CARMEL'S OWN: 2008

Saturday, December 20, 2008

C H R I S T M A S

A happy Christmas to one and all.

May the Divine Babe be your joy and comfort not only on His Birthday

but also all the days of your life on earth enhanced in the future eternity.

Health and Blessings.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The New Liturgical Year

ADVENT

....a derivation from the latin meaning "coming"...is once again with us.

During this period predeeding the Solemn Celebration of the day of Jesus Christ, the Lord's birth, we are advised to prepare ourselves also so that we will not be found wanting in the Second Coming of the Son of Man.

We are therefore not only in expectation of the celebration of CHRISTmas, but even so and more for the Last Day.

On that day, Judgement day, we will be brought to account for our Love of God and Love of Neighbour!

"whatsoever and whatever you have done for these my brethren....you have done for me".

Once agin I am referring to THE CARMELITE WEBSITE (webmaster: Fr nthony Cilia O Carm), in order to bring to each of us the possibility of meditating using the LECTIO DIVINA method.

This will definitely help us in the progress and prowess of our spirituality.

Suffice it to say that one needs only to click on the calendar hereunder in order to follow the daily meditation accordingly.

May the Good Lord keep us in His ways, and may the Blessed Mother keep us under her protection.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

OCTOBER dedicated to......

The Holy Rosary

It has been suggested that the rosary began as a practice by the laity to imitate the
monks who prayed the 150 psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours. Many people could not read,
so Ave Maria's were substituted for the psalms and knotted cords were used to keep
an accurate count. Tradition tells us that the rosary was given to St. Dominic
by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 12th century.
She appeared to him and asked him to spread devotion to the rosary.
The rosary is a meditative and contemplative prayer that brings us closer to Jesus
through His mother, Mary. It is a powerful form of prayer to invoke peace, healing,
and a deeper understanding of the Gospel. In October of the year 2002, Pope John Paul II
proclaimed the year of the Rosary and added the Luminous Mysteries to the meditation.
We reflect on the life of Jesus and Mary in the mysteries of the Rosary.

From the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1,
we recall the angel, Gabriel's greeting to Mary, the Mother of God,
Hail, full of Grace the Lord is with Thee.
And Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit cried out in a loud voice and said,
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
We then ask our heavenly mother's intercession in aiding us as we pray,
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Click each mystery to view Holy Land photos for each of the mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries
The Luminous Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries

The Rosary, precisely because it starts with Mary’s own experience, is an exquisitely contemplative prayer.
Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning…
Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk
of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ:
“In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do,
for they think they will be heard for their many words.”

-Pope John Paul II

"Carmel is a source of wealth for the whole Christian community." John Paul II

remember to click on the various dates to enter that day's LETIO DIVINA

Saturday, July 26, 2008

JULY - Month of O. L. of Mt. Carmel

FLOS CARMELI
The "Flos Carmeli is a unique hymn/prayer sung daily by the Carmelites worldwide.
It is said to have been composed by the rec eiver of the Brown Scapular himself, Saint Simon Stock, who was General Superior of the order at the time, thus being dated as far back as the 13tth Century.

(Latin)

Flos Carmeli,
vitis Florigera;
Splendor Coewli,
Virgo Puerpera,
Singularis.

Mater Mitis,
sed Viri Nescia;
Carmelitis
Esto Propitia;
Stella Maris.

(English)

Flower of Carmel,
Tall Vine Blossom laden;
Splendour of Heaven,
Child Bearing yet Maiden,
None equals Thee.

other so Tender,
Whom no man didst know;
On Carmel's Children
Thy Favours bestow,
Star of the Sea.

(Maltese)

Fjur tal-Karmelu,
Dielja bil-Frott Mogħnija;
Dija tas-Sema,
Xebba li Waħdanija,
B’ġieħ t’Omm tiftaħar.

Omm l-Aktar Ħelwa,
Li Ġmielek qatt ma ttabba’,
Lill-Karmelitani
Ħniena uri u Mħabba,
Kewkba tal-BaĦar.

17th Sunday of ordinary time: 27 July - Mt 13,44-52 Monday: 28 July 2008 - Matthew 13,31-35 Tuesday: 29 July 2008 - Matthew 13,36-43 Wednesday: 30 July 2008 - Matthew 13,44-46 Thursday: 31 July 2008 - Matthew 13,47-53 Friday: 1 August 2008 - Matthew 13,54-58 Saturday: 2 August 2008 - Matthew 14,1-12
18th Sunday of ordinary time: 3 August - Mt 14,13-21 Monday: 4 August 2008 - Matthew 14,22-36 Tuesday: 5 August 2008 - Matthew 15,1-2.10-14 Wednesday: 6 August 2008 - Matthew 17,1-9 Thursday: 7 August 2008 - Matthew 16,13-23 Friday: 8 August 2008 - Matthew 16,24-28 Saturday: 9 August 2008 - Matthew 25,1-13
19th Sunday of ordinary time: 10 August - Mt 14,22-33 Monday: 11 August 2008 - Matthew 17,22-27 Tuesday: 12 August 2008 - Matthew 18,1-5.10.12-14 Wednesday: 13 August 2008 - Matthew 18,15-20 Thursday: 14 August 2008 - Matthew 18,21-19,1 The Assumption of Our Lady: 15 August 2008 - Luke 1,39-56 Saturday: 16 August 2008 - Matthew 19,13-15
20th Sunday of ordinary time: 17 August - Mt 15,21-28 Monday: 18 August 2008 - Matthew 19,16-22 Tuesday: 19 August 2008 - Matthew 19,23-30 Wednesday: 20 August 2008 - Matthew 20,1-16a Thursday: 21 August 2008 - Matthew 22,1-14 Friday: 22 August 2008 - Luke 1,26-38 Saturday: 23 August 2008 - Matthew 23,1-12
21st Sunday of ordinary time: 24 August - Mt 16,13-20Monday: 25 August 2008 - Matthew 23,13-22 Tuesday: 26 August 2008 - Matthew 23,23-26 Wednesday: 27 August 2008 - Matthew 23,27-32 Thursday: 28 August 2008 - Matthew 24,42-51 Friday: 29 August 2008 - Mark 6,17-29 Saturday: 30 August 2008 - Matthew 25,14-30
22nd Sunday of ordinary time: 31 August - Mt 16,21-27 Monday: 1 September 2008 - Luke 4,16-30Tuesday: 2 September 2008 - Luke 4,31-37 Wednesday: 3 September 2008 - Luke 4,38-44 Thursday: 4 September 2008 - Luke 5,1-11 Friday: 5 September 2008 - Luke 5,33-39 Saturday: 6 September 2008 - Luke 6,1-5
23rd Sunday of ordinary time: 7 September - Mt 18,15-20 Monday: 8 September 2008 - Matthew 1,1-16.18-23 Tuesday: 9 September 2008 - Luke 6,12-19 Wednesday: 10 September 2008 - Luke 6,20-26 Thursday: 11 September 2008 - Luke 6,27-38 Friday: 12 September 2008 - Luke 6,39-42 Saturday: 13 September 2008 - Luke 6,43-49
24th Sunday of ordinary time: 14 September - Jn 3,13-17Monday: 15 September 2008 - John 19,25-27 Tuesday: 16 September 2008 - Luke 7,11-17 Wednesday: 17 September 2008 - Luke 7,31-35 Thursday: 18 September 2008 - Luke 7,36-50 Friday: 19 September 2008 - Luke 8,1-3 Saturday: 20 September 2008 - Luke 8,4-15
25th Sunday of ordinary time: 21 September - Mt 20,1-16 Monday: 22 September 2008 - Luke 8,16-18 Tuesday: 23 September 2008 - Luke 8,19-21 Wednesday: 24 September 2008 - Luke 9,1-6 Thursday: 25 September 2008 - Luke 9,7-9 Friday: 26 September 2008 - Luke 9,18-22 Saturday: 27 September 2008 - Luke 9,43b-45

Saturday, June 21, 2008

THE SACRED HEART of JESUS

The heart is a muscle . It has always been used as a symbol of love, tenderness and goodness.
No wonder that Jesus defined his love, tenderness and goodness for all human beings to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque when He urged devotion to "His Sacred Heart".
" I promise that, through the infinite pity of MY Heart. I will grant the grace of repentance to all those who will receive Holy Communion on the first Friday of eavh month for nine consecutive months".
The month of Jun e is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

12th Sunday of ordinary time: 22 June - Mt 10,26-33 Monday: 23 June 2008 - Matthew 7,1-5 The Nativity of St. John the Baptist: 24 June - Luke 1,57-66.80 Wednesday: 25 June 2008 - Matthew 7,15-20 Thursday: 26 June 2008 - Matthew 7,21-29 Friday: 27 June 2008 - Matthew 8,1-4 Saturday: 28 June 2008 - Matthew 8,5-17
Sts. Peter and Paul: 29 June 2008 - Mt 16,13-19 Monday: 30 June 2008 - Matthew 8,18-22Tuesday: 1 July 2008 - Matthew 8,23-27 Wednesday: 2 July 2008 - Matthew 8,28-34 Thursday: 3 July 2008 - John 20,24-29 Friday: 4 July 2008 - Matthew 9,9-13 Saturday: 5 July 2008 - Matthew 9,14-17
14th Sunday of ordinary time: 6 July - Mt 11,25-30 Monday: 7 July 2008 - Matthew 9,18-26 Tuesday: 8 July 2008 - Matthew 9,32-38 Wednesday: 9 July 2008 - Matthew 10,1-7 Thursday: 10 July 2008 - Matthew 10,7-15 Friday: 11 July 2008 - Matthew 19,27-29Saturday: 12 July 2008 - Matthew 10,24-33
15th Sunday of ordinary time: 13 July - Mt 13,1-23 Monday: 14 July 2008 - Matthew 10,34-11,1Tuesday: 15 July 2008 - Matthew 11,20-24 The Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel: 16 July - John 19,25-27 Thursday: 17 July 2008 - Matthew 11,28-30 Friday: 18 July 2008 - Matthew 12,1-8 Saturday: 19 July 2008 - Matthew 12,14-21
16th Sunday of ordinary time: 20 July - Mt 13,24-43 Monday: 21 July 2008 - Matthew 12,38-42 Tuesday: 22 July 2008 - John 20,1-2.11-18 Wednesday: 23 July 2008 - Matthew 13,1-9Thursday: 24 July 2008 - Matthew 13,10-17 Friday: 25 July 2008 - Matthew 20,20-28 Saturday: 26 July 2008 - Matthew 13,

Monday, May 26, 2008

WHO IS SHE?????

St Philip Neri (d. 1594)

Would you like to know if this is the Virgin Mary?

Saint Philip Neri was often consulted by bishops to judge the authenticity of mystics. The practice of humility and obedience allowed him to infallibly test false mystics, because the devil is proud and independent.

One day in 1560, the cardinals were divided about a nun who was having visions. Since they sought his opinion, Philip went to see the young sister. He looked at her warmly and said, "Sister, I didn't want to see you, I wanted to see the saint." And the nun replied, "But I am the saint!" Philip turned on his heels, retorting, "Ah, you're the saint? Thank you." And the verdict he gave the Cardinals was, "It's not from God..."

Another time, one of his penitents confided to him that the Virgin had come in the night in her room, filling it with joy and light! So Philip said, "Listen, the next time she comes you should spit in her face." The following night, the apparition spoke to her of God, but remembering the promise she had made to her spiritual director she spat in her face. The apparition immediately disappeared in a cloud of sulphur smoke: it was the devil. That same night, she awoke in the room full of light with a new apparition that smiled at her. This time the figure was not sitting on her bed, she standing in a corner of the room. The seer went over to spit again, but the apparition just said, "You can spit if you want." The apparition was too far to spit on, but she congratulated her for her obedience to her spiritual director! And Father Neri told her that that time it was the Virgin Mary.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.
From the magazine the Etoile Notre Dame, October 2006

9th Sunday of ordinary time: 1 June - Mt 7,21-27

Monday: 2 June 2008 - Mark 12,1-12 Tuesday: 3 June 2008 - Mark 12,13-17 Wednesday: 4 June 2008 - Mark 12,18-27 Thursday: 5 June 2008 - Mark 12,28b-34 Friday: 6 June 2008 - Mark 12,35-37 Saturday: 7 June 2008 - Mark 12,38-44
10ª Sunday of ordinary time: 8 June - Mt 9,9-13

Monday: 9 June 2008 - Matthew 5,1-12 Tuesday: 10 June 2008 - Matthew 5,13-16 Wednesday: 11 June 2008 - Matthew 10,7-13 Thursday: 12 June 2008 - Matthew 5,20-26 Friday: 13 June 2008 - Matthew 5,27-32 Saturday: 14 June 2008 - Matthew 5,33-37
11th Sunday of ordinary time: 15 June - Mt 9,36-10,8

Monday: 16 June 2008 - Matthew 5,38-42 Tuesday: 17 June 2008 - Matthew 5,43-48 Wednesday: 18 June 2008 - Matthew 6,1-6.16-18 Thursday: 19 June 2008 - Matthew 6,7-15 Friday: 20 June 2008 - Matthew 6,19-23 Saturday: 21 June 2008 - Matthew 6,24-34

Friday, May 9, 2008

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO all of you out there....with lots of LOVE.
Besides wishing all the best returns to you MOTHERS, let us not forget our departed ones...like mine!
I came across the following and I think it is quite fitting to propose as a salute to all mothers and as a pointer to their unselfish love....

My mother had only one eye,
I hated her as I was ashamed of her.
She was a cook in the school cafeteria where I studied.
One day, when I saw still in a primary class,
She came to visit me to see for herself that I was all right. I was very upset, how dare she do this to me?
After that incident I ignored her & looked on her only with hateful eyes….
The next day, a fellow-student told me, “oohhh, your mother has only one eye!”
At that moment, I wanted to crawl under the floor,and that my mother would be out of my life completely.
The next day I went to meet her and to tell her: “ Because of you I am the joke at school. Why don’t you die and go away!?
But, she did not respond…. I wasn’t thinking and did not know what I was saying; I was very angry. I could not imagine how she would react to my remarks.
And, I left town.
I studied relentlessly and obtained a scholarship to continue my studies abroad.
In fact, I completed my studies, got married, bought a house and set up my family.
I lived a happy and a peaceful life.
One day, my mother comes to visit me.
It had been many years since she had disappeared. She had never met her grand-children. She remained at the doorstep while my children were making fun of her.
I shouted at her: “ How dare you come all the way here and frighten my kids?! With a calm voice she responded: “I apologize, I am at the wrong address.”
And she disappeared.
One day, I received an invitation from my hometown school to attend a reunion under the “ close family ties “ topic. I lied to my wife and made her believe that I was traveling for business.
After the reunion I stopped by the house where I grew up. The neighbours informed me that my mother had passed away. I did not shed even one tear!!! The next door neighbor handed me a letter that my mother had left for me:
“My Dear son, I always thought of you.”
I regret having visited you abroad and frightened your kids! …I was very pleased when I heard that you would come to attend the reunion. …The only thing was that I could not get up from my bed to come and see you! I am broken-hearted that I brought shame to you on numerous occasions.
Did you know that when you were a baby you had an accident and lost your one eye?

As any other mother would, I would not let you grow up with only one eye!
So, I gave you my eye……..
I was very proud and happy to know that my son would be able to see the world with my eye.
… with all my love…
…Your mother….

