Via Media

I learned more about Josiah from the monastic Vigil Reading this morning. This unusual illumination on this young man in holiness, by Newman, grown against the political grain.

In passing, the reference, “He kept the narrow middle way”, makes how Newman’s words surface other ways in the two volumes of ‘The Via Media’.

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - TUESDAY First Reading 2 Chronicles 35:20 - 36:12 Responsory Sir 49:1.3.2 The memory of Josiah is like blended incense prepared by the perfumer's craft; it is sweet as honey to every palate and like music at a banquet.+ He set his heart upon the Lord, and in a lawless age made godliness prevail. V. He took the right course, reforming the nation, and uprooting iniquitous abominations.+ He set his heart ... Second Reading From a sermon by John Henry Newrnan The archers shot at King Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am badly wounded. His servants, therefore ... brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchers of his fathers. Thus the best king of Judah died like Ahab, the worst king of Israel; so little may we judge of God's love or displeasure by outward appearances. God continued his promised mercies to his people through David's line till they were too corrupt to receive them; the last king of the favored family was forcibly and prematurely cut off, in order to make way for the display of God's vengeance in the captivity of the whole nation. He was taken out of the way; they were carried off to Babylon. As for Josiah, as it is elsewhere written of him, His remembrance ... is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as music at a banquet of wine. He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity. He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God. All, except David, and Hezekiah, and Josiah, were defective; for they forsook the law of the Most High; even the kings of Judah failed. In conclusion, my brethren, I would have you observe in what Josiah's chief excellence lay. This is the character given him when his name is first mentioned; he did ... right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. He kept the narrow middle way. Now what is this strict virtue called? It is called faith. It is no matter whether we call it faith or conscientiousness, they are in substance one and the same: where there is faith, there is conscientiousness - where there is conscientiousness, there is faith; they may be distinguished from each other in words, but they are not divided in fact. They belong to one, and but one, habit of mind - dutifulness; they show themselves in obedi­ence, in the careful, anxious observance of God's will, however we learn it. Hence it is that Saint Paul tells us that the just shall live by faith under every dispensation of God's mercy. And this is called faith because it implies a reliance on the mere word of the unseen God overpowering the temptations of sight. Whether it be that we read and accept his word in scripture (as Christians do), or his word in our conscience, the law written on the heart (as is the case with heathens); in either case, it is by following it, in spite of the seductions of the world around us, that we please God.

Rafael Arnaiz Baron

COMMENT

. . . Donald,

What delight your Blog! I have been absolutely fascinated by the articles on the life and canonisation of Saint Rafael, juxtaposed so exquisitely with the Gospel story of the Rich Young Man to whom Jesus' heart went out... and also the homily of Saint Peter Damian and article on Saint Bernard.

It is such a joy that you share the delights of feasts and memorias with us, thank you!

With love in Our Lord,

William.

______________________________________

COMMENT:

To Donald,

Congratulations on the canonisation of Bro Rafael and what a GREAT Saint and model for our young men of today as well as being a model for all of us committed to following Jesus in the consecrated life.

I really loved your Blog and the input there.

God bless you and may Saint Rafael send you all some good vocations.

Yours,

Mary

Martyrs Patron: Canada Americas

I9 October

SAINTS JOHN de BREBEUF and ISAAC JOGUES,

Priests and THEIR COMPANIONS, Martyrs

Optional Memoria

Between the years 1642 and 1649 these eight members of the Society of Jesus, who had gone to North America to preach the true faith to the pagans of that land, were killed by the Huron Indians and the lroquois tribes after they had' suffered terrible tortures. Isaac Jogues died on 18 October 1647 and John de Brebeuf on 16 March 1648.

UNIVERSALIS, the Online ‘The Divine Office’ did not include the Breviary Reading. (http://www.universalis.com/readings.htm)

From the spiritual diaries of St John de Brebeuf Let me die only for you, since you have died for me For two days without break I have felt a great desire for martyrdom and have been eager to endure all the torments which the martyrs suffered. My God and my Saviour Jesus, what return can I make to you for all the benefits which you have conferred upon me? I will take from your hand the cup of your sufferings, and I will call upon your name. I make a vow in the presence of your eternal Father and of the Holy Spirit; in the presence of your holy Mother, and of her chaste spouse, Saint Joseph; before the angels, the apostles and martyrs, and my blessed fathers Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier,-yes, my Saviour Jesus, I make a vow to you never to fail, on my side, in the grace of martyrdom, if by your infinite mercy you offer it to me some day, to me, your unworthy servant. I bind myself to it in such a way that during all the rest of my life I shall no longer be free, no longer have the right, to avoid opportunities of dying and of shedding my blood for you. (Unless in some emergency I should judge that for the time being it might be for your greater glory to act otherwise.) And when I receive death's blow, I bind myself to accept it from your hand with all gladness, and with joy in my heart. And so, my beloved Jesus, I offer to you from today, in the joy that this brings me, my blood, my body, and my life j so that I may die only for you, if you grant me this favour, since you have been so gracious as to die for me. Enable me to live in such a way that finally you may grant me this favour, to die so happily. Thus, my God and my Saviour, I will take from your hand the cup of your sufferings, and I will call upon your name, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. How I grieve, my God, that you are not known, that this savage country is not yet wholly converted to faith in you, that sin is here not yet blotted out! Indeed, my God, if all the torments which captives must undergo in this country, even the most cruel tortures, were inflicted on me, I offer myself most gladly to them, that I alone may suffer them.

http://www.catholicculture.org/

When Isaac Jogues returned to Paris after his first capture and torture, he said to his superior: "Yes, Father, I want whatever our Lord wants, even if it costs a thousand lives." He had written in his mission report: "These tortures are very great, but God is still greater, and immense."

In the Office of Readings we have an excerpt from the mission journal of St. John de Brébeuf, who had been a student of the great Jesuit spiritual writer, Louis Lallemant. He wrote:

For two days now I have experienced a great desire to be a martyr and to endure all the torments the martyrs suffered.... I vow to you, Jesus my Savior, that as far as I have the strength I will never fail to accept the grace of martyrdom, if some day you in your infinite mercy should offer it to me, your most unworthy servant.... On receiving the blow of death, I shall accept it from your hands with the fullest delight and joy of spirit.... My God, it grieves me greatly that you are not known, that in this savage wilderness all have not been converted to you, that sin has not been driven from it.

Rafael Arnaiz Baron

Raised to the Dignity of the Altar

RAFAEL ARNAIZ Y BARON writing

Publication: To Know How to Wait Outside End Cover. RAFAEL ARNAIZ Y BARON was born in Burgos on 9th April, 1911. After taking his degree in Oviedo he entered the School of Architecture in Madrid. On 15th January, 1934 he was admitted into the Trappist Monastery of San Isidro de Duefias, Venta de Baiios (Palencia), which owing to ill-health, he several times left and re-entered, dying therein the spring of 1938. His writing presents something unique in piety and in mysticism, bringing a beneficial disquiet to every kind of soul, Those who read this selection of Brother Rafael's thoughts compiled by a Cistercian, cannot fail to doubt the truth of these words. Today when the trend of religious thought among enquiring laymen is towards the Contemplative Orders, and is becoming increasingly influenced by the Cistercians, this book, with its emphasis on self-abnegation as an anti­dote to the prevalent world unrest, and "waiting on God" as necessary for the attainment of peace of soul, will bring a salutary feeling of divine discontent. Here is revealed, and with the utmost humility and simplicity, the intimate meditations of a young Spanish Trappist. By those who know nothing of the Spanish soul, the todo o nada of its mystics, To Know How to Wait may not be understood fully. Cynical critics may dismiss as masochistic the author's insistence on suffering for the love of God, or may describe his writing as indicative of some other pathological condition. But by the reader who humbles himself as Brother Rafael did, this little book will be recognized for what it is, the work of an enlightened man whose one desire is ultimate union with Christ. His sanctity was such that the Cause for his Beatification is proceeding. TO KNOW HOW TO WAIT by FRAY MA. RAFAEL ARNAIZ BARON Translated by MAIRIN MITCHELL SANDS & CO (PUBLISHERS) LTD LONDON 1964 TO KNOW HOW TO WAIT Selected thoughts some unpublished, of Fray Ma. Rafael Arnaiz Baron, Trappist Monk, chosen by a Cistercian Religious of the Abbey of San Isidro de Duefias, Venta de Bafios (Palencia). The cover design, and also the drawings in the book are the original work of Brother Rafael. CUM PERMISSU SUPERIORUM San Isidro de Duefias June 14, 1962. NIHIL OBSTAT: Joannes M. T. Barton, S.T.D., L.S.S. Censor deputatus. IMPRIMATUR: Patrieius Carey, Vie. Gen. Westmonasterii, die 11 Maii 1964 The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be tree from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. © Copyright by EDITORIAL EL PERPETUO SOCORRO Covarrubias '9. MADRID. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION PUBLISHED 1964 By SANDS & co (PUBLISHERS) LTD 15 KING ST., LONDON, W.C.2. 76 CAMBRIDGE ST., GLASGOW MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRlTAIN BY NORTHUMBERLAND PRESS LIMITED GATESHEAD ON TYNE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS On various points concerning life in the Cistercian Order I have consulted the Rev. Fr. Adrian, O.C.R., Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, Coalville, Leicester, to whom my grateful acknowledgments are made. For his kindness in reading the proofs of this book I am much indebted to Rvdo. P. Mafia Patricio Cuerin, O.C.S.O., Abadia Cisterciense de Viaceli, Cobreces, Prov. Santander. Translator. CONTENTS Page Prologue IX Note XVI Translator's Note xvii I.God: Only God Suffices Il. Love of God Ill. Holy Abandonment IV. The Will of God V. Longing for the Beloved VI. Love of Jesus VII. The Eucharistic Life VIII. The Cross IX. To Partake of the Cross X. Mary XI. Apostleship XII. Virtues XIII. Sanctity XIV. Peace XV. The World XVI. Freedom XVII.Renunciation XVIII. Sickness XIX. Death xx Temptation XXI.Solitude XXII. Silence XXIII. Hope For Nothing From Men XXIV. Mortification XXV. Asceticism XXVI. Difficulties XXVII. Eternal Life XXVIII. The Brevity of All Things XXIX. Spain at War XXX. Intentions XXXI. La Trapa XXXII. Matins XXXIII. Vespers XXXIV. Christmas XXXV. New Year XXXVI. Epiphany XXXVII. Palm Sunday XXXVIII. Holy ThurSday XXXIX. Forgive Us, Lord Index PROLOGUE Rafael Arnaiz Baron was born in Burgos, on Palm Sunday, April 9th, 1911. His parents were devoutly catholic, and his early spiritual life was nurtured by his mother, later by the Jesuit Fathers. He reached adolescence without loss of virtue, and in his expres­sion reflected the purity of his life. On starting to study for his degree, a dangerous illness obliged him to keep to his bed for a long time. Soon after his recovery his parents took him to Zaragoza to give thanks to the Virgin del Pilar. "The Virgin". His mother writes, "engraved herself on his innocent soul with singular predilection, for, if it were so before, now, from the time of that visit to the Pilar, he showed himself ardently devoted to Mary:' Having taken his baccalaureate in I929, he com­menced his studies at the School of Architecture in Madrid, but neither the rather free life in the capital nor the frequent journeys to distant parts of the Peninsula, nor the meetings with students little given to reticence, affected his moral virtue. Nor did his life in . . .

MISSIO - Mission Sunday

Mass 29th Sunday Oct 18th 2009

Holy Gospel according to Mark 10: 42-45

"The Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve,"

Matthew

Mark

Matthew 20:24-28. 24 The ten others were angry with the two 25 brethren when they heard it; but Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that, among the Gentiles, those who bear rule lord it over them, and great men vaunt their 26 power over them; with you it must be otherwise; whoever would be a great man 27 among you, must be your servant, and whoever has a mind to be first among you, 28 must be your slave. So it is that the Son of Man did not come to have service done him; he came to serve others, and to give his life as a ransom for the lives of many.

Mark 10:41-45 41 The ten others grew indignant with James 42 and John when they heard of it. But Jesus called them to him, and said to them, You know that, among the Gentiles, those who claim to bear rule lord it over them, and those who are great among them make the 43 most of the power they have. With you it must be otherwise; whoever has a mind to 44 be great among you, must be your servant, and whoever has a mind to be first among 45 you, must be your slave. So it is that the Son of Man did not come to have service done him; he came to serve others, and to give his life as a ransom for the lives of many.

(R. Knox Harmony C. “Our Lord Outside of Galilee”).

MISSIO - Mission Sunday

Excerpt from Homily: Fr. Pat. McGuire SMA

National Director for the Propagation of the Faith

"The Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve".

Mission Sunday for me has become a time to "take stock" not just of what I do within Missio, but more importantly to re-examine my response to the Gospel as a priest and missionary. I confess that I am seldom happy with my reflection. There is always so very much more needing to be done. Thankfully the Good Lord sometimes gives us a glimpse of what He can achieve when we follow His lead.

One such blessed moment came in West Africa at Easter while visiting a leprosy settlement. The community leaders happily led me through their new school, rice mill, clinic and on to their pride and joy - the new church which had been funded mainly through help from Scotland. I had the honour of celebrating Holy Mass attended by the whole village. When I had almost completed the distribution of Holy Communion I was led to the backbenches of the Church where the most profoundly sick waited patiently for me.

One elderly lady held out her hand to receive the Lord. Wearing an old and dusty dress, clearly she had come straight from working on her farm. Her face was lined with the pain of her illness and of her efforts to feed herself and her grandchildren. Placing the precious host into her calloused hands where only stumps of fingers remained, I was moved to look into her face. As she held the Lord, I saw the lines on her face disappear. She radiated a smile that somehow reflected the purity of the bread, the very body of the Lord. She seemed to be transformed and, for the briefest moment, I felt what Jesus must have felt so often in his life and his words in today's Gospel took on a whole new reality for me - he came to serve.

Mission is His gift, we are but His instruments.

In the message to us for Mission Sunday the Holy Father says, "I wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelising all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church". Without a word one elderly lady reminded me of the value of that Mission. We feed the hungry, heal the sick, we uphold human dignity, but even more importantly we offer the supreme gift of Jesus himself, the servant and the "Throne of Grace".

. . .

Please remember the Mission of the Church in your daily prayer . . . In your name, Missio Scotland will continue to give glory to God through your service to His people,

Sincerely . . .