Lenten Rosary #3

 

Meditated Rosary

Attending the School of the Cross

 

 “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself.” (Mt. 16:24)

 

First Mystery

Jesus is in agony in the garden of Gethsemane.

Let us ponder this mystery to learn what must change in our lives to conform ourselves to Jesus.

Second Mystery

Jesus is scourged.

In this mystery we enter into the physical suffering of Jesus. Unite your sufferings with His.

 

Third Mystery

Jesus is crowned with thorns.

As we ponder the humiliations that Jesus underwent in loving silence, let us look at the sin of pride in our lives and express our desire to enter His silence, united in love.

 

Fourth Mystery

Jesus carries the Cross to Calvary.

Jesus freely embraced the weight of the Cross. What cross is He inviting us to freely embrace that we resist?

 

Fifth Mystery

Jesus dies on the Cross

Death was the price that Jesus paid for our salvation. Pray for an expanded desire to participate in his redemptive work.

 

Lenten Rosary #3

Lenten Rosary #2

Lenten Rosary #2

“The LORD, your God, shall you fear; Him shall you serve, and by His name shall you swear.”       (Dt 6:1-13)

 

FIRST MYSTERY: JESUS ACCEPTS HIS CALL: “NOT MY WILL FATHER, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE.”

The words of Deuteronomy reach us clearly and strongly, calling us to faith. Nothing is the work of our hands, everything comes from God, we are custodians of a charism that we haven't built, but we have received so that it develops and gives fruit. For this to happen, we must believe: believe in God, in His plan of love, and in our vocation.

 

SECOND MYSTERY: JESUS EMBRACES THE CROSS

We must have faith that is not merely the agreement of reason to what is not explained or understood, but that is love. A total, burning, absolute love.  We are called to believe beyond possibility, through each divestment, in any situation, in the hour of trial, and when we walk in darkness.

 

THIRD MYSTERY: JESUS CARRIES THE CROSS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY

We are called to believe when it seems that every solution is taken from us, that everything we do is destined to perish. We are called to believe firmly that our steps are guided by God and that everything reveals His love, but above all, we are called to believe with love. We may, in fact, believe and not love, be obedient and not love.

 

FOURTH MYSTERY: JESUS STRETCHES OUT HIS ARMS ON THE CROSS

Faith that is based on love stretches naturally toward the will of the Beloved, adheres without delay to the desires of His heart, surrenders to His mysterious ways of redemption, acknowledges suffering as a call of election, rejoices in what is essential: belonging to the One Who is Love and Who makes the one who abandons herself to Him capable of Holiness.

 

FIFTH MYSTERY: JESUS PROCLAIMS FROM THE CROSS, “YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE”

This dimension of faith, as an exclusive relationship with God, is the prerogative of every human creature that acknowledges herself as a daughter of the Father and a sister of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. It does not belong only to those who are consecrated, but also makes the conjugal dimension fruitful. In the gift of Baptism we become “lovers” of the one God.

 

 

Taken from the Lenten Letter of Loredana Reitano, General Moderator

Lenten Rosary #2

Lenten Rosary 2011 - Loredano Reitano

Lenten Rosary

Yes, Love is not loved; Jesus is not loved!

 

First Mystery:

Above all – how terrible! -- is the feeling of the absence of God. The emptiness creates anxiety, panic, psychological fragility, sham tenderness, a human inability to form relationships, and, slowly, the prevalence of evil in all its most deceitful and cruel forms.

Love is not loved; Jesus is not loved!

 

Second Mystery:

Man can no longer view himself with serenity because he is no longer in a position to see himself clearly, but glimpses a deformed, despoiled, distorted image. We are reduced to caricatures of ourselves!

Love is not loved; Jesus is not loved!

 

Third Mystery:

When we look at the news, at so-called educational programs, cultural and political debates, or entertainment; when we read newspapers, magazines or surf the internet, getting lost in its murky regions, we notice that we are baffled and horrified: everything is more in line with sub-human behavior than with truly human events.

Love is not loved; Jesus is not loved!

 

Fourth Mystery:

St. Francis' tears, his cry of pain, the tears of so many saints, the cry of the Son of God on the cross: “Sitio,” “I thirst,” give us precious direction and fill the emptiness to the brim, giving it meaning.  The lives of the Saints are like morning dew spread over the desert of the world; their love, which is more potent in Heaven, is the rain that purifies humanity from evil; the love of Jesus on the cross is the blood that brings the life of the resurrection to every piece of our poor and injured history.

