Ijournal entry 110617 #44. November, Month of The Holy Souls. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by St. John of Kronstadt, St. Augustine, and St. Bernard. "Weekly Prayers to the Precious Blood for Priests" , From Our Treasure “The Blood of Jesus” prayer book, by the Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood. Part III - "Which Kind of Soul Am I?", by St. Anthony Marie Claret in his book The Golden Kingdom – An Explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", Episode 12, by Babsie Bleasdell.The final episode.
In the Roman Catholic Church the month of November is the traditional time to visit the graves of loved ones, as is the anniversary of their deaths. Autumn is the dying season, when the trees shine like rainbows in September and October until November arrives and the leaves pass away and the tree trunks and branches are shellacked black by chilly rains.
So says Qoheleth, the Preacher, the protagonist of the Book of Ecclesiastes, the most unique book in the portion of the Old Testament classified as wisdom literature. As “king of Jerusalem,” the Preacher imparts to the reader his musings on life and death, which to him are the same. “ His book is concerned with the purpose and value of human life. A natural pessimist, the Preacher expresses the supreme degree of futility and the emptiness of human existence. Who could not relate to that? Although the book is canonical it does not express the core truth of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the living and the dead. In our Creed we pray that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead and that “his kingdom will have no end.” By Fr. Tucker Cordani
Info from this site: http://www.catholiclane.com/49865/
Info from this site: http://www.catholiclane.com/49865/
The Rule of St. Benedict
"If any brother, though often corrected for some offence and even excommunicated, do not amend, let him receive more severe correction; that is to say, let the punishment of the rod be administered to him. But if even so he do not amend, or perchance (which God forbid) being puffed up with pride would even defend his deeds then let the abbot follow the procedure of a prudent physician. Having applied the fomentations and ointments of his exhortations, having used the medicine of the Holy Scriptures and last of all the cautery of excommunication and the strokes of the rod: then, if he see that all his trouble is of no avail, let him employ a greater thing still, namely the prayers of himself and all the brethren, that God, who can do all things, may effect the cure of the sick brother. But if he be not healed even in this way, then let the abbot use the knife of amputation, as the apostle saith: Put away the wicked one from among yourselves;1 and again: If the unbeliever depart, let him depart;2 lest one diseased sheep contaminate the whole flock.
MC=My Comments - We can mirror this is how God deals with us. The rod of discipline is used on the ones He loves and it is the son He receives that is chastised. So our attitudes may sometimes be twisted, thinking we are being punished because God doesn't love us, whereas, it is just the opposite. Also as being taught by the Lord, more important is praying than saying. Talk can fall on deaf ears, our prayers to God can result in changed hearts.
"If any brother, though often corrected for some offence and even excommunicated, do not amend, let him receive more severe correction; that is to say, let the punishment of the rod be administered to him. But if even so he do not amend, or perchance (which God forbid) being puffed up with pride would even defend his deeds then let the abbot follow the procedure of a prudent physician. Having applied the fomentations and ointments of his exhortations, having used the medicine of the Holy Scriptures and last of all the cautery of excommunication and the strokes of the rod: then, if he see that all his trouble is of no avail, let him employ a greater thing still, namely the prayers of himself and all the brethren, that God, who can do all things, may effect the cure of the sick brother. But if he be not healed even in this way, then let the abbot use the knife of amputation, as the apostle saith: Put away the wicked one from among yourselves;1 and again: If the unbeliever depart, let him depart;2 lest one diseased sheep contaminate the whole flock.
MC=My Comments - We can mirror this is how God deals with us. The rod of discipline is used on the ones He loves and it is the son He receives that is chastised. So our attitudes may sometimes be twisted, thinking we are being punished because God doesn't love us, whereas, it is just the opposite. Also as being taught by the Lord, more important is praying than saying. Talk can fall on deaf ears, our prayers to God can result in changed hearts.
