Quotes in Tamil

சிருஷ்டிகளை எவ்வளவுக்கு அதிகமாய் நேசிப்போமோ அவ்வளவுக்கும் சர்வேஸ்வரனை அற்பமாய் நேசிப்போம்

- அர்ச். பிலிப்புநேரி

"சிருஷ்டிகளில் நின்று உங்களிருதயத்தை யகற்றி, கடவுளைத் தேடுங்கள். அப்போது அவரைக் காண்பீர்கள்

- அர்ச். தெரேசம்மாள் -

சர்வேஸ்வரனுக்குச் சொந்தமாயிராத அற்ப நரம்பிழை முதலாய் என்னிருதயத்தில் இருப்பதாகக் கண்டால் உடனே அதை அறுத்து எறிந்து போடுவேன்

- அர்ச். பிராஞ்சீஸ்கு சலேசியார்

சனி, 19 நவம்பர், 2022

Saint Vladimir the Great, the Russian Clovis

 At the origin of the Christian faith in the Rus ’: the baptism of Prince Vladimir.

Prior note : this article was originally published in the Simandre, review of the Fraternity of the Transfiguration, in 2016; it would therefore be misleading, even if it is tempting, to seek there some allusion to the news ( the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ), in this year 2022 where it appears on the Latin Gate, in a version where only purely formal modifications have been made…

Preliminary remarks

One of the most famous sites in Moscow gives us the opportunity to speak about the first great figure of Russian Christianity, on which there is much to say. On November 4, 2016, a world was inaugurated for Vladimir the Great, the prince who was at the origin of the punishment of Russian lands. Located on Place Borovitskaya, just at the foot of the Kremlin's remains, this statue is 16 meters high and represents the prince holding his sword with one hand, and presenting the other with a Latin cross higher than him; difficult to make more triumphalist ! If in Western Europe, we don't even want to mention the Christian roots of our countries anymore,we seem in Russia to have few complexes in this regard ... It must however be pointed out that the establishment of this giant monument was not done without controversies: at the start, the statue was to measure no less than 25 meters and be erected on the Mont des Moineaux ( named Mont Lenin from 1935 to 1999 ), prestigious site overlooking all of Moscow and where the buildings of Moscow State University are located, a river in Australian architecture ... Chagrin spirits, no doubt admirers of the former Soviet regime, obtained the cancellation of this project, and finally, following a sort of referendum by electronic means, it is Place Borovitskaïa, equally famous and steeped in history, which has been chosen ; and UNESCO,after making some ( difficulties because the site is listed in the world heritage ), ended up accepting the project.

The goal of this monument is to commemorate the millennium of Vladimir the Great, who died on July 15, 1015, after 35 years of reign. It is true that this statue and this commemoration are not without political knowledge: at the origin of this project, there is the Russian Historical and Military Society… We can also notice that just the current master of Russia is named Vladimir ... Alongside the patriarch of Moscow Kirill, President Putin was therefore of course present on November 4, 2016, for this inauguration. There was no shortage of ( is this for political calculation, is it by profonde conviction, I do not know, God knows ) to insist on the importance of the spiritual heritage of the Russian nation,in connection with the most global episodes of his history ... And we can still note with satisfaction the fact that in the XXIe century, on the public highway, the status of a person holding a huge cross could thus have been erected.

Other chagrin spirits could object only to Xecentury, Russia did not exist ( any more, moreover, than France existed at the time of the baptism of Clovis ). There were then Slavic tribes, and the political seal of the Eastern Slavs, it was not Moscow which had not yet been founded, it was Kiev, probably already capital of a state structure. Note, moreover, that the city of Kiev already has its own status of the prince – Saint Volodymyr to give it its ukrainian name: inaugurated in 1853, this statue is only « 4 meters 50 high, but it is placed on a 16-meter pedestal, on a hill overlooking the entire city of Kiev ; and as on the state of Borovitskaya Square, the prince holds a cross larger than him. It’s a historical fact, anyway,that the « Rus ’ » general term to designate Ukraine and Russia ( is awarded for real founder Prince Vladimir: the baptism of this is considered, by both Italians and Russian Christians, such as the nation’s founding event. A bit like Clovis' baptism for us French – and besides, we can find some analogies between the two characters.

Origins of the Christian faith in the Rus ’: the baptism of Prince Vladimir

Be that as it may be, it is worth giving our readers a small biography of the Slavic Barbarian leader who, five centuries after Clovis, ignited the Christian faith : Vladimir the Great, a tradition considered as the founder of Christian Russia – the liturgical books of Russia and Ukraine give it the title of ’ « equal to the apostles », attributed to the great evangelizers.

To narrate the origins of the Christian faith in Russian lands, it is still necessary to go back up a little before Vladimir. We must specifically mention the grandmother of this one, she also carried on the altars: Saint Olga, of variegated origin ( that is to say Scandinavian ). She probably received baptism in 954 or 955, at least after the death of her husband the Grand Duke of Kiev Igor ( killed in 945 ). The erudits still discuss whether it was Byzantine or Latin priests who received his conversion; at the time, in fact, some indigenous Christians were already on Russian lands, converted by missionaries either varègues ( latins ) or grecs ( byzantins ). And it is established that in Kiev, from the 940s,there was a Byzantine church dedicated to Saint Elijah ( probably in the dependence of the Saint-Elie monastery of Constantinople, frequented by the Christian Varangues of capital ). Princess Olga of Christian Affairs tried to develop faith in these regions, but she was very disappointed by the Byzantines: received in Constantinople in 957 by the emperor and by the patriarch, she founded great hopes, which did not meet: she could not obtain the hand of a Byzantine princess for her son Sviatoslav, and he was not granted a bishop for his country. Olga also turned west, that is to say towards the Latin and towards the German emperor Othon the Great ... With the support of the latter, a mission with a bishop was organized,but the pagism remained very lively and there was a strong reaction: several missionaries from Germany were masked, the cause of the Gospel trampled on, and Bishop Saint Adalbert, who led the mission, had to leave the country ... Olga continued to do what she could to promote real religion, having ( churches built in the capital, Kiev, and also to the very north-east of the country, at Pskov ), but the time for a more general conversion of the Rus ’ had not yet arrived.and also to the very north-east of the country, at Pskov ), but the time for a more general conversion of the Rus ’ had not yet arrived.and also to the very north-east of the country, at Pskov ), but the time for a more general conversion of the Rus ’ had not yet arrived.

