Happy Feast Day St. Benedict! Thanks to all who joined in praying the novena to St. Benedict. To celebrate the feast day, you can visit The GIG's virtual library and download a PDF copy of the book: "The Holy Rule of St. Benedict", if you so please.
I place my trust in You, O adorable Blood, our Redemption, our regeneration. Fall, drop by drop, into the hearts that have wandered from You and soften their hardness.
O adorable Blood of Jesus, wash our stains, save us from the anger of the avenging angel. Irrigate the Church; make her fruitful with Apostles and miracle-workers, enrich her with souls that are holy, pure and radiant with divine beauty". By St. Albert the Great
MTA= Can surely testify to this one, and give a big "amen" to the validity of that maxim. Once at a conference people were talking too much around me, so the decision was made to move a couple of rows up where no one was sitting. Here comes a large person who sat about three seats from me, and the person started shaking their leg and all the seats were vibrating. Good Lord, a bad move. After a while, in between speakers, thought it would be a good idea to go over to the section where no one was seated, on the far opposite side. Well, that to, proved to be disastrous. Someone walked over to this area with a crying baby, probably trying to avoid the crowded section. That was a lesson for me in the future to endure and stay put, because you can run, but you sure can't hide.
⚫️ “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” St. Augustine of Hippo
⚪️ "I never shrink from any undertaking which I know is good and necessary, no matter what the difficulties. If, for example, I must see some unfriendly important person, I don’t hesitate, but first I recite a Hail Mary. I do the same before calling on anybody. Then, come what may, I do my best and leave the rest to The Lord". By St. John Bosco
The reason why these sentences were note worthy was probably due to what unfolded after receiving the Eucharist one day. The thought surfaces about Jesus being my personal "Simon". That was not the first time that concept unfolded, the following describes the first time this thought came to mind, it started with an email meditation post from the diary of Divine Mercy by St. Faustina}
🔗 Diary, 1767 Conference on Sacrifice and Prayer:
"All its power rests in the will, and so these contrary feelings, far from lowering the value of the sacrifice in My eyes, will enhance it. Know that your body and soul will often be in the midst of fire. Although you will not feel My presence on some occasions, I will always be with you. Do not fear; My grace will be with you ..."
🔗 After reading this the following thoughts flowed into mind about how Jesus is forever our "Simon". All the crosses we carry, small and great alike, we would never be able to make it without the assistance of God's grace. We would never, ever be able to carry on if Jesus wasn't at our our side, day and night. Did He not promise to be with us always?
Psalm 23:1-6 "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths* for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy* will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days" |
Later on at Mass, after communion this is what is flooded my mind:
What more do you want? Am I not by your side, is this not enough for you? Why is it that you desire humans, when I am always with you? Just like Simon helped me carry the cross, I am here to help you in your time of need. I never fail in providing someone or something at the appointed time. I am the Good Shepherd, and thou shalt not want. If there is a want, it is provided for. If no provisions are forthcoming, then it is to be as it is. Trust that all is working for good, especially spiritually, for which with your soul,there will be no end.
After Mass, the next stop was the Adoration Chapel. The last line of my response to what was written in Holy Hour was confirmed after coming home and reading something written by St. Margaret Mary in one of her letters. We both closed in the same way: "in time and in eternity". It's
amazing how the Holy Spirit orders and directs our steps.
Holy Hour Visit
To trust in me is to rest peacefully in my most Sacred Heart. There you will find mercy and love, for graces unlocks all benifits to the most unworthy. I am like a beggar, pleading with souls to take refuge in my most Sacred Heart. Love clears away all obstacles of fear, worry, and anxiety. Become perfect in love. My child, I am yours, be mine in spirit and in truth.
Turned at random to Revelation 7, the following verses stood out:
Dear God, have your own way with me. To you be the honor and the glory forever and ever. Deliver me, that I might truly be delivered, save me, that I truly might be saved. Blessed be your name forever, thy kingdom come, thy will be done by all in time and in eternity.
After reading what St. Margaret Mary said, it struck me how saints think, verses our thoughts (let me be clear and emphasize: MY THOUGHTS). How their desires are light years away from my desires. It helps me to see how it's time, past time, for stepping it up, and praying to respond to grace, for sure there are no lack in graces, for they are being provided to one and to all.
Sister Margaret Mary: "A word about the blessings with which His goodness is favoring me at present. I can only describe them by saying that my whole life, body and soul, is nothing but a cross. Yet I cannot complain, nor do I desire any consolation than that of not having any in this world and of living hidden away in Jesus Christ crucified, suffering and unknown, so that no one will have any compassion on me nor remember me except to increase my suffering... In time and eternity, in the Sacred Love of Jesus, I shall be Sister Margaret Mary
Blessed be God!"
