Ijournal entry 082117 # 33. August, Month of the Blessed Sacrament. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes from Terry Modica, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, and Anthony Mullen. "The Pardon Crucifix; It's A Power House, Discover Why!", by John Quinn. Book: "Friends of God", by St. Jose Ecsciva. Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", Episode 2, by Babsie Bleasdell
Twelve Biblical Reasons For Wanting To Spend One Hour With Jesus In The Blessed Sacrament (sharing six in this entry)
1. He is really there!
1. He is really there!
2. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because of his Infinite love for you!
3. The specific way that Jesus asks you to love him in return is to spend one quiet hour with him in the Blessed Sacrament.
4. When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look upon Jesus, the Son of God.
5. Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase his divine life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with him. "I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.
6. Each hour you spend with Jesus will deepen his divine peace in your heart.
Info from this site:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/prayers/adoration-to-the-holy-sacrament/24-reasons-for-spending-a-holy-hour-before-the-blessed-sacrament/
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/prayers/adoration-to-the-holy-sacrament/24-reasons-for-spending-a-holy-hour-before-the-blessed-sacrament/
The Rule of St. Benedict
"When anyone newly cometh to be a monk, let him not be granted an easy admittance; but, as the apostle saith: Try the spirits, if they be of God. If such a one, therefore, persevere in his knocking, and if it be seen after four or five days that he bears patiently his harsh treatment and the difficulty of admission and persists in his petition, then let admittance be granted to him, and let him stay in the guest house for a few days. After that let him dwell in the noviciate, where the novices work, eat and sleep. And let a senior be assigned to them who is skilled in winning souls, that he may watch over them with the utmost care. Let him examine whether the novice truly seeks God, and whether he is zealous for the Work of God, for obedience and for humiliations.
Let him be told all the hardships and trials through which we travel to God. If he promise stability and perseverance, then at the end of two months let this Rule be read through to him, and let him be addressed thus: ‘Behold the law under which you wish to serve; if you can observe it, enter; if you cannot, freely depart.’ If he still abide, then let him be led back into the aforesaid noviciate and again tested in all patience. After the lapse of six months let the Rule be read to him, so that he may know on what he is entering. And if he still abide, after four months let the Rule be read to him again. If, upon mature deliberation, he promise to observe all things and to obey all the commands that are given him, then let him be received into the community; but let him understand that according to the law of the Rule he is no longer free to leave the monastery, or to withdraw his neck from under the yoke of the Rule, which it was open to him, during that prolonged deliberation, either to refuse or to accept.
He that is to be received shall make a promise before all in the oratory of his stability and of the discipline of his life and of obedience, before God and his saints, so that if he should ever act otherwise, he may know that he will be condemned by him whom he mocks. Of this promise of his let him draw up a formal petition in the name of the saints whose relics are there and of the abbot who is present. Let him write this document with his own hand; or, if he cannot write, let another do it at his request and let the novice put his mark to it. Then let him put it on the altar with his own hand; and, when he has placed it there, let the novice himself at once intone the verse; Suscipe me, Domine, secundum eloquium tuum et vivam: et ne confundas me ab exspectatione mea. Let the whole community answer this verse three times and add to it Gloria Patri. Then let the novice prostrate himself before the feet of each monk, asking them to pray for him; and from that day let him be counted as one of the community.
If he possess any property, let him either give it beforehand to the poor, or make a formal donation bestowing it on the monastery, and keep back nothing at all for himself, as knowing that thenceforward he will not have the disposition even of his own body. So let them, there and then, in the oratory, take off him his own clothes which he is wearing and dress him in the clothes of the monastery. But let those clothes, which have been taken off him, be out aside in the clothes-room and kept there. Then should he ever listen to the persuasions of the devil and ever propose to leave the monastery (which God forbid) let them take off him the clothes of the monastery and so dismiss him. But his petition, which the abbot has taken from the altar, shall not be returned to him, but shall be preserved in the monastery".
