Eucharistic Adoration with two Popes

53. If we wish to rediscover in all its richness the profound relationship between the Church and the Eucharist, we cannot neglect Mary, Mother and model of the Church. In my Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, I pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary as our teacher in contemplating Christ's face, and among the mysteries of light I included the institution of the Eucharist.102 Mary can guide us toward this most holy sacrament, because she herself has a profound relationship with it.

At first glance, the Gospel is silent on this subject. The account of the institution of the Eucharist on the night of Holy Thursday makes no mention of Mary. Yet we know that she was present among the Apostles who prayed "with one accord" (cf. Acts 1:14) in the first community which gathered after the Ascension in expectation of Pentecost. Certainly Mary must have been present at the Eucharistic celebrations of the first generation of Christians, who were devoted to "the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42).

But in addition to her sharing in the Eucharistic banquet, an indirect picture of Mary's relationship with the Eucharist can be had, beginning with her interior disposition. Mary is a "woman of the Eucharist" in her whole life. The Church, which looks to Mary as a model, is also called to imitate her in her relationship with this most holy mystery.

ENCYCLICAL LETTER, ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA, John Paul II, April, 17, 2003

Lenten Reflection 4: Lord, Give Me This Water. . .

United We Stand In Our Faith!

What kind of government would even think of stripping the clergy of their administative duties? What threat does the Catholic clergy pose to the government? Why on earth would the government even consider wasting tax dollars on such an evil attack against a person's right to practice their faith? Who would do such a thing? It is an out right attack by satan! We need to be united in our faith...If it happens in Connecticut, what makes us think that it couldn't happen in our own state? Dear God, help us be truly united as Catholic Christians! Why can our Catholic doctors have their consciences violated and raped, but the actual murders and promoters of abortions get elevated in our govenment?
Our Lady of America, The Immaculate Conception, Jesus The King, Pray for us and have Mercy on us!
Connecticut’s Raised Bill No. 1098 – an unbelievable and disturbing piece of legislation that would take away bishops’ and pastors’ civil authority to govern their flocks.
Denver’s Archbishop Chaput reminded his archdiocese what happens with this particular bill could set a precedent for similar bills in other states – the entire country is already seeing the consequences of President Obama’s executive order yesterday to allow federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Our dear priests', bishhops' and fellow Catholics, in the words of JPII, "Be Not Afraid!"


WE MUST BE UNITED! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Lenten Meditation

St. Catherine of Siena

Merit consists in the virtue of love alone, flavored with the light of true discretion, without which the soul is worth nothing.


Love. That is all. That is the Cross. If we do anything without love, does it have any true merit or meaning? Look at the crucifix...is not that love? Will our soul develope if it is depraved of love? Your soul should cry out for the Love of Christ. That which God infused in us at conception should truly thirst, seek and find the spring in which we can drink for all eternity.
I am all Thine!

Lenten Reflection 3: Tabor and Golgotha

Beautiful explaination when we are in our darkness.

Jesus, my Lord

As we are gearing up for our First full week of Lent, let me share with you what we experienced today. My dear friend Lois told me that the doctors found a third tumor in her brain. She has stage four brain cancer. She begins her chemo and radiation treatment Thursday. We gave her family our statue of Our Lady. Daniel helped carry the statue to their car. We also took our neighbor, Dorothy, out for coffee. She had knee surgery and has been homebound. My husband went to our cathedral church to present our nephew, Keith, to the bishop in the Rite of Election. Keith is coming into the Church this Easter. My brother in law who has been away from the Church was discussing with us the possibilty of coming back home!!! Jesus is stirring hearts.
Lent is our trial. Easter is our hope! May we all meet Jesus during this Lenten season and unite with Him at the cross on Good Friday, to rejoice with Him at Easter.
I am all Thine!

St. Therese, my morning meditation

I realize this is lengthy, but this is an awesome poem written by one of my favorite saints. I love the big three Therese's, Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. What spiritual powerhouses. I was looking something to read this morning before Mass and I came across this. It is so beautiful. The bolded section is what my meditation will be for the day. When I hear and read what is going on in the country I get so overwhelmed. I need to focus on the Lord. I need to just leave everything in His heart. I am all Thine!...Thus the name of my blog.

ABANDONMENT
"Abandonment is the delicious fruit of love."

St. Augustine

I saw upon this earth

A marvelous tree arise;

Its vigorous root had birth,

O wonder! in the skies.

Never, beneath its shade,

Can aught disturb or wound;

There tempests are allayed,

There perfect rest is found

And love men call this tree,

From heaven's high portals sent;

Its fruit, how fair to see!

Is named abandonment.

What banquet here doth greet

Each reverent, hungry guest!

How, by its odors sweet,

The spirit is refreshed!

If we its fruit but touch,

Joy seems on us to pour.

Oh, taste, for never such

A feast was yours before.

In this tumultuous world

It brings us perfect peace;

Though storms be round us hurled,

Its quiet shall not cease.

Abandonment gives rest

In Thee, O Jesus Christ!Here is the food most blest

That has Thy saints sufficed.

Spouse of my soul, draw nigher!

I give my all to Thee.

What more can I desire

Than Thy sweet Face to see?

Naught can I do but smile,

Safe folded to Thy breast.

They who have known no guile

Find there most perfect rest.

As looks the floweret small

Up to the glorious sun,

So I, though least of all,

Seek my Beloved One.

King Whom I love the most!

The star I always see

Is Thy White Sacred Host,

Little and low like me;

And its celestial power,

Down from Thy altar sent,

Wakes in my heart that flower,

Perfect abandonment.

All creatures here below,

At times, they weary me;

And willingly I go,

With God alone to be.

And if, sometimes, dear Lord,

Of me Thou weariest,

I wait upon Thy word;

Thy holy will is best.

Smiling, I wait in peace,

Till Thou return to me;

And never shall they cease,

My songs of love for Thee.

All pain I now despise,

Naught can disquiet me;

Swifter than eagle flies,

My spirit flies to Thee.

Beyond the gloomy cloud,

Ever the skies are fair,

And angels sing aloud,

And God is reigning there.

And yet without a tear

I wait that bliss above,

Who in the Host have here

The perfect fruit of love.

May, 1897