Private Vows in The Laity/Spirituality

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Lay woman (nurse) raised to the altars.  

Blessed Hanna Chrzanowska 

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/hanna-chrzanowskas-blessed-witness-to-charity

 

 

How Saint Pope John Paul II revolutionised The Rosary https://aleteia.org/2018/04/30/7-ways-john-paul-ii-revolutionized-the-rosary/?utm_campaign=NL_en&utm_source=daily_newsletter&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=NL_en

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The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur

The woman whose goodness changed her husband

from atheist to priest

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Diary-Elisabeth-Leseur-Goodness/dp/1928832482

 

 

THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTIAN MARRIATE - ELISABETH LESEUR

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It has been well said that no one ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a person can bear. Never load yourselves so, my friends. If you find yourselves so loaded, at least remember this: it is your own doing, not God’s. He begs you to leave the future to Him and mind the present.

- George MacDonald (1824-1905), “Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood,” v. I

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Matthew Chapter 6:  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. "

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Taking the precious from the worthless, or loving one’s neighbour

 

There are men who, through spiritual charity, assume the burdens of others over and above their own strength, remembering this word: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for those one loves” (cf. Jn 15:13).

And there are others who, even though they have doubtless received from God the strength to bear responsibility for others do not willingly take this burden upon themselves for the salvation of their brethren. I am very sorry for these since they do not possess charity.

As for the first, to them I apply these words: “If you utter what is precious and not what is worthless, you shall be my mouth” (Jer 15:19), and “As you have done, so will it be done to you” (Ob 1:15).

I have seen a sick man heal the infirmity of another sick man with his faith by using a praiseworthy impudence towards God on behalf of the other and giving his soul for the soul of his brother in all humility. And while healing him, he himself was healed. And I have seen another do the same but through pride, who heard this reprimand: “Physician, cure yourself” (Lk 4:23).

Saint John Climacus (c.575-c.650), monk on Mount Sinai
The Ladder of Divine Ascent

 

Of this at least I am certain, that no one has ever died who was not destined to die some time. Now the end of life puts the longest life on a par with the shortest… And of what consequence is it what kind of death puts an end to life, since he who has died once is not forced to go through the same ordeal a second time? ...

… They, then, who are destined to die, need not be careful to inquire what death they are to die, but into what place death will usher them.

- St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), The City of God

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"Of all the trails in life

There is one trail that is the most important -

To be a good human being"

Film: "Dances With Wolves" Stars Kevin Costner

(I think I have the quote right and not paraphrasing, but unsure)

 

 

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If I am burdening with what I have written before, please forgive me.  My memory is shocking and I will only very rarely read back over what I might have written previously. The thought just popped into my head that if it is good enough for a St Teresa of Avila, then it just has to be ok from the likes of me.

I saw my GP yesterday afternoon after an ultrasound on my right wrist in the morning.  The result of the ultrasound is that I have severe swelling and inflammation on my right wrist.  The doctor who saw me after the ultrasound offered an injection but my reply was short, very short: "No way, thank you".  Hence, I need to keep the brace on as much as I can and healing will be slow, but gradual slow healing there will be.

My brother thinks I am chicken.............

............. and he is quite correct...........

When I saw my GP yesterday, she asked how I was going with the Norspan Patch as an analgesic for all my other aches and pains.  The result is that since the itching is not consistent, I am probably not allergic to the patches, which are changed only weekly; hence, on Tuesday when I take the patch off, if I am allergic there will be a rash and perhaps blisters.  I am hoping that I won't prove allergic and indications are that I am not because the Norspan is really working for me and taking the worst of the pain away completely.  Deo Gratius

I am leading up to something, fear not............I am just taking the scenic route or the long way round - as usual.    

Celebrating that the Norspan Patch seems to be the right analgesic for me, I brought a packet of cigarettes and earlier today was out under the pergola having a smoke.  Quite suddenly I became aware of Our Lady embracing me as her child.  I have never experienced that before nor even remotely close.  I have tried to shake the feeling on the one hand but with gratitude on the other -  the awareness has persisted.  I have always had Our Lady on a very high pedestal indeed - far too high for the likes of this earthbound creature down here.  It confuses me why someone like Our Lady would have anything to do with such as I - other than from Heaven and I have always known that was so.  And, of course, feelings are only feelings and not facts - but probably for most of us, and most often, consolation is based in what one feels.   And in the Doctrine of Divine Providence every good, be it ever so tiny or absolute huge comes from God.  Hence, I reason, to feel that Our Lady is embracing a worthless creature as her child is a good, a massive good, an absolutely huge good.  It tells more about God and Our Lady and their qualities than anything else.  Laudate Dominum.

I read somewhere (I had thought it was St Teresa of Avila but have never been able to find it again) that very often the Consolations of God are sent by God to strengthen Faith in weakness.   Rather, I tended to think that consolations were all about how good I was doing on the spiritual scale...........but then life moved on and I learnt just how bad I could be and that probably the greatest paradox we will ever need to deal with is all about the spiritual scale.

Musing through my confusions and new experience of Our Lady and me, I began to reflect on my faults and failings and in the course, asked myself "How would I like others to think of me?"  Answering that for myself, I then asked "Why wouldn't they think that of me?"  And in answering that I found my cardinal fault in the spotlight for all to see.........except me.  So I moved on a bit further and asked myself "Do I expect others to love and cherish, value me warts and all?"  I thought about that package for a bit and came to the conclusion that yes, I do desire to be loved and cherished, valued, with all of my warts, faults, failings and general miseries.  Then it came home to me in a new way:  It is precisely that that I owe to others as a duty of love of neighbour.   Maybe one day, if I am outstandingly blest, it will be what I feel about others and not a duty I resolve to do and try anyway to carry out.  And Love is in the will, in our choices and decisions.   I mean, we all know that, but sometimes something REALLY comes home to one as never before.

I think by that point, I had had two cigarettes...............or perhaps it was three......

 

Laudate Dominum

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..........out under the pergola again with a decaf..........and probably my fourth or more cigarette.........when the thought came to me that both consolation AND desolation are most often based in what one feels.  And feelings are not facts.   Desolation is not a good however and never is - and therefore will never ever come from God - He may permit slight or major desolation however.............and another fact of our Doctrine of Divine Providence and how God's Plan is worked out in us individually and collectively - be it Joy or be it suffering........and all the inbetweens.

Catholic Catechism

V. GOD CARRIES OUT HIS PLAN: DIVINE PROVIDENCE

302 Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the Creator. The universe was created "in a state of journeying" (in statu viae) toward an ultimate perfection yet to be attained, to which God has destined it. We call "divine providence" the dispositions by which God guides his creation toward this perfection:

By his providence God protects and governs all things which he has made, "reaching mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and ordering all things well". For "all are open and laid bare to his eyes", even those things which are yet to come into existence through the READ ON HERE about Divine Providence from the Catholic Catechism

........scroll down to #302

Edited May 4, 2018 by BarbaraTherese

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I thought this was a pretty good covering of The Sacrament of Reconciliation - and not only about confessing the same sin or sins over and over again.

The video is only a fraction over 7 minutes long.

 

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Trying to gauge whether it is worthwhile continuing this thread, I started a Poll in Open Mic. last night.

Voting is completely private and it is not made public of who is voting and what they voted.  It is a secret vote and will conclude on Pentecost Sunday 20th May 2018.  As initiator of the Poll, I cannot see who voted nor what they voted either.

The Poll with related thread is  HERE

 

 

 

 

Mea Culpa. 

Although it does seem to me that there is a difference, a vast difference, between complaining out of self love, and sharing.  "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ" (Galatians Chapter 6) ......... and how can we gift another with the opportunity to fulfil The Law of Christ, if we do not share.

Three things for me come out of that reflection:

1 -  I can never judge and the total impossibility of judging another

2 - The importance of motivation in the spiritual journey

3 - I do find it a bit shallow to be continually deciding and acting in the interests of my own personal holiness.  Rather, to my possibly screwed up reasoning, it would be better to decide and act in the best interests of the other, even if I am wrongly judged because of it.  Wow............ now there is a tall order!

