• A Gradual Knowledge

    From Weedy@21:1/5 to All on Sat Feb 27 23:37:25 2021
    A Gradual Knowledge

        "Since the flame that was to burn us up entirely had not yet
    flared up, my friends and I thought that the glow emanating from
    Philosophy and our way of life that warmed us slowly was the greatest
    there could be. Suddenly some substantial books appeared and started
    up an incredible blaze in me. It was more powerful than I can bring
    myself to believe.
        After this, how could honor, human pomp, desire for empty fame, or
    the consolations of this dying life move me! Swiftly, I turned
    completely in upon myself."
    --St. Augustine--Against the Academics 2, 2

    Prayer: You, who always are, both before we were and before the world
    existed, have become for us a refuge in which we have turned to you.
    --St. Augustine--Commentary on Psalm 89, 3

    ===========
    February 28: -Our Lady of Lourdes, The 11th Apparition

    We continue our re-publishing of previous posts chronicling the
    miraculous unfolding of events that took place at Lourdes in 1858. Our
    Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

    On Sunday, February 28, 1858, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to Saint
    Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes for the 11th time.
    Beginning on February 11, The Blessed Virgin had been appearing to
    Bernadette Soubirous, each time bringing a message of prayer, penance,
    poverty, and participation. Through these