St. Anysia

Feast Day: December 30
Born:(around 270) :: Died:(around 304)

Anysia was born in Salonika, Thessalonica in Greece. Thessalonica was an ancient city to which St. Paul himself had first brought the faith of Jesus.

Anysia was a Christian and she came from a rich but pious family. After her parents' death, Anysia took private vows of poverty and chastity and used her wealth to help the poor.

In those days, Christians in Thessalonica were treated very cruelly. The governor was a hard man who wanted to stop all Christians from meeting together for Mass.

But Anysia quietly slipped out one day to try and go to a Christian servoce. As she passed a gate called Cassandra, a guard saw her. Stepping out in front of her, he demanded to know where she was going.

Frightened, Anysia stepped backwards, tracing a cross on her forehead. Immediately the soldier grabbed her and shook her roughly. "Who are you" he shouted. "And where are you going?" Anysia took a deep breath and replied, "I am a servant of Jesus Christ, and I am going to the Lord's assembly."

"Oh yes?" sneered the guard. "I will stop that. I will take you to sacrifice to the sun god. Saying this, he snatched off her veil. Anysia struggled and spat in his face.

Finally, in great anger, he drew his sword and stabbed her with it. The saint fell dead at his feet. When the harassment ended, the Christians of Thessalonica built a church over the spot where St. Anysia had given her life for Christ. Anysia died around 304.

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 2
36.	And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.	Et erat Anna prophetissa, filia Phanuel, de tribu Aser : hæc processerat in diebus multis, et vixerat cum viro suo annis septem a virginitate sua.	και ην αννα προφητις θυγατηρ φανουηλ εκ φυλης ασηρ αυτη προβεβηκυια εν ημεραις πολλαις ζησασα ετη μετα ανδρος επτα απο της παρθενιας αυτης
37.	And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.	Et hæc vidua usque ad annos octoginta quatuor : quæ non discedebat de templo, jejuniis, et obsecrationibus serviens nocte ac die.	και αυτη χηρα ως ετων ογδοηκοντα τεσσαρων η ουκ αφιστατο απο του ιερου νηστειαις και δεησεσιν λατρευουσα νυκτα και ημεραν
38.	Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.	Et hæc, ipsa hora superveniens, confitebatur Domino : et loquebatur de illo omnibus, qui exspectabant redemptionem Israël.	και αυτη αυτη τη ωρα επιστασα ανθωμολογειτο τω κυριω και ελαλει περι αυτου πασιν τοις προσδεχομενοις λυτρωσιν εν ιερουσαλημ
39.	And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.	Et ut perfecerunt omnia secundum legem Domini, reversi sunt in Galilæam in civitatem suam Nazareth.	και ως ετελεσαν απαντα τα κατα τον νομον κυριου υπεστρεψαν εις την γαλιλαιαν εις την πολιν εαυτων ναζαρετ
40.	And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.	Puer autem crescebat, et confortabatur plenus sapientia : et gratia Dei erat in illo.	το δε παιδιον ηυξανεν και εκραταιουτο πνευματι πληρουμενον σοφιας και χαρις θεου ην επ αυτο

36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
37. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

AMBROSE; Simeon had prophesied, a woman united in marriage had prophesied, a virgin had prophesied, it was meet also that a widow should prophesy, that there might lack no sex or condition of life, and therefore it is said, And there was one Anna a prophetess.

THEOPHYL. The Evangelist dwells some time on the account of Anna, mentioning both her father's tribe, and adding, as it were, many witnesses who knew her father and her tribe.

GREG. NYSS. Or because at that time there were several others who were called by the same name, that there might be a plain way of distinguishing her, he mentions her father, and describes the quality of her parents.

AMBROSE; Now Anna, both from the duties of her widowhood and her manner of life, is found to be such that she is thought worthy to announce the Redeemer of the world. As it follows, She was of a great age, and had lived with her husband, &c.

ORIGEN; For the Holy Spirit dwelt not by chance in her. For the highest blessing, if any can possess it, is the grace of virginity, but if this cannot be, and it chance to a woman to lose her husband, let her remain a widow, which indeed not only after the death of her husband, but even while he is living, she ought to have in her mind, that supposing it should not happen, her will and determination might be crowned by the Lord, and her words should be, "This I vow, and promise, that if a certain condition of this life be mine, (which yet I wish not,) I will do nothing else but remain inviolate and a widow." Most justly then was this holy woman thought worthy to receive the gift of prophecy, because by long chastity and long fastings she had ascended to this height of virtue, as It follows, Who departed not from the temple with fastings and prayers, &c.

ORIGEN; From which it is plain that she possessed a multitude of other virtues, and mark how she resembles Simeon in his goodness, for they were both in the temple together, anti both counted worthy of prophetic grace, as it follows, And she coming in at this very instant, gave thanks to the Lord.

THEOPHYL. That is, returned thanks for seeing in Israel the Savior of the world, and she confessed of Jesus that He was the Redeemer and the Savior. Hence it follows, And she spoke of him to all, &c.

ORIGEN; But because Anna's words were nothing remarkable, and of no great note respecting Christ, the Gospel does not give the particulars of what she said, and perhaps for this reason one may suppose that Simeon anticipated her, since he indeed bore the character of the law, (for his name signifies obedience,) but she the character of grace, (which her name is by interpretation,) and Christ came between them. Therefore He let Simeon depart dying with the law, but Anna he sustains living beyond through grace.

THEOPHYL; According to the mystical meaning, Anna signifies the Church, who at present is indeed a widow by the death of her Husband ; the number also of the years of her widowhood marks the time of the Church, at which established in the body, she is separated from the Lord. For seven times twelve make eighty-four, seven indeed referring to the course of this world, which revolves in seven days; but twelve had reference to the perfection of Apostolic teaching, and therefore the Universal Church, or any faithful soul which strives to devote the whole period of its life to the following of Apostolic practice, is said to serve the Lord for eighty-four years. The term also of seven years, during which she lived with her husband, coincides. For through the prerogative of our Lord's greatness, whereby abiding in the flesh, He taught, the simple number of seven years was taken to express the sign of perfection. Anna also favors the mysteries of the Church, being by interpretation its "grace," and being both the daughter of Phanuel, who is called "the face of God," and descended from the tribe of Aser, i.e. the blessed.

39. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

THEOPHYL; Luke has omitted in this place what he knew to have been sufficiently set forth by Matthew, that the Lord after this, for fear that He should be discovered and put to death by Herod, was carried by His parents into Egypt, and at Herod's death, having at length returned to Galilee, came to dwell in His own city Nazareth. For the Evangelists individually are wont to omit certain things which they either know to have been, or in the Spirit foresee will be, related by others, so that in the connected chain of their narrative, they seem as it were to have omitted nothing, whereas by examining the writings of another Evangelist, the careful reader may discover the places where the omissions have been. Thus after omitting many things, Luke says, And when they had accomplished all things, &c.

THEOPHYL. Bethlehem was indeed their city, their paternal city, Nazareth the place of their abode.

AUG. Perhaps it may strike you as strange that Matthew should say that His parents went with the young Child into Galilee because they were unwilling to go to Judea for fear of Archelaus, when they seem to have gone into Galilee rather because their city w as Nazareth in Galilee, as Luke in this place explains it. But we must consider, that when the Angel said in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Rise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, it was at first understood by Joseph as a command to go into Judea, for so at first sight the land of Israel might have been taken to mean. But when afterwards he finds that Herod's son Archelaus was king, he was unwilling to be exposed to that danger, seeing the land of Israel might also be understood to include Galilee also as a part of it, for there also the people of Israel dwelt.

GREEK EX. Or again, Luke is here describing the time before the descent to Egypt, for before her purification Joseph had not taken Mary there But before they went down into Egypt, they were not told by God to go to Nazareth but as living more freely in their own country, thither of their own accord they went; for since the going up to Bethlehem was for no other reason but the taxing, when that was accomplished they go down to Nazareth.

THEOPHYL. Now our Lord might have come forth from the womb in the stature of mature age, but this would seem like something imaginary; therefore His growth is gradual, as it follows, And the child grew, and waxed strong.

