Prayer to the Virgin

In seeing You so pure, so tender, and so compassionate, who would not be encouraged to unburden his intimate sufferings to you?

Who would not ask you to be his star on this stormy sea?  Who is there who would not cry in your arms without instantly receiving your immaculate kisses of love and comfort? If he be a sinner, your caresses will soften him.  If one of your devoted ones, your presence would enkindle the living flame of divine love.

If he be poor, you with your powerful hand will aid him and show him his true homeland.
If rich, you will sustain him with your breath against the dangers of his very agitated life.  If one is in affliction, you with your tearful gaze will show him the cross and on it your Divine Son.

Who will not find balm for his pains by considering the torments of Jesus and Mary? The sick man finds in your maternal heart the water of salvation that allows your enchanting smile to blossom forth, and makes him smile with love and happiness.

-- St. Teresa of the Andes

It Is Not For You To Know...

It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth...

--Acts 1:7,8

 

 

I Have Great Doubts...

 

The Need for Important Things...

It is not necessary to have important things to do.  I flip my little omelet in the frying pan for the love of God, and when it's done, if I have nothing to do, I prostrate myself on the floor and adore my God who gave me the grace to do it, after which I get up happier than a king.

-- The Ways of Br. Lawrence, #10

Mariam's Prayer...

Holy Spirit, inspire me.

Love of God, consume me.

To the right path lead me.

Mary my mother, look down upon me.

With Jesus, bless me.

From all evil, all illusion, all danger, preserve me.

 

-- St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified, 1869 

 

 

The Natural Vocation of Woman...

The image of the Mother of God shows us clearly which attitudes of the soul of the woman correspond to her natural vocation. 

In relation to man: obedience, confidence and participation in his life which favors his objective duties and the development of his personality; in relation to the babe: faithful protection, care, and development of the talents bestowed on him by God; and for both one and the other: complete gift of self and promptness in withdrawing into silence when she is not needed.

-- St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Essays on Woman #55
 

 

No Words Necessary....