10/31/09

Crowning with Thorns


The Crowning With Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him

10/30/09

Scourging at the Pillar



Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass, France
Passion of Christ Window (c.1150): Scourging
PILATE, perceiving the obstinacy of the people in requiring that Jesus should be crucified, sentenced Him, in the first place, to the shameful punishment of scourging, and consigned Him to the hands of the soldiers, that his orders might be executed.
Jesus is scourged, for no crime of His own, but to expiate, in His innocent flesh, those sins of impurity with which you have so often defiled your body. Contemplate Jesus at the pillar, bleeding and lacerated from head to foot, and learn hence all that your sins of impurity have cost Him. Beseech Him to cleanse all the stains of your soul with His Divine Blood.

10/29/09

Agony in the Garden


St. Pancras Church, London England
And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

10/28/09

Institution of the Eucharist


Chartres Cathedral Stained Glass
Passion of Christ Window (c.1150): Last Supper
THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Jesus took bread, blessed it: "Take and eat, this is My Body."
Taking the wine: "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, shed for you."
At that eucharistic meal, Jesus celebrated the first Mass.
At every Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present.
At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate this sacrifice.
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."
The Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a sacrament inasmuch as it is received.
In the Mass we offer ourselves to God, and God gives himself to us.
The Mass will be fruitful in the measure of our surrender to the Father.
Spiritual Fruit: Love of our Eucharistic Lord

10/27/09

Transfiguration


Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray.
Jesus was transfigured before them.
"His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light."
This was to fortify their faith to withstand the coming tragedy of the Passion.
Jesus foresaw the 'scandal of the cross,' and prepared them for it by this manifestation of His glory.
Moses and Elias (representing the Law and the prophets of the Old Testament) were conversing with Jesus about His passion.
"Do not think I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets... but to fulfill them."
From a cloud came a voice: "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him."
Jesus admonishes them not to tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man rises from the dead.
We too will behold the transfigured Jesus on the Last Day.
Spiritual Fruit: Spiritual Courage
My Lord Jesus, I trust in thee

10/26/09

Proclamation of the Kingdom


"Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
"My kingdom is not of this world."
"Unless a man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven."
"Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it."
"I have come to call sinners, not the just."
"Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you."
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied."
"Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Spiritual Fruit: Desire for Holiness

10/25/09

Wedding Feast of Cana


Wedding Feast at Cana According to St. John (with commentary in italics)
1 And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.
4 "What is that to me"... These words of our Saviour, spoken to his mother, have been understood by some commentators as harsh, they not considering the next following verse: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye, which plainly shews that his mother knew of the miracle that he was to perform, and that it was at her request he wrought it; besides the manner of speaking the words as to the tone, and the countenance shewn at the same time, which could only be known to those who were present, or from what had followed: for words indicating anger in one tone of voice, would be understood quite the reverse in another.
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. 7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. 9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, 10 And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

10/24/09

Baptism of Jesus


Baptism of Jesus According to St. Luke
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven, saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

10/23/09

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

Jesus Lost in the Temple According to St. Luke
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, 42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. 44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. 45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. 48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business? 50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

10/22/09

The Presentation


The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple according to St. Luke
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

10/21/09

The Nativity


According to the book "The Mystical City of God" by Ven. Mary of Agreda Mary received her Son in her arms from the hands of the holy angels and said:
“My sweetest love and light of my eyes, Thou hast arrived in good hour into this world as the Sun of justice, in order to disperse the darkness of sin and death! True God of the true God, save thy servants, and let all flesh see him, who shall draw upon it salvation.”

10/20/09

The Visitation


THE VISITATION ACCORDING TO THE VISIONS OF BL. ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH

After the Conception of Jesus, Mary was inspired to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was then pregnant for John the Baptist. Elizabeth’s husband, Zachary, had been struck dumb shortly after Elizabeth’s conception and had taken to communicating by writing on a tablet.

Informed in a vision that Mary was approaching, Elizabeth made ready for her visitors. Sensing their approach, she hurried from the house to meet Mary and Joseph. Though they had never met, Mary recognized Elizabeth immediately and hurried to greet her.

I saw a light in Mary and issuing from her a ray which entered into Elizabeth, who thereby became wonderfully agitated. They did not pause long in sight of the beholders, but arm in arm passed up the courtyard to the door of the house, where Elizabeth once more bade Mary welcome. Joseph went around to the side of the house and into an open hall where sat Zachary. He respectfully saluted the aged priest, who responded in writing on his tablet.

When Mary and Elizabeth entered the house, a light issued down between them during their embrace, flooding Elizabeth with a passion that caused her to exclaim, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (which later became part of the Hail 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.”

10/19/09

The Annunciation

"Ave Gratia Plena, Dominus Tecum"
"Hail Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee"
We all have a name given to us by God from all eternity, Mary's is "Full of Grace" as she has no stain of sin, there is room for nothing in her soul but grace.

10/18/09

St. Louis IX King of France


New Orleans - French Quarter: St. Louis Cathedral - The Life of Saint Louis IX Stained Glass
Louis was a devout Catholic, and he built the Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel"), located within the royal palace complex (now the Paris Hall of Justice), on the Île de la Cité in the centre of Paris. The Sainte Chapelle, a perfect example of the Rayonnant style of Gothic architecture, was erected as a shrine for the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross, precious relics of the Passion of Jesus. Louis purchased these in 1239–41 from Emperor Baldwin II of the Latin Empire of Constantinople, for the exorbitant sum of 135,000 livres (the chapel, on the other hand, cost only 60,000 livres to build).

Louis IX took very seriously his mission as "lieutenant of God on Earth", with which he had been invested when he was crowned in Rheims. He practiced an interior life that was highly austere despite his rank and station in life as a King of great power. It was discovered after his death that he wore a heavy hairshirt and a cilice. These can be seen today at Notre-Dame Cathedral in France.
During his second crusade, Louis died at Tunis, 25 August 1270, and was succeeded by his son, Philip III. Louis was traditionally believed to have died from bubonic plague but the cause is thought by modern scholars to have been dysentery. The Bubonic Plague did not strike Europe until 1348, so the likelihood of him contracting and ultimately dying from the Bubonic Plague was very slim.
Christian tradition states that some of his entrails were buried directly on the spot in Tunisia, where a Tomb of Saint-Louis can still be visited today, whereas other parts of his entrails were sealed in an urn and placed in the Basilica of Monreale, Palermo, where they still remain. His corpse was taken, after a short stay at the Basilica of Saint Dominic in Bologna, to the French royal necropolis at Saint-Denis, resting in Lyon on the way. His tomb at Saint-Denis was a magnificent gilt brass monument designed in the late 14th century. It was melted down during the French Wars of Religion, at which time the body of the king disappeared. Only one finger was rescued and is kept at Saint-Denis.

10/17/09

Detail - Lion & Grapes


Saint George Roman Catholic Church, in New Baden, Illinois, USA

10/16/09

St. George



Saint George Roman Catholic Church, in New Baden, Illinois, USA

Feast Day April 23
St. George was born of noble Christian parents. Due to his physical strength and beefy body he took the profession of soldier. After some time due to his courage and actions he became a colonel in the army. The Emperor Dioclesian hearing of his courage wanted him for a higher station. When the Emperor Dioclesian began to wage war against the Christian Religion St. George gave up his high post he assumed. He then proceeded to complain to the Emperor Dioclesian of his unjust actions toward the Christians due to the fact that they were bloody actions and decrees he enforced. The Emperor Dioclesian having heard this casted St. George into prison. St. George's faith and consistency was tried first by promises. Consequently, the Emperor seeing the promises failing to work, proceeded to have St. George to be tortured with great savagery. In the end, nothing daunted our great St. George. The next day his body was seen decapitated and the whole city saw St. George's headless body.
How then is St. George a patron saint of Soldiers?
Firstly it was due to his profession as a military man, St. George being himself a colonel in an army. Secondly there was a relation of his appearing to the Christian Army in the holy war before the battle of Antioch. The battle results favoring the Christians, who at the time was under Godfrey of Bouillon, made St. George widely known in Europe, and beseech military men to prayer for his intercession. This devotion was fulfilled in an apparition to the King Richard I who St. George appeared to in his campaign against the Saracens. After this being declared to the troops was a great encouragement, and the Christians soon defeated the Saracens, their enemy. It is related also that Byzantine historians relate numerous battles have been gained through St. George's intercession as well as many other miracles wrought in his intercession.
St. George is usually depicted in paintings on horseback learning toward the dragon under his feet. This representation shows that by his faith and fortitude he conquered the devil, also know as the dragon in the Apocalypse.

10/15/09

St Michael the Archangel

(photo credit)
Saint George Roman Catholic Church, in New Baden, Illinois, USA

The name Michael means "who is like unto God" which is what Michael said to satan when the angels were dividing into the fallen and the obedient. Michael is the General of God's army and a powerful intercessor against evil. Below is posted a powerful prayer against evil:


St. Michael the Archangel

Defend us in battle

be our safeguard against the wickedness and

snares of the devil

a do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host

by the power of God

cast into hell satan, and all the evil spirits

who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen+

10/14/09

Mary Queen of Heaven

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary in Lviv, Ukraine.