John points to the Redeemer

"John did not baptize with the Spirit but with water, since he was
unable to take away the sins of those being baptized. He washed their
bodies with water but not their hearts with pardon. Why did one whose
baptism did not forgive sins baptize, except that he was observing his
vocation as forerunner? He whose birth foreshadowed greater birth, by
his baptizing foreshadowed the Lord who would truly baptize. He whose
preaching made him the forerunner of Christ, by baptizing also became
his forerunner, using a symbol of the future sacrament. With these
other mysteries he makes known the mystery of our Redeemer, declaring
that he has stood among people and not been known. The Lord appeared
in a human body: he came as God in flesh, visible in his body,
invisible in his majesty."
 by Gregory the Great (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 4)

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January 20: - Our Lady of Banneux, The Fourth Apparition

Today marks the anniversary of the fourth apparition of Our Blessed
Mother at Banneux, Belgium, to eleven year old Mariette Beco in 1933.
The first three apparitions occurred on January 15, January 18, and
January 19. During these encounters, Mariette saw a woman “made of
light” smiling at her through her kitchen window, eventually following
the Blessed Virgin, praying with her, and obeying her instructions to
claim a small stream of water for her. The Blessed Mother said to
Mariette, “I am the Virgin of the Poor” and “This spring is reserved
for all nations- to relieve the sick.”Eyewitnesses saw Mariette
speaking, but were unable to discern Our Holy Mother. Both her parents
and Church authorities were skeptical of her claims.

Following her last visitation with Our Lady, Mariette had become quite
ill, the many nights of praying the Rosary outside in the Belgian
winter taking their toll. On January 20, Mariette returned to the
garden, kneeling in the snow, and beginning the Rosary. Upon seeing
Mary, Mariette asked, “Beautiful Lady, what are Your wishes?” The
Virgin of the Poor requested a small chapel be built, and then blessed
Mariette with the Sign of the Cross to complete the task. Due to her
illness, Mariette lost consciousness and was carried inside where she
slept peacefully through the night.

Despite her illness and the freezing cold, Mariette continued to
return to the garden each night to pray the Rosary, but would not
again encounter our Blessed Mother until February 11, the feast day of
Our Lady of Lourdes. Despite adults, including her parents, having
been with her during the apparitions, none yet believed.

Our Lady of Banneux, the Virgin of the Poor, would appear to Mariette
four more times over the course of the next month. Her message each
time was to pray for the poor, for the sick, and for sinners.

by Jacob


Saint Quote:
I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has
given us the means to find it easily. Would you like me to teach you
how to grow from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already
recollected at prayer, you can be even more attentive next time, and
so give God more pleasing worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a
tiny spark of God's love already burns within you, do not expose it to
the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so
that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend
your time in useless chatter.
-- Saint Charles Borromeo

Bible Quote:
A tree is identified by its fruit. A tree from a select variety
produces good fruit; poor varieties, don't.... A good man's speech
reveals the rich treasures within him. An evil-hearted man is filled
with venom, and his speech reveals it.  (Mt. 12:33, 35)


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Blessed Virgin of the Poor, lead us to Jesus, Source of grace.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, save all nations.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, relieve the sick.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, alleviate suffering.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, pray for each one of us.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we believe in you.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, believe in us.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we will pray hard.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, bless us.
Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Mother of the Savior, Mother of God, we thank You.

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