Ijournal entry 112017 #46. Mrs. Marie, rest in peace. November, Month of The Holy Souls. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Augustine, and St. John Paul II. Article: "Mass is a time of silence and prayer, not idle chitchat, pope says", by Junno Arocho Esteves. "Oration on the Holy Lights" , by St. Gregory of Nazianzen. YouTube video: "Sr. Marie, evangelizing at 103", Part I
Rosary for the Souls of Priests in Purgatory
The first five decades are meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the final decade is a meditation on the Lord's Holy Wounds and Precious Blood.
Preparation Prayers
•Make the Sign of the Cross
•Recite the Apostle's Creed
•Say:◦One (1) Our Father ◦Three (3) Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity) m ◦One (1) Glory Be
📿The First Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your bloody sweat of fear that You shed on the Mount of Olives, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Deliver them from their fear and pain and console them with the Cup of Heavenly Comfort!
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Second Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Scourging which You tolerated so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Retract from them the pain of Your Anger and give them Eternal Relief.
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Third Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Crowning which You suffered so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory and give them the crown of Eternal Delight!
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Fourth Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Carrying of the Cross, which You suffered so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Remove from them the heavy burden of suffering and lead them into Eternal Peace.
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Fifth Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Crucifixion, which You suffered so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Turn Your Holy Face toward them and let them today be in Paradise with You!
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Sixth Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through your five Holy Wounds and through all of Your Sacred Blood that You shed, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory, and in particular {Insert the name of the particular priest for whom you are offering this rosary}! Heal their painful wounds and let them enjoy and participate fully in Your Salvation.
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
Conclusion
•Upon completion, say:
◦The Memorare
◦Hail Holy Queen
◦Prayers for the Intentions of the Holy Father- ■One (1) Our Father ■One (1) Hail Mary ■One (1) Glory Be
•Conclude with the Sign of the Cross
Pope John Paul, II - pray for us!
Info from this site:
http://gratefulforpurgatory.blogspot.com/2010/06/rosary-for-souls-of-priests-in.html
The first five decades are meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the final decade is a meditation on the Lord's Holy Wounds and Precious Blood.
Preparation Prayers
•Make the Sign of the Cross
•Recite the Apostle's Creed
•Say:◦One (1) Our Father ◦Three (3) Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity) m ◦One (1) Glory Be
📿The First Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your bloody sweat of fear that You shed on the Mount of Olives, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Deliver them from their fear and pain and console them with the Cup of Heavenly Comfort!
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Second Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Scourging which You tolerated so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Retract from them the pain of Your Anger and give them Eternal Relief.
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Third Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Crowning which You suffered so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory and give them the crown of Eternal Delight!
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Fourth Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Carrying of the Cross, which You suffered so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Remove from them the heavy burden of suffering and lead them into Eternal Peace.
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Fifth Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through Your painful Crucifixion, which You suffered so patiently for us sinners, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory! Turn Your Holy Face toward them and let them today be in Paradise with You!
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
📿The Sixth Decade
•Meditation: Lord Jesus Christ, through your five Holy Wounds and through all of Your Sacred Blood that You shed, we ask You to have Mercy on the Souls of Your Priests in Purgatory, and in particular {Insert the name of the particular priest for whom you are offering this rosary}! Heal their painful wounds and let them enjoy and participate fully in Your Salvation.
•For each decade pray:◦One (1) Our Father {Large Bead} ◦Ten (10) Hail Marys {Small Beads}
•Instead of the Glory Be, conclude with: ◦Lord, grant them Eternal Rest and let Perpetual Light shine upon them!
Conclusion
•Upon completion, say:
◦The Memorare
◦Hail Holy Queen
◦Prayers for the Intentions of the Holy Father- ■One (1) Our Father ■One (1) Hail Mary ■One (1) Glory Be
•Conclude with the Sign of the Cross
Pope John Paul, II - pray for us!