Friday, April 25, 2008

70 YEARS ON........

Oh, dear Lord,

"How great Thou art..."

Tomorrow, God willing, I will be 70 years old!

It is a milestone in life's journey here on Earth; a milestone that is marked with so many great memories and bitter ones too. But is the beauty and the fragrance of the rose to be discarded simply because there are some thorns on the stalk?

I feel that besides thanking the Good Lord for lending me these years, I should also beg His foregiveness for my past misdeeeds, as well as asking all friends for a small prayer on my behalf.

My favourite of all favourite songs is the well known "Amazing Grace". I like to think that when Newton wrote it, he did not only mean it for himself, but even so for any others who would like to assimilate those beautiful lyrics to themselves; something I am glad I do.

"God's Grace first taught my heart to fear, His Grace my fears relieved; how precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed."

Thank you Lord for being always there for me, with me and in me. I pray Thee:

"Lead me on kindly, LIght...."

Monday, April 7, 2008

HIS BIDDING....

Do Whatever He Tells You

Let us ask Our Lady to make our hearts 'meek and humble' as her Son's was.

It is so very easy to be proud and and selfish, so easy; but we have been created for greater things. How much we can learn from our Lady! She was so humble because she was all for God. She was full of grace.

Tell our Lady to tell Jesus, 'They have no wine', the wine of humility and meekness, of kindness and sweetness. She is sure to tell us, 'Do whatever He tells you'. Accept cheerfully all the chances she sends you. We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta quoted in "Something Beautiful for God", MUGGERIDGE Malcolm Harper and Row Publishers, 1971

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

On the Saturday of the fifth week of Lent, the Eastern Church sings the majestic "Akathist Hymn" in honor of the Mother of God and most pure Virgin Mary. During Matins service of this Saturday the entire Akathistos (Akathist Hymn) of the Annunciation of the most Holy Mother of God is sung. This hymn can be called the symbol and crown of the sublime cult of the Mother of God in the Eastern Church. By these endless hymns the Blessed Virgin is thanked for her ever-present protection, in memory of the attacks on Constantinople at the time of Heraclius. At that time, Sassanian king Chosroes II, with the help of Persia's Avar allies, raided Constantinople from the west, crying out blasphemies against God. The sea was covered with ships, the countryside filled with infantry and horsemen. The Patriarch of Constantinople urged the people not to be discouraged, but to trust wholeheartedly in God and His divine and All-Immaculate Mother. The Patriarch and the people carried the icon of the Mother of God in procession, on the ramparts of the city, to ask for the strength to resist, along with the icon of Christ not-painted-by-a-human-hand, the precious, vivifying Cross, and the tunic of the Mother of God. Boats full of soldiers were heading towards the Church of Our Lady of Blacherna, when a violent storm suddenly stirred up the sea, wrecking the fleet and destroying the enemy. From the shore of Blacherna, the Mother of God repelled the attackers. The Greeks fought the Scythians one against ten, with great courage and exultant joy, led by their invincible general; they opened the gates of the city and fought against their enemies, using only the small number of soldiers that were positioned near a temple called the Source. They wiped out their multitude and the city was saved. Full of gratitude, the people of Constantinople gave thanks to the Mother of God, singing hymns all night long without sitting down (Akathistos, a Greek word meaning not sitting), since she herself had not stopped watching over them for one moment and she had won the victory over their enemies with a supernatural power. Since then, the Eastern Church traditionally devotes this Saturday to the Mother of God in memory of the great miracle performed by her
Adapted from the Santa Barbara Byzantine Catholic Church Bulletin, March 1997.

5th Sunday of Easter: 20 April 2008 - John 14,1-12 Monday: 21 April 2008 - John 14,21-26 Tuesday: 22 April 2008 - John 14,27-31a Wednesday: 23 April 2008 - John 15,1-8 Thursday: 24 April 2008 - John 15,9-11 Friday: 25 April 2008 - Mark 16,15-20 Saturday: 26 April 2008 - John 15,18-21
6th Sunday of Easter: 27 April 2008 - John 14,15-21 Monday: 28 April 2008 - John 15,26-16,4 Tuesday: 29 April 2008 - Matthew 11,25-30 Wednesday: 30 April 2008 - John 16,12-15 Thursday: 1 May 2008 - Matthew 13,54-58 Friday: 2 May 2008 - John 16,20-23a Saturday: 3 May 2008 - John 14,6-14
The Ascension of the Lord: 4 May 2008 - Mt 28,16-20 Monday: 5 May 2008 - John 16,29-33 Tuesday: 6 May 2008 - John 17,1-11a Wednesday: 7 May 2008 - John 17,11b-19 Thursday: 8 May 2008 - John 17,20-26 Friday: 9 May 2008 - John 21,15-19 Saturday: 10 May 2008 - John 21,20-25
Pentecost Sunday: 11 May 2008 - John 20,19-23 Monday: 12 May 2008 - Mark 8,11-13 Tuesday: 13 May 2008 - Mark 8,14-21 Wednesday: 14 May 2008 - John 15,9-17 Thursday: 15 May 2008 - Mark 8,27-33 Friday: 16 May 2008 - Mark 8,34-9,1 Saturday: 17 May 2008 - Mark 9,2-13
Trinity Sunday: 18 May 2008 - John 3,16-18 Monday: 19 May 2008 - Mark 9,14-29 Tuesday: 20 May 2008 - Mark 9,30-37 Wednesday: 21 May 2008 - Mark 9,38-40 Thursday: 22 May 2008 - Mark 9,41-50 Friday: 23 May 2008 - Mark 10,1-12 Saturday: 24 May 2008 - Mark 10,13-16
Body and Blood of Christ: 25 May 2008 - John 6,51-58 Monday: 26 May 2008 - Mark 10,17-27 Tuesday: 27 May 2008 - Mark 10,28-31 Wednesday: 28 May 2008 - Mark 10,32-45 Thursday: 29 May 2008 - Mark 10,46-52 Friday: 30 May 2008 - Matthew 11,25-30 Saturday: 31 May 2008 - Luke 1,39-56

Monday, March 24, 2008

DANCING

**~~**~~Dancing~~**~~**

I strayed away and turned to sin

Allowing the Tempter to enter in,

Somewhere along a righteous way

I slid headlong into moral decay.

Unwitting with the Devil I danced,

In his promenade of sin I pranced,

Proudly waltzing to his profane song

As his chokehold grew ever strong.

I danced at the end of his string

As a puppet to chants he'd sing,

I danced for pleasures of the flesh

And tangled deeper in evils mesh.

Round and round I sinfully whirled

Until Satan's hellish plan unfurled,

He was thieving bits of me each day

Slyly stealing chips of my soul away.

I was the only puppet at this dance

And it was not by random chance,

When I left God and fell by the way,

Satan picked me to dance that day.

I'd slid to the bottom of a dark hole

And Satan was attacking my soul,

I looked up to Jesus from that pit

For Christ is the one way out of it.

Lift me high oh Redeemer I prayed,

Bear me up from where I've strayed,

Forgive my sin and restore me whole,

I lay before you my tattered soul.

In God's mercy my life spun around

In His grace I pace on holy ground,

My path to Heaven is shining bright,

My eternal home is clearly in sight.

God redeemed me from a life of sin

And tenderly seeded His love within,

Never again will I waltz to Satan's fife,

I dance only for God and eternal life.

>©Written by: Kenneth J. Ellison 03-02-08

2nd Sunday of Easter: 30 March 2008 - John 20,19-31 The Annunciation of the Lord: 31 March 2008 - Luke 1,26-38 Tuesday: 1 April 2008 - John 3,7b-15 Wednesday: 2 April 2008 - John 3,16-21 Thursday: 3 April 2008 - John 3,31-36 Friday: 4 April 2008 - John 6,1-15 Saturday: 5 April 2008 - John 6,16-21
3rd Sunday of Easter: 6 April 2008 - Luke 24,13-35 Monday: 7 April 2008 - John 6,22-29 Tuesday: 8 April 2008 - John 6,30-35 Wednesday: 9 April 2008 - John 6,35-40 Thursday: 10 April 2008 - John 6,44-51 Friday: 11 April 2008 - John 6,52-59 Saturday: 12 April 2008 - John 6,60-69
4th Sunday of Easter: 13 April 2008 - John 10,1-10 Monday: 14 April 2008 - John 10,11-18 Tuesday: 15 April 2008 - John 10,22-30 Wednesday: 16 April 2008 - John 12,44-50 Thursday: 17 April 2008 - John 13,16-20 Friday: 18 April 2008 - John 14,1-6 Saturday: 19 April 2008 - John 14,7-14

Sunday, March 16, 2008

HOLY WEEK

A Blessed and Happy Easter to ALL
Paschal Lamb

One of the most common Christian symbols, especially associated with Easter, is the lamb. It is often depicted with a banner that bears a cross, and it is known as the Agnus Dei, meaning “lamb of God” in Latin.

The origin of the symbol is related directly to the Jewish Passover. In ancient times the Jews sacrificed a lamb in the course of the festival. The early Christians, most of whom were Hebrews, associated the sacrifice of the lamb with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. They connected the joyous Passover festival, which commemorates the liberation of the Hebrews from their years of bondage in Egypt, with the liberation from death represented by the resurrection.

The popularity of lamb as an Easter food is undoubtedly related to its importance as a symbol. During the Middle Ages roast lamb became the traditional main course of the pope’s Easter dinner, and it is still customarily served on Easter Sunday in many European countries. Decorative lambs made of candy or cake are also frequently seen at Easter time.

We have been redeemed by the Son of God made Man.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

THE UNIQUE HOLINESS OF MARY

It is no wonder therefore that the usage prevailed among the Fathers whereby they called the mother of God entirely holy and free from all stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature. Adorned from the first instant of her conception with the radiance of an entirely unique holiness, the Virgin of Nazareth is greeted, on God's command, by an angel messenger as "full of grace", and to the heavenly messenger she replies, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word." Thus Mary, a daughter of Adam, consenting to the Divine Word, became the mother of Jesus, the one and only Mediator. Embracing God's salvific will with a full heart and impeded by no sin, she devoted herself totally as a handmaid of the Lord to the person and work of her Son, under Him and with Him, by the grace of almighty God, serving the mystery of redemption.

Lumen Gentium Chapter VIII §56 Pope Paul VI, November 21, 1964

5th Sunday of Lent: 9 March 2008 - John 11,1-45 Monday: 10 March 2008 - John 8,1-11 Tuesday: 11 March 2008 - John 8,21-30 Wednesday: 12 March 2008 - John 8,31-42 Thursday: 13 March 2008 - John 8,51-59 Friday: 14 March 2008 - John 10,31-42 Saint Joseph: 15 March 2008 - Mt 1,16.18-21.24
Palm Sunday: 16 March 2008 - Mt 26,14-27,66 Monday: 17 March 2008 - John 12,1-11 Tuesday: 18 March 2008 - John 13,21-33.36-38 Wednesday: 19 March 2008 - Matthew 26,14-25 Holy Thursday: 20 March 2008 - John 13,1-15 Good Friday: 21 March 2008 - John 18,1-19,42Holy Saturday: 22 March 2008
The Resurrection of the Lord: 23 March 2008 - John 20,1-9 Monday: 24 March 2008 - Matthew 28,8-15 Tuesday: 25 March 2008 - John 20,11-18 Wednesday: 26 March 2008 - Luke 24,13-35 Thursday: 27 March 2008 - Luke 24,35-48 Friday: 28 March 2008 - John 21,1-14 Saturday: 29 March 2008 - Mark 16,9-15

Sunday, March 2, 2008

EUROPE and MARY

4th Sunday of Lent: 2 March 2008 - John 9,1-41 Monday: 3 March 2008 - John 4,43-54 Tuesday: 4 March 2008 - John 5,1-16 Wednesday: 5 March 2008 - John 5,17-30 Thursday: 6 March 2008 - John 5,31-47 Friday: 7 March 2008 - John 7,1-2.10.25-30 Saturday: 8 March 2008 - John 7,40-53

Trusting in Mary

Pope John Paul II gave the conclusion of his Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa this title: "Trusting in Mary."

Commenting on the vision from the Book of Revelation, which discloses the "great sign" in heaven, "a woman robed with the sun", engaged in a monumental struggle with the dragon, he invited the Church in Europe to resolutely turn to Mary to overcome the hardships the continent faced at the beginning of the new millennium. Far from being an isolated act, entrustment to Mary plunges us into the history of Salvation and makes us take stock of the present time as a phase of this Universal History.

"The whole Church, then, looks to Mary. Thanks to the countless Marian shrines dotting the nations of the continent, devotion to Mary is very strong and widespread among the peoples of Europe. The Church in Europe is urged to continue to contemplate Mary, in the knowledge that she is "maternally present and sharing in the many complicated problems which today beset the lives of individuals, families, and nations" and is "helping the Christian people in the constant struggle between good and evil, to ensure that Europe does not fall, and if the fall is a fact, that it 'rises again. "

cfr: John Paul II, "Ecclesia in Europa", June 28, 2003.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

I CALL YOU BY NAME.....

The following is something I received from abroad, and I thought it would help us to enlighten ourselves and be reassured that we "never walk alone"!
Health and Blessings to you all.

I, JESUS, call YOU by name....

When you are weak, I call your name Strong.
When you are discouraged, I call your name Encouraged.
When you are broken, I call your name Fixed.
When you are wounded, I call your name Mended.
When you have faltered, I call your name Forgiven.
When you are afraid, I call your name Trust.
When you are unloved, I call your name Loved.
When you feel at lost, I call your name Found.
When you feel at distance, I call your name Close.
When you feel empty, I call your name Filled.
When you feel like sickness, I call your name Healed.
When you feel depressed, I call your name Delivered.
When you feel alone, I call your name Near.
When you feel unsaved, I call your name Righteous.
When you feel uncomely, I call your name Beautiful.
When you feel worthless, I call your name Priceless.
When you feel unworthy, I call your name Worthy.
When you feel overcome, I call your name Overcomer.
When you feel conquered, I call your name Conqueror.
When you feel bound, I call your name Free.
When you feel defeated, I call your name Victorious.
When you feel in darkness, I call your name Light.
When you feel that you do not belong, I call your name MINE!
No matter who you are, where you are,
where you have been or where you are going,
what you have done or what you are doing …
I STILL CALL YOU BY NAME.
REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU WITH MY LIFE!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

JUDAISM
St. AUGUSTINE Catholics and Lutherans
ORIGEN Orthodox and Other Protestants

1
I am the Lord thy God who have brought thee out of the house of bondage.
I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt not have any strange gods before me.
I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt not have other gods besides me.
2
Thou shalt have no other gods besides me.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Thou shalt not make for thyself any graven image.
3
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4
Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
Honor thy Father and Mother.
Remember the Lord's Day to keep it holy.
5
Honor thy Father and Mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Honor thy Father and Mother.
6
Thou shalt not murder.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not kill.
7
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not steal.
9
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10
Thou shalt not covet.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.
Thou shalt not covet.

SOMETIMES I NEED A REMINDER AND NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR MY ACTIONS. I HOPE ALL OF YOU READ THESE TODAY AND BE ACCOUNTABLE YOURSELVES! GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU TODAY AND EVERYDAY THEREAFTER!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

~*~The Fork ~*~

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness; she had been given three more months to live! She set about getting her things "in order" by contacting the curate and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects regarding her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted to be sung at the funeral service, what scriptures she would like read, and also showed him the outfit she desired to be buried in. Her favourite Bibloe, she insisted, was to be put also in her casket.

It seemed that all her wishes had been expressed and the curate was preparing to leave . But then the poor woman suddenly remembered something which she thought she should have mentioned earlier, seeing that it was very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "Yes, dear, what is that?" queried patiently the good priest. "Please, see that this is definitely seen to! It is so very important. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand!"
The surprise was evidently etched on the good man's face; he didn't know what to say. Maybe the poor sick woman was becoming delirious or something! "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I am somewhat at a loss and puzzled by this request," he replied quietly in a half tone.

The woman smiles feebly and readily explained. "In all my years of attending church socials, charity dinners, and whatever, I always noticed that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say: "Keep your fork". I always looked forward to that, expecting something better to follow..., like velvety chocolate cake for instance, or deep-dish apple pie; something wonderful to my liking. That is why I want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand! I want them to wonder: "Why that fork? Ridiculous is it not?" It is my intention to tell them by my gesture, seeing that I would not be able to speak: "Keep your fork...the best is yet to come".

The curate's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman knowing it was the time he was seeing and talking to her. He realized that the dying woman had a better grasp of what she expected after her life on earth was spent, maybe even more than he himself did. She KNEW that something better was definitely the follow-up; heaven was there for her.

As mourners filed silently by the open casket, they could not but admire the chik dress she was dressed in. They did notice knowingly her favorite Bible; but then that fork gripped in her right hand..., was that not strange to say the least? Over and over the same curious query was put to the smiling priest: "What has that fork to do there in her hand?" He just smiled back with a kind of mischief in his eyes! And over and over he just smiled without giving any explanation. It was only during his homily that the curate narrated to the whole congregation the conversation he had had with the sick woman and therefore also her symbolic message with the fork! He tantalisingly pointed out that most they probably would be thinking quite often about the good woman's fork; he said that was happening to him too!

The next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, oh so gently, that the best is yet to come. ...................

Author Unknown

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Daily Cross-carrying 1-31-08

Our Lord called men to follow Him but He never made the way look easy. Indeed one gets the distinct impression that He made it appear extremely hard. Sometimes He said things to disciples or prospective disciples that we today discreetly avoid repeating when we are trying to win men to Him. What present-day evangelist would have the courage to tell an inquirer, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matt. 16:24-25)? And do not we do some tall explaining when someone asks us what Jesus meant when He said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law" (Matt. 10:34-35)?

That kind of rugged, sinewy Christianity is left for an occasional missionary or for some believer behind one of the various curtains in the world. The masses of professed Christians simply do not have the moral muscle to enable them to take a path so downright and final as this. When will Christians learn that to love righteousness it is necessary to hate sin? that to accept Christ it is necessary to reject self? that to follow the good way we must flee from evil? that a friend of the world is an enemy of God? that God allows no twilight zone between two altogethers where the fearful and the doubting may take refuge at once from hell to come and the rigors of present discipline?
Prayer
By Your Spirit, Lord, remind me to carry my cross today. I want to follow Christ.
Scripture
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. — Luke 9:23
Thought
Ever wonder why we experience such difficulty in trying to follow Christ? Perhaps we have neglected to take up our cross daily--that cross which is the instrument of death to self.

1st Sunday of Lent: 10 February 2008 - Mt 4,1-11 Monday: 11 February 2008 - Matthew 25,31-46 Tuesday: 12 February 2008 - Matthew 6,7-15 Wednesday: 13 February 2008 - Luke 11,29-32 Thursday: 14 February 2008 - Luke 10,1-9 Friday: 15 February 2008 - Matthew 5,20-26 Saturday: 16 February 2008 - Matthew 5,43-48
2nd Sunday of Lent: 17 February 2008 - Mt 17,1-9 Monday: 18 February 2008 - Luke 6,36-38 Tuesday: 19 February 2008 - Matthew 23,1-12 Wednesday: 20 February 2008 - Matthew 20,17-28 Thursday: 21 February 2008 - Luke 16,19-31 Friday: 22 February 2008 - Matthew 16,13-19 Saturday: 23 February 2008 - Luke 15,1-3.11-32
3rd Sunday of Lent: 24 February 2008 - John 4,5-42 Monday: 25 February 2008 - Luke 4,24-30 Tuesday: 26 February 2008 - Matthew 18,21-35 Wednesday: 27 February 2008 - Matthew 5,17-19 Thursday: 28 February 2008 - Luke 11,14-23 Friday: 29 February 2008 - Mark 12,28b-34 Saturday: 1 March 2008 - Luke 18,9-14
4th Sunday of Lent: 2 March 2008 - John 9,1-41 Monday: 3 March 2008 - John 4,43-54 Tuesday: 4 March 2008 - John 5,1-16 Wednesday: 5 March 2008 - John 5,17-30 Thursday: 6 March 2008 - John 5,31-47 Friday: 7 March 2008 - John 7,1-2.10.25-30 Saturday: 8 March 2008 - John 7,40-53

Monday, February 4, 2008

A Pathway

MY SON TOO.........

A remarkable phone call from a 13-yr old boy to a Houston radio station

KSBJ FM 89.3.

