Our Lady of Fatima
by VP
Posted on Monday May 13, 2024 at 01:00AM in Quotes
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.
- "In August of 1917 Our Lady told the children, "pray much and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to hell because there is no one to make sacrifices for them." As to the kinds of sacrifices Our Lady was asking, she revealed to Sr. Lucia on one occasion: "The good Lord is allowing Himself to be appeased . . . but He Himself complains most bitterly and sorrowfully about the small number of souls in His grace who are willing to renounce whatever the observance of His laws requires of them."
- "Many persons," Sr. Lucia explained, "feeling that the word penance implies great austerities, and not feeling that they have the strength for great sacrifices, become discouraged and continue a life of lukewarmness and sin." Then she said Our Lord explained to her: "The sacrifice required of every person is the fulfillment of his duties in life and the observance of My law. This is the penance that I now seek and require." Source: Rosary Center
Saint John the Silent, Hermit 532
by VP
Posted on Monday May 13, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
DISCRETION. St. John, surnamed "the Silent," was born of one of the richest families at Nicopolis, in Armenia. He employed his wealth in constructing a church, dedicated to the Mother of God, and a monastery, into which he retired. His eminent virtues caused him to be elected bishop of Colonia at the age of 28. His piety, humility, and zeal for the salvation of the flock confided to his care, were producing the happiest results when serious differences, which arose between him and his brother-in-law, the governor of Armenia, against whom he found himself forced to complain to the emperor Zeno, caused him greatly to regret his previous manner of life. He resigned his charge at the expiration of nine years, and withdrew to a solitude, there to give himself to a mortified life and the fervent exercise of prayer. He subsequently retired to the monastery of St. Sabas, where he obtained the favour of still remaining alone, in order to apply himself more intimately to a contemplative life. He had adopted as a rule never to speak, save in case of necessity, and to speak with such discretion as that no word of his might be either wrong in itself or useless. He died about the year 560.
MORAL REFLECTION.-The Holy Spirit has said, by the
mouth of the Wise Man: "In the multitude of words there shall not want
sin, but he that refraineth his lips is most wise."-(Prov. x. 19.). The Pictuorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Lecanu