💭"Sometimes in the affliction of your soul you wish to die. It is easy to die, and does not take long; but are you prepared for death? Remember that after death the judgment of your whole life will follow. You are not prepared for death, and if it were to come to you, you would shudder all over. Therefore do not waste words in vain. Do not say : "It is better for me to die," but say rather, "How can I prepare for death in a Christian manner?" By means of faith, by means of good works, and by bravely bearing the miseries and sorrows that happen to you, so as to be able to meet death fearlessly, peacefully, and without shame, not as a rigorous law of nature, but as a fatherly call of the eternal, heavenly, holy, and blessed Father unto the everlasting Kingdom. Remember the old man who, being weary of his heavy burden, called for death. When it came he did not wish to die, and preferred to go on carrying his heavy burden." By St. John of Kronstadt
🍅"Fortitude is the disposition of soul which enables us to despise all inconveniences and the loss of things not in our power." By St. Augustine
🖲 “It is necessary that temptations should happen; for who shall be crowned but he that shall lawfully have fought, and how shall a man fight if there be none to attack him?”. By St. Bernard
🍅"Fortitude is the disposition of soul which enables us to despise all inconveniences and the loss of things not in our power." By St. Augustine
🖲 “It is necessary that temptations should happen; for who shall be crowned but he that shall lawfully have fought, and how shall a man fight if there be none to attack him?”. By St. Bernard
Addie was the inspiration for me to begin rereading the Medjugorje messages, starting from day one. It was a blessing to find a site online containing all of the messages from 1981-to the present. Ebooks are my favorites, but she purchased me a hard copy a couple of months ago. Her method is to open up at random for herself or for others and experience a special touch from our Blessed Lady, Mary Ever Virgin. Having tried this a few times, it was a very nice heavenly hug for myself and to someone with whom a message was shared (a shout out to Robin). In regards to reading the online messages, starting from the beginning and continuing in a chronological sequence, it has been a blessing. One day the January 2-86 message corresponded to something that was written during a visit to the chapel for an Eucharistic Holy Hour. The Medjugorje message was as follows:
"Dear children! I call you to decide completely for God. I beseech you, dear children, to surrender yourselves completely and you shall be able to live everything I am telling you. It shall not be difficult for you to surrender yourselves completely to God. Thank you for having responded to my call."
The day before reading the above message, this is what was written in Holy Hour:
The graces being poured out are abundant and they are rich, they are constant, they are sweet, they are for all, and unlimited in measure. My child draw near, draw from the well of salvation. Turn towards me with all of your soul, your strength, and all your being. As Alpha and Omega, I cover every base and am your all in all. Surrender everything to me, your wants, needs, desires, aches, pains, and joys. You will find in me that all is reconciled and made new. The old order is passing, what now takes place is the new.
Turned at random to 2 Thessalonians, these are the verses capturing my attention:
"Dear children! I call you to decide completely for God. I beseech you, dear children, to surrender yourselves completely and you shall be able to live everything I am telling you. It shall not be difficult for you to surrender yourselves completely to God. Thank you for having responded to my call."
The day before reading the above message, this is what was written in Holy Hour:
The graces being poured out are abundant and they are rich, they are constant, they are sweet, they are for all, and unlimited in measure. My child draw near, draw from the well of salvation. Turn towards me with all of your soul, your strength, and all your being. As Alpha and Omega, I cover every base and am your all in all. Surrender everything to me, your wants, needs, desires, aches, pains, and joys. You will find in me that all is reconciled and made new. The old order is passing, what now takes place is the new.
Turned at random to 2 Thessalonians, these are the verses capturing my attention:
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 "Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word" |
My Response- Thank you Lord for all that you have done for me and the many prayers that have been answered. Continue with your great mercy towards me and please help me to be one more purified in every way possible. Glory to you Lord God, glory, glory, glory
More recently, last week on All Saints Day, this was written in Holy Hour:
Graces are free and when you receive them act and not waste what is so precious unto your salvation. Every step of the way, every minute of every hour is either bringing you closer to the kingdom or further away. Hold fast to me, you will find yourself traveling through valleys and sometimes on mountains tops, but through it all your salvation is being worked out. Great things are prepared for those following the light. Keep your feet firmed planted on the path of righteousness, do not depart from it.
Turned at random to Hebrews 8, three verses stood out:
More recently, last week on All Saints Day, this was written in Holy Hour:
Graces are free and when you receive them act and not waste what is so precious unto your salvation. Every step of the way, every minute of every hour is either bringing you closer to the kingdom or further away. Hold fast to me, you will find yourself traveling through valleys and sometimes on mountains tops, but through it all your salvation is being worked out. Great things are prepared for those following the light. Keep your feet firmed planted on the path of righteousness, do not depart from it.
Turned at random to Hebrews 8, three verses stood out:
My Response- My Lord and my God, my Savior and my friend in the highest order, I bless you and truly thank you for all that you have done and are doing. Most importantly, is that which you will accomplish before the last day, Halleluia. I want to be loyal and true, help me to walk the straight and narrow. May the glory you deserve from my life be yours in full measure as the days go by. Come Lord Jesus Christ, come, come, come. Son of the living God, come and make me your dwelling place, create a clean heart in me and renew the right spirit. What a bonus, when one comes, all three persons are present, oh, what a marvel indeed.
Later on that evening, while doing my spiritual reading from the book: "The Golden Key to Heaven" an explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, by St. Anthony Mary Claret, he said the following that brought me great joy. In it is a confirmation from something written in Holy Hour, what a joy to be reading in the right book at the right time.
"When the Christian has drawn himself aside from the noise and the business of the world, he hears the voice of the Lord, who says to him: O Christian soul, where do you come from? Where are you going? You come from me, who have created you and have redeemed you and have planned and intended you for heaven. So that you may gain salvation I have given you laws and Sacraments, helps and special graces. And you, what is your present state? Alas! You are in the state of the state of sin, stripped of grace, unworthy of heaven, and you have been found guilty and sentenced to death. Where are you heading? Alas! You are proceeding to hell! At every step you are taking, you are approaching those eternal torments."
The points being stressed to me, and maybe they are the same points touching you:
👣Every step of the way, every minute of every hour is either bringing us closer to the kingdom or further away.
👣God created us, Jesus redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit is sanctifying us, planning and intending for us to end up in heaven. So that we may gain salvation, He has given laws and Sacraments, helps and special graces. What excuses do we have?
Later on that evening, while doing my spiritual reading from the book: "The Golden Key to Heaven" an explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, by St. Anthony Mary Claret, he said the following that brought me great joy. In it is a confirmation from something written in Holy Hour, what a joy to be reading in the right book at the right time.
"When the Christian has drawn himself aside from the noise and the business of the world, he hears the voice of the Lord, who says to him: O Christian soul, where do you come from? Where are you going? You come from me, who have created you and have redeemed you and have planned and intended you for heaven. So that you may gain salvation I have given you laws and Sacraments, helps and special graces. And you, what is your present state? Alas! You are in the state of the state of sin, stripped of grace, unworthy of heaven, and you have been found guilty and sentenced to death. Where are you heading? Alas! You are proceeding to hell! At every step you are taking, you are approaching those eternal torments."
The points being stressed to me, and maybe they are the same points touching you:
👣Every step of the way, every minute of every hour is either bringing us closer to the kingdom or further away.
👣God created us, Jesus redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit is sanctifying us, planning and intending for us to end up in heaven. So that we may gain salvation, He has given laws and Sacraments, helps and special graces. What excuses do we have?
"Weekly Prayers to the Precious Blood for Priests" , From Our Treasure “The Blood of Jesus” prayer book, by the Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood
Info from this site: http://www.stjudemonastery.org/precious-blood-prayers-priests/
🌵"Monday-Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood which You shed in the Garden of Olives, take pity on all aspirants to the priesthood who, through the temptations of the evil one, or dread of the responsibilities of the sacred ministry, are in danger of losing their vocation. Impart to these young men sufficient courage to make the sacrifices by which the Eucharistic Chalice must be purchased; and in return for their generosity, let them find strength and courage through the Blood Which in heaven shall be their eternal source of delight.
Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Tuesday-Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood shed in Your painful scourging, shield with Your own special protection, and that of Your Immaculate Mother, all ministers of the sanctuary, so that, belonging entirely to You, they may every day offer and receive Your Body and Blood and enable You to find in their hearts “a paradise of delight.”Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Wednesday-Lord Jesus Christ, by the Precious Blood which You shed in Your Crowning with Thorns, we beseech You to maintain our clergy in such filial submission to the Holy See and its representatives, as will for ever secure them the veneration, confidence, and docility of the faithful children of Holy Church.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Thursday-Lord Jesus! by Your Precious Blood, shed on the way to Calvary, take pity on priests who are the victims of injustice, and who, like their Adorable Model, receive, in return for their devotedness, nothing but crosses, trials and persecutions.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Friday-Lord Jesus, by the Blood of Your Crucifixion, inflame with ever-unceasing zeal the dispensers of Your Blood. Grant that thirsting like You for souls they may continue the work of Your Passion, increasing its efficacy by applying its merits. Assist most of all the poor missionaries who, after watering with their sweat and tears the soil in which they have sown the divine seed, may still be called upon to dye with their blood the land upon which they planted the cross.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Saturday-Lord Jesus, through the Blood and water shed by You after death, take special pity on those among Your ministers whom You will soon call by death. If, through human frailty, they have become the debtors of Your justice, grant that, this very day, the infinitely Precious Blood may discharge their obligations.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen."
Info from this site: http://www.stjudemonastery.org/precious-blood-prayers-priests/
🌵"Monday-Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood which You shed in the Garden of Olives, take pity on all aspirants to the priesthood who, through the temptations of the evil one, or dread of the responsibilities of the sacred ministry, are in danger of losing their vocation. Impart to these young men sufficient courage to make the sacrifices by which the Eucharistic Chalice must be purchased; and in return for their generosity, let them find strength and courage through the Blood Which in heaven shall be their eternal source of delight.
Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Tuesday-Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood shed in Your painful scourging, shield with Your own special protection, and that of Your Immaculate Mother, all ministers of the sanctuary, so that, belonging entirely to You, they may every day offer and receive Your Body and Blood and enable You to find in their hearts “a paradise of delight.”Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Wednesday-Lord Jesus Christ, by the Precious Blood which You shed in Your Crowning with Thorns, we beseech You to maintain our clergy in such filial submission to the Holy See and its representatives, as will for ever secure them the veneration, confidence, and docility of the faithful children of Holy Church.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Thursday-Lord Jesus! by Your Precious Blood, shed on the way to Calvary, take pity on priests who are the victims of injustice, and who, like their Adorable Model, receive, in return for their devotedness, nothing but crosses, trials and persecutions.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Friday-Lord Jesus, by the Blood of Your Crucifixion, inflame with ever-unceasing zeal the dispensers of Your Blood. Grant that thirsting like You for souls they may continue the work of Your Passion, increasing its efficacy by applying its merits. Assist most of all the poor missionaries who, after watering with their sweat and tears the soil in which they have sown the divine seed, may still be called upon to dye with their blood the land upon which they planted the cross.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen.
🌵Saturday-Lord Jesus, through the Blood and water shed by You after death, take special pity on those among Your ministers whom You will soon call by death. If, through human frailty, they have become the debtors of Your justice, grant that, this very day, the infinitely Precious Blood may discharge their obligations.Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Jesus. Amen."
Part III - "Which Kind of Soul Am I?", by St. Anthony Marie Claret in his book The Golden Kingdom – An Explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Info from this site:
https://harvestingthefruitsofcontemplation.blogspot.com
"[Two of the three types of souls that St. Anthony Marie Claret describes in his book The Golden Kingdom – An Explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The first type "aspire to perfection and to follow Jesus but only in speech and not in their heart". The second has a true will "to aspire to perfection but does not have an all-inclusive generous will". We now take a look at souls that really want to strive for perfection.]
The third class of souls consists of those who have an earnest, generous will to strive for perfection. I mean that they are ready and willing not only to carry out whatever God wants, but also to suffer all that His designs provide, in order to acquire perfection...
perfection - The measure with which God gives Himself to a man is exactly the same as that which the man gives himself to God. Therefore when the soul surrenders itself entirely and without reserve to God in this state of which we speak, so that it is ready to do and suffer all that pleases God, God also, on His part, communicates Himself totally and without reserve to the soul, and in a very short time raises it to this perfection...
