Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration

Thereupon Christ our Lord took into his venerable hands the bread, which lay upon the plate, and interiorly asked the permission and co-operation of the eternal Father, that now and ever afterwards in virtue of the words about to be uttered by Him, and later to be repeated in his holy Church, He should really and truly become present in the host, Himself to yield obedience to these sacred words. While making this petition He raised his eyes toward heaven with an expression of such sublime majesty, that He inspired the Apostles, the angels and his Virgin Mother with new and deepest reverence. Then He pronounced the words of consecration over the bread, changing its substance into the substance of his true body and immediately thereupon He uttered the words of consecration also over the wine, changing it into his true blood. As an answer to these words of consecration was heard the voice of the eternal Father, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight, and shall take my delight to the end of the world: and He shall be with men during all the time of their banishment.” In like manner was this confirmed by the Holy Ghost. The most sacred humanity of Christ, in the Person of the Word, gave tokens of profoundest veneration to the Divinity contained in the Sacrament of his body and blood. The Virgin Mother, in her retreat, prostrated Herself on the ground and adored her Son in the blessed Sacrament with incomparable reverence. Then also the angels of her guard, all the angels of heaven, and among them likewise the souls of Enoch and Elias, in their own name and in the name of the holy Patriarchs and Prophets of the old law, fell down in adoration of their Lord in the holy Sacrament.

“Mystical City of God” Sister Mary of Agreda

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Adoration

In the inner stillness where meditation leads, the Spirit secretly anoints the soul and heals our deepest wounds. –St John of the Cross

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Friday reflecting

I have a new abode, a home, providing comfort and peace. The presence of the church surrounding is astounding. St Charles Borromeo, Perpetual Adoration chapel included, is approximately a mile southwest. St Charles conducts morning and evening Masses, functionally allowing Daily Mass to be an easy endeavor. To the east is the Jesuit Retreat House, less than a quarter mile away, attractively presenting walking paths for prayer and exercise. Their schedule of events, religious conferences and gatherings, offers interesting opportunities for exploring Catholicism. I intend a visit soon regarding a spiritual director. Within a block is St Josaphat, a Ukrainian Catholic Church. My first weekend residing, the church held a weekend festival; parades, music, and feasting celebrating faith and heritage. Architecturally, the church is imposing and majestic. To continue the mile surrounding of churches, directly to the west, off West 54th Street, is another Eastern Catholic Church, Holy Spirit, a Byzantine church catering to Carpathian Mountain cultures. To the south is St Paul Shrine, an easy driving excursion with connecting highways allowing a simple trip. I remember once, Father David Mary talking about a Polish Bishop, I believe—I could be wrong, yet the idea that the first thing the ecclesiastic would do in regard to spiritually fortifying an urban area was to establish a monastery to the north, south, east, and west of the city, surrounding the city with cloistered religious men and women devoted to prayer. Beyond the religious life, I have centered my life of recovery within Alcoholics Anonymous. My social life has expanded to a group of men who once assisted. The companionship, fellowship, is more than nice. It is necessary, fundamental for a life based upon sharing. For the first time in my life, it comes natural. The realization I cannot do this alone is concrete in a way it has never been before. I have also established a one-on-one relationship with a man who is taking me through the Big Book. Tonight, I ventured to a Big Book meeting, mostly young men attending. Being complex as I am, I initially found the maturity level of the young men annoying. I settled into peace as they determined to read chapter 3, More About Alcoholism. I had just read the chapter the previous night. The exercise proved profound as I assumed an attitude of relating rather than comparing. I comprehended there was purpose to reading the chapter two days in a row. Amongst the reality of powerlessness, a lack of power, the concentration upon the first drink and the fact self-knowledge—for that fact nothing done alone, including faith—would ever allow me to stay sober. Left to my own devices, no matter how well intended I was, sobriety would never be maintained if I remained isolated and unattending to the root causes of a lifetime of alcoholism. No matter how much I loved God, I had to do what needed to be done. I could not be a baby suckling on the breast of God, an immature being unable to remove himself from hiding from the world, devoted to God not as a psychologically sound adult, rather a broken individual afraid and unknowing how to become happy, joyous and free. The desire overwhelms to become the man God always intended me to be. His love and mercy which knows no bounds must become the inspiration for a life of unraveling, a social life of fellowship and healing. It is a we endeavor. Alone, I can do nothing. In unhealthy solitude, I will eventually kill myself. Dramatic words, yet it is a horrible fact. I do not feel like writing anymore. One more thing, I intended to touch upon. My employment is advancing me into management. I am convinced it is God demanding that I apply myself, to become active, responsible, and accountable. I need His help, yet I am confident. The running, hiding, and fear must become the ways of a life overcome. God is creating a new man. I am willing, surrendering to His demands.  Tomorrow is a new day, a day I will enjoy a cruise on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River with members of AA.