"When anyone newly cometh to be a monk, let him not be granted an easy admittance; but, as the apostle saith: Try the spirits, if they be of God. If such a one, therefore, persevere in his knocking, and if it be seen after four or five days that he bears patiently his harsh treatment and the difficulty of admission and persists in his petition, then let admittance be granted to him, and let him stay in the guest house for a few days. After that let him dwell in the noviciate, where the novices work, eat and sleep. And let a senior be assigned to them who is skilled in winning souls, that he may watch over them with the utmost care. Let him examine whether the novice truly seeks God, and whether he is zealous for the Work of God, for obedience and for humiliations.
Let him be told all the hardships and trials through which we travel to God. If he promise stability and perseverance, then at the end of two months let this Rule be read through to him, and let him be addressed thus: ‘Behold the law under which you wish to serve; if you can observe it, enter; if you cannot, freely depart.’ If he still abide, then let him be led back into the aforesaid noviciate and again tested in all patience. After the lapse of six months let the Rule be read to him, so that he may know on what he is entering. And if he still abide, after four months let the Rule be read to him again. If, upon mature deliberation, he promise to observe all things and to obey all the commands that are given him, then let him be received into the community; but let him understand that according to the law of the Rule he is no longer free to leave the monastery, or to withdraw his neck from under the yoke of the Rule, which it was open to him, during that prolonged deliberation, either to refuse or to accept.
He that is to be received shall make a promise before all in the oratory of his stability and of the discipline of his life and of obedience, before God and his saints, so that if he should ever act otherwise, he may know that he will be condemned by him whom he mocks. Of this promise of his let him draw up a formal petition in the name of the saints whose relics are there and of the abbot who is present. Let him write this document with his own hand; or, if he cannot write, let another do it at his request and let the novice put his mark to it. Then let him put it on the altar with his own hand; and, when he has placed it there, let the novice himself at once intone the verse; Suscipe me, Domine, secundum eloquium tuum et vivam: et ne confundas me ab exspectatione mea. Let the whole community answer this verse three times and add to it Gloria Patri. Then let the novice prostrate himself before the feet of each monk, asking them to pray for him; and from that day let him be counted as one of the community.
If he possess any property, let him either give it beforehand to the poor, or make a formal donation bestowing it on the monastery, and keep back nothing at all for himself, as knowing that thenceforward he will not have the disposition even of his own body. So let them, there and then, in the oratory, take off him his own clothes which he is wearing and dress him in the clothes of the monastery. But let those clothes, which have been taken off him, be out aside in the clothes-room and kept there. Then should he ever listen to the persuasions of the devil and ever propose to leave the monastery (which God forbid) let them take off him the clothes of the monastery and so dismiss him. But his petition, which the abbot has taken from the altar, shall not be returned to him, but shall be preserved in the monastery".
MC= Reading this rules reminds me a little of how we are tried in our spiritual life. The trials can show whether we are in it for what we can get, or do we love and trust God despite what befalls us. Are we fair weather friends, happy and joyful when the blessings are our lot, and disheartened, anxious, worried, troubled, sad and pitiful, when God permits hardships to come our way? Let us by grace pass the test, stay the course, and persevere to the end, meriting eternal life.
🌑 "When we lack sufficient faith in the nearness of Jesus or we fail to fully trust him when we pray, it's because we're believing in a false god – we have an inaccurate understanding of who God really is and how much he really cares. We know that God is love, but our understanding of this is limited by our experiences, and so we think God is less than he really is. By Terry Modica.