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The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: 'Take only ONE . God is watching.' 

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. 
A child had written a note, 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples'.

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The following brought me to tears.........

 

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Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), priest, founder of religious communities
Address to the Daughters of Charity, (Conference of 31 July 1634 rev.)
 

Love one another

 

The way to observe your Rule is by living in great friendship and charity towards each other. The ones who are chosen for the same duty should also be united in everything. These are chosen for the fulfilment of a design but the building will not last if you do not mutually love each another, and this bond will prevent it breaking. Our Lord said to his apostles: “My apostles, if you want the design I have had from all eternity, live in great charity.”

Daughters, it is true you are weak, but bear with one another’s imperfections. Unless you do this the building will fall apart and others will be put in your place. And because there may be antipathies there it will be good for you to change, with the permission of the superiors and senior ladies. Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Barnabus had a good many disagreements and for this reason you should not be surprised if some poor, weak women should have them. You should have the readiness to go wherever you are commanded and even of asking for it and saying: “I don’t belong either here or there but wherever it pleases God I should be.”

From DailyGospel.org

 

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TRUTH ABOUT EASTER

AND

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

https://www.catholic.org/lent/story.php?id=77065

Excerpt: "There is one more thing that is of the utmost importance and it would be a grave injustice to the Lord not to proclaim it. Jesus said that the Feast of Mercy would be the last hope of salvation. These words can be found in the diary of St. Faustina "Divine Mercy in My Soul" entry #965. If this be true, then everyone must be told about it, including fallen-away and lapsed Catholics. Proclaim it from the rooftops and tell everyone about those special graces on Mercy Sunday!"

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204. What is the relationship between the Resurrection of Christ and our resurrection?

Just as Christ is truly risen from the dead and now lives forever, so he himself will raise everyone on the last day with an incorruptible body: "Those who have done good will rise to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:29).

Further reading: CCC 998, 1002-1003
 

 

205. What happens to our body and our soul after death?

After death, which is the separation of the body and the soul, the body becomes corrupt while the soul, which is immortal, goes to meet the judgment of God and awaits its reunion with the body when it will rise transformed at the time of the return of the Lord. How the resurrection of the body will come about exceeds the possibilities of our imagination and understanding.

Further reading: CCC 992-1004, 1016-1018

 

206. What does it mean to die in Christ Jesus?

Dying in Christ Jesus means to die in the state of God's grace without any mortal sin. A believer in Christ, following his example, is thus able to transform his own death into an act of obedience and love for the Father. "This saying is sure: if we have died with him, we will also live with him" (2 Timothy 2:11).

Further reading: CCC 992-1004, 1016-1018

"Catechism in a Year" website - Subscribe here: http://flocknote.com/catechism 

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Since we call those souls in Purgatory, the Holy Souls in Purgatory, we can also pray to them to pray for us and our intentions.  The Body of Christ is comprised of all in Heaven, those in Purgatory and the Church Militant here on earth.  We are all united into, and comprise, The Mystical Body of Christ.  We are One in Christ.

 

 

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"When we are open to God’s grace, even the impossible becomes possible."

TWITTER: Pope Francis‏ @Pontifex Apr 27 2018

 

How to know one is open to God's Grace?

No idea whatsoever

I wonder though, which is better?  For a limited fallible human being to know.  Or to not know at all but to Hope in The Lord

 

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A few days ago I received an email from COTA (government subsidised Council for The Ageing).  They were doing a general mail out asking for "Your Story" and also full name, photo and agreement to speak with media.  At the time, I simply deleted the email because I felt I had enough on my plate with something like that being added.  Of course, not every story will be chosen but it becomes a potential once one submits his or her story

 Yesterday, I was all day......... literally all day.......... on the phone to different organizations for various reasons or handling paperwork for other reasons.  I never had so much paperwork until we became the "paperless society". At some point, I lost my cool completely handling paperwork as my mobile (cell phone) rang -  and so I sort of yelled quietly and angrily "I didn't make this many phone calls or handle so much paperwork when I was in the workforce.  Will you please let me know what all this is about?".  This morning, I had to deal with a totally different government department and was on the phone for over 45 minutes  of which went by (it was 12.30pm almost already and all I had done was paperwork and phone calls) hanging on while the receptionist went off to do something, check out something or other.  Eventually, it was all sorted out.............I think..........I hope.  The government department concerned, for any with any interest for some reason, was MY AGE CARE - we oldies dependant on government assistance for some reason or other HAVE to go through MY AGE CARE.  It is a complete nightmare to deal with!  And I am not the only one to state this by far and that includes some MY AGE CARE operators.   Before it was set up, we were told that it was going to make life far more easier and simpler for us older members of society...............and we believed them!

MY AGE CARE...........Talk about dotting i's and crossing t's.........and then double checking.  And not even then necessarily getting it right, which one eventually discovers and has to phone again.

While hanging on with MY AGE CARE, I located the deleted email from COTA and filled out the requirements with my story (summarised and generalised, except for MY AGE CARE).  My story is far too long and involved to write about and I stated this.  I gave a brief summary as a person of mature age with a serious mental illness.  I gave my full name and agreement to speak with media, but no photograph, because i don't know how to do it on the computer.  I hit SEND and then regretted it knowing it was an angry knee jerk reaction only; however, moving on and giving it some thought, I really would like to share my story and speak to the media about it because I think that probably writing and speaking might fall into the ambit of my gifts, although writing would be a definite from feedback received (not from Phatmassers)  Not only that, but if it came to fruition, I would pray and hope that it would be more about the problems of sufferers of mental illness generally and specifically as one grows older on the age pension - as well as generally about getting older and related problems.  ...................AND................MY AGE CARE!

Hence, if you read this say a quick prayer that the result of my angry action in sending off my story etc. to COTA will have a good outcome, if there is to be anything further as a result.

Many years ago, I rang a talk back line on the radio which was asking for funny stories, and got through and it was broadcasted - I did not state that I was a sufferer of mental illness.  A short time later, I received a phone call asking would I like to be on the radio as my voice came over quite well.  My first question was "Will I be paid" and the answer was in the affirmative.  I hesitated with that response for a bit, but thankfully at the time I must have been between episodes of bipolar, because my response was something like this: "Thank you very much, but I better not."  "Are you sure?" 

"Oh yes, I am very sure".

Imagine me being broadcasted over the radio with an episode of bipolar underway

 

Fiat Voluntas Tua

Laudate Dominum

 

 

Edited May 8, 2018 by BarbaraTherese

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How easy it is to blame others for our unhappiness, but we are only unhappy when something other than Christ has become our life. (For example) The husband or wife who has Christ as their life, comes to their spousal relationship already satisfied. They do not come continually looking to made happy by another person’s attention; they bring Christ’s life to their spouse.

- Francis Frangipane

 

The Meaning of Life

Catholic Exchange - https://catholicexchange.com/the-meaning-of-life-3

Excerpt: Corinthians 8:28 promises us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” So, indeed, God has a purpose and we have been created as part of that purpose and for a purpose. And Jesus tells us what that purpose is – to love and serve God, and to love and serve others – and it’s repeated three times in the Scriptures (Matt 22:36, Mark 12:29, Luke 10:25). It’s really so very, very simple. When we are fulfilling that purpose, then that place deep down inside of us fills up and we experience peace and happiness. When we’re not, and we begin focusing on our own self and our own needs exclusively, then other emotions start flooding in.

 

 

Biography of Blessed Miriam Teresa

 

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The proof that you love someone is not that you have warm affectionate feelings toward them. The proof is in your actions, your words and your sacrifice, your willingness to give the best of yourself and your willingness to get nothing in return. 
- Katherine Walden 

 

Symeon the New Theologian (c.949-1022), Greek monk, saint of the Orthodox churches 

"When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth"

 

What is the key to knowledge if not the grace of the Holy Spirit conferred by faith? Its illumination truly gives knowledge, divine knowledge, and opens our closed and veiled minds, as we frequently experience with regard to many parables and figures, to say nothing of clearer demonstrations. Pay careful attention, therefore, to the spiritual meaning of the word. If the key does not open the door - for Scripture says, to him the doorkeeper opens - it remains unopened; and if the door is not opened, no one enters the Father's house. As Christ says: "No one comes to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6). 
Now the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who first opens our minds and teaches us about the Father and the Son is again stated by Christ himself: "When the Spirit of truth comes, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me and he will lead you to the whole truth" (Jn 15:26; 16:13). Do you not see how through the Spirit, or rather in the Spirit, the Father and the Son come to be known inseparably?... 

