject to Blessed Mary and St. Joseph because He recognized His Father's authority in theirs. Based on that fact, it might be a good reason why she can be such a powerful intercessor for us. A very valuable ally to have at our side is a mother who is in a perfect relationship with her most obedient son. Since the relationship of Mother and Son, continues unbroken, in that context Jesus is still subject to her. Our Lady being full of grace, she will not err against the Father's will in any form or fashion. Jesus kindly obliges us, and in a way of sorts He is subject to us in the Holy Eucharist.
His love is great for His Mother, and as He helps and works things out, making us happy, how much more, the Immaculate Holy Pure one, the Blessed Daughter of the Father, and the Spouse of the Holy Spirit and St. Joseph who is most Just and Chaste. We really have first rate help when the Blessed Virgin Mary is on our side, because her Son listens to her. Like at Cana, she make notice what we need before we even approach her, and be instrumental in helping us overcome.
Reading also from Fr. Gabriel Magdalen that St.Teresa said: 'Once I am master of myself, I will be able to consecrate myself perfectly to You by offering you a pure will, for you to unite to your own'. That led me to see that offering to Jesus daily a pure will, as best as possible, is the perfect "thank you" for all He has done.
This is an Easter gift, a key that can unlock the door to perfection: For it will be a done deal to achieve perfection if we desire and want it. If we consecrate ourselves in spirit and truth to Jesus and offer Him our desires and efforts, He alone is able to take the pennies and the nickels and give a return in dollars. The purchasing price can be completed, so the goods can then be ours. It won't be by power , not by might , but by the spirit.
Zechariah 4:6 New American Standard Bible "Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts" |
Seems it's for us to desire more, and daily to constantly offer up our weak efforts. It's to say yes to God more and more in little things, then the fabulous palace of perfection will be ours because it will be He who is abiding within that will be the work horse carrying the load of silver and gold graces to our soul, to complete the mission.
"Prayer for the Conversion of the Infidels", by of St. Francis Xavier
1 Timothy 2:1 Douay-Rheims Bible "I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men" |
"Eternal God, Creator of all things, remember that Thou alone didst create the souls of infidels, framing them to Thine own image and likeness; behold, O Lord, how, to Thy dishonor, hell is daily replenished with them. Remember, O Lord, Thine only Son, Jesus Christ, Who suffered for them, most bountifully shedding His precious blood. Suffer not, O Lord, Thy Son and our Lord to be any longer despised by infidels. But, rather, being appeased by the entreaties and prayers of the elect, the saints, and of the Church, the most blessed spouse of Thy Son; be mindful of Thy mercy, yet forgetful of their idolatry and infidelity. Cause all to know Him Whom Thou didst send, Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, Who is our health, life, and resurrection, through Whom we are freed and saved, to Whom be all glory forever. Amen."
"Eastertide", Fisheaters
Info form this site
http://fisheaters.com/customseastertide1.html
👉🏼"Theme: The Resurrection
👉🏼Color: White or Gold
👉🏼Mood: Joy
👉🏼Symbols: empty tomb, the Paschal Candle, egg, peacock, lamb, phoenix, bells, butterflies, flowers
👉🏼Length: Easter Sunday - Vespers of Trinity Sunday
Easter, which begins this Season, is the greatest Feast of the year for Christ is risen!
🌂The alleluia, which was omitted from the Mass since Septuagesima,
returned at Vespers on Holy Saturday, and is now heard after every Introit, Antiphon verse, and Response.
🌂The Vidi Aquam replaces the Aspèrges,
VIDI AQUAM = The hymn I Beheld Water, sung as antiphon in the Easter season in place of the Asperges. The opening words are based on Ezekiel 47; the verse is Psalm 117:1 (Vulgate).
Aspèrges ='The rite of sprinkling the congregation with holy water before the principal Mass on Sunday, so called from the words intoned at the beginning of the ceremony, taken from Psalm 1, throughout the year except at Easter-tide, when Vidi aquam, from Psalm 117, is intoned. It precedes every other ceremony that may take place before the Mass, such as the blessing of palms or of candles. It is performed by the celebrant priest wearing vestments of the liturgical colour of the day. It is omitted when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, though many rubricists think that the sprinkling of the altar only, not of the congregation, should then be omitted. After intoning the antiphon the priest recites the psalmMiserere or Confitemini, according to the season, sprinkling first the front and platform of the altar, then himself, next the ministers and choir, and lastly the congregation, usually walking through the main part of the church, though he need not go beyond the gate of the sanctuary or choir. The ceremony has been in use at least from the tenth century, growing out of the custom of early antiquity of blessing water for the faithful on Sundays. Its object is to prepare the congregation for the celebration of the Mass by moving them to sentiments of penance and reverence suggested by the words of the fiftieth psalm, or by impressing on them that they are about to assist at the sacrifice of our redemption as suggested in the psalm used at Easter time'.
🌂The Regina Coeli replaces the Angelus.
Regina Coeli = Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. / For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia. / Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. / For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
🌂The Paschal candle remains lit in the Sanctuary until Ascension Thursday, and like the Christ Candle during the Twelve Days of Christmas, we have a Paschal Candle in our homes, too, until the Ascension (see the page on Easter Sunday for more on the Paschal Candle).
🌂...and the Lenten fast is over!
🌂During this Season, we are obliged to receive the Eucharist to fulfill the Church precept that we receive the Eucharist at least once a year. During Lent, most of us have already fulfilled the precept to go to Confession at least once a year, but if we haven't, we can do that now.
🌂During the Octave of Easter, we greet each other (and even answer our telephones) with the triumphant "Christus resurrexit!" (Christ is risen!) to which comes the response "Et apparuit Simoni, alleluia" (and appeared unto Simon, alleluia!). This joyous greeting totally crystallizes the mood of this season. This triumphant attitude is also shown by the replacing of the Angelus with the Regina Coeli throughout Paschaltide.
A note on terminology: The word "Easter" is actually a word rooted in the name either of an alleged Teutonic goddess (Eostre) or, more probably, from the name "Eostur" meaning the "season of rising" and indicating springtime. It is only used in the English language. It came into use because the month of April was known in Anglo-Saxon countries as easter-monadh, and Eastur became an old Germanic word meaning springtime. Other languages have different names for Easter -- "Pascha" (Latin and Greek), "Pasqua" (Italian), "Pascua" (Spanish), "Paschen" (Dutch), Pasg (Welsh), etc. -- all of which derives from the Hebrew word "Pesach" meaning "Passover."
The point is that the claim that "Easter is a pagan holiday" because of the word "Easter" is ridiculous. The English word for it might have pagan origins deriving from Eostre and/or the word for springtime, but the Solemnity is rooted in the Old Testament Pesach which was fulfilled at the Crucifixion which gave us the fruits of the Resurrection. In addition, all the names for the days of the week are "pagan" in origin, too. Sunday is named for the Sun; Monday for the Moon; Tuesday for god Tiu, Wednesday for Woden, Thursday for Thor, Friday for Freya, and Saturday for Saturn, so anyone who balks at celebrating "Easter" because of its "pagan origins" had better not refer to the days of the week by their English names!"
Info form this site
http://fisheaters.com/customseastertide1.html
👉🏼"Theme: The Resurrection
👉🏼Color: White or Gold
👉🏼Mood: Joy
👉🏼Symbols: empty tomb, the Paschal Candle, egg, peacock, lamb, phoenix, bells, butterflies, flowers
👉🏼Length: Easter Sunday - Vespers of Trinity Sunday
Easter, which begins this Season, is the greatest Feast of the year for Christ is risen!
🌂The alleluia, which was omitted from the Mass since Septuagesima,
returned at Vespers on Holy Saturday, and is now heard after every Introit, Antiphon verse, and Response.
