CARMEL'S OWN: March 2009

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Saint JOSEPH...

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O Joseph, tell David, who was the ancestor of the Man-God, the wonders your eyes have seen: you saw the Child pressed against the Holy Virgin's bosom; you worshipped him with the Magi; you gave glory to God with the shepherds, obeying the voice of the angel.

Ask the Christ God to save our souls. You, Joseph, held in your arms the God before whom the immense heavenly powers tremble, after the Blessed Virgin gave birth. At that moment you received your consecration. This is why we honor you.

Your soul was obedient to the divine precept; you were filled with a purity without equal and deserved to receive the most pure and immaculate one among women as your wife. You were the guardian of the Virgin, at the time she herself deserved to become the tabernacle of the Creator ... The One who shaped the sky, the land and the sea with his Word has been called the Son of the carpenter, your Son, O admirable Joseph!

You have been called the father of One who is without beginning and who glorified you as the minister of the mystery which surpasses all understanding... "Bless the Lord, all the Lord's creation: praise and glorify him for ever!" (Deut 3:57).

Menaion, Greek Liturgy, tr. Dom Gueranger, Liturgical Year, Lent, March 19

Conversion of the Malktese to Christianity

The 10th of February is a special day on which we Maltese celebrate the Shipwreck of Saint Paul on our shores as narrated in the Acts of the Apostles.

It is a special day to commemorate not simply as to the shipwreck itself, but more so and more importantly because of the consequences.

During his three month's stay on the Island of Malta, Paul converted the inhabitants to Christianity.

No wonder, therefore that the Maltese speak of "Missierna San Pawl" (Our Father Saint Paul).

This is an opportunity to remind all believers of theYear dedicated to the Apostle of the Gentiles.

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Penitence and Prayer for Lent

On the 11th of February, Bernardette Soubirous ewnjoyed the first vision of the "beautiful lady" who later identified herself as the "Immaculate Conception"
The principal double message transmitted by The Virgin Mary at Massabielle, Lourdes, consisted of a plea for penitence and prayer.

Most appropriatelt it seems, the plea for penitence came very near to the celebration of Lent, a definite period during which we prepare ourselves spiritually for the great mystery of the Resurrection of the Christ from the dead.

As to prayer, The Blessed Mother demandsed the recitation and meditation of the Rosary.

Say Your Rosary like a Small Child

Since you ask my advice, I recommend that you pray the rosary like a small child, because the power of God is there, the power of God between our fingers. We can obtain everything from Mary and her Son. If we ask them for our own salvation and that of all mankind, and for fulfilment in our lives, our prayers will be heard. Mary is our Mother and we love her above everything in the fullness of life of the Lord. May Mary enlighten and illuminate us.

Father Mary Joseph Le Guillou o.p. (1920 -1990)