Adoration 'my heart as I said my prayers'

COMMENT:  

Meditation, Prayer.
Tail-end prayer of Luisa Piccarreta, Book of Heaven Vol 7.   

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Adoration. Giuseppe  Magni

Magnificat com Meditation May 2015, with thanks...

The Transmission of the Faith

In a floral symphony, a sweet group of siblings offer their devotion to an adorable curly-topped toddler. And adorable is just what this child is in the true sense of the word: for this is Jesus, seated on the lap of his mother, Mary of Nazareth, recognizable by her timeless clothing. It is a charming scene, but some will argue that this Adoration is more like an old-fashioned holy card than a work of art. Yet a closer look at the painterly skill of this canvas reveals why Giuseppe Magni (1869–1956) has always been regarded an artist of quality. Observe the fine rendering of the flowers, the folds of cloth, the flesh, and, above all, the way the pose of each of the figures manages to evoke a singular spiritual attitude. Enter into the spirit of this genre scene in which naïveté, far from a weakness, is a deliberately cultivated quality. For, while Western civilization may have lost the grace of childhood, as the Gospel speaks of it, this artist still believes in us; he believes we are still capable of perceiving the beatitudes discernible to the soul of a child.

Contemplation of this Adoration allows us to gauge to what point our new social “values” have succeeded—ironically speaking in uprooting the virtues of Christian childhood: virtues celebrated here by Giuseppe Magni; virtues which, deeply rooted in the soil of love, blossom naturally from the heart of the joy of Christian family life; those virtues our mother taught us from the cradle; those we saw our father practice. And first among these virtues is piety, that family piety which truly nourishes the personal spiritual life of a child. If, today, I am still a Christian, still faithful, is it not because, at the age of ten, tucked in bed, my parents having blessed me as they traced the sign of the cross on my forehead, I would fall asleep with hands folded over my heart as I said my prayers?

Pierre-Marie Dumont

Adoration, Giuseppe Magni (1869–1956), Private Collection. © Christie’s Images / Bridgeman Images. All right reserved.

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 Book of Heaven, Luisa Piccarreta, Vol. 7  

 

May 30, 1907

Effectiveness of prayer.

Prayer is a Single Point such that in Praying for Oneself, One Prays for All

      As I was in my usual state, I saw blessed Jesus for a short time, and I prayed to Him for myself and for other people, but with some difficulty outside of my usual way, as if I would not be able to obtain as much if I prayed for myself alone.  And good Jesus told me: 

      “My daughter, prayer is one single point, and while it is one point, it can grasp all other points together.  So, whether the soul prays for herself alone or for others, she can obtain by supplication just as much.  Its effectiveness is one.”

Sancta Maria Abbey: http://www.nunraw.com.uk (Website)  
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Abbot Lehodey, Cistercian. Meditation (MAGNIFICAT 16/12/2014)

Meditation, Mass Advent, 

  Amazon.com:  5 reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

 Best book on the subject of abandonment 26 Nov 2011

By Theo - Published on Amazon.com

I'm not sure what the other reviewer of this book wanted, but I want to offer a different perspective, as I've owned and used this book for years. I own a whole shelf load of books on abandonment, including the great classic, Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence, by JP de Caussaude. This book, Holy Abandonment, exceeds them all.

The author, a Cistercian priest writing in the early 20th century, takes the entire Catholic tradition of suffering and abandonment, and develops and summarizes it in a very helpful and methodical way. It is also laced with countless practical examples from the lives of the greatest Catholic saints. I learned more on the subject from this one book than from all the other books on abandonment combined, not only on a theoretical, but a very practical level. Has helped me immeasurably through all the difficulties and contradictions of life I've encountered since, and in a way the helps me really grow in holiness and trust in the Lord, regardless of what is happening in life. I'm very appreciative of Tan Books for keeping this in print, and recommend it to everyone. It is a real classic and one of the best books on my shelf.

The book first lays a foundation for understanding the concept of abandonment and how to recognize the will of God in your life. It then, chapter by chapter, explains how to practice abandonment in virtually every sort of difficulty in life: prosperity and adversity, health and sickness, reputation, humiliations, works of zeal, prayer, interior trials, you name it, in really detailed and specific ways. It is exhaustive and practical, and based on sound theology and the experience of the saints.

This is not lightweight, watered-down spirituality, but real meaty stuff, solid food for those serious about growing in holiness and real closeness to the Lord. Truly an irreplaceable book.

 

  Holy Abandonment

Jul 1, 2004

    by Rt. Rev. Abbot Dom Vitalis Lehodey O.C.R. 

3^rd Advent Tuesday 16/12/2014

The holy Gospel according to Matthew      21:2R-32

JESUS SAID TO the chief priests and elders of the people, "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. ..."

MEDITATION         OF THE    DAY  

Courtesy of MAGNIFICAT.COM
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By Abbot Lehodey, Cistercian

Sharing in the Docility of the First Son

The action of God has not always the same degree of intensity. He increases or diminishes it according to the designs of his love, and according to the strength and generosity of different souls. If he does not judge it well to treat them all with a constant holy severity, at least he makes them pass through alternate seasons of consolation and desolation, peace and combat, light and obscurity. By means of such continual vicissitudes, he renders them pliable and docile to all his motions. For, owing to repeated changes in her interior state, the soul finally loses her attachment to every condition and is ready to welcome all at the will of the Holy Spirit who breathes where he pleases and as it pleases him.

In short, by means of all these trials, says the Venerable Louis de Blois, "God purifies, humbles, instructs our souls, and renders them pliable to his will; everything defective, everything deformed, everything disagree­able to his sight, he removes from them, and at the same time embellishes them with all the ornaments which can make them pleasing in his eyes. And when he finds them faithful, full of patience and good-will; when the long endurance of tribulations has brought them, with the assistance of his grace, to such a degree of perfection that they suffer with tranquillity and joy all manner of temptation and afflictions: then he unites them not intimately to himself, confides to them his secrets and his mysteries and communicates himself to them without reserve.”

Dom Vitalis Lehodey, O.C.R.

Dom Vitalis Lehodey, O.C.R. (+1948) was abbot of Notre Dame de Grace, Bricquebec, France.

 

 The Ways of Mental Prayer

Jan 1, 2009

by Rt. Rev. Abbot Dom Vitalis Lehodey O.C.R.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ways of Mental Prayer, February 16, 2010

  By 

Eileen Rupel "Eileen Mary" (Huntington, WV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAM

This review is from: The Ways of Mental Prayer (Paperback)

I enjoyed this particularly because of its "hands-on" approach to mental prayer. Various states of mind are described, and methods outlined to match each state of mind. So I have hope I will be able to acheive some quality of mental prayer. which enhances my overall prayer life. It's not easy, but definitely worthwhile, especially if any of us find ourselves asking "mental prayer"--what is that? You will find your way! Highly recommended.

Holman Hunt "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: ..." (Rev 3:20), COMMENT: Sr. Wendy Becket previous Post.

COMMENT:

It is always the beauty to find the countering the best of Jesus' loving encounters.

Today we had Jesus parable, 'a wedding feast for his son' Mt. 22: 1-14.

At elbow, Sr. Wendy Beckett meditates on, 'The Agony in the Garden', (Meditations of Our Faith)'

...

No doorknob on the door

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20 KJV)

Perhaps you've seen Holman Hunt's painting of Jesus. Stone archway...ivy-covered bricks...Jesus standing before a heavy wooden door.

It was in a Bible I often held as a young boy. Beneath the painting were the words, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him."

Years later I read about a surprise in the painting. Holman Hunt had intentionally left out something that only the most careful eye would note as missing. I had not noticed it. When I was told about it I went back and looked. Sure enough, it wasn't there. There was no doorknob on the door. It could only be opened from the inside....

God comes to your house, steps up to the door, and knocks.

But it's up to you to let him in. 

OAKHILLS CHURCH by Max Lucado © 2000 - 2007. All rights reserved. Excerpted from And The Angels Were Silent (Please include this line to forward the message).      

Friday, 10 October 2014

APPARITIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - Sister Wendy's Meditations

Art Essay,  

Sister Wendy's Meditations on the 
Mysteries of Our Faith   

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

APPARITIONS BEHIND

CLOSED DOORS

This is a very rare subject in art. Many painters have been attracted to the drama of Jesus appearing to Thomas to challenge his unbelief, but hardly any to the previous apparition when Jesus comes to his own in the upper room, Thomas being absent, and they have the first living proof that what the women have been saying–that unbelievable story–is actually true.

Lk. 15: 1-10 Robinson Crusoe Joy Repentant Sinner

Thursday, 08 November 2012 31st week Ord. Time  

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15:1-10. Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."    

Thursday, 08 November 2012 Blessed John Duns Scotus, O.F.M. (c.1266-1308)
COMMENT: Father Charles Balic, O.F.M., the foremost 20th-century authority on Scotus, has written: "The whole of Scotus's theology is dominated by the notion of love. The characteristic note of this love is its absolute freedom. As love becomes more perfect and intense, freedom becomes more noble and integral both in God and in man" (New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 1105).

This morning, the commentary on the Mass from MAGNIFICAT was unusual,

Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday

 An excerpt from Robinson Crusoe c. 6&7 by Daniel Defoe (+ 1731). 

MAGNIFICAT - MEDITATION OF THE DAY

Joy over the Repentant Sinner

While I was thus gathering strength, my thoughts ran exceedingly upon this Scripture, "I will deliver you"; and the impossibility of my deliverance lay much upon my mind, in bar of my ever expecting it; but as I was discouraging myself with such thoughts, it occurred to my mind that I poured so much upon my deliverance from the main affliction, that I disregarded the deliverance I had received, and I was as it were made to ask myself such questions as these - viz. Have I not been delivered, and wonderfully too, from sickness - from the most distressed condition that could be, and that was so frightful to me? And what notice had I taken of it? Had I done my part? God had delivered me, but I had not glorified him - that is to say, I had not owned and been thankful for that as a deliverance; and how could I expect greater deliverance? This touched my heart very much; and immediately I knelt down and gave God thanks aloud for my recovery from my sickness.

In the morning I took the Bible; and beginning at the New Testament, I began seriously to read it, and imposed upon myself to read a while every morning and every night; not tying myself to the number of chapters, but long as my thoughts should engage me. It was not long after I set seriously to this work till I found my heart more deeply and sincerely affected with the wickedness of my past life. The impression of my dream revived; and the words, "All these things have not brought you to repentance", ran seriously through my thoughts. I was earnestly begging of God to give me repentance, when it happened providentially, the very day, that, reading the Scripture, I came to these words: "he is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and to give remission." I threw down the book; and with my heart as well as m¥ hands lifted up to heaven, in a kind of ecstasy of joy, I cried out aloud, "Jesus, you Son of David! Jesus, you exalted Prince and Saviour! Give me repentance!" This was the first time I could say, in the true sense of the words, that I prayed in all my life; for now I prayed with a sense of my condition, and a true Scripture view of hope, founded on the encourage­ment of the Word of God; and from this time, I may say, I began to hope that God would hear me.

Now I began to construe the words mentioned above, "call on me, and I will deliver you", in a different sense from what I had ever done before; for then I had no notion of anything being called deliverance, but my being delivered from the captivity I was in; for though I was indeed at large in the place, yet the island was certainly a prison to me, and that in the worst sense in the world. But now I learned to takeit in another sense: now I looked back upon my past life with such horror, and my sins appeared so dreadful, that my soul sought nothing of God but deliverance from the load of guilt that bore down all my comfort. As for my solitary life, it was nothing.