June 2, 2014

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples.
He said to them,
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
They answered him,
“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
He said, “How were you baptized?”
They replied, “With the baptism of John.”
Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus.”
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

From: Acts 19:1-8

Disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus

[1] While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and
came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. [2] And he said to them, “Did
you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have ne-
ver even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [3] And he said, “Into what then were
you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” [4] And Paul said, “John bap-
tized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who
was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” [5] On hearing this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,
the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. [7]
There were about twelve of them in all.

Paul’s Preaching and Miracles at Ephesus

[8] And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing
and pleading about the kingdom of God.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-7. This presence in Ephesus of a group of disciples who had received only
John’s baptism is open to various interpretations. The text seems to imply that
they were not, properly speaking, Christians but people who followed the Bap-
tist’s teaching and whom Paul regarded as incipient Christians, to the point of cal-
ling them disciples. We say this because in the New Testament being a Christian
is always connected with receiving Baptism and having the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 3:5;
Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 12:3; Gal 3:2; Acts 11:17; etc.).

2. Leaving aside questions as to the origin and composition of this group of dis-
ciples, their simple statement about knowing nothing about the Holy Spirit and
his part in fulfilling the messianic promises points to the need to preach Chris-
tian doctrine in a systematic, gradual and complete way.

Christian catechesis, Bl. John Paul II reminds us, “must be systematic, not im-
provised but programmed to reach a precise goal; it must deal with essentials,
without any claim to tackle all disputed questions or to transform itself into theo-
logical research or scientific exegesis; it must nevertheless be sufficiently com-
plete, not stopping short at the initial proclamation of the Christian mystery such
as we have in the kerygma; it must be an integral Christian initiation, open to all
the other factors of Christian life” (”Catechesi Tradendae”, 21).

3-4. “The whole teaching and work of John,” St Thomas Aquinas writes, “was in
preparation for Christ, as the helper and under-craftsman are responsible for pre-
paring the materials for the form which the head-craftsman produces. Grace was
to be conferred on men through Christ: ‘Grace and truth have come through Jesus
Christ’ (Jn 1 :17). And therefore, the baptism of John did not confer grace, but on-
ly prepared the way for grace in a threefold way—in one way, by John’s teaching,
which led men to faith in Christ; in another way, by accustoming men to the rite
of Christ’s Baptism; and in a third way, through penance, which prepared men to
receive the effect of Christ’s Baptism” (”Summa Theologiae”, III, q. 38, a. 3).

5. “They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”: the view of most com-
mentators is that this does not mean that the Trinitarian formula which appears
in Mt 28:19 (cf. note on Acts 2:38) (”in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit”) was not used. The reference here may simply be a way
of distinguishing Christian Baptism from other baptismal rites which were fea-
tures of Judaism in apostolic times—particularly John the Baptist’s rite. Besides,
Christian Baptism was administered on Jesus Christ’s instructions (cf. Mt 28:
19), in union with him and using his power: Jesus’ redemptive action is initiated
by the Father and expresses itself in the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

6. This passage speaks of the laying on of hands, something distinct from Bap-
tism, as seen already in Acts 8:14-17, whereby the Holy Spirit is received. This
is the sacrament which will come to be called Confirmation and which has been
conferred, from the beginnings of the Church, as one of the sacraments of Chris-
tian initiation.

Referring to Confirmation, Bl. John Paul II has said: “Christ’s gift of the Holy Spi-
rit is going to be poured out upon you in a particular way. You will hear the words
of the Church spoken over you, calling upon the Holy Spirit to confirm your faith,
to seal you in his love, to strengthen you for his service. You will then take your
place among fellow-Christians throughout the world, full citizens now of the Peo-
ple of God. You will witness to the truth of the Gospel in the name of Jesus
Christ. You will live your lives in such a way as to make holy all human life. To-
gether with all the confirmed, you will become living stones in the cathedral of
peace. Indeed you are called by God to be instruments of his peace [...].

“You, too, are strengthened inwardly today by the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that
each of you in your own way can carry the Good News to your companions and
friends. [...]. The same Holy Spirit comes to you today in the sacrament of Con-
firmation, to involve you more completely in the Church’s fight against sin and in
her mission of fostering holiness. He comes to dwell more fully in your hearts
and to strengthen you for the struggle with evil [...]. The world of today needs you,
for it needs men and women who are filled with the Holy Spirit. It needs your cou-
rage and hopefulness, your faith and your perseverance. The world of tomorrow
will be built by you. Today you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that you may
work with deep faith and with abiding charity, so that you may help to bring to the
world the fruits of reconciliation and peace. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit and
his manifold gifts [...], strive to be unselfish; try not to be obsessed with material
things” (”Homily at Coventry Airport”, 30 May 1982).

As is the case with Baptism and Holy Orders, Confirmation imprints an indelible
mark or character on the soul.

8-10. This summarized account of Paul’s activity in Ephesus is filled out by the
account we are given of the Apostle’s farewell to the elders of that city (cf. 20:
18-35) and by information contained in his letters to the Corinthians. Paul made
Ephesus the base for his missionary work in the surrounding region, for which
he counted on help from Timothy, Erastus, Gaius, Titus and Epaphras of Colos-
sae.

During his stay in Ephesus he wrote 1 Corinthians and the Letter to the Gala-
tians.

8. Paul returns to the synagogue where he taught previously (cf. 18:19-21); the
Jews’ resistance and lack of understanding do not lessen his zeal.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: John 16:29-33

Fullness of Joy (Continuation)

[29] His (Jesus’) disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly, not in any
figure! [30] Now we know that You know all things, and need none to question
You; by this we believe that You came from God.” [31] Jesus answered them,
“Do you now believe? [32] The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you
will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave Me alone; yet I am not
alone, for the Father is with Me. [33] I have said this to you, that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have over-
come the world.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

25-30. As can be seen also from other passages in the Gospels, Jesus spent
time explaining His doctrine in more detail to His Apostles than to the crowd (cf.
Mark 4:10-12 and paragraph) — to train them for their mission of preaching the
Gospel to the whole world (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). However, our Lord also used
metaphors or parables when imparting instruction to the Apostles, and He does
so in this discourse of the Last Supper—the vine, the woman giving birth, etc.:
He stimulates their curiosity and they, because they do not understand, ask Him
questions (cf. verses 17-18). Jesus now tells them that the time is coming when
He will speak to them in a completely clear way so that they will know exactly
what He means. This He will do after the Resurrection (cf. Acts 1:3). But even
now, since He knows their thoughts, He is making it ever plainer to them that
He is God, for only God can know what is happening inside someone (cf. 2:25).
Verse 28, “I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am lea-
ving the world and going to the Father” summarizes the mystery of Christ’s Per-
son (cf. John 1 14; 20:31).

31-32. Jesus moderates the Apostles’ enthusiasm, which expresses itself in a
spontaneous confession of faith; He does this by asking them a question which
has two dimensions. On the one hand, it is a kind of reproach for their having
taken too long to believe in Him: it is true that there were other occasions when
they expressed faith in the Master (cf. John 6:68-69; etc.), but until now they
have not fully realized that He is the One sent by the Father. The question also
refers to the fragility of their faith: they believe, and yet very soon they will aban-
don Him into the hands of His enemies. Jesus requires us to have a firm faith:
it is not enough to show it in moments of enthusiasm, it has to stand the test
of difficulties and opposition.

33. The Second Vatican Council teaches in connection with this passage: “The
Lord Jesus who said ‘Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33),
did not by these words promise complete victory to His Church in this world.
This sacred Council rejoices that the earth which has been sown with the seed
of the Gospel is now bringing forth fruit in many places under the guidance of the
Spirit of the Lord, who is filling the world” (”Presbyterorum Ordinis”, 22).

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading

Acts 19:1-8 ©

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him-in other words Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men.

He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.

Psalm

Psalm 67:2-7 ©

Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Alleluia!

Let God arise, let his foes be scattered.

Let those who hate him flee before him.

As smoke is blown away so will they be blown away;

like wax that melts before the fire,

so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God.

Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Alleluia!

But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God,

they shall exult and dance for joy.

O sing to the Lord, make music to his name;

rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.

Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Alleluia!

Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,

such is God in his holy place.

God gives the lonely a home to live in;

he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.

Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Jn16:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

I came from the Father

and have come into the world,

and now I leave the world

to go to the Father.

Alleluia!

Or	Col3:1

Alleluia, alleluia!

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ,

you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is,

sitting at God’s right hand.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 16:29-33 ©

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:

‘Do you believe at last?

Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –

when you will be scattered,

each going his own way and leaving me alone.

And yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

I have told you all this

so that you may find peace in me.

In the world you will have trouble,

but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

A Prayer for our Free Nation Under God
God Save Our Country web site (prayer warriors)
Prayer Chain Request for the United States of America
Pray for Nancy Pelosi
Prayer and fasting will help defeat health care reform (Freeper Prayer Thread)
Prayer Campaign Started to Convert Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians to Pro-Life
[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries
Non-stop Rosary vigil to defeat ObamaCare

From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:

"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

PLEASE JOIN US -

Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

June Devotion: The Sacred Heart

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of June is set apart for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "From among all the proofs of the infinite goodness of our Savior none stands out more prominently than the fact that, as the love of the faithful grew cold, He, Divine Love Itself, gave Himself to us to be honored by a very special devotion and that the rich treasury of the Church was thrown wide open in the interests of that devotion." These words of Pope Pius XI refer to the Sacred Heart Devotion, which in its present form dates from the revelations given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673-75.

The devotion consists in the divine worship of the human heart of Christ, which is united to His divinity and which is a symbol of His love for us. The aim of the devotion is to make our Lord king over our hearts by prompting them to return love to Him (especially through an act of consecration by which we offer to the Heart of Jesus both ourselves and all that belongs to us) and to make reparation for our ingratitude to God.

INVOCATION

O Heart of love, I put all my trust in Thee; for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

Devotion to the Sacred Heart was the characteristic note of the piety of Saint Gertrude the Great (1256-1302), Benedictine nun and renowned mystic. She was, in fact, the first great exponent of devotion to the Sacred Heart. In our efforts to honor the Heart of Jesus we have this prayer as a model for our own:
Hail! O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and quickening source of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, and burning furnace of divine love. Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary, 0 my amiable Savior. Consume my heart with that burning fire with which Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things be conformed to Thine. May Thy divine will be equally the standard and rule of all my desires and of all my actions. Amen.
Saint Gertrude

FOR THE CHURCH

O most holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon Thy holy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the holy souls in purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

A PRAYER OF TRUST

O God, who didst in wondrous manner reveal to the virgin, Margaret Mary, the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart, grant that loving Thee, after her example, in all things and above all things, we may in Thy Heart find our abiding home.
Roman Missal

ACT OF LOVE

Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus, and show me Its attractions. Unite me to It for ever. Grant that all my aspirations and all the beats of my heart, which cease not even while I sleep, may be a testimonial to Thee of my love for Thee and may say to Thee: Yes, Lord, I am all Thine;
pledge of my allegiance to Thee rests ever in my heart will never cease to be there. Do Thou accept the slight amount of good that I do and be graciously pleased to repair all m] wrong-doing; so that I may be able to bless Thee in time and in eternity. Amen.
Cardinal Merry del Val

MEMORARE TO THE SACRED HEART
Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought its mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushed beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Only for Love: The Sacred Heart and the Priesthood [Catholic Caucus]

Catholic Word of the Day: LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART, 10-19-09
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Devotion to the Sacred Heart Today
The Biblical Foundation of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [Ecumenical]
Heart to Heart (Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion) [St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]
(June) The Month of the Sacred Heart {Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]
The Heart of the World (On the Sacred Heart of Jesus) (Catholic Caucus)
The Sacred Heart Is The Holy Eucharist(Catholic Caucus)
The Origin of the Sacred Heart Badge

Importance of Devotion to the Sacred Heart
An Awesome Homily on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Father Edmond Kline
Catholic Prayer and Devotion: June the Month of the Sacred Heart
Catholic Devotions: Sacred Heart of Jesus
Pope Urges Jesuits to Spread Sacred Heart Devotion
Homilies preached by Father Altier on the Feast of the Sacred Heart
Catholic Meditation and Devotion: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Daily Recomendation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus powerful prayer!
The Sacred Heart and the Eucharist
The Love of the Sacred Heart

On the Sacred Heart - "We Adore God's Love of Humanity"
HAURIETIS AQUAS (On Devotion To The Sacred Heart) - Encyclical by Pope Pius XII
Solemnity Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sacred Heart a Feast of God's Love, Says John Paul II
The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Symbol of Combativity and the Restoration of Christendom
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus-The Early Church, Middle Ages up to St. Margaret Mary
See this Heart
‘God Will Act and Will Reign’
About Devotion To The Sacred Heart:The Story Of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
Rediscover Feast of Sacred Heart, John Paul II Tells Youth

"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."

- Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary

Our Lord also made 12 promises to St. Margaret Mary for those that are devoted to His Sacred Heart.

I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
I will give peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Monday of the Seventh week of Easter

Commentary of the day
Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938), a Spanish Trappist monk
Spiritual writings, 20/01/1937 (trans. Mairin Mitchell)

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me"

“Lord God, I see that I have great need of patience: for my wishes are often contradicted as long as I live. However I arrange to be at peace, my life cannot escape from war and grief. True, my son. But I do not wish you to be looking for a peace that is free from trials or immune to contradictions. Think rather that you have found peace when you have been well tested in plenty of trials, and proved in many adversities” (Imitation of Christ 3,12)...

How mistaken at times are those of us who are looking for the real peace of God... What we are seeking is often not the peace of God but of the world... When the world talks of peace, that is how it thinks of it. When the world looks for peace, that is how it imagines it - silence, quietude, love without tears, much hidden selfishness. Man seeks that peace in order to rest, to avoid suffering; he looks for the human peace that is experienced through the senses, that peace which the world depicts in a sunny cloister with cypresses and birds, a peace without temptations and the Cross...

Today I bless from the depths of my soul that God who loves me so much... He loves me with all my miseries, sins, my tears and my joys; He loves me in that peace of which A Kempis speaks [in the Imitation of Christ]... How great God is! My peace of soul is the peace of one who expects nothing, no one; all that the soul hopes for in the world is to live united to his will, and the hope is a calm one, attended by peace in spite of the fact that the inability to see God yet is a grief, that tears are sometimes shed in taking the way of the Cross, and in seeing that we still have self-will, and in spite of the fact that with so many miseries, defects and sins, there is no respite from the burden of sorrow... Everything is strife and sorrow, but in the midst of it is Jesus nailed to a Cross, encouraging the soul to persevere; in the midst of the battle which we wage in the world is Jesus who with serene countenance tells us that" he who follows him does not walk in darkness " (Jn 8,12).

Regina Coeli

This prayer, which dates from the twelfth century, is substituted for the Angelus during Easter Season.

In Latin

In English

Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia,

R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Oremus: Deus qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.

R. Amen.

Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

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