The third confirmation unfolded before the day was over, around 10:50 PM, when Mark Mallett's post was read which contained another confirming scripture:
Ezekiel 34:1-11; 11-12 "Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: I swear I am coming against these shepherds I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths… For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark…" |
"Yesterday I promised to write about the Blessing of St. Maurus Over the Sick. This is a blessing all Benedictine priests know to use with a sick person. It is different from prayers for the dying and the rituals the Church uses when someone is about to pass away. You can ask any priest or deacon to do this blessing over a sick person.
St. Maurus and St. Placidus were the first two disciples of St. Benedict, offered by their parents as young boys, as was the custom of noble families for centuries. Their feast day is October 5.
St. Gregory the Great wrote in his Life and Miracles of St. Benedict (Book Two of the Dialogues) about St. Benedict and his first two followers, including the story of how St. Maurus saved Placidus from drowning (he walked on water in obedience to St. Benedict) and the many miracles wrought by him in healing the sick. From this tradition the Blessing of St. Maurus arose, and today people often give blessed medals commemorating St. Maurus to friends and loved ones who are ill".
Blessing of St. Maurus Over the Sick
Info from this site: http://www.osb.org/gen/maurus/blessing.html
"Since it is frequently impossible to have a relic of the True Cross, the Sacred Congregation of Rites granted on 6 March 1959, at the request of Benno Cardinal Gut OSB, then Abbot Primate of the Order of St. Benedict, the permission to use the medal of St. Benedict in place of the relic of the True Cross to confer the Blessing of St. Maurus with the approved form as given below:
🖐🏼Efficacy of the Blessing
The blessing of Saint Maurus has its efficacy through the power of the sign of the Cross, the veneration of the relic of the true Cross of our Redeemer, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Benedict and St. Maurus, and the blessing of the Church. Innumerable facts attest that where the blessing of St. Maurus has been received with a lively faith, sincere contrition, and firm confidence in God, persons have been relieved of their bodily ills, sicknesses have been cured, and evident miracles have been wrought.
🖐🏼Form of the Blessing
Before the blessing is imparted, the relic of the true Cross of our Lord or the medal of St. Benedict is exposed, at least two candles having been lit. Acts of contrition and firm confidence should then be excited in the sick person, so that through the merits and intercession of St. Benedict and St. Maurus, if it should please God, health may be obtained. Three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory be's are recited in honor of the Blessed Trinity. Then a priest or deacon, having put on a stole, and with his right hand holding up the relic or the medal of St. Benedict before the sick person, says the following prayers:
V. Benediction and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor and power and strength to our God forever and ever.
R. Amen.
V. My foot has stood in the direct way.
R. In the churches I will bless You, O Lord.
🖐🏼Invocation
Through the invocation of the most holy name of the Lord may that faith, in which St. Maurus, by employing the words that follow, healed the sick, and in which I, though an unworthy sinner, utter the selfsame words, restore your health as you desire:
In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity and supported by the merits of the most holy Father Benedict, I bid you, N., to rise, stand upon your feet and be cured, in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
Antiphon. Surely He has borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: by His bruises we are healed.
V. He that forgives the iniquities of his creatures.
R. May He heal your infirmities.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray
O God, the Creator, of all things, You ordained that Your only Son should take flesh of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit for the restoration of your people and You deigned to heal the wounds and infirmities of our souls by the redemption accomplished upon the sacred and glorious wood of the life-giving Cross: do You also vouchsafe through this powerful sign to restore health to Your servant N.
Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus Christ, You conferred upon the master, blessed Benedict, the privilege of obtaining from You whatsoever he might ask in Your name: vouchsafe, through his intercession, to heal all the infirmities of this Your servant: in order that, being restored to health, he (she) may give thanks to Your holy name.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
✋🏽The Blessing
Through the invocation of the Immaculate Mother of God and ever Virgin Mary, and the intercession of Saints Benedict and Maurus, may the Power + of God the Father, the Wisdom + of God the Son, and the Strength + of the Holy Spirit free you from your infirmities. Amen.
May God's holy will be done, and may it be done to you as you wish and pray, for the praise and honor of the most holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The priest then blesses the sick person with the relic of the Cross or the medal of St. Benedict saying:
May the blessing of Almighty God, of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit descend upon you and abide with you forever.
R. Amen.
The sick person then kisses the relic or the medal of St. Benedict.
This blessing, if need be, may be repeated three times; also three votive Masses may be celebrated, namely in honor of the Passion, of St. Maurus, Abbot, and for the Poor Souls; otherwise the fifteen decades of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary are to be prayed according to the aforesaid intentions by the sick person, or by others in the person's name.
✋🏽Devotion to the Cross
The cross of Christ is the symbol of our redemption. By His death on the Cross, Christ redeemed the world and procured for us all blessings. We need not then be surprised to find among the Apostles a great love and veneration for the Cross. St. Paul says:
As the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ was the chief object of devotion among the early Christians, so it was also with St. Benedict, the Patriarch of Western monasticism, and his disciples. St. Benedict often used the sign of the Cross to work miracles and to overcome the devil and his temptations; and it was this devotion of the Saint to the Cross that gave rise to the Cross or Medal of St. Benedict. The sons of St. Benedict have inherited this veneration and love of the Cross from their spiritual Father. We see this especially exemplified in the life of St. Maurus, a disciple of St. Benedict, who cherished a great devotion to the Cross of Christ, and who employed it as powerful means for curing the sick."