Love is not loved; Jesus is not loved!

 

Fifth Mystery:

In His face, disfigured by the sin of the world, we find beautiful and divine traits present even in our own faces, because He maternally continues to generate us in the womb of the Trinity and sets us like a seal on His most precious body.

Love is not loved; Jesus is not loved!

 

Lenten Rosary 2011 - Loredano Reitano

Great quote for the day!

"We become saints not by thinking about it, and not (certainly) by writing about it, but simply by doing it. There comes a time when the "how?" question stops and we just do it.

 

If the one we love were at our door knocking to come in, would we wonder how the door lock works, and how we could move our muscles to open it?"

 

Peter Kreeft

 

(Contribution from Cindy Jandrain)

 

Great quote for the day!

Pope Benedict Celebrates Our Lady of Trust!

God Calls Each One by Name, Says Pope

Reflects on Vocation With Roman Seminarians

 

ROME, MARCH 7, 2011 (Zenit.org).- A vocation is above a personal call from

God who knows "each each of us by name," says Benedict XVI.

 

 

The Pope made this reflection Friday afternoon during his visit to the

Major Roman Seminary. In keeping with an annual tradition, the Holy Father

visited on the feast of the seminary's patron, Our Lady of Trust. Presiding

at a celebration of lectio divina, the Pontiff offered a commentary on the

Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, during which he offered to the

seminarians four attitudes that characterize a Christian life: "humility,

meekness, magnanimity, and bearing with each other in love."

 

Humility, Benedict XVI pointed out, is the word that St. Paul used to

described Christ, "who was God and humbled himself, [...] and descended to

the point of making himself a creature, to the point of making himself man,

to the point of obedience on the cross."

 

"So, humility is not just any word, just any modesty, but a Christological

word," he added. "Imitating the God who comes down to me, who is so great

that he becomes my friend, suffers for me, and dies for me. This is a

humility to learn, the humility of God.

 

"It means that we must always see ourselves in the light of God; thus, at

the same time we can know the greatness of being a person loved by God, but

also our littleness, our poverty, and this is the right way to conduct

ourselves, not as masters, but as servants."

 

The Holy Father said that meekness is also a "Christological word," and

"again implies this imitation of Christ."

 

"Because in baptism we are conformed to Christ," he explained, "we must

therefore conform to Christ, find this spirit of being meek, without

violence, of convincing with love and with goodness."

 

Magnanimity, continued the Pope, "means generosity of heart, not to be

minimalists who give what is strictly necessary: Let us give everything we

posses, and we will also grow in magnanimity."

 

"Supporting one another in our own otherness is a daily task," the Holy

Father added, "and especially when we support each other with humility,

learning to truly love."

 

Baptismal vocation

 

Benedict XVI also reflected on "the vocation common to all Christians,

namely, the baptismal vocation: the call to be of Christ and to live in

him, in his body."

 

"The Christian life begins with a call and always remains a response, to

the very end," he explained. "And this is so in the spheres of both belief

and action: Christians respond to their vocation through both faith and

behavior."

 

"God, the Lord, has called each of us," the Pope continued. "He has called

each one by name. God is so great that he has time for each one of us, he

knows me, he knows each of us by name, personally."

 

"It is a personal call for each of us. I think that we must meditate on

this mystery often: God, the Lord, called me, calls me, knows me, awaits my

response as he awaited Mary's response, as he awaited the response of the

Apostles.

 

"God calls me: This fact should make us attentive to God's voice,

attentive to his words, to his call for me, to realize this part of

salvation history for which he has called me."

 

Pope Benedict Celebrates Our Lady of Trust!

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 9 March 5th 2011

Acts 1:12-14  A Lucan Summary and his last mention of Mary 

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.


The final mention of Mary in the Acts of the Apostles finds her in the Cenacle, the upper room where Jesus had celebrated the Last Supper with his Apostles. She returns to the place of the institution of the Eucharist, where Christ gave himself completely in the form of bread and wine. When Jesus was growing up, he saw in Mary his mother, a example of complete self-giving. She was completely and totally given to following the will of the Father. Mary gave herself in humility and in love. Christ too gave himself completely, especially in the Eucharist.


Her example is a model for us. We can continue to grow in holiness by following her way of self-giving, giving ourselves in humility and love. By our nearness to the Eucharist, we grow in holiness and in self-sacrifice.

How have you experienced this growth in holiness through the Eucharist?

(Msgr. Andre Vaccari, Pro Sanctity Priest friend, NY)

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 9 March 5th 2011

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 8 March 4th 2011

DAY EIGHT: John 19:25-28a: Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the foot of the Cross


25 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." 27 then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was completed, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty."

It is hard to know exactly what to say in reference to this passage.  The parents that I know, including my own, feel sympathy for their child when he/she has  a cold or a stomach ache.  It is almost impossible to imagine the complete anguish that Mary must have felt seeing her Son's life slipping away in such a brutal manner.

And even in these last moments of his life Jesus was thinking of us, giving us His mother to take into our home to be a part of our lives.   Even in the depths of her agony I can't imagine Mary being completely without hope.  As I meditate on this scene I hear conversations they must have had in the weeks and months prior to this moment I can see Jesus taking His mothers hands and looking into her eyes and saying "these awful things will happen but it will not be the end, it will lead to a new beginning"

How often do we take Mary into our homes and see her trust and fidelity to the cross as an example for our daily lives?  And how often do we thirst for the souls of others more than for the good things of this earth?

Joan Kash
Pro Sanctity Member    Nebraska 

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 8 March 4th 2011

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 7 March 3rd 2011

John 2:1-12  The Cana Account
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.


3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.


Each day I say a prayer to the Holy Spirit, which includes the petition: “help me in all needs and embarrassment.” As the spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mary was constantly attuned to the Spirit’s inspirations. Would she not then want to appeal to her Son to help the bride and groom in their “needs and embarrassment” when the wine ran out? Still following the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Mary instructed the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them.


True holiness is so simply and beautifully embodied in Mary’s actions at Cana. In conformance to the prompting of the Spirit of God, she expressed her deep love and concern for others – in this case the newly-married couple – and trusted completely in the response of God in the person of Jesus, her Son.

(Rosemary Darmstadt, Pro Sanctity Member-NY)

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 7 March 3rd 2011

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 6, March 2, 2011

Luke 2:41-52    The Boy Jesus in The Temple

41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety."


49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. Luke 2:42 This has become on of my favorite verses in scripture. Jesus, twelve years old! I have spent a lifetime meditating on Jesus as a baby and as an adult. True, there is much to learn in this scripture and I have meditated on Jesus in the Temple many times during my life in a variety of ways. This past year, I was invited to meditate and contemplate on Jesus in the temple for a class I was taking and I couldn’t get over the fact that he was twelve. Twelve-year-old Jesus warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. I am blessed with two sons and I am blessed with all their friends. There are times in my life that I have been surrounded by twelve year old boys and I believe that the heart of a twelve year old boy today isn’t much different than twelve year old Jesus.

It has been my experience with twelve-year-old boys is that they really don’t walk; they jump, run and bounce into each other. Twelve-year-old boys are curious and they seem to be interested in sticks, (to write with, walk with and hit things with) and rocks (keep the interesting ones in your pocket and throw the others like a baseball) and they just don’t see things they find the need to investigate them (bugs, leaves, mud etc.) This is the way I imagine Jesus going to Jerusalem, playing with other boys his age, his relatives and friends, joyfully running, jumping, investigating, throwing and bouncing into each other.

Twelve-year-old boys do sometimes get lost. When looking for a twelve-year-old boy you will usually find him where his heart is. Places I have found my lost twelve-year-old boys are at skateboard parks, baseball fields, and football fields and at basketball hoops. I have found my twelve-year-old boys on mountain trails, on lakeshores and seashores. Twelve year olds have been found in hanging out in malls, music stores or at a friend’s house playing video games. Remember they go to where their heart leads them. So, when Mary and Joseph were looking for their twelve year old Jesus they found him where is heart was. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Luke 2:46-47

When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety” Luke 2:48. I think all parents have said these words to their children at one time or another! We will soon see that Jesus meant no harm and Jesus answers them like a twelve year old. He said to them “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house? But they did not understand what he said to them. Luke 2:49-50 In the end Jesus goes home and this event becomes something that Mary treasures in her heart. Luke 2:51

Mary and Joseph did not control every move Jesus made. Mary and Joseph let Jesus be twelve; they let Jesus be himself, even if that meant that there were going to be some bumps on the way Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. Luke 2:48. (I do realize that to look for someone for three days is more than a bump) I enjoy this family story. I imagine Mary and Joseph retelling this story as Jesus grows older. “ Remember when Jesus was twelve and we went to Jerusalem…”

My heart overflows with love for twelve-year-old Jesus. I treasure this glimpse of the life of the holy family.

(Judie Kosko, Cooperative, CA)

Our Lady of Trust Novena Day 6, March 2, 2011