Never be surprised when you fall. Be grounded in who you actually are: sinful and stumbling about. Yet you also have the capacity for greatness; so strive for it! Don't let the devil handcuff you to sin; instead, be a joyful soul when you go to confession. Have the humility to witness your great fall but know you can still reach for the stars - and see this in others. "Every man in the light of his ego is a fallen monarch."
Devotion to Mary is necessary for salvation! In giving us the Incarnate Word, Our Lady has obtained all the graces we need and she continually pours them out upon us. So have an ever greater union with the most Holy Virgin and depend more on her intercession and assistance! Here are five saintly examples to help inspire you: [1] St John Damascene, [2] St Ignatius Loyola, [3] St. Philip Neri, [4] Bl. Elizabeth Picenardi of Mantua, and [4] Four year old St. John Marie Vianney. Also, consider ten simple ways to practice devotion to Our Lady.
When John XXIII announced Vatican II, he spoke of a 'new Pentecost.' Many believed a 'new springtime' was due. Such slogans conveyed a general euphoria. Yet to think there can be a greater 'new' outpouring of the Holy Ghost is a grave and condemned error. Sadly, men are fascinated with 'new age' movements, e.g. Joachim de Fiore (+1202). Today's 'new spirit' is an impure spirit of rupture. It has borne the 'fruit' of apostasy and a hemorrhaging of Church membership like never before. Let us instead pray for the promised Age of Peace under Our Lady's Immaculate Heart.
God's relation to men mirrors the manner in which men relate to each other. A true spiritual friendship is the most intimate union among men. It begins through communication, intensifies in the giving of gifts (symbolic of who one is) and culminates in the giving of one's own self (one's will). True friends give not just what they have, but even give who they are. We see the same dynamic at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!
The world speaks endlessly about love but knows not how to love. This we must learn from Christ on the cross. His Easter message calls us to reflect upon and contemplate His glorious Wounds. The waters of salvation flow eternally from His open side (vidi aquam). Familiarize yourself with the private relations of Sister Marie-Martha Chambon (+1907) concerning devotion to Christ's Holy Wounds (these include a Rosary, a Chaplet, and beautiful promises). To offer to the Father the Sacred Wounds of Christ is to offer to God adequate honor and glory!
2022 Lent Mission - Fourth and Final Conference: St. Francisco Marto offers us a great model of hope. Yet the most perfect example comes from Our Blessed Mother, especially when She received into her arms the body of her dead Son. The mission concludes with ten practical ways by which we can grow in the supernatural virtue of hope.
2022 Lent Mission - Fourth Sermon: The sorrow of Mary's Immaculate Heart was the greatest during the Passion and Death of her Son, but so too her hope. At Mass, Jesus offers us the grace to unite our heart to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to hope as she hoped in the Cross and in the Precious Blood. Uniting with Mary is one of the best ways to participate in Holy Mass.
2022 Lent Mission - Third Conference: The man of hope is not looking for a reward here on earth, but keeps his gaze upon eternity. Hope is a longing desire for a future good that can be attained, albeit with difficulty. So hope for the pardon of your sins, victory over temptations and a holy death. To increase and fortify hope, meditate frequently upon the magnanimity of God.
2022 Lent Mission - Third Sermon:The Precious Blood is never more present than at Mass. Three great mysteries which are hidden to our human nature at Mass are : {1] The shedding of His Blood is renewed; [2] His Blood is sprinkled upon those present; and [3] Intercedes before the Father for us. May we firmly hope and confidently trust in the Precious Blood!
2022 Lent Mission - Second Conference: Recognize and resist the devil’s most common traps regarding presumption and despair. To strengthen hope, turn to the example of the saints. And towards what end is our hope directed? Father details the primary, secondary and tertiary objects of the faithful Christian’s hope.
