Stained-Glass Flowers: Little Accounts of the Miraculous

Photo: R. Massaro

From the Life of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila):

Once, while I was holding the cross in my hand, for I had it on a rosary, He took it from me with His own hands; when He gave it back to me, it was made of four large stones incomparably more precious than diamonds--there is no appropriate comparison for supernatural things. A diamond seems to be something counterfeit and imperfect when compared with precious stones that are seen there. The representation of the five wounds was of very delicate workmanship. He told me that from then on I would see the cross in that way; and so it happened, for I didn't see the wood from which it was made but these stones. No one, however, saw this except me.

Photo: R. Massaro Our Lady of Lourdes
Lourdes, France

When I began to try to obey the command to reject and resist these favors, there was a much greater increase in them. In seeking to distract myself, I never got free from prayer. It even seemed to me that I was in prayer while sleeping. There was an increase of love and of the loving complaints I was addressing to the Lord; the pain became unbearable, nor was it in my power to stop thinking of Him no matter how much I tried and even though I wanted to...
The Book of Her Life Chap. 29, No. 7


Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

STAINED-GLASS FLOWERS-LITTLE ACCOUNTS OF THE MIRACULOUS

For the last five years of Teresa de Jesus' life (1577-82), Ann of St. Bartholomew served in the capacity of confidante, secretary, and inseparable companion. She is commonly referred to as Saint Teresa's nurse. One of the the three miracles used to prove Teresa of Avila's qualification for sainthood was Ann of St. Bartholomew's apparently instantaneous acquisition of the ability to write.  In her testimony supporting Teresa's beatification, Ann states that the impetus to write arose from Teresa's voluminous correspondence and need for a secretary: "If you knew how to write , you would help me answer these letters." Ann was anxious to please, but she insisted that she could learn only from Teresa's handwriting. After she refused to imitate a sample of an unknown nun's beautiful handwriting, St. Teresa gave her two lines in her own handwriting, and Ann learned to write that same afternoon.

Blessed Anne

As Ann of St. Bartholomew spoke, so she wrote. While Teresa de Jesus employed popular speech in her writing by choice and for a variety of purposes, including protection from accusations of meddling in theology and a desire to reach wide audiences, Ann of St. Bartholomew knew no other form of expression. Her writings exemplify the speech of peasant women of Castile...
Excerpt from Untold sisters: Hispanic Nuns in Their Own Works, Electa Arenal and Stacey Schlau, Trans. Amanda Powell. (Reprinted in the Carmel Clarion Volume XXI No. 5)

After the death of St. Teresa, Blessed Ann played an important role in the advancement of Carmel throughout Europe. She was humble and bore her sufferings patiently. She was known for her deep spiritual mysticism and her strict adherence to St. Teresa's teaching on obedience. A steadfast obedience to her superiors that led to conflicts with other nuns. These conflicts caused her deep personal suffering. Throughout her life, like St. Teresa, she remained a true daughter of the Church. Her feast day is June 7.

From the writings of Bl. Anne:

According to St. Bernard it is the person who keeps silent and says nothing when things go wrong who is really humble. It is very virtuous, he says, to keep silent when people are talking about our true faults; but more perfect when we are slighted or accused without having committed any fault or sin.

Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew, pray for us.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, ocds

Stained Glass Flowers-Reflections on the Rule of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

From the Constitutions
Community Life
#8

Every Secular Carmelite will strive to place the good of the community and fraternal charity above self-interest and will give the community meeting primacy of place in the ordering of his/her schedule. The desire and ability to attend community meetings are signs of an authentic vocation.


When people begin formation as a Secular Carmelite, we stress the fact that meetings are mandatory. It's a good sign if the candidate is eager and willing to attend meetings, begin formation, and make an effort to get to know the community. It's an even greater blessing when new people begin right away to volunteer to help with community functions.  These are all healthy signs of a person who may have a vocation as a Secular Carmelite.

Problems arise for communities when members (usually the same people) continually asked to be excused from meetings for one reason or another. Of course, sometimes these requests are important if it may cause a problem within their family. It takes wisdom to know how to be faithful to one's commitment as a Secular Carmelite and how to be faithful to one's obligations to family.

I usually instruct people of the importance of community meetings, because they are preparing to make a promise, in effect, a spiritual marriage to the Order of Carmel and to the local community. They are going to promise to be faithful to their obligations, and one very important obligation is to be present at the monthly meeting to be formed as a Carmelite and to deepen their friendship with their brothers and sisters in the community.

A person is instructed that the community meeting takes precedence over any other parish activity they may be involved in, unless one is a priest, deacon or religious.  So, the community meeting takes place above choir practice, the soup kitchen, yes, even the prayer group one may belong to. We do not make promises to the choir, the prayer group, etc. We make a promise to the community of Carmel.

Some members struggle with this directive. And it takes some time for some people to see the wisdom of community life and to eventually integrate it and place Carmel as a priority in their life. We have to instruct candidates right away that Carmel is not just another prayer group that meets once a month. We are a true member of a religious order within the Catholic Church who are obedient to the Superiors of the Order.

It takes a great commitment to be faithful to the monthly meeting. It takes sacrifice. But the graces outweigh the times we would like to stay home instead of make the effort to attend the meeting.  If we are constantly making excuses for not attending the monthly formation meeting, that would be a point of discernment for one's ongoing formation and acceptance and invitation to make promises. It's also a point of examination of conscience and should be brought to the attention of one's confessor or spiritual director.  If one continually has a problem with attending the monthly meeting, perhaps that is a sign that one does not have a vocation as a Secular Carmelite and God may be leading the soul elsewhere.  It is important to be open and honest with the Director of Formation about any struggles in this area.  The president and council members are to help members in their struggles and to help them discern their call to Carmel.

Let us pray for each other.



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

CARMELITE SAINTS OF THE DAY:

The Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne:
Sign from Heaven

In 1794 sixteen Carmelite nuns were led to the scaffold during the French Revolution and there met their deaths of holy martyrdom. One of the martyrs, Sr. Anne Pelleras had a brother who experienced the following incident:


Later that evening the brother of one of the martyrs, Sr. Anne Pelleras, a notary, returned home. As he entered the dark hall he noticed a light shining on the wall, a light that followed him up the stairway. As he entered the room where his wife awaited him she asked what was the light that surrounded him. He turned round to see a bright globe that faded gradually. The next day, when he heard of the execution of his sister, he realized that she had been permitted to give this sign of her entry into glory.
From the Carmel Clarion, Volume XX, No. 2


Blog of the New York Opera Society about the The Dialogues of the Carmelites



Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

STAINED GLASS FLOWERS-LITTLE ACCOUNTS OF THE MIRACULOUS

Photo:R.Massaro(c)2013SpiritSinging

St. Peter Church N. Ridgeville, Ohio

From the life of St. Therese:

It was "Our Lady of the Smile" who miraculously healed her at the age of ten. She was so sick with a mysterious illness that there was little hope of recovery. In desperation three of her sisters, kneeling before the statue of Mary, pleaded for their sister, when "all of a sudden the Blessed Virgin appeared beautiful to me, so beautiful that never had I seen anything so attractive; her face was suffused with an ineffable benevolence and tenderness, but what penetrated to the very depths of my soul was the 'ravishing smile of the Blessed Virgin."

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE SMILE

Virgin of the Smile-Lisieux, France

HOMILETIC AND PASTORAL REVIEW

OUR LADY-THE EMBODIMENT OF ST. THERESE'S

 "LITTLE WAY"

SANCTUARY OF ST. THERESE-LISIEUX, FRANCE

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous



Photo: R. Massaro St. Teresa of Avila Church Sheffield Lake, Ohio

 From the life of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila):

While at the Incarnation in the second year that I was prioress, on the octave of the feast of St. Martin, when I was receiving Communion, Father John of the Cross who was giving me the Blessed Sacrament broke the host to provide for another Sister. I thought there was no lack of hosts but that he wanted to mortify me...His Majesty said to me: "Don't fear, daughter, for no one will be a party to separating you from Me." making me thereby understand that what just happened didn't matter. Then He appeared to me in an imaginative vision, as at other times, very interiorly, and He gave me His right hand and said: "Behold this nail; it is a sign you will be My bride from today on. Until now you have not merited this; from now on not only will you look after My honor as being the honor of your Creator, King, and God, but you will look after it as My true bride. My honor is yours, and yours Mine." This favor produced such an effect in me I couldn't contain myself, and I remained as though entranced...Throughout the whole day I remained thus very absorbed. Afterward I felt great pain, and greater confusion and affliction at seeing I don't render any service in exchange for such amazing favors.
Spiritual Testimonies, No. 31

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

FROM THE LIFE OF ST. TERESA OF JESUS (AVILA)



On the eve of the feast of St. Sebastian, the first year in which I was prioress at the Incarnation, at the beginning of the Salve Regina, I saw the Mother of God descend with a great multitude of angels and sit in the prioress's choir stall where there was a statue of our Lady. In my opinion I didn't then see the statue but our Lady herself. It seemed to me she looked something like she does in the painting the countess gave me; although the power to discern this was quickly taken away, for my faculties were soon held in great suspension. It seemed to me there were angels above the canopies of the stalls in the back and above the front stalls; although they were not in corporeal form, for this was an intellectual vision.

She remained for the whole of the Salve, and she told me; "You were indeed right in placing me here; I shall be present in the praises they give my Son, and I shall offer these praises to Him."

After this I remained in the kind of prayer I now have, that of keeping my soul present with the Blessed Trinity. And it seemed to me that the Person of the Father drew me to Himself and spoke very pleasant words. Among them, while showing me what He wanted, He told me: "I gave you My Son, and the Holy Spirit, and this Blessed Virgin.  What can you give Me?"
The Spiritual Testimonies, No. 21

Note:  The statue St. Teresa placed in the stall was an image of  Our Lady of Clemency. This statue held the keys to the monastery in its hands.









Prayer Vigil with Priests on the eve of Solemnity of the Most Holy Heart of Jesus
Saint Peter's Square, 10 June 2010.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the Life of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila):

This Father began to lead me to greater perfection...He told me to commend the matter to God for some days and to recite the hymn Veni Creator so that God might give me light about the better course of action. One day, having spent a long time in prayer and begging the Lord to help me please him in all things, I began the hymn; while saying it, a rapture came upon me so suddenly that it


(Photo: R. Massaro)

 almost carried me out of myself. It was something I could not doubt, because it was very obvious. It was the first time the Lord granted me this favor of rapture. I heard these words: "No longer do I want you to converse with men but with angels." This experience terrified me because the movement of the soul was so powerful and these words were spoken to me deep within the spirit; so it frightened me--although on the other hand I felt great consolation when the fear that, I think, was caused by the novelty of the experience left me.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila):

On Palm Sunday after Communion, my faculties remained in such deep suspension that I couldn’t even swallow the host;and, holding it in my mouth, after I returned a little to myself, it truly seemed to me that my entire mouth was filled with blood. I felt that my face and all the rest of me was also covered with this blood,as though the Lord had just then finished shedding it. It seemed to me warm, and the sweetness I then experienced was extraordinary. The Lord said to me: “Daughter, I want my blood to be beneficial to you, and don’t be afraid that My mercy will fail you. I shed it with many sufferings, and you enjoy it with the great delight you are aware of; I repay you well for the banquet you prepare me this day.”

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) speaking from experience
about the Indwelling of the Holy Trinity.
From the Interior Castle, the Seventh Mansion:

By some mysterious manifestation of the truth, the three Persons of the most Blessed Trinity reveal themselves, preceded by an illumination which shines on the spirit like a most dazzling cloud of light.*
The three Persons are distinct from one another; a sublime knowledge is infused into the soul, imbuing it with a certainty of the truth that the Three are of one substance, power, and knowledge and are one God. Thus that which we hold as a doctrine of faith, the soul now, so to speak, understands by sight, though it beholds the Blessed Trinity neither by the eys of the body nor of the soul, this being no imaginary vision. All the Three Persons here communicate Themselves to the soul, speak to it and make it understand the words of our Lord in the Gospel that He and the Father and the Holy Ghost will come and make their abode with the soul which loves Him and keeps His commandments.

*  Deposition by Fr. Giles Gonzales, S.J. Provincial of Old Castile, afterwards Assistant-General in Rome: "While the holy Mother lived at the convent of the Incarnation of Avila, I often spoke with her, and once I remember she asked me: "What am I to do, Father? Whenever I recollect myself I realize that already in this life the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity may be seen, and that They accompany me and assist me in the management of my affairs."

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila):


Before entering the new monastery, while in prayer outside in the church, being almost in rapture, I saw Christ who seemed to be receiving me with great love and placing a crown on my head and thanking me for what I did for His Mother.


Another time while all were at prayer in choir after compline, I saw our Lady in the greatest glory clothed in a white mantle; it seemed she was sheltering us all under it. I understood how high a degree of glory the Lord would give to those living in this house.


Here are links to wonderful blogs focused on Carmelite spirituality. Enjoy!

Louange de sa gloire

Mount Carmel

Carmelite Sisters Blog

Fountain of Elias

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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STAINED GLASS FLOWERS-LITTLE ACCOUNTS OF THE MIRACULOUS

Once while I was reciting with all the Sisters the hours of the Divine Office, my soul suddenly became recollected; and it seemed to me to be like a brightly polished mirror, without any part on the back or sides or top or bottom that wasn't totally the way I usually see Him. In its center Christ, our Lord, was shown to me, in the way I usually see him. It seemed to me I saw Him clearly in every part of my soul, as though in a mirror. And this mirror also--I don't know how to explain it--was completely engraved upon the Lord Himself by means of a very loving communication I wouldn't know how to describe. I know that this vision is very beneficial to me each time I remember it, especially after receiving Communion.
St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) from the Book of her Life

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart:

One of the Saint's companion-novices, Sr. Theresa Maria of the Immaculate Conception, has been ill and in high fever for months from an internal growth. At the Mother Prioress' request, Friar Joseph  Dominic Ferretti had brought to the monastery an image of Saint Joseph, which as it happens, is still there. The community immediately began a triduum of prayer during which Sr. Theresa Marageret never wearied of urging the sick nun to make acts of faith. On the third day, the Saint assured her that the Patriarch of Mankind would heal her, if only her faith

were great enough, and urged her to anoint herself with oil taken fromt he lamp before the statue. Sr. Theresa Maria followed the suggestion, and found herself cured at once and completely. It was current opinion in the monastery that whenever a sick person was attended by Sr. Theresa Margaret, complete recovery or decided relief, either physical or spiritual, or both was bound to ensure.


Brother Andre' who will be canonized on Oct 17, 2010 also healed people through oil from St. Joseph's lamp. Visit the website of the shrine he started by clicking on the link below.

St. Joseph's Oratory-Montreal, Canada

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein):

...For almost twelve years, Carmel had been my goal; since summer 1921, when the life of our Holy Mother Teresa had happened to fall in my hands and had put an end to my long search for the true faith. At the advice of her spiritual advisor and with the awareness that her mother would not be able to withstand this second blow ( after her baptism into the Catholic faith) Edith had decided to wait patiently.

By the end of April, assured within her heart that the time was right, Edith began to take the first steps in preparation. She asked Archabbot Walzer's permission to seek admission to the Carmelite Order, which he granted  in mid-May of 1933.

Edith was admitted to the Cologne Carmel on the vigil of St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) on October 14, 1933.

Excerpt from Edith Stein, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross by Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda

The biography of St. Teresa from the Vatican

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the Story of a Soul
By St. Therese of the Child Jesus

The time came for me to take the habit...Have I told you, Mother, of how much I love snow?  Its whiteness fascinated me even when I was a tiny child...So, on the day I received the habit, I longed to see the world dressed in white like me. But on the day before it was as mild as spring and I gave up all hope of snow...As I stepped back into the enclosure the first thing I saw was the statue of the Child Jesus smiling at me from the midst of flowers and light of candles. Then, turning towards the quadrangle, I saw it was completeely covered with snow! How considerate of Jesus! He sent the snow to satisfy the longing of His little bride.  Could any man, however powerful, make a single snowflake fall to please his beloved? Everyone was astonished at the snow and thought it most remarkable because of the warm weather. Since then, many who knew how I'd longed for it, have spoken of the "little miracle" of my Clothing Day, though they thought my love of snow was peculiar.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes
Feast Day: July 13

In November 1919, at the estate of Huape at Cunaco, the Redemptorist Fathers held a mission for the people who lived there. One afternoon a Redemptorist by the name of Father Felix Henle entered the chapel during siesta. He found young Juanita, she was 18 years old at the time, in an ecstasy. She was elevated about 30 centimeters from the ground, without any support. Her gaze was fixed on the tabernacle. Confronted with this scene,Father Henle retired in silence. He was deeply moved but was unable to determine how long this phenomenon of ecstasy or levitation had been going on.

Beautiful website about St. Teresa of the Andes

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes:

It seemed that from the time Juanita was young she had the presentiment or a certain interior illumination that she would die early in life. Her choice of Carmel was reinforced by the desire to find a particularly suitable environment wherein she could attain holiness as rapidly as possible. One day she pressed Father Blanch to tell her where she could be sanctified more quickly, because "Our Lord had made me understand that I would live only a short while."

In March of 1920, when Lent had already begun, Sister Teresa told her confessor-Father Avertano, a Discalced Carmelite--that she would die within a month. She asked that he authorize her to intensify her penance for the sins of mankind.

On Good Friday of the same year, she was discovered to have a high fever from Typhus.

On April 5 she requested the Sacraments of the sick.

On April 7 she was granted permission to make her religious profession.

On Monday April 12, 1920 she died very sweetly, at seven fifteen at night.

She was canonized on March 21, 1993 by Pope John Paul II

St. Teresa of Jesus of the  Andes Official Website

Saints-SQPN.com-Read more about the Saint

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie

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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

Photo: R. Massaro St. Patrick Church Kent, Ohio

From an account by Mother Mary Carmela, Prioress of the Carmel of Gallipoli:

On the night of the 16th of January, 1910, I was in great suffering, and was also worried about certain grave difficulties. Three o'clock had struck, and, almost worn out, I raised myself somewhat in the bed  in order to breathe more easily, then I fell asleep, and in a dream, it would seem to me, I felt a hand touch me, draw the bedclothes about my face, and cover me up tenderly. I though one of the sisters had come to perform this act of charity.

Mother Mary Carmela, gently protested...but a sweet voice she had never heard before replied,
"No, it is a good act that I am doing. Listen! The Good God makes use of the inhabitants of Heaven, as well as those on earth, in order to assist his servants. Here are 500 francs  with which you will pay the debt of your community. " Taking them from her hand, I answered that the debt only amounted to 300 francs. "Well," she replied, "the rest will be over and above. But as you may not keep the money in your cell, come with me."

Suddenly I found myself outside my cell, in the company of a young Carmelite nun, whose veil and robe shone with a brightness from Paradise...She led me downstairs to the turn room or the palour, and made me open a wooden box wherein was enclosed the bill which had to be paid. There she deposited the 500 francs. I looked at her lovingly,  and threw myself at her feet crying out: "O my holy Mother!"  But she raised me up and caressing me affectionately, replied:"No, I am not our holy Mother St Teresa of Jesus. I am the servant of God, Soeur Therese of Lisieux...Then the angelic sister, putting her hand on my veil as if to adjust it, gave me a sisterly embrace and slowly withdrew. "Wait," I called to her "you might mistake your way." "No, No, she answered with a heavenly smile, "My way is sure, and I am not mistaken in following it."

The next morning the sisters examined the box and found the miraculous sum of 500 francs.
Excerpt from a Carmelite Pamphet

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. John of the Cross:

He had the opportunity, from a daily reprieve from his cell,to familiarize himself  with the monastery surroundings. Then, one hot night in August, after being held prisoner for nine months,emaciated and close to death, John chose life and undertook a dangerous escape he had plotted during the short periods out of his cell. ...There was a lock on the prison door. He solved that problem by loosening the screws of the lock while his jailer was absent...this enabled him to leave his prison and find his way in the dark  to the window. By means of a kind of rope made out of strips torn from two old bed covers and attached to a lamp hook, he escaped through the window onto the top of the wall. He landed inside the courtyard of the Franciscan nuns of the Conception monastery that was adjacent to that of the Carmelites. Fortunatley, in one corner of the nuns' garden he found that the stones in the wall could be used as steps, allowing him to climb over the wall to the city street and to his freedom. After his escape he found refuge with St. Teresa's nuns in Toledo.
An excerpt from the Collected Works of St. John of the Cross translated by Kieran Kavanugh, O.C.D.

Click here to learn more about St. John of the Cross







Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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Stained Glass Flowers-Little Accounts of the Miraculous

From the life of St. Theresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart
Carmelite Saint-Feast Day: September 1

On Sunday after Pentecost, 1767, when she had heard read Saint John's words, "God is love," in choir as part of the chapter of tierce, she was seized by so violent and vivid an onrush of love for God that, for a short time, she fell into a sort of trance. Thereafter, she enjoyed one of St. Teresa's own privileges, for she kept within her heart a trace of that Divine Flame or, rather, a secret wound from it which, day by day, and little by little, consumed her and drew her slowly to her death. Furthermore, after that event she remained for several days thoughtful and withdrawn in mind from the community, frequently repeating the words "God is love": the nuns concluded, from observation, that every time she said these words she experienced within her soul a flaming-up of overwhelming love for God.

Learn more about the mystical phenomenon of the Transverberation of the Heart




Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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