Ijournal entry 081417 # 32. August, Month of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by St. Thalassios the Libyan, St. Claude de la Colombiere, and St. Maximos the Confessor. "The incredible story of the priest ordained amidst the horrors of Dachau", by Francis Phillips. "My Treasury of Chaplets: St. Raphael the Archangel Chaplet", by Patricia S. Quintiliani. Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", episode 1, by Babsie Bleasdell.
"You grow spiritually with each moment you spend with Jesus!"Our essential commitment in life is to preserve and advance constantly in Eucharistic life and Eucharistic piety and to grow spiritually in the climate of the Holy Eucharist." By Pope John Paul II
The Rule of St. Benedict
"If there be craftsmen in the monastery, let them practise their crafts with all humility, provided the abbot give permission. But if one of them be puffed up because of his skill in his craft, supposing that he is conferring a benefit on the monastery, let him be removed from his work and not return to it, unless he have humbled himself and the abbot entrust it to him again. If any of the work of the craftsmen is to be sold, let those through whose hands the business passes, take care that they be not guilty of any dishonesty. Let them always remember Ananias and Saphira, and take care lest they, or any others who deal dishonestly with the property of the monastery, suffer in their souls the death which they endured in their bodies. And as regards the price, let not the sin of avarice creep in; but let the goods always be sold a little cheaper than they are sold by people in the world, that in all things God may be glorified"
MC= The scripture verse from Luke 17 is coming to mind. It can serve us well to help us balance on the spiritual tight robe do as not to take a fall. Anything good that is working in us is due to God's grace, so all honor and glory is Him. Our expressed talents are gifts, so how can we not be humble, when we posses what we have been given.
"If there be craftsmen in the monastery, let them practise their crafts with all humility, provided the abbot give permission. But if one of them be puffed up because of his skill in his craft, supposing that he is conferring a benefit on the monastery, let him be removed from his work and not return to it, unless he have humbled himself and the abbot entrust it to him again. If any of the work of the craftsmen is to be sold, let those through whose hands the business passes, take care that they be not guilty of any dishonesty. Let them always remember Ananias and Saphira, and take care lest they, or any others who deal dishonestly with the property of the monastery, suffer in their souls the death which they endured in their bodies. And as regards the price, let not the sin of avarice creep in; but let the goods always be sold a little cheaper than they are sold by people in the world, that in all things God may be glorified"
MC= The scripture verse from Luke 17 is coming to mind. It can serve us well to help us balance on the spiritual tight robe do as not to take a fall. Anything good that is working in us is due to God's grace, so all honor and glory is Him. Our expressed talents are gifts, so how can we not be humble, when we posses what we have been given.
🍈 "Being Master, He became a servant, and so revealed to the world the depths of His Providence". By St. Thalassios the Libyan
🌗 It is one of the most firmly established and most consoling of the truths that have been revealed to us that (apart from sin) nothing happens to us in life unless God wills it so. Wealth and poverty alike come from Him. If we fall ill, God is the cause of our illness; if we get well, our recovery is due to God. We owe our lives entirely to Him, and when death comes to put an end to life, His will be the hand that deals the blow". By St. Claude de la Colombiere
🍅"Those whom divine Providence is leading towards holiness in this life are tested by the following three tests: by the gift of agreeable things, such as health, beauty, fine children, money, fame and so on; by afflictions causing distress, such as the loss of children, money and fame; and by bodily sufferings, such as disease, torture and so on. To those in the first category the Lord says
🌗 It is one of the most firmly established and most consoling of the truths that have been revealed to us that (apart from sin) nothing happens to us in life unless God wills it so. Wealth and poverty alike come from Him. If we fall ill, God is the cause of our illness; if we get well, our recovery is due to God. We owe our lives entirely to Him, and when death comes to put an end to life, His will be the hand that deals the blow". By St. Claude de la Colombiere
🍅"Those whom divine Providence is leading towards holiness in this life are tested by the following three tests: by the gift of agreeable things, such as health, beauty, fine children, money, fame and so on; by afflictions causing distress, such as the loss of children, money and fame; and by bodily sufferings, such as disease, torture and so on. To those in the first category the Lord says
and to those in the second and third He says,
By St. Maximos the Confessor
Woke up with these thoughts one day in September of last year, it was on September 29th at 10:20 am. This happened to be the Feast Day of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and St. Raphael. Speaking of the Archangels, just made a St. Raphael Chaplet yesterday. After talking wit Pat at the celebration for St. Clare's feast day at the Monastery of the Poor Clares, she mention how she had a devotion to St. Raphael, and proceeded to show me a little booklet she keeps in her purse. Decided to surprise her with a Chaplet. Not sure if the Chaplet is in her booklet, if not plan to introduce her to it and pray it with her over the phone. Seems the Lord is leading me to make a variety of chaplets and pray them with others. If anyone would like a specific Chaplet made, please just let know. Have given several Holy Face chaplets to others. Robin also gets a surprise St. Raphael Chaplet. Here from Maui, she is always traveling by foot, so to have St. Raphael join her spiritual posse for protection, will be a good thing.