🍑 “The world in which we live is the battleground of the Church. I believe that we are now living at the end of Christendom. It is the end of Christendom, but not the end of Christianity. What is Christendom? Christendom is the political, economic, moral, social, legal life of a nation as inspired by the gospel ethic. That is finished. Abortion, the breakdown of family life, dishonesty, even the natural virtues upon which the supernatural virtues were based, are being discredited. Christianity is not at the end. But we are at the end of Christendom. And I believe that the sooner we wake up to this fact, the sooner we will be able to solve many of our problems.” —Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
🍋 "Jesus came into the world through the action of the Holy Spirit. Mary received Jesus through the Holy Spirit. But how do I receive the Holy Spirit? It is through the Sacraments, Prayer, and works of Charity, but especially in Holy Communion! When I receive Communion, Jesus comes into my soul as He was within Mary! In this Sacrament, the Holy Spirit gives Him to me by means of the loving Will of the Father. How little we think about the action of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist, where He sacramentally brings about the Incarnation of the Divine Word in all who receive Him! Mary we thank you, because it is you who gave Jesus His Body and His Precious Blood that He would shed for our salvation!" By Anthony Mullen
🍑 “The world in which we live is the battleground of the Church. I believe that we are now living at the end of Christendom. It is the end of Christendom, but not the end of Christianity. What is Christendom? Christendom is the political, economic, moral, social, legal life of a nation as inspired by the gospel ethic. That is finished. Abortion, the breakdown of family life, dishonesty, even the natural virtues upon which the supernatural virtues were based, are being discredited. Christianity is not at the end. But we are at the end of Christendom. And I believe that the sooner we wake up to this fact, the sooner we will be able to solve many of our problems.” —Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
🍋 "Jesus came into the world through the action of the Holy Spirit. Mary received Jesus through the Holy Spirit. But how do I receive the Holy Spirit? It is through the Sacraments, Prayer, and works of Charity, but especially in Holy Communion! When I receive Communion, Jesus comes into my soul as He was within Mary! In this Sacrament, the Holy Spirit gives Him to me by means of the loving Will of the Father. How little we think about the action of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist, where He sacramentally brings about the Incarnation of the Divine Word in all who receive Him! Mary we thank you, because it is you who gave Jesus His Body and His Precious Blood that He would shed for our salvation!" By Anthony Mullen
Recently someone's response on a blog resulted in a wonderful morning meditation. Jennifer said the following:
"Ashamed of my cowardice, longing for holiness. Begging for the fortitude to say yes to the crosses I recoil from. Longing to say with integrity St. Alphonsus’ prayer in the Stations of The Cross: “God, let me love you, then do with me as you will".
My response to her becomes the veggie of the day. The morning's meditation grabbed my hands and the prayer dance for the day began. Thoughts surfaced to someone that might be contemplating doing something irrational. Upon discussing everything with a friend, steps may be taken help to help the person avoid the disaster. The possibility of successfully talking them out of it, is worth a try. In the spiritual life, this mirrors to me what needs to be operant in the reverse: a "talking oneself in to it". We become coach and cheerleader, encouraging ourselves to do the right thing. The voice of truth should drown out the interferences from what the world is saying or that of darkness.
The Father is teaching me to enter the throne room (our relationship with Jesus affords unimpeded access to the Father, Hallaluia, and Praise the Lord) for a blessing in order to will what He wills and to accept what He allows. This is the only way for me to shoulder the crosses and be on spiritual cloud nine.
"Ashamed of my cowardice, longing for holiness. Begging for the fortitude to say yes to the crosses I recoil from. Longing to say with integrity St. Alphonsus’ prayer in the Stations of The Cross: “God, let me love you, then do with me as you will".
My response to her becomes the veggie of the day. The morning's meditation grabbed my hands and the prayer dance for the day began. Thoughts surfaced to someone that might be contemplating doing something irrational. Upon discussing everything with a friend, steps may be taken help to help the person avoid the disaster. The possibility of successfully talking them out of it, is worth a try. In the spiritual life, this mirrors to me what needs to be operant in the reverse: a "talking oneself in to it". We become coach and cheerleader, encouraging ourselves to do the right thing. The voice of truth should drown out the interferences from what the world is saying or that of darkness.
The Father is teaching me to enter the throne room (our relationship with Jesus affords unimpeded access to the Father, Hallaluia, and Praise the Lord) for a blessing in order to will what He wills and to accept what He allows. This is the only way for me to shoulder the crosses and be on spiritual cloud nine.