🌂The Vidi Aquam replaces the Aspèrges,
VIDI AQUAM = The hymn I Beheld Water, sung as antiphon in the Easter season in place of the Asperges. The opening words are based on Ezekiel 47; the verse is Psalm 117:1 (Vulgate).
Aspèrges ='The rite of sprinkling the congregation with holy water before the principal Mass on Sunday, so called from the words intoned at the beginning of the ceremony, taken from Psalm 1, throughout the year except at Easter-tide, when Vidi aquam, from Psalm 117, is intoned. It precedes every other ceremony that may take place before the Mass, such as the blessing of palms or of candles. It is performed by the celebrant priest wearing vestments of the liturgical colour of the day. It is omitted when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, though many rubricists think that the sprinkling of the altar only, not of the congregation, should then be omitted. After intoning the antiphon the priest recites the psalmMiserere or Confitemini, according to the season, sprinkling first the front and platform of the altar, then himself, next the ministers and choir, and lastly the congregation, usually walking through the main part of the church, though he need not go beyond the gate of the sanctuary or choir. The ceremony has been in use at least from the tenth century, growing out of the custom of early antiquity of blessing water for the faithful on Sundays. Its object is to prepare the congregation for the celebration of the Mass by moving them to sentiments of penance and reverence suggested by the words of the fiftieth psalm, or by impressing on them that they are about to assist at the sacrifice of our redemption as suggested in the psalm used at Easter time'.
🌂The Regina Coeli replaces the Angelus.
Regina Coeli = Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. / For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as he said, alleluia. / Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. / For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
🌂The Paschal candle remains lit in the Sanctuary until Ascension Thursday, and like the Christ Candle during the Twelve Days of Christmas, we have a Paschal Candle in our homes, too, until the Ascension (see the page on Easter Sunday for more on the Paschal Candle).
🌂...and the Lenten fast is over!
🌂During this Season, we are obliged to receive the Eucharist to fulfill the Church precept that we receive the Eucharist at least once a year. During Lent, most of us have already fulfilled the precept to go to Confession at least once a year, but if we haven't, we can do that now.
🌂During the Octave of Easter, we greet each other (and even answer our telephones) with the triumphant "Christus resurrexit!" (Christ is risen!) to which comes the response "Et apparuit Simoni, alleluia" (and appeared unto Simon, alleluia!). This joyous greeting totally crystallizes the mood of this season. This triumphant attitude is also shown by the replacing of the Angelus with the Regina Coeli throughout Paschaltide.
A note on terminology: The word "Easter" is actually a word rooted in the name either of an alleged Teutonic goddess (Eostre) or, more probably, from the name "Eostur" meaning the "season of rising" and indicating springtime. It is only used in the English language. It came into use because the month of April was known in Anglo-Saxon countries as easter-monadh, and Eastur became an old Germanic word meaning springtime. Other languages have different names for Easter -- "Pascha" (Latin and Greek), "Pasqua" (Italian), "Pascua" (Spanish), "Paschen" (Dutch), Pasg (Welsh), etc. -- all of which derives from the Hebrew word "Pesach" meaning "Passover."
The point is that the claim that "Easter is a pagan holiday" because of the word "Easter" is ridiculous. The English word for it might have pagan origins deriving from Eostre and/or the word for springtime, but the Solemnity is rooted in the Old Testament Pesach which was fulfilled at the Crucifixion which gave us the fruits of the Resurrection. In addition, all the names for the days of the week are "pagan" in origin, too. Sunday is named for the Sun; Monday for the Moon; Tuesday for god Tiu, Wednesday for Woden, Thursday for Thor, Friday for Freya, and Saturday for Saturn, so anyone who balks at celebrating "Easter" because of its "pagan origins" had better not refer to the days of the week by their English names!"
"Sacrificed to God: The Mystery of Holy Easter", by Rev. Deacon Sabatino Carnazzo
Link to Video:
http://www.instituteofcatholicculture.org/sacrificed-to-god-the-mystery-of-holy-easter/
Link to Video:
http://www.instituteofcatholicculture.org/sacrificed-to-god-the-mystery-of-holy-easter/