Hadn't planned on serving up this veggie, but after reading all about Blessed Karl Leisner on his feast day, and discerning that the "now Rhema word" for me is "Divine Providence", couldn't help but pull from the stored treasures.
Hadn't planned on serving up this veggie, but after reading all about Blessed Karl Leisner on his feast day, and discerning that the "now Rhema word" for me is "Divine Providence", couldn't help but pull from the stored treasures.
The thoughts that morning were in regards to myself, and maybe some others, about how one can be receiving the Eucharist every day and continue to fall very short dat after day in varied ways. For starters, we need to repent if we aren't trusting God and living highly committed lives. To our condemnation, why are we (for sure ME) failing to take advantage of all the precious graces being poured out in that Most Holy Sacrament? For those who aren't receiving daily or frequently, they have an excuse for missing the mark of excellency we are to attain to. You can say that they aren't abusing, by lack of use, the graces from this sublime Sacrament.
This is very serious business to attend to for those who care to be single hearted.
This is very serious business to attend to for those who care to be single hearted.
Maybe the simple answer is not to receive less, but what is needed is to put forth an enormous amount of effort towards living a life of trust and faith, utilizing all the graces that comes from a daily intake of the Most Holy Eucharist. It is to deeply ponder why we aren't filled with trust, why we fall so short in loving, carrying crosses, being singular of heart in regards to devotion, and allowing hope to wax and wane. Why aren't we seeing our errors and changing errant behavior that sprouts like weeds everyday, when we are receiving in Communion, Jesus Christ the light of the world? For it is daily that by thoughts, words, and deeds we err, sometimes in small ways, sometimes greatly. It's like we're out on the playground playing, when we should be serious engaged in spiritual warfare on the battle field. It's hard work and vigilance is needed to save souls, chiefly and foremost our own. Praise God is you are rising above all this, yes, blessed be God.
Why oh why, are we still so blind, strutting about like spiritual peacocks instead of like repentant sinners in mourning who are seeking entrance into the Promised Land? Evading the Sacrament of Reconciliation as thinking less is more, it should be a B-line that we make to the confessional. Really people, a month is too long, but adhering to the minimum, staying safely within the parameters, how far do you think you'll eventually get?
Why oh why, are we still so blind, strutting about like spiritual peacocks instead of like repentant sinners in mourning who are seeking entrance into the Promised Land? Evading the Sacrament of Reconciliation as thinking less is more, it should be a B-line that we make to the confessional. Really people, a month is too long, but adhering to the minimum, staying safely within the parameters, how far do you think you'll eventually get?
~ Let Not Mediocrity Be Your Thing~ ~ Nor With Sin Have a Fling
🔥If mediocrity is your thing
🔥Then with regrets it'll be a sad song that you'll eventually sing
🔥It's not the lukewarm nor the cold
🔥But those who are red hot that gets the gold
🔥Believe Revelation 3:16, that's where we are plainly told
🔥So important it is, that we belong to the right fold
🔥There comes a time when it's necessary to stop and drop,
🔥Next it's to roll, allowing the mercy of God to take us over the top
🔥Astuteness is a must, replacing acedia as a sad and sorry prop
🔥By the grace of God things can in a heartbeat change or like lightening strike in a pop
🔥 What is needed is desire
🔥That's the match that lights the fire
🔥Knowledge is deadly, if with it comes little or no understanding
🔥 A very good reason why some rather than stand, are constantly free falling
🔥Spiritual blinders makes it hard to see
🔥That truth is being evaded which can help one be in s position to be set free
🔥A very key ingredient missing is that of humility
🔥But of course for a know it all, pride prevents that from being anywhere on their radar, how could it be?
🔥 Strictly speaking, for sure, therefore
🔥A tightly shut, maybe even a locked door
🔥Hearts obstinate and impenetrable
🔥By the enemy easily deludable
🔥A fire tried remedy is worthily receiving the Precious Blood
🔥Begging that graces bathe one's soul as in a torrential flood
🔥Along with partaking of His Body as our Heavenly food
🔥Jesus Himself says to eat & drink, as there is no either or proposition, because for the soul only eating & drinking can fully soothe
🔥So if the wish is to be on fire, to wed & wear the Eternal High Priest's wedding ring
🔥Then Jesus must abide in the heart wholeheartedly as Lord & obeyed as the Sovereign King
🖐🏼Time to STOP= Ponder and examine oneself closely with Divine help.
🔎Time to DROP=Get on our knees and repent, begging for graces for self knowledge and the graces to see and act always within the Divine Will. For there is much that is in need of being changed in our lives, the distillation process regarding purity begs to be revved up. For sure we are not all that we are called to be. Read the lives of the saints, and that will be plain to see. Maybe carving away a little TV time will provide a bit of reading time.
〰Time to ROLL= Taking the following actions will then allow us to roll right along the corridors, leading us to new spiritual horizons. This will result in a metamorphosis that's pleasing in the sight of God.
My morning thoughts were confirmed by the following statements found in an article that crossed my path that day:(MC= My Comments)
1. "Who has been given more, therefore must be more careful"
{MC= If reception of the Holy Eucharist is frequent, then there should be great visible evidence in one's life. The more frequent, the greater the results should be in reproducing an authentic christian life imitating that of Christ Jesus. If this is absent, we are not being careful or mindful of such a great and powerful Sacrament.
2. "To the one who been given much, is it blaspheming the Holy Spirit to scatter"
{MC= If all the graces offered in the Eucharist are repelled, rebuffed, or wasted, as evidenced by our lack of trust and following Christ closely as a true disciple, then our actions are true blasphemy. Time to call a spade a spade.
3. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do, is mercy for those who do not choose their words wisely"
{MC= In our blindness we do not know or realize the consequences of our actions, or when we are leaning on our own understanding. If we care to do God's Holy Will day in and day out, desiring true holiness, and if we take time out to stop, drop, and roll, how blest we shall be. Begging for graces to "know thyself" in order to live in obedience and in repentance, then limitless mercy will be a gift most precious from on high.
🔥If mediocrity is your thing
🔥Then with regrets it'll be a sad song that you'll eventually sing
🔥It's not the lukewarm nor the cold
🔥But those who are red hot that gets the gold
🔥Believe Revelation 3:16, that's where we are plainly told
🔥So important it is, that we belong to the right fold
🔥There comes a time when it's necessary to stop and drop,
🔥Next it's to roll, allowing the mercy of God to take us over the top
🔥Astuteness is a must, replacing acedia as a sad and sorry prop
🔥By the grace of God things can in a heartbeat change or like lightening strike in a pop
🔥 What is needed is desire
🔥That's the match that lights the fire
🔥Knowledge is deadly, if with it comes little or no understanding
🔥 A very good reason why some rather than stand, are constantly free falling
🔥Spiritual blinders makes it hard to see
🔥That truth is being evaded which can help one be in s position to be set free
🔥A very key ingredient missing is that of humility
🔥But of course for a know it all, pride prevents that from being anywhere on their radar, how could it be?
🔥 Strictly speaking, for sure, therefore
🔥A tightly shut, maybe even a locked door
🔥Hearts obstinate and impenetrable
🔥By the enemy easily deludable
🔥A fire tried remedy is worthily receiving the Precious Blood
🔥Begging that graces bathe one's soul as in a torrential flood
🔥Along with partaking of His Body as our Heavenly food
🔥Jesus Himself says to eat & drink, as there is no either or proposition, because for the soul only eating & drinking can fully soothe
🔥So if the wish is to be on fire, to wed & wear the Eternal High Priest's wedding ring
🔥Then Jesus must abide in the heart wholeheartedly as Lord & obeyed as the Sovereign King
🖐🏼Time to STOP= Ponder and examine oneself closely with Divine help.
🔎Time to DROP=Get on our knees and repent, begging for graces for self knowledge and the graces to see and act always within the Divine Will. For there is much that is in need of being changed in our lives, the distillation process regarding purity begs to be revved up. For sure we are not all that we are called to be. Read the lives of the saints, and that will be plain to see. Maybe carving away a little TV time will provide a bit of reading time.
〰Time to ROLL= Taking the following actions will then allow us to roll right along the corridors, leading us to new spiritual horizons. This will result in a metamorphosis that's pleasing in the sight of God.
My morning thoughts were confirmed by the following statements found in an article that crossed my path that day:(MC= My Comments)
1. "Who has been given more, therefore must be more careful"
{MC= If reception of the Holy Eucharist is frequent, then there should be great visible evidence in one's life. The more frequent, the greater the results should be in reproducing an authentic christian life imitating that of Christ Jesus. If this is absent, we are not being careful or mindful of such a great and powerful Sacrament.
2. "To the one who been given much, is it blaspheming the Holy Spirit to scatter"
{MC= If all the graces offered in the Eucharist are repelled, rebuffed, or wasted, as evidenced by our lack of trust and following Christ closely as a true disciple, then our actions are true blasphemy. Time to call a spade a spade.
3. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do, is mercy for those who do not choose their words wisely"
{MC= In our blindness we do not know or realize the consequences of our actions, or when we are leaning on our own understanding. If we care to do God's Holy Will day in and day out, desiring true holiness, and if we take time out to stop, drop, and roll, how blest we shall be. Begging for graces to "know thyself" in order to live in obedience and in repentance, then limitless mercy will be a gift most precious from on high.
"The incredible story of the priest ordained amidst the horrors of Dachau", by Francis Phillips
Info from this site:
catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2017/07/17/the-incredible-story-of-the-priest-ordained-amidst-the-horrors-dachau/
"Blessed Karl Leisner was ordained in secret by Bishop Gabriel Piguet of Clermont-Ferrand, a fellow prisoner.Following on from my blog last Thursday on the book The Priest Barracks by Guillaume Zeller, it is worth recording one other extraordinary circumstance that took place in the concentration camp: the ordination of a young deacon, Karl Leisner. Born in 1915, he grew up in Kleve, and entered the Munich seminary in 1934. In 1939 he was ordained a deacon prior to ordination. Shortly afterwards, he was diagnosed with TB and was sent to a sanatorium. While there, he was reported by a fellow patient for making a brief remark critical of Hitler and was arrested and interned.'
On 14 December 1941, he was moved to Dachau and assigned to the priests’ block. Under the harsh conditions of the camp his TB worsened and his hopes of being ordained a priest seemed unachievable. Then, as Providence would have it, Bishop Gabriel Piguet of Clermont-Ferrand arrived in Dachau as a fellow-prisoner on 6 September 1944 – and only a bishop is authorised to confer the sacrament of ordination. This was duly requested for Leisner by a Belgian priest, Fr de Coninck.
Bishop Piguet agreed, on condition that the ordination was authorised by the bishop with whom Leisner was affiliated and also that of the Archbishop of Munich, as Dachau was in his diocese. These authorisations were obtained clandestinely through the good offices of a young woman, Josefa Imma Mack (she was later to become a nun).
She used to visit the plant shop at the edge of the compound at Dachau, where flowers and food grown by the prisoners was sold to the public, and where she was able to communicate with priest-prisoners assigned to work there. She smuggled in the necessary letters of approval, along with the holy oil, a stole and the ritual books. The ordination, on 17 December 1944, took place in the chapel in Block 26 in great secrecy. Zeller records that the ceremony “made a lasting impression on the priests who were present.” The Bishop’s violet cassock was made from fabric from stocks pillaged by the Germans; the mitre was made by Fr Albert Durand, the only British priest at Dachau. Several hundred clergymen supported the young deacon, who wore an alb over his striped prison clothes.
Some imprisoned Protestant pastors also helped organise this most moving event and a Jewish violinist agreed to play some music near the barracks “to divert the attention of possible inopportune visitors.” Bishop Piguet later wrote his own memories of the ordination: “It was as though I were in my own cathedral or in the chapel of my major seminary. Nothing, absolutely nothing was lacking in the religious grandeur of such an ordination, which is probably unique in the annals of history.” He was given a small painted image of the ordination, with the inscription: “A captive for Christ, I gratefully initiated another captive of Christ into the priesthood.”
The newly ordained priest celebrated his first, and as it transpired his only Mass, on 26 December. By the time the camp was liberated on 4 May 1945 he was in the last stages of TB. Moved to a sanatorium outside Munich, he died on 12 August. Karl Leisner, former youth leader, known for his patience and even temper at Dachau, and whose deep inner spirituality was recorded in his diaries, was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 23 June 1996"
Info from this site:
catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2017/07/17/the-incredible-story-of-the-priest-ordained-amidst-the-horrors-dachau/
"Blessed Karl Leisner was ordained in secret by Bishop Gabriel Piguet of Clermont-Ferrand, a fellow prisoner.Following on from my blog last Thursday on the book The Priest Barracks by Guillaume Zeller, it is worth recording one other extraordinary circumstance that took place in the concentration camp: the ordination of a young deacon, Karl Leisner. Born in 1915, he grew up in Kleve, and entered the Munich seminary in 1934. In 1939 he was ordained a deacon prior to ordination. Shortly afterwards, he was diagnosed with TB and was sent to a sanatorium. While there, he was reported by a fellow patient for making a brief remark critical of Hitler and was arrested and interned.'
On 14 December 1941, he was moved to Dachau and assigned to the priests’ block. Under the harsh conditions of the camp his TB worsened and his hopes of being ordained a priest seemed unachievable. Then, as Providence would have it, Bishop Gabriel Piguet of Clermont-Ferrand arrived in Dachau as a fellow-prisoner on 6 September 1944 – and only a bishop is authorised to confer the sacrament of ordination. This was duly requested for Leisner by a Belgian priest, Fr de Coninck.
Bishop Piguet agreed, on condition that the ordination was authorised by the bishop with whom Leisner was affiliated and also that of the Archbishop of Munich, as Dachau was in his diocese. These authorisations were obtained clandestinely through the good offices of a young woman, Josefa Imma Mack (she was later to become a nun).
She used to visit the plant shop at the edge of the compound at Dachau, where flowers and food grown by the prisoners was sold to the public, and where she was able to communicate with priest-prisoners assigned to work there. She smuggled in the necessary letters of approval, along with the holy oil, a stole and the ritual books. The ordination, on 17 December 1944, took place in the chapel in Block 26 in great secrecy. Zeller records that the ceremony “made a lasting impression on the priests who were present.” The Bishop’s violet cassock was made from fabric from stocks pillaged by the Germans; the mitre was made by Fr Albert Durand, the only British priest at Dachau. Several hundred clergymen supported the young deacon, who wore an alb over his striped prison clothes.
Some imprisoned Protestant pastors also helped organise this most moving event and a Jewish violinist agreed to play some music near the barracks “to divert the attention of possible inopportune visitors.” Bishop Piguet later wrote his own memories of the ordination: “It was as though I were in my own cathedral or in the chapel of my major seminary. Nothing, absolutely nothing was lacking in the religious grandeur of such an ordination, which is probably unique in the annals of history.” He was given a small painted image of the ordination, with the inscription: “A captive for Christ, I gratefully initiated another captive of Christ into the priesthood.”
The newly ordained priest celebrated his first, and as it transpired his only Mass, on 26 December. By the time the camp was liberated on 4 May 1945 he was in the last stages of TB. Moved to a sanatorium outside Munich, he died on 12 August. Karl Leisner, former youth leader, known for his patience and even temper at Dachau, and whose deep inner spirituality was recorded in his diaries, was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 23 June 1996"
"My Treasury of Chaplets: St. Raphael the Archangel Chaplet", by Patricia S. Quintiliani
Info from this site:
https://avemariascircle.com/zencart/Chapletpix/StRaphael.htm
Method of recitation:
1) On the medal:
You are Raphael the Healer,
You are Raphael the Guide,
You are Raphael the Companion -
Ever at Human Sorrow’s side.
2) On the three introductory beads:
Three Hail Mary’s to Mary, Queen of Angels.
3) On each of the nine beads:
In honour of the nine angelic choirs (one in honour of each choir, namely: Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Principalities, Powers, Cherubim, and Seraphim) pray:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of Your Glory!
Glory be to the Father;
Glory be to the Son;
Glory be to the Holy Spirit!
4) Concluding Aspiration:
St. Raphael, angel of health, of love, of joy and light; Pray for us! Amen
➖Optional invocations to St. Raphael
O Angel of God, St. Raphael, illumine, defend and preserve me this day and forever!
St. Raphael, Angel of health, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, one of the seven spirits who stand before the throne of God, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, faithful guide of Tobias, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, who didst compel the devils to flee, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, who dost offer our prayers to God, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, healer of blindness, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, helper in tribulation, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, making joyful your devoted clients, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, counsellor and protector of happy marriages, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, conductor of travelers and way-farers upon earth, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, guide to our heavenly home, Pray for us
1) On the medal:
You are Raphael the Healer,
You are Raphael the Guide,
You are Raphael the Companion -
Ever at Human Sorrow’s side.
2) On the three introductory beads:
Three Hail Mary’s to Mary, Queen of Angels.
3) On each of the nine beads:
In honour of the nine angelic choirs (one in honour of each choir, namely: Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Principalities, Powers, Cherubim, and Seraphim) pray:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of Your Glory!
Glory be to the Father;
Glory be to the Son;
Glory be to the Holy Spirit!
4) Concluding Aspiration:
St. Raphael, angel of health, of love, of joy and light; Pray for us! Amen
➖Optional invocations to St. Raphael
O Angel of God, St. Raphael, illumine, defend and preserve me this day and forever!
St. Raphael, Angel of health, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, one of the seven spirits who stand before the throne of God, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, faithful guide of Tobias, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, who didst compel the devils to flee, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, who dost offer our prayers to God, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, healer of blindness, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, helper in tribulation, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, making joyful your devoted clients, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, counsellor and protector of happy marriages, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, conductor of travelers and way-farers upon earth, Pray for us.
St. Raphael, guide to our heavenly home, Pray for us
Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul Episode 1, by Babsie Bleasdell
Link to the audio presentation:
listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000001.mp3
Link to the audio presentation:
listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000001.mp3