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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