After Olga's death in 969, his son Prince Sviastoslav was content to be more caring to the Christian faith. Truth be told, this princely family had very harsh manners, a bit like Clovis and the Merovingian dynasty ... What we can know then about Vladimir's life, Sviatoslav's youngest son, before his conversion, shows a shocking violence, even in family reports, as well as real marital assumptions that are truly incompatible with the Gospel. In a few words, here is the course of events: the three sons of Sviatoslav had shared their father's lands, but soon the elder had his second brother killed and seized his domains; the third, our Vladimir, installed in Novgorod, rather than suffering the same fate,recruited Varied mariners and managed to seize Kiev, eliminating his brother and becoming the only great prince. He must have had some political sense, because the historians recognize that he managed to strengthen and make prosper his possessions.

Furthermore, like Clovis again, the barbarian Vladimir was endowed with opportunism, which led him to calculate and take seriously the Christian Church and the civilization which it brought with it. Vladimir no doubt considered that the Rus ’ should abandon the gross pagism, under pain of remaining lower and better in the eyes of the Byzantines as well as the Latins ( let us not forget that at the time, Rome and Byzantium were still in communication ). The Time Story Spent( oldest literary source in Russian history ) says that Vladimir, determined to move on to monotheism, had an investigation made among Muslim Bulgarians, among Jewish Khazars, and among Christians ( Latin Germans or Byzantine Greeks ); given their prohibitions on alcohol, Muslims were quickly sidelined, as were Jews deprived of their land and Temple… Rome and Byzantium remained in the running: in between, it was the spectacle of the Divine Byzantine Liturgy that caused the balance to hang; Vladimir's word of the emissaries remains famous : « We no longer knew if we were in heaven or on earth » ! Current historians assure that this is only a beautiful legend, but which nevertheless reflects the wonder of the Slavic soul in the presence of the sumptuosity of the long Byzantine ceremonies.

The reality was a little more prosaic: the emperor of Constantinople Basile II, threatened by a usurper, sought an effective ally in the person of the prince of Kiev. In 987, an assistance treaty was concluded between the old Empire and the young principle: the Slavs would provide mothers to support Basile II, and a marriage would strengthen the alliance ; Vladimir indeed obtained the hand of Princess Anne Porphyrogenet, sister of the emperor. It was necessary that he was hard pressed to give his sister as well in marriage to a Barbarian, which was contrary to all the customs of the Byzantine court and did not please the said princess very much. But a condition for this matrix alliance was that the Barbarian was baptized. Vladimir accepted: he sent his elite troops, the Varangian mercenaries,who released Basile II from his rival, and he received baptism. According to the most popular tradition, the ceremony took place on January 6, 988, in Chersonese in the south of Crimea; for Russian Christians, Chersonese is therefore the equivalent, for us French Catholics, baptismal font from Reims. The prince was imitated, a few weeks later, by part of his warriors.

This version of the facts is the most widespread, but there are uncertainties about the details of the events : fairly reliable historical sources would rather place Vladimir's baptism in Kiev well before his marriage, which only took place after Vladimir's expedition to Crimea : the Byzantines tapping to honor their promesse, Vladimir would have launched a military operation against Byzantium, occupying the peninsule, and it was only after finally receiving Princess Anne that he would have stayed Chersonese and Crimea…

Either way, Vladimir is sure to convert to Christian faith. All sources agree that he returned his numerous concubines and that he was zealous in preparing true faith in his states. Without surprise, the historian must admit that the prince lacked discretion and doubt to obtain the conversion of his people : Vladimir’s treatment and the days he lived probably didn’t allow it to be any other. It was in any case in his time and under his influence that Russia was placed in the sphere of Byzantine Christianity. Vladimir's conversion seems to have been sincere: he who collected the avenues and the crimes of the past before his baptism, seems to have renounced this range of sin. Furthermore, it practically abolishes slavery.The princely couple had bishoprics erected and churches built. The hunters bring all these beautiful actions like repairs to its many previous sins. Finally, the most recent historians consider it likely that Kiev has become a metro-polian seat ( in other words, archiepiscopal ) even before the end of the Xe century, very shortly after Vladimir's baptism, in the direct dependence of the patriarch of Constantinople. Christian Russia would therefore follow, over time, the aims of the Byzantine Church and not of the Latin Church. In a very sustainable way, the Slavic peoples found themselves divided between Russo- Ukrainians of Byzantine tradition, and Poles of rite and Latin obedience ( as well as Lithuanians and Hungarians, non slavs ); the whole history of Eastern Europe will be conditioned by this distribution.

Posthumous fate of Prince Vladimir

To sum up, we can say that after his baptism, Vladimir behaved in Christian sovereign according to the standards of the time, but the mores of his family and his people remained very harsh. The historian then notes without great astonishment that after his death in 1015, his sons are offered the power in a sanitary way: two of them, the young and innocent Boris and Gleb, will be assassied by their elder who fears rivals in them, and will very quickly be driven by popular devotion and by the miracles that their intercession obtained.

As for Vladimir, it was only tardi that he was worn on the altars; it does not work miracles, and it was rather because of the decisive role he had for the punishment of the Rus ’ that his motivation became ultimately imposed. But it was only with the elevation of his relics in 1635 that the historian spotted a truly official cult towards Saint Vladimir. He had been buried in the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, known as the Church of the Dîme, in Kiev, the first place of worship he built, and where he had placed relics of Pope Saint Clement brought back from Chersonese; the misfortunes of history have moved, on several occasions, the destruction of this building: in the XIXe century, a pompous neo-classical church was built on the site, but the Soviets razed it in 1935 and it is still waiting to be rebuilt ... It is much earlier in Chersonese, that is to say in a suburb of present-day Sevastopol, which is today the most visible world souvenir of Saint Vladimir, with the cathedral erected under its term in the XIXe century: archaeological excavations then made it possible to find Byzantine ruins, including those of the basic where baptism took place; at this location was then built a sumptuous cathedral, whose ( merger following the destruction during the Second World War ) did not end until the 2000s.