Very thankful for the trigger that reinforces when encountering a cross or the crosses before me, it's to keep on repeating over and over: Oh God, I will what you will, I accept what you are allowing. This will be a form of "talking myself in to it". As a stand alone or coupled with the Jesus Prayer, the constant repetition from the heart, by the power of the Holy Spirit, holding Blessed Mother Mary's hands, will allow one to begin to victoriously triumph through, with, and in Jesus. This practical experience can be liken unto putting one foot forward to make a step, and God Himself helping us to make two more. Since we know a small drip can erode a stone, hopes are high that if we sincerely do what we can, God will do the rest for us. Grace will flourish and lead us on. Knowing with the heart, more than with the head, how much we are loved, and holding fast to faith, that will be the fuel for persevering. Heightened, more than we can imagine, will be the desire to will what God wills, and accept what He allows because the heart will sense that something great is unfolding, be it ever so incomprehensible in it's fullness at present.
Thankful for Jennifer inadvertently jumpstarting my spiritual day in a big way. Hope my 2 cents makes sense.
"The Pardon Crucifix; It's A Power House, Discover Why!", by John Quinn
Info from this site:
http://www.courageouspriest.com/the-pardon-crucifix
Info from this site:
http://www.courageouspriest.com/the-pardon-crucifix
"What is a Pardon Crucifix? It’s a thorn in Satan’s side, slammed in there by Pope St. Pius X. It is unclear why so few Catholics have ever heard about this sacramental. But, what is clear is that Satan absolutely hates it. Why? Because the Pardon Crucifix ranks up there with the the Miraculous Medal and the St. Benedict Medal. You see Pope St. Pius X used the keys to heaven to attach heavenly rich indulgences to it. And Satan hates powerful sacramentals. What does he do when he hates a devotion or sacramental which is so immersed with Divine graces? He simply hides them. And the Pardon Crucifix has been hidden sometime after it was promulgated in 1905. Other examples 0f Satan’s dirty work include him literally hiding the Shroud of Turin (Jesus’ burial cloth), the true Cross and St. Philomena. How about how he prevents devotion to the Rosary, Miraculous Medal and Our Mother of Sorrows?Yes, the Pardon Crucifix is beautiful; however, it is the words describing the indulgences / Divine graces that blow you away.
The Pardon Crucifix was introduced at the Marian Congress of Rome in 1904, with the support of his Eminence Cardinal Coullié, Archbishop of Lyon. It was through the discourse made to him by the Frs Lémann that the crucifix obtained general approval. The project of a union around this Pardon Crucifix was presented to His Holiness by the most Eminent Cardinal Vivès, president of the Congress.
“The historic and sacred inscription of the royalty of Jesus appears in inscription placed over the head of Christ [on this crucifix]. It is an irrefutable witness against the denials and audacity of impiety. There is preserved at Rome, in the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem, the actual inscription of Golgotha recovered by St Helen. The written relic is not complete; there may have been a division, and also age has considerably reduced it. Two words, only two words shine forth, respected by time, Nazarenus Re, The Nazarene King. It is a prophecy written on wood: all royalties are passing, except that of the Nazarene.
“On the reverse of the cross, at the center, the Sacred Heart shines forth with two inscriptions recalling the tender mercy of the Saviour; one is a prayer of pardon, breathed forth in the agony of Calvary: Father, forgive them; the other is the prayer of love breathed forth against ingratitude, in the sanctuary of Paray-le-Monial: Behold this Heart which has thus loved men.
“Below, the figure of Our Lady surmounted by a star occupies the foot of the cross, which is truly the place of Mary. She stands there to say to every straying soul: ‘Do not forget the sorrows of your Mother’. She says, ‘I am the comforter’. Despair murmurs that it is too late; She says: ‘between late and too late there is an abyss, behold all the Blood of My Jesus, behold My motherly devotion for you’.”
Pardon Crucifix and Indulgences:
Pontifical Rescript of June 1905, to M.M. the Abbes Lemann: Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences
To the faithful, who devoutly kiss this Crucifix and gain these precious indulgences, we recommend to have in view the following intentions: To testify love for Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin; gratitude towards our Holy Father, the Pope, to beg for the remission of one’s sins; the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory; the return of the nations to the Faith; forgiveness among Christians; reconciliation among members of the Catholic Church. By another Pontifical rescript of November 14 1905. His Holiness Pope Pius X, has declared that the Indulgence attached to the Pardon Crucifix are applicable to the souls in Purgatory.
His Holiness Pope St. Pius X has gone another step and declared that the indulgences attached to the Pardon Crucifix are applicable to the souls in purgatory. This is where those who are serious about alleviating the pains of the poor souls in Purgatory comes into play.
The Pardon Crucifix was introduced at the Marian Congress of Rome in 1904, with the support of his Eminence Cardinal Coullié, Archbishop of Lyon. It was through the discourse made to him by the Frs Lémann that the crucifix obtained general approval. The project of a union around this Pardon Crucifix was presented to His Holiness by the most Eminent Cardinal Vivès, president of the Congress.
“The historic and sacred inscription of the royalty of Jesus appears in inscription placed over the head of Christ [on this crucifix]. It is an irrefutable witness against the denials and audacity of impiety. There is preserved at Rome, in the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem, the actual inscription of Golgotha recovered by St Helen. The written relic is not complete; there may have been a division, and also age has considerably reduced it. Two words, only two words shine forth, respected by time, Nazarenus Re, The Nazarene King. It is a prophecy written on wood: all royalties are passing, except that of the Nazarene.
“On the reverse of the cross, at the center, the Sacred Heart shines forth with two inscriptions recalling the tender mercy of the Saviour; one is a prayer of pardon, breathed forth in the agony of Calvary: Father, forgive them; the other is the prayer of love breathed forth against ingratitude, in the sanctuary of Paray-le-Monial: Behold this Heart which has thus loved men.
“Below, the figure of Our Lady surmounted by a star occupies the foot of the cross, which is truly the place of Mary. She stands there to say to every straying soul: ‘Do not forget the sorrows of your Mother’. She says, ‘I am the comforter’. Despair murmurs that it is too late; She says: ‘between late and too late there is an abyss, behold all the Blood of My Jesus, behold My motherly devotion for you’.”
Pardon Crucifix and Indulgences:
- Whoever carries on his person the Pardon Crucifix, may thereby gain an indulgence.
- For devoutly kissing the Crucifix, an indulgence is gained.
- Whoever says one of the following invocations before this crucifix may gain each time an indulgence: “Our Father who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” “I beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to the Lord our God for me.”
- Whoever, habitually devout to this Crucifix, will fulfill the necessary conditions of Confession and Holy Communion, may gain a Plenary Indulgence on the following feasts: On the feasts of the Five Wounds of our Lord, the Invention of the Holy Cross, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Immaculate Conception, and the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Whoever at the moment of death, fortified with the Sacraments of the Church, or contrite of heart, in the supposition of being unable to receive them, will kiss this Crucifix and ask pardon of God for his sins, and pardon his neighbor, will gain a Plenary Indulgence.
Pontifical Rescript of June 1905, to M.M. the Abbes Lemann: Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences
To the faithful, who devoutly kiss this Crucifix and gain these precious indulgences, we recommend to have in view the following intentions: To testify love for Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin; gratitude towards our Holy Father, the Pope, to beg for the remission of one’s sins; the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory; the return of the nations to the Faith; forgiveness among Christians; reconciliation among members of the Catholic Church. By another Pontifical rescript of November 14 1905. His Holiness Pope Pius X, has declared that the Indulgence attached to the Pardon Crucifix are applicable to the souls in Purgatory.
His Holiness Pope St. Pius X has gone another step and declared that the indulgences attached to the Pardon Crucifix are applicable to the souls in purgatory. This is where those who are serious about alleviating the pains of the poor souls in Purgatory comes into play.
Book: "Friends of God", by St. Jose Ecsciva
Excerpts: Christian prayer... a loving conversation with Jesus
"I have always understood Christian prayer as being a loving conversation with Jesus, which shouldn't be interrupted even in the moments when we are physically far from the Tabernacle, because our whole life is a serenade of human love for our God|... and we can love always. (The Forge). Each day without fail we should devote some time especially to God, raising our minds to him, without any need for the words to come to our lips, for they are being sung in our heart. Let us give enough time to this devout practice; at a fixed hour, if possible. Before the Tabernacle, close to him who has remained there out of Love. If this is not possible, we can pray anywhere because our God is ineffably present in the heart of every soul in grace. Still I would advise you to go to the oratory whenever you can…
Each one of you, if he wants, can find his own way to converse with God. I do not like to talk about methods or formulas, because I have never wished to straitjacket anyone. What I have always tried to do is to encourage everyone to come closer to Our Lord, respecting each soul as it is, each with its own characteristics. Ask him to introduce his ideas and plans into our lives: not only into our heads, but also into the depths of our hearts and into all our outward actions. I assure you that you will thus be spared many of the disappointments and sorrows of selfishness, and you will find you have the strength to do good to all around you. How many obstacles vanish when in our hearts we place ourselves next to this God of ours, who never abandons us! Jesus’ love for his own, for the sick and for the lame, is renewed, expressed in different ways, ‘What is the matter?’ he asks, and we reply, ‘It’s my...’ At once there is light, or at least the acceptance of his will, and inner peace.
When I encourage you to open your heart in confidence to the Master, I am referring especially to your own difficulties, because most of the obstacles to our happiness come from our pride, which may be hidden to a greater or less degree. We had thought we were worth a great deal and had a lot of exceptional qualities; then, when others didn’t agree, we felt humiliated. This is a good time to pray and to correct our mistaken attitude. We can be sure it is never too late to change our course."
Excerpts: Christian prayer... a loving conversation with Jesus
"I have always understood Christian prayer as being a loving conversation with Jesus, which shouldn't be interrupted even in the moments when we are physically far from the Tabernacle, because our whole life is a serenade of human love for our God|... and we can love always. (The Forge). Each day without fail we should devote some time especially to God, raising our minds to him, without any need for the words to come to our lips, for they are being sung in our heart. Let us give enough time to this devout practice; at a fixed hour, if possible. Before the Tabernacle, close to him who has remained there out of Love. If this is not possible, we can pray anywhere because our God is ineffably present in the heart of every soul in grace. Still I would advise you to go to the oratory whenever you can…
Each one of you, if he wants, can find his own way to converse with God. I do not like to talk about methods or formulas, because I have never wished to straitjacket anyone. What I have always tried to do is to encourage everyone to come closer to Our Lord, respecting each soul as it is, each with its own characteristics. Ask him to introduce his ideas and plans into our lives: not only into our heads, but also into the depths of our hearts and into all our outward actions. I assure you that you will thus be spared many of the disappointments and sorrows of selfishness, and you will find you have the strength to do good to all around you. How many obstacles vanish when in our hearts we place ourselves next to this God of ours, who never abandons us! Jesus’ love for his own, for the sick and for the lame, is renewed, expressed in different ways, ‘What is the matter?’ he asks, and we reply, ‘It’s my...’ At once there is light, or at least the acceptance of his will, and inner peace.
When I encourage you to open your heart in confidence to the Master, I am referring especially to your own difficulties, because most of the obstacles to our happiness come from our pride, which may be hidden to a greater or less degree. We had thought we were worth a great deal and had a lot of exceptional qualities; then, when others didn’t agree, we felt humiliated. This is a good time to pray and to correct our mistaken attitude. We can be sure it is never too late to change our course."
Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", Episode 2, by Babsie Bleasdell
Link to the audio presentation:
listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000005.mp3
Link to the audio presentation:
listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000005.mp3