-- Galatians 6:2-3 --
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
========================
No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task
of helping others. The body of Christ -- all believers -- the church -- functions only when the members work together for the common good. Do you
know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who
needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that
person.
<<>><<>><<>>
8 May – Apparition of Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy
(492)
It is evident from Holy Scripture that God is pleased to make frequent
use of the ministry of the heavenly spirits in the dispensations of
His providence in this world. The Angels are all pure spirits; by a
property of their nature they are immortal, as is every spirit. They
have the power of moving or conveying themselves at will from place to
place and such is their activity that it is not easy for us to
conceive of it. Among the holy Archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and
Raphael are particularly distinguished in the Scriptures. Saint
Michael, whose name means Who is like unto God?, is the prince of the
faithful Angels who opposed Lucifer and his followers in their revolt
against God. Since the devil is the sworn enemy of God’s holy Church,
Saint Michael is given to it by God as its special protector against
the demon’s assaults and stratagems.
Various apparitions of this powerful Angel have proved the protection
of Saint Michael over the Church. We may mention his apparition in
Rome, where Saint Gregory the Great saw him in the air sheathing his
sword, to signal the cessation of a pestilence and the appeasement of
God’s wrath. Another apparition to Saint Ausbert, bishop of Avranches
in France, led to the construction of Mont-Saint-Michel in the sea, a
famous pilgrimage site. 8 May, however, is destined to recall another
no less marvellous apparition, occurring near Monte Gargano in the
Kingdom of Naples.
In the year 492 a man named Gargan was pasturing his large herds in
the countryside. One day a bull fled to the mountain, where at first
it could not be found. When its refuge in a cave was discovered, an
arrow was shot into the cave but the arrow returned to wound the one
who had sent it. Faced with so mysterious an occurrence, the persons
concerned decided to consult the bishop of the region. He ordered
three days of fasting and prayers. After three days, the Archangel
Saint Michael appeared to the bishop and declared that the cavern
where the bull had taken refuge was under his protection and that God
wanted it to be consecrated under his name and in honour of all the
Holy Angels.
Accompanied by his clergy and people, the pontiff went to that cavern,
which he found already disposed in the form of a church. The divine
mysteries were celebrated there and there arose in this same place a magnificent temple where the divine Power has wrought great miracles.
To thank God’s adorable goodness for the protection of the holy
Archangel, the effect of His merciful Providence, this feast day was
instituted by the Church in his honour.
It is said of this special guardian and protector of the Church that,
during the final persecution of Antichrist, he will powerfully defend
it: At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince who protects
the children of thy people. (Dan. 12:1) Compare this text with Chapter
10 of the Apocalypse of Saint John.
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/08/
Saint Quote:
Don't say you have a chaste mind if you have unchaste eyes, because an
unchaste eye is the messenger of an unchaste heart.
-- St. Augustine
Bible Quote:
See that you do not look down on one of these little ones, for I tell
you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in
heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
<><><><>
Mother of my God,
Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy
Mother of my God and my Lady Mary,
as a beggar, all wounded and sore,
presents himself before a great Queen,
so do I present myself before you,
who are Queen of heaven and earth.
From the lofty throne on which you sit,
disdain not, I implore you,
to cast your eyes on me,
a poor sinner.
God has made you so rich
that you might assist the poor
and has made you Queen of Mercy,
that you might relieve the miserable.
Behold me then and pity me.
Behold me and abandon me not,
until you see me changed
from a sinner into a saint. Amen
By St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787)
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)