Info from this site:
http://gratefulforpurgatory.blogspot.com/2010/06/rosary-for-souls-of-priests-in.html
The Rule of St. Benedict
"At the meals of the brethren there should not fail to be reading: nor should the reader be anyone who may chance to take up the book, but let there be a reader for the whole week who shall enter upon his office on Sunday. Let this incoming reader, after Mass and Communion, ask all to pray for him that God may keep him from the spirit of pride. And let him intone the following versicle which shall be said three times in the oratory by all: Domine labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam. Then, having received a blessing, let him enter upon his reading. And let there be the greatest silence, so that no one’s whisper or voice, but only the reader’s may be heard there. But for the things that they need as they eat and drink, let the brethren pass them to one another so that no one need ask for anything. If, however, there be any need, then let the thing be asked for by means of some audible sign rather than by speech. Nor let anyone venture there to ask questions about the reading or anything else, lest it give occasion to the evil one, unless perchance the superior should wish to say a few words for the edification of the brethren. Let the brother who is the reader of the week be given a little bread and wine before he begins to read, on account of the Holy Communion and lest the fast might be hard for him to bear. Let him have his meal afterwards with the kitchen and table servers of the week. The brethren are not to read and sing according to their order, but those only who give edification to the hearers"
My comments - No wonder we are so weak in faith, because anything goes. Garnering attention is how everything was taken seriously, no moments were wasted, and how the best man for the job did the joy, so efficiency towards proficiency was always at play. Might we pay heed to the mode of operation of old, it the way for the bearing of true good fruits.
"At the meals of the brethren there should not fail to be reading: nor should the reader be anyone who may chance to take up the book, but let there be a reader for the whole week who shall enter upon his office on Sunday. Let this incoming reader, after Mass and Communion, ask all to pray for him that God may keep him from the spirit of pride. And let him intone the following versicle which shall be said three times in the oratory by all: Domine labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam. Then, having received a blessing, let him enter upon his reading. And let there be the greatest silence, so that no one’s whisper or voice, but only the reader’s may be heard there. But for the things that they need as they eat and drink, let the brethren pass them to one another so that no one need ask for anything. If, however, there be any need, then let the thing be asked for by means of some audible sign rather than by speech. Nor let anyone venture there to ask questions about the reading or anything else, lest it give occasion to the evil one, unless perchance the superior should wish to say a few words for the edification of the brethren. Let the brother who is the reader of the week be given a little bread and wine before he begins to read, on account of the Holy Communion and lest the fast might be hard for him to bear. Let him have his meal afterwards with the kitchen and table servers of the week. The brethren are not to read and sing according to their order, but those only who give edification to the hearers"
My comments - No wonder we are so weak in faith, because anything goes. Garnering attention is how everything was taken seriously, no moments were wasted, and how the best man for the job did the joy, so efficiency towards proficiency was always at play. Might we pay heed to the mode of operation of old, it the way for the bearing of true good fruits.
RIP Mrs. Marie
Thank you all, clergy and laity, who offered prayers for Cathy's mom, Mrs. Marie. Her death was peaceful and blest. At first she said she couldn't believe God was pulling the rug from under her. Then conforming herself to His will she became ready, too ready. For she said one day God said "patience". Then in about two weeks or so, her wait was over. For sure we never know the day or hour, she already had my gift for Christmas, not knowing she would not be here to pass it on. Her passing on is more help from the other side for this apostolate. She definitely was looking forward to the spiritual food from this ministry, thank you God for loyal customers trying to make haste while it is still day. What will be remembered are her words to not forget to pray everyday to our guardian angel.
May Cathy and the Boudreaux family find comfort in ways unimaginable. That God Almighty Himself, might be the provider of their strength and courage day by day. Can still see Mrs. Marie's longing and loving reception of our Lord Jesus Christ when receiving Him in the Eucharist. How glorious must have been the moment of crossing over into eternity, the day without end. A reason for rejoicing in the midst of an earthly sorrow, is that heavenly joy gets to have the final say. Blessings upon Mr. Melvin, and may the good and glory that mercy brings keep faith, hope, and love alive in a fruitful way. Lord Jesus, please shepherd them through their loss, may they have no want. Closing with the words of St. Cyprian: "Who of us, if he had long been a sojourner in a foreign land wouldn't desire to return to his native country? Who of us, when he had begun to sail there would not wish for a prosperous wind to carry him to his desired home wit speed, that he might sooner embrace his friends and relatives? We must account paradise our country".
Well, Mrs. Marie have sailed home, she lived by faith in hope, loving and serving, now may she rest in peace.
May Cathy and the Boudreaux family find comfort in ways unimaginable. That God Almighty Himself, might be the provider of their strength and courage day by day. Can still see Mrs. Marie's longing and loving reception of our Lord Jesus Christ when receiving Him in the Eucharist. How glorious must have been the moment of crossing over into eternity, the day without end. A reason for rejoicing in the midst of an earthly sorrow, is that heavenly joy gets to have the final say. Blessings upon Mr. Melvin, and may the good and glory that mercy brings keep faith, hope, and love alive in a fruitful way. Lord Jesus, please shepherd them through their loss, may they have no want. Closing with the words of St. Cyprian: "Who of us, if he had long been a sojourner in a foreign land wouldn't desire to return to his native country? Who of us, when he had begun to sail there would not wish for a prosperous wind to carry him to his desired home wit speed, that he might sooner embrace his friends and relatives? We must account paradise our country".
Well, Mrs. Marie have sailed home, she lived by faith in hope, loving and serving, now may she rest in peace.
🌕 "“ The chief plenary indulgence, which is within reach of everybody, and can be gained without the ordinary conditions, is that of charity--which ‘covers a multitude of sins". By St. Therese of Lisieux
🔴 "Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand". By St. Augustine
⚫️ " In following the Gospel exhortation to be perfect like the Heavenly Father
🔴 "Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand". By St. Augustine
⚫️ " In following the Gospel exhortation to be perfect like the Heavenly Father
during our earthly life, we are called to grow in love, to be sound and flawless before God the Father 'at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints'
Moreover, we are invited to 'cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit'
because the encounter with God requires absolute purity. Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every imperfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete, and indeed this is precisely what is meant by the Church's teaching on purgatory. The term does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence. Those who, after death, exist in a state of purification, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them the remnants of imperfection" by St. John Paul II
It turned out that two visits ago, a visit to Our Lady Of Wisdom facility, would be a very profitable one. The routine is to go there once a month to visit and pray with my dear little religious friends, Sr. Rita, Fr. Steven and Sr. Marie. It was Sr. Marie who recently inspired the poetic sparks. Initially going over to only see Sr. Rita. Our friendship was established after Katrina. She was such a blessing after evacuating to my home town after the hurricane. We were like peas in pod, practically everyday being together. God let St. Rita be an example to show me that not everyone who did not wear their religious habit was liberal. Of course we know why we hit it off so well, Jesus in the morning, Jesus in the noon time, Jesus when the sun goes down. A friendship made in heaven, so thankful to have met her. Because of being affected with Alzheimers, she now residing at the facility, and her heart is still good as gold. All the people there like her spirit, and see how gentle and loving she is. All her positive traits continue, in spite of her condition. She recognizes that she knows me, but not my name or our history together. She thinks she was my teacher and that is what categorizes our relationship.
It was months before finding out that Sr. Marie was also residing there. She was out of state for a while, but moved back, thank you Jesus. Hadn't seen her for years, but when we were in the dining room and that voice resounded, no doubt, knew it was her speaking. Previously she weighed much more and was probably in her late 80's the last time we communicated. Befriended Fr. Steven in the day room. He is so tiny & soft spoken, and He is a Dominican, (yea Dominicans, my wonderful spiritual family) so he was added to the list. Always get my priestly blessing from him after spending time with him, so reaping much more than is being sown. There is a sign in his room asking that scripture be read to him. So killing two birds with a single stone, because scripture reading is on daily spiritual to do list, so accomplishing something good for me and for him. After reading, we ponder and discuss a few things, and high five it for the Lord.
