Tuesday 14 August 2012

15th August Assumption of BVM "WOMAN OF THE EUCHARIST"




Assumption of the BVM.
The Triumph of Humility
MAGNIFICAT art commentary.

The Coronation of the Virgin with Six Saints (detail), Ridolfo Ghirlandaio (1483-1561), Petit Palais Museum, Avignon, France. © RMN / René-Gabriel Ojéda.


 Ridolfo di Domenico Ghirlandaio (1483-1561) was the longtime friend of Raphaël with whom he received his train­ing in Florence. In their early works, the two painters used the same brushes as a way of sealing their unwavering friendship. Upon achieving fame in Rome, Raphaël begged his friend to join him in order to share in his glory. But Ridolfo feared noth­ing more than to lose his soul at the tumultuous court of the Renaissance popes. He preferred the peace of family life, at the service of his art and his loved ones. He had fifteen children and, according to his contemporaries, he sowed goodness all around him.

A reflection of the artist’s beautiful soul shines through in this painting. On a cloud which reveals the divine presence, the Virgin Mary is crowned by her Son, the King of eternal glory. Unlike traditional representations, this scene does not take place in Paradise, but before the door that opens into the hereafter. This door is a radiant disc of sunlight whose edges ripple with the colours of the seven heavens, forming steps to the throne of God. Sinners cannot cross its threshold without undergoing the baptism of death. But Ghirlandaio already gives us access to the heart of the mystery through the sublime attitude of humility we see in our Lady. Kneeling before the Lord with her hands joined in prayer, Mary wears a mantle of blue, colour of the waters of baptism, which symbolizes her Immaculate Conception while at the same time recalling that she is a daughter of Eve. Yet this mantle almost completely covers her glorious red gown, raiment of the extraordinary deeds the Holy Spirit has accomplished in her. What better way to show how humility is not abolished by the triumph of the blessed but rather comes to full fruition? O the resplendent face of Mary, bathed in the same light and bearing the same expression as at the moment of the Annunciation! Yes, it is indeed the very same young girl – utterly humble, utterly ready to do God’s will – who received the angel’s greeting and who today is crowned Queen of the angels! O Satan, monster of pride, where is your victory?

 Pierre-Marie Dumon




50th International Eucharistic Congress,
10-17 June 2012, Dublin, Ireland
THE SACRED HEART AND MARY’S UNIQUE ROLE AS
“WOMAN OF THE EUCHARIST”
Dr. Timothy O’Donnell
Christendom College, Virginia USA
Friday 15th. June 2012
ad usum privatum
Tá glionadar chroí orm a bheith anseo libhse!
“Let all people tremble, let the whole world shake and the heavens burst into praise, when
Christ, the Son of the ever-living God, is present on the altar in the hands of a priest.  How are we to
understand the sublime humility of this – that the very Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God
so humbles himself for our salvation (Philippians 2:5-8).  Fix your eyes, my friends, on the humility
of God and pour out your hearts in devotion to Him!  (Psalm 61:8).  I implore you, hold back nothing
of yourself, so that He who gives himself completely for you, may completely receive you (Matthew
10: 32-33.)”
~St. Francis of Assisi, “Letter to the Order
1
The Eucharist is the Gift of His Love, the Gift of His Heart.
Introduction:
It is a great joy and honor for me to be with you today here in Dublin at this congress, held in
Ireland, a nation traditionally honored by Catholics around the world for its love for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and its tenacious unconquerable love for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which brings
us Christ’s real Presence in the Eucharist.  How wonderful to share this time with you during the
Octave of Corpus Christi, as we prepare for the great Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. 

Our topic today is “The Sacred Heart and the Eucharist.”

This session will explore the deep relationship which exists between devotion to the Heart of Jesus
and the Holy Eucharist, illustrated by Mary’s unique role as “woman of the Eucharist” (Blessed John  Paul II) It will demonstrate theologically and historically the intimate bond which exists between the devotion of love and the Sacrament of Love revealing the Holy Eucharist as the gift of His Heart.
Archbishop Marini in his address to the Episcopal Conference on this Eucharistic Congress encouraged examination of recent statements of the Magisterium and explicitly mentioned John Paul II’s Ecclesia de Eucharistia and Mane Nobiscum Domine.   ..........

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