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2020 - 2021 Maidens for Mary and Crusaders for Christ Student Planners

6/1/2020

The student planners for the 2020 - 2021 school year are finished. You may download and print them for free and they can be found here. Or if you choose to purchase a printed copy they can be found here. The printed version will be ready to ship June 1st.

Please note: I'm not a professional, I made these to fill a need I have for my own children. Feel free to download and print them for your own family's use. I have copyrighted them so please abide by all copyright laws. If you would kindly bring to my attention any mistakes you find, I will be very grateful. God bless you all in the coming school year!

Pentecost Sunday - The Coming of the Holy Ghost

5/31/2020

THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST

The disciples and the Blessed Virgin were assembled in the cenacle. For ten days they had been meditating and praying in unison with God, when of a sudden a great noise was heard, as of a violent hurricane, which shook the house in which they were, and then they saw that fiery tongues settled down on the heads of each one of them. They felt themselves illumined, strengthened, encouraged by the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost. They began to speak in different languages. People of every nation had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the great Jewish feast of Pentecost, a feast which was held by them in commemoration of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai to Moses; and all the Jews wished to see the magnificent ceremonies in their temple in Jerusalem.

Though these Jews had come from different places, where different languages were spoken, still they understood what the Apostles said. Such were the wonderful effects which the Holy Ghost produced in the Apostles. They were illumined by a clear, celestial light, which made them understand all the truths of God, and the future Church, and gave them the faculty of forming right judgment in all things that came under their jurisdiction.

This will also be the effect on you, my dear young people, if you beg the Holy Spirit to come into your hearts. You will feel these effects when He has come, and your way of thinking, your old way of judging, will have changed. New thoughts and other desires will grow up in you. You understand what the thoughts of young people are generally; what their hearts are fixed on; what they delight in. The young man and woman want pleasure, enjoyment, plenty of money, and good company, and they care not whether these things are sinful or not. But when the Spirit of God shall come into their hearts they will no longer love what is sinful; they will avoid all such pleasures. Then they will know, too, that all in this world is vanity, and that it is all-important to serve God and love Him.

Not only did the Holy Spirit infuse a great light into the minds of the Apostles He also inspired them with great courage. After the death of Christ, the Apostles had become very much disheartened, and very fretful. They had not the courage to stand up openly and boldly. Before the death of Christ, Peter even denied Christ three times, and the Apostles all fled in dismay when He was apprehended. As soon as the Holy Ghost had come down on them they were changed men; they no longer feared; they confessed Christ before the tribunals of tyrants; they were not dismayed at tortures; they feared neither the sword nor the bitterest death; they braved every danger to preach the Gospel before the nations of the earth.

My dear young people, if you really receive the Holy Ghost into your hearts, you also will courageously profess the faith of Christ, and human respect v^ill not affect you any more. How many, however, are there who in spite of having received the strength and illumination of the Divine Spirit, are weak and infirm in doing good; they fear to speak a word of correction to a wicked companion, who is likely to draw them away from the path of rectitude.

With all the other gifts came that of holy charity upon the Apostles. With what lively flames of love did not their hearts burn towards their neighbor. Charity is the great virtue of the Apostles. With their hearts burning with this divine flame they went forth to enkindle it in all parts of the world, and to set the hearts of all on fire. Their sermons were frequent appeals to the intellect and hearts of their hearers. At. St. Peter's first sermon three thousand were converted, and at another five thousand. St. Peter came out on a balcony, his face all aglow with a holy zeal. It is thus related in the Acts of the Apostles: "Ye men of Israel hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as you also know: This same being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hands of wicked men have crucified and slain: Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the Apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren? But Peter saith to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'' They were converted, and baptized; they, too, received the Holy Ghost, and after that became zealous members of the holy faith.

Let us pray, my dear young people, that the Holy Spirit kindle in our hearts also this fire, that we may become, like the Apostles, strong in word to persuade people to follow Christ; and that we ourselves show our love for God by openly practising virtue. Happy shall we be if such is the fire of love of God and man in our hearts. But is your heart really inflamed with divine love? Do you not on the contrary feel that you are cold and careless? Few there are indeed among young people who think so much of religion and God that they become enthusiastic to do something for His greater glory. In your younger days, in your school-days, perhaps, you were better; you loved God more tenderly. Now it may be said of you, "You always resist the Holy Ghost." You have the spirit of the world and of sin for your guide, and in this way you sadden the Holy Ghost. We resist the Holy Ghost when we go to confession, and fall back into sin, because we do not reform our lives, as the Holy Spirit asks of us. We resist the Holy Ghost and sadden Him when we follow bad companions, when we are disobedient or impudent to our superiors, who wish to guide us in the paths of virtue. On the contrary we give joy to the Holy Spirit by our good will, and He will fill our hearts with His heavenly graces. Should one of you not yet be confirmed, let him look for an opportunity to receive this sacrament, so that he may receive the necessary virtues which it confers, namely: the spirit of Wisdom, and of Intellect, spirit of Counsel and of Fortitude, of Piety and of Knowledge, of the Fear of the Lord. In order that we may be filled with the Holy Ghost, let us live always a pure, good, and holy life. It is only with those who lead such a life that the Spirit of God remains. We read a beautiful example illustrating this in the Roman breviary. The impious governor Paschasius asked of St. Lucy, is this Holy Ghost in you?" The virgin answered, "They whose hearts are pure, and who live piously, are the temples of the Holy Ghost." "But," said the wicked man, "I will make you fall into sin, and then the Holy Ghost will leave you." To which the virgin Lucy answered, "I will remain faithful to God, and not consent to sin, and the Holy Spirit will double my reward of glory." Then the tyrant had her dragged to a place of infamy. Arriving there she stood so firm in the one spot that no power could move her further, and she had to be brought back, when she said to the tyrant: "You see, now, I am the temple of the Holy Ghost, and He protects me; no power on earth can move me, unless He permits it." In this wise, too, should we fly from sin, and we shall be the temple of God and the habitation of the Holy Ghost. Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Yes, the Holy Spirit will help us to pray" with inexpressible groans." Let us pray to the Holy Ghost, and in our soul will burn such a flame that we will not be able to resist any longer, we shall run delighted in the odor of the love of God. Then may we repeat the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians: "All you are the children of light and children of the day."

Source: Sermons for Children's Masses, Imprimatur 1900

Rogation Days and the Feast of the Ascension

5/17/2020

The Church in Her glory did such wonderful things to help the faithful keep the Faith. Oh how I wish we still did these things. . . . .

                                                  ROGATION DAYS or CROSS DAYS

The first Rogation procession was made 1,500 years ago, and its litanies and antiphons were meant to avert God's anger from his people and to call down his blessing on the fruits of the fields. It is not strange that the procession came gradually to make its way over fields and meadows and ploughed land, in fact throughout the whole of the parish. In seaside parishes these processions included prayers for the harvest of the sea and they probably made their way along the sands or cliffs.

In some places the Rogation days were called the Cross days, probably because the procession halted every so often at certain crosses or at certain trees marked with a cross, at which the priest read from the New Testament before the crowd took up the litanies and antiphons once more.

Children in the procession carried green boughs, the girls decorated themselves with flower garlands, the men carried banners and a cross. All the streets were hung with green branches.

In Staffordshire by the early 18th century, the processioning had taken a rather different form; the whole village went out on the three days, led by the children, who bore long poles decorated with every sort of flower, and all together they sang over and over again the psalm: "All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord."

There are not many processions now over the fields on Rogation days; still, after our answering the litanies at Mass, we might spend the days in something of the old spirit. In a school or club we could have a procession like that once prevailing in Staffordshire,
and thus call on all the created things of God to bless him.

Certainly night or morning prayers might include one or more of the Church's prayers for the fruits of the earth; particularly if those who pray have a garden:

"We implore thy blessing, Almighty God, that thou wilt deign to nourish this earth with temperate winds, to pour over it like a shower of rain thy gracious blessings, granting to thy people to give thanks to thee eternally for thy gifts."

                                                                 ASCENSION DAY

St. Luke tells us that Christ, after he had eaten a meal in the Cenacle, led the whole troop of apostles through the city on the last journey he would make upon earth, and "...when he had led them as far as Bethany he lifted up his hands and blessed them; and even as he blessed them he parted from them and was carried up into heaven." It is easy to understand why on Ascension day the priest led the people in solemn procession before Mass, that this last walk of Christ's might be remembered.

Since this procession has fallen into disuse, one could make a solitary visit to a church during the day. The apostles, of course, saw Christ going before them. But if we cannot, we have no less certainty that he is with us, closer than he was to any of the apostles on that first Ascension day. During that walk to the church we can do what the apostles did--praise and bless God and thank him for the holy Spirit whom he is going to send us.

A custom has survived in some parts of this country of opening the New Testament at random on this day, considering that in the page chosen there may be, as it were, some final message from Jesus as he makes his way back into heaven. Each one in turn opens the New Testament and reads the whole chapter he has lighted on, while the rest of the family or group help him to make that chapter practical for himself.
                                                                             -A Candle is Lighted, Imprimatur 1945 -

Rogation Days

5/17/2020

We've added a coloring picture at the end of this post. From the wonderful art of Cecily Mary Barker.

