Letter of Blessed Joseph-Marie Cassant to his parents

Joseph Cassant ocso

Thursday, June 17, 2011 Memorial
Blessed Joseph-Marie Cassant ocso
Fr. Hugh introduced the Mass. 

Fr. Hugh He commented on the long period of Cistercians not being canonised. Most recently four Beatifications took place. Three of them were young, in their twenties. They had in common that they suffered illness of tuberculosis.
They are distinguished by holiness in the two marks of youth and illness.
See:
http://www.ocso.org/index.

Bienheureux Cyprien Michaël Iwene Tansi ( 3 Files )Bienheureuse Maria Gabriella Sagheddu ( 3 Files )S. Raphaël Arnáiz Barón ( 3 Files )Bienheureux Marie-Joseph Cassant ( 3 Files )

  

Letter of Blessed Joseph-Marie Cassant to his parents

23 December 1902 / 24 May 1903).

Everything for the Heart of Jesus!

My dear Parents,

Christmas is here, like dawn of the new year; let us not let it pass without examining our thoughts. First, it must be said that this year has been a year of graces for the whole family: on 22 February the diaconate opened the door to the priesthood and on 12 October we saw the fulfillment of all our longings.We would be most ungrateful if we didn't see in all this the special protection of the Heart of Jesus.

For such a long time we hoped against hope to be able to have the whole family together after my ordination so as to share the joy of being present and receiving communion together at my first Mass. The good Lord heard our deepest wishes. It now remains to us to thank him and to enter more and more deeply into the greatness of the priesthood. Let us never dare to equate the Sacrifice of the Mass with earthly things.

So I wish you all a good, happy and holy New Year, in every way. No more worries! You all know that I am a priest now and will never forget you.

Let us be resolved to take advantage of the time given us in this life, which can be compared to water which flows away, to a puff of smoke which the smallest breath scatters, or to a flash of lightning which splits the clouds and then vanishes. Nevertheless, this brief time on earth must be well spent. To this purpose, we must do all out of love, being one with the Heart of Jesus, and rejecting any useless worries.

The best thing I can hope for is that you ever abide as one in the Heart of Jesus. Thank you for your letter, written by your very heart!

I have just received the beautiful photos, and I thank you. They will make a fine family memento. May the Heart of Jesus be praised in all this. I want you always to revere this Heart, which is enshrined in your house. Let us be one in the Heart of Jesus as we beg his protection.

As for my health, it is always problematic. I am very well cared for. I am not going to any of the community exercises, but still, with the heat, my breathing is somewhat difficult. I also have a cold which is making me cough. All for the Heart of Jesus!

I end with the wish that we always be one in the Heart of Jesus, on earth as in Heaven. 

Desert Abbey Cross

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