The First Responders of the Church

Last week, we in the United States of America remembered the police officers, first responders, firefighters, and many others who risked and gave their lives for their country on September 11th, 2001.  I was only 2 years old at the time, so I don't remember the day, but I do remember the memorial of 9/11 when I was 5 in kindergarten.  The tragic events that took place that day continue to ring through time with a tone of sadness.  But the response to this devastating attack also inspires great patriotism in me.  I am so proud of my country and the many Americans who rushed to the scene of the attack to help people; to save souls.

I love my country and my fellow countrymen.  I am inspired by Tom Burnett and all the other Americans who stood up for each other whether it was their job or not.  And shouldn't we do the same for all of our brothers and sisters today?  There are so many souls being attacked, not by earthly terrorists, but by all the forces of hell.  So many souls are killed every day by mortal sin.  People all around us are falling into the clutches of the evil one and we often stand by and do nothing.

The Catholic Church needs warriors too.  We need first responders on the spiritual frontlines.  We need people who are going to lay down their lives for others.   "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 DRB)  Catholics need to rise up, whether they are professed religious and priests or not, and work to save the souls in peril of sin.

Some Catholics are called in a special way to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters.  When a young man or woman is called to the religious life, they are called to sacrifice their lives for the good of souls and the good of the Church.  They give up so much; possible families, careers, travel, and so on.  Priests and religious stand on the front lines of the battle for souls making sacrifices and praying for them constantly.

Artwork credit to Urias Ab on Instagram

Cloistered and contemplative religious have an even greater duty to lay down their lives totally and completely.  They give up even more than parish priests and active religious do.  The contemplatives are the powerhouse of the Church.  They pray, sacrifice, and work in the heart of the Church for the salvation of souls!  They are truly the frontline soldiers of the Catholic Church because they battle evil and implore God's graces day in and day out.

Are you being called to be a soldier of Jesus Christ on the frontlines?  Souls are falling in the world to the attacks of the devil.  Is Christ calling you to be a first responder?  No matter what your station or vocation in life may be, you can save souls through your own little prayers, sacrifices, and good works.  So let us storm Heaven with our prayers for the souls of sinners and let's bring the light of Christ to those around us who dwell in darkness.

Announcing a new Instagram Account!

 Hello dear readers!!

I apologize that it's been so long since I've posted anything here.  I promise to publish more soon.  I've got quite a few draft posts going!  In the meantime, I've started an all-new Instagram account for this blog and for all things Catholic!  Please head over there and follow @hisvoiceissweet for lots of beautiful Catholic images, quotes, and prayers.  There will be content that has to do with vocation discernment and so much more!  I hope you enjoy it and that it helps you in some way.  

All for the greater glory of God!

Sarah

The Joy of Our Creator

Hello ladies,

I just came across this meditation on Facebook. It was originally posted in Spanish.  Facebook can make some goofy or interesting translations, but bear with it because this is so beautiful!! Trust in Divine Providence and take joy in your Creator.

In Us there is no unhappiness or pain, how could we give it to creatures? And if they feel unhappiness it's because they leave Divine Will and lock themselves in the small field of human will. Therefore, as they return to the Supreme Wanting they find joys, happiness, power, strength, light, beauty of their Creator, who doing them as their own things, feel in them a connatural divine substance, which comes to give joy and happiness In the same pain, that's why between the soul and We are always party, we have fun and delight together. Instead in human will there is no creative power, that by wanting to exercise virtues can create patience, humility, obedience, etc., here's why you feel tiredness, fatigue to practice virtues , because the divine strength that sustains them, the creative power that feeds them and gives them life; therefore you see inconstancy and easily pass from virtues to vices, from prayer to dissipation, from the Church to Fun, from patience to impatience, and all this mixture of goods and evils produces unhappiness in the creature. Instead, who makes my will reign itself, feels firmness in good, feels that all things bring him happiness, joy, much more than all things created by Us have the mark, the germ of joy And of the happiness of Him who created them, and were created by Us so that all bring happiness to man, each of the things created has the mandate of Us, to bring each happiness, the joy they possess to the creature, indeed, what joy and happiness does not carry the sunlight? What pleasure does the blue sky not bring to sight, a flowery meadow, a sea that mumbles? What taste does not bring to the palate a sweet and tasty fruit, a fresh water, and so many and so many other things? All things in his mute language say to man, 'We bring you happiness, the joy of our Creator'. But do you want to know in whom all things created find the echo of their joy and happiness? In those who find my will reigning and dominant, because the will that reigns full in them, and possesses the same God and who reigns in the soul, form the same, and overflow each other seas of joy, happiness and of happy so it's a real party. That's why my daughter, every time you merge into my will and tours all things created to seal in them your love for Me, your glory, your worship over each of the things I have created to make you happy, I feel renew joy, happiness, glory, as in the act when we put out all Creation; you cannot understand the party you make us when you see your little thing, that wanting to embrace everything in our will belongs to us in love, in glory for all the things created; it is so much our joy, that we put everything aside to enjoy the joy, the party you give us. That's why living in the Supreme Wanting is the greatest thing for us and for the soul, is the Creator's vent on the creature, who pouring over it gives it its form and participates all divine qualities, so that we We feel repeating for her our works, our joy, our happiness.

Take Up Your Cross

Copyright His Voice is Sweet

"Jesus, You are the star that leads me on..."

Sisters, today I would like to just share a few words of encouragement with you.  I don't know where you are in your discernment.  Maybe you're just starting, maybe you're in the middle of filling out an application, or maybe you're getting ready to enter the convent.  Wherever you are, it is important to keep your eyes focused and your will firm.

"My eyes must constantly attend to the voice of the Divine Crucified One." ~St. Teresa of the Andes

But in addition to keeping focused, we must move forward.  We are on a journey to Heaven.  Finding our vocation is just part of that journey.  So keep your feet moving.  Make that appointment to speak with your priest, send that letter that's sitting on your desk, or start reading that book on vocations you've been meaning to get to.  Make this new year a year of progress.

"Behold the handmaiden of the Lord.  Let it be done to me according to your word."

Yes, sometimes we have to wait for a response or wait out a trial, but other times, God is asking us to make a leap of faith.  He asks us to follow Him.  So do not drag your feet.  Put one foot in front of the other and take the necessary actions to pursue your vocation.

 Yes, the way to Heaven is rough, narrow, steep, and even thorny, but we can follow in the footsteps of Christ.  He has made a way for us to follow.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  And we are not alone on this journey.  We have Mary, the saints, and even each other to help us along the way.  So pick up your cross and follow Jesus.  Let's get moving!

"Since we see the way, let's run together..."

God love you!

World Day of Cloistered Life

Hello sisters,

Praised be Jesus Christ!  I recently learned that November 21st is World Day of Cloistered Life!  How exciting is this?!  It is a special day to remember and pray for all the cloistered religious who do so much for the Church without us even knowing about most of it!  Do you know any cloistered nuns or communities?  Maybe this day would be a good time to stop by and send your letter, prayers, or gift through the turn! 😊  If you aren't near the chapel of any cloistered community, visit your local adoration chapel because all cloistered religious are there in spirit praying with you just on the other side of the tabernacle door.  Most importantly, don't forget to pray for all the cloistered religious around the world who continue to keep the heart of the Church beating.  Their prayers, sacrifices, and good works do so much good for us, the Church and the world.  We will never know the extent of their effects until we reach Heaven.

There are lots of great resources at this link that can help you spread the word about this special day.

Ad Jesu Per Mariam... Repost

Hello dear sisters!!

Today I begin my preparation to renew my Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary on August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.  I made my consecration 2 years ago on that date and I'm very excited to read and pray in preparation again.  I thought I would re-share this post I wrote on Maidens for Mary in April of last year.  I hope you find it inspirational.  Have you completed the Consecration before?  If so, on what Marian feast?  If you haven't, I encourage you to join me during this period, or find another upcoming Marian feast to complete your Consecration on!

"The more we honor the Blessed Virgin, the more we honor Jesus Christ, because we honor Mary only that we may the more perfectly honor Jesus, since we go to her only as the way by which we are to find the end we are seeking, which is Jesus." 

~St. Louis De Montfort 

Trust in me, my daughter, that I am your mother.

The Total Consecration to Mary was written by St. Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716), a French Roman Catholic priest and confessor.  "The essence of this true devotion is the total offering of one's self and all one's goods both temporal (of this earth) and spiritual to Our Lady-in as much as the duties of one's state in life will allow-and then living as dependent upon her as a slave to a Queen." (Manual for Total Consecration to Mary pg. v)

(Here is a page with more info: https://www.saintbenedict.com/tradition/total-consecration)

Our goal as children of God is to be happy with Him forever in Heaven and this is brought about by a complete and perfect union with Christ and His will.  How better to achieve this than to imitate the only person on this earth who has ever attained this complete union of wills?  Mary was conceived without sin (we call this the Immaculate Conception) so that she could be a pure and sinless means to bring Jesus into the world.  We know this from the words of the Archangel Gabriel, "And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1:28) Since Mary is without sin, her will is in perfect union with God's.  Therefore, we want to imitate this most perfect example of union with God's will.  We ask Mary to help us attain this perfect union with Christ. 

"When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own." (John 19:26-27)

Christ gave us Mary as our mother when He gave her to the apostle St. John.  If Christ is our brother and wants what is best for us, than so too would His mother be our mother and want what her Son wants for us.

Also, this consecration directs us to offer all of our prayers, sufferings, and desires to Jesus, through Mary.  This concept is illustrated by Jesus' first public miracle, "And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:3-5)  Mary petitioned the needs of the bride and groom at Cana to Jesus and will do so for us as well.  As we see in this story, Jesus will refuse her nothing.  Therefore, we ask Mary to present our needs to her Son so that He will answer them.

There is a very beautiful and special book that illustrates why we go to Jesus through Mary. Take it to the Queen This original fable explores the events of Jesus' life, and demonstrates the role of the Virgin Mary as the benevolent agent of God's people. Reduced to desolation by a king and prince who feel they have been wronged, the residents of a once-favored village must seek help from the queen, a native of their devastated town.

Have you made your total consecration to Jesus through Mary yet?  If not, here are some things to get you started.

• Visit this link to learn more about the Total Consecration.
• Pick a date to complete your consecration on.  You can pick almost any Marian feast day and there are a ton!  I did mine on August 15th, the feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother.
• Find or order a copy of the Manual for Total Consecration.  You can also get this copy which includes St. Louis de Montfort's other book, True Devotion to Mary, which makes great supplemental reading anytime.
• Begin your total consecration reading and praying 33 days before the date of your consecration.
• Finally, don't worry if you miss a day or fall behind.  Prepare your heart and strive in all you do to imitate Our Blessed Mother in her virtues.

There are also some beautiful products for you to commemorate and help you remember your Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary.  You can find them here. 😊

Remember that Mary is your mother.  She loves you and wants what's best for you.  She will always keep you under her mantle of protection as long as you ask and place your trust completely in her more than capable hands.

"Am I not here who am your Mother?  Are you not under my shadow and protection?  Am I not your fountain of life?  Are you not in the folds of my mantle?  In the crossing of my arms?  Is there anything else you need?"

~Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego

If you have some extra reading time while you are making your consecration or after you have made it, I highly suggest that you read Mary Was Her Life: The Story of Sister Maria Teresa Quevedo.  It is an AMAZING account of the life of a young girl who lived her short life here on Earth entirely through Mary.  I made my consecration in August of 2017, but Ven. Maria Teresa really taught me how to live this consecration in every little aspect of my life.

I haven't perfected my consecration yet, but that's not the point.  Mary will help you.  Ask for the grace to grow in your trust and consecration.  You are all in my prayers.

Let us always go "Ad Jesu per Mariam,"  "To Jesus, through Mary."

In cordibus Jesu et Mariae,

Sarah

Reposted from Maidens for Mary

2 Quotes on Discernment from St. Teresa of Avila

I've slowly been reading St. Teresa of Avila's The Way of Perfection and came across these two quotes, among many others that seem very helpful to discernment.  Even though this book was written with her community of sisters in mind, I believe anyone can benefit from her lessons on prayer, humility, and charity towards those we live with.  May St. Teresa of Avila intercede for us!

Prayerful Discernment

Hello friends,

Recently I shared on Maidens for Mary about having a good prayer schedule and helpful prayers for young women.  I'd like to share similarly here but with a focus on how to grow in prayer while discerning your vocation.

When a young woman is discerning her vocation, it is so very important for her to have a deep prayer life.  I only say this because I know.  I thought I was doing alright by going to weekly Mass on Sundays, saying a couple morning prayers and our family rosary, but this Lent I decided to increase my prayer time and it has opened my eyes and my heart.  There are so many wonderful and beautiful prayers available to young women that we should use frequently and with devotion.

Do you feel stuck or stagnant in your vocation discernment?  I certainly did.  Day after day passed and I wasn't progressing in anything.  I can waste a lot of time on social media.  So for Lent, I decided to give up endless scrolling and try to read more spiritual works.  This was the push my spiritual life needed.  It certainly isn't easy but committing to a time period, such as Lent, surely helps one stay dedicated.  Of course, it is really by the grace of God that we can grow in grace and holiness.

1. I started with reading.  Yes, reading is increasing my prayer life.  How?  Well, I started with Matthew chapters 5, 6, & 7 and the the 4th section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  This section of the Catechism is all about prayer.  As you read, you obviously begin to think about, or meditate on, what you're reading and go over your favorite parts.  Highlighting, underlining, or taking notes is a great way to remember your favorite lines even better.  I think reading is a very good way to begin praying more often because it keeps your attention.  At least a good book will.  If you'd like ideas, here are the books I've been reading this Lent:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Life of Christ
An Introduction to the Devout Life
Revelations of St. Bridget: On the Life and Passion of Our Lord and the Life of His Blessed Mother

2. The next step in using these readings for prayer is to contemplate their relevance in your life, and more specifically in your discernment.  Then, speak to Jesus in the silence of your heart about them.  Talk to Him as if He was sitting right in front of you.  Then, sit quietly and listen.  You may think of something or you may not.  Let God do His work.  Ultimately, He is planting a seed in your heart and you may not see it grow and blossom until much later.  God will give you His answers and grace exactly when you need it. I know it's hard to sit and just be quiet. My mind wanders.... a lot. Maybe start with 5 or 10 minutes a day to just be silent with God. We can work up to more time later.

3. So this is how reading became a prayer for me.  Then, I wanted to follow the direction I'd been given by multiple people and say prayers more frequently.  I have one friend at Mass who reminds me, "pray the divine office!"  I finally picked it up to start morning and evening prayers every day.  The hardest part for me was finding the right pages which you have to look up online.  I think this is what kept me from praying them before.  But here's a trick: get a wall calendar or calendar planner book and write out the page numbers from https://divineoffice.org/ for every day for the next week or two weeks.  Then, when it comes time to pray, you won't have to open your laptop or pull out your phone.  Just use your calendar to easily find your place.  Another helpful idea is to move your ribbons to the next day's pages when you're finished.

4. The last way I have grown in discernment prayer is by attending morning Mass and adoration during the week.  The kick-starter for me was the feast of St. Joseph, March 19th.  (Thanks St. Joseph!!)  If you can make a point to go to Mass on special feast days, even if they're not holy-days of obligation, you'll be on your way to attending daily Mass more regularly.  Figure out when your patron Saints' feast days are and go to Mass then.  Also, it's much easier to start getting up for morning Mass if there's an 8:30am Mass (Instead of 8:00am) nearby.  Half-an-hour makes all the difference!  If there's a rosary or divine mercy chaplet before or after Mass, try to stay for these as well.  This way, you can get your daily rosary in and spend time in community prayer.

Ok, now I'm going to go back to meditation for a moment.  I always found it hard to set aside time for meditation and contemplation in my day because it's so much better to do this in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  I find it hard to concentrate on mental prayer at home but I can't make it to the adoration chapel every day.  So instead, I decided to stay after daily Mass in the Eucharistic Adoration chapel.  Since you're already at church, you can get your quiet prayer time in while you're there.  Even staying just 15 minutes after Mass can make a big difference.

So these are just a few suggestions that can help with increasing your prayer time on a daily basis.  Ultimately, we want to make time to hear God's voice so we can discern our vocations.  He will speak to you in the silence with a still, small voice.  Also, if you're discerning a vocation to the religious life where you'll pray a lot, what better way to discern that life than by starting to live it?  (In a small way, step by step, anyway.)

"Seek by reading and you will find by meditating.  Knock by praying, and it will be opened to you in contemplation."
~St. John of the Cross

Finally, here are some beautiful prayers for vocation discernment:

My Vocation In Life

"Behold me at thy feet, O Virgin most kind, seeking to obtain through thee, the most important grace of knowing what I ought to do. I desire nothing but to comply perfectly with the Will of thy Devine Son at every moment of my life. Mother of Good Counsel, let me hear thy voice. It will dispel every doubt that troubles my mind.

I trust in thee, being confident that, since thou art the Mother of my Redeemer, thou wilt also be the Mother of my salvation. If thou, O Mary, wilt not send me a ray of the Divine Sun, what light will enlighten me? Who will direct me if thou refusest, who art the Mother of the uncreated wisdom?

Listen then, to my humble prayers. Let me not be lost in my uncertainty and instability; lead me along the straight road that ends in life everlasting, Thou, who art my only hope, and whose hands are full of the riches of virtue and of life, and who dispensest the fruits of honor and holiness."

Prayer To Know One's Vocation

Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you, to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings. I know that you are in all things, and that every path can lead me to you.

But of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me: into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart, to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love, with all my mind, and with all of my strength right to the end. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.

Prayer To Know My Vocation

Lord, I want to be happy in this life and spend eternity with You in the life to come.

From the first moment of my existence, You knew my vocation. Please help me discover Your plan for my life.

Help me to know myself. Help me to know my fears. Help me to want what You want. Help me to trust You completely.

Send Your Holy Spirit into my mind and heart so I can see the gifts You have given me, and hear Your call to serve the Church. Increase my desire to bring others to You and to help them reach heaven.

Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, pray for me, that I can discover my vocation and have the courage to respond in faith. Amen

I hope you find these tips helpful and these prayers useful.  What prayers do you use in discernment? I'd love to know!  May God bless you and keep you!

A Visit to the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph pray for us!

Hello and Happy New Year!

I wanted to share with you today a few pictures and thoughts on my visit to the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Valparaiso, NE.

In November I flew out to Omaha, Nebraska for a refreshing and thoughtful weekend at the Carmel of JMJ.  I didn’t know quite what to expect as I’ve never been on a vocation retreat or visit before, but God is good and He always provides. A local family very kindly helped me out with transportation.

When we arrived at the Carmel, I was a little nervous.  We entered the turn room and rang the bell.  It was so fun to first hear Sister through the turn. She asked me if I was up for a visit with the mothers and so I was directed down the hall to the “speak room.”  It felt like I was in the St. Therese movie!!

The Turn Room

 I was pretty nervous but as the weekend proceeded, I became more and more at ease.  I was blessed to meet 5 of the Sisters and they were all so gracious and kind.  I had plenty of opportunities to ask questions of the Mothers and sisters and they were all very helpful.  The Carmel itself is absolutely gorgeous!! 😍

My retreat was very simple and I was by myself with Jesus most of the time because these nuns are strictly cloistered.  My favorite part of it all was the silence.  Even if you don’t feel called to cloistered life, I would highly recommend going on a silent retreat because in the silence you are not only able to hear the whisper of God better, but you’re also able to hear yourself better.  In the silence, away from the noises and distractions of the world, you can discover who you truly are more fully.  My time was made up of mental prayer, the Divine Office (using the Carmelite Breviary,) reading, meals, and enjoying the beauty of the Nebraska sunsets.

St. Mary (Mariam) of Jesus Crucified, one of my 2 Confirmation Saints.

I am so glad I was able to visit this Carmel that I've heard quite a bit about.  Both Mothers and the sisters were very kind and hospitable.  It was so nice to spend time in silence with our Lord listening for His call.  I absolutely loved it there.  I am back home living with my family still, but I continue to pray every day to discern God's will.  The sisters advised me, and other discerning girls, to go home and take some time to discern if you're really called there.  So that's what I'm doing.  

It is now 2019!  It is a little hard to believe.  I have no idea what this year holds, but I look forward to it with eager anticipation.  I pray you and your family have a very happy, holy, and blessed new year.

I hope you are all having a blessed Christmas!!  I came across this beautiful meditation the other day and wanted to share it with you.

Meditation Next to the Child God in the Crib

December 21, 2016 | Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira 

Approach the crib of the Child God with me. Let us imagine the arrival of the Magi Kings at the manger, after having followed the Star of Bethlehem with their caravans and treasure-laden animals. These sovereigns—King Balthazar, King Melchior and King Gaspar—offer the Child Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh, in adoration.


Looking at the God Child, we pause and consider His infinite grandeur, His accessibility, as well as His infinite compassion. We then ask ourselves, which of these three Divine qualities draws us closer to Him.

Dignity of the Child Jesus and His Most Holy Mother

As we consider the infinite greatness of His birthplace, let us imagine a spacious grotto as high as a cathedral, with some of the stones arranged, as if by angels, in such a way as to remind us of the arches of the gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages.


We can also imagine the manger that served as a cradle for the Child God, the roughness of the wood sanctified by His Divine Presence. Placed at the focal point of the grotto with a heavenly, golden light hovering over Him, the manger is a majestic throne.


While still a newborn, the Divine Child lay in His crib with the majesty of a true King: King of all majesty and all glory; Creator of Heaven and Earth; God incarnate made man. From the first moment of His being, while “cloistered” away in His Mother’s womb, He had more majesty, grandeur, strength and power than all men throughout the history of mankind. Knowing all things incomparably more than any scientist, the Christ Child had inscribed in every physical feature that majesty made of wisdom, holiness, science, and power.


Imagine we are seeing all this mysteriously expressed on that Boy’s face. At times, as He moves, that movement reveals His kingly bearing. When He opens His eyes, we know we are in the presence of the Wisdom of the Ages.


A whole atmosphere of holiness surrounds those who approach Him. The very air one breathes has such purity that people do not even approach the place without asking forgiveness for their sins; but at the same time, the holiness emanating from the manger makes them want to amend their lives.


Imagine also Our Lady at the foot of the Child Jesus. She is truly a Queen. Her dignity and grandeur are so naturally a part of her being that even without wearing noble-looking garments, her dignity shines throughout the grotto.

Majesty Exuding From Sanctity

From where does all this majesty come? Sanctity.


Let us shift our meditation momentarily to consider a more recent example of this type of majesty. We will turn to Saint Thérèse, the Little Flower. It is written that even as a child she was so dear and imposing that her father called her “my little queen.”


During the process of her canonization, the gardener of the Carmel of Lisieux reported that he once saw a nun working with her back to him: she was Saint Thérèse. The devil’s advocate1 then asked, “How could you know she was Sister Thérèse when she had her back to you?” The gardener’s response was very significant: “I knew it through the majesty of her bearing, for no other nun had such majesty.”


If Saint Thérèse was like that, what would Our Lady be like?


Imagine the Mother of God kneeling before her Child’s crib. She is so majestic, transcendent and pure, praying to the Child God. Invisibly, angels sing songs of glory and the whole atmosphere is permeated with so much sanctity as to transform the poverty of the stable into a royal court.


Now we approach the manger, feeling the greatness of the Divine Child. As Catholics, we are worshiping all that is noble, pure, holy and steadfast, to fight and sacrifice all for the glory of God. The Boy before us mysteriously draws to Him all the goodness and grandeur that flow from Him and yet are but reflections of Him. For is it not true that all forms of purity, all forms of holiness, only exist because of His holiness?


Thus, fending away from us sin, error, disorder and chaos, we do not even dare to raise our eyes to that magnificent scene of the Nativity in which order, hierarchy and splendor permeate everything.

Though Majestic, He Beckons Us to Come Close

Now let us imagine another aspect: His infinite accessibility.

Imagine the Baby Jesus immensely approachable. This King, so full of majesty, at a certain moment opens His eyes to us. We notice right away that His most pure, highly intelligent and penetrating gaze meets ours. He immediately sees the deepest of our faults, but also the best of our qualities. At that moment, He gently touches our soul just as He moved Saint Peter during His Passion.

The Gospels tell us that the way Our Lord looked at Saint Peter was such that the latter went out and wept bitterly. Throughout his life, the Prince of the Apostles never forgot the touching gaze that continually caused him to repent of his three-fold denial of his Lord.

It is only natural that this gaze would provoke in us a deep sorrow for our faults. Giving us a knowledge of our failings, it inspires us with a horror for our sins.

But all is not lost!

Just when we fear we cannot withstand that gaze, the newborn Redeemer also manifests His love of our qualities. He will always love that which He, in His infinite goodness, created. It is a love He dedicates to us despite our faults, because we were created by Him and are destined to a degree of holiness and perfection that He Himself placed within us. He knows our potential for greatness and that is what He loves.


And when we least expect it, by a kind entreaty of Our Lady, He smiles. Despite all His majesty, with that smile we feel the distance disappear, forgiveness invades our soul, and we are drawn to Him; and thus drawn, we walk up to stay with Him. We have determined that we will never leave the Child God’s side. The Divine Child affectionately embraces us and pronounces our name, in the most clear and loving tones to ever fall upon our ears.


“My dear one, I do love you so much! I wish you so many things and forgive you for so many others! Do not think about your sins any longer. From now on, think only about serving Me. And throughout your life, when you have any doubt, remember the sympathy, kindness and good pleasure I am now showing you. Have recourse to Me through My Mother. Through the voice of My Mother, I will always hear you. I will be your refuge and your strength, and these will take you to heaven, to reign at my side for all eternity.”

Infinite Compassion

Now imagine the mercy of the Child Jesus. This divine mercy is most evident when He seeks our good and discerns what is good and bad in us. In His mercy, the Child God considers the miserable condition of every man traveling through this vale of tears.

The mercy of Christ analyzes the sorrow and suffering that each of us brings along—past, present and future suffering; the grief and sorrow that you may feel at this very moment. He already knows all of this because He is God. And He also sees the risk that our souls run of going to hell. As Catholics, we know that on his earthly journey man is exposed to the very real danger of losing his soul for all eternity.

Also, imagine the Child Jesus looking at Purgatory and the torments that await us there if we are not entirely faithful.

His Face now shows a look of sympathy and deep participation in our pain; a desire to remove that pain as much as possible in view of our sanctification. In His infinite mercy, this Infant desires to give us the strength to withstand whatever pain is necessary for our sanctification.

In Him, we see that which so greatly consoles the human soul: perfect compassion.

It is part of our human nature for us, when we are suffering, to feel consoled at seeing that someone has pity on us. Compassion thus lessens suffering by sharing in it. Man is made in such a way that when he is happy and communicates his joy, that joy is doubled; and when he is sad and communicates that sadness, the sorrow is divided.

So also are we made stronger when we discern in the face of the Child God that most perfect compassion.


In all the sufferings of our life, when the cup of our trials is bitter, we should repeat, through Our Lady, His prayer: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, but let Your will be done, and not mine.”

At any time we can ask that the pain cease. However, if it is His will that we drink from a bitter cup as He did, we are certain that our pain will find His compassion. In addition, He will tell us: “My son, I am suffering with you! Let us suffer together, for I suffered for you; a moment will come when you will forever participate in My joy.” And we can be sure that the compassionate gaze of Jesus will not leave us a single moment of our existence.

Therefore, throughout the ups and downs of everyday life, we should retain this threefold memory—the Child God’s infinite majesty, His infinite accessibility, and the boundless compassion He shows towards us. This should be a living memory, one which composes in our imagination an accurate image, which moves our soul.

Copyright His Voice is Sweet

Three Crèches for the Child God

Being like us in all things except sin, Our Lord’s human nature is comprised of perfections and moods that existed according to the circumstances of His life, and all of them perfect. He was full of majesty, fully accessible, ready to listen and to have compassion on men from the moment He became incarnate.

It is only natural that one or another part of Christ’s human nature would be more obvious as different people, in different states of soul, approach Him.

To better assist in a meditation like the one we just shared, it would be very inspiring if we were able to set up three crèches in a church, on three different altars. On each of these altars the figures and the whole atmosphere would signify each of these aspects, thus making it easier for souls to meditate on the Child’s mood that touches them the most.

In this way our meditation on Christmas would be based on a very sensible retelling of the scene, which can more easily touch us and stay with us as we make our way out of the Crèche and back into the world.

                                                                                                                    

1. The term “devil’s advocate” refers to the popular title of the person Appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to challenge a proposed beatification or canonization, according to the process used at the time of this writing.

A Christmas Prayer

O Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before Thy crib, I believe Thou art the God of infinite Majesty, even though I do see Thee here as a helpless babe.

I humbly adore and thank Thee for having so humbled Thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable. I thank Thee for all Thou didst wish to suffer for me in Bethlehem, for Thy poverty and humility, for Thy nakedness, tears, cold and sufferings.

Would that I could show Thee that tenderness which Thy Virgin Mother had toward Thee, and love Thee as she did.

Would that I could praise Thee with the joy of the angels, that I could kneel before Thee with the faith of St. Joseph, the simplicity of the shepherds.

Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer Thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that Thou wouldst be born spiritually in my soul.

Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of Thy admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation, of poverty, of humility, which prompted Thee to assume the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid destitution and suffering.

Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek Thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised to men of good will.

Amen.

A Poem on Vocations

Praised be Jesus Christ!!

My mom found a booklet of Prayer Poems by Fr. William Armstrong, S.J. in 1968.  Here is a sweet poem on vocations.

Vocations

Vocations differ, as do men, yet each his part does play.

The greatness of our little deeds will shine on judgment day.

It matters not, what task be ours, nor virtues we display, 

What counts with God, is Him to love; in all we do or say.

Each one of us, to God can give, what we alone possess--

The daily off'ring of ourselves; that He, our lives may bless.

I have one more beautiful poem on vows.  I know I (or most of my readers) haven't made religious vows, but this is a great encouragement and an illustration of the graces of the religious life.

       Vow Day

The happiness that filled my heart the day my vows were said

Is nestled in my memory to smooth the years ahead.

I thought with Joy, of Heaven-- the Peace and Glory there.

A tiny glimpse of its great joy Vow Day, the Lord did share.

Throughout the years of work and pain of labor, daily strife

The Lord was ever by my side to bolster me through Life.

The memories of happy days too numerous to list

Blot out for me the worldly things I never really missed.

Sometimes, my heavy-laden heart bowed low, was filled with fears.

But Christ, Our Lord, would comfort me and dry away my tears.

Each day, I labor for His Cause; for souls and Sacred Heart;

And often, God does whisper soft: "Thine is the better part".

I know not what He asks of me in years that lie ahead;

But gladly give myself for souls and get back God, instead. 

St. Therese of Lisieux Novena: Days 8 & 9

Hello friends!!  Again, I'm sorry for missing yesterday's post.  I want to wish you and yours a very happy and blessed feast day of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face!!  What a special day this is.  Saints prayers are very powerful on their feast days so don't forget to ask for many graces and intentions through her intercession today.

Start Novena with this prayer each day:

Dearest St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth.

Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…

(mention your intentions)

Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.

St. Thérèse, you were faithful to God up until the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance of love for God our savior.

Amen

DAY EIGHT

Loving God, You loved St. Thérèse with a powerful love and made her a source of strength to those who had lost faith in You.

Help me to pray with confidence for those in my life who do not believe they can be loved.

Dear St. Thérèse, like you I have to die one day. I beseech you, obtain from God, by reminding Him of your own precious death, that I may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church, entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God, and burning with love for Him.

May my last words on earth be, "My God. I love You."

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

DAY NINE

Loving God, St. Thérèse never doubted that her life had meaning. Help me to see how I can bless and love everyone in my life. Especially…

Dear Little St. Thérèse, by love and suffering while you were on earth, you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven. Since your life there began, you have showered down countless blessings on this poor world; you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse to work countless miracles.

I beg of you to remember all my wants. Sufferings must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and follow my Jesus better. You are especially the little missionary of love.

Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings conferred on you, and upon the world through you.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

What are you doing to celebrate this special day?  Please say a prayer to St. Thérèse for me today that I may follow her in her "Little Way!"

God bless you and keep you always!