Martyrs N. America.Luke 12:7. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

SAINTS ISAAC JOGUES & JOHN DE BRÉBEUF PRIESTS &  THEIR COMPANIONS MARTYRS (1642-1649)         Theses eight men were Jesuit missionaries in North America in the 17th century, put to death, after fearful torture by members of the Iroquois and Huron tribes.

Liturgy Martyrs, Sts. John de Brebeauf and Isaac Jogues, martyrs,   

The Response this morning sang, “Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.”

It was a chilly, dreigh day, and a bird was chirping and gave joy

The discovery of the Online of the KNOX Bible now gives us the direct quotation below.

BibleGateway.com

    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+123&version=KNOX

Psalms 123 (Knox Bible) Psalm 123 (124)

¹ (A song of ascents. Of David.)

If the Lord had not been on our side, Israel may boast, 

² if the Lord had not been on our side when human foes assailed us, 

³ it seemed as if they must have swallowed us up alive, so fierce their anger threatened us. 

⁴ It seemed as if the tide must have sucked us down, the torrent closed above us; 

⁵ closed above us the waters that ran so high. 

⁶ Blessed be the Lord, who has not let us fall a prey to those ravening mouths! 

⁷ Safe, like a bird rescued from the fowler’s snare; the snare is broken and we are safe! 

⁸ Such help is ours, the Lord’s help, that made heaven and earth.

COMMENTS: Windows Double Glazed Nunraw

Thank you, Noreen, for word on the ether waves. 

As well as the double glazing of some windows, we are renewing plaster in some of cracked walls - after 60 years. You must be well insulated for the coming winter.

...donald  

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Noreen ...
To: Fr Donald ....
Sent: Wednesday, 17 October 2012, 19:55
Subject: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] Windows Double Glazed Nunraw Oct 2012

Congratulations on your new double glazed windows, and the photo tour of the monastery!!

That should make a difference to your heating bill, and to the temperature in the house of course.  No doubt all of you will appreciate that, especially N....!    Yours,

   Noreen and Jo.

17 Oct 2012.
Views in the double-glazing windows installation operation.
Pictures in hand.

COMMENT:                                      

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Anne Marie ...
To: Fr Donald ...
Sent: Thursday, 18 October 2012, 10:11
Subject: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] Twilight of time, you will stretch out your arms to Me.

Beautiful picture for the twilight of time.  Do you have a new camera now?  

The double glazing project will make a cosy winter.

  I was laughing at the fact that the curtains were left up during the installation.

Love to all.

Anne Marie

Sent from my iPad

COMMENT: 

From: bob ...

Sent: Thursday, 18 October 2012, 17:36
Subject: double glazing

Dear Father Donald, 

Long time no speak, the photos of the refurbishment are fab. 

Hope your not getting it too cosy up there.

Wonderful to see abbot Marks celebration as well.

I haven't been up for a long time. Please God may be soon, pray for me.

 

Regards, 

Robert

COMMENT: Why have a Blog?

Thank you, Anne Marie.

It is a voice to keep us going, as with the quote, "Lord, my little words for You are so poor. 

Get one of your angels to put them into poetry." 

Donald

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Anne Marie ..,.
To: Fr Donald ...
Sent: Wednesday, 17 October 2012, 9:08
Subject: Re: [Dom Donald's Blog] COMMENT: Seven Letters of Ignatius of Antioch

So if  St Ignatius was alive he would have a blog like yours!

Why do you have a blog, a lot of reasons, but the important one.  You let me open the door to God each day when I least expect him to visit and He is a welcome guest.

Thanks.

Anne Marie
Sent from my iPad

On 17 Oct 2012, at 05:58, Fr Donald <domdonald@sacmus.org> wrote:

Year of Faith - Icon, Crete

http://silouanthompson.net/library/early-church/ignatius/

COMMENT:

The very popular Letter of St. Ignattius of Antioch gives me the idea of a compulsive writer. It is even more compulsive in the ‘distraction’ to his pending martyrdom.

How explain compulsion of writing by unlikely so many authors?

I should be asking, ‘how explain this Blog writing?’ Does it serve a therapy or a hobby or any other purpose?

The interest comes to the fore, as e.g., today’s connection to know more on the Seven Letters of Ignatius.

Twilight of time, you will stretch out your arms to Me.

HE AND i, Gabrielle Bossis.

Month of Rosary quote...

1942

October 8 -  Le Fresne church.

