Virgo Potens
23.04.202501:31
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4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre
1. What must have been the joy of the holy women when they found that God had granted the desires of their heart, and rolled the huge stoneaway! It was one of those joyful surprises by which God delights to encourage faithful hearts. Just when all seems hopeless, He steps in, and every difficulty vanishes. If this is not my experience, it ought to be; and the oniy reason why it is not, is because I have been distrustful and despondent. Courage, faint heart! He is waiting to help thee.
2. But when they entered the tomb, what a surprise! Instead of the dead Body of Jesus, they found an angel, clothed in white, sitting at the right side of the tomb. They were utterly astonished. They had never understood the meaning of Our Lord's promise that He would rise again. What could have happened? Had His Body been carried away? Had God taken it up to heaven? If He had been restored to life, He was lost to them. Their hearts were filled with mingled hope and fear, joy and sorrow, astonishment and a bewildered sense of happiness.
3. The angel's words soon reassure them. "He is risen. He is not here. You shall soon see Him again. Go carry the joyful news to His disciples." Trembling with joy, they obey the command. No need of spices and ointment now. It is too good to be true,—He is risen! My Jesus delights to turn sorrow into joy.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre
1. What must have been the joy of the holy women when they found that God had granted the desires of their heart, and rolled the huge stoneaway! It was one of those joyful surprises by which God delights to encourage faithful hearts. Just when all seems hopeless, He steps in, and every difficulty vanishes. If this is not my experience, it ought to be; and the oniy reason why it is not, is because I have been distrustful and despondent. Courage, faint heart! He is waiting to help thee.
2. But when they entered the tomb, what a surprise! Instead of the dead Body of Jesus, they found an angel, clothed in white, sitting at the right side of the tomb. They were utterly astonished. They had never understood the meaning of Our Lord's promise that He would rise again. What could have happened? Had His Body been carried away? Had God taken it up to heaven? If He had been restored to life, He was lost to them. Their hearts were filled with mingled hope and fear, joy and sorrow, astonishment and a bewildered sense of happiness.
3. The angel's words soon reassure them. "He is risen. He is not here. You shall soon see Him again. Go carry the joyful news to His disciples." Trembling with joy, they obey the command. No need of spices and ointment now. It is too good to be true,—He is risen! My Jesus delights to turn sorrow into joy.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
22.04.202502:05
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3.—The Holy Women on Their Way to the Sepulchre
1. All through the Sabbath day the holy women had been anxiously looking forward to the mournful pleasure of carrying to the sepulchre sweet spices and perfumes that they had prepared to embalm the Body of Jesus; and very early in the morning of the first day of the week they started on their pious errand. But, strange to say, it had never occurred to them that a huge stone closed the door of the tomb, sealed with an official seal and guarded by a picket of soldiers. This is one of the truest marks of love, it seems to forget all difficulties, to overleap all obstacles; it has a wonderful confidence that it will attain its object. Is this the character of my love to Christ? Am I confident that I shall overcome all those hindrances which now seem to bar my way to holiness?
2. On the road to the sepulchre, as the difficulty became close at hand, they were stricken with fear—"who shall roll us back the stone?" Yet on they went, nothing daunted, trusting God with implicit confidence, relying on His power to take away what seemed to be an insuperable obstacle. So, when dangers and difficulties threaten me, do I go straight on, trusting in the goodness of my God?
3. Their holy confidence was not disappointed: holy confidence never is disappointed. The more we trust God, the more marvels He will work for us. An angel had been sent to reward them for their persevering devotion by doing, with angelic hands, what was altogether beyond their power to perform. So now God will send an angel, if needful, to fulfil the desires of those who trust in Him.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
3.—The Holy Women on Their Way to the Sepulchre
1. All through the Sabbath day the holy women had been anxiously looking forward to the mournful pleasure of carrying to the sepulchre sweet spices and perfumes that they had prepared to embalm the Body of Jesus; and very early in the morning of the first day of the week they started on their pious errand. But, strange to say, it had never occurred to them that a huge stone closed the door of the tomb, sealed with an official seal and guarded by a picket of soldiers. This is one of the truest marks of love, it seems to forget all difficulties, to overleap all obstacles; it has a wonderful confidence that it will attain its object. Is this the character of my love to Christ? Am I confident that I shall overcome all those hindrances which now seem to bar my way to holiness?
2. On the road to the sepulchre, as the difficulty became close at hand, they were stricken with fear—"who shall roll us back the stone?" Yet on they went, nothing daunted, trusting God with implicit confidence, relying on His power to take away what seemed to be an insuperable obstacle. So, when dangers and difficulties threaten me, do I go straight on, trusting in the goodness of my God?
3. Their holy confidence was not disappointed: holy confidence never is disappointed. The more we trust God, the more marvels He will work for us. An angel had been sent to reward them for their persevering devotion by doing, with angelic hands, what was altogether beyond their power to perform. So now God will send an angel, if needful, to fulfil the desires of those who trust in Him.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
20.04.202518:28
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1.—The Resurrection
1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the Sacred Soul of Jesus returned to quicken once more the body that lay lifeless in the tomb, and He rose again from the dead. It was but the commencement of the third day since His crucifixion; but His love for His sorrowing friends made Him abridge the time, that He might hasten to console them in their sorrow. He still has the same loving thoughtfulness for His friends. It is still His chief desire to make those happy who love Him.
2. His Sacred Body passed through the tomb noiselessly and without stirring the huge stone that had been placed there to make His resurrection impossible. Oh, foolish devices of men! how utterly futile against the will of God! In one moment He can burst every bond that human malice or human ingenuity can contrive! He that dwells in the heaven shall laugh at them, and the Lord shall deride them.
3. See Him glorious in His Divine Beauty, rising from the tomb! What unspeakable joy and happiness in that face, so lately marred by our sins, so lately pale, and sad, and sorrowful! Never was there joy on earth like that of Jesus when He rose again! I will rejoice withHim today, I will forget my own troubles and sorrows, and give myself to an unselfish joy in the Resurrection of my King and my God.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
1.—The Resurrection
1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the Sacred Soul of Jesus returned to quicken once more the body that lay lifeless in the tomb, and He rose again from the dead. It was but the commencement of the third day since His crucifixion; but His love for His sorrowing friends made Him abridge the time, that He might hasten to console them in their sorrow. He still has the same loving thoughtfulness for His friends. It is still His chief desire to make those happy who love Him.
2. His Sacred Body passed through the tomb noiselessly and without stirring the huge stone that had been placed there to make His resurrection impossible. Oh, foolish devices of men! how utterly futile against the will of God! In one moment He can burst every bond that human malice or human ingenuity can contrive! He that dwells in the heaven shall laugh at them, and the Lord shall deride them.
3. See Him glorious in His Divine Beauty, rising from the tomb! What unspeakable joy and happiness in that face, so lately marred by our sins, so lately pale, and sad, and sorrowful! Never was there joy on earth like that of Jesus when He rose again! I will rejoice withHim today, I will forget my own troubles and sorrows, and give myself to an unselfish joy in the Resurrection of my King and my God.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
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Chantbird’s Garden of Song
19.04.202511:04
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THE DESCENT OF JESUS TO LIMBUS
Hymn
(continued from above)
5.
And Eve like Joseph's shadow hung
About him wheresoever he went ;
She lived on thoughts of Mary's child,
Trembled with hope, and was content.
6.
But see how hushed the crowd of souls !
Whence comes the light of upper day ?
What glorious Form is this that finds
Through central earth its ready way ?
7.
'Tis God ! 'tis Man ! the living Soul
Of Jesus, beautiful and bright,
The first-born of created things,
Flushed with a pure resplendent light.
8.
'Twas Mary's child ! Eve saw Him come ;
She flew from Joseph's haunted side,
And worshipped, first of all that crowd,
The Soul of Jesus Crucified.
9.
So after four long thousand years,
Faith reached her end, and Hope her aim,
And from them, as they passed away,
Love lit her everlasting flame !
~ Frederick William Faber, D.D. Hymns (1861)
THE DESCENT OF JESUS TO LIMBUS
Hymn
(continued from above)
5.
And Eve like Joseph's shadow hung
About him wheresoever he went ;
She lived on thoughts of Mary's child,
Trembled with hope, and was content.
6.
But see how hushed the crowd of souls !
Whence comes the light of upper day ?
What glorious Form is this that finds
Through central earth its ready way ?
7.
'Tis God ! 'tis Man ! the living Soul
Of Jesus, beautiful and bright,
The first-born of created things,
Flushed with a pure resplendent light.
8.
'Twas Mary's child ! Eve saw Him come ;
She flew from Joseph's haunted side,
And worshipped, first of all that crowd,
The Soul of Jesus Crucified.
9.
So after four long thousand years,
Faith reached her end, and Hope her aim,
And from them, as they passed away,
Love lit her everlasting flame !
~ Frederick William Faber, D.D. Hymns (1861)
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Defende nos in prœlio
18.04.202502:58
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FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FIFTH OFFERING
(continued)
I offer to thee all the scornful mockeries and the blasphemies which assailed his sacred Ears, all the words be uttered from the cross, all the tears he shed, all the quivering of his holy limbs in their agony, all the anguish and torment of his sacred Heart, all the sighs and prayers which he breathed towards thee, all his shrinking from nakedness and from the rude gaze of the crowd, all his acts of virtue on the cross, all the compassion, the sobs, the tears of his most desolate Mother and of all his friends; I offer thee, last of all, that most bitter, most cruel, most agonising death, which impetuous love and thrilling anguish inflicted on him, most humbly beseeching thee that, by the merits of his most holy Life and Passion and Death, thou wouldst wash my soul from all its stains and defilements in his most precious Blood, and adorn it with the merits and virtues of his Humanity, and strengthen it at its departure hence with his Passion and Death. Amen.
After each of these offerings you may say a Pater Noster.
~ Preces Gertrudianæ (1861)
FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FIFTH OFFERING
(continued)
I offer to thee all the scornful mockeries and the blasphemies which assailed his sacred Ears, all the words be uttered from the cross, all the tears he shed, all the quivering of his holy limbs in their agony, all the anguish and torment of his sacred Heart, all the sighs and prayers which he breathed towards thee, all his shrinking from nakedness and from the rude gaze of the crowd, all his acts of virtue on the cross, all the compassion, the sobs, the tears of his most desolate Mother and of all his friends; I offer thee, last of all, that most bitter, most cruel, most agonising death, which impetuous love and thrilling anguish inflicted on him, most humbly beseeching thee that, by the merits of his most holy Life and Passion and Death, thou wouldst wash my soul from all its stains and defilements in his most precious Blood, and adorn it with the merits and virtues of his Humanity, and strengthen it at its departure hence with his Passion and Death. Amen.
After each of these offerings you may say a Pater Noster.
~ Preces Gertrudianæ (1861)
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17.04.202503:47
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FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FOURTH OFFERING
(continued)
I offer thee the cruel and most fearful anguish of his Heart, when his most sacred Hands and Feet were nailed to the cross. Remember, O most compassionate Father, how humbly and how piteously thy Son laid himself down upon the cross, not knowing where to lay his head by reason of the intensity of his intolerable agony. Remember what tears his eyes poured forth to thee, what sighs broke forth from his heart towards thee, how many drops of priceless blood dripped from his sacred wounds, what sorrow and horror of thick darkness pervaded his human soul as death came slowly onwards. I set forth before thee with gratitude and lively compassion all these bloodsheddings and tears, all the anguish of his distorted and dislocated limbs, all his groanings and sighs, and all the love and the patience with which thy Son endured them all; beseeching thee that thou wouldst cleanse me from my sins, and render me in all things well-pleasing to thee. Amen.
After each of these offerings you may say a Pater Noster.
FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FOURTH OFFERING
(continued)
I offer thee the cruel and most fearful anguish of his Heart, when his most sacred Hands and Feet were nailed to the cross. Remember, O most compassionate Father, how humbly and how piteously thy Son laid himself down upon the cross, not knowing where to lay his head by reason of the intensity of his intolerable agony. Remember what tears his eyes poured forth to thee, what sighs broke forth from his heart towards thee, how many drops of priceless blood dripped from his sacred wounds, what sorrow and horror of thick darkness pervaded his human soul as death came slowly onwards. I set forth before thee with gratitude and lively compassion all these bloodsheddings and tears, all the anguish of his distorted and dislocated limbs, all his groanings and sighs, and all the love and the patience with which thy Son endured them all; beseeching thee that thou wouldst cleanse me from my sins, and render me in all things well-pleasing to thee. Amen.
After each of these offerings you may say a Pater Noster.
23.04.202501:04
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 23rd
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre
Read St. Mark xvi. 4-7
And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you.
(continued)
April 23rd
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre
Read St. Mark xvi. 4-7
And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you.
(continued)
22.04.202502:00
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 22nd
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3.—The Holy Women on Their Way to the Sepulchre
Read St. Mark xvi. 1-4.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great.
(continued)
April 22nd
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3.—The Holy Women on Their Way to the Sepulchre
Read St. Mark xvi. 1-4.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great.
(continued)
20.04.202518:28
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 20th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
1.—The Resurrection
Read I. Cor. xv. 20-25
But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But every one in his own order: the firstfruits Christ, then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming. Afterwards the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when he shall have brought to nought all principality, and power, and virtue. For he must reign, until he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
(continued)
April 20th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
1.—The Resurrection
Read I. Cor. xv. 20-25
But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But every one in his own order: the firstfruits Christ, then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming. Afterwards the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when he shall have brought to nought all principality, and power, and virtue. For he must reign, until he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
(continued)
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19.04.202511:04
1 of 2
THE DESCENT OF JESUS TO LIMBUS
1.
Thousands of years had come and gone,
And slow the ages seemed to move
To those expectant souls that filled
That prison-house of patient love.
2.
It was a weary watch of theirs,
But onward still their hopes would press ;
Captives they were, yet happy too,
In their contented weariness.
3.
As noiseless tides the ample depths
Of some capacious harbor fill,
So grew the calm of that dread place
Each day with increase swift and still.
4.
Sweet tidings there St. Joseph took ;
The Saviour's work had then begun,
And of His Three-and-Thirty Years
But three alone were left to run.
(continued below)
THE DESCENT OF JESUS TO LIMBUS
1.
Thousands of years had come and gone,
And slow the ages seemed to move
To those expectant souls that filled
That prison-house of patient love.
2.
It was a weary watch of theirs,
But onward still their hopes would press ;
Captives they were, yet happy too,
In their contented weariness.
3.
As noiseless tides the ample depths
Of some capacious harbor fill,
So grew the calm of that dread place
Each day with increase swift and still.
4.
Sweet tidings there St. Joseph took ;
The Saviour's work had then begun,
And of His Three-and-Thirty Years
But three alone were left to run.
(continued below)
Переслав з:Defende nos in prœlio
18.04.202502:58
❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀
FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FIFTH OFFERING
O MOST gracious and clement God, for all my sins, mortal and venial, for all my negligences and omissions, for all the guilt I have contracted and all the punishment I have deserved, I offer thee the unutterable anguish which pierced the Heart of thy Son when the cross was uplifted and let fall suddenly into its place, and all the weight of his sacred Body was borne by three nails.
(continued below)
FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FIFTH OFFERING
O MOST gracious and clement God, for all my sins, mortal and venial, for all my negligences and omissions, for all the guilt I have contracted and all the punishment I have deserved, I offer thee the unutterable anguish which pierced the Heart of thy Son when the cross was uplifted and let fall suddenly into its place, and all the weight of his sacred Body was borne by three nails.
(continued below)
Переслав з:Defende nos in prœlio
17.04.202503:46
❀•°❀°•❀•°❀°•❀
FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FOURTH OFFERING
O MOST merciful God, for all the sins and iniquities which I have committed against thee with my body or my soul, I offer thee all that exceeding sorrow which thy Son endured, when the garments which cleaved to his lacerated flesh were roughly stripped off, and all his wounds thus mercilessly torn open afresh.
(continued below)
FIVE OFFERINGS OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST FOR SINS
FOURTH OFFERING
O MOST merciful God, for all the sins and iniquities which I have committed against thee with my body or my soul, I offer thee all that exceeding sorrow which thy Son endured, when the garments which cleaved to his lacerated flesh were roughly stripped off, and all his wounds thus mercilessly torn open afresh.
(continued below)
22.04.202502:33
UNFAILING NOVENA to ST. JOSEPH
Feast, May 1st
Begins April 22nd, at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi
Feast, May 1st
Begins April 22nd, at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi
21.04.202513:04
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2.—The Appearance of Jesus to His Holy Mother
1. Our Lord's first visit was to His Holy Mother. It is not mentioned in Holy Scripture, because it stands to reason that He should first minister comfort to her who had before all else shared His sufferings. It would have been something quite unnatural if He had passed her over and given joy to some other heart before hers. Was He not united to her by a closer tie than any, save that alone of the Hypostatic Union? and had not her heart alone always beat in unison with His? The instinct of every Catholic echoes the saying of Ignatius that those indeed must be without understanding who suppose that on Easter morn any creature could be preferred to her.
2. How shall we paint the happiness of that meeting? For Mary, it was Paradise begun. That one moment was more than enough to make her forget all her sorrows. As each pang of His sacred suffering had echoed in her heart, so much more each pulsation of joy, each note of triumph. From that day forth, the remembrance of that meeting was ever present to her, lighting up all the rest of her life with a boundless joy.
3. What earned that happiness for Mary? Her perfect obedience. There was none who imitated the obedience of Jesus as Mary; and therefore the joy of Jesus, in His triumph, flowed unchecked into her Immaculate Heart. It is my disobedience to grace which makes me gloomy and downcast. If I am obedient, I too shall be full of peace and joy.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
2.—The Appearance of Jesus to His Holy Mother
1. Our Lord's first visit was to His Holy Mother. It is not mentioned in Holy Scripture, because it stands to reason that He should first minister comfort to her who had before all else shared His sufferings. It would have been something quite unnatural if He had passed her over and given joy to some other heart before hers. Was He not united to her by a closer tie than any, save that alone of the Hypostatic Union? and had not her heart alone always beat in unison with His? The instinct of every Catholic echoes the saying of Ignatius that those indeed must be without understanding who suppose that on Easter morn any creature could be preferred to her.
2. How shall we paint the happiness of that meeting? For Mary, it was Paradise begun. That one moment was more than enough to make her forget all her sorrows. As each pang of His sacred suffering had echoed in her heart, so much more each pulsation of joy, each note of triumph. From that day forth, the remembrance of that meeting was ever present to her, lighting up all the rest of her life with a boundless joy.
3. What earned that happiness for Mary? Her perfect obedience. There was none who imitated the obedience of Jesus as Mary; and therefore the joy of Jesus, in His triumph, flowed unchecked into her Immaculate Heart. It is my disobedience to grace which makes me gloomy and downcast. If I am obedient, I too shall be full of peace and joy.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
20.04.202518:24
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
Short Meditations from Easter to the Ascension
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
PREFACE
THESE Meditations are intended as a companion series to those already published on the Sacred Passion of Our Lord. The one subject, no less than the other, is full of consolation and encouragement — the Passion pointing us rather to the joy of being freed from the burden of sin, the Resurrection to the further happiness of being heirs to the glory of heaven. For,as Christ "died for our sins, so He rose again for our justification;" and His work was not complete until He had not only risen again, but ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us.
It is the hope of the author of these short meditations that they may help those who read them to rejoice with Jesus Christ in His glorious Resurrection and Ascension into heaven.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ
Short Meditations from Easter to the Ascension
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
PREFACE
THESE Meditations are intended as a companion series to those already published on the Sacred Passion of Our Lord. The one subject, no less than the other, is full of consolation and encouragement — the Passion pointing us rather to the joy of being freed from the burden of sin, the Resurrection to the further happiness of being heirs to the glory of heaven. For,as Christ "died for our sins, so He rose again for our justification;" and His work was not complete until He had not only risen again, but ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us.
It is the hope of the author of these short meditations that they may help those who read them to rejoice with Jesus Christ in His glorious Resurrection and Ascension into heaven.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
19.04.202500:49
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Easter Eve — The Entombment
1. When Our Lady's mournful task was finished, the body of Jesus was laid in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, there to remain until the hour of its joyful resurrection. Let us contemplate it as it lies there: disfigured by countless wounds and scars; so apparently helpless, yet none the less the joy of God and worthy of our highest adoration. Passive and cold and motionless, but soon to be radiant with the most dazzling beauty; dead, but living with a divine life. Learn from this (a) the glory of suffering; (b) the power of apparent helplessness when God is with us; (c) the beauty of passive obedience; (d) the true life of those who are dead to the world.
2. What was Our Lord doing while thus apparently inactive in the silent tomb? He was beginning His work of triumph, delivering countless souls from purgatory and from limbo, consoling the patriarchs and prophets, fulfilling His promise of paradise to the good thief, trampling on Satan and changing the kingdoms of this world into the kingdoms of God and of His Christ. So it is with us. When we seem useless and doing nothing, we are often really doing the greatest things for God.
3. The tomb where Christ is laid is to be the model of my soul when I receive holy Communion: silent from all din of earthly things, cleansed from all stain of sin by a good confession and firm resolution to amend, dedicated to Him alone, His sacred body embalmed by my love, and wrapped in the clean winding-sheet of purity of intention. Thus will His presence there be the pledge of my resurrection with Him.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
Easter Eve — The Entombment
1. When Our Lady's mournful task was finished, the body of Jesus was laid in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, there to remain until the hour of its joyful resurrection. Let us contemplate it as it lies there: disfigured by countless wounds and scars; so apparently helpless, yet none the less the joy of God and worthy of our highest adoration. Passive and cold and motionless, but soon to be radiant with the most dazzling beauty; dead, but living with a divine life. Learn from this (a) the glory of suffering; (b) the power of apparent helplessness when God is with us; (c) the beauty of passive obedience; (d) the true life of those who are dead to the world.
2. What was Our Lord doing while thus apparently inactive in the silent tomb? He was beginning His work of triumph, delivering countless souls from purgatory and from limbo, consoling the patriarchs and prophets, fulfilling His promise of paradise to the good thief, trampling on Satan and changing the kingdoms of this world into the kingdoms of God and of His Christ. So it is with us. When we seem useless and doing nothing, we are often really doing the greatest things for God.
3. The tomb where Christ is laid is to be the model of my soul when I receive holy Communion: silent from all din of earthly things, cleansed from all stain of sin by a good confession and firm resolution to amend, dedicated to Him alone, His sacred body embalmed by my love, and wrapped in the clean winding-sheet of purity of intention. Thus will His presence there be the pledge of my resurrection with Him.
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
18.04.202502:54
2 of 2
Good Friday — The Descent from the Cross
But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.
1. No sooner is the sacrifice consummated and the last drop of the precious blood shed from Our Lord's Sacred Heart, than all is changed. That lifeless body is now treated with the utmost respect and veneration. See how gently and carefully Joseph and Nicodemus wind linen bands around the limbs and lower it to the ground, reverently adoring that body which had only a few hours before been a laughing-stock and object of contempt. Henceforth no more ignominy, no more contempt, no more ill-usage, but the love and adoration of saints and angels to all eternity.
2. Our Lady receives the body of her Son. What were her thoughts as she gazes into the five wounds, and sees how from head to foot it is covered with gaping wounds and bruises, battered out of all shape by the cruelty of man? O Mother of Sorrows, great as an ocean is thy sorrow! What can be thy hatred of sin when thou seest what it has wrought in the divine beauty of thy spotlessSon! What a mixture of agonized compassion and mournful sorrow, and hope and consolation, and gratitude and triumphant joy, fills thy sacred soul while thou lookest on the dead body of thy Son!
3. The day on which Jesus died is indeed well called Good Friday. It is the day when Jesus consummated His victory over sin and death. While we mourn over His sufferings and our sins which caused them, we must also rejoice exceedingly at the thought of Satan conquered and heaven opened, and millions of sinners cleansed from sin in His most precious Blood
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
Good Friday — The Descent from the Cross
But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And Joseph buying fine linen, and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.
1. No sooner is the sacrifice consummated and the last drop of the precious blood shed from Our Lord's Sacred Heart, than all is changed. That lifeless body is now treated with the utmost respect and veneration. See how gently and carefully Joseph and Nicodemus wind linen bands around the limbs and lower it to the ground, reverently adoring that body which had only a few hours before been a laughing-stock and object of contempt. Henceforth no more ignominy, no more contempt, no more ill-usage, but the love and adoration of saints and angels to all eternity.
2. Our Lady receives the body of her Son. What were her thoughts as she gazes into the five wounds, and sees how from head to foot it is covered with gaping wounds and bruises, battered out of all shape by the cruelty of man? O Mother of Sorrows, great as an ocean is thy sorrow! What can be thy hatred of sin when thou seest what it has wrought in the divine beauty of thy spotlessSon! What a mixture of agonized compassion and mournful sorrow, and hope and consolation, and gratitude and triumphant joy, fills thy sacred soul while thou lookest on the dead body of thy Son!
3. The day on which Jesus died is indeed well called Good Friday. It is the day when Jesus consummated His victory over sin and death. While we mourn over His sufferings and our sins which caused them, we must also rejoice exceedingly at the thought of Satan conquered and heaven opened, and millions of sinners cleansed from sin in His most precious Blood
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
17.04.202503:35
2 of 2
Maundy Thursday — Jesus' Mystical Death in the Blessed Eucharist
1. Each time that holy Mass is said, the sacrifice of our blessed Lord upon the cross is represented in the sacrifice that takes place upon the altar. Thus, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, on the divine decree, continues to be slain mystically, and will continue as long as the world shall last. With such a sight before our eyes, how can we ever forget Him? how can we ever lose heart or despond with this abiding proof of His tender love before our eyes?
2. In the blood and water that flowed from Our Lord's side when pierced by the centurion's spear were represented the sacraments of the Church, the blood of Christ that extricates us in holy Communion, the water that cleanses our souls in baptism and penance. His Sacred Heart that was open then is open still; the rich stream of graces still continues; it has flowed even unto me. What countless graces I have received from the love that has been poured upon me from the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
3. The Sacred Host that we receive in holy Communion reminds us in many things of the dead body of Jesus as it hung upon the cross, all the glory hidden—no life to all appearance there; in the power of all to treat it as they choose; reduced to the lowest humiliation. Yet it is our God and our Lord, the object of the adoring love of angels and of men, He Whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, Who condescends to be our Guest and the food of our souls. Meditate on the unspeakable love of Jesus sacrificed for us!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
Maundy Thursday — Jesus' Mystical Death in the Blessed Eucharist
1. Each time that holy Mass is said, the sacrifice of our blessed Lord upon the cross is represented in the sacrifice that takes place upon the altar. Thus, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, on the divine decree, continues to be slain mystically, and will continue as long as the world shall last. With such a sight before our eyes, how can we ever forget Him? how can we ever lose heart or despond with this abiding proof of His tender love before our eyes?
2. In the blood and water that flowed from Our Lord's side when pierced by the centurion's spear were represented the sacraments of the Church, the blood of Christ that extricates us in holy Communion, the water that cleanses our souls in baptism and penance. His Sacred Heart that was open then is open still; the rich stream of graces still continues; it has flowed even unto me. What countless graces I have received from the love that has been poured upon me from the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
3. The Sacred Host that we receive in holy Communion reminds us in many things of the dead body of Jesus as it hung upon the cross, all the glory hidden—no life to all appearance there; in the power of all to treat it as they choose; reduced to the lowest humiliation. Yet it is our God and our Lord, the object of the adoring love of angels and of men, He Whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, Who condescends to be our Guest and the food of our souls. Meditate on the unspeakable love of Jesus sacrificed for us!
~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)
22.04.202502:28
NOVENA to ST. JOSEPH
Feast, May 1st
Begins April 22nd, at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi
Feast, May 1st
Begins April 22nd, at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi
21.04.202513:02
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 21st
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
2.—The Appearance of Jesus to His Holy Mother
Read I. St. John iv. 15-19
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him. In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world. Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity. Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us.
(continued)
April 21st
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
2.—The Appearance of Jesus to His Holy Mother
Read I. St. John iv. 15-19
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him. In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world. Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity. Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us.
(continued)
20.04.202513:28
This is the day which the Lord hath made:
Let us be glad and rejoice therein.
The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment.
Blessed and Happy Easter to you all!
Let us be glad and rejoice therein.
The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment.
Blessed and Happy Easter to you all!
19.04.202500:49
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 19th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
Easter Eve — The Entombment
Read St. Luke xxiii. 50-56
And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and just man, (the same had not consented to their counsel and doings;) of Arimathea, a city of Judea; who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. And it was the day of the Parasceve, and the sabbath drew on. And the women that were come with him from Galilee, following after, saw the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And returning, they prepared spices and ointments; and on the sabbath day they rested, according to the commandment.
(continued)
April 19th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
Easter Eve — The Entombment
Read St. Luke xxiii. 50-56
And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and just man, (the same had not consented to their counsel and doings;) of Arimathea, a city of Judea; who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. And it was the day of the Parasceve, and the sabbath drew on. And the women that were come with him from Galilee, following after, saw the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And returning, they prepared spices and ointments; and on the sabbath day they rested, according to the commandment.
(continued)
18.04.202502:54
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 18th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
Good Friday — The Descent from the Cross
Read St. Mark xv. 38-46
And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost, said: Indeed this man was the son of God. And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joseph, and Salome: Who also when he was in Galilee followed him, and ministered to him, and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem. And when evening was now come, (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath,). Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
(continued)
April 18th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
Good Friday — The Descent from the Cross
Read St. Mark xv. 38-46
And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost, said: Indeed this man was the son of God. And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joseph, and Salome: Who also when he was in Galilee followed him, and ministered to him, and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem. And when evening was now come, (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath,). Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
(continued)
17.04.202503:34
Month of the Holy Eucharist ~
April 17th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
Maundy Thursday — Jesus' Mystical Death in the Blessed Eucharist
Read St. John xix. 34-37
But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe. For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him. And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.
(continued)
April 17th
✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧
Maundy Thursday — Jesus' Mystical Death in the Blessed Eucharist
Read St. John xix. 34-37
But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe. For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him. And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.
(continued)
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