THEOPHYL; We must observe the distinction of words, that the Lord Jesus Christ in that He w as a child, that is, had put on the condition of human weakness, was daily growing and being strengthened.

ATHAN. But if as some say the flesh was changed into a Divine nature, how did it derive growth? for to attribute growth to an uncreated substance is impious.

CYRIL; Rightly with the A growth in age, St. Luke has united increase in wisdom, as he says, And he was strengthened, (i.e. in spirit.) For in proportion to the measure of bodily growth, the Divine nature developed its own wisdom.

THEOPHYL. For if while yet a little child, He had displayed His wisdom, He would have seemed a miracle, but together with the advance of age He gradually showed Himself, so as to fill the whole world. For not as receiving wisdom is He said to be strengthened in spirit. For that which is most perfect in the beginning, how can that become any more perfect. Hence it follows, Filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was in him.

THEOPHYL; Wisdom truly, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, but grace, because it was in great grace given to the man Christ Jesus, that from the time He began to be man He should be perfect man and perfect God. But much rather because He was the word of God, and God needed not to be strengthened, nor was in a state of growth. But while He was yet a little child He had the grace of God, that as in Him all things were wonderful, His childhood also might be wonderful, so as to be filled with the wisdom of God. It follows, And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the feast of the Passover.

Catena Aurea Luke 2

Anna at the Temple with Jesus

Jerry Bacik

2011
Digital media (?)

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for:December 30, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the newness of the Nativity in the flesh of your Only Begotten Son may set us free, for ancient servitude holds us bound beneath the yoke of sin. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o Day Sixth Activity ~ Christmas Gingerbread Bowls

ACTIVITIES

o Christmas Play

o Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas

PRAYERS

o Christmas Morning Prayers

o Christmas Evening Prayers

· Christmas: December 30th

· Sixth day in the Octave of Christmas

It would be ideal if we could devote several days of the Christmas octave to quiet contemplation, entering ever more deeply into the sweet and profound mystery of the Incarnation; yet much of the time is devoted to the saints. All the more precious, therefore, is this day, an unencumbered Christmas day.

The Sixth Day of Christmas

God became Man. Utterly incomprehensible is this truth to our puny human minds! That the eternal God whom heaven and earth cannot contain, who bears the world in His hand as a nutshell, before whom a thousand years are as one day — that this eternal, omnipotent God should become Man! Would it not have been a tremendous condescension if for the redemption of mankind He had simply sent an angel? Would it not have proven His loving mercy had He appeared for a mere moment in the splendor of His majesty, amid thunder and lightning, as once on Sinai? No, such would have shown far too little of His love and kindness. He wanted to be like us, to become a child of man, a poor child of poorest people; He wished to be born, in a cave, in a strange land, in hostile surroundings. Cold wind, hard straw, dumb animals — these were there to greet Him. The scene fills us with amazement; what other can we do than fall down in silence and adore!

In heaven only will we comprehend the profound implications of Christ's redemptive acts, surely one of the exquisite joys of celestial blessedness. But some points Mother Church allows us to anticipate here below. She, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, is ever the recollected woman "who meditates on all the words of God and keeps them in her heart." She tells us: God became Man that we might share His divine nature. Isn't that mankind's long-cherished dream? "You shall be as God, knowing good and evil," Satan whispered into man's ear in paradise; and his whisper was believed. What a miserable betrayal! Indeed, man experienced good and evil, but he had not turned divine. Thousands upon thousands of years of dreadful distance from divinity, with nought but failure in scanning the skies! Not by pride can man become God, but by submission, humility.

Bethlehem gave the great revelation. God put on the beggar's garb, became a tiny, crying Babe in order to show man how to become divine. In paradise a fallen angel had promised: Eat of this fruit and you will be like God. He ate and became a prisoner of hell. On Christmas night another angel (the Church) stands before man, offers him a Good and says: Eat of this and you will be like God. For the divine Food, the Flesh of the incarnate Son of God, makes us "partakers of the divine nature."