The soul that has this disposition certainly reaches union with God - Union and intimate familiarity with God is the reward promised for perfect charity...Now who is it that has perfect charity, to which is attached the promise of such an outstanding grace? It is beyond doubt one who surrenders himself entirely to God.
This soul infallibly obtains from God many other very sublime graces - If God is infinitely liberal, He will not fail to pour down His Graces superabundantly and will pour them assuredly on any heart which submits completely to Him. These graces consist in a very sweet, quiet peace and joy of heart, in a very tender devotion and affection for God and in other gifts which are properly from the Holy Spirit...
Affective Acts
Fear - O my God, how liberal and merciful Thou art with me! It is purely an effect of Thy Grace that I now know the road which leads to Holiness, that I certainly know I can attain it, provided I abandon myself entirely into Thy Hands. Oh, what goodness! Oh, what Mercy! Oh, what Grace! But these very graces make one tremble, O my God...
And one to whom a great deal has been lent, must likewise restore a great deal. Oh, what a disaster it would be for me, if the very abundance of grace that ought to raise me to a very high level of glory in Heaven, were to plunge me into the depths of hell! This is certain, that for many souls there is no middle state; but they will either be elevated to a very high place in paradise, or they will fall most disastrously into the eternal pit of hell. Could I be one of these? I do no know. Oh frightening thought! I do not know!...
Resolution - I will promptly look after my soul's welfare and begin walking the way that Thou, O my Jesus, hast made known to me today. Yes, at this moment I surrender myself entirely to the ways Thou has designed."
Info from this site:
https://harvestingthefruitsofcontemplation.blogspot.com
"[Two of the three types of souls that St. Anthony Marie Claret describes in his book The Golden Kingdom – An Explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The first type "aspire to perfection and to follow Jesus but only in speech and not in their heart". The second has a true will "to aspire to perfection but does not have an all-inclusive generous will". We now take a look at souls that really want to strive for perfection.]
The third class of souls consists of those who have an earnest, generous will to strive for perfection. I mean that they are ready and willing not only to carry out whatever God wants, but also to suffer all that His designs provide, in order to acquire perfection...
perfection - The measure with which God gives Himself to a man is exactly the same as that which the man gives himself to God. Therefore when the soul surrenders itself entirely and without reserve to God in this state of which we speak, so that it is ready to do and suffer all that pleases God, God also, on His part, communicates Himself totally and without reserve to the soul, and in a very short time raises it to this perfection...
The soul that has this disposition certainly reaches union with God - Union and intimate familiarity with God is the reward promised for perfect charity...Now who is it that has perfect charity, to which is attached the promise of such an outstanding grace? It is beyond doubt one who surrenders himself entirely to God.
This soul infallibly obtains from God many other very sublime graces - If God is infinitely liberal, He will not fail to pour down His Graces superabundantly and will pour them assuredly on any heart which submits completely to Him. These graces consist in a very sweet, quiet peace and joy of heart, in a very tender devotion and affection for God and in other gifts which are properly from the Holy Spirit...
Affective Acts
Fear - O my God, how liberal and merciful Thou art with me! It is purely an effect of Thy Grace that I now know the road which leads to Holiness, that I certainly know I can attain it, provided I abandon myself entirely into Thy Hands. Oh, what goodness! Oh, what Mercy! Oh, what Grace! But these very graces make one tremble, O my God...
And one to whom a great deal has been lent, must likewise restore a great deal. Oh, what a disaster it would be for me, if the very abundance of grace that ought to raise me to a very high level of glory in Heaven, were to plunge me into the depths of hell! This is certain, that for many souls there is no middle state; but they will either be elevated to a very high place in paradise, or they will fall most disastrously into the eternal pit of hell. Could I be one of these? I do no know. Oh frightening thought! I do not know!...
Resolution - I will promptly look after my soul's welfare and begin walking the way that Thou, O my Jesus, hast made known to me today. Yes, at this moment I surrender myself entirely to the ways Thou has designed."
Audio presentation: "Refurbishing the Soul", Episode 12, by Babsie Bleasdell.The final episode
Link to audio presentation:
http://listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000004.mp3
Link to audio presentation:
http://listen.ewtn.com/~IJ/~IJ000004.mp3