On the Holy Name of Jesus - St. Bernardine of Siena

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To continue our discussion regarding the Name of Jesus, know that it is the help of the infirm, whence Saint Bernard says:

"Are not all consoled as often as they recollect the Name of Jesus, which Name impinges upon the mind, and when repeatedly invoked, heals the wounded senses, strengthens the virtues, stirs up good and honest manners, and keeps the affections pure. If you are afflicted with a sluggish mind or an indolent faith, Jesus heals you by exciting fervor, and the Name of Jesus will be always in our heart, and always on your fingertips, because all your emotions and all your actions will be directed towards Jesus"

...Through this Name your tepid heart will be mended and you will have an arm that is, both strong and dexterous. I assure you that through the invocation of the Name of Jesus, your actions, should they be depraved, will be corrected,
and if they are less than perfect, they will be improved;
also your senses, which should be your servants, are not only protected from damage and destruction, but should they be injured (by sin) are repaired and healed.

Rightly then, my brothers, as Saint Bernard says, is this Name to be invoked by us, because it is a quick protection against lassitude and against the languor that follows grief;
it removes aridity,
the fear of isolation,
disgust with spiritual reading,
agitation of the soul or feelings of tepidity or scrupulosity in our affections.

No matter how prolonged the prayers seem; no matter how deep the lassitude of soul, what sweetness this Name brings! When neither eternal damnation can free us from or disperse our apathy of soul, if we but retire to a quiet place and invoke the Name of Jesus with love in the depths of our heart, we will quickly be suffused with joy, and an eagerness so great will return, that tongue cannot express it, nor words in sermons portray it, for it transcends the acuteness of human understanding and is, as it were, flooded with a certain kind of radiating light...Now I hold that this is because Jesus, when one invokes his Name with a deep and humble love, recalling it secretly and silently (in one's heart) causes the apathy and sadness to disappear and to be replaced by joy.

- Saint Bernardine of Siena

May 2011, Magnificat May 20th

Father Corapi's Birthday is Today

From Mary Jane D.:

"Father John Corapi's birthday is Friday May 20. Give him the gift of your prayers"

On Peace - Imitation of Christ

Altar - Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu

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Peace - "Being able to put up with ill-treatment."

- Peace in your own soul first of all, then you can think about making peace between other people.

- When a man is at the mercy of his own feelings, he misinterprets the most innocent actions, always ready to believe the worst.

- There should only be one target for all this angry resentment - yourself.

- When people are difficult and cross-grained, when they get out of hand and keep on contradicting us, to keep on good terms with them... that needs a lot of grace.

- Freedom will only come to you in full measure when you make God's will and your neighbor's good your sole aim; your sole consideration.

- The moment you tackle the business of self-conquest thoroughly, and trudge manfully along the path of God's will, you make no account of the difficulties that seemed, until now, insurmountable.

- Book II Chapter Three, Imitation of Christ

Maxims on True Devotion to Mary

To Those Devoted to Our Blessed Mother:

- "Where Mary leads, Satan with his deceptions and heretics with their subtleties are not encountered...When she upholds you, you will not fall."

- She provides everything we need.

- She gives them the choicest portions.

- She leads and directs them according to the will of her son.

- She defends and protects them from their enemies.

- She intercedes for them with her son.

The Effects of True Devotion to Mary

- Knowledge of our unworthiness

- A share in Mary's faith

- The gift of pure love

- Great confidence in God and Mary

- Communication of the spirit of Mary

From True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort

More on Fr. Mitch's Talk at the Marian Conference - Divine Mercy and Avoiding hell

Picture source Jackie's blog

Father "Mitch" explained how one can avoid hell. One way is through consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. Louis de Montfort's total consecration would be highly recommended.

Other ways are through:

1. Reading scripture
2. Divine Mercy
3. Monthly confession
4. Holy Mass and Holy Communion

On Divine Mercy:

Pope John Paul II helped spread the message of Divine Mercy throughout the world.

Jesus told Sister Faustina that He bore a special love for Poland.

"Find peace and the world will find happiness".

Jesus said: "Mercy is the greatest attribute of God."

- The miracle of Divine Mercy restores the soul fully.

On Confession:

- The devil tempts us to sin and then instills in us a fear of going to confession.

- It is the unseen sign of God's presence.

- The absolution of sin is a greater miracle than the creation of man or the world.

- Remember, priests are Persona Christi; that is Jesus Himself.

On Examination of Conscience:

- humbly stand naked and look into yourself and ask yourself "Have I given myself completely to Jesus?"

- consider all the sins committed since your last confession, especially those sins that caused Jesus so many wounds.

- After committing mortal sins we have to go immediately to confession. This cannot wait or it will poison our spiritual life and cause catastrophe in our souls.

Recommended reading: St. Maria Faustina Kowalska Apostle of the Divine Mercy, First Saint of the Third Millenium

The Power of Divine Mercy

Where the Greatest Miracles Take Place.