— The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 2:36-40

6th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

She … spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)

Have you ever looked around at Mass and noted the many different age groups present, all worshiping together? Well, the ability of the Church to reach young and old alike originates long before our time. In fact, today’s readings show us that from the very beginning, Jesus has been calling generations together, asking them to minister to each other.

Here is Anna at age eighty-four, well past the average life expectancy for her time but still active and alert. She sees Mary and Joseph enter the Temple courts with their baby, and all of a sudden, three generations intersect. How did she know that Jesus was the Messiah? Her heart was tuned into God’s heart. She “worshiped night and day” in the Temple (Luke 2:37). And so she was able to look Mary and Joseph in the eye and proclaim the purpose for which this little child was born.

Because Anna’s whole life has been dedicated to worship, her spirit was open to the Lord and his revelation. She kept the lines of communication open, and that’s what enabled her to offer words of encouragement and prophecy to Mary and Joseph and to the people around her.

How are you doing in the area of praise and worship? You don’t have to spend your whole life in church, mind you. But you should try to make worship a key part of your daily prayer. As you focus your heart on the Lord and his goodness and redemption, you’ll begin to experience a new joy. You’ll find yourself more open to God’s word and more ready to trust his plan.

Recall all the good that the Lord has done in the world and in your own life. Thank and praise him for his love and faithfulness. Picture him on his throne, surrounded by all the angels and saints. Lift up your heart to the Lord, and you’ll find your whole perspective changing. Like Anna, you’ll become a prophetic presence to the people around you. You’ll find just the right words to say to them, no matter what their age or background. All because you have become a worshipper of the Lord!

“Lord, teach me to proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.”

1 John 2:12-17; Psalm 96:7-10

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for December 30, 2013:

“On the 5th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 5 gold rings.” Really only one is necessary and that’s the wedding band. But gold is a precious metal and reminds us of the precious love we share. Which of you cares more about jewelry? Both? Neither?

Vultus Christi

Resting content in the Lord’s goodness

Monday, 30 December 2013 19:06

I know that tomorrow, the last day of the civil year, some of the Oblates of our monastery and many readers of Vultus Christi will be spending time in adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Adoration is not a form of prayer that comes easily to everyone. For such souls, I am offering a simple pattern of lectio divina that can be used in whole or in part to abide fruitfully in the radiance of Our Lord’s Eucharistic Face, close to His Heart. One can use all ten patterns, allotting five or six minutes to each, or one can use only those patterns needed to pass from oratio to contemplatio, that is, from heartfelt supplication to the unitive silence of love.

For those unfamiliar with the Latin terms of lectio divina, the following explanation may prove helpful:

1. Lectio is the reading of the word (in this case a passage from the Gospels) in such a way as to hear it.
2, Meditatio is the repetition of the word (in this case selected verses from the Psalms) so as to allow the word to descend into the heart and engrave itself in the memory.
3. Oratio is the prayer enkindled in the heart by the hearing and repetition of the word.
4. Contemplatio is a profound humility in the adorable presence of God and silent cleaving to Him in love. This is the essence of Eucharistic adoration.

I

Lectio: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Meditatio: O God, thou art my God; how eager my quest for thee, body athirst and soul longing for thee, like some parched wilderness, where stream is none! So in the holy place, I contemplate thee, ready for the revelation of thy greatness, thy glory. (Psalm 62:1–3)

Oratio: I adore Thee, O Word made flesh, Divine Child of Bethlehem,
for Thou art veiled in all Thy states and in all Thy mysteries
by the humble species of the Sacred Host.
I adore Thee with Thy Virgin Mother’s silence.
I adore Thee with Saint Joseph’s quiet faith.
I adore Thee with the lowly shepherds’ simplicity.
I adore Thee with heaven’s Angelic choirs.

Contemplatio

II

Lectio: And Jesus turning, and seeing them following him, saith to them: What seek you? Who said to him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith to them: Come and see. They came, and saw where he abode, and they stayed with him that day. (John 1:38–39)

Meditatio: One request I have ever made of the Lord, let me claim it still, to dwell in the Lord’s house my whole life long, resting content in the Lord’s goodness, gazing at his temple. (Psalm 26:4)

Oratio: I come to gaze upon Thee, O Jesus,
and to offer myself and all those whom I would represent
to Thy most loving gaze.

