Showing posts with label Dark Night of the Soul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dark Night of the Soul. Show all posts

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.

::::

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.)

****

Go To:



Saturday 7 October 2017

#71 St. Gregory the Great - PROPHECY Echoing Leo XIII's vision to Come - CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE CHURCH




Vision of St. Gregory the Great, Pope – Jesus Receives Abuse for His Love – PROPHECY Echoing Pope Leo XIII's vision to Come – Evil to be Granted and Great Power on Earth for a Period of Time - A Possible Revelation about Leo XIII, or, the Angelic Pontiff – The Dark Night of the Soul Amidst Persecutions – The Children of the Cross must Remain Faithful – CONSPIRACY Against the Church but it SHALL REMAIN INFALLIBLE 


Ecstasy date August 19, 1878

May the sweet peace of Our Lord be in your soul, and in those of all the servants of His Cross! May the love of God kindle in you its ineffable sweetness! I am Saint Gregory, Pope and Doctor of the Church.”


(He wore clothes of glory different from all other saints, which Marie-Julie of the Crucifix attributed to a Celestial Glory that was particularly sublime and associated with the rays of the Glorious Cross.)

I come, at the entrance to the path of the Holy Novitiate, to say a word on behalf of Our Lord.

The Lord in His love and His mercy has given us His grace, His love and His blessings. What did we do in our turn? Lift our eyes to the heavens and bless such a good Father! The Lord's power broke forth over the earth, the riches of His love are given to us, what have we to do? Give a generous thanksgiving to Our Lord, to show Him our gratitude for all His kindness.

What is the love of Jesus? This is nothing else but a tenderness mixed with kindness, He gives it to us at every moment to strengthen our souls and our courage.

What does He receive, this God of Love for the love He gives? He receives the most abuse, the most profanities! O blind of this time, what then when the light strikes your eye to make you see the divine effects that God works in all places by His infinite power? Tremble, small number of friends of God, for the fate of so many unfortunate souls who have rejected the light to live in the idolatry of the evil spirit.

When the Lord's Church has been threatened and beaten, when the hour of light, grace, of the promised triumph, burst forth on the ground trodden by insolent feet, what will they say, what will they do, what will they think? (I.e. what will the evil people think when they time of the Great Age of Peace comes?) They are the first to throw stones, and the Temple stands, it will resist them by grace. Why? Because God has set the fixed time, the hour of grace for His Holy Temple. If these last lights and the last graces of Heaven do not open their eyes closed by a perverted society, what terrible misfortune! (I.e. if those blinded by evil do not wake up during this time of Mercy and grace before the chastisements that will herald in the Triumph of the Church, it will be a terrible misfortune for them.)


Tremble, groan and cry, because the devastation is at its height. Our sweet Lord in His great goodness and His love so powerful and all adorable, allows to act in full freedom the free will of all His enemies. He will detract nothing from them, He will grant them a power so strong, that, by this same power, they should sense that the powerful Hand of the Lord has reserved for them a frightening blow. (I.e. the evil ones will be granted a long period of time on earth and left to their own devices without any apparent punishment from God, it should make them realise that the longer they are left alone, the greater the punishment that lies in store for them.) But they only think about their work, to deepen their work in evil. By the power of digging, (i.e. down deeper in evil) they will arrive at the end of this profound career, and there, what do they have once it is done? They will have nothing! (i.e. all their work to undermine God will be for nothing.) God has spoken, God has commanded, God will put an end to their scandal.

There, there walk a great number of the children of God! Today God makes and will allow (them) to be made martyrs. Here is how God Himself allows it to be so: He makes Himself suffer and He orders still others after Him to suffer. The passage of time is simply a time of suffering and pain. It is necessary that we meet God through the sufferings and pains. Our Lord asks souls to share His shame. (I.e. His humiliations).

Children of God, the storm is brewing everywhere, evil and injustice will soon enter in triumph. (I.e the long period of time and power that would be granted to the evil ones).

******

NOTICE: this prophecy was given only c. 5 years 10 months before Pope Leo XIII's famous vision of October 13, 1884 wherein Satan demanded 100 years declaring he could destroy the Church in that time:

Pope Leo XIII, just after celebrating Mass, turned pale and collapsed as though dead. Those standing nearby rushed to his side. They found him alive but the pontiff looked frightened. He then recounted having a vision of Satan approaching the throne of God, boasting that he could destroy the Church.



According to Pope Leo XIII the Lord reminded him that his Church was imperishable. Satan then replied, “Grant me one century and more power of those who will serve me, and I will destroy it.” Our Lord granted him 100 years. 
 

The Lord then revealed the events of the 20th century to Leo XIII. He saw wars, immorality, genocide and apostasy on a large scale. Immediately following this disturbing vision, he sat down and wrote the prayer to St. Michael. For decades it was prayed at Mass until the 1960’s. Like many of the Church’s spiritual defences, it was discontinued in the second half of the 20th century.  Source: Joe Tremblay, “The 100 Years Test” CNA, February 1, 2013.