So profound, the station has it posted on their website.

Click below to listen to it. It's short.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

over 6.3 million have watched it so far
See also how this was reported on CBN News – goto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0r_FbARIn8

you can also see the original video on GodTube at

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d5d4ee2c067a456e7c0f

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Bearing the Cross...

This blog relates to the set of pictures on the side

Awesome!!

We complain about the cross we bear, but we do not ever realize that it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, you might even fall; but God is there always ready to answer your call for help!....He knows every heartache, sees every tear; a word from His lips, can calm every fear!

Your sorrows may linger throughout the night, but they suddenly vanish in dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting somewhere above to give you His grace and send you His love...

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

Monday, January 28, 2008

This is a further progress into the Liturgical Calendar for

3rd Sunday of ordinary time: 27 January - Mt 4,12-23 Monday: 28 January 2008 - Mark 3,22-30 Tuesday: 29 January 2008 - Mark 3,31-35 Wednesday: 30 January 2008 - Mark 4,1-20 Thursday: 31 January 2008 - Mark 4,21-25 Friday: 1 February 2008 - Mark 4,26-34 The Presentation of the Lord: 2 February 2008 - Luke 2,22-40
4th Sunday of ordinary time: 3 February - Mt 5,1-12 Monday: 4 February 2008 - Mark 5,1-20 Tuesday: 5 February 2008 - Mark 5,21-43 Ash Wednesday: 6 February 2008 - Mt 6,1-6.16-18 Thursday: 7 February 2008 - Luke 9,22-25 Friday: 8 February 2008 - Matthew 9,14-15 Saturday: 9 February 2008 - Luke 5,27-32
1st Sunday of Lent: 10 February 2008 - Mt 4,1-11 Monday: 11 February 2008 - Matthew 25,31-46 Tuesday: 12 February 2008 - Matthew 6,7-15 Wednesday: 13 February 2008 - Luke 11,29-32 Thursday: 14 February 2008 - Luke 10,1-9 Friday: 15 February 2008 - Matthew 5,20-26 Saturday: 16 February 2008 - Matthew 5,43-48

Saturday, January 26, 2008

LIFE INSURANCE

The three of them were having their say...! Sometimes, as could be expected over a few bottles of beer, they were rather boisterous,......and their arguments floated unconsciously from one subject to the other, just like a butterfly would from a flower to another.... Every subject was given its due importance or less according to the interest or whims of each man.

This subject interested all of them in one way or another. Pawlu was heatedly enlightening his companions as to how he was subjected to a certain degree of harassing by an insurance representative! He was all het up about the numerous payments or contributions due in subscribiung to a Life Insurance policy. Of course, it was a very good idea for his loved ones to receive bonuses after he was no longer there for them, but he was quick to conclude: "you see, friends, these insurance people are so charitable; they strip you bare in your lifetime to have you rich enough when you are dead!"

John winked at Harry. They could not hide a knowing smile at this sort of reasoning. Both of them were in possession of Life Insurance policies. It is right and fitting to believe and trust in Divine Providence no doubt, but God definetly wants each and one of us to do our part according to possibilities, no?

God Himself does invite us to invest in a LIFE INSURANCE! Not only it is a very special kind of insurance, but it is an insurance which entertains no kind of ambiguity; it is an insurance that finally always works out in your favour! And to think that it really enriches you enjoy its fruits after your death. As to payments or contributions, we have no limit and it all depends on ourselves! God just asked us to amass, for our own benefit, treasures that we can enjoy even after our passage on earth is terminated!

God does invite us and encourages us to ameliorate our condition in this life here, but at the same time we have to endevour to collect a treasure of merits the value of which is enjoyed in afterlife for the endless duration of eternity.

So let us not hesitate to be enrolled in this particular Life Insurance set up, managed and guaranteed by God Himself. Do not lose any time, join today! The quicker you start amqassing treasures for eternity, the better it is for you, my friend.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Pope John Paul II Scapular

"Carmel is a source of wealth for the whole Christian community." John Paul II

A BROWN SCAPULAR OFTHE SERVANT OF GOD JOHN PAUL II
His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Stanislao Dziwisz, Metropolitan Archbishop of Cracow, who was secretary of the Servant of God Pope John Paul II, has sent as a gift to Father Lucio Maria Zappatore, O.Carm., Parish Priest of S. Maria Regina Mundi (Rome), a Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel worn by the Servant of God John Paul II.

This scapular reminds us of the great devotion of the Pope to Our Lady of Mount Carmel through this sign (cf. article and letter to the Carmelites of the 25-3-2001 in which the Pope affirmed: “For a very long time I too have worn the Carmelite Scapular!”). Father Lucio received the brown scapular together with the declaration of authenticity signed by the Cardinal himself, on 6th October 2007 directly from Sister Tobiana Sobotka, "the guardian angel of the Pope".
Father Lucio, several times and insistently had asked the Cardinal of Cracow for this remembrance, very precious for the Carmelite Order, but had always received a vague and negative response. Finally, during the Congress of the International Federation of the Pueri Cantores which took place in Cracow (Father Lucio is the National Ecclesiastic Assistant of the Italian Federation), Cardinal Stanislao promised that he would do everything possible to satisfy him.