Contemplatio

III

Lectio: The real bread from heaven is given only by my Father. God’s gift of bread comes down from heaven and gives life to the whole world. Then, Lord, they said, give us this bread all the while. But Jesus told them, It is I who am the bread of life; he who comes to me will never be hungry, he who has faith in me will never know thirst. (John 6:32–35)

Meditatio: The Lord’s perfect law, how it brings the soul back to life; the Lord’s unchallengeable decrees, how they make the simple learned! How plain are the duties which the Lord enjoins, the treasure of man’s heart; how clear is the commandment the Lord gives, the enlightenment of man’s eyes! (Psalm 18:8–9)

Oratio: I come to listen to Thee, O Jesus,
and to be instructed, comforted, corrected, and enlightened by Thy words.

Contemplatio

IV

Lectio: It is not on my own authority that I have spoken; it was my Father, who sent me, that commanded me what words I was to say, what message I was to utter. And I know well that what he commands is eternal life; everything then, which I utter, I utter as my Father has bidden me. (John 12:49–50)

Meditatio: O my soul, leave thyself in God’s hands; all my trust is in him. He is my stronghold and my deliverer, my protector, that makes me stand unmoved. God is all my defence and all my boast; my rock-fastness, my refuge is in God. (Psalm 61:6–8)

Oratio: I come to submit to Thee, O Jesus,
and to submit all that I am,
all that I think, say, and do
to Thy perfect Will: the expression of Thy merciful love.

Contemplatio

V

Lectio: These had come there to listen to him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled by unclean spirits were also cured; so that all the multitude was eager to touch him, because power went out from him, and healed them all. (Luke 6:18–19)

Meditatio: Patiently I waited for the Lord’s help, and at last he turned his look towards me; he listened to my plea, drew me up out of a deadly pit, where the mire had settled deep, and gave me a foothold on the rock, with firm ground to tread. He has framed a new music on my lips, a song of praise to our God, to fill all that stand by with reverence, and with trust in the Lord. (Psalm 39:2–4)

Oratio: I come to plead with Thee, O Jesus,
eager to touch Thee not with my hands but with my faith,
and this on behalf of all Thy priests,
on behalf of poor sinners,
and on behalf of those afflicted by illnesses of the mind or body.

Contemplatio

VI

Lectio: One of them, finding that he was cured, came back, praising God aloud, and threw himself at Jesus’ feet with his face to the ground, to thank him; and this was a Samaritan. Jesus answered, Were not all ten made clean? And the other nine, where are they? Not one has come back to give God the praise, except this stranger. (Luke 17:15–19)

Meditatio: My heart’s thanks, Lord, for listening to the prayer I uttered; angels for my witnesses, I will sing of thy praise. I bow down in adoration towards thy sanctuary, praising thy name for thy mercy and faithfulness; thy own honour and thy pledged word thou hast vindicated for all the world to see. To thee I appealed, and thou didst listen to me, didst fill my heart with courage. (Psalm 137:1–3)

Oratio: I come to thank Thee, O Jesus,
casting myself before Thee, with my face to the ground,
because I know that I will never be able to thank Thee enough
for all that Thou art in this Most Holy Sacrament
and for the gift of Thyself:
the Bread of wayfarers in this valley of tears,
and the bliss of the angels and saints in heaven.

Contemplatio

VII

Lectio: And behold I am with you all through the days that are coming, until the consummation of the world. (Matthew 28:20)

Meditatio: Praised be the Lord! When I invoke his name, I am secure from my enemies. All about me surged the waves of death, deep flowed the perilous tide, to daunt me; the grave had caught me in its toils, deadly snares had trapped my feet. One cry to the Lord, in my affliction, one word of summons to my God, and he, from his sanctuary, listened to my voice; the complaint I made before him found a hearing. (Psalm 17:4–7)

Oratio: I come to praise Thee, O Jesus,
because Thou art worthy of all praise
here and in all the churches of the world
where the adorable Sacrament of Thy Body is hidden in the tabernacle,
or set upon the altar for all to see.

