The Fruits of the Holy Spirit-Seventh Hymn of Virtue: Faithfulness

The Seventh Hymn of Virtue:

FAITHFULNESS

Faithfulness or fidelity is the perfect virtue of Justice. This fruit gives us the grace to give to everyone what is due him. For instance, the unborn have the right to life. It is our duty to protect that life. If we are married, our spouse is due fidelity and mutual respect on our part.

As secular Carmelites we are expected to be faithful to our promises. Students are expected to give their teachers the proper attention and respect. These are just a few examples of faithfulness.

To be faithful requires humility and docility of spirit. At times we may not "feel" like giving someone their due, but we must die to ourselves and our ego and let go of always having to have our own way.

Let us think for a moment of how God is faithful to us (keep in mind He owes us nothing). For he is faithful in so many ways!

We could talk forever about God's great mercy. I think another definition of faithfulness would be steadfast love and to me steadfast love is nothing short of mercy.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever!

(Psalm 118)

What a glorious statement: God's mercy endures forever! This gives the sinner great hope and consolation that even though our sins be scarlet, they can be white as snow through the mercy and forgiveness of our Father.

Think of the faithfulness of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Sometimes we get confused thinking that God is like us--thankfully he is not. We know from scripture and from our personal experience with God through the Sacraments that he is slow to anger, abounding in kindness, full of gentleness and compassion. These are attributes of the Father that we see in the portrait of Our Lord as painted in the Sermon on the Mount.

I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.

Think of Jesus' faithfulness in his remaining with us in the Holy Eucharist and in all the Sacraments of the Church.

The Holy Spirit gives us the grace of faithfulness to help each other. It is an act of charity to give others their due. If someone has a legitimate right to something, we have a serious obligation to try and fulfill it. Let's also keep in mind that the fruits of the Spirit are acts of virtue. For it to be a holy act, it must be selfless and pure. Let us pray for each other, that the Holy Spirit create in us clean and pure hearts for service to God and our neighbor.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, ocds

Sunday with the Saints

St. Joachina de Vedruna de Mas

Joachina was born in Barcelona in 1783. She married Theodore de Mas in 1799 and bore him nine children before being widowed in 1816. Then in 1826 she was prompted by God’s Spirit to found the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity, which spread throughout Catalonia, establishing houses for the care of the sick and the education of children, especially the poor. She was greatly drawn to contemplating the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Her spiritual life was marked by prayer, mortification, detachment, humility and love. She died at Vich in 1854.

Holy Joachina De Vedruna´S Chronology Presentation(1)

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Prayer:

Lord God,
you gave St Joachina de Vedruna to your Church
for the Christian education of youth
and the care of the sick.
May we follow her example,
and lovingly devote our lives
to serving you in our brothers and sisters.

Grant this through Christ, our Lord.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Saturday of Our Lady

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

TABERNACLES

St. James Church

Waynesburg, Ohio

Diocese of Youngstown

Website

stjameswaynesburg - free slideshow

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

Carmelite Quote

ST. TERESA OF JESUS OF THE ANDES:

...The other day He talked to me about poverty, telling me that I should try to possess neither my own will or judgment, because for the time being I really can't be poor. Then He told me that I should be attached to nothing. But all this was done wordlessly, because He made me understand all these things interiorly, and also made me realize that I was attached to sensible feelings of fervor. He made me understand that I'd been making divine union consist of a sensitive love, but that I was to imitate His divine perfections, becoming more and more like Him, and suffering greatly for love of Him, being crucified like Him.

I'm telling you everything happening in my soul, Rev. Father, so that you can give me your advice.
(From a letter written to Fr. Julian Cea Riquelme Feb. 27, 1919)






Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds

ON THIS DAY O BEAUTIFUL MOTHER

ON THIS DAY WE GIVE THEE OUR LOVE

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds



Carmelite Saint of the Day

Aloysius Rabata

Born in Erice near Trapani in Sicily about the middle of the fifteenth century. Aloysius joined the Carmelites and became prior of the reformed convent in Randazzo. There he died in 1490 from a head wound, forgiving his attacker and refusing to reveal his identity.

Office of Readings

Second Reading
from the Canonical Process

I knew Brother Aloysius well and often conversed intimately with him when he

was a member of the Carmelite community of St. Michael in the town of

Randazzo, where he was prior. He was a model of all virtues. He lived

frugally on bread and water, and led the life of a real saint and exemplary

religious. He shunned superfluous contacts and gave himself to honest work.

Because of his virtuous life he came to be hated, and was persecuted by his

fellow religious. These vexations and trials he bore with singular patience

and he devoted himself unceasingly to his spiritual patience and he devoted

himself unceasingly to his spiritual growth and to the good of the

community. The austerity of his life showed in his emaciated appearance,

his sunken eyes and his pallid features, through which, nonetheless, his

goodness shone out. To visitors he appeared as a model of all that was

good. One in particular who often came to see him has testified that he

was so profoundly moved by his example and holy conversation as to dissolve

in tears.

Though he was prior, Brother Aloysius shared in every task, even the

humblest, being willing to go from door to door in Randazzo begging bread,

grain or other such gifts to support the community and to help others in

need. While he was on his begging rounds, other poor people would in turn

ask alms from him, knowing they would never by refused.

Once, on Easter Sunday the community had meat for dinner, but he declined

it, preferring his usual bread and water--I was told this by Brother Peter

Cupani, a companion of Aloysius. He also recounted that once when Aloysius

was collecting twigs and branches for firewood in the nearby fields and

roadways, he was wounded in the forehead and suffered for a long time in

consequence. Many people tried to find out from him who had dealt the blow,

but he would never reveal it and always repeated with great patience, 'I

pray that God awill pardon him, and will be glorified by what has happened.'

The street that led to the monastery of St. Michael was dangerous and had a

bad reputation. To put an end to those scandals and shameful deeds, Brother

Aloysius managed to secure a nearby piece of land, thereby opening up a good

wide street. Though others aided in the project, he with his own hands

worked as hard as any. Whenever he needed anything for his monastery, all

were willing to aid him, for they recalled his kindness and hospitality

towards everyone.

After his death his body was enclosed in a casket and placed behind a grille

under the altar of the church. Here many came with great piety and devotion

to pray to him, especially those who were suffering from quartan fever, many

of whom were cured. Quite a number of such cures were reported at the time,

and the reports continue till the present day.


Responsory

R/. Whenever you come to prayer * if you have anything

against anyone you must forgive him, and your Father

in heaven will forgive your failing too (alleluia).

V/. If you do not forgive others, your Father in heaven will

not forgive your failings either. * If you have anything

against anyone you must forgive him, and your Father

in heaven will forgive your failings oo (alleluia).


Prayer

Father,
You distinguished Bl. Aloysius Rabata

with extraordinary charity and patience in bearing injuries.

May we honor his memory by showing love,

as he did, even for our enemies,

and thus merit an eternal reward.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds