Prayer from St. Ignatius

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labor and not to ask for any reward,
Save that of knowing
        that I am doing your will.

 

St. Ignatius

20 Years Ago

THROUGH HIM, WITH HIM and IN HIM

  
Father Carter, S.J. 

founded the Shepherds of Christ Movement

4 days before his death - December 14, 2000
There's a lighted cross over Father Carter's head
and St. Ignatius is over my head.

1 Corinthians 10: 31 - 11: 1

Whatever you eat, then, or drink, and whatever else you do, do it all for the glory of God. Never be a cause of offence, either to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to accommodate everybody in everything, not looking for my own advantage, but for the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved.

Take me as your pattern, just as I take Christ for mine.

Romans 12: 3-13

And through the grace that I have been given, I say this to every one of you: never pride yourself on being better than you really are, but think of yourself dispassionately, recognising that God has given to each one his measure of faith. Just as each of us has various parts in one body, and the parts do not all have the same function: in the same way, all of us, though there are so many of us, make up one body in Christ, and as different parts we are all joined to one another. Then since the gifts that we have differ according to the grace that was given to each of us: if it is a gift of prophecy, we should prophesy as much as our faith tells us; if it is a gift of practical service, let us devote ourselves to serving; if it is teaching, to teaching; if it is encouraging, to encouraging. When you give, you should give generously from the heart; if you are put in charge, you must be conscientious; if you do works of mercy, let it be because you enjoy doing them. Let love be without any pretence. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good. In brotherly love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself. In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit. Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly; share with any of God’s holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable.

John 10: 11-16

I am the good shepherd: 
the good shepherd lays down his life 
    for his sheep. 
The hired man, 
    since he is not the shepherd 
and the sheep do not belong to him, 
abandons the sheep 
as soon as he sees a wolf coming, 
    and runs away, 
and then the wolf attacks 
    and scatters the sheep; 
he runs away 
    because he is only a hired man 
and has no concern for the sheep. 
I am the good shepherd; 
I know my own 
and my own know me, 
just as the Father knows me 
and I know the Father; 
and I lay down my life for my sheep.
And there are other sheep I have
that are not of this fold,
and I must lead these too.
They too will listen to my voice,
and there will be only one flock,
one shepherd.
 

From The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, 
    by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. p. 12

                        23. FIRST PRINCIPLE AND FOUNDATION

                            Man is created to praise, reverence and serve God 
                        our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.

From The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, 
    by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. p.11

21.                     SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

    Which have as their purpose the conquest of self
    and the regulation of one's life in such a way that
    no decision is made under the influence of any
    inordinate attachment

Soul of Christ

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Permit me not to be separated from Thee
From the wicked foe defend me
at the hour of my death call me
and bid me come to Thee
That with Thy saints I may praise Thee
For ever and ever. Amen.

TAKE, LORD, AND RECEIVE

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, 
my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have 
and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O 
Lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly 
according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy 
grace, for this is sufficient for me.

        Excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J.
 

136. THE FOURTH DAY

        A MEDITATION ON TWO STANDARDS

The one of Christ, our supreme leader and lord,
the other of Lucifer, the deadly enemy of our
human nature

PRAYER.   The usual preparatory prayer.

window at a former Jesuit Seminary

137. FIRST PRELUDE.   This is the history. Here it will be that Christ calls and wants all beneath His standard, and Lucifer, on the other hand, wants all under his.

138. SECOND PRELUDE.   This is a mental representation of the place. It will be here to see a great plain, comprising the whole region about Jerusalem, where the sovereign Commander-in-Chief of all the good is Christ our Lord; and another plain about the region of Babylon, where the chief of the enemy is Lucifer.

139. THIRD PRELUDE.   This is to ask for what I desire. Here it will be to ask for a knowledge of the deceits of the rebel chief and help to guard myself against them; and also to ask for a knowledge of the true life exemplified in the sovereign and true Commander, and the grace to imitate Him.
   

FIRST PART

THE STANDARD OF SATAN

140. FIRST POINT.   Imagine you see the chief of all the enemy in the vast plain about Babylon, seated on a great throne of fire and smoke, his appearance inspiring horror and terror.

141. SECOND POINT.   Consider how he summons innumerable demons, and scatters them, some to one city and some to another, throughout the whole world, so that no province, no place, no state of life, no individual is overlooked.

142. THIRD POINT.   Consider the address he makes to them, how he goads them on to lay snares for men and bind them with chains. First they are to tempt them to covet riches (as Satan himself is accustomed to do in most cases) that they may the more easily attain the empty honors of this world, and then come to overweening pride.

   The first step, then, will be riches, the second honor, the third pride. From these three steps the evil one leads to all other vices.
   

SECOND PART

THE STANDARD OF CHRIST

143.   In a similar way, we are to picture to ourselves the sovereign and true Commander, Christ our Lord.

144. FIRST POINT.   Consider Christ our Lord, standing in a lowly place in a great plain about the region of Jerusalem, His appearance beautiful and attractive.

145. SECOND POINT.   Consider how the Lord of all the world chooses so many persons, apostles, disciples, etc., and sends them throughout the whole world to spread His sacred doctrine among all men, no matter what their state or condition.

146. THIRD POINT.   . . .

end of excerpt

Excerpts of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. pp. 141-150

  

313. RULES FOR DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
I

Rules for understanding to some extent the different movements produced in the soul and for recognizing those that are good to admit them, and those that are bad, to reject them. These rules are more suited to the first week
  

314.  I.  In the case of those who go from one mortal sin to another, the enemy is ordinarily accustomed to propose apparent pleasures. He fills their imagination with sensual delights and gratifications, the more readily to keep them in their vices and increase the number of their sins.

    With such persons the good spirit uses a method which is the reverse of the above. Making use of the light of reason, he will rouse the sting of conscience and fill them with remorse.

315.  2.  In the case of those who go on earnestly striving to cleanse their souls from sin and who seek to rise in the service of God our Lord to greater perfection, the method pursued is the opposite of that mentioned in the first rule.

    Then it is characteristic of the evil spirit to harass with anxiety, to afflict with sadness, to raise obstacles backed by fallacious reasonings that disturb the soul. Thus he seeks to prevent the soul from advancing.

    It is characteristic of the good spirit, however, to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations, and peace. This He does by making all easy, by removing all obstacles so that the soul goes forward in doing good.

316.  3.  SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION.  I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul, by which it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and as a consequence, can love no creature on the face of the earth for its own sake, but only in the Creator of them all. It is likewise consolation when one sheds tears that move to the love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings of Christ our Lord, or for any other reason that is immediately directed to the praise and service of God. Finally, I call consolation every increase of faith, hope, and love, and all interior joy that invites and attracts to what is heavenly and to the salvation of one's soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator and Lord.

317.  4.  SPIRITUAL DESOLATION.  I call desolation what is entirely the opposite of what is described in the third rule, as darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations which lead to want of faith, want of hope, want of love. The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and separated, as it were, from its Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is the opposite of desolation, so the thoughts that spring from consolation are the opposite of those that spring from desolation.

318.  5.  In time of desolation we should never make any change, but remain firm and constant in the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the desolation, or in the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation. For just as in consolation the good spirit guides and counsels us, so in desolation the evil spirit guides and counsels. Following his counsels we can never find the way to a right decision.

319.  6.  Though in desolation we must never change our former resolutions, it will be very advantageous to intensify our activity against the desolation. We can insist more upon prayer, upon meditation, and on much examination of ourselves. We can make an effort in a suitable way to do some penance.

320.  7.  When one is in desolation, he should be mindful that God has left him to his natural powers to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy in order to try him. He can resist with the help of God, which always remains, though he may not clearly perceive it. For though God has taken from him the abundance of fervor and overflowing love and the intensity of His favors, nevertheless, he has sufficient grace for eternal salvation.

321.  8.  When one is in desolation, he should strive to persevere in patience. This reacts against the vexations that have overtaken him. Let him consider, too, that consolation will soon return, and in the meantime, he must diligently use the means against desolation which have been given in the sixth rule.

322.  9.  The principal reasons why we suffer from desolation are three:

    The first is because we have been tepid and slothful or negligent in our exercises of piety, and so through our own fault spiritual consolation has been taken away from us.

    The second reason is because God wishes to try us, to see how much we are worth, and how much we will advance in His service and praise when left without the generous reward of consolations and signal favors.

    The third reason is because God wishes to give us a true knowledge and understanding of ourselves, so that we may have an intimate perception of the fact that it is not within our power to acquire and attain great devotion, intense love, tears, or any other spiritual consolation; but that all this is the gift and grace of God our Lord. God does not wish us to build on the property of another, to rise up in spirit in a certain pride and vainglory and attribute to ourselves the devotion and other effects of spiritual consolation.

323.  10.  When one enjoys consolation, let him consider how he will conduct himself during the time of ensuing desolation, and store up a supply of strength as defense against that day.

324.  11.  He who enjoys consolation should take care to humble himself and lower himself as much as possible. Let him recall how little he is able to do in time of desolation, when he is left without such grace or consolation.

    On the other hand, one who suffers desolation should remember that by making use of the sufficient grace offered him, he can do much to withstand all his enemies. Let him find his strength in his Creator and Lord.

325.  12.  The enemy conducts himself as a woman. He is a weakling before a show of strength, and a tyrant if he has his will. It is characteristic of a woman in a quarrel with a man to lose courage and take to flight if the man shows that he is determined and fearless. However, if the man loses courage and begins to flee, the anger, vindictiveness, and rage of the woman surge up and know no bounds. In the same way, the enemy becomes weak, loses courage, and turns to flight with his seductions as soon as one leading a spiritual life faces his temptations boldly, and does exactly the opposite of what he suggests. However, if one begins to be afraid and to lose courage in temptations, no wild animal on earth can be more fierce than the enemy of our human nature. He will carry out his perverse intentions with consummate malice.

326.  13.  Our enemy may also be compared in his manner of acting to a false lover. He seeks to remain hidden and does not want to be discovered. If such a lover speaks with evil intention to the daughter of a good father, or to the wife of a good husband, and seeks to seduce them, he wants his words and solicitations kept secret. He is greatly displeased if his evil suggestions and depraved intentions are revealed by the daughter to her father, or by the wife to her husband. Then he readily sees he will not succeed in what he has begun. In the same way, when the enemy of our human nature tempts a just soul with his wiles and seductions, he earnestly desires that they be received secretly and kept secret. But if one manifests them to a confessor, or to some other spiritual person who understands his deceits and malicious designs, the evil one is very much vexed. For he knows that he cannot succeed in his evil undertaking, once his evident deceits have been revealed.

327.  14.  The conduct of our enemy may also be compared to the tactics of a leader intent upon seizing and plundering a position he desires. A commander and leader of an army will encamp, explore the fortifications and defenses of the stronghold, and attack at the weakest point. In the same way, the enemy of our human nature investigates from every side all our virtues, theological, cardinal, and moral. Where he finds the defenses of eternal salvation weakest and most deficient, there he attacks and tries to take us by storm.

       
 

328. RULES FOR DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
II

Further rules for understanding the different movements produced in the soul. They serve for a more accurate discernment of spirits and are more suitable for the second week
  

329.  I.  It is characteristic of God and His Angels, when they act upon the soul, to give true happiness and spiritual joy, and to banish all the sadness and disturbances which are caused by the enemy.
   It is characteristic of the evil one to fight against such happiness and consolation by proposing fallacious reasonings, subtilties, and continual deceptions.

330.  2.  God alone can give consolation to the soul without any previous cause. It belongs solely to the Creator to come into a soul, to leave it, to act upon it, to draw it wholly to the love of His Divine Majesty. I said without previous cause, that is, without any preceding perception or knowledge of any subject by which a soul might be led to such a consolation through its own acts of intellect and will.

331.  3.  If a cause precedes, both the good angel and the evil spirit can give consolation to a soul, but for a quite different purpose. The good angel consoles for the progress of the soul, that it may advance and rise to what is more perfect. The evil spirit consoles for purposes that are the contrary, and that afterwards he might draw the soul to his own perverse intentions and wickedness.

332.  4.  It is a mark of the evil spirit to assume the appearance of an angel of light. He begins by suggesting thoughts that are suited to a devout soul, and ends by suggesting his own. For example, he will suggest holy and pious thoughts that are wholly in conformity with the sanctity of the soul. Afterwards, he will endeavor little by little to end by drawing the soul into his hidden snares and evil designs.

333.  5.  We must carefully observe the whole course of our thoughts. If the beginning and middle and end of the course of thoughts are wholly good and directed to what is entirely right, it is a sign that they are from the good angel. But the course of thoughts suggested to us may terminate in something evil, or distracting, or less good than the soul had formerly proposed to do. Again, it may end in what weakens the soul, or disquiets it; or by destroying the peace, tranquility, and quiet which it had before, it may cause disturbance to the soul. These things are a clear sign that the thoughts are proceeding from the evil spirit, the enemy of our progress and eternal salvation.

