BLACK CATHOLICS, BLACK SAINTS

"In the Eucharist the Church is completely united to Christ and his sacrifice, and makes her own the spirit of Mary. This truth can be understood more deeply by re-reading the Magnificat in a Eucharistic key. The Eucharist, like the Canticle of Mary, is first and foremost praise and thanksgiving. When Mary exclaims: 'My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour', she already bears Jesus in her womb. She praises God 'through' Jesus, but she also praises him 'in' Jesus and 'with' Jesus. This is itself the true 'Eucharistic attitude'" (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 58).

The Cross is that beneficent water that not only purifies me, but provides the nourishment for the virtues in me. It makes them grow in me. And then it leaves me, when it brings me back to Eternal Life.

Pope John Paul II -

In a private conversation with the visionary Mirjana Soldo the Pope said:

"If I were not pope I would already be in Medjugorje confessing."

(1987) http://www.medjugorje.org/pope.htm

Mother Teresa -

Jesus has chosen us for Himself; we belong to Him. Let us be so convinced of this belonging that we do not allow anything, however small, to separate us from this belonging from this love.

"The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass gives boundless honor to the Most Blessed Trinity because it represents the passion of Jesus Christ and because through the Mass we offer God the merits of Our Lord's obedience, of His sufferings and of His Precious Blood. The whole of the heavenly court also receives an accidental joy from the Mass.

Several doctors of the Church—together with St. Thomas Aquinas—tell us that, for the same reason, all the blessed in Heaven rejoice in the communion of the faithful because the Blessed Sacrament is a memorial of the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and that by means of it men share in its fruits and work out their salvation" (St. Louis de Montfort).

You must be attentive to everything that may not be sweetness and peace if you do not want to dishonor me.

Meditations by Padre Pio -

Suffering has been loved joyfully by great souls. It is the auxiliary of creation after the unfortunate fall; it is a most powerful lever to raise man up again, it is the helping hand of Infinite Love for our regeneration (ASN, 42).

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

God helps those who help themselves for His sake

"Contentment is not inconsistent with our endeavor to have our condition improved. We do everything we can, as if all depended on us, but we trust in God as if everything depended on Him."

St. Faustina's diary http://www.marian.org/directory_flash.html -

Jesus, I trust in You.

Novena to The Divine Mercy

which Jesus instructed me to write down and make before the Feast of Mercy. It begins on Good Friday.

I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fountain of My mercy, that they may draw from them strength and refreshment and whatever grace they need in the hardships of life, and especially at the hour of death.

On each day you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy, and I will bring all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the next. I will deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My mercy. On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls.

I answered, "Jesus, I do not know how to make this novena or which souls to bring first into Your Most Compassionate Heart." Jesus replied that He would tell me which souls to bring each day into His Heart. (1209)

MEDJUGORJE DAY BY DAY

Mar 16 - MANY LIVE IN SIN

The visionaries say that the Virgin is usually happy when she appears to them, but in giving today's message she was in tears:

"There are so many men who live in sin. Here there are likewise among you some people who have offended my heart. Pray and fast for them (Locution Jelena & Mirajana March 21, 1984).

Reflection: Although sin is a tragic reality of our world, as the Gospa reminds us today, so is the limitless mercy and forgiveness of God, who has reconciled us to himself through the Cross.

As St. John writes:

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn2:1-2).

The grace of God's forgiveness is freely given to all who acknowledge their sin with a repentant heart; indeed, the church gives us the season of Lent for this very purpose. From Psalm 51, the Prayer of Repentance:

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; In the greatness of your compassion wipe out My offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt And of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense, And my sin is before me always: "Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight" That you may be justified in your sentence, Vindicated when you condemn. A clean heart create for me, O God, And a steadfast spirit renew within me. ---Psalm 51:1-6; 12 (NAB)

Repentance always touches the heart of God, and he embraces us with tender forgiveness. The Blessed Mother not only calls us personally to repentance today, but asks us to pray and fast for the many souls who are hardened in sin. In fact, throughout her many messages this is a major theme. In engaging in this ministry of prayer for the conversion of sinners, we are going that extra mile in living Our Lady's messages.

Application:

Today offer the Sorrowful Mysteries for the conversion of sinners, and perhaps your fasting or other sacrifice on Friday.

Father Melvin Doucette Messages

Today's Message

March 14, 2008

“I am dying now for you”

Reading: Luke 24:33-49

Dear friends,

“From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Matthew 16:21

My morning prayer was spent with Jesus, our Suffering Savior, as He hung upon the cross for our salvation. He spoke to me from the cross: “Melvin, My brother, come close to Me in My terrible pain as I hang here on the cross to die. I lost much blood from the scourging, the crown of thorns and now from the holes in My hands and My feet caused by the nails. Come close to the cross, My brothers and sisters, so that My blood can drip upon you and wash you clean from all your sins.

I freely accepted to suffer and to die for you so that you would be members of My Kingdom and of My Church. Through My suffering and death, I paid the price for all your sins and I opened heaven for you. You simply have to believe in Me, be an active member of My Church and repent of all your sins, and you will be with Me one day in heaven. Remember I offered Myself in sacrifice to the Father because I love you and I want the salvation of every person on earth. I am calling you from the cross; do not delay to turn around and come follow Me.

I call you all to contemplate Me today as I hang upon the cross. I have a word for all of you if you take time with Me in prayer. As your Saviour, I want to be united to all of you because I want to live in you. Let My presence grow in your heart every day through your love, your prayer, your good actions and your repentance. My life on earth is now coming to an end. I have accomplished what I came to do. Now a new era begins. Take an active part in this new world that is shaping up where I will be in the center. I am dying now for you for I love you.”

Father Melvin

P.S. I am now ready for the weekend retreat starting this evening at Tignish Heritage Inn. We expect a good group for this three-day retreat. We will end in the little shrine (prayer room) of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island on Sunday afternoon where I will give the last talk. I will be praying for all of you during these days, especially at Holy Mass. Please remember us in your prayers. There will be no message until Monday.

Posted by realm/blackcatholics at 11:40 AM PDT
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