“ ...Come to me, little by little, your heart on fire  at the moment of death. Find a sweeter name to death. Call it "The Meeting" and even now, even though you can scarcely see Me in the twilight of time, you will stretch out your arms to Me.  " HE AND i

 I said, "We are here all by ourselves, as though we were locked in. " 

 "All the month of the rosary, call My mother 'Our Lady of Love' and say,'Our Lady of Love, give me love.' How can you make progress all by yourself? Let yourself be carried in stronger arms, just as you did when you were little. Don't be ashamed of being weak and imperfect. Be smaller still; I'll only love you the more. Don't lose sight of the path of  spiritual childhood. Cultivate your confidence; let it blossom as a flower. You can trust Me, can't you? Look back. . . don't you find that I'm worthy of it? My friend, don't put any limits to your feelings for Me. I put none to  Mine for you. Come to Me, little by little, your heart on fire at the moment of death. Find a sweeter name for death. Call it 'The Meeting' and even now, even though you can scarcely see Me in the twilight of time, you will stretch out your arms to Me. Oh, the charm of an impatient heart longing to be enfolded in Mine!"

"Lord, my little words for You are so poor. Get one of your angels to put them into poetry. " 

 "My love listening to them makes them sublime. "

Windows Double Glazed Nunraw Oct 2012

17 Oct 2012.
Views in the double-glazing windows installation operation.
Pictures in hand.

 

COMMENT: Seven Letters of Ignatius of Antioch

Year of Faith - Icon, Crete

http://silouanthompson.net/library/early-church/ignatius/

COMMENT:

The very popular Letter of St. Ignattius of Antioch gives me the idea of a compulsive writer. It is even more compulsive in the ‘distraction’ to his pending martyrdom.

How explain compulsion of writing by unlikely so many authors?

I should be asking, ‘how explain this Blog writing?’ Does it serve a therapy or a hobby or any other purpose?

The interest comes to the fore, as e.g., today’s connection to know more on the Seven Letters of Ignatius.

Donald

Home » The Letters of Ignatius of Antioch

The Letters of Ignatius of Antioch

1.       To the Ephesians

2.       To the Magnesians

3.       To the Philadelphians

4.       To the Romans

5.       To the Smyrnaeans

6.       To the Trallians

7.       To Polycarp

8.       The martyrdom of Ignatius

The significance of these seven letters lies in their being intimate, familiar, and popular. They do not, in the first instance, reveal a set of ideas though they are not lacking in thoughtfulness. Rather  they reveal a man. So much of early Christian literature is impersonal that it is refreshing to stumble upon letters reminiscent of the frank and personal note of Paul’s correspondence.

The conditions under which Ignatius’ letters were written did not make for careful reflection. They are the letters of a prisoner on his way to martyrdom. Their religious character is popular rather than deep. Their style is compressed and turbulent, reflecting the brusque and impetuous nature of their author (Trall., ch. 4), as well as the irritation of a captive subjected to brutality (Rom. 5:1). Their metaphors change with alarming abruptness, and are often more striking than apt (Eph., ch. 9). Their grammar is not free from carelessness. Yet for these very reasons they have a peculiar value. They disclose a real person, expressing himself in the moment of crisis, and so making clear the ruling passions of his life.

Our knowledge of Ignatius is confined almost entirely to these letters.

St Ignatius of Antioch (+ c 107

  Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time  

Night Office Reading	A letter to the Romans by St Ignatius of Antioch

I am God's wheat and shall be ground by the teeth of wild animals

I am writing to all the churches to let it be known that I will gladly die for God if only you do not stand in my way. I plead with you: show me no untimely kindness. Let me be food for the wild beasts, for they are my way to God. I am God’s wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ’s pure bread. Pray to Christ for me that the animals will be the means of making me a sacrificial victim for God.

  No earthly pleasures, no kingdoms of this world can benefit me in any way. I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire.

  The time for my birth is close at hand. Forgive me, my brothers. Do not stand in the way of my birth to real life; do not wish me stillborn. My desire is to belong to God. Do not, then, hand me back to the world. Do not try to tempt me with material things. Let me attain pure light. Only on my arrival there can I be fully a human being. Give me the privilege of imitating the passion of my God. If you have him in your heart, you will understand what I wish. You will sympathise with me because you will know what urges me on.

  The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God’s side. Do not talk about Jesus Christ as long as you love this world. Do not harbour envious thoughts. And supposing I should see you, if then I should beg you to intervene on my behalf, do not believe what I say. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: “Come to the Father.” I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world. I want only God’s bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed of the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.

  I am no longer willing to live a merely human life, and you can bring about my wish if you will. Please, then, do me this favour, so that you in turn may meet with equal kindness. Put briefly, this is my request: believe what I am saying to you. Jesus Christ himself will make it clear to you that I am saying the truth. Only truth can come from that mouth by which the Father has truly spoken. Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God. If I am condemned to suffer, I will take it that you wish me well. If my case is postponed, I can only think that you wish me harm.

Responsory

Nothing will be hidden from you, if you are perfect in your faith and love towards Jesus Christ, for these are the beginning and end of life: faith is the beginning and love is the end.

Arm yourselves with gentleness and renew your faith, which is the flesh of the Lord, and your love, which is the blood of Jesus Christ. Faith is the beginning and love is the end.

---

Let us pray.

Almighty, ever-living God,

  the sufferings of the martyrs adorn the Church,

  which is the Body of Christ.

As we celebrate the martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch,

  grant that it may be for us a constant source of strength,

  as it was for him the entry into glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

  who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

  one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

---

Let us bless the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

St. Margaret Mary Alacouque

Reading (Breviary):                          A Letter by St. Margaret Mary Alacouque

WE must know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge

It seems to me that our Lord’s earnest desire to have his sacred heart honoured in a special way is directed toward renewing the effects of redemption in our souls. For the sacred heart is an inexhaustible fountain and its soul desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good pleasure.

  From this divine heart three streams flow endlessly. The first is the stream of mercy for sinners; it pours into their hearts sentiments of contrition and repentance. The second is the stream of charity which helps all in need and especially aids those seeking perfection to find the means of surmounting their difficulties. From the third stream flow love and light for the benefit of his friends who have attained perfection; these he wishes to unite to himself so that they may share his knowledge and commandments and, in their individual ways, devote themselves wholly to advancing his glory.

  This divine heart is an abyss of all blessings, and into it the poor should submerge all their needs. It is an abyss of joy in which all of us can immerse our sorrows. It is an abyss of lowliness to counteract our foolishness, an abyss of mercy for the wretched, an abyss of love to meet our every need.

  Therefore, you must unite yourselves to the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, both at the beginning of your conversion in order to obtain proper dispositions, and at its end in order to make reparation. Are you making no progress in prayer? Then you need only offer God the prayers which the Saviour has poured out for us in the sacrament of the altar. Offer God his fervent love in reparation for your sluggishness. In the course of every activity pray as follows: “My God, I do this or I endure that in the heart of your Son and according to his holy counsels. I offer it to you in reparation for anything blameworthy or imperfect in my actions.” Continue to do this in every circumstance of life. And every time that some punishment, affliction or injustice comes your way, say to yourself: “Accept this as sent to you by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in order to unite yourself to him.”

  But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure. In order to preserve it there is nothing more useful than renouncing your own will and substituting for it the will of the divine heart. In this way his will can carry out for us whatever contributes to his glory, and we will be happy to be his subjects and to trust entirely in him.

St. Hedwig, Religious (1174-1243)

Tuesday, 16 October 2012       St. Hedwig, Religious (1174-1243)

Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron

Dear Wiiliam,   

You noticed Saint Raphael's quote for 23 June 2012 from the DGO.

And now for the Memorial of Saint Hedwig, again, the DGO has favoured the selection from  St. Raphael - as below.

Yours 

Donald.

To: Donald...
Sent: Saturday, 23 June 2012, 20:30
Subject: DGO extract - Raphael Arnaiz Baron

Raphael Arnaiz Baron - DGO extract -  

from William.     

GOSPEL Lk. 11:37-41.
Commentary of the day : 

Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938), a Spanish Trappist monk 
Spiritual writings, 04/03/1968 (trans. Mairin Mitchell, 1964 alt.) 
 
You purify the outside but God is found on the inside

If the world that seeks my God were to know, if those learned men who seek for God in science and endless discussion were to know, if people did but know where to find God, how many wars would be prevented, what peace there would be in the world, how many souls would be saved! Unreasoning and stupid that you look for God where He is not! Listen, and be filled with awe: God is in our hearts, I know it. God lives in the human heart when this heart lives withdrawn from all that is not Him, when this heart heeds God's knock at its door (Rv 3,20) and, sweeping and cleaning all its rooms, makes itself ready to welcome him who alone truly satisfies.

How sweet it is to live like this, with God in the heart. What sublime peace to find oneself filled with God!... What little trouble it is; rather it should be said, there is no trouble in doing what He wishes, since we love His will, and even pain and suffering are His peace, since we suffer for love. Only God fills the soul, and fills it wholly. Let scientists go on asking: Where is God? He is where those clever ones, arrogant in their knowledge, cannot reach.