334.  6.  When the enemy of our human nature has been detected and recognized by the trail of evil marking his course and by the wicked end to which he leads us, it will be profitable for one who has been tempted to review immediately the whole course of the temptation. Let him consider the series of good thoughts, how they arose, how the evil one gradually attempted to make him step down from the state of spiritual delight and joy in which he was, till finally he drew him to his wicked designs. The purpose of this review is that once such an experience has been understood and carefully observed, we may guard ourselves for the future against the customary deceits of the enemy.

335.  7.  In souls that are progressing to greater perfection, the action of the good angel is delicate, gentle, delightful. It may be compared to a drop of water penetrating a sponge.
    The action of the evil spirit upon such souls is violent, noisy, and disturbing. It may be compared to a drop of water falling upon a stone.
    In souls that are going from bad to worse, the action of the spirits mentioned above is just the reverse. The reason for this is to be sought in the opposition or similarity of these souls to the different kinds of spirits. When the disposition is contrary to that of the spirits, they enter with noise and commotion that are easily perceived. When the disposition is similar to that of the spirits, they enter silently, as one coming into his own house when the doors are open.

336.  8.  When consolation is without previous cause, as was said, there can be no deception in it, since it can proceed from God our Lord only. But a spiritual person who has received such a consolation must consider it very attentively, and must cautiously distinguish the actual time of the consolation from the period which follows it. At such a time the soul is still fervent and favored with the grace and aftereffects of the consolation which has passed. In this second period the soul frequently forms various resolutions and plans which are not granted directly by God our Lord. They may come from our own reasoning on the relations of our concepts and on the consequences of our judgments, or they may come from the good or evil spirit. Hence, they must be carefully examined before they are given full approval and put into execution.

end of excerpts

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Prayer for Union with Jesus

Come to me, Lord, and possess my soul. Come into my heart and permeate my soul. Help me to sit in silence with You and let You work in my heart.

    I am Yours to possess. I am Yours to use. I want to be selfless and only exist in You. Help me to spoon out all that is me and be an empty vessel ready to be filled by You. Help me to die to myself and live only for You. Use me as You will. Let me never draw my attention back to myself. I only want to operate as You do, dwelling within me.

    I am Yours, Lord. I want to have my life in You. I want to do the will of the Father. Give me the strength to put aside the world and let You operate my very being. Help me to act as You desire. Strengthen me against the distractions of the devil to take me from Your work.

    When I worry, I have taken my focus off of You and placed it on myself. Help me not to give in to the promptings of others to change what in my heart You are making very clear to me. I worship You, I adore You and I love You. Come and dwell in me now.

-God's Blue Book, January 17, 1994

 

 

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Excerpt from Priestly Newsletter 1998 - ISSUE FOUR

    Shortly before he was to die from cancer, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin left us these inspiring words about peace: "It is the first day of November, and fall is giving way to winter. Soon the trees will lose the vibrant colors of their leaves and snow will cover the ground. The earth will shut down, and people will race to and from their destinations bundled up for warmth. Chicago winters are harsh. It is a time of dying.

    "But we know that spring will soon come with all its new life and wonder.

    "It is quite clear that I will not be alive in the spring. But I will soon experience new life in a different way...

    "What I would like to leave behind is a simple prayer that each of you may find what I have found—God's special gift to us all: the gift of peace. When we are at peace, we find the freedom to be most fully who we are, even in the worst of times. We let go of what is non-essential and embrace what is essential. We empty ourselves so that God may more fully work within us. And we become instruments in the hands of the Lord."³

---

Notes:

3. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, The Gift of Peace, Loyola University Press, pp. 151-153.

July 31, 2003

A rosary of light for one who has had a death

in the family
    

Baptism of Jesus

        1. We were given life for a short while on this 
                    earth.

        2. God wants us with Him in heaven.

        3. See Jesus baptized by John. 
 

        4. Excerpt from the Spirituality Handbook

We, through our incorporation into Christ which occurs at Baptism, are meant to relive the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In doing so, we are not only accomplishing our own salvation, but we are assisting in the salvation of others also. The Incarnation continues all the time. Christ, of course, is the one Who fundamentally continues the Incarnation. But He enlists our help. The world no longer sees Jesus, no longer is able to reach out and touch Him. We are the ones who now, in some way, make Christ visible and tangible. In union with the invisible, glorified Christ, and depending on Him as our source of life, we continue the Incarnation in its visible and temporal dimensions. This is our great privilege. This is our great responsibility.

The Christian is initiated into the mystery of Christ, into his or her role in prolonging the Incarnation, through Baptism. In the words of St. Paul: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Rom. 6: 3-4).

        5. John 11: 25-26

Jesus said:

            I am the resurrection. 
            Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live,
            and whoever lives and believes in me 
            will never die. 
            Do you believe this?

        6. Psalm 23

 The good Shepherd

Psalm Of David

Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
In grassy meadows he lets me lie. 

By tranquil streams he leads me 
    to restore my spirit. 
He guides me in paths of saving justice 
    as befits his name. 

Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death 
I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. 
Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me. 

You prepare a table for me 
    under the eyes of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
    my cup brims over. 

Kindness and faithful love pursue me 
    every day of my life. 
I make my home in the house of Yahweh 
    for all time to come.

        7. Jesus is the New Adam.

        8. Mary is the New Eve.

        9. Adam and Eve sinned.

      10. Genesis 1:27

God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.

    

  

  

       Marriage at Cana

        1. Jesus performed miracles on earth.

        2. Jesus changed water into wine.

        3. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

        4. Jesus wants us to love and serve Him —
                we live for this.

        5. We can be changed —
                God gives us His grace.

        6. In suffering according to God's will we
                can help to bring down great grace.

        7. Our lives here are so short.

        8. We are born and then we die.

        9. Jesus was born a baby —
                Jesus died on a cross

      10. Pray the Our Father, think of the words

The Our Father

    Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

   

   

  

       Kingdom of God

        1. Jesus is the King of heaven and earth.

        2. Jesus loves us, we must ask for His protection

        3. Jesus is the Light of the World.

        4. Jesus gave us each other to love.

        5. Our days here are precious and short,
                compared to eternity.

        6. Our loved ones if they loved and served
                 God go on to heaven.

        7. Our love never dies.

        8. We can have deep union with those
                in heaven.

        9. God wants us to love the saints.

      10. John 11: 25-26

Jesus said:

            I am the resurrection. 
            Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live,
            and whoever lives and believes in me 
            will never die. 
            Do you believe this?

      

     

      Transfiguration

        1. Matthew 17: 1-2

    Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling as light.

        2. Sing: Amazing Grace

        3. God gives us a special sharing in His life
                through baptism.

        4. Plants are little, grow and die.

        5. It is God's plan we are born and we die.

        6. Jesus was born in a stable.

        7. Jesus died on the cross.

        8. God became man

        9. God wants us to be saved

       10. God gives us the Church —
                    the sacraments,
                    the priest.

    

  

       Last Supper

        1. Jesus gave Himself on the cross for love
                of us.
            Jesus gives us Himself in the Holy Eucharist.

        2. Luke 22: 14-18

    When the time came he took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have ardently longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’
    Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall never again drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.’

        3. Luke 22: 19-20

Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you.

        4. Jesus gives the priest the power to
                change bread and wine into the
                body and blood of Jesus.

        5. Jesus remains with us this day in the Holy Eucharist

        6. Jesus wants us to come to Him before the tabernacle.

        7. Grace is a gift from God —
                it is a sharing in His life.

        8. God outpours His life, when we go before the
                Blessed Sacrament.

        9. Jesus loves us so much.

       10. Song: A Song from Jesus
                    I love you Jesus
  

                R. Blue Book 13 will be released next week.

                Given November 8, 2010 (excerpt)

                R. St. Margaret Mary's first apparition of Jesus
                occurred on the feast of St. John the Evangelist
                probably 1673.

                    St. Margaret Mary was before the Blessed
                Sacrament when she was
                overwhelmed with the presence of God.
                Christ told her His love and the
                secrets of His Heart —

                    He told Margaret Mary He was
                consumed with love for her 

                    Jesus told St. Margaret Mary
 

 

                "See, My well-beloved, I give
                thee a precious token of My love,
                having enclosed within thy side a
                little spark of its glowing flames,
                that it may serve thee for a heart
                and consume thee to the last
                moment of thy life . . .
                If hitherto, thou hast taken
                only the name of My slave, I
                now give thee that of the
                beloved disciple of My Sacred Heart"

                R. We can see putting ourselves in
                    the Heart of Jesus — Jesus
                    consumed with love for us —
                    We can see Father, Son and
                    Holy Spirit dwelling in our graced
                    baptized soul.

                    The second apparition 1674

                I never knew this
                From Fr. Carter's writings — I see
                how he knew this long ago from these writings —               

                Christ showed St. Margaret Mary as on a throne
                of flames —
                It had a crown of thorns —
                Above the heart was a cross —
                Fr. Carter said this signified that Christ's
                mortal life was one of humiliation,
                poverty, pain and scorn.

                Our Lord showed St. Margaret Mary that He had
                a great desire to be loved by men —
                He told her about satan leading
                men off —

                He said He would manifest His
                Heart to men with its multiple
                treasure of love, mercy, grace,
                salvation and sanctification —
                Those who serve Him could be
                abundantly enriched with such
                spiritual blessings of which
                His Heart is the source.
                He told St. Margaret Mary to honor Him
                under the symbol of His Sacred Heart.
                He said He wanted the image
                of the Sacred Heart exposed.
                He promised grace and blessings
                to those who expose and honor
                His Sacred Heart —
                He said He wanted to draw men
                from giving into satan by
                focusing on the love of His Sacred Heart.
                He told her He wanted devotion
                to His Sacred Heart —

                Jesus told Margaret Mary
                "These are the designs for which I
                    have chosen you. That is why
                    I have given you so many graces
                    and have taken quite special
                    care of you from your very
                    cradle. I Myself have been
                    your teacher and your director
                    only that I might prepare you for
                    the accomplishment of this
                    great design and confide to you
                    this great treasure which
                    I am displaying to you here."

 
   

                R. This is what Fr. Carter wrote was said
                    to Margaret Mary —

                I read this now from Fr. Carter's writings —

 

                Here is a picture taken of Fr. Carter on July 2, 1996.

   Message from Jesus: "Peace will abound when nations, churches, families and individuals are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary."
   "Fr. Carter is a pillar of light to the dark world. This is the explanation of the photo. It is through him, I will turn darkness to light. Circulate this message with the picture. Encourage all to consecrate their hearts to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to join the Shepherds of Christ Chapters, and the Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Movement to pray for your Church and your world. This is My Movement for renewal of the Church and the world, based in consecration, joining your every act to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, praying the rosary, and making reparation to Our Hearts, especially on First Fridays and First Saturdays. It is through your prayers and sacrifices many souls will be helped to be saved. Grace will flow from those whose hearts are consecrated to Our Hearts and the fire of My Love will light up this darkened world."
   As you look at the picture, you see Fr. Carter's arm and hand on your left. This picture of Fr. Carter was taken July 2, 1996 at the Tuesday Shepherds of Christ Meeting at Tom Arlinghaus' Farm.

end of excerpt

   

                R. The 3rd apparition July 2, 1674 —
                    July 2nd was my dad and husband's
                    birthday —
                   
                    Margaret Mary was before the Blessed Sacrament
                    Fr. Carter says —

 

 

R. Christ appeared to her                 Christ showed her His Heart —                 Christ revealed the marvels of His love —                  Christ said He has given such                     love to men and met with                     such ingratitude and contempt.

                Fr. Carter quoted from St. Margaret Mary's
                    autobiography

                "I feel this more than all that I suffered
                    during My Passion.

                If only they would make Me some
                    return for My love, I should
                    think but little of all I have
                    done for them and would wish,
                    were it possible, to suffer
                    still more.

                But the sole return they make
                    for all My eagerness to do them
                    good is to reject Me and treat
                    Me with coldness.
                    Do thou at least console Me
                    by supplying for their ingratitude,
                    as far as thou are able"

                He told her to go to Holy Communion as
                    often as obedience
                    permitted and about
                    the First Friday Devotion
                    to His Sacred Heart.

                He shared His sufferings
                    with her on Thursday before
                    Friday —

 

My Heart Bleeds

March 6, 1994 Sunday Night

Jesus: My little ones, I never give you more than you can handle. Come to Me and I give you rest. I am Jesus, the Son of God, and I love you. This is not a myth. If the whole world does not believe it doesn't matter. I, Jesus Christ, talk to you. I am present right now and I love you.

These trials will strengthen you. You will come forth steadfast in My love. Turn to Me. This is where our union is strengthened. I want you entirely dependent on Me for everything. When you are hurting, come to Me and cry at My feet. I love you more than any person ever could. I am God, child. I love with the most ardent love and I care when you hurt. I want to comfort you. I am Whom you seek. Your heart aches for union with Me and Me alone.

R. It is not this. It is not that. It is You, Lord. The more I grow in loving You, the more I experience such aching in my heart for love of You. I want to behold You so!

The aching soul craves this union with God. The more I know how You love me, how You died so brutally for me and how You want to be close to me, the more I want to be closer to You and I cannot experience You this way on earth. I crave You, my Lord and God. I want to be so close to You! I ache so in my heart. I only know a little how You suffered for love of us. I only know a little how the souls in purgatory ache for love of You.

Oh, my precious Jesus, I love You so. I long to be close to You and know You more. It is this longing and aching I have for You. Such unrest in my soul! And it will not be satisfied here in my earthly form. Oh, sweet Jesus, when they show pictures of saints and those who love You, do they ever show their hearts aching to want to behold you more? They look so peaceful with their halos and saintliness!

This relationship with You, this way to You, is the Way of the Cross. I see pictures of saints with crucifixes. Why did they carry these? Was it that when they were given their crosses they looked at how You suffered and it made their crosses easier to carry? You suffered so, my Lord, for love of me. Oh, my Lord, I truly love You.

Jesus: I am Jesus, Son of God. I truly suffered. Your heart is experiencing aching. I allow you to ache and feel some of My emotions. I am a person. When people love one another, they share each other's pain. Your heart aches as I, too, ache for love of My beloved ones. Preach about My aching heart.

Every soul has periods of unrest because the soul was made to love the Lord. Sunday is a day I let you suffer My aching heart. I want you to tell others how I ache for love of them. I allow you to suffer on Saturday and Sunday for My aching heart.

My heart is on fire for love of each soul and many do not ever come to Me. Some come to Me in Communion and the thought of Me never crosses their minds. How this wounds My aching heart! Such indifference! It pierces My heart and makes it bleed. You will never comprehend the love of God. You will never know how My heart aches. I let you feel this aching heart, to suffer with Me and tell others of My intense love for them. My indifferent loved ones are piercing My heart. I suffered for love of you.

Please preach My love to them. Tell them of My aching, waiting, longing, bleeding heart. You do not know even a tiny amount of the torrent of My love for You.

I am Jesus, Son of the Living God.

end of excerpt

by Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.

Before receiving the six apparitions of Our Lady, May through October of 1917, the three Fatima visionaries were visited by an angel on three different occasions during the preceding year. He appeared to them in the spring, summer, and fall. Lucia (now Sr. Lucia) describes the springtime apparition of the angel:

"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You."

Then, rising he said: "Pray thus. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are attentive to the voice of your supplications."

His words engraved themselves so deeply on our minds that we could never forget them (3)

During the summer of 1916, the angel again appeared to the three visionaries. He said to them:

Pray! Pray a great deal. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful designs on you. Offer prayers and sacrifices continually to the Most High. Make everything you do a sacrifice, and offer it as an act of reparation for the sins by which God is offended, and as a petition for the conversion of sinners. Bring peace to our country in this way.... I am the Guardian Angel of Portugal Accept and bear with submission all the sufferings the Lord will send you. (4)

In the fall of the same year, the angel visited the visionaries a final time:

The angel came...bearing a golden chalice in one hand and a Host above it in the other. The amazed children noticed that drops of blood were falling from the Host into the chalice. Presently, the angel left both suspended in mid-air and prostrated himself on the ground, saying this beautiful prayer: "Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and [the intercession of] the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners." (5)

Sr. Lucia relates how the angel gave them Communion:

Then, rising, he took the chalice and the Host in his hand. He gave the Sacred Host to me and shared the Blood from the chalice between Jacinta and Francisco, saying as he did so:

"Take and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, horribly outraged by ungrateful men! Make reparation for their crimes and console your God." (6)

Reflecting upon these messages of the angel, we see how much they contain for our spiritual instruction.

---

NOTES:

3. Louis Kondar, SVD, editor, Fatima in Lucia's Own Words (Fatima: Postulation Center, 1976), p.62. Distributed in the U.S.A. by the Ravengate Press, Cambridge, MA.
4. Our Lady's Peace Plan, op cit., pp.1-2.
5. Ibid., p.2 (The words in brackets are my own-added for clarification).
6. Fatima in Lucia's Own Words, op cit., pp.64-65.

 

                R. In reading Fr. Carter's document I see
                why He supported me so strongly
                for Jesus outpoured and still does
                outpour His love for men —
                and He wants them to come to His
                Heart —

 

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