THREE WORDS OF WISDOM

A NEW NAME

Photo: R. Massaro (c)2017 St. Charles Borromeo Church Parm, Ohio

Let him who has ears heed the Spirit's word to the churches! To the victor I will give the hidden manna; I will also give him a white stone upon which is inscribed a new name, to be known only by him who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

Do you find this scripture passage intriguing?  I've often wondered if we will be called by a new name in heaven?  There are a few passages from the Bible that one can turn to for meditation on this subject.

At the Annunciation, it seems that Our Lady, Mary, is given a new name, for the angel Gabriel refers to her as "full of grace."
(Luke 1:28) He doesn't call her by her earthly name. Then, when Mary visits Elizabeth she exclaims in her joyful "Magnifcat" that God has another name destined for her: Blessed! She tells us directly, through the Holy Spirit, that all generations will call her blessed. (Luke 1:48) And, in fact, the entire Church refers to her as the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel also announces the name of her Son: Jesus!

Before the Visitation, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and proclaimed a name for his son...John. Zechariah finally consents to God's will, and breaking family tradition, names the child, John.

It seems that names are very important to God.

Another person, who was given a new name is Peter.  Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter, which means rock.

I for my part declare to you, you are Rock, and on this rock I will build my church... (Matthew 16:18).

An in-turn, Peter calls the Lord by another name: Messiah!

You are the Messiah...the Son of the living God! (Matthew 16:15)

In religious life, monks and nuns are given a new name and a religious title when they are clothed in the habit. We, as Secular Carmelites take a religious title when we make our promises. My religious title is Rosemarie of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, I also have a second title that one can request during great celebrations of the Order. During the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila, which the order celebrated last year, I requested an additional title: Rosemarie of Jesus the Living Water. These titles are only used for devotional purposes, in community on occasions, and when communicating officially with the Carmelite Order.

As Catholics, we receive a new name when we are confirmed. We choose a saint that we can identify with or a saint that we would like to emulate. 

At the time of their ordination, priests can choose a devotional name as well. This is an option for them, it is not required.

Names, names, and more names.  The Church has many names and titles for Jesus and Mary. Perhaps you are familiar with the Litany of Loreto. This litany is full of beautiful names and titles for Our Lady:

V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ have mercy.
V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.
R. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us. 
Holy Mother of God, pray for us. 
Holy Virgin of Virgins, [etc.]
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace,
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord. 
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord. 
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be freed from present sorrow, and rejoice in eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.


Spouses sometimes refer to each other with "pet names." Perhaps you call each other 'Honey' or 'Sweetheart.'  Terms of endearment that mean something special to the couple. It is an intimate sharing between those who love each other. In the intimate encounters of prayer, St. Teresa of Avila would tell Our Lord, " I am Teresa of Jesus." And he would lovingly respond, " I am Jesus of Teresa."

Until the mystery of a new name in heaven is revealed to us, let us fulfill our baptismal promises under the name in which we were baptized. Let us ask our confirmation patron saint to help us lead a life of virtue and holiness. And let us seek the help of the Saints to assist us in life and at the hour of our death.

The Litany of the Saints

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Solemn Feast of the

 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the Office of Readings for today's Holy Day:

...Saint Germanus of Constantinople considered that it was in keeping not only with her divine motherhood but also with the unique sanctity of her virginal body that is was incorrupted and carried up to heaven: "In the words of Scripture, you appear in beauty. Your virginal body is entirely holy, entirely chaste, entirely the house of God, so that for this reason also it is henceforth a stranger to decay: a body changed, because a human body, to a preeminent life of incorruptibility, but still a living body, excelling in splendor, a body inviolate and sharing in the perfection of life."

(From the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus by Pope Pius XII)

PRAYER:

Almighty God, you gave a humble virgin the privilege of being

the mother of your Son, and crowned her with the glory of

heaven. May the prayers of the Virgin Mary bring us to the

salvation of Christ and raise us up to eternal life. We ask this

through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and

reign with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Litany of Loreto

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie,ocds

___________________________

Saturday of Our Lady

Litany of Loreto

Today's Title:

Mother of our Savior

(A Thank you to Fr. Kaylor, pastor of St. Therese parish, Brewster, Ohio for greeting me after mass and allowing me time afterward to take photos. The stained glass window and statue of St. Therese are from his church).

Let us consider that the entire Church is on retreat during this holy season of Lent. And the theme of this retreat is the life, passion, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Even for those members of the Body of Christ who are not inclined to focus their minds and hearts on the spiritual, the Church in a gentle way, during Lent, forces all of its members to reflect on the Passion of Christ. A subject not for the faint of heart.

It takes courage to look at the Cross, to embrace it, to lift it and carry it and hold it high and proclaim it to the world in our daily life. It also takes courage to carry our cross with great joy.
I recently heard someone say, "Lent is too long!" Is it too long because we miss our worldly attachments? Is it too long, because it hurts? Is it too long because it reminds us of death, and we may not be ready? St. John of the Cross would tell us it hurts because we are still attached to our senses-living for the body and not living in the Spirit.

For the Secular Carmelite, Lent becomes a season of joy. Of course, it is solemn and penitential, but we know that we must take up our cross, as we have promised to do, and follow the crucified and risen Lord-follow him to Calvary--follow him to the joy of the Resurrected life!


St. Therese is a Saint that we can count on to help us find the joy amid the cross. She, the one who promised to strew her flowers amid thorns, and promising that the longer and sharper the thorns, the sweeter would she sing.

St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) said she would run a hundred miles from a sour-faced saint. She only said in a different way what the Gospel tells us each Lent, "wash your face and groom your hair..." Do not be like the hypocrites..." In other words, go about your business of praying and fasting, and why not do it with joy?

Our Lady sang the Magnificat in the company of Elizabeth. Her song of praise was not a one-time event. The Church asks us to remember her great joy every day as we complete Evening Prayer and sing the Magnificat. As I have written before, sometime when you think of it, stand before a crucifix and sing the Magnificat. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior....". God my Savior...

Our Lady, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us. May the world see that we are Christians by our love and by our joy!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Saturday of Our Lady

Litany of Loreto

Today's Title: Mother of Christ

From the Catechism-#963

Since the Virgin Mary's role in the mystery of Christ and the Spirit has been treated, it is fitting now to consider her place in the mystery of the Church. " The Virgin Mary...is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer...She is clearly the mother of the members of Christ'...since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head. Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS

Saturday-Our Lady's Little Feast Day

The Litany of Loreto

Today's Title:

MOTHER MOST PURE

Her eyes were the first to gaze on God, her hands the first to touch his sacred body. Only purity itself could win this privilege.

Icon of Our Lady-St. Michael's Byzantine Church, Akron, Ohio

Source: Symbolic Meditations on the Litany of Our Lady by Most Rev. Richard Ackerman

Mother, most pure, pray for us.

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS