Pope Benedict on "Offering up"

I would like to add here another brief comment with some relevance for everyday living. There used to be a form of devotion—perhaps less practised today but quite widespread not long ago—that included the idea of “offering up” the minor daily hardships that continually strike at us like irritating “jabs”, thereby giving them a meaning. Of course, there were some exaggerations and perhaps unhealthy applications of this devotion, but we need to ask ourselves whether there may not after all have been something essential and helpful contained within it. What does it mean to offer something up? Those who did so were convinced that they could insert these little annoyances into Christ's great “com-passion” so that they somehow became part of the treasury of compassion so greatly needed by the human race. In this way, even the small inconveniences of daily life could acquire meaning and contribute to the economy of good and of human love. Maybe we should consider whether it might be judicious to revive this practice ourselves.

- Spe Salvi

I will whisper all my secrets

Mother Mary, will you listen
To the things I wish to say?
How your sweet eyes used to glisten
As you watched Him at His play!

And when He'd creep up to your knee,
And when He'd pause for rest,
You'd lift Him, O so tenderly,
And clasp Him to your breast.

Baby lips would lisp their secrets-
Precious words into your ear.
And you held Him tight and listened,
listened
While you wiped away a tear.

Mother Mary, I've been playing,
And I've come to you for rest.
Lift me up as you did Jesus-
Clasp me safely to your breast.

I will whisper all my secrets-
Halting words into your ear. Though they're not as sweet as His were,
Mother Mary, won't you hear?

Author unknown

Never, Never, Never, Leave the Legion of Mary

(excerpt from Fr. Richard Soulliere, former Legion Envoy to Mexico and presently Spiritual Director of Miami Regia, Florida, at an annual ACIES ceremony)
taken from Maria Legionis 4/2008

"If you see a problem while you are in the Legion, do not drop out, maybe it is your expertise that is needed. Be part of the solution! If you drop out, you will increase the problem for others and you will always look back on it as part of your squandered life.

Mary has given us the example we must follow: In the Annunciation, without warning, out of the blue, totally unexpected, the Angel Gabriel stood before her and asked her if she would become the mother of the Son of God. Fortunately, she said "Yes, be it done to me according to your word!"
Look where God took her! She is now fourth in command, after the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and far above the rest of us!

But, supposing she had said, "no, not me, I'm too busy" or "No, let Mary Jones do it, she's better qualified than I". Then, for the rest of her life, she would have looked back on her squandered life. So, stay in there - say "yes" and see where God takes you!

How blessed we are to be members of the Legion of Mary!
The Legion is constantly striving to make us saints!
So always remember.....


NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, LEAVE THE LEGION OF MARY

We Do Well Always and Everywhere to Give You Thanks

I came across to this poem while reading the 4th Edition/2008 of Maria Legionis

(For those doesn't know, Maria Legionis is our legion magazine - Guys, i recommend you to do take a look at this magazine that we received monthly...a LOT of good stuff inside!!)

I would like to read to you a little poem. It is directed to God the Father and is taken from the first sentence of almost every Preface of every Mass that is celebrated. The title of the poem, taken from the first sentence, is.....

"We Do Well Always and Everywhere to Give You Thanks"
(in other words, always and everywhere we should give God thanks)

Teach me Lord to live this prayer,
That I may thank you everyday for everything!
Oh, I do at times give you thanks, for what seems good:
For my health, for my success, for love, and all that benefits me,
ant yet how thoughtless I am, how blind I am,
not to thank You for what is truly good.
For the pain, the unkindness, the criticism, the blame,
For every Legion invitation to become an offices of a Praesidium, or council,
to go house to house, to go on a Columban drive,
In a word, for every hurt, and for every invitation that comes from a person,
place or from my Legion work.
By these keen instruments would You, Divine Physucuan,
Remove from me the harmful growths of self, to give new life
Your own true life - and peace abundantly.

But I am blind and I do now see your loving hand in every invitation
that comes from persion, place or legion work. And so, in saying, "No, I'm too busy, I don't have time"
or "No, let Mary Jones do it, she's better qualified than I".
in resisting, I suffer more and I spoil your work.
Had I accepted all with gratitude, I might long since have been a saint,
and happy - for a grateful heart cannot be otherwise.
Forgive me, then, O my God my blindness and my squandered life,
And give me the grace, this day, to see
Your chastening hand in every legion initation that comes to me,
and in all of my hurts,
And not to blame your instruments.
But give me the grace to take each Legion invitation, each purifying cross,
And then, to give THANKS TO YOU, with all my heart.

Infallible Infallibility

From Fr. Dwight Longenecker:

I am reading a conversion story and apologetical book called An Invitation Heeded published at the end of the 1800s with a view to editing it for re-publication by the Coming Home Network. In the chapter on infallibility the author makes the very good point that rather than the Catholic Church's stance on infallibility being nonsensical, it is the churches who deny infallibility that are absurd. The essential Protestant position is, "Our church is merely a human institution. It is not infallible." And yet they demand allegiance of the faithful to the beliefs and moral teachings of their church. But if their church, by their own insistence, is fallible how can they demand obedience and loyalty to their teachings? There is a logical hiccup here of enormous magnitude.

Continue Reading >>

Catholic News on Straits Times

Dear readers,

I hope to share this 2 pieces of news which I have come across today when reading the papers.


1. 'Reject abortion support' 
Pray for the direction US is taking on this matter and may Obama see the light

2. Franciscan nuns die in car crash
Pray for the souls of the Franciscan nuns. It's a terrible tragedy.

The Law of Love - Allocutio by Sister Geraldine

Valentine’s Day is coming, so today I’ll be talking about the heart, and the law of Love, and how to be a reflection of God’s love.

We are all called to be a reflection of God’s love. Because our world and society frequently lacks this love, we as legionaries should always try to actively bring love to others. To do this involves more than just our own will and intention, but demands a planned sense of purposefulness. Meaning, we should have the discipline to plan how we are going to go about our life, what directions we ourselves want to take, in terms of occupation or final life goals, so that we can be clear as to how to lead a life with a sense of purposefulness and through our works, in the service of others, bring them closer to God somehow.
Before God fashioned man out of Earth, I’m sure he must have planned how to create this wonderful creature called “Man”. Thus, similarly, whoever wants to make something out of one’s life, should make up one’s mind as to what kind of virtue we want to forge, or we labour in vain.

Anthony Campolo took a survey of 95 year olds, asking them if they could live their life over, what would they have done differently. They answered that they would 1) reflect more, and 2) Do more things that would last beyong our lifetime.

Frequently we think that our legionary daily works might be small, but its effects might last beyond our lifetime. Think about the great legionaries like Edel Quin and Alfie Lambe, if not for their efforts, the legion might not have spread far and wide in the world, and its effects, are carried on even after they have returned to be with God.

Life should be lived with a long-range view in mind. Short sighted living only breeds selfishness and meaninglessness, the desire to acquire as much as possible for the enjoyment of the present. Long range living helps us to aim towards a greater goal or purpose and continue questioning what is God’s will and plan for us.

However to carry out our plans requires more than just planning as well. It requires deep prayer and a heart that will never tire, or even if it does tire, it must be strong enough and have enough determination to try again. The heart is the centre of emotions, where the Holy Spirit dwells and the source of vigour and energy. If the brain tells you that something might be futile, or how small you are, the heart can tell you how great you can be, how God meant for us to not just be ordinary, but be extra-ordinary. The Lord has said “I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and I will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

No structure – social, medical, political, is wide enough to solve the problems of the world. They still exist. Only the law of love without reservations offers the best solution,. Think about it, Jesus dying on the cross for us, fulfilling His purpose, was borne out of Love, and through Jesus’s love, came the great gift of Salvation for all. The law of love demands that we see ourselves not just as material beings but spiritual beings, believing that the spirit is stronger than any material force, and believing in our spirit’s true home and resting place with God in heaven one day. Our sense of purposefulness thus also comes from walking faithfully and dilligently to this final destination (heaven lah), because of our spirit’s desire of true love that comes from God, with God. The law of love also demands that we refrain from being overly critical when we see people fall short of the true love that God. The real test is to come up with constructive alternatives to help each other and society to better become sources of love and wellsprings of goodness. To overcome the ills of the world without being sucked into the negativities of it. The law of love also calls us to live without fear, to examine all the artificial barriers of our life, be they psychological or material, and to eliminate them. No self-discipline, no task is without pain, and when we seek for growth, we must take steps of first consecrating ourselves to the Lord, learning the art of surrendering of our will and sacrifice. A commitment is needed and as legionaries we have already made our initial commitment through our promise. A commitment is also to make a little progress daily, that at the end of the week you can say: I have done a few good work and taken a few baby stepss; and the end of the month, several good works and am learning to walk steadily, and at the end of the year, perhaps taken 365 steps towards the Lord through my little acts of daily work.

Let us be reminded of what the law of love is, it goes like this: “I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains – but if I have no love, I am nothing.

Love is patient and kind; It is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail”, (1 Corinthians 13). Thus, if we do not see enough love in this world, and we ourselves hunger for it, let us try to BE that love and give that love instead of just always wishing to receive it. Genuine love does not take from another person; it gives to the one who is loved. Jesus said to gain life, “a man should love God with all his heart, mind and strength, and should love his neighbour as himself. May Mother Mary who loved enough to want to help in God’s redemptive plan for man, who loved enough to say Yes to the Lord always, help us to fulfill our purposes as well.

Let us pray for a heart that is patient and good, happy to help;
A strong heart able to face any discouragement; a devoted heart, which does not refuse sacrifices; a cheerful heart, which spread joy and optimism; a tender heart, which knows how to please by its attentions; a heart with a living faith, which sees in each person the image of God.

Amen.

"Because it (Dominican Order) is the best!"

We had a fun Patrician meeting last Wednesday. I was a bit worried before the meeting, especially because I really couldn't write down my opening speech. An hour before the meeting, all I had was an outline. Well, it went quite well and the first round of discussion was fun and interesting.

We had Friar David Garcia, O.P. as our Spiritual Director and he was really, really, really good. He explained things very well.

Favorite Verse: John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free."

Photo Source: Dominic

Is the Church a killjoy? Father David summed it up this way. First, the Church does seem to be a killjoy. Second, the Church is a killjoy. Third, the Church is not a killjoy. Haha. That's Dominican for you. =p Okay, let me explain that again. Father David said that there are three things that influence a person's actions: Reason, Emotion, and Will. Reason usually only points to the direction, but it is the emotion that pushes. As a result of original sin, those three things are constantly pulling against each other, all pointing into different directions. When they do, we feel divided. We find it hard to make decisions. But when those three things decide to cooperate and point to one single direction, that's when a person finds peace in his actions.

Now, the Church, being the guardian and the bulwark of truth, has for centuries, tried to steer us to the right direction. It tells us that there are objective truths. But times have changed. Now, Truth is equated to popular opinion. What is good for a person is now also based on the person's opinion, and not fixed to any objective truths. Thus, our reason pulls us one way, and our emotions (which are usually much stronger) the other way. Because of this division, when the Church tells you that you're going in the wrong direction, naturally, she will definitely seem like a killjoy.

If the Church is a killjoy, it can only be through our consciences. For our consciences, if properly-formed, often speak inconvenient truths. They are not ego-boosters, as some may think. Nor is our conscience our scapegoat. A truly well-formed conscience will keep on nagging it you, telling you to choose what is good no matter how difficult it may be. So I guess, in that sense, when the Church's teachings resound in your consience, and governs your actions, it can be a killjoy. But it's a killjoy that I'd most welcome.

The truth though, is that the Church is really not a killjoy. She only seems to be like one because what she teaches goes against the grain. It goes against what the world is telling us. "The Church is a killjoy only for a disintegrated person," Father David said. That is, a person with his reason, emotion, and will tugging at different directions. But when our desires coincide with objective truths, when we truly become whole, the Church ceases to be a killjoy. The Church leads us to happiness.

I managed to chat a bit with Father David during the break. I asked him how long he's been in Singapore and he said he's been here for six years. Before that, he was in China trying to pick up Chinese. When I asked him how long he's been a Dominican, he said, "24 years"and then astutely asked me how old I was. I told him I was younger than that.haha.

Then I asked him, "Why (did you choose) Dominican, Father?" Without missing a beat, he replied with all honesty, "Because it is the best!" We all burst out laughing but he said, "No, really. If you're buying shoes, why shouldn't you pick the best?"

Do visit their website! Fr. David's blogs are very insightful and they've got helpful resources on Catholic issues, especially on bioethics.

Limping, running--it's all about where you're heading.

“It is better to limp along the way than stride along off the way. For a man who limps along the way, even if he only makes slow progress, comes to the end of the way; but one who is off the way, the more quickly he runs, the farther away he is from his goal.”

St. Thomas Aquinas

"To those who do not march with Mary, we apply the words of St. Augustine: 'Bene curris sed extra viam': 'you run well, but you are out of the path.' Where will you arrive in the end ?" (Petitalot)

Legion handbook

Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes

Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman, Blessed by the Most High! Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era, We join in your song of praise, to celebrate the Lord’s mercy, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom and the full liberation of humanity.

Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord, Glorious Mother of Christ! Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word, Teach us to persevere in listening to the Word, and to be docile to the voice of the Spirit, attentive to his promptings in the depths of our conscience and to his manifestations in the events of history.

Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows, Mother of the living! Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve, Be our guide along the paths of the world. Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ, to stand with you before the innumerable crosses on which your Son is still crucified.

Hail Mary, woman of faith, First of the disciples! Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.

Holy Mary, Mother of believers, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.

***

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted,

you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.

Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)