1. Even in the earliest times of Christianity, we find where one or more communities under the guidance of their spiritual directors went in procession, praying and singing psalms, to an appointed place to perform solemn devotional exercises. These processions were held sometimes on special occasions, sometimes on certain days of the year; to the latter, we class the procession of St. Mark's day and the Rogation days.

2. The procession of St. Mark's day is said to have been instituted by Pope Gregory the Great at the time when, in consequence of a great inundation, a pestilence was raging in Rome and vicinity. The symptoms of this dread disease were, yawning or sneezing until the victim dropped dead. Hence originated the custom of saying ''God bless you'' when one sneezes; also of making the sign of the cross on the mouth when yawning. To ward off this terrible disease Pope Gregory commanded a solemn procession to be held, and appointed it to be solemnized yearly on the 25th of April; it must have been, however, an ancient custom, but only became general on the occasion of the pestilence. In the beginning of spring, when all nature awakes, this procession is held to beseech Almighty God to avert various natural calamities—-the dangers of drought, storm and tempest. The faithful having been reconciled to God at Easter, now beg to be reconciled with nature, in order to receive not the curse of sin resting upon it through the fall of Adam, but instead the blessings of our heavenly Father. This procession then is really the celebration of the resurrection of nature. It is placed upon the 25th of April, being the first day upon which Easter cannot occur; for the spiritual resurrection must be accomplished before the curse of sin can be taken from nature. The Feast of St. Mark, celebrated on this day, is of much later origin and has no connection with it.

3. On the three days preceding the Feast of the Ascension, processions are also held, therefore this week is called ''Rogation Week," from the Latin ''rogare"—to ask or to pray. The holy bishop Mamertus of Vienne, France, was the first to introduce these processions towards the close of the fifth century to avert various temporal calamities; they found imitation in France, then gradually throughout Christendom. Formerly these days were days of fast and abstinence, as well as of rest from servile work.

4. These processions have a twofold object, namely, to be reconciled with God by penance, and by prayer to obtain new graces and benefits. Our prayers should be for temporal and spiritual blessings: the prosperity of the harvest, preservation from evil, the love of God and freedom from sin. All these requests are contained in the Litany of the Saints, which is prayed on these days, either in the church or in the processions. The special Mass for these days is read in violet, the penitential color, and is intended to increase the confidence of the faithful, and to enhance the efficacy of their prayers.

5. Processions may be held on other extraordinary occasions to avert great calamities; their celebration is the same as those of Rogation week.
-The Ecclesiastical Year, Imprimatur 1903 -

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Food for Thought ~ Modernism ~ Is it a heresy or not?

5/16/2020

"MODERNISM"

What is modernism, do you really know? The following is from my sophomore's religion course. This is the CATHOLIC Churches definition of Modernism.

Q. What is Modernism?
A. Modernism is a form of rationalism which aims at the rejection of dogma and divine authority in the Church.

Q. What is the modernist's form of religious truth?
A. The Modernist's form of religious truth is the private consciousness of man.

Q. What is the pretended object of Modernism?
A. Modernism pretends to remodel the whole Christian religion and adapt it to the ideas of the twentieth century.

Q. What do Modernists hold regarding the definitions of the Church?
A. Modernists hold that private conscience should not be hampered by any definitions of the Church.

Q, What do Modernists hold regarding religious liberty?
A. Modernists hold that there should be a general reunion, including even atheism, based upon the feelings without regard for creeds or dogma.

Q. Is Modernism a heresy?
A. Modernism might be called a tendency to rationalism and skepticism, which embraces all the heresies.

Q. What do modernists hold regarding dogma?
A. Modernists hold that dogma is a mere symbol of the unknowable and is true only in so far as it excites and nourishes religious sentiment.

Why is a Catholic not allowed to take part in Protestant services?
By taking part in Protestant church services a Catholic participates in a false religion and therefore sins against faith. One religion is not as good as another. There is only one true religion— the Catholic religion. The law of the Church says that the faithful may never take active part in the religious services of non-Catholics.

Source: "Complete Catechism of Christian Doctrine" by Roderick A McEachen, Imprimatur 1911

Modernism is condemned by the Catholic Church, in Pius X encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis.

There is only one Faith that will get us to heaven and that is the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC FAITH.

http://www.crusaders-for-christ.com/this-and-that/-instruction-on-the-one-and-only-saving-faith

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words!

St. Anthony hammer of heretics, pray for us!

Lord Jesus, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech Thee, by Thy most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Thy fold, as well as those who are held by the darkness of error, may be converted to Thee, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.

Something of Very Great Concern . . . . . .

5/13/2020

Dear Readers, I would not normally put a post on here concerning politics however, this is a very unsettling issue. Please take the time to read up on H.R. 6666. You can find it on Congress.gov. Please, please call or email your representatives and oppose this bill. Please forgive me if this post offends any of you it was intended to pass on very important information. We need to beg God to keep us safe. Your families are all in our prayers.
God bless you,
Julie Willson

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6666/text?r=2&s=1

2020 - 2021 Planners Survey

5/11/2020

Dear Readers I am working on the Crusaders for Christ and Maidens for Mary planners. I would like to know if you prefer the one page layout (one weeks planning on one page) or the two page layout (one weeks planning on two side by side pages)? Please leave a comment with your preference on this post. Below are images of the new planner covers for this year. Thank you and God bless you.

Remember Me - Holy Saturday

4/11/2020

The Gospel in its directions towards holiness opens out to us the path of humility, bidding us walk in it. ‘I say to you that unless you become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.’' Have not little children a mother? A mother who receives their earliest confidences, who follows their earliest intelligences, who accepts their first crosses and who is their advocate when they are in disgrace? This is what Mary is to the Christian; for every Christian, whether king or slave, rich or poor, old or young, has stepped down from the throne of his knowledge, the pinnacle of his wealth, the strength of his manhood, to become a child. Devotion to Mary, which would seem to promise only to soften our sentiments and feelings, also raises them, and in that perhaps includes all Christian teaching. The virtues that belong exclusively to Mary, the silence and gentleness, in no way exclude strength and energy. See if there was ever sorrow like to her sorrow. Her Son spares her nothing at the foot of the cross neither His agony nor his death, the tears that accompany it, nor the sight of His mangled and lifeless body. Her strength bears an exact proportion to her weakness. Jesus bore the weight of the sins of men, Mary the weight of their sorrows.
- Mme. Swetchine

The more entirely you give yourself to the Blessed Virgin, the more she will give herself to you. Your confidence will be the measure of her bounty.
- Pere Cestac

Remember Me - Good Friday

4/10/2020

Sacrifice is one of life’s great laws, both in the material and in the moral order ; it is indeed a universal law. What can be achieved without sacrifice? The value of a thing is in proportion to the labor it has cost. The greater the object sought, the grander the renunciation in its attainment. Every state of life, every position, has its sacrifices, a truth commonly referred to as ‘'the reverse of the medal.” And it is remarkable that we only really esteem and admire what represents difficulties overcome, and seek out such results only, to serve as the setting of our treasures. The works and the monuments that nations count as their greatest ornaments, have cost the architect, the student, the composer, untold labor. What application they represent, what efforts of thought and will, what sleepless nights, what depression and discouragement overcome! And these sacrifices were made for the passing shadow of glory. We work so willingly for temporal gains!

The sacrifice of ourselves given to God renders us holy to ourselves. A life of sacrifice is a life drawn from a divine fountain, from the Life of Sacrifice Christ lived on earth, whence was drawn the salvation of the world. The Son of God became man to suffer and to end His earthly life by the supreme Sacrifice of the Cross. All phases of sacrifice are united in His ''Consumniatum est!' The sacrifice is perfect.
- Comtesse de T

Jesus Christ had nowhere to lay His head on earth except the tomb.
- Pascal

Remember Me - Maundy Thursday

4/9/2020

Our Lord’s temptation in the desert is typical of our assault by worldly desires, but the Son of God deigned also to experience the subtle temptations that attack the higher intelligences. There are souls above the assault of carnal vices, souls that pass by, untouched, the vain fancies and ambitions of their generation, and whose merit in disdaining the world’s deceit and injustice is slight; and yet these include with their greatness much that is pitiful and small. Such combatants as Satan cannot overcome by pleasure or the pride of life, he thinks to subdue by fear, or even by ennui.

Lord, I am sick of this dreary life. I do not ask for excitement or delight, but to have ever in front an undiminishing load of duty—I cannot bear it. Is there no relief? Day and night the thought of sacrifice is with me; it haunts my sleep, my waking hours are like a frightful dream. My heart is weary of the unchanging prospect. Fain would I be Thine, be with Thee, but conform, I pray Thee, the requirements of Thy law to my weakness. Such is the temptation.

Jesus, loving Lord, teach me to be faithful to my God. Thou too hast been overcome. Thou hast sweated blood. Thy soul has been sorrowful, even to death. Thy grief has been like a flood—Ah Jesus, Thou dost not answer! Temptation
oppresses Thee and Thou prayest. Since then Thy lips do not reply to me, I too will pray.
- Pere Chassay

Remember Me - Wednesday in Holy Week

4/8/2020

Admire the silence with which Christ suffers His many injuries. Who would not have supposed that Divine Justice would have armed every spectator to revenge such terrible treatment? Or that, at least, Jesus would have defended His innocence with His own sublime eloquence? It is otherwise: “Jesus was silent.’’ Ah, me —the innocent Jesus is accused of so many crimes, before so many judges, in the sight of so many people; an ill-report is His, dangers surround Him, thorns, nails, the cross, await Him—and He is altogether silent. ‘‘Jesus was silent.” He would supply for your pride by His shame, and so He is silent. ‘‘But He held His tongue.”

Learn to hate your impatient volubility, when you have to suffer anything similar. ‘"Come hither my Jesus and teach me silence.” Compare your innocence with His, the accusations you incur with those of Jesus, the reasons for self defense you think you have with those of your Master. Set the sentence you have to fear side by side with that He incurred. “He was silent.” And you ? You can only blush for your querulous loquacity.
- Belledo

In times of agitation, be silent; when your spirit is calm speak.
- Pere Cestac

Remember Me - Tuesday in Holy Week

4/7/2020

We too often forget that maxim of the Saints which warns us to consider ourselves as each day recommencing our progress towards perfection. If we consider it frequently we shall not be surprised at the poverty of our spirit, nor how much we have to refuse ourselves. The work is never finished, we have continually to begin again and that courageously. What we have done so far is good, but what we are going to commence will be better, and when we have finished that, we shall begin something else that will be better still, and then another— until we leave this world to begin a new life that will have no end because it is the best that can happen to us.

It is not then a case for tears that we have so much work to do for our souls, for we need great courage to go ever onwards (since we must never stop), and much resolution to restrain our desires. Observe carefully this precept that all the Saints have given to those who would emulate them: to speak little, or not at all, of yourself and your own interests.
- St. Francis de Sales

You will only love God in proportion as you learn to suffer silently and to prefer Him to every created thing.
- Blessed Margaret Mary

Remember Me - Monday in Holy Week

4/6/2020

The bond of our union with God is the love of God above all things. ‘‘He that dwells in charity dwells in God and God in him” Here is the link of gold which joins the soul of God. Keep that link fast, and do not be afraid when the consciousness of your past sins and of your many temptations seem to come down upon you and overwhelm you as a flood. In those darkest times, be sure that if you love God you are still united with Him. It is not when we walk in the brightness of the noonday only, that we are united with Him. The purest union with God is when we walk with Him in the darkness, without consolation and without joy, having no other guide; our hand in His hand; going on like children, not knowing whither, but obeying the inspirations of God to do or not to do as He wills: out in the bleak cold sky, with no joy in our prayers and no rest of heart, in constant inward fears, with temptations all around but always faithful to the guidance of the Spirit of God. “Whosoever are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God”

There are two axioms in the kingdom of God which never fail; no penitent soul can perish, and no soul that loves God can be lost.
- Cardinal Manning

Never depart from Jesus on earth if thou wouldst live and rejoice with Jesus in heaven.
- Thomas d Kempis

Remember Me - The Sixth Sunday in Lent - Palm Sunday

4/5/2020

'‘The master hath need of them." Observe the poverty of our Blessed Savior. In His days of modest triumph He has nothing but what men choose to lend, or to give Him. And now in our days He is quite as poor as then. Here on earth man is rich. God is poor. "The Heaven of Heavens is the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the children of men.”

It is as when a good father makes over a property to his eldest son. He has given it, and will not take it back. "The Lord has sworn and will not repent.” Therefore in this world man is master, and our Lord is poor and quite dependent. If He wants bread for His poor He comes for it. If He wants instruction for His little ones He comes to us. Even when He wants to offer the Everlasting Sacrifice, He cannot do it till we give Him the juice of the grape, and the wheaten bread, "and provide an altar, and the priest, and the vestments.” If He wants to soothe the soul of the dying. He cannot carry out His loving wish till we give Him as an alms the oil of peace and gladness.

O how humble of heart our Blessed Lord is when He stoops so low as to tell me that He has need of me! We often say, "I do not choose to be under obligation to this man.” Our Lord and our God wishes most ardently to be under obligation to each of us, that thus He may have a plea for pouring out all His riches on us throughout eternity.
- Fr. Gallwey S.J.

Remember Me - Friday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

4/3/2020

Devotion and prayers to the Blessed Virgin are admirable and useful under every invocation and in whatever manner they are made, but I venture to assert that the most profitable form, as well as the one that redounds most to our credit, is that in which we appeal to her as Our Lady of Dolours. She stood immersed in sorrows at the foot of the cross, and our Lord Jesus Christ gave us all to her in the person of the beloved disciple, to replace her dying Son, and He destined His most holy Mother to become ours. Hence, whenever we betake ourselves to Mary under her title of sorrow, we go to our mother; and go as children, as designed by her divine Son. What can be more glorious for us than that the Queen of Heaven and Earth has, under her title of Mother of Sorrows, also become our mother? This is certainly a glory that the Angels would envy us, if they were capable of envy, since the Blessed Virgin is their Queen, but not their Mother. And what can be more profitable to us than that the dispenser of grace and divine benefits recognizes us in our sorrow as her children, recommended to her by the same Jesus before He died? How must those loving words ever echo in her heart? How dear to her must be their memory, and what special acceptance she must grant to our prayers when we approach her under this appellation. Happy are we, if, each time we invoke Our Lady of Dolours, we do it with a pure heart and a devout remembrance of so great a love; happier still, if, after we have enjoyed her love through life, she shall at its close show us the fruit of her womb, Jesus, acknowledging us, in His place, as the children of His most glorious Mother.
- Marchese di Tito

Remember Me - Thursday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

4/2/2020

"Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart,” St. Bernards remarks, ''What pride is there which the humility of the divine Master cannot extinguish? Verily, it may be said that He alone in reality humbles and abases Himself, and that we, when we seem to humiliate ourselves,' do not lower ourselves at all, but simply take the place which belongs to us. For, being all creatures, guilty perhaps of a thousand misdeeds, we can lay claim to no other right than nothingness and punishment. But our Savior Jesus Christ lowered Himself infinitely beneath that lofty height which belongs to Him.

He is the omnipotent God, the Infinite and Immortal, the supreme Arbiter of all things. And notwithstanding this, He became man, weak, mortal, subject to suffering, obedient even to death. He bore the lack of all temporal things. He, who in heaven, constituted the joy of the angels and of the saints, willed to become the Man of Sorrows and took upon Himself each and all of the miseries of humanity.

The uncreated Wisdom, and of all wisdom the Principle, has borne the shame and mockery due to a fool. The Holy of Holies, and Sanctity in essence, suffered Himself to be reputed a villain and a malefactor. He whom the countless hosts of the blessed in heaven adore, willed to die a disgraceful death upon a cross. And lastly, He who by nature is the Sovereign Good, endured every kind of human misery.

Then, after such an example of humility what ought we not to do—we who are dust and ashes? And what humiliation should ever appear hard to us, who are not only worms of earth but miserable sinners?
- Pope Leo XIII

Remember Me - Wednesday After the Fifth Sunday in Lent

4/1/2020

There is a danger of forming a false idea of holiness. To hear some people talk one would suppose it necessary to leave everything, to throw away all, to bury oneself in a desert and there devote oneself entirely to prayer and mortification. People then reply, that is impossible, so holiness must be left to the saints; and then betake themselves to a myriad of faults, sins, infidelities towards God. That is to say, under the excuse of not being able to become saints, they make themselves quite easy about their state, and slip on swiftly to their own condemnation.

This is an error, invented by the spirit of lies, accepted by the world, favored by the passions, which ask no better than to find a plausible pretext for satisfying the conscience. This is not sanctity. Sanctity consists in the accomplishment of the duties God lays upon us. In this way one who fulfills well the duties of his station, and, much more one who fulfills them well for God, will become a real saint—nothing more is needed.
- Pere Cestac

The secret of being always with God and of assuring His continual presence in our hearts is constant prayer.
- St. Isidore

Remember Me - Tuesday After the Fifth Sunday in Lent

3/31/2020

It is a wise rule of life to work every day, within reasonable restrictions, towards limiting eternal needs. "To need nothing,’’ Socrates said, ''is an attribute of divinity, to have need of little is an approach towards divine perfection.” Thus the heathen sage. How many things we might do without! The needs that we create, that we do not know where to check, that, on the contrary we go on adding to indefinitely—all these become a legion of petty tyrants that form up and surround us. Let us be on our guard, for thus we are watched from every point.