Here are the results from the poetic sparks.
It was months before finding out that Sr. Marie was also residing there. She was out of state for a while, but moved back, thank you Jesus. Hadn't seen her for years, but when we were in the dining room and that voice resounded, no doubt, knew it was her speaking. Previously she weighed much more and was probably in her late 80's the last time we communicated. Befriended Fr. Steven in the day room. He is so tiny & soft spoken, and He is a Dominican, (yea Dominicans, my wonderful spiritual family) so he was added to the list. Always get my priestly blessing from him after spending time with him, so reaping much more than is being sown. There is a sign in his room asking that scripture be read to him. So killing two birds with a single stone, because scripture reading is on daily spiritual to do list, so accomplishing something good for me and for him. After reading, we ponder and discuss a few things, and high five it for the Lord.
Here are the results from the poetic sparks.
~ Sr. Marie ~ An Evangelizer at 103 ~
🙇🏼Check out that 103 year old face
🙇🏼So beautified by a holy life dependent on God's amazing grace
🙇🏼 Never complaining about still being in the land of the living
🙇🏼Counting each minute as an opportunity to fulfill her mission, in a manner ever so willing
🙇🏼 Happy and content
🙇🏼 Because on the Lord's will she is hell-bent
🙇🏼 She is wondering what it is going to be like at 104
🙇🏼 Proves she not dissatisfied and rushing to go
🙇🏼Bless her O Lord, bless her by day and bless her by night
🙇🏼Upon her always continue to shine your glorious light
🙇🏼Sr. Marie, Yes our dear Sr. Marie
🙇🏼Still evangelizing at the age of 103
🙇🏼A bit hard of hearing, but her mind is still sharp and in a wheelchair she moves about
🙇🏼She is definitely "with it", have a conversation and her, then you'll not have a single doubt.
🙇🏼Sister keeps a supply of prayers in store
🙇🏼Ready to share with those who knock on her door
🙇🏼Privileged to receive these three
🙇🏼As she handed them over so happily
🙇🏼Living long
🙇🏼Never wavering from wanting to do what is right & never wanting to do anyone wrong
🙇🏼She continues to be a good spiritual friend, you see
🙇🏼Intent on helping me spiritually by feeding me one of her favorites entitled "Trust Me"
🙇🏼A prayer that she said she found a long, long, long time ago
🙇🏼It's discovery impacted her life, causing her soul to warmly glow
🙇🏼It is still having the same effect, now as in past years
🙇🏼Her repeating it by memory in such a heartfelt way can bring to the eyes copious tears.
🙇🏼She knows many falter from a lack of trust
🙇🏼A battle to be fought until what is left of us is dust
🙇🏼So here is what Sr. Marie shared, who exactly the author was, at the time was not clear.
🙇🏼Take a minute and meditate upon this, it may become also for you quite dear.
🙇🏼After a little web research
🙇🏼Found out that this was part of a hymn used in church
🙇🏼So hungry for more
🙇🏼To be quite satisfied in discovering not only one additional stanza, not two or three, but four
🙇🏼Lyrics are by someone named Lucy A. Bennett
🙇🏼Hope by a remix to reveal another facet, not in the least to upset
🙇🏼"Trust Him When Thy Wants Are Many" is the correct title
🙇🏼So away we go, saying come Holy Spirit, no time for you to be idle
The remix will be the Veggie Part II next week. Here is the original:
"Trust Him When Thy Wants Are Many", lyrics by Lucy A. Bennett
1
Trust Him when thy wants are many;
Trust Him when thy friends are few;
And the time of swift temptation
Is the time to trust Him too.
2
Trust Him when thy soul is burdened
With the sense of all its sin;
He will speak the word of pardon,
He will make thee clean within.
3
Trust Him for the grace sufficient,
Ever equal to thy need;
Trust Him always for the answer,
When in His dear name you plead.
4
Trust Him for the grace to conquer,
He is able to subdue;
Trust Him for the power for service;
Trust Him for the blessing too.
5
Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.
6
Trust Him; He is ever faithful;
Trust Him, for His will is best;
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
Is the only place of rest.
7
Trust Him, then, through cloud or sunshine,
All thy cares upon Him cast,
Till the storm of life is over,
And the trusting days are past.
🙇🏼Check out that 103 year old face
🙇🏼So beautified by a holy life dependent on God's amazing grace
🙇🏼 Never complaining about still being in the land of the living
🙇🏼Counting each minute as an opportunity to fulfill her mission, in a manner ever so willing
🙇🏼 Happy and content
🙇🏼 Because on the Lord's will she is hell-bent
🙇🏼 She is wondering what it is going to be like at 104
🙇🏼 Proves she not dissatisfied and rushing to go
🙇🏼Bless her O Lord, bless her by day and bless her by night
🙇🏼Upon her always continue to shine your glorious light
🙇🏼Sr. Marie, Yes our dear Sr. Marie
🙇🏼Still evangelizing at the age of 103
🙇🏼A bit hard of hearing, but her mind is still sharp and in a wheelchair she moves about
🙇🏼She is definitely "with it", have a conversation and her, then you'll not have a single doubt.
🙇🏼Sister keeps a supply of prayers in store
🙇🏼Ready to share with those who knock on her door
🙇🏼Privileged to receive these three
🙇🏼As she handed them over so happily
🙇🏼Living long
🙇🏼Never wavering from wanting to do what is right & never wanting to do anyone wrong
🙇🏼She continues to be a good spiritual friend, you see
🙇🏼Intent on helping me spiritually by feeding me one of her favorites entitled "Trust Me"
🙇🏼A prayer that she said she found a long, long, long time ago
🙇🏼It's discovery impacted her life, causing her soul to warmly glow
🙇🏼It is still having the same effect, now as in past years
🙇🏼Her repeating it by memory in such a heartfelt way can bring to the eyes copious tears.
🙇🏼She knows many falter from a lack of trust
🙇🏼A battle to be fought until what is left of us is dust
🙇🏼So here is what Sr. Marie shared, who exactly the author was, at the time was not clear.
🙇🏼Take a minute and meditate upon this, it may become also for you quite dear.
🙇🏼After a little web research
🙇🏼Found out that this was part of a hymn used in church
🙇🏼So hungry for more
🙇🏼To be quite satisfied in discovering not only one additional stanza, not two or three, but four
🙇🏼Lyrics are by someone named Lucy A. Bennett
🙇🏼Hope by a remix to reveal another facet, not in the least to upset
🙇🏼"Trust Him When Thy Wants Are Many" is the correct title
🙇🏼So away we go, saying come Holy Spirit, no time for you to be idle
The remix will be the Veggie Part II next week. Here is the original:
"Trust Him When Thy Wants Are Many", lyrics by Lucy A. Bennett
1
Trust Him when thy wants are many;
Trust Him when thy friends are few;
And the time of swift temptation
Is the time to trust Him too.
2
Trust Him when thy soul is burdened
With the sense of all its sin;
He will speak the word of pardon,
He will make thee clean within.
3
Trust Him for the grace sufficient,
Ever equal to thy need;
Trust Him always for the answer,
When in His dear name you plead.
4
Trust Him for the grace to conquer,
He is able to subdue;
Trust Him for the power for service;
Trust Him for the blessing too.
5
Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.
6
Trust Him; He is ever faithful;
Trust Him, for His will is best;
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
Is the only place of rest.
7
Trust Him, then, through cloud or sunshine,
All thy cares upon Him cast,
Till the storm of life is over,
And the trusting days are past.
"Mass is a time of silence and prayer, not idle chitchat, pope says", by
By Junno Arocho Esteves
Info from this site: http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/mass-is-a-time-of-silence-and-prayer-not-idle-chitchat-pope-says.cfm
" Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk, Pope Francis said.