Info from this site: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=26
"St. Benedict is believed to have been born around 480, as the son to a Roman noble of Norcia and the twin to his sister, Scholastica. In the fifth century, the young Benedict was sent to Rome to finish his education with a nurse/housekeeper. The subject that dominated a young man's study then was rhetoric -- the art of persuasive speaking. A successful speaker was not one who had the best argument or conveyed the truth, but one who used rhythm, eloquence, and technique to convince. The power of the voice without foundation in the heart was the goal of the student's education. And that philosophy was reflected in the lives of the students as well. They had everything -- education, wealth, youth -- and they spent all of it in the pursuit of pleasure, not truth. Benedict watched in horror as vice unraveled the lives and ethics of his companions. Afraid for his soul, Benedict fled Rome, gave up his inheritance and lived in a small village with his nurse. When God called him beyond this quiet life to an even deeper solitude, he went to the mountains of Subiaco. Although becoming a hermit was not his purpose in leaving, there he lived as a hermit under the direction of another hermit, Romanus.
One day, during his time living in a cave above a lake as a hermit, the Devil presented Benedict's imagination with a beautiful, tempting woman. Benedict resisted by rolling his body into a thorn bush until it was covered in scrapes. It is said through these body wounds, he cured the wounds of his soul. After years of prayer, word of his holiness brought nearby monks to ask for his leadership. He warned them he would be too strict for them, but they insisted -- then tried to poison him when his warning proved true. The story goes, the monks attempted to poison Benedict's drink, but when he prayed a blessing over the cup - it shattered. So Benedict was on his own again -- but not for long. The next set of followers were more sincere and he set up twelve monasteries in Subiaco where monks lived in separate communities of twelve. He left these monasteries abruptly when the envious attacks of another hermit made it impossible to continue the spiritual leadership he had taken. But it was in Monte Cassino he founded the monastery that became the roots of the Church's monastic system. Instead of founding small separate communities he gathered his disciples into one whole community. His own sister, Saint Scholastica, settled nearby to live a religious life.
After almost 1,500 years of monastic tradition his direction seems obvious to us. However, Benedict was an innovator. No one had ever set up communities like his before or directed them with a rule. What is part of history to us now was a bold, risky step into the future.
Benedict had the holiness and the ability to take this step. His beliefs and instructions on religious life were collected in what is now known as the Rule of Saint Benedict -- still directing religious life after 15 centuries. In this tiny but powerful Rule, Benedict put what he had learned about the power of speaking and oratorical rhythms at the service of the Gospel. He did not drop out of school because he did not understand the subject! Scholars have told us that his Rule reflects an understanding of and skill with the rhetorical rules of the time. Despite his experience at school, he understood rhetoric was as much a tool as a hammer was. A hammer could be used to build a house or hit someone over the head. Rhetoric could be used to promote vice ... or promote God. Benedict did not shun rhetoric because it had been used to seduce people to vice; he reformed it. Benedict did not want to lose the power of voice to reach up to God simply because others had use it to sink down to the gutter. He reminded us "Let us consider our place in sight of God and of his angels. Let us rise in chanting that our hearts and voices harmonize." There was always a voice reading aloud in his communities at meals, to receive guests, to educate novices. Hearing words one time was not enough -- "We wish this Rule to be read frequently to the community."
Benedict realized the strongest and truest foundation for the power of words was the Word of God itself: "For what page or word of the Bible is not a perfect rule for temporal life?" He had experienced the power of God's word as expressed in Scripture:
Isaiah 55:10-11 "For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it" |
In one story of Benedict's life, a poor man came to the monastery begging for a little oil. Although Benedict commanded that the oil be given, the cellarer refused -- because there was only a tiny bit of oil left. If the cellarer gave any oil as alms there would be none for the monastery. Angry at this distrust of God's providence, Benedict knelt down to pray. As he prayed a bubbling sound came from inside the oil jar. The monks watched in fascination as oil from God filled the vessel so completely that it overflowed, leaked out beneath the lid and finally pushed the cover off, cascading out on to the floor. In Benedictine prayer, our hearts are the vessel empty of thoughts and intellectual striving. All that remains is the trust in God's providence to fill us. Emptying ourselves this way brings God's abundant goodness bubbling up in our hearts, first with an inspiration or two, and finally overflowing our heart with contemplative love.
Benedict died on 21 March 543, not long after his sister. It is said he died with high fever on the very day God told him he would. He is the patron saint of Europe and students. St. Benedict is often pictured with a bell, a broken tray, a raven, or a crosier. His feast day is celebrated on July 11."
YouTube video link:
https://youtu.be/7Rv8SYMSUYg