Rosemarie
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Seven Mansions-A Meditation Series on the Interior Castle
The Fifth Dwelling Place
We discussed previously that the Fourth Dwelling Place is a period of transition, because the soul is being led from meditation to contemplation. The Fifth Dwelling Place can be described in a word: preparation. We may ask, "preparation for what?" Preparation to receive wonderful gifts from the Beloved!
The fifth mansion is an important period for the soul as well, because God is preparing her for the gift of Spiritual Betrothal in the Sixth Mansion and Spiritual Marriage in the Seventh Mansion.
St. Teresa teaches us that this dwelling place is a meeting-of-sorts between the soul and the Beloved.
The practice of the virtues will lead us into the depths of the
fifth dwelling place.
An important test, according to St. Teresa, to tell if one is experiencing true union in prayer is this: If we are giving little, there is doubt that we are experiencing true union. We must give all in order to receive this gift. No shortcuts!
The prayer of union usually lasts a short period of time, perhaps a half-hour. The person experiences captivation and suspension of the faculties. The hands and feet may not stir at all during prayer. The person appears not to be breathing. St. Teresa describes this soul as one dead to this world.
Signs to discern if the union is from God:
*The soul experiences great confidence that it was in God and God was in it (very important sign!)
*There are no doubts or hesitation about the experience
*Cannot be produced by human effort
*The experience is sealed on the memory. Many years may pass, but the soul cannot forget the experience and knows for certain that it experienced union with God.
Effects of the soul in union with God:
*Desire to suffer great trials
*Desire for penance-has the strength to carry them out
*Desire for solitude
*Desire that all may know and love God
*Experiences great pain when God is offended
Other effects of this union:
*Attachments to relatives, friends or wealth disappear
*Things of the world weary the soul
*The soul cannot find rest in anything but God--yet experiences deep peace.
Ways that Satan tries to prevent the Spiritual Betrothal:
*The soul grows slack through "little things"-"shortcuts"
*He darkens the intellect little by little
*The will becomes weak
*Self-love grows
*We begin to follow our own will and not God's will
St. Teresa's Admonition to the soul in this dwelling place:
*Strive always to advance-especially in charity
*Be very fearful if we are not advancing
*Love is never idle
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday in the Year for Priests
(anointing with holy chrism)
...Another time, I brought to Ars one of my nephews who had been suffering from a very serious cancerous infection for six years, Monsieur le cure greeted him and said: 'My friend, let us quickly heal the soul; then you will go to Lyons to be operated on. St. Philomena will guide the operation and everything will turn out for the best. You will certainly be cured. Dr. Bariller, the surgeon at the Hotel-Dieu, performed the operation. Two weeks later, the patient...was attending to his affairs with the greatest energy. He is now enjoying perfect health.
From the Remarkable Cure of Ars, by Michele de Saint Pierre
A holy Redemptorist priest
Miracle of healing attributed to
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saturday of Our Lady
Prayer to the Sorrowful Mother
for the Church and the Holy Father
Most Holy Virgin and Mother, your soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the passion of your divine Son, and in His Glorious Resurrection, you were filled with unending joy in His triumph! Obtain for us who call upon you, to be such partakers in the adversities of holy Church and in the sorrow of the Sovereign Pontiff as to be found worthy to rejoice with them in the consolations for which we pray, in the charity and peace of the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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Friday, March 5, 2010
Catechism Quote
Catechism #1030
All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of the eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
Rosemarie
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tabernacle of the Week
Prince of Peace
Norton, Ohio
In this "Year for Priests"
please pray for the pastor
Rev. Robert Jackson
Prayer to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
O Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church, salvation of the whole world, pray for us, and awaken in all believers a lively devotion toward the Most Holy Eucharist, so that they may be made worthy to daily partake of this Holy Sacrament.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Stained Glass Scapulars-Reflections on the Secular Carmelite Rule
Section VI: The Tertiary Habit
1. The large Brown Scapular shall continue to be given as the habit of the Secular Order at the time of admission to Formation.
2. A smaller Brown Scapular may be worn for everyday use if the member so desires.
3. If a Carmelite member wishes to be buried in the full habit of the Order, or with the Scapular worn externally, prior arrangements should be made with the member's family or closest associates.
In our community, we have discussed that it is important for a member to tell family members and one's pastor of his desire to be buried in the full habit or with the large Scapular. Many times we have heard stories of elderly members who are not able to attend meetings, they pass away, and are not even given a Mass of Christian Burial by their families. With this in mind, our community made available to our members, a form they can complete that explains their final wishes. A copy can be given to family, the pastor, and kept in the local community files.
Let us thank Our Lady for her holy habit that we wear. It is a sign of her great love for Carmel and for each of us individually. May we wear it with great devotion and humility.
Here is a beautiful link to the Carmelite Nuns in Iceland. A young woman enters Carmel and receives the habit of Our Lady. Enjoy the beautiful photos.
The Carmel of Iceland
On the sidebar, click on "photo gallery"
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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