At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing "to meet with Jesus" instead of engaging in "chitchat," the pope said Nov. 15 during his weekly general audience.
"Silence is so important," he said. "Remember what I told you last time: we are not going to a show. Silence prepares us and accompanies us."
The pope continued his new series of audience talks on the Mass, reflecting on the Eucharist as a form of prayer that is "the highest, the most sublime and, at the same time, the most concrete" way of encountering God's love.
"This is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through him, with God and with our brothers and sisters," the pope said.
In the Gospels, he continued, Jesus teaches his disciples that the first thing needed to pray "is to know how to say 'father'" and to trust in God with the humility of a child.
Christians also must allow themselves to be "surprised by the living encounter with the Lord," he said, and not simply "talk to God like a parrot," repeating the words of prayers without thinking.
"The encounter with God is a living encounter," the pope said departing from his prepared remarks. "It is not an encounter of a museum, it is a living encounter. And we go to Mass, not a museum! We go to a living encounter with the Lord."
Pope Francis said the Mass is also a gift and a consolation where Christians discover that God's greatest surprise is that he "loves us even in our weakness."
"The Lord encounters our frailty," the pope said. "This is the environment of the Eucharist. This is prayer."
By Junno Arocho Esteves
Info from this site: http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2017/mass-is-a-time-of-silence-and-prayer-not-idle-chitchat-pope-says.cfm
" Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk, Pope Francis said.
At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing "to meet with Jesus" instead of engaging in "chitchat," the pope said Nov. 15 during his weekly general audience.
"Silence is so important," he said. "Remember what I told you last time: we are not going to a show. Silence prepares us and accompanies us."
The pope continued his new series of audience talks on the Mass, reflecting on the Eucharist as a form of prayer that is "the highest, the most sublime and, at the same time, the most concrete" way of encountering God's love.
"This is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through him, with God and with our brothers and sisters," the pope said.
In the Gospels, he continued, Jesus teaches his disciples that the first thing needed to pray "is to know how to say 'father'" and to trust in God with the humility of a child.
Christians also must allow themselves to be "surprised by the living encounter with the Lord," he said, and not simply "talk to God like a parrot," repeating the words of prayers without thinking.
"The encounter with God is a living encounter," the pope said departing from his prepared remarks. "It is not an encounter of a museum, it is a living encounter. And we go to Mass, not a museum! We go to a living encounter with the Lord."
Pope Francis said the Mass is also a gift and a consolation where Christians discover that God's greatest surprise is that he "loves us even in our weakness."
"The Lord encounters our frailty," the pope said. "This is the environment of the Eucharist. This is prayer."
"Oration on the Holy Light" , by St. Gregory of Nazianzen
Excerpts:
II. 🕯Therefore listen to the Voice of God, which sounds so exceeding clearly to me, who am both disciple and master of these mysteries, as would to God it may sound to you; I Am The Light Of The World.
🕯Therefore approach ye to Him and be enlightened, and let not your faces be ashamed, being signed with the true Light.
🕯 It is a season of new birth,let us be born again.
🕯 It is a time of reformation, let us receive again the first Adam.
🕯Let us not remain what we are, but let us become what we once were.
🕯The Light Shineth In Darkness, in this life and in the flesh, and is chased by the darkness, but is not overtaken by it:—I mean the adverse power leaping up in its shamelessness against the visible Adam, but encountering God and being defeated;—in order that we, putting away the darkness, may draw near to the Light, and may then become perfect Light, the children of perfect Light. See the grace of this Day; see the power of this mystery. Are you not lifted up from the earth? Are you not clearly placed on high, being exalted by our voice and meditation? and you will be placed much higher when the Word shall have prospered the course of my words.
VIII. 🕯But since to us grace has been given to flee from superstitious error and to be joined to the truth and to serve the living and true God, and to rise above creation, passing by all that is subject to time and to first motion; let us look at and reason upon God and things divine in a manner corresponding to this Grace given us. But let us begin our discussion of them from the most fitting point. And the most fitting is, as Solomon laid down for us; us; The beginning of wisdom, he says, is to get wisdom.