One question could arise in the minds of our readers: is Vladimir's cult admissible for a Catholic ? And the answer can only be positive: Vladimir died before the official and lasting separation between Byzantium and Rome; theoretically, it is considered that this rupture took place in 1054, although, in Slavic countries at least, this schism had no recognition or consequence for at least two centuries. Otherwise, Vladimir's channel was operated according to the ancient principle which considers the voice of the people as the voice of God ( in the West it was thus throughout the first millennium ). And it is a rule in the Church to accept at least the established cult of local saints,when an ecclesial community converts or strengthens its ties with the Mother Church of Rome. This was the case for Byzantine Ukraine, the majority of whose bishops made a splash of Catholic faith through the union of Brest-Litovsk in 1596. Consequently, the liturgical books officially conceded by the Roman authorities to the Ukrainians and the Catholic Russians of Byzantine rite, have always been the feast of the founder of Christianity in Russian lands on July 15.have always been the feast of the founder of Christianity in Russian lands on July 15.have always been the feast of the founder of Christianity in Russian lands on July 15.

Saint Vladimir the Great is especially revered by the Ukrainians who honor him as the founder of their homeland: he is, among others, the patron saint of the Greek Catholic cathedral in Paris ( rue des Saints- Pères ) as well as the ( deicesis, to take the western term ) of the Ukrainian Catholics of Byzantine rite in France.


Saint Pius X Fraternity: nearly 80 new seminarians

 Blessed be God for the greatest entry of seminarians since the creation of the Saint Pius X Fraternity.

However, remember that the number is not necessarily a sign of benefit.
What God is looking for is holiness.

Editorial by Father Guillaume Gaud

Dear friends,

The academic meeting has just taken place in our seminars, and it is a cry of astonishment and thanksgiving that rises to God. 'Cause we just got the largest entrance to seminanists since the creation of the Saint Pie X Fraternity by His Excellency Monsignor Lefebvre in 1970.

97 young men entered this year in the first year of training in our seminars, including 79 for the priesthood and 18 for the religious life ( Brothers of the Brotherhood ). Here in Flavigny, we have just hosted a proposal of 21 seminarians and 3 possible brothers.

For seminarians: an Englishman, a Swiss, an Austrian, a Hungarian, a Serb, a Croatian, a Danish, a Dutchman, an Indian, a Sri Lankan, a Chilean, a Nicaraguan, a Nigerian, 2 Canadians, 2 Argentines, 2 Mexicans, 2 Italians, 4 Brazilians, 6 Germans, 9 Poles, 14 French, 25 Americans.

For the potential brothers: a Swiss, an Argentinian, a Brazilian, 2 Canadians, 2 Poles, 3 French, 8 Americans.

We invite you to change the Lord's mischievous with us ; blessed be God a thousand and a thousand times because we are witnesses to the activity of God in souls and to his gentle and patient strength. It is really at work, despite all our faults.

Let us not hesitate to approach the words of Saint Vincent de Paul, to keep us in humility: « Let us consider the Saint Pius X Fraternity as the smallest of all Companies; not even the penultimate, but the last… Let’s never put our eyes on what’s good about us, but what’s bad is a great way to keep humility [ 1 ]».

We must also be careful to imagine that number is necessarily a sign of benefit, since what God is looking for is holiness.

However, this increase in the number of seminarians follows a general curve, of slow but constant growth, parallel to the growth in the number of faithful. It is enlightening to briefly highlight the factors.

Interior factors

First, it is the fruit of families seeking to live in accordance with the Gospel, and to combat the infiltration of the spirit of the world today within them, with good natural balance. This year, 79% of young men who entered Flavigny come from families guaranteeing loyalty to the Catholic Tradition.

This is also the fruit of the Tradition schools, since 70% of the candidates for this proposal have been trained there, and among them all the French have spent a good number of years there.

It is also the fruit of the development of the missionary apostolate of the colleagues. Indeed, this year we welcome, among these 79 seminarians, 22 different nationalities, which is still a record. Think of the priests, missionaries in all these countries, who sow year after year, and entrust us with these voices. This is possible thanks to the relative freedom of the Brotherhood in its foundations, and its missionary impulse not hindered by ecumenism. Each voice is almost a miracle of grace, at least the fruit of years of devotion and prayer.

Dear friends, you see, God listen to your prayers for vocations. A great merci for your perseverance.

External factors

The increase in vocations roughly follows the increase in the number of faithful. However, the past few years have seen a considerable increase in these, albeit very unevenly depending on the country.

The first factor was the attitude of many priests and progressive bishops, on the occasion of the covid, who shocked many of their followers. They prohibited the Holy Communication on the language, accepted without really opposing the closure of many churches, or even the total cessation of sacraments. The stupor of Christians was at its height when they saw priests refuse to baptize. All of this left the strong impression of an immense lack of faith in much of the clergy.

The second factor, like a background wave, is much more durable and lucid, this is what we call the « phenomenon François ». For years, Pope Francis, by his repeated and argued statements, by his convictions, by the support he seems to give to the agents of the New World Order and the appearance of support for some of their lobbies, by opposing those who are resistant to this Novus Ordo sæculorum, turns against the world conservative population. In recent years, we have continuously seen an influx of people approaching the PSSPX for reasons of opposition to what they call the pope's political ideology.They are often non-practicing Catholics, or non-baptized people of Catholic descent. It is also young people who want to act for their country, who go beyond the political approach resulting from the death of grace.

New phenomenon, we see more and more « Catholic canvassers » arriving, practicing usually in the conciliary parishes, or Ecclesia Dei, but very sensitive to the defense of Life, the Numerous Family, Catholic morals, the authority of the father, the « Christian roots of Europe ». They understood one thing: we must fight, defend Christian Europe, that is to say fight against Islamization, against the monstrous unnatural lobby, against « Cancel-culture and wokism », against disarming neutrality, against the destruction of children. The last synodes, like that on the family and its applications, revolt them because they see in it the disarmament of the Catholics and the justification of progressism.

Finally, the latest Rome documents on the subject of the Mass have better highlighted the doctoral struggle which has been taking place since the Council.

In short, the good Lord shows us that we should not be proud, because the causes of the increase are visibly external to us. But we hope that everyone's prayers, renunciations and efforts contribute to it, albeit without glory, but not without fruit.

Call for an elite in Tradition

Dear friends, following Pope Pius XII [ 2 ], we would like to encourage you to continue to work to develop an elite more, even if it is not only necessary to aim for that.

Let us make our young people want to throw themselves into the arena to take part in the debate for the advancement and defense of good causes. The nobility has always been the honor of France. She must stay that way. I am talking about the true nobility, that of the soul, which we must make admire to all young Catholics.

Let's show them that love of work will be the strongest title that will later give them a place among the leaders of the Society. Let us show them that the value of a man is in close dependence on his commitment to the common good. Let us show them that there will always be a large place in society for Catholics if they are truly elites optimal, that is to say people remarkable for the serenity of their soul, their promptness for action, their generous devotion, and the search for excellence in their profession, whatever it is. Abatement and pusillatinity must be banned in front of the evolution of times.

This extension of seminarists sees the entry of young men who have developed this ardor and awarded the diplomas of doctorate, engineer, masters or various licenses; which were engaged in youth movements, apostolate or Catholic politics.

The influence of the elite on the moral renewal of the Church

Above all, we must apply ourselves to conduct irreparable religious and moral conduct, especially within our families, and to practice a healthy austere life. Lazy comfort is the elite’s worst enemy. The constant connection to the internet is therefore consequently.

Let us make sure that other men notice the heritage of virtues and qualities that distract us, often the fruit of long family traditions. These are the imperturbable strength of soul, loyalty and devotion to the most worthy causes, the tender and generous step towards the weakest and poor, firm behavior, measured and delight in serious matters, constant respect for all. The implementation of these qualities and the exercise of religious and civic vertus are the most convincing response to prejudices and suspicions, as they demonstrate the intimate vitality of our Christian spirit.

Raise a bulwark against the relaxation of customs

Our influence in society can aim to divert a serious danger specific to the present era. It must be known that society falls into decline when defects and abuses occur between the different environments ( and at the risk of repeating themselves : films and media should not enter your home without entertainment, as you would be the only culprits in the loss of your surroundings and yourself ), just as it rises when the virtues of a celebrity category come together with the others.

The Catholics themselves can act in both directions: we can easily become hotbeds of mistreatment of morals, in particular by these abuses which threaten the sanctity of marriage, youth education, Christian tourism in entertainment, respect for modesty. The tradition of our families and our homelands must be highlighted and defended in these areas as well, and now sacred and unviable. It should not only be protected from the seeds of corruption, but it should be conquent and proud. Let us be an elite. Let us be noble and magnanimous. May this deep respect for the traditions we cultivate, and by which we distinguish ourselves in society, be our claimed honor.

You can be this elite

Vigor and fertility of works ! These are the two characteristics of true nobility of soul engendered the elite. This is educated from an early age, in particular by the example of parents, who do not hang around in front of the screens, but know how to contribute with measure to the common good, outside the family.

To use Ernest Hello's words: « If you are alive, explain your life. Take your soul and bring it into the fray ! Take your wishes, preach your thought, your prayer, your love ! Take in your hands the instruments you know how to use and throw yourself entirely into the balance where everything weighs. If you are asleep, wake up. If you are dead, stay. Search your past life, in your extinct life the best of your desires. Remember the morning part of the roses from other times that you must have felt, and see if you have the strength to say: what does it matter !

Placed between the fire of those who love and the fire of those who hate, you have to lend a helping hand to one or the other. Know it ! it is not to man in general, it is to you in particular that the call is made; for all the moral, intellectual, material forces at your disposal, are as many weapons as God has put in your hands, with the freedom to use them for him or against him. You have to fight; you necessarily fight.

You are left with only the choice of camp ».

Source : Letter to friends and benefactors of the Saint-Curé- seminar of Ars N ° 106

Footnotes

  1. Opinions and maxims, n ° 44 and 26.[]
  2. Pius XII, Duties of the raised classes, 09/01/58. We get most of the following ideas.[]

FSSPX

Father Guillaume GAUD is currently Director of Saint Curé d'Ars seminar in Flavigny under the authority of the General House and therefore higher than major. He is known for his skills with Islam.

புதன், 16 நவம்பர், 2022

9th Meditation

 


"And Joseph knew not Mary till she had brought forth her first-born Son, and he called His name Jesus."—Saint  MATTHEW i. 25.

Jesus is called first-born of Mary, because at the foot of the Cross the Immaculate Virgin was to become the Mother of the human race—these represented in the person of Saint John. Joseph and Mary led the life of angels, and towards the Divine Child Saint Joseph exercised all the rights and fulfilled all the duties and offices of father.

In the first place, it is he who has the honour of naming Mary's Son—an honour, we have said, that exalts Joseph far above Patriarchs, Apostles, and Doctors. Now, if the name of Jesus is the only word that we have from the lips of Joseph, this single word reveals the one thought which filled the mind, heart, and life of Saint Joseph.

Great Saint, obtain for me this one favour—to know Jesus, and to know but Jesus. I shall do this, if Jesus, and Jesus alone, is first in my mind and heart, on my lips and in my hands, that is to say, first in my thoughts and my affections, in my words and in my actions. May it be my one ambition, my sole happiness and glory to study Jesus and His Gospel, to serve Jesus and His Church !

Watchword. — You are a Christian : be proud of this name.

9. Joseph and the Infant Jesus.

Yolande of Silva, of the Order of Saint Dominic, had an especial veneration for Saint Joseph, because he had the happiness of hearing the cries, of the Infant JESUS, of beholding Him during the days of His infancy, of carrying Him, of caressing and fondling Him with loving reverence.





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செவ்வாய், 15 நவம்பர், 2022

8th Meditation

8th Meditation

"And Joseph, rising up from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife."—SAINT MATTHEW i. 24.

Here two things in the conduct of Joseph strike me forcibly—its simplicity and its promptitude. The Angel has spoken: instantly, with out question or hesitation, Joseph obeys: Fecit sicut prcecepit. Admirable simplicity! How this straight-forwardness bears away the palm from human prudence, with its many calculations—its sinuosities and its deliberations. 

True, it is permissible to hesitate, and as already said, we must suspend our judgment and reflect carefully when we are in doubt: Haec eo cogitante; but when once God has spoken, whether by the voice of Angel or of man, by a ray of human intelligence or a feeling of the heart, arise and act: Ex surgens fecit sicut prcecepit. In the hour of anguish let silence be our wisdom, and the voice of God our light ; suddenly the darkness shall be dispelled—all obstacles will disappear ; our desires and our designs will be realised, and that far beyond out fondest expectations.

Watchword.—What it is your duty to do, do it resolutely, promptly, and simply.

8. Saint Joseph and Saint Francis de Sales.


Saint Francis de Sales being at Lyons on the Feast of Saint Joseph, preached at the Carmelites. As soon as the sermon was ended, the Superior of the Jesuits came to the Saint and entreated him to preach at their church, dedicated to Saint Joseph. "I confess," replied the amiable Prelate, " that two sermons a day are rather beyond my powers ; still, for love of Saint Joseph, I will do my best." He did so, and it was well seen that Saint Joseph was his saint of predilection. The Superior was about to thank him when the Prelate exclaimed; "But, Father, do you not perceive how entirely I am devoted to Saint Joseph"

This same Father being with the good Bishop one day previous to his death, asked permission to make use of his breviary, and remarked that in it there was but one picture, that of Saint Joseph.  


சனி, 12 நவம்பர், 2022

7th Meditation

 "Mary shall bring forth a son ; and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."—SAINT MATTHEW 1. 21.

Now Joseph comprehends the high degree of honour to which union with Mary admits him. He is chosen as father to Mary's Son, the Son of God, and the honour will be his of bestowing on the Divine Child the admirable name of JUDO, a name which in itself designates all that He is, and all that He will be!

No longer let us murmur at Joseph's silence. We know but one word that issued from his lips, but by this one word Joseph has revealed more than all the Prophets of the Old, and as much as the Apostles and Doctors of the New Testament : for Joseph has named JESUS.

The prophets foretold what Measles would do and say, but none declared His name ; but this name in itself reveals all that Jesus is, all that Jesus will be. The Apostles can fell us no more than this. If they traverse the world, it is to preach the name of Jesus ; if they create astonishment by their miracles, it is because they work them in the name of Jesus; whether they suffer, whether they die, it is for the name of Jesus.

The Doctors speak and write but to explain, propagate, and defend the Faith in the name of Jesus ; and Saint Bernard exclaims, as did Saint Paul, that he knows but one thing, but one word—Jesus. All the Doctors and all the Apostles say the same.

For ourselves, let there be fewer words, fewer ideas. One suffices. With Joseph let us seek but Jesus, think but Jesus, speak but Jesus, serve but Jesus, act but for Jesus, and then shall we never be separated from Jesus.

Watchword. — Invoke incessantly the Holy Name of Jesus.

7. The Three Great Names.

Father Gaspard Bon began and ended all his questions, and all his replies, by invoking the holy names of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and expired uttering these sacred names, which are in themselves a pledge of salvation.




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6th Meditation

 6th Meditation 

"Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."—

Son of David, descendant of the Prophet-King; of him who in vision beheld the eternal reign of the Messiah. Joseph, let the recollection of thy origin recall to thee the wondrous things that shall be effected in thy line! The prediction of thy ancestor is about to be accomplished in the womb of the Virgin of Jesse, co-descendant with thee of the line of David, the Holy Virgin whose fate is linked with thine! Fear not, thou son of David, to remain with thy spouse, Virgin Daughter of David's royal line! Thou art worthy of her, and to thee is confided that sacred deposit, the divine treasure of her virginity! True, it is by the operation of the Holy Ghost that she has become a mother, but she ceases not to be thy spouse. She and her Son are thine 1 An orphan here below, the Son of the Most High, and Mary's Son needs an earthly father, this father thou shalt be, for it is thy right: Noli timere accipere Mariam conjugem team.

Is anxiety at its climax, difficulty insuperable, do thou thy best. _ Reflect, seek for a way to extricate thyself and then resolve: Hace autem, eo cogitante; but act with calmness, like Joseph, in spite of anxiety, sleep thou in peace in the arms of a living Providence. The night of trial shall usher in a brilliant day. You fell asleep in sorrow; you shall awake in joy.

 

Watchword.—Hope ever; God is faithful.

 

6. Saint Joseph and Saint Ignatius.


Saint Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus, was ever mindful of Saint Joseph. In his " Exercises" he proposes the Saint to our consideration in relation to our Lord's hidden life. In his oratory was an image of Saint Joseph, before which he loved to pray, and when any extraordinary difficulty occurred  -it was on this spot that Saint Ignatius put it into writing, in order to obtain a happy solution.


5th Meditation

 "While Joseph thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep."—Saint  MATTHEW i. 20.


What honour for Saint Joseph thus to be deemed worthy of retaining her as spouse, who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, had become the Mother of God!

We must admit that he had, by his prudence and discretion, proved himself worthy of the high mission intrusted to him. In similar circumstances how many would by their precipitation have ruined all ! Joseph is lord of his own mind and heart. He takes time to reflect : Haec autem so cogitante.

Let us think before we act, think before we speak, think even before pronouncing interiorly, especially when our neighbour's honour is concerned. Let us wait for light from above, and when we have used all possible means, and applied all the resources of our mind and will, suddenly, and at the very moment when we least expect it, God will send His angel : Hcec autem eo cogitante, ecce angelus Domini apparuit in somnis ei. During sleep, in the hours of night, at the moment when we end our research, or at the moment when all is dark around, light will appear, inspiration will arrive, and the Divine Will be declared.

Watchword.—Reflect before you speak or act.

5. Patronage of Saint Joseph.

Saint Theresa relates that at the Feast of the Assumption Saint Joseph appeared and covered her with a mantle of brilliant whiteness, revealing to her at the same time, that she was justified from all her sins, and that he would obtain for her all the favours she desired.

Saint Theresa had dedicated the greater part of her convents to Saint Joseph, but after her decease, some of these houses were placed under her protection. The saint appeared to one of the religious and gave her this strict order: Tell the Father Provincial to remove my name from the houses and restore to them that of Saint Joseph.





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4th Meditation

 "Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately."--SAINT MATTHEW 1. '9.


The Holy Ghost proclaims Joseph a just man, and yet as being loth to accuse Mary; therefore the holy Patriarch must have been convinced of the perfect innocence of his angelic spouse, if not so, Joseph's resolve would have been contrary to the law and therefore to justice also.

Why, then, does Joseph meditate separation from Mary? It is doubtless that he deems himself unworthy of remaining with her in whom such mysteries were being enacted. What anxiety must not he have suffered in reconciling obedience to the law, with the respect due to the virtue of Mary  Admire the wisdom of this just man, who finds in withdrawing himself a way of conciliation.

However strong the external evidence against our neighbour—let us beware of judging him—I reflect what regret it would have caused Saint Joseph had he allowed himself to judge according to appearances.

Do you wish to spare yourself and your brethren sorrow—too often irreparable—judge not your neighbour, speak not and act not against his interests, save in case of publicity, of certainty, or of necessity.

Watchword.—Judge, not and you shall not be judged.


4. Saint Joseph and the Two Professors.

During the time that Father Lallemand was rector of the college at Bourges, as the Feast of Saint Joseph drew near the Rev. Father sent for two young professors, and promised to obtain for them any grace they desired, provided that they would exhort their pupils to devotion towards Saint Joseph. The two religious gladly consented to the proposal, and their efforts were so successful that on the day of the Feast all their pupils received Holy Communion. The same day the two professors went to the rector, and each of them privately named the grace he desired. The first, the eminent Father Nouet, entreated the privilege of speaking and writing worthily of our Saviour. We do not know the favour desired by the other, we only know that it was obtained. As for Father Nouet, he, on the morrow of the Feast, returned to the rector, saying that he had changed his mind, as, on reflection, he thought it his duty to ask for some grace more necessary to his own perfection. The rector replied that it was too late now, for Saint Joseph had already granted the favour at first requested.




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3rd Meditation

 "When Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."—SAINT MATTHEW i. x8.

Mary was confided to Saint Joseph as a precious deposit. The mission of this just man was to shield the virginity of Mary. Meanwhile the work of the Holy Ghost is accomplished.

Let us simply observe our rule of life, fulfil the duties of our calling, and God meanwhile will work out great things, accomplishing His designs, and inasmuch as we have been faithful to the mission in-trusted to our care, God will associate us with Himself in the work that otherwise He would effect without our aid.

Joseph covers, so to speak, the Divine work; and thus God makes use of our words and example to give birth to Jesus in the hearts of men, whilst in reality it is His grace that effects these wonders.

3. Dignity of Saint Joseph

On the Feast of the Annunciation Saint Gertrude beheld in vision all the saints of heaven bend the head each time the choir uttered the name of Joseph ; they exchanged glances, testifying their happiness at the glory Saint Joseph enjoys in heaven, and the honour rendered to him on earth.

PREFACE.

THE most reliable foundation for the glory and veneration due to Saint Joseph is to be found within the pages of the Gospel. Thirty-three texts, comprising all that the New Testament narrative reveals concerning Saint Joseph, have been selected by us as the groundwork of a course of short practical Meditations inciting to the imitation of the virtues of the Saint, as recorded in the Gospel. These thirty-three chosen texts will teach the faithful how best to honour the great Patron of the Church, and the reasons for placing unlimited confidence in his protection.

This little manual contains a daily exercise for the Month of Saint Joseph ; but devotion to this PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH should not be confined to one month, and as each Wednesday throughout the year has for a long time been dedicated to St. Joseph, a good way of carrying out this devotion might be to take for the subject of our Meditation some of the mysteries of the life of this great Saint as we find them recorded in the Gospel 

Of the three Feasts in honour of Saint Joseph, the chief one is that celebrated on the 19th of March. The second in order is that of the Patronage, fixed for the Third Sunday after Easter ; and the third, common to Our Lady and her chaste Spouse, falls on January 23rd, 'and bears the name of Feast of the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph.

Three of the daily readings would form a Meditation for each day of the Novenas preceding these Feasts, and each Meditation might be concluded by the recitation of the prayers authorized, to be used in honour of the Saint, and which will be found at the end of this little book, in company with other devotions to the august Spouse of the Mother of our Lord.

2nd Meditation


"And in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary."—St. LUKE 1. 26, 27.

This son of David, the descendant of kings, is in the world's sight nought but a simple workman, obliged to gain his bread by the sweat of his brow. When God proposes working out some grand design, He renders lowly all the surroundings of the person whose greatness He intends to manifest That master-piece of the Divine Wisdom, Power and Love, the Incarnation, was to be divested of all earthly splendour; therefore, during three hundred years the house of David was lost sight of among the other families of Judah, Zerubbabel is the last king who plays any part in history. The branch to which Joseph belonged fell into indigence, and as there is nothing so efficacious as poverty to ensure the world's neglect, Joseph was in a fit position to be associated in the Divine work.

When God abases and humbles you; when He deprives you of the means of action, of the elements of success; when He appears to frustrate and annihilate your every effort, do not be alarmed. In this very way He is about to effect, by you and in you, some great work. Men despise, or worse still, they forget you, and know you no more. This is the moment awaited by God. Now, will the Divine Power (such is the meaning of the name Gabriel) descend to visit you, and, as Mary and Joseph, so you too are about to be summoned to concur in the carrying on of the Divine work, in the development of the Incarnation in the perfecting of the mysterious Body of Christ, in the extension of the Church, and the reign of Jesus.

