Showing posts with label Spirit of Detachment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirit of Detachment. Show all posts

Wednesday 15 November 2017

#92 St. Paulinus of Trier - How to Attain a Pure Love for God – Love for the Cross – Pride Mars this Pure Love



Ecstasy date November 4, 1878

I am St. Paulinus, Bishop and Martyr of Trier. Here is the cause of my glorious martyrdom: Our Lord favoured me the gifts of His love. I had to endure dreadful discontent, jealousy and persecution because I was loved and favoured by heaven with His gifts. I persevered for several years under the burden of the worst fears on the part of my brothers and also a few sisters. At the same time the persecution broke out and the Hand of God was laid heavily on the earth as It is still ready to do so today. I was exposed to cruel judges who served the emperors. I was ordered to recant and renounce my faith in God and my priesthood.


Immediately I took to words and I said, "This is my body. Dispose of my life, do what you please. I will die a Christian, in my priesthood." I was then put to torture. I was cruelly stoned. Then my body was ground in a type of instrument that (represented) a round millstone and (was) of heavy iron. I was crushed. Then the executioner ordered (them) to throw in under this wheel my tattered flesh, broken and mutilated. My mutilated body was rescued by a few noble souls who also gave way to the fury of the barbarians. My broken flesh was laid to rest in consecrated ground.


Now a word on behalf of Our Lord.


How the love of God is stronger when we know that we can only love God alone and in His Holy Cross! This love does not mix with human love, with the love of the creature that is nothing but a love without value, without merit and without profit. Is the love of the world pure? Is it without mixture?

No, it is all mixed up with imperfections or lacks of perfect savour. The love of God makes man generous. He alone makes it stronger than any army of a king consisting of thousands of soldiers because the love of God is God Himself. It is He alone that fortifies man and gives him a wealth of strength to overcome all and to win the greatest victory.

Where (do we) drink the love of God, except in the Sacred Source of the Power of God? It can not be drunk in the minds of creatures or the conversation of humans. May it be found in their beautiful language? According to St. Chrysostom, in this golden language? No, it is only found in true humility, pure charity, in pure perfection. This is where you find the pure love of God.

Is the Love of God always in agreement with the conversation of creatures, talking about everything? No, love agrees only in the purely divine conversation of God. This is where you will find this union of agreement between Love and the conversation of human beings. It is on the Goodness of God. To taste this pure love and to find the depths of His riches, keep a silent respect, prefer to be removed in solitude. This is where the soul can hear the lessons of God's Love.


Does the Love of God enter by the door of the human conversation on the earth? No, it comes through the door of silence and quiet solitude. But often, many Christians do not think about opening that door. Or they leave it closed by the occupation of this great conversation, of love disturbed, human love, love that degrades the house of the soul, a love which narrows the scope of the heart, love that too often produces storms in the mind, soul and heart.


The love of the Holy Cross is mixed with the Love of God. They are strengthened both at once. But many have this love of the Cross and in the middle of this love, the seed of pride still exists. Love of the Cross is then neither in the soul nor in the heart, as it does not reign where the seed of pride is not faded, torn and scattered. There must be very serious attention and careful reflection paid to this love of the Cross. This love is strong, it is powerful. But it has wings. Once (there is) a thought of vanity or pride, as soon as they have the thought that they believe they are something, as soon as they are happy to be honoured, this love opens its wings and takes flight, it remains suspended. Then the germ of pride invades the home of the love of the Cross. It spreads thick smoke, and in this thick smoke, pride leaps, extends and is master of a property it acquired by the love of the mind that feels very capable and very powerful, for love of the thought that they believe themselves capable of great things, for the love of the flesh that they feel (to be of) great value. This is what gives a wide scope to the fatal pride that eats away, which degrades, which wastes away. However, today, is the great kingdom, it is the great triumph. (Pride?) Many say they are humble with their mouth but deep down they think otherwise!


Courage and Hope, Friends of the Cross. Our Lord has given you this beautiful portion, but for a time, for here the mind of God is written clearly. The first that bear the burden of My Cross will feel a deep heaviness. But the next, upon which must fall this overwhelming burden, will feel a weight three times heavier than the first to whom it was originally given and who bore it with courage. This is what is written in the mind of God, at the entrance to this new degree. Courage! Your portion has been painful but the reward will be glorious. I will pray for you ...”

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Notes: St. Paulinus of Trier, Germany was born in Gascony. He accompanied St. Maximinus to Trier and succeeded him as bishop in 349 AD. He was a staunch supporter of St. Athanasius, the great Doctor of the Church who denounced the Arian heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. This terrible heresy was condemned by the Council of Nicaea in 325. But the persecution of faithful Catholics continued. Saint Paulinus was exiled by the Arian Emperor Constantius to Phrygia in 355 AD where he died. Feast Day August 31. (Not to be confused with St. Paulinus of Nola 353-431 AD.)