Notice: Marie-Julie was already warned by St. Joseph on March 19, 1878 about the Great Apostasy that would come in addition to the chastisements that would follow. Later, she would foretell in a cryptic manner on July 7, 1880 that the flames of Hell would take away Leo XIII's prayers of protection that were to be said after Mass.  See post #116 Prophecy of the Leonine Prayers of Pope Leo XIII: Hell will Reduce them to Ashes

******

We now continue with Marie-Julie's vision of Pope Gregory:

Who will bear the terrible revenge? (I.e. who will suffer the terrible vengeance of the evil ones and the storm they are brewing). Towards the Temple of God, towards those who represent God on earth, towards those who serve and are, with all their will, ready to serve and to suffer for His glory.

(In other words, St. Gregory is warning future generations that stay faithful will be the ones who will suffer this terrible storm brewed up by the evil ones against God's Church, His ministers, and all willing to suffer for God and His glory.)

Today, the reasoning of the evil spirit and the spirit of man agree together to form a terrible storm, through their will and their desires. This frightening storm will be terrible, because the Justice of God will mingle with the impure and evil will of men. (I.e, God will use them as tools for His Justice.)

Right now, what (does) the great Pontiff think living on the Throne, which supports the army of God? He thinks about doing God's will, he thinks to support the faith and support his right, while he is alive. Would you believe, God's children, they will make an attempt with fury and black vengeance on the life of this illustrious Pontiff? But he is firm and strong, his faith does not waver. Too often he thinks about the martyrdom, he thinks like you, children of the Cross, to do the Holy Will of God. The rocks strike against each other, the stones hiss. (i.e. this could be a revelation of the reigning pontiff during this vision, none other than Leo XIII, who was recently made pope only a few months by then, or, it could refer to the Great Angelic Pontiff to come, who will also be in great danger before the Triumph.)


Under the fury of the storm, (I.e. persecutions from the evil men) what will you do? Wait, pray and do what God wants. Love God with all our heart, faithfully serve God, serve him through the obscurities that are in us, serve despite the darkness where God leaves us and where we need to walk, serve Him all the same. (I.e. during the 'dark night of the soul' when it seems God has abandoned us and we are dry in spirit, we are to remain faithful.) Even when the light of your soul is absolutely extinguished, do not lose heart, go through all the dangers, face the dangers and God will fill you with His grace and His comfort.

Who can make us happy on earth, except the peace of God that lives within us, working in us, that prays in us? Without this peace, man becomes like one damned, he runs and precipitates himself into the first gulf that he meets, because it is the devastation inflicted within him by his unregulated passions. Yet this is what happens in many hearts.

To keep peace, there is one thing to do, it is to say what God wants, it is to obey the Will of God, it is nothing that can be found in the human creature. It is to be found in God, since He is the treasure of all.

Serve God, love God, seek God and run away from this love of the world, since it is through the Cross that we come to happiness and richness. We take our crosses, carry them without a blush, since it is the Cross that will one day give us the happiness of seeing God, to understand and to love. Carry the cross. There are crosses everywhere! The joy of loving the Cross gives us in this life, a delicious hope to see and possess God.

What does God love more than His Cross? Nothing. It was His portion, it was His Throne of pain. He chose it because He wanted all His children to be made heirs of His Cross, His treasury. That is why we are called children of the Cross, the heirs of God.

Pray for the Church threatened by a conspiracy hatched by a horrible jealousy of perverted minds banded together to overthrow it. The storm is terrible, but the Church will remain infallible and its walls shall not be shaken. But there will be martyrs ... Pray for the Church and ask God for the return of a lost family, a people corrupted, a degraded society. All are our brothers in the Lord. They are souls redeemed at the price of His Blood. (i.e. don't judge anyone, PRAY for the confused and the 'lost family' of these times to return to the Church!)

I wish strength and courage for victims and friends of God. After bearing the cross on earth, our meeting will be in eternal glory. This is where we will meet again.”

****

Notes: St. Gregory the Great (c.540-604 AD), Doctor of the Church, has been aptly described as Vir incomparabilis, an incomparable man. Bone in Rome of patrician parents, (his mother was St. Sylvia), he became a praetor or prefect, mayor of the city, before he was thirty, but he soon gave up the office, turned his ancestral home on the Caelian Hill into a Benedictine Abbey and became a monk there. Next he was sent to Constantinople as papal nuncio. On his return he was chosen pope in 590AD., and his achievements in the fourteen years of his pontificate make him one of the most commanding figures in world history. First in importance was his mission to England, where he sent St. Augustine and forty of his Benedictines from the Caelian Hill monastery, this was important not only on account of the conversion of England itself, but also because of the spreading of the Benedictine Rule among the new races of Western Europe. He promoted likewise the conversion of the Lombards in Italy and of the Goths in Spain, upheld the rights of the Roman See against Constantinople, embellished the Liturgy in its sacramentary and in its chant, defended and befriended monarchism, and cared for the poor in Rome, at Ravenna and on his estates in Sicily. He was moreover a prolific writer, his dialogues, comprising the only extant life of St. Benedict, and his Regula Pastoralis are classics in ascetical literature.

****

Go To: