Presentation Feb 2nd - Nunraw anniversary 1946

Candlemass,  the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord.
The Rite of the Blessing of the Candles was celebrated in the early morning Cloister, We carried the lighted candles in the shorter procession.


The processional candles were lit at the beginning of the Alleluia. They illuminate the way of the  Gospel, Creed and Bidding Prayers.
The monks hand the candle to the Celebrant at the Offertory.


The ritual  of LIGHT is dramatic.
The Reading in the Nigh Office was from the Cistercian Father, Bl. Guerric of Igny.
The theme of focussed on LIGT - 12 times.   
LIGHT and WATER
Yesterday the YouTube of the Stream and Well of St. Brigid was a powerfull reminder of my visit to the shrine at Faughart in 2006/7(?).
I can think of the fivefold impression:
1. the first impression of the place and it flowing bubbling, gurgling, audible. stream.
2. the memory remains fresh.
3. the fact of the continued flow of the waters.
4. the continuing the flow in its cyber space in this YouTube.
5. this many laired perception of the living waters is the practical application of living prayer.

Yesterday's reflection on the waters immediately finds Guerric of Igny's recurring of the word of LIGHT.
It invites to the multiplying illuminating of the Holy Spirit - the inspiration of Simeon and Anna in the Presentation of the Lord.

The light to enlighten the nations (Guerric of Igny)

Presentation of the Lord
and Anniversary of Sancta Maria Abbey 1946

Night Office Reading: ‘Light’ 12 recurrences.

From a sermon by Guerric of Igny, Cistercian Fathers, (Sermo 1 in festo purificationis BMY, 2.3.5: PL 185, 64-67)

• As today we hold our burning candles, who could fail immediately to recall that venerable old man who, on this day, took Jesus in his arms, the Word who was latent in a body as light is in wax, and declared him to be the light to enlighten the nations? Indeed, Simeon himself was also a bright and shining lamp, which bore witness to the light. He came to the temple under the influence of the Spirit which filled him precisely in order that, receiving your loving-kindness, 0 God, in the midst of your temple, he might proclaim Jesus as that loving kindness and the light of your people.
• There, then, is the candle alight in Simeon's hands: do you light your own candles by enkindling them at his - those lamps which the Lord commanded you to have in your hands. Come to him and be enlightened so that you do not so much carry lamps as become them, shining within and without for yourselves and for your neighbors. So may there be a lamp in your heart, in your hand and in your mouth: let the lamp in your heart shine for yourself, the lamp in your hand and mouth for your neighbors. The lamp in your heart is faith inspired reverence, the lamp in your hand the example of good works, the lamp in your mouth edifying speech. We have to shine not only before other people by our good works and by what we say, but also before the angels by prayer and before God by our purpose. In the presence of the angels our lamp is reverence without alloy when we sing attentively in their sight or pray fervently; before God our lamp is a single minded resolve to please him alone to whom we have com­mended ourselves.
• In order to light all these lamps for yourselves, approach the source of light and become enlightened - I mean Jesus who shines in Simeon's hands to light up your faith, shine on your works, inspire your speech, make your prayer fervent and refine your intentions. Then when the lamp of this life goes out, there will appear for you who had so many lamps shining within you the light of unquenchable life, and it will shine for you at evening like the brightness of midday. Though you may have thought yourself completely used up, you will rise like the daystar and your darkness will be as bright as noon. No longer will you need the sun to shine for you by day nor will the brightness of the moon give you light; instead the Lord will be an everlasting light for you because the luminary of the new Jerusalem is the Lamb. To him be praise and splendor forever. Amen.

IGNY Abbey

GUERRIC OFIGNY (c.1070/1080-1157), about whose early life little is known, probably received his education at the cathedral school of Tournai (1087-1092), perhaps under the influence of Odo of Cambrai (1087-1092). He seems to have lived a retired life of prayer and study near the cathedral of Tournai.  He paid a visit to Clairvaux to consult Saint Bernard, and is mentioned by him as a novice in a letter to Ogerius in 1125-1126. He became abbot of the Cistercian abbey of lgny. in the diocese of Reims in 1138. A collection of 54 authentic sermons preached in chapter on Sundays and feast days have been edited. Guerric's spirituality was influenced by Origen.

St. Brigid's Shrine, Faughart.

Brigid died at Kildare on February 1 in 525 AD, she was laid to rest in a jeweled casket at Kil Dara. In 835, her remains were moved to protect them from Norse invaders, and interred in the same grave that holds the remains of St Patrick and St Columcille at Downpatrick. She is sometimes known as Bridget, Bride and Mary of the Gael. Her feast day is February 1.

So strong was the respect and reverence for this holy lady that she became the patroness of parishes, towns, and counties, not only in Ireland, but all across Europe and the America’s. She even had a symbol. As the shamrock became associated with St Patrick, a tiny cross made of rushes was linked with St Brigid. Woven by her while she explained the passion of Christ to a dying pagan, he was baptized before he died. Similar crosses are fashioned to this day as a defense against harm, and placed in the rafters of a cottage on the feast day of St. Brigid - February.

Saint Brigid's Shrine, Faughart, Dundalk, Louth, Ireland
	4 min - 2 Feb 2009 - Uploaded by dundalkdemocrat www.dundalkdemocrat.ie The shrine at Faughart, near Dundalk, County Louth, is dedicated to Saint Brigid, Ireland's second saint (after ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ikMsmp2ZK4 - Related videos

dundalkdemocrat | 02 February 2009 | 5 likes, 0 dislikes

http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/

The shrine at Faughart, near Dundalk, County Louth, is dedicated to Saint Brigid, Ireland's second saint (after Patrick), who was said to have been born at Faughart in the fifth century. She later founded a monastery at Kildare. Her tradition is strongly celebrated in Faughart and Dundalk to this day, with an annual pilgrimage and other events taking place on her feast day, February 1st, every year.

http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ikMsmp2ZK4

St. Brigid's Shrine, Faughart.

St. Brigid's Shrine, Faughart.

Devotion to St Brigid, one of our national patrons, is of ancient origin and would seem to have begun during her lifetime. Brigid's cult grew to a status second only to that of Patrick, and to the Irish she was known as Mary of the Gael.

According to tradition, Brigid was born at Fochard Muirtheimne, a few miles north of Dundalk about 450 AD. Because of the strength of this tradition, the place was later known as Fochard Bríde.

It is believed that Brigid spent her early years in this scenic area of north Co Louth, and the ancient penitential 'stations' linked with St Brigid's Stream have been performed here from ancient times. The original shrine remained largely in a primitive condition until the early 1930s, when the present shrine was erected by local labour and a national pilgrimage organised.

On the first Sunday in July 1934, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 assembled at Faughart. This great congregation included Eamonn de Valera, several Ministers of State, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and several members of Dublin Corporation.

In Faughart today St. Brigid's Shrine is visited by hundreds of people from all over Ireland and pilgrims visit Fochard Bríde daily. Public pilgrimages are held during the year, a candlelight procession takes place on the Saint's feast day (1 February), a Mass for the Sick is celebrated in early June and there is a national pilgrimage on the first weekend in July. At public pilgrimages the pilgrims are blessed with a relic of the saint.

There are various large shaped smybolic stones, that people touch and pray around. They firmly believe that St. Brigid’s powers are within those stones and can cure their ailments. People often visit the old church, to pray to St. Brigid and fetch Holy Water from the running stream.

Brigid was one of the most remarkable women of her times, and despite the numerous legendary, extravagant, and even fantastic miracles attributed to her, there is no doubt that her extraordinary spirituality, boundless charity, and compassion for those in distress were real.

Brigid’s wisdom and generosity became legend, and people traveled from all over the country to share her wisdom. Her monastery at Kildare became one of the greatest centers of learning in Europe. She continued her holy and charitable work until her death.

Beatitudes Mt. 5:1-12

Blest are you! - Jesus Sermon Mount

Mass Intro: Fr. Raymond

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Raymond - - -
 Sent: Mon, 31 January, 2011 5:58:30
Subject: Beatitudes

BEATITUDES

The Beatitudes cut right across all the values of our modern society.
If we consider just one of them alone: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” for example, there is a whole multitude of advertising forces that shouts at us from morning to night the exact opposite.
“You can’t do without this, you can’t do without that.
You must have this, you must have that, or life isn’t worth living.” Whether it is the latest kitchen gadget or some new electronic device, or a bigger and better car or a holiday in some exotic location, or a new house or better furniture etc. etc. that is being forced upon us.
The list goes on interminably, blared at us by all the means of the media day and night.

But experience teaches us that, in fact, the more we have, the more we need. Riches and possessions beget their own kind, as it were.  We are drawn by them into a kind of vicious whirlpool of desires and needs that never stops its mad whirling.
Certainly, especially for the young setting out on life, there can be a legitimate amount of ambition to better oneself and make one’s way in life.
But there must come a time when we become basically satisfied with what we have and what we are, otherwise life becomes one long process of frustrations.
 

Especially must we always remember that the best things in life are free:  Love, friendship, family, peace of mind, and of course the wonderful sights and sounds of this so beautiful world we live in.
Above all this too is Jesus promise that the following of his commandments is the way to “ Life, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
He is our creator, he knows our being and its needs and he it is who has drawn up for us this program of life and given us his promise that it works.

Angelus Pope

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven" (Mt. 5:12).

---

ANGELUS

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On the Beatitudes as a Program of Life

"Teaching That Comes From Above and Touches the Human Condition"

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 30, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.

* * *

Dear brothers and sisters!

• On this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel presents the first great sermon that the Lord addresses to the people, on the beautiful hills near the Sea of Galilee. "When Jesus saw the crowds," St. Matthew writes, "he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him" (Matthew 5:1-2). Jesus, the new Moses, “takes his seat on the ‘cathedra’ of the mountain” (“Jesus of Nazareth,” Ignatius Press, 2008, p. 65) and proclaims as “blessed” the poor in spirit, the afflicted, the merciful, those who hunger for justice, the pure of heart and the persecuted (cf. Matthew 5:3-10). This is not a new ideology but a teaching that comes from above and touches the human condition -- precisely that which the Lord, becoming incarnate, chose to assume -- to save it. Thus “the Sermon on the Mount addresses the entire world, the present and the future … and can be understood and lived out only by following Jesus and accompanying him on his journey” (“Jesus of Nazareth,” p. 69). The Beatitudes are a new program of life to liberate us from the false values of the world and open us to the true goods, present and future. When, in fact, God consoles, satiates the hunger for justice, dries the tears of the afflicted, it means that, besides recompensing everyone in a material way, he opens the Kingdom of Heaven. “The Beatitudes are the transposition of Cross and Resurrection into discipleship” (ibid., p. 74). The Beatitudes reflect the life of the Son of God who allows himself to be persecuted, despised to the point of being condemned to death, so that men be granted salvation.
• An old hermit said: “The Beatitudes are gifts of God, and we must give him great thanks for them and for the recompenses that come from them, that is, the Kingdom of Heaven in the world to come, consolation here, the fullness of every good and mercy from God … once we become the images of God on earth” (Peter of Damascus, in Filocalia, vol. 3, Torino 1985, p. 79). The history itself of the Church, the history of Christian sanctity, are a commentary on the Gospel of the Beatitudes because, as St. Paul writes, “what is weak in the eyes of the world God has chosen to confound the strong; what is ignoble and despised in the eyes of the world, that which is nothing, God chose these to reduce to nothing the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). This is why the Church does not fear poverty, scorn and persecution in a society that is often attracted by material well-being and worldly power. St. Augustine reminds us that “it is not worthwhile to suffer these evils, but to endure them for the name of Jesus, not only with a peaceful soul but even with joy” (“De sermone Domini in monte,” I, 5,13: CCL 35, 13).

Dear brothers and sisters, we invoke the Virgin Mary, the one who is Blessed par excellence, asking for the strength to seek the Lord (cf. Sophonias 2:3) and to follow him always, with joy, on the path of the Beatitudes.

[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims in several languages. In Italian he said:]

This Sunday we celebrate “World Leprosy Day,” which was promoted in the 1950s by Raoul Follereau and officially recognized by the U.N.. Leprosy, although it is diminishing, unfortunately still strikes many people in conditions of great misery. I assure all the sick of a special prayer, which I extend to those who care for them and who in various ways work to eliminate Hansen’s Disease. I especially greet l’Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau, which celebrates its 50th anniversary.

In the days that follow, various countries of the Far East will celebrate with joy, especially in the intimacy of families, the Lunar New Year. To all those great peoples I wish from my heart serenity and prosperity.

Today is also the “International Day for Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land.” I join with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land in inviting everyone to pray to the Lord that he bring minds and hearts together in concrete peace projects.

[In English he said:]

I greet warmly all the English-speaking visitors present at today’s Angelus. In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear the eight Beatitudes, that beautiful account of what Christian discipleship demands of us. Jesus himself showed us the way by the manner of his life and death, and by rising from the dead he revealed the new life that awaits those who follow him along the path of love. Upon all of you here today, and upon your families and loved ones at home, I invoke abundant blessings of peace and joy.

Christ commanded the wind Mk 4,35-41

Christ Stills the Tempest

Mass Intro ...

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Nivard - - -
Sent: Fri, 28 January, 2011 17:07:57
Subject: 3 Sat 2011 Our Lady

Christ commanded the wind and there was a great calm.
   Like the disciples in the boat we are rightly troubled if we have forgotten him in whom we have believed. Our anguish becomes unbearable when all that Christ suffered for us remains far from our mind. If we don't think of Christ, he sleeps. Wake Christ; call on our faith. Christ sleeps in us if we have forgotten his Passion. But if we remember his Passion, then Christ awakes in us. When, with all our heart, we have reflected over what Christ suffered, we bear our trials steadfastly in our turn! And maybe with joy we will find ourselves a little more like our King through our suffering. Yes indeed, when these thoughts start to comfort us and give us joy, then we know that Christ has stood up and commanded the wind; from this comes to pass the calm within us.

   The Passion was ever present to Our Lady yet she was ever full of joy and calm. 

  

Our Lady on 3 Saturday, 29 Jan 2011

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Saturday of the Third week in Ordinary Time : Mk 4,35-41

Commentary of the day
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Discourses on the Psalms, Ps 55[54]4,10 ; CCL 39, 664

Jesus the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"

You are out to sea and a storm brews up. You can't do anything except call out: «Lord, save me!» (Mt 14,30). May he who walks fearlessly over the waves stretch out his hand, may he relieve you of your fear, may he set your confidence in him, may he speak to your heart, saying to you:

Jesus spoke to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"

   We have our own small storms. We can only call out, “Lord, save me!” He who walks fearlessly over the waves stretches out his hand and relieves us of your fear. Jesus renews our confidence in him.

   He speaks to our heart, saying: “Think of what I have suffered. Do you have something to bear from a false brother or from enemies outside? Didn't I have mine, too? Those who gnashed their teeth outside; the disciple who betrayed me inside.»

True enough, the storm is raging. But Christ saves us from “smallness of soul and the tempest”. Is your boat tossed about? Perhaps it is because Christ is asleep in you. The boat in which the disciples were sailing was being tossed by a raging sea and yet Christ was sleeping. But in time these men realized at last that they had the lord and creator of the wind with them. They drew near to Christ and woke him:

Christ commanded the wind and there was a great calm.
   Like the disciples in the boat we are rightly troubled if we have forgotten him in whom you have believed. Our anguish becomes unbearable when all that Christ suffered for us remains far from our mind. If you don't think of Christ, he sleeps. Wake Christ; call on your faith. Christ sleeps in us if we have forgotten his Passion. But if we remember his Passion, then Christ awakes in us. When, with all our heart, we have reflected over what Christ suffered, won't we bear our trials steadfastly in our turn? And maybe with joy you will find yourself a little more like your King through your suffering. Yes indeed, when these thoughts start to comfort you and give you joy, then know that Christ has stood up and commanded the wind; from this comes to pass the calm within you.

Paul Conversion & Christian Unity

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

The Conversion of St Paul, apostle - Feast

St.Paul apostle Conversion

Mass Introduction

It is the Conversion of Paul Feast and the final day of the Octave of Christian Unity.   

The climax is the celebration of Vespers ate the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The Unity Week work has contributed from the WCC-World Council of Churches, the Pope and so many Churches of Dioceses and Dominations.

The leading of the theme of the Octave was presented by the Churches in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

In Rome. prominent at present is the Session of the Commission of Dialogue between the Catholic and the Ancient Eastern Churches. This is very much to the heart of Pope Benedict as it was by Pope John Paul II.

The large panorama of Christian Unity may feel overwhelming.

To concentrate our focus the wonderful message of St. Francis reminds us. At the chapel of San Damiano in Assisi a voice from the crucifix said. “Now go, hence, Francis, and build up My house, for it is nearly falling down!” It was not the mere chapel but the entire universal Church. Like Francis we are each called to build the universal Church.

At the heart of the universal Church, quietly and silently, in the Eucharist and Communion. United in Christ we are aware of the shortcomings in build his Church.

Note Acts 9:1-22

As we listened to the First Reading Acts 9:1-22, it resounded the more ever than Francis. The encounted of St. Paul with Jesus is even more dramatic.

Saul at Damascus

 TO UNDERSTAND THE SCENE

What you can see in this picture…… A man falls or has just fallen from his horse. A dazzling light comes down from the heaven and it is the blinding that it provokes, and not the horse’s brutal movement, that explains the fall. Paul is listening to the voice that comes from heaven and reproaches him with persecuting Christians. Saul now blind has just converted himself on the way to Damascus.

...and in other pictures Paul is a soldier on his way to Damascus; that is why he is supposed to go on horseback though the text says nothing about it. The horse is present only to show the intensity of the dazzling and the consequent blinding of the horseman, now unable to get up. He is at the same time stupefied and attentive to the words he can hear. Other soldiers often accompany him and watch this fall with astonishment. They sometimes form a real army in the middle of which Paul’s fall is lost or, on the contrary, the hero can be alone to be better put into prominence.

 imagesbible.com/ANGLAIS/ANG.../Ang_conversionPaul.htm

Saint Agnes

Friday, 21 January 2011 Friday of the Second week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr (+ 304) - Memorial

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Nivard ...
Sent: Thu, 20 January, 2011 17:10:01
Subject: Jesus calls his disciples

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted to be his apostles.

   Here we have the mystery of our vocation. We are here to do only one thing i.e. to sing what I must sing eternally: "The Mercies of the Lord”.

   Jesus does not call those who are worthy but those whom he pleases. St. Paul says: "God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and he will show pity to whom he will show pity. So then, there is question not of him who wills, not him who runs, but of God showing mercy".

Saint Agnes

    

Today we celebrate the birth of St Agnes.
God chose her for himself. She was a mere nothing in the eyes of the world but he showered his extraordinary favours on the twelve year old virgin martyr The child Agnes was faithful unto death. May we likewise persevere faithfully to the end of our ‘white martyrdom’.

  

Let us pray.

   Almighty, eternal God, you choose what the world considers weak to put the worldly power to shame. May we who celebrate the birth of Saint Agnes into eternal joy be loyal to the faith she professed.

   Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  

Bidding Prayer:                        

   Father, we thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. May we continue to praise and thank you for all your blessings throughout the day, through Christ our Lord.

Let us pray.

Prayer after Communion,

    Lord God, may this Eucharist renew our courage and strength. May we remain close to you, like St Agnes, by accepting in our lives a share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ , who lives and reigns with you for ever.  

DAILY GOSPEL  DGO    

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
MS A, 2 r°-v°

The mystery of vocation

I'm going to be doing only one thing: I shall begin to sing what I must sing eternally: "The Mercies of the Lord!» (Ps 89[88],1)... Opening the Holy Gospels my eyes fell upon these words: "And going up a mountain, he called to him men of his own choosing, and they came to him." This is the mystery of my vocation, my whole life, and especially the mystery of the privileges Jesus showered upon my soul. He does not call those who are worthy but those whom he pleases or as St. Paul says: "God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and he will show pity to whom he will show pity. So then, there is question not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God showing mercy" (Rm 9, 15-16).

I wondered for a long time why God has preferences, why all souls don't receive an equal amount of graces. I was surprised when I saw him shower his extraordinary favours on saints who had offended him, for instance, St. Paul and St. Augustine, and whom he forced, so to speak, to accept his graces. When reading the lives of the saints, I was puzzled at seeing how Our Lord was pleased to caress certain ones from the cradle to the grave, allowing no obstacle in their way... Jesus deigned to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers he has created are beautiful... And so it is in the world of souls. He willed to create great souls comparable to lilies and roses, but he has created smaller ones and these must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when he looks down at his feet. Perfection consists in doing his will, in being what he wills us to be.