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Tuesday 7 November 2017

#89 St. Deusdedit – Prophecy of Pius IX's Canonization – a Warning to Pope Leo XIII and Angelic Pontiff Prophecy




St. Deusdedit gives details of his struggles – Prophecy of Pius IX's Canonization: it will stop calamities destined to strike Rome – a Warning to Pope Leo XIII and Angelic Pontiff Prophecy – Lesson on Spiritual Detachment from All things, How to live Heaven on Earth





Ecstasy of October 24, 1878


I am Pope St. Dieudonné. (Also known as Deusdedit and Adeodatus I) I come to say a word on behalf of Our Lord.


Dear brothers, we suffer everywhere and the cross is seeded under our steps. It rises like a great harvest, it alone blooms at all times. Neither winter nor the ice stops its flowering. I ruled on a Pontifical Throne, I ruled in peace, I ruled in pain. There is always two steps: the summer and winter. I suffered cruelly for the support and the cause of the Church. At every instant we talked and we cried. The storm and the disorders have risen against the Church and its Head. But I did not falter an instant. I governed the Church of God with tears.


I myself asked for the support and comfort (i.e.for the Church?). But all vanished at my word. Everything seemed to run away to allow all the cruel enemies of God to approach, to break the Church and its Throne. I strongly maintained the Holy Church and my duty, seriously threatened. I heard the whistle of the instruments of death all around my prison. Armed with the Crucifix and the statue of the Queen of Heaven, I conquered, I won over my weakness. I was victorious after a terrible struggle.


Almost all the representatives of God have suffered and have been martyrs, held prisoner. Let us pray for our Brother and Father who reigns at the moment (i.e., Pope Leo XIII reigned during the time of this ecstasy). The pain and grief hanging over the Church and the Holy See. The venerated remains of the man who died after so much pain and tears and after a long captivity of pain, tears and imprisonment, (i.e Pius IX) are able to provide, by the force of his holiness, the brilliant visible miracle for the one that currently reigns.”


(Note: Pius IX was forced to flee to Gaeta from 1848 to 1850 and then later considered himself a prisoner in the Vatican to protest against the confiscation of the Papal States. He died in 1878. See post #44 - Prophecy of the Papacy - A Pope in Prison   Of interest, it seems St. Deusdedit is predicting Pius IX would cause a miracle to console Leo XIII. What it was is currently unknown, it could have been a private miracle, the story of which may one day come to light.)



St. Deusdedit continues: “For the holy Pope Pius IX will be elevated one day to a very high sanctity and this sanctity of love and tenderness will stop terrible calamities that are reserved for the Roman city. (I.e. a prediction Pius IX would be canonised, he has already been declared Blessed since 2,000 AD. Apparently, his canonisation will prevent a terrible calamity from striking Rome.)


St. Deusdedit: "Today, in this city, (Rome?) we hear deaf sounds, we see in Heaven these preparations and these arrangements under the odious government of this man, this race, which he has already made suffer so much, so much wailing. Apparently, he promised to support, defend, and provide the reinforcement and support for the captive martyr. But in the bottom of his heart, he thinks otherwise. In the bottom of his heart, a dark secret is hidden and is veiled from the eyes of humans but not those of God!”

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Note:“This man” this could be a double prophecy:

    First prophecy: about a government official who was promising assistance but secretly plotting against Leo XIII. Leo XIII had many struggles to contend with regarding the anti-clerical government of Rome and in Italy. Wikipedia gives the following information: “In light of climate hostile to the Church, Leo continued the policies of Pius IX towards Italy, without major modifications. In his relations with the Italian state, Leo XIII continued the Papacy's self-imposed incarceration in the Vatican stance and continued to insist that Italian Catholics should not vote in Italian elections or hold elected office. (...) He had to defend the freedom of the Church against what Catholics considered Italian persecutions and attacks in the area of education, expropriation and violation of Catholic Churches, legal measures against the Church and brutal attacks, culminating in anticlerical groups attempting to throw the body of the deceased Pope Pius IX into the Tiber river on 13 July 1881. The Pope even considered moving his residence to Trieste or Salzburg, two cities in Austria, an idea that the Emperor Franz Joseph I gently rejected."


    Second prophecy: and this could be a prediction concerning the Angelic Pontiff who will also suffer imprisonment and a spiritual martyrdom like Pius IX and Leo XIII. He will have allies that will play him false.

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St. Deusdedit continues: “Dear brothers, we have nothing to do but pray and submit for the hour of God is determined. Every man is no more than a grain of dust. To make a miracle of peace and reconciliation in all these threatened powers, (I.e. to bring peace in the Church) do not count, do not rely on the arm of flesh because there is only God who can do what He had promised to set free those powers threatened, divided, revolted.


Now, a word of encouragement and love of God.

Dear brothers and sisters, you also had the experience of earth and of Heaven. You searched the earth for that which to console you and you have found grief, bitterness and pain. You have relied on Heaven and you have found a powerful strength and divine consolations that revived in you in the deepest agony, I mean suffering, despair and pain. Nothing, on earth, can truly console the man who loves God richly and liberally. (I.e only love of God alone can bring true consolation.) Is it those weak creatures who are steeped in a little dust and reign on earth for one hour? Is this the strong soul that will find happiness and love? No, it disgusts the soul. The heart feels a repugnance. The rest of the body does not seek and tries to enter (happiness?) by ties and friendship.


If you want to save a lot (of effort), if you want to possess Heaven on earth, flee creatures, flee conversation, stay away from their presence and put yourself in the presence of Him who is Almighty and Eternal. Our souls are suffering from mortal attachments. The crying of the soul is like a pure gold that spreads before the Lord as the aroma of the sweetest perfume. God's love is so powerful, so strong, so united, so sweet and fragrant that to withdraw the soul from the love of God is like plunging it into the mud and corrupt water.


Follow this road of love, live (as) solitaires in love, solitary in the presence of God. It is in solitude that the Shepherd saw Heaven open and the sheep contemplate its beauty. I compare the love of creatures to bird lime because once they are rooted in this mad love that is without merit or profit, they can not withdraw, it is stuck on all sides, the clothes themselves are stuck.

Next sentence, closest translation: All it takes is something very little to become an attachment that is made by human hands. (I.e. even the little things of the earth can become an attachment if we allow them.) One keeps, by this attachment, their soul and heart in deprivation. By this (earthly) love, they hold the gates of Heaven closed ... I am not defending (against) charity, (I.e. because we do need things) on the contrary, but I do not like this attachment, these supports that are only posts of earth. (I.e. stakes tying us to earth. We must be careful not to allow even necessary things of earth tie us down.)

Live in love, sigh to see Love. Glide in love like an eagle that, for strength to rise, approaches the rays of the sun. Be like it, imitate it. We are on the earth to fly to God, to love God and to live His love.

Courage, dear brothers and sisters in the cross! But the fruit will be so beautiful in heaven, once entered, you will wish to be human again to suffer on earth as Heaven is so beautiful, Heaven is so sweet, the happiness of heaven is great! I leave you at the foot of the Cross in the loving tenderness of Jesus and his Sacred and Adorable Wounds that are sources where your souls draw strength …

O Crux Ave, it is at the foot of the Cross where God's love reigns and the happiness of souls ...”


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Note:

A Roman by birth, Saint Deusdedit (St. Adeodatus I) became pope in 615 AD. During his pontificate a pestilence raged in Rome and he worked to relieve the plague-striken. In all ancient Benedictine menologies, he is called a Benedictine monk, but there is no evidence of this. Feast Day Nov. 8

The Webmasters of the “Sanctuary / Friend of Marie-Julie Website” also remind us that: “… the seventh century was a difficult period for the Church as it began to establish its autonomy while new governments formed from the remnants of the larger Empires after their collapse. After waves of persecution of the early centuries, after the great storm of heresies, after the barbarian invasions, the Ship of St. Peter held fast. But other dangers loomed on the horizon: Islam and the ambitions of the powerful of this world. St. Deusdedit, (also known as St. Adeodatus I), was one of the first twenty popes who ruled the Church during the seventh century. Do not forget them! They do not forget us, as this ecstasy shows.”

(Image above: wood reliquary of St. Deusdedit from the 1600s)
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Friday 20 October 2017

#78 St. Lambert of Maastricht - Answers why God Overwhelms Us with Crosses at Times





St. Lambert of Maastricht, Bishop and Martyr gives revelations of his martyrdom in defence of the Faith – Suffering is Sweet when you have the True Christian Faith – The Sufferings of Life the Shortest Way to Reach Perfection – God Loves a Soul that is Spiritually Detached - Why God Allows Us to be Overwhelmed at Times – A Sign of Love





Ecstasy of September 16, 1878


My name is St. Lambert, Bishop and Martyr. I suffered martyrdom by supporting the truths of God and the Church, because I did not want to break the law and deny my Christian faith. There have been many martyrs from the time when I was martyred. There has been much blood shed by men and impious barbarians who rejected the faith in Jesus Christ. (Note: this paragraph and especially the last sentence seems to suggest he was murdered by heretics / apostates. According to historical accounts, he died defending the sacrament of marriage.)


My martyrdom was long and with tortures of all kinds. They could not take my life. I was tortured in a manner hideous and merciless. My limbs were twisted, crushed under a sort of instrument of iron. Then, after having been ground, so to speak, I was exposed on a wire fence bristling with sharp points that pierced my flesh and tore my body. I was beaten with iron rods on all parts of my body, so that I could not make any movement. The last execution was even more painful. They made openings on all
parts of my body and I shed my blood to support the Faith.

Now, I will say a word on behalf of Our Lord.

It is sweet to suffer and endure martyrdom when you have the true Christian faith. Nothing frightens, nothing detracts, nothing is discouraging when it comes to the Holy Will of Him who died for us. Throughout my life I suffered much while on earth. I was accused, I carried a burden of accusations. When the love of God is based in souls, everything becomes light so that one does not feel the arrival of greater pain. Suffering on behalf of men is very sweet because we feel superhuman strength that comes from Above and gives us courage so that we are ready to face all dangers, all threats and all condemnations. .. Our Lord has planted in our hearts the vigour of courage and Hope to revive in us a lively faith, a love so strong, that God has great recognition. (i.e., is recognised as part of this great work of suffering and receives much honour and glory?)

God alone knows the price of this loving grace. The sufferings of this life are the shortest way to reach perfection. The man, who does not suffer in his body, or in his soul or his heart, has much to fear and worry, because he is far from Holy perfection. (This) perfection leaves on man's face beaming features that announce the elevation of his soul, his heart, his thoughts toward God, which is his Hope.

Our Lord put us on earth, in a kind of dark prison, closed, black, and that prison, it is our human miseries, which rise like walls, to make us even greater captives. Our sweet Lord did not put us on earth to enjoy and relax or to be perfectly happy. He has placed us on earth to love Him first and then to make us participants of His Divine Kingdom. To spend life on earth without loving God is to spend life without life, without waiting to be rewarded. Our adorable Lord, in His fatherly love, permits sometimes that we be crushed, mangled, blackened. These moments are very rich, very precious full of love.

If we knew at that moment that Our Lord prepares us, promises us and give us (these
sufferings), we would live outside ourselves, in the Divine Hope. Our Lord looks at our soul so tenderly, so lovingly, that he embellishes it with His eyes. He removes the dust, that is to say the miseries that surround our souls and He adorns it with beauty and splendour. He gives a greater freedom to taste how sweet it is to rise to the desire to love perfection. At the time of depression and neglect, (i.e. the 'dark night' of the soul) the soul gains a treasure of graces from God. It enters the friendship of its Creator. It is there where you need to pass, more or less deeply.

We must quickly remove our attachments to the earth and give it (our soul) to the Supreme Creator of all things. God does not love a soul that has a home rising to heaven and another home down on earth. (i.e. when a soul is still spiritually attached to the things earth). As always the attachment of the earth will destroy the strength of the other.

We must cut this too human attachment where charity is not always perfect. In humanity, there is imperfection, misery, lightness (i.e. shallowness?). In contrast, in the Divine attachment, everything is perfect, everything becomes perfect, all elevates in complete perfection.

Sometimes the weakness of the heart finds solace in the weakness of the human voice. Do not look for and enjoy the consolation (I.e. in human attachments) because, in this searching, in the time you spend, the thought of God is forgotten. Human thought, is in its full force and extent, occupied with vile miseries and imperfect affections. Our Lord sends us His cross, tenderly, so that our soul, our heart, our mind, our thoughts are occupied only with God and His Cross. When He sends His dear cross, He desires that we be occupied with Him and His Cross. He wants everything else to disappear. It is to make us think of Him that He overwhelms us more deeply, sometimes

Courage! If God overwhelms you, it is a sign that He loves you, He prepares you, that He destines you and you are predestined, like workers for a great work. Live without consolation, without assurances, without human support, so to speak, without light. This is the greatest sorrow, it is true, but the most meritorious. I am going to pray for all my brothers in the Cross and above the Cross, as, on earth, you are all workers of the Cross, workers, labourers for the work of God, workers for the work of the Holy Trinity.

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Notes: Saint Lambert was born in 640, died in 709. Born in Maastricht, he became bishop of that city in 668, but in 674 he was driven from his see by the tyrant Ebroin. Afterwards, he lived for seven years at the Benedictine abbey of Stavelot as a simple monk. He was recalled to his see by Pepin of Heristal, father of Charlemagne, and did much to foster the apostolate of St. Willibrord. He was murdered in Liége, and has ever since been venerated as a martyr. Feast day, September 17.

Of great interest, Wikipedia has the following information: “Lambert is said to have denounced King Pepin's adulterous liaison with Alpaida, who was to become the mother of Charles Martel. This aroused the enmity of either Pepin, Alpaida, or both. The bishop was murdered at Liege by the troops of Dodon, Pepin's domesticus (manager of state domains), father or brother of Alpaida. (...). Lambert came to be viewed as a martyr for his defence of marital fidelity.

As St. Lambert said he died in defence of the True Faith to Marie-Julie Jahenny, we can see from this revelation that defending the sacrament of marriage from those who would profane or redefine it contrary to Church teaching is to defend the true Faith, and in fact, by encouraging the Children of the Cross, with his revelations: “I suffered martyrdom by supporting the truths of God and the Church, because I did not want to break the law and deny my Christian faith. There have been many martyrs from the time when I was martyred. There has been much blood shed by men and impious barbarians who rejected the faith in Jesus Christ. (...) It is sweet to suffer and endure martyrdom when you have the true Christian faith,” it seems this struggle to defend this sacrament will be the greatest source of persecutions before the Victory of the Cross will occur. It is interesting that those who attempt to destroy or redefine what marriage is, usually end up heretics. Notice the martyrdom of St. Thomas More who gave his life in defence of the sacrament when King Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church over the issue of marriage validity. Instead of being obedient to God's law, he invented his own religion, unleashing a bloody period of martyrdom and persecution in England.

(Image: Right: The reliquary of St. Lambert of Maastricht.  Left: A depiction of his martyrdom.)

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Wednesday 18 October 2017

#76 St. Abraham (of Kidunaia?) - The Beginning of the True Love of God is Inner Silence and the Spirit of Detachment - God is Displeased When We Let Our Inner Peace be Disturbed



St. Abraham, Hermit – Perfection Gained by Spiritual Detachment – The Beginning of the True Love of God is Inner Silence and the Spirit of Detachment - God is Displeased When We Let Our Inner Peace be Disturbed


Ecstasy date September 10, 1878

I am Saint Abraham, Hermit. (Possibly St. Abraham Kidunaia) I am a solitary who lived in the desert and I am known here on earth. I come to say a word on behalf of Our Lord before entering the Holy Novitiate.


Let us all pray and do penance because today penances are rare, the pleasures are great. (I.e. the opportunity to do penance is not there as in the past and worldly earthy pleasures abound.) Consider our very short passage on this earth, and in this thought, we love God more. Let us love Him for those who do not love Him. Let us all be solitaries (i.e. hermits) on earth, that is to say, we enclose ourselves in the Love and the Secret of God. We live in this strength, live in the love that Our Lord gives us so generously. It is tender, it is extremely sweet to suffer on earth, especially when God allows the complete detachment of all things in order to be occupied with Him alone in our hearts and thoughts. If there is a life of happiness on earth, it is this, a detached life, a life all consumed in the Holy Will of God. In death our will will find perfect peace. If a soul is to serve God well, if it would love Him dearly and enjoy His tender Love, it will be detached, it separates itself from the frivolous love that exists on earth, I mean love in creatures. If we are to find the Creator, if we wish to talk to Him, if we want Him to be the only witness of everything we do, we must break the human bond that still prevents us from reaching the highest perfection. Why seek away from God, pleasure, happiness and satisfaction? Where are they to be found? Could there be a new source (for these things), after we we no longer live on earth?”

Marie-Julie: “Oh, no, good saint, there is no new source for that!”

St. Abraham: “Why do we find while in the maintenance of the world, (i.e., while they still live on earth) a kind of strength, courage and expansion? Because they are not entirely dead to the human creature. There is still a long way to go, there is a strong bond to break and our wills to master. How can this be done, if souls continue to do their own will? This is what happens. They climb in the beginning to a certain degree of progress. Once there, they have no more courage. It happens that the creature goes back, it needs a human support. At this degree, where they rest for some time rather than climb the mountain, sometimes they descend more strongly than when they climbed, thanks due to this kind of carnal love.” (I.e. attachment to the things of the world and people as a source of happiness and comfort keeps one from making progress in spiritual perfection.)

Marie-Julie: “Good saint, I did not know that it is like that.”

Saint Abraham: “It is a kind of love that God does not love because often it is not pure, it is imperfect, and they often believe that they see clearly when they see darkness. We are all (placed) on earth to love our Father, our Creator. He alone can no longer be enough? He alone is no longer as powerful as before? Since seeking far from Him to satisfy their heart is not in this love, they will look for a way to fortify and console themselves because the love of the creature is often a great depravity among souls who come together to console and strengthen themselves with a pinch of dust, since the creature is nothing but corruption and imperfection.


On the earth, our Divine Saviour, who so loved us, wants us to love Him. Let us retreat into ourselves and let us say this word that I have often pondered:

"What will it serve to have been satisfied, that I would use these hours without the Presence, without thinking of God? These are hours which are not counted, which are not marked among the number of merits."

When one lives alone with God, how happy they are! All worries seem to vanish because only God makes us so happy while we live, so to speak, in perfect love. All on earth was created to love us, to suffer and to relieve us. (Note: he seems to say here when were are completely attached to God alone, then we truly live in the world, but not of it, the earth then becomes as God intended for us, a means to perfection and not something to drag us down, as what happens when we become attached to things of earth first without God.)


Never has the number of ingratitudes been greater than today. One no longer loves to relieve his neighbour, they no longer like to do something to repair his attacked honour. Why? Because they are weak and that they are cowards and they still have an attachment that is not broken. (i.e. Ingratitude, slander, lack of charity are vices of weak cowardly souls that are still attached to the things of earth.)

We enter into silence, and most importantly, we move away from the noise of the earth to serve God, to taste how sweet it is to love Him on earth. This is the beginning of true love. Life is full of miseries, it is full of torments, pain and worry, we keep our peace in the midst of the biggest problems. It is a sign that God has dug in us, the beginning of the source of peace. We carry our crosses, more or less burdensome on earth and sometimes it happens that our crosses are frightening in their gravity.

(Next sentence is a rough translation: During our life, it is not that God weighs down our miserable body, the world is mixed there.) If while on this earth we are never perfectly tranquil it is because we sometimes see, sometimes we experience another pain that comes to crown the pain that (before) was moderate. Soon this trouble is so great that one can not measure it, explain it or understand it. Guard peace, let us be tranquil. God watches over us. God protects us and helps us by His grace and His love. Keep the peace, it pleases God. By disturbing His peace, you displease God … (I.e. no matter how great they are, let no troubles, sufferings or anxieties disturb your inner peace gained by the spirit of detachment.)


Let us obey God as He is leading us, who commands and who orders us... The victims of the Cross have to bear the Cross. Is it not the richest, most beautiful, the most in loving? Why do they (the victims) need anything else, when God gives them a rich treasury overflowing on all sides? The Cross is to be their union, their companion, their rest, their support, consolation, their hope and their home on earth.”


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Note: this must be Abraham Kidunaia (d. c. 366) as the Rev. Alan Butler wrote the following description of him in his “Lives of the Saints” Vol 3. (1866) which corresponds with his message to Marie-Julie Jahenny:

St. Abraham converted his desert into a paradise, because he found in it his God, whose presence makes Heaven. He wanted not the company of men, who enjoyed that of God and his angels; nor could he ever be at a loss for employment, to whom both the days and nights were two short for heavenly contemplation. “Whilst his body was employed in penitential manual labour, his mind and heart were sweetly taken up in God, who was to him All in All, and the centre of all his desires and affections. His watchings were but an uninterrupted sacrifice of divine love, and by the ardour of his desire, and the disposition of his soul and its virtual tendency to God, his sleep itself was a continuation of his union with God, and exercise of loving him. He could truly say with the spouse, I sleep, but my heart watcheth. Thus Christians, who are placed in distracting stations, may also, if they accustom themselves, converse interiorly with God in purity of heart, and in all their actions and desires have only his will in view. Such a life is a kind of imitation of the Seraphim, to whom to live and to love are one and the same thing. “The angels,” says St. Gregory the Great, “always carry their Heaven about with them wheresoever they are sent, because they never depart from God, or cease to behold him; ever dwelling in the bosom of his immensity; living and moving in him, and exercising their ministry in the sanctuary of his divinity.” This is the happiness of every Christian who makes a desert, by interior solitude, in his own heart.”

About St. Abraham's life, Rev. Butler wrote:

St. Abraham was born at Chidana, in Mesopotamia, near Edessa, of wealthy and noble parents, who, after giving him a most virtuous education, were desirous of engaging him in the married state. In compliance with their inclinations, Abraham took to wife a pious and noble virgin: but earnestly desiring to live and die in the state of holy virginity, as soon as the marriage ceremony and feast were over, having made known his resolution to his new bride, he secretly withdrew to a cell two miles from the city Edessa; where his friends found him at prayer after a search, of seventeen days. By earnest entreaties he obtained their consent, and after their departure walled up the door of his cell, leaving only a little window, through which he received what was necessary for his subsistence. He spent his whole time in adoring and praising God, and imploring his mercy. He every day wept abundantly. He was possessed of no other earthly goods but a cloak and a piece of sackcloth which he wore, and a little vessel out of which he both eat and drank. For fifty years he was never wearied with his austere penance and holy exercises, and seemed to draw from them every day fresh vigour. Ten years after he had left the world, by the demise of his parents, he inherited their great estates, but commissioned a virtuous friend to distribute the revenues in alms-deeds. Many resorted to him for spiritual advice, whom he exceedingly comforted and edified by his holy discourses.

 A large country town in the diocese of Edessa, remained till that time addicted to idolatry, and its inhabitants had loaded with injuries and outrages all the holy monks and others who had attempted to preach the gospel to them. The bishop at length cast his eye on Abraham, ordained him priest though much against his will, and sent him to preach the faith to those obstinate infidels. He wept all the way as he went, and with great earnestness repeated this prayer: “Most merciful God, look down on my weakness: assist me with thy grace, that thy name may be glorified. Despise not the works of thy own hands.” At the sight of the town, reeking with the impious rites of idolatry, he redoubled the torrents of his tears: but found the citizens resolutely determined not to hear him speak. Nevertheless, he continued to pray and weep among them without intermission, and though he was often beaten and ill-treated, and thrice banished by them, he always returned with the same zeal. After three years the infidels were overcome by his meekness and patience, and being touched by an extraordinary grace, all demanded baptism. He staid one year longer with them to instruct them in the faith; and on their being supplied with priests and other ministers, he went back to his cell.”



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Tuesday 17 October 2017

#75 St. Nestor of Magydos - – Lessons on Trust in God Alone - Seek No Consolations other than God – Attachments to the Earth Prolong a Painful Existence



St Nestor gives details of his Apostolate and Martyrdom – The Pleasures of the Earth do not give Merits – Suffering a Great Treasure – The Spirit of Detachment – Seek No Consolations other than God – Attachments to the Earth Prolong a Painful Existence


Ecstasy date September 5, 1878

May the peace of Our Lord be with you, dear Brothers of the Cross, may His love strengthen you! May His goodness give you hope!

I am Saint Nestor, Bishop and Martyr. I died for my God, stretched on racks. I died on the cross.
I lived in past centuries. I initially had the intention of leaving the world and entering solitude, but God decided otherwise. I was elected Bishop and was destined to spread the faith among non-Christian peoples.

After a few years in the ministry of Bishop, I was a martyr. This is how God decided my martyrdom. I travelled the earth to convert the infidels. A kind of jealousy and ill will was aroused among the people and immediately I suffered abuse. It was not yet the time of martyrdom. I lived three more years after the first persecution. I redoubled my preaching. The stronger God's love was in my soul, the more my zeal gave me dedication, a boundless charity for that poor people. After I had preached the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the unfaithful people came together and conspired against me and put me to death.

My martyrdom was very long in torments. They tortured me on racks. Seeing that I was still living and that nothing took my life, they decided to crucify me on a tree, but I was not dead. I was dragged, beaten by these people. Arriving at the place of execution I was stripped, they twisted my members, they broke my teeth with instruments that you do not know about. I was pierced with needles of iron, especially in the most sensitive parts. I was then placed on the tree, very wide and very large. I was attached with four nails. The torments just made my face glow more with happiness. They pinned my head on the tree. They hit my head so hard my head was broken and my face distorted. My head was flattened against the tree of crucifixion. Seeing that I was still breathing, they cut off my head and I expired in torment and pain.


They wanted to leave my blood and my wounds to lapped by animals, but they (compassionate witnesses?) refused and cried because of my martyrdom. Then the infidels shut up my body in a wooden box and their intention was frightening! (I.e. they planned a terrible desecration to the body.) But God knows everything, He sent chosen souls to ask for my body. They too were beaten, but the infidels yielded to their request. That is how I was carried away and how my body was removed from the infamous sacrilege that the unfaithful people intended to do.


I come, now, to say a word on behalf of Our Lord.


We are all more or less, martyrs on this earth, we all are.
There is no richer Treasure, nothing more precious than to suffer for God.

Let the world laugh at you, let it chase you in every way, as long as you serve God and that you love Him (while) on earth. There is only one happiness, one love, one joy, it is God who has all these riches. What (purpose) is it to have enjoyment on the earth? To have complete freedom in all things? It is a happiness, but happiness without merit. Why do you focus so much on this earth? Why is there such a liking to listen to what the earth repeats? We must use this vain and meritless time to think of God, to pray, to ask Him for the graces we need. (I.e, do not idly spend your time on earth's fleeting enjoyments that do not give heavenly merit.)

Why do they still neglect to trust in God (in order to) occupy themselves with another trust of mud and dust? (I.e, to place trust in mankind and the earth that is but dust?) This trust, is the most lowest, it is the last, it is that which comes from creatures … . (I.e. attachment to creatures.)


To become perfect, in all the graces of Heaven, we must (be) withdrawn and in this same withdrawing, the mind and thoughts. (I.e. to practise the spirit of detachment and solitude.) You have to recollect into your interior ... Those who suffer need to know that to withdraw is an advantage and that they are in a good path … They must take pain for a spouse and reject everything else ... Whoever is espoused to it (i.e. suffering) does not need anything else, other places, other companions to talk with or to console. Suffering will suffice, for nothing else will ... God possesses everything. God is the sovereign Comforter, the earth does not console ... The more one detaches from it, (the earth), the more a new life will approach. Often, we prolong painful existences by too many ties to the world and creatures. The way to shorten this miserable existence is to remove everything and receive God as our only Consoler, to say every thing to Him, to tell Him all …


I wish the children of God and the Cross, the strength and courage, and above all this great detachment will soon come in peace and in the House that the Lord prepares you.
It should reassure you that the Lord promises you His protection.”

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(Image above: the martyrdom of St. Nestor of Magydos, Miniature from the Menologion of Basil II)

Biography provided by the “Friends of Marie-Julie” / “Sanctuary Website” : Saint Nestor died in 251. He was Bishop of Magydos in Pamphylia (southern Asia Minor). He was crucified during the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius (249-251). Saint Nestor was so beloved, having exhorted the faithful from the top of his cross, that the pagans knelt with the Christians. Feast Day February 26.

A Serbian Orthodox website says: “Nestor was distinguished by great meekness. In the time of Decius, he was taken for trial and harshly tortured for Christ. At the time of his death, he saw in a vision a lamb prepared for sacrifice, which he interpreted as a sign of his own imminent sacrifice. He was tortured by the Eparch Publius and finally crucified in Perga in the year 250.” (Source.)

Wikipedia states: “His courage and authority were so noteworthy that a Roman magistrate uttered these words: "Until we have got the better of the bishop, we shall be powerless against the Christians." He was arrested under Emperor Decius, and sentenced to death by the local Roman governor, Pollio or Epolius of Lycia, after refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods of the state.

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Tuesday 5 September 2017

#32 Detachment from the Earth - Death Sweet for the Just

Our Lord and Marie-Julie Jahenny, a Conversation

Ecstasy December 1, 1876


Our Lord: “Tell Me, what still attaches you to the earth.”

Marie-Julie: “My dear Jesus, nothing more attaches me now except my Father confessor through gratitude because he is my way by which I may go (or enter) my eternity. I have sacrificed  everything.”

“Do you have any other regrets in your heart to tell Me?”

“Yes, dear Jesus, that You are so offended.”

“I have forgiven you, if I had not forgiven you, what would you do?”

“I would pray.”

“And if prayer was not enough?”

“I would weep for my sins.”

“And if your tears were not enough?”

“I would suffer.”

“What if the suffering was not enough?”

“I would say: “Dear Jesus, take Your rod and strike me.”

“If after being struck, it was not enough?”

“I would present to You my miserable body all in tatters, all tattered, all bruised, and I would say; “here is all I have that I can offer You.”

Our Lord: “All of the above responses merit a generous reward. My Divine Heart is comforted! I will be generous with you. You will not need your tears to atone for your sins, they are forgiven. Everything is forgotten!

Our Lord continues: Is death frightening to you?”

Marie-Julie Jahenny “No, on the contrary, it is soft, it smiled at my heart.”

Our Lord: “Death is not frightening but (only) when you are in My presence and I utter the sentence that is terrible.”

('Sentence that is terrible' - Note: We may assume Our Lord means the terrible sentence reserved for the damned, “Depart from Me Ye accursed into the everlasting fire reserved for the devil and his angels.)

Marie-Julie: “Dear Jesus, I know You are infinitely merciful and I hope.”

“Do you accept two flowers wrapped in a small cloud and that you can not distinguish very
well?”

“Yes, my dear Spouse.” The first was bigger than the other. I accept both. Then He (Our Lord) lifts the cloud and I see that the first was white, blooming, which contained a small flower of each species of fruit tree.

Our Lord: “I will offer you, today an invitation to all the flowers of the earth to bloom on the day of your death. It will remind you of the promised day of your death: a Friday. Accept this flower, fix the eyes of your soul on it, until your death.”

Marie-Julie: “The other flower was the one who will accompany me into my eternity. It is white. There is a small cross with flowers and a small alliance (wedding band?) that holds the little
flowers of the cross.”

Our Lord: “It is the flower of your trial, the flower of your eternity. I give it to you pure, the reflection of My Love will follow it everywhere.”

Marie-Julie: “Why are You giving it to me to go into my eternity?”

Our Lord: “Because your good Mother (Our Lady) and your good Angel offer you this trial. This good Mother who brought you the Cross was the first to give you this flower as your portion. The
Cross that she gives you will accompany you to your judgement, everywhere the Cross! Your
good guardian Angel, who so often gave you flowers for your meditation, will be present at
this trial, and finally, this flower represents the state of your heart. Meanwhile, give Me these
two flowers, that I (may) hide them in My Heart.”

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(Note: Our Lord had reminded her that she would die 'soon' this time predicted the day of her death, yet as Our Lord said Himself the Cross would follow her, 'everywhere the Cross!', she was willing to stay on earth and suffer out of love for Him and the salvation of sinners. Also, we must remember time does not exist in Eternity: 'soon' in Heaven is a blink of an eye, while on earth it seems such a long time to us.)

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Monday 4 September 2017

#30 Marie-Julie Jahenny Speaks of Her Death

On September 22, 1876, Marie-Julie speaks of her death.

She was promised she would die 'soon', and during the early years of her ecstasies she assumed Our Lord literally meant very soon, but as with Sr. Lucia of Fatima who was promised that she would be taken to Heaven 'soon' but lived many years after, the same happened with Marie-Julie who lived until March 4, 1941!  However, it was a good spiritual exercise as she prepared herself for Heaven, continually practising detachment from the earth and absolute loving attachment to The Beloved and His Divine Will as her speech below shows:

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“I will die soon, but before entering your adorable Heart, O my sweet Lord, I want to say goodbye to the Earth, never to return. Yes, goodbye to the little flowers, comfort and charm of my heart, goodbye to the grass of the fields that show the power of God, farewell to the small birds singing in the bush, farewell to the sweet dew of the night that comes to refresh the tender plants and flowers, goodbye to everything forever. My heart, free of any property now, go into the treasury of the Cross. I will be in the house of Your Heart, my Jesus. The house of your Divine Heart is a cloudless sky. What happiness You give me, my loving Saviour, to me, your unworthy Madeleine, who has deserved nothing but chastisements and sufferings. But take the opportunity to sanctify us and to cleanse us.  My beloved Jesus, pass and pass again in every fibre of my heart to make and render it pure in Your eyes. If my heart is not ready to receive a precious gift that you intend for it, defer to give it. I am willing to suffer all that You want to completely purify my heart.  I say a last farewell to the earth and all the friends of my heart. I go to the Home of  unmixed happiness with my Seraphic Father (St. Francis of Assisi) and the Saints my protectors whom I have known through revelation.”

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