🕯And what this is he tells us; the beginning of wisdom is fear.
🕯For we must not begin with contemplation and leave off with fear (for an unbridled contemplation would perhaps push us over a precipice), but we must be grounded and purified and so to say made light by fear, and thus be raised to the height. For where fear is there is keeping of commandments; and where there is keeping of commandments there is purifying of the flesh, that cloud which covers the soul and suffers it not to see the Divine Ray. And where there is purifying there is Illumination; and Illumination is the satisfying of desire to those who long for the greatest things, or the Greatest Thing, or That Which surpasses all greatness.
IX. 🕯Wherefore we must purify ourselves first, and then approach this converse with the Pure; unless we would have the same experience as Israel, who could not endure the glory of the face of Moses, and therefore asked for a veil; or else would feel and say with Manoah “We are undone O wife, we have seen God,” although it was God only in his fancy; or like Peter would send Jesus out of the boat, as being ourselves unworthy of such a visit; and when I say Peter, I am speaking of the man who walked upon the waves; or like Paul would be stricken in eyes, as he was before he was cleansed from the guilt of his persecution, when he conversed with Him Whom he was persecuting—or rather with a short flash of That great Light; or like the Centurionwould seek for healing, but would not, through a praiseworthy fear, receive the Healer into his house. 🕯Let each one of us also speak so, as long as he is still uncleansed, and is a Centurion still, commanding many in wickedness, and serving in the army of Cæsar, the World-ruler of those who are being dragged down; “I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.”
🕯But when he shall have looked upon Jesus, though he be little of stature like Zaccheus of old, and climb up on the top of the sycamore tree by mortifying his members which are upon the earth, and having risen above the body of humiliation, then he shall receive the Word, and it shall be said to him, This day is salvation come to this house.
🕯Then let him lay hold on the salvation, and bring forth fruit more perfectly, scattering and pouring forth rightly that which as a publican he wrongly gathered.
X. 🕯For the same Word is on the one hand terrible through its nature to those who are unworthy, and on the other through its loving kindness can be received by those who are thus prepared, who have driven out the unclean and worldly spirit from their souls, and have swept and adorned their own souls by self-examination, and have not left them idle or without employment, so as again to be occupied with greater armament by the seven spirits of wickedness…the same number as are reckoned of virtue (for that which is hardest to fight against calls for the sternest efforts)…but besides fleeing from evil, practise virtue, making Christ entirely, or at any rate to the greatest extent possible, to dwell within them, so that the power of evil cannot meet with any empty place to fill it again with himself, and make the last state of that man worse than the first, by the greater energy of his assault, and the greater strength and impregnability of the fortress.
🕯But when, having guarded our soul with every care, and having appointed goings up in our heart, and broken up our fallow ground, and sown unto righteousness, as David and Solomon and Jeremiah bid us, let us enlighten ourselves with the light of knowledge, and then let us speak of the Wisdom of God that hath been hid in a mystery, and enlighten others.
🕯Meanwhile let us purify ourselves, and receive the elementary initiation of the Word, that we may do ourselves the utmost good, making ourselves godlike, and receiving the Word at His coming; and not only so, but holding Him fast and shewing Him to others."
Excerpts:
II. 🕯Therefore listen to the Voice of God, which sounds so exceeding clearly to me, who am both disciple and master of these mysteries, as would to God it may sound to you; I Am The Light Of The World.
🕯Therefore approach ye to Him and be enlightened, and let not your faces be ashamed, being signed with the true Light.
🕯 It is a season of new birth,let us be born again.
🕯 It is a time of reformation, let us receive again the first Adam.
🕯Let us not remain what we are, but let us become what we once were.
🕯The Light Shineth In Darkness, in this life and in the flesh, and is chased by the darkness, but is not overtaken by it:—I mean the adverse power leaping up in its shamelessness against the visible Adam, but encountering God and being defeated;—in order that we, putting away the darkness, may draw near to the Light, and may then become perfect Light, the children of perfect Light. See the grace of this Day; see the power of this mystery. Are you not lifted up from the earth? Are you not clearly placed on high, being exalted by our voice and meditation? and you will be placed much higher when the Word shall have prospered the course of my words.
VIII. 🕯But since to us grace has been given to flee from superstitious error and to be joined to the truth and to serve the living and true God, and to rise above creation, passing by all that is subject to time and to first motion; let us look at and reason upon God and things divine in a manner corresponding to this Grace given us. But let us begin our discussion of them from the most fitting point. And the most fitting is, as Solomon laid down for us; us; The beginning of wisdom, he says, is to get wisdom.
🕯And what this is he tells us; the beginning of wisdom is fear.
🕯For we must not begin with contemplation and leave off with fear (for an unbridled contemplation would perhaps push us over a precipice), but we must be grounded and purified and so to say made light by fear, and thus be raised to the height. For where fear is there is keeping of commandments; and where there is keeping of commandments there is purifying of the flesh, that cloud which covers the soul and suffers it not to see the Divine Ray. And where there is purifying there is Illumination; and Illumination is the satisfying of desire to those who long for the greatest things, or the Greatest Thing, or That Which surpasses all greatness.
IX. 🕯Wherefore we must purify ourselves first, and then approach this converse with the Pure; unless we would have the same experience as Israel, who could not endure the glory of the face of Moses, and therefore asked for a veil; or else would feel and say with Manoah “We are undone O wife, we have seen God,” although it was God only in his fancy; or like Peter would send Jesus out of the boat, as being ourselves unworthy of such a visit; and when I say Peter, I am speaking of the man who walked upon the waves; or like Paul would be stricken in eyes, as he was before he was cleansed from the guilt of his persecution, when he conversed with Him Whom he was persecuting—or rather with a short flash of That great Light; or like the Centurionwould seek for healing, but would not, through a praiseworthy fear, receive the Healer into his house. 🕯Let each one of us also speak so, as long as he is still uncleansed, and is a Centurion still, commanding many in wickedness, and serving in the army of Cæsar, the World-ruler of those who are being dragged down; “I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.”
🕯But when he shall have looked upon Jesus, though he be little of stature like Zaccheus of old, and climb up on the top of the sycamore tree by mortifying his members which are upon the earth, and having risen above the body of humiliation, then he shall receive the Word, and it shall be said to him, This day is salvation come to this house.
🕯Then let him lay hold on the salvation, and bring forth fruit more perfectly, scattering and pouring forth rightly that which as a publican he wrongly gathered.
X. 🕯For the same Word is on the one hand terrible through its nature to those who are unworthy, and on the other through its loving kindness can be received by those who are thus prepared, who have driven out the unclean and worldly spirit from their souls, and have swept and adorned their own souls by self-examination, and have not left them idle or without employment, so as again to be occupied with greater armament by the seven spirits of wickedness…the same number as are reckoned of virtue (for that which is hardest to fight against calls for the sternest efforts)…but besides fleeing from evil, practise virtue, making Christ entirely, or at any rate to the greatest extent possible, to dwell within them, so that the power of evil cannot meet with any empty place to fill it again with himself, and make the last state of that man worse than the first, by the greater energy of his assault, and the greater strength and impregnability of the fortress.
🕯But when, having guarded our soul with every care, and having appointed goings up in our heart, and broken up our fallow ground, and sown unto righteousness, as David and Solomon and Jeremiah bid us, let us enlighten ourselves with the light of knowledge, and then let us speak of the Wisdom of God that hath been hid in a mystery, and enlighten others.
🕯Meanwhile let us purify ourselves, and receive the elementary initiation of the Word, that we may do ourselves the utmost good, making ourselves godlike, and receiving the Word at His coming; and not only so, but holding Him fast and shewing Him to others."