The Holy Spirit is called the key because it is through him and in him that we first receive spiritual illumination, and being purified, are enlightened with the light of knowledge, and baptized from above, and born again, and called children of God. As Paul says: "The Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groans" (Rm 8:26); and again, "God has given his Spirit to our hearts and he cries out, 'Abba, Father' " (Gal 4:6). It is the Spirit, therefore, who shows us the door which is light, and the door teaches us that he who inhabits the dwelling is himself also light inaccessible.  https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/

 

 

Two things struck me watching the above video, and I very much like probably most all of Father Mike's brief and for me enlightening videos on Ascension Presents. 

First, it is about Israel and the cloud that went before them.  When the cloud was not there guiding them, I imagined that they just went about their ordinary life at the time and addressing their circumstances at the time in the very ordinary - and being a tribe needed to settle where they were at least for a time and address their ordinary needs there, perhaps erecting tents, finding and gather water, food etc. etc. - until the cloud appeared once more.  I mean, they went on like that for forty years of all things!

The other was about the Annunciation and Our Lady.    When the Angel Gabriel appears, Mary is really shook up, really shook up, at the way he addresses her and what he had to say:

Quote

 

Luke Chapter 1 "But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your  word." Then the angel departed from her. 

 

 

 

In my imagination, Our Lady is still quite puzzled by the astounding announcement made to her and her whole attitude and response is summed up in "Behold, I am the handmaid of The Lord".  "Be it done unto me according to your word".  If God is really asking of her what Gabriel suddenly announces to her without warning at all, she responds that whatever The Lord asks of her, she is His handmaid and will be obedient.  And either at that time or a bit later, she discovers she is pregnant.  What a road she is to travel with her Son!

If I think God is calling to me, I might want to know this and then want to know that - and then another this and that etc. etc. before I make a decision.  I guess I might know what I mean, but it is difficult to communicate in words.

Most of all I liked the way Father finishes his little homily "He will be with you". As long as I am in the state of Sanctifying Grace to my knowledge, I can journey on very confident that God is with me...........that is what Sanctifying Grace means I think.  It can be made to be so very complicated - I dont think that it is at all.

A thought just popped into my head.  It is Judgement Day and I am up.  The Lord says to me: "OK, now you really are in a lot of trouble".  I saw King Creole with Elvis Presley in my teens and I absolutely loved it when he jumps up on the bar and sings "If you are looking for trouble"....................

 

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St Therese of Lisieux - Saint and Carmelite Nun

offers her simple advice for those struggling with distractions in the midst of prayer.

HERE

 

 

 

 

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 The above is another really good video from Fr. Mike

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I laughed watching the following - and laughed!..........in the opening few minutes.......

(later in the video I thought he could have had St Therese of Lisieux and her Little Way in mind)

 

The following might be a help to quite a few, I think....

(I went 20 years without being able to find a spiritual director)

 

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Catechism in a Year

SUBSCRIBE - HERE

 

212. In what does hell consist?

Hell consists in the eternal damnation of those who die in mortal sin through their own free choice. The principal suffering of hell is eternal separation from God in whom alone we can have the life and happiness for which we were created and for which we long. Christ proclaimed this reality with the words, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire" (Matthew 25:41).

Further reading: CCC 1033-1035, 1056- 1057

213. How can one reconcile the existence of hell with the infinite goodness of God?

God, while desiring "all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9), nevertheless has created the human person to be free and responsible; and he respects our decisions. Therefore, it is the human person who freely excludes himself from communion with God if at the moment of death he persists in mortal sin and refuses the merciful love of God.

Further reading: CCC 1036-1037