Watchword.—Desire to be ignored, and to ignore oneself.

2. Devotion to Saint Joseph counselled by our Lady.

Father P. Balthazar Alvarez being sick, a religious presented him with an image of Saint Joseph, exhorting him to commend himself to the holy Patriarch. "You are right," replied the Father; " that is precisely what the Blessed Virgin counselled me to do." On hearing these words, a brother who had accompanied Father Alvarez in his journey to Rome, remembered that on quitting the Holy House of Loretto, the Father told him that he had just experienced a deep feeling of devotion to Saint Joseph. It is possible that was the moment when Our Lady exhorted the Father to confidence in her Holy Spouse.



Preface 
2nd Meditation

1st Meditation




"And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ."—St. Mat: i. 16.

Descendant of the kings of Judah, Spouse of the Mother of God, foster-father of Jesus, representative also of the Eternal Father, Joseph holds, next to Mary, the highest rank to which a mere creature can be exalted; and such a man is passed unnoticed. No trait is cited, no word uttered, that can win him a place in the annals of the world. He is named but in conjunction with Jesus and Mary, and that only so far as their interests require.

How vain all earthly glory! Much is said of those who desire but oblivion, and true merit remains ignored.
Let the world despise us, its contempt passes unheeded, and, far from feeling surprise, let us rejoice at being overlooked. The world has forgotten so many! We will repay oblivion by oblivion!

Watchword. — Heed neither the esteem nor the contempt of the world.

1. Saint Joseph's Place in Heaven.

An artist was commissioned by Pius IX. to paint a picture of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. When the sketch was submitted for approval, the sovereign pontiff, looking at it, exclaimed: "And Saint Joseph, where is he I" The artist pointed to a group lost in the clouds, replying : "That is the spot I reserve for him." "No," replied the Holy Father, pointing to a place at our Saviour's side; "there, and only there, must he be placed ; for surely that is his post in heaven." 




செவ்வாய், 6 செப்டம்பர், 2022

அர்ச்சிஷ்டவர்களின் சரித்திரம் - 13 - மகா பரிசுத்த தேவநற்கருணையின் பாப்பரசர் அர்ச். பத்தாம் பத்திநாதர் திருநாள்



மகா பரிசுத்த தேவநற்கருணையின் பாப்பரசர் அர்ச். பத்தாம்  பத்திநாதர் திருநாள்
ஜோசப் சார்த்தோ (கியுசெப்பே சார்த்தோ-இத்தாலிய பெயர்) 1836ம் வருடம் இத்தாலியில் டிரவிசோ மேற்றிராசனத்திலுள்ள ரியஸெ என்ற இடத்தில் பிறந்தார். ஒரு கிராமத்தின் தபால்காரருடைய மகனாயிருந்த இவருடைய குழந்தைப் பருவம் வறுமையிலும் ஏழ்மையிலும் கழிந்தது. ஏழைகளாயிருப்பினும், இவருடைய பெற்றோர்கள், இவரை பக்தியில் வளர்த்தனர்; இவருக்கு சிறந்த கல்வியை அளிப்பதில் கருத்தாயிருநதனர். ஜோசப்  ஒவ்வொரு நாளும் ஆறு கி.மி.தூரம் நடந்து சென்று பள்ளிக்கூடத்தில் கல்வி கற்று வந்தார். இவர், சிறுவயதிலேயே, குருவானவராக வேண்டும் என்கிற ஆவல் கொண்டிருந்தார். அதன்படி, 1858ம் வருடம் செப்டம்பர் 18ம் தேதியன்றுஃ காஸ்டல்ஃப்ராங்கோ கதீட்ரலில் குருப்பட்டம் பெற்றார்; 1867ம் வருடம்,  சால்ஸானோ என்ற மிகப்பெரிய பங்கினுடைய பங்குக் குருவானார். அச்சமயம், ஒரு கொள்ளை நோய் வந்தது; அதன் காரணமாக  அந்த பங்கில் எல்லா இடங்களிலும், ஏறக்குறைய எப்போதும், சங்.ஜோசப் சார்த்தோ சுவாமியார் இருப்பதைக் கண்டு பங்கு மக்கள் ஆச்சரியப்பட்டு அவரைப் பாராட்டிக் கொண்டாடினார்: அவர் வியாதியஸ்தர்களுடைய  பாவசங்கீர்த்தனத்தைக் கேட்டார்; இறந்தவர்களை அடக்கம் செய்தார்;  சக பங்கு மக்களுக்கு ஞான உற்சாகத்தை அளித்துத் தைரியப்படுத்தினார்; எப்போதும் மகிழ்ச்சியுடன் தன் குருத்துவக் கடமைகளை நிறைவேற்றினார்; இரவில் நான்கு மணி நேரம் மட்டுமே உறக்கத்திற்காக செலவிட்டார். எளிமையானதும், காண்பவர் இருதயங்களில் தேவசிநேகத்தைத் தூண்டுவதுமான பரிசுத்த ஜீவியம் ஜீவித்தார்; விசுவாசிகளுக்கு மிகுந்த நன்மையை அளிப்பதிலும், அயராமல் ஆன்ம ஈடேற்ற அலுவலிலும், எப்போதும் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தார்.
1875ம் வருடம், டிரெவிஸெ கதீட்ரலின் அதிபராக இவர் நியமிக்கப்பட்டார்; 1884ம் வருடம், மாந்துவா நகர மேற்றிராணியாராக அபிஷேகம் செய்யப்பட்டார். 1891ம் வருடம் வெனிஸ் நகரத்தின் பிதாப்பிதாவாக கர்தினாலாக  ஏற்படுத்தப்பட்டார். 1903ம் வருடம், 13ம் சிங்கராயர் பாப்பரசர் மரித்தபோது, ஆகஸ்டு 4ம் தேதியன்று,இவர் பாப்பரசராகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டார்; சமீப காலத்தில், இதற்கு முந்தியிருந்த 9ம் பத்திநாதர் மற்றும் அவருக்கு முந்தியிருந்தவர்களும், திருச்சபைக்காக அதிகம் உழைத்தவர்களும் துன்புற்றவர்களுமான 7ம்  மற்றும் 8ம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர்களுக்கும் தோத்திரமாக தனது பெயரை  10ம் பத்திநாதர் என்று வைத்துக் கொண்டார். மேலும் இப்பாப்பரசர்கள், அதிலும் குறிப்பாக 9ம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர், வேத இயல் விடுதலைவாதிகளுடைய தப்பறைகளுக்கு எதிராகப் போராடுவதிலும், சகல உலக அதிகாரங்களுக்கும் மேலான பாப்பரசருடைய தலைமைப் பொறுப்பின் அதிகாரத்தின் மேன்மையான உச்ச உயர்நிலைமையை நிலைநாட்டி, ஸ்தாபிப்பதிலும், அயராமல் ஈடுபட்டு உழைத்தார்.  

1903ம் வருடம், ஆகஸ்டு 9ம் தேதி, ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமையன்று, இவர் பாப்பரசராக முடிசூட்டப்பட்டார். பாப்பரசராக பொறுப்பேற்றதும், திருச்சபைக்குள்ளிருந்தே திருச்சபையை அழிக்கும்படியாக ஈடுபட்டிருந்த கெட்ட குருக்களை திருத்தும்படியாகவும், திருச்சபை அதிகாரிகள் மத்தியிலிருந்த களையெடுப்பதற்காகவும், சாட்டையை எடுக்கத் துவக்கினார்.
அர்ச்.பத்தாம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர், நவீன தப்பறைக்கு சகல பதிதத்தப்பறைகளின் ஒட்டுமொத்தக் கூட்டுக்கலவை! என்கிற முத்திரை குத்தினார். 1907ம் வருடம், இவர் எழுதிய “பாச்செந்தி தோமினிச்சி கிரெகிஸ்” என்கிற சுற்று மடல் நிரூபத்தில், நவீன தப்பறையை மிகக் கடுமையாகக் கண்டனம் செய்தார்; நவீனத் தப்பறையின் கறைபடிந்தவர்களாகவோ, அல்லது அத்தப்பறைக்கு நல்ல தோற்றத்தை அளிப்பவர்களோ, யாராயிருந்தாலும், சரித்திரத்திலும், தொல்பொருள் ஆராய்ச்சியிலும், பரிசுத்த வேதாகம விளக்கவுரையிலும் புதுமையை நேசிக்கிறவர்களாயிருந்தாலும், அவர்கள் எல்லோரும் கட்டாயமாக, நிர்வாகத்திலிருந்தும் கற்பிக்கும் ஆசிரியப் பொறுப்பிலிருந்தும் நீக்கப்பட வேண்டும் என்கிற கட்டளையைப் பிறப்பித்தார்.
சமூக ஆர்வலர்களாயிருந்தாலும், புராட்டஸ்டன்டு அல்லது மற்ற பதித அல்லது அஞ்ஞான மதத்தினர் யாராயிருந்தாலும் அவர்களையெல்லாம் பார்ப்பதற்கு அர்ச்.பத்தாம் பத்திநாதர் ஒருபோதும் நேரத்தை ஒதுக்கியவரல்ல!  1910ம் வருடம், அமெரிக்க ஜனாதிபதியான ரூஸ்வெல்ட்டைச் சந்திப்பதற்கு மறுப்பு தெரிவித்தார். ரூஸ்வெல்ட் உரோமிலிருந்த மெத்தடிஸ்டு பதித தேவாலயத்திற்குச் செல்வதை இரத்து செய்தபிறகு மட்டுமே, இவர் தம்மைச் சந்திப்பதற்கு அமெரிக்க ஜனாதிபதிக்கு அனுமதியளித்தார்.
அர்ச்.பத்தாம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர் 1914ம்  வருடம், ஆகஸ்டு 20ம் தேதியன்று மரித்தார். முதல் உலகப்போர் துவங்கியதைப் பற்றியும், திருச்சபைக்குள் ஊடுருவிய எதிரிகள் பற்றியும் ஏற்பட்ட மாபெரும் கவலையாலேயே இந்த நல்ல பரிசுத்த பாப்பரசருக்கு வியாதி ஏற்பட்டு 78வது வயதில்,மரித்தார். இவருடைய  ஜீவிய சரித்திரத்தை, முழுமையாக பாரம்பரிய கத்தோலிக்கர்களாகிய நாம்  எல்லோரும் கட்டாயமாக படிக்க வேண்டும். 12ம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர் 1954ம் வருடம், மே 29ம் தேதியன்று, இவருக்கு அர்ச்சிஷ்டப்பட்டம் அளித்தார்.
அர்ச்.பத்தாம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர் அநேக தீர்க்கதரிசன காட்சிகள் கண்டார். ஒரு சமயம், பிரான்சிஸ்கன் துறவியரைச் சந்தித்தபோது, அர்ச்.பத்தாம் பத்திநாதர் பாப்பரசர், திடீரென்று, பரவசநிலைக்குச் சென்றார்;  சிறிது  நேரம் கழித்து, அந்த பாப்பரசர் நானாக இருக்குமோஃ அல்லது, எனக்குப் பின் வருபவரா? இதில் நிச்சயமாயிருப்பது என்னவெனில், பாப்பரசர், ஒருநாள் வத்திக்கானை விட்டு வெளியேறுவார்; அச்சமயம், இறந்துபோன குருக்களின் சடலங்களை அவர் கடந்து செல்ல வேண்டியிருக்கும் என்பது தான்! என்று கூறினார்.


🌹மகா பரிசுத்த தேவநற்கருணையின் பாப்பரசரான அர்ச்.பத்தாம் பத்திநாதரே! எங்களுக்காக வேண்டிக் கொள்ளும்! நல்ல பாப்பரசரைத் திருச்சபைக்குப் பெற்றுத் தாரும்!🌹


🌹அர்ச்.அமலோற்பவ மாமரியே! வாழ்க!🌹