Contemplatio

VIII

Lectio: My soul, he said, is ready to die with sorrow; do you abide here, and watch with me. When he had gone a little further, he fell upon his face in prayer, and said, My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass me by; only as thy will is, not as mine is. Then he went back to his disciples, to find them asleep; and he said to Peter, Had you no strength, then, to watch with me even for an hour? (Matthew 26:38–40)

Meditatio: In thy sight are all they that afflict me; my heart hath expected reproach and misery. And I looked for one that would grieve together with me, but there was none: and for one that would comfort me, and I found none. (Psalm 68:21)

Oratio: I come to Thee, O Jesus, to make reparation
because Thy Heart grieves over the coldness, ingratitude, and indifference
of those whom Thou callest Thy friends,
and because Thou art hated, denied, and cursed by the enemies of Thy kingdom,
and by the subjects of the prince of this world.

Contemplatio

IX

Lectio: This, Father, is my desire, that all those whom thou hast entrusted to me may be with me where I am, so as to see my glory, thy gift made to me, in that love which thou didst bestow upon me before the foundation of the world. Father, thou art just; the world has never acknowledged thee, but I have acknowledged thee, and these men have acknowledged that thou didst send me. I have revealed, and will reveal, thy name to them; so that the love thou hast bestowed upon me may dwell in them, and I, too, may dwell in them. (John 17:24–26)

Meditatio: Thou art at my side, ever holdest me by my right hand. Thine to guide me with thy counsel, thine to welcome me into glory at last. What else does heaven hold for me, but thyself? What charm for me has earth, here at thy side? What though flesh of mine, heart of mine, should waste away? Still God will be my heart’s stronghold, eternally my inheritance. (Psalm 72: 23–26)

Oratio: I come to Thee, O Jesus, offering myself to the love of Thy Heart,and desiring to love Thee even as Thou wouldst have me love Thee.

Contemplatio

X

Lectio: Come to me, all you that labour and are burdened; I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon yourselves, and learn from me; I am gentle and humble of heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

Meditatio: How blessed is the man who finds his strength in thee! Where there are hearts set on pilgrimage, the parched ravine turns into a water-course at their coming, new-clad by the bounty of returning rain. So, at each stage refreshed, they will reach Sion, and have sight there of the God who is above all gods. (Psalm 83:6–8)

Oratio: I come to Thee, O Jesus, in my poverty, my ignorance, my impurity, and my brokenness,
and I cast myself down before Thee, trusting that Thou wilt provide for me, enlighten me,
cleanse me, and fashion me anew
in the fire of Thy Eucharistic Heart
and in the radiance of Thy Eucharistic Face. Amen.

Contemplatio

Vultus Christi

Catherine Mectilde de Bar 1614—2014

Monday, 30 December 2013 20:04

Ten Reasons Why the Mectildian Jubilee Year Is Significant for the Whole Church

Image of Mother Mectilde courtesy of the Benedictines of Perpetual Adoration of Warsaw, Poland

1. Catherine Mectilde de Bar deserves to be universally known in the Church. She is a woman of the stature of a Gertrude the Great, of a Teresa of Avila, and of a Marie de l’Incarnation. Mother Mectilde’s life and mission are a vivid and compelling demonstration of the role of women in the Church today and in every age. Her writings, steeped in Sacred Scripture and in the liturgical tradition that formed her as a Benedictine nun, reveal a woman of profound human insights and of supernatural wisdom.

2. Mother Mectilde presents the grace of Baptism as being intrinsically ordered to actual participation in the victimhood of Christ by reception of the adorable mysteries of His Body and Blood in Holy Communion. In affirming this, she elucidates with the brightness of her own Eucharistic experience the universal call to holiness articulated in Chapter V of the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium.

3. The vocational journey of Catherine Mectilde de Bar was marked by unforeseen turns, by sufferings of body and soul, by new beginnings, by constant displacements, and by an immutable stability in the One Thing Necessary. In this, Mother Mectilde speaks to the young men and women of today who must discern their vocations with an immense courage in the midst of uncertainty, movement, and rapid change.

4. The past fifty years have witnessed a massive loss of faith in the real presence of Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist and in Holy Mass as a visible though unbloody sacrifice making present the mystery of Christ, Priest and Victim, in His oblation to the Father. Mother Mectilde’s lucid and fiery Eucharistic doctrine defies every attempt to empty the Mass of its essentially sacrificial character as defined by the Council of Trent.

5. The study of the life and writings of Catherine Mectilde de Bar constitute a precious locus theologicus in which it will be possible to engage certain key teachings of the Council of Trent with the authentic magisterium of the Second Vatican Council in such a way as to arrive at a fruitful synthesis of liturgical continuity, Eucharistic theology, and mystical experience.

6. Mother Mectilde offers a vision of Benedictine life capable of rejuvenating monasticism — especially where it has become institutionalized and listless — with an infusion of Eucharistic vitality. Her commitment to perpetual adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament corresponds to a contemporary yearning, especially among young people, for a personal, transforming encounter with the Face of God.

7. Catherine Mectilde de Bar’s intimate and cordial relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary is a model of life–giving Marian piety. The place she gives to Our Lady as the Abbess of her monasteries suggests that every community and family can become, under Mary’s royal protection, and consecrated to her maternal Heart, the cenacle of a continuous Pentecost, a school of apostles and evangelists, and a fruitful womb bearing new life in every generation.

8. Mother Mectilde’s attachment to the sacred liturgy, to the worthy celebration of the Holy Mysteries in an environment marked by beauty, by profound reverence, and by a humble decorum is an invitation to the recovery of what earlier generations held as sacred and great while, at the same time, recognizing every effort at growth and progress duly undertaken in organic continuity, without rupture and, above all, in charity.

9. Catherine Mectilde de Bar lived in a time marked by superstition, sorcery, dalliance with the powers of darkness, blasphemy and sacrilege. Recent distressing events in churches on every continent have demonstrated that global society today has more in common with war–torn 17th century France than one might think. Mother Mectilde bound herself in self–sacrificing love to the perpetrators of such horrible crimes, offering herself as a victim of reparation, that is, as an offering irrevocably made over to God with the intention of supplying for the love and adoration denied Him by those who hate Him and outrage His holiness while, at the same time, praying God to show them mercy and grace them with repentance.

10. Catherine Mectilde de Bar is an icon of the kind of spiritual motherhood needed in the Church today, not only in monastic and religious communities, but in every context where the Church is being born, and born again, of the Eucharist. Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Mother Mectilde demonstrates that the altar itself — the place set apart for the immolation of the Divine Victim — becomes a wellspring of supernatural fecundity in the life of every woman who adhering to the Holy Sacrifice, enters into the victimhood of Christ and, with Him, adores the Father in the Holy Spirit.

Regnum Christi

A Child and Wonder

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Sixth Day of the Octave of Christmas

Luke 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was 84. She never left the Temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Introductory Prayer:Lord, I come like Anna today to live the one thing necessary in my life: my relationship with you. I believe that you are faithful to your promises. I believe that you will triumph over sin and death. I love you, Lord.

Petition: Lord, help me to see how I can better witness to you.

1. She Worshipped: We all have something we worship. Wisdom teaches us whom we should truly worship: God alone. God deserves our full hearts, because he is the one who is our true Father. In worship we rediscover our greatest treasure, as did the Prodigal Son: “I will return to my Father’s house” (Luke 15:18). In worship we return to that place where we are most deeply welcomed and cared for, to that place where we discover our true friend, where we become more deeply our true selves. Worship also opens us to receive God’s graces. It helps us appreciate the gifts that God wants to give us. Do I strive to worship God with all my heart, mind and soul during the Eucharistic Celebration?

2. She Spoke about the Child to All: Prayer and worship here on earth do not end only in going to church. They allow us to discover the good news about God’s love, so that we can also share this good news with others. Prayer that does not lead us to evangelize is self-deception. Our Holy Father shows us this intimate connection between prayer and evangelization. He invites us to give to others what we have discovered in being close to Christ. He challenges us to bring others to Christ. Am I living this contemplative and active spirit?

3. The Child Grew and Became Strong, and the Favor of God Was Upon Him: Christmas is a message of hope. God is quietly preparing the future. A child and a young person are reminders that God does not give up on the world, that in each generation he can find new ways of bringing his salvation to all mankind. Am I youthful, spiritually speaking? Am I always trying to learn what God wants to teach me each day, striving to form those virtues that will make me a better instrument of God’s grace? As one who follows Christ, I should have confidence that God’s favor also rests on me; that he looks at my humble, often hidden efforts with great love; that in spite of my weakness he is helping others through me to see the good news that he is present and active in their lives.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I thank you for your presence and care. You have made me in your image, and in the presence of your Son I discover the depths of your love. Help me to grow in wonder at your love today, and help me to bring your good news to others.

Resolution:Today I will spend a quiet moment before the child Jesus and thank him for his presence here among us. I will also strive in a particular way to be cheerful and friendly to everyone I meet.

Those who serve

by Food For Thought on December 30, 2013 ·

God honors faithfulness. The prophetess Anna epitomizes this through her continuing service at the Temple even if she was in her early 80’s. At an age where she could just rest and stay in bed, she still opts to give her time for God. Because of her fidelity, she was ultimately rewarded by seeing the Holy Family. Her long wait to see Our Savior has come to an end. She can now truly find her rest and finally be at peace.

It is admirable that a good number of our senior citizens continue to serve the Church in their own unique way. They are the ones who handle the Mass collections, or they actively lend a hand to the various outreach programs of the Parish. Sometimes they help decorate the altar for special liturgical celebrations or they’re just happily keeping the parish grounds neat and tidy. They even willingly give some monetary support for those who need a little assistance. Even if they can be excused to take a break or perhaps enjoy their sunset years travelling to different countries or just staying at home with their loved ones, they generously want to be of service for others.

It is challenging to move about as you get older, but they ignore any health challenges they might have in order to make themselves available for those who might need their help. It’s easy to disregard them because their pace may have slowed down a bit. Yet, that doesn’t diminish the love and the passion to give their all for God. Who can fault them for wanting to give their time and energy for such worthy causes?

May we all yearn to be that faithful as we grow old ourselves. Let us always be of service to God in whatever way He sees fit. And as we approach our final destination, may we be as fortunate and blessed to be welcomed into the loving arms of the Holy Family.

May we be as passionate as our senior citizens and may we be inspired by their example. When we’ve put in the time, when we’ve given so many years for God’s greater glory, may we be as fortunate as Anna who was given the chance to see the Holy Family.

One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 1

<< Monday, December 30, 2013 >>

1 John 2:12-17
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Psalm 96:7-10

Luke 2:36-40
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"A CERTAIN PROPHETESS"

"There was also a certain prophetess, Anna by name, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher." —Luke 2:36

Anna is probably the most unnoticed person of the first Christmas. When we think of Christmas, we remember Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Some people recall Herod, the Holy Innocents, and even Simeon. Yet who thinks of Anna, an old widow "constantly in the temple, worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer"? (Lk 2:37)

The life of Anna proclaims that life in Christ is worshiping Him in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23) through prayer and fasting (Lk 2:37). The life of Anna proclaims that life is to be an act of thanksgiving, a "eucharist." Anna witnesses to the life of evangelization, as we talk about the Christ Child to all who look forward to their deliverance (Lk 2:38).

Why is the prophetic witness of Anna often overlooked? Possibly Anna's life is giving us more truth than we want to hear. Maybe Anna gives us so true a meaning of Christmas that our Christmas celebrations show up for what they really are and are not.

This Christmas season, learn about Christmas, Christ, and life. Learn from an old woman, a prophetess. Learn from Anna.

Prayer: Father, this Christmas, teach me how to live.

Promise: "Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love has no place in him." —1 Jn 2:15

Praise: Valerie gave up a successful ministry of Scripture teaching and evangelization to care full-time for her aged mother.