St Josaphat, Ukranian Catholic Church, a neighbor.

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Passivity

Does He aim at detaching a soul from earthly things and uniting her strongly to Himself? He will deluge her with light and love. Plunged in God, of whose presence and action she is delightfully conscious, inflamed with the holy ardors of unitive love, fascinated by the divine beauty and goodness and by the tenderness of a Lord so great and holy for His miserable creature, she becomes instantly silent and contemplates Him in a hush of admiration. She envelopes her Well-Beloved with a long, lingering look wherein jostle each other the emotions of astonishment, joy, and love, which hold her captive. She enjoys her God in a union full of peace and sweetness, like St John reposing on the bosom of His beloved Master. –Abbot Vital Lehodey

I like the use of the female pronoun in the above quote. Embracing manliness, masculinity to a brutish nature, the passivity necessary for the proper reception of God calls for a female receptivity, a complete penetrating of self. In the world, I am a strong man. Before God, I find it more appropriate to think of myself as a weak impoverished bride–a King marrying a wretched peasant child.

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St Clare tribute

I do not mean to be extravagant, yet sometimes I have intuitive moments.   Today during mass, I felt a deep love from St Clare.  I attended mass away from the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.  Today, I returned to their home to celebrate mass.  During mass, absorbed in the profound, I observed a large stain glass depicting St Clare warding off attacking Saracens with the Eucharist.  St Clare, a true contemplative, possesses a sacred and strong place in my heart. I pray to her to protect my spiritual partner.  I want to post an image in her honor.  I love this image.  St Clare pray for us.

st-clare-of-assisi-susan-clark

 

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Mary Hidden

Can I offer myself to God solely based upon pure intent, simple and humble in nature, seeking no accolades or self-glorification on the deepest level. Unworthy servant I am, do I truly understand who I am and who God is? Forsaking self-promotion, abandoning faith focused upon personal elevation, I touch upon truth. Praying in a hidden alcove, loyal to the Church, collapsed upon the shoulders of saints, reposed within ritual and tradition, adoring the cross, resurrection, and Eucharist, the nature of grace reveals herself. A loving Mother hovering tenderly above dispenses abundantly.

Mary lived in obscurity most of her life. Her humility was so great that she desired to hide, not only from all other creatures, but even from herself, so that only God should know her. She asked Him to conceal her, and to make her poor and humble. God delighted to hide her; in her conception, in her birth, in her mysteries, in her resurrection and assumption. St Louis de Montfort ‘True Devotion to Mary’

Mary’s unknowing: “How shall this happen, since I do not know man?” Luke 1:34

So often God performs his greatest work in silence. Mary is alone. As the Holy Spirit comes upon her, and the power of the Most High covers her with its shadow (Luke 1:35-36), she conceives the Holy One to be called Son of God. The whole world was to be affected by this event which God worked in seclusion and silence. So, too, does His grace work in one’s soul. Mary’s was a secret joy until God willed to reveal it to others.

Mother Mary, pray for us that we may always allow God’s grace to work silently in our soul

Mary Assumption

Mary Assumption

During mass, am I consumed with adoration, gratification for the miracle of the Eucharist? Am I participating fully, or am I focused upon others, perhaps imagining others admiring, reducing the most sacred of time down to worldly imperfection? Does my mind wander, unfocused, consumed by fantasy, imagination running wild? Am I intellectualizing, perceiving myself an authority of the Church, judging the piety of others, reasoning, delusional in thought, seeing myself as a Bible scholar. Am I consumed with myself or have I stilled my mind? There before me, willing to be consumed, is the Presence. Opening heart and mind, the left hand unaware of the right, I must offer my brokenness to Christ, concentrating upon who Christ is? Who are you Lord? Lord who are you? Please, I beg Lord, let Yourself be known to me? I am quiet, stilled, empty, constantly engaged in the process of transforming myself into a vessel worthy of filling. I hear the Gospel–the Good News. I ingest the Host. I verbalize responses? I have prepared myself for mass through proper conduct, maintaining sanctifying grace, devoted to contemplation, cleansing psychologically, I wait upon You, my Lord. Lord, authentically, I approach. I am willing to acknowledge ignorance in order to know You better my Lord. Allow me to understand who you are. Lord I want to know You, to accept You in your fullness. Fill me Lord–my heart, soul, body and mind are Yours. All I am is Yours.

Oh Great and Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart. Give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity. Grace me with understanding and knowledge so that I may carry out Thy commandments. The simple prayer offered by Saint Francis of Assisi before the cross of San Damiano. Christ responded.

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Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Two videos with different takes on hymnal words being sung. The first silence and the original rendition of Bach’s intention. The second proficiently and craftily demonstrating beauty through simple meaningless intoning.

Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.

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