We claim to be rich; we are mistaken, we are poor, very poor, indeed, for the needs that we go on multiplying are a crowd of beggars that assault our home; each addition is a fresh charge upon us. We grow poorer as we add to our wants, for each fresh need, each desire for some new thing, increases the mob of supplicants. In appearance we may seem richer, but in fact we are tending towards absolute beggary, for we in our turn come to be always asking—asking that we may supply the needs that have become our masters.
- Msgr. Landriot

The rich differ in nothing from beggars, but in being more miserable, for beggars have need of little, and the rich of much.
- Seneca

Remember Me - Monday After the Fifth Sunday in Lent

3/30/2020

Meditate for a short space on God’s love as shown in the example Christ Himself gives us of the prodigal Son. He takes his whole fortune, leaves his home, gives himself up to dissolute life, squandering his money, and, when reduced to beggary, sinks to the level of a swineherd. Roused to reflection by his misery, he resolves to return home, and his father on seeing this wreck of humanity at once recognizes him, acknowledges him as his son, weeps over him, loving him as before, and restores him to his old costume and position. He is well dressed, feasted with delicacies, music soothes him, friends are invited to meet him, for ''I have got my son back again,” says the loving father; "the one who was lost.”

This is no graceful parable but a truth; it is thus a sinner really is, with regard to God his Father. Rouse yourself therefore, you who are grovelling in self-indulgence; what are you doing ? This is not a hard saying, but a merciful one. The way will be hard during the return journey to God, but what will be your reception? Love. And that, a love that gives you all its best.
- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Do not let us be ashamed of flight, for flight from the world is not a disgrace, but an honor.
- St. Ambrose

Remember Me - The Fifth Sunday in Lent - Passion Sunday

3/29/2020

The Prophet Elias, persecuted by impious Jezabel, retreats into the desert, and having made a day’s journey in it sinks at the foot of a tree with the prayer: 'It is enough; let me die.’’ An angel descending from heaven, touching the prophet, said: '‘Rise and eat, for a long journey is before you.” Rising, he ate the food brought him by the angel, and in its strength journeyed forty days and forty nights until he reached the Mount of God.

The Prophet Elias is the Christian soul traveling through the desert of life. Often wearied by the weight of existence the exile casts himself down despondently in the shadow of the first rock he meets, and cries, “Lord, I have lived long enough, release me from this world; the source of life and strength is withered within me.” Soul of little faith! Lift your eyes, and see the Angel who is at your side. He holds in his hand food prepared in heaven. Take this strengthening manna and you will rise in full strength for the journey that lies before you. Take this Bread. It is Jesus Christ, and “Christ is life, and life is bread,” as Tertullian says. {De orat.)

How many weak souls drag themselves wearily through the shades of mortal languor, because, though they have known the gift of God, they have forgotten to eat their bread, and their soul is enervated like the body of a man who for a long time has eaten no food.
-Msgr. Landriot

Remember Me - Saturday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent

3/28/2020

When, as often happens in this life, you see deeds done, words become law, in defiance of right, do not be scandalized nor doubt the power of God’s Sovereign Will. Full of consideration for our liberty He permits revolts because He wills only to receive genuine obedience; but all the time that prescriptive right is reserved and will receive full recognition when the time of justice has come. Then will Jesus hold His court of assize, the insurgents summoned before Him will realize from the weight of His sentence that not for a moment did He cease to be their ruler. Bent beneath the burden of His judgment they will say a despairing farewell to the Kingdom of His Glory and retreat to the realm of woe. Alas ! for these eternal exiles for whom is no reprieve.

But Christian souls convinced of the sovereign rights of their Lord, recognize both the sweetness and the honor of obeying him. The grievous spectacle of agitation that alike dishonors and disintegrates society, when human will claims to rule without any superior law to direct or restrain it, shows them clearly how necessary is Christ’s government to the existence of order and of peace. It is for that object I implore you to work, by prayer, by words, by example, by influence. You may not see the triumph on earth of your divine monarch, but it is certain you will see and enjoy in heaven the kingdom of His glory.
- Fere Monsabre

It is very important that we should help each other by prayers.
- St. Teresa

Remember Me - Saturday After the Fourth Sunday in Lent

3/28/2020

St. Ignatius recommends us to dwell sometimes when we contemplate, on this thought, “This is all for me.'' We must try to believe more and more firmly this great truth which arms us well against all hopeless thoughts or enkindles the fire of love. All this contrition is for me and for my sins. How far short, then, my contrition is of what it should be! Blessed Mother of Sorrows, pray for me now and at the hour of my death, that I may see clearly, while I look on the agony of thy Son, the truth of that word : “Know then and see that it was an evil and a bitter thing for thee to have left the Lord thy God." (Jerem. ii.) Alas, I knew not what I was doing. I knew not how evil and bitter a thing it was. I "sinned and said: “What harm hath befallen me?" I sinned, and how little have I as yet realized the force of those words far more applicable to me than to the Jews: “Is this the return that you makest to the Lord, O foolish and senseless people? Is not He thy Father that hath possessed thee, and made thee, and created thee?" (Deut. xxxii.)

“According to the multitude of thy tender mercies, O Lord, blot out my sins. For I will declare my iniquity and I will think for my sins." (Psalm xxxvii.)

All this contrition is for me, to be added to mine. Therefore, when I go to the sacred tribunal, I have something better to rely upon than my own feeble act of contrition. Jesus Christ, my surety, my Savior, is uniting all His great contrition with my most insufficient sorrow.
- Father Gallwey S.J.

Remember Me - Friday After the Fourth Sunday in Lent

3/27/2020

''My kingdom is not of this world" Jesus Christ does not deny that He is king of the world, but only that He reigns in it with the splendor and pomp of its visible princes. How then does He reign in it? By poverty, contempt, obedience, lowliness, by the cross; it is thus that He has brought the empire to His feet. Let me not, my Savior, be behindhand in recognizing my king, however common, however displeasing to my taste, may be the externals of Thy royalty. I am content with Thy surroundings as much for love of Thee as for the sake of imitating Thee; no one can lower himself by growing more like Thee.

"Thou art then a king?" Pilate asks again; and, "I am what thou sayest," Jesus replies. This is the same answer as before, for faith and truth cannot contradict themselves, I believe, again, O Lord, that Thou art the king of my soul, I confess Thee and adore; I will ever cry "Thou art King, my Savior and my God." I will appeal to Thy rights over me when passion claims me as a captive in defiance of my allegiance, sworn to Thee. Am I not in the world just to bear this testimony? I will be faithful, strengthen this resolution in me, ‘formed as it is under the inspiration of Thy grace!
- Pere Arancin S.J.

O Lord Jesus Christ, I adore Thee hanging on the cross. Thy head crowned with thorns ! Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ!
- St. Gregory

Remember Me - Thursday After the Fourth Sunday in Lent

3/26/2020

There is a well known phrase of St. Augustine’s, '‘God does not command what is impossible except as commanding
us to do all that we can towards it and to ask that He will do, in our aid, the share of it that we cannot do.'’ Ah, if you should have to work, to strive, to suffer, to die, even to die upon a cross if God wills it, do not for a moment doubt that the power lies for you already in His hand, if he has not already placed it in yours—the grace to die, to suffer, to strive, to conquer.

But I do not stop at asking you to expect only what is indispensable, from God. Have you ever found God stopping short at what is absolutely necessary? He certainly might do so, and if He did would still do what is just, holy and adorable. But does He ever? Has He ever done it with you? Ah, if ever He has, I will tell you when it was—in the day and hour when your trust in Him failed. David dares to say, “With the perverse Thou wilt be perverse;” that is, towards him who comes to Thee crookedly Thou wilt advance crookedly. How much the more then might one say, “with him who shuts his heart up from Thee, Thy heart will be shut up” and that every distrustful heart closes God's hand. Expect then, unwaveringly, from God an abundance of grace.
- Msgr. Gay

In union with the perfect confidence and hope that the holy and Blessed Virgin Mary placed in Thee, do I hope,
O Lord.
- St. Pius V

Remember Me - Wednesday After the Fourth Sunday in Lent

3/25/2020

Do not scrutinize too closely whether you are doing much or little, ill or well, so long as what you do is not sinful and that you are heartily seeking to do everything for God. Try, as far as you can to do everything well, but when it is done do not think about it; try rather to think of what is to be done next. Go on simply in the Lord’s way and do not torment yourself. We ought to hate our faults, but with a calm hatred, not pettishly nor anxiously. We must learn to look patiently at them, and win through them the grace of self-abnegation and humility. For want of this, and through looking at your imperfections in an unreal way they do but increase upon you. Nothing so causes our tares to thrive as disquietude and impetuousity in striving to uproot them. There is a great temptation to be disgusted at the world, when we are constrained to dwell in it; but God’s providence is wiser than we are. We fancy that if we changed our portion we should be better; possibly—if we changed ourselves. But I am a steadfast foe to all such useless, dangerous, evil desires; even when what we wish for is good in itself, the desire is evil ; since God denies us that particular good thing, and chooses rather to prove us in some other way. He wills to speak to us as to Moses from a burning bush, and we would fain hear Him in a still small voice as when He spoke to the Prophet Elias.
- St. Francis de Sales

Blessed are they that follow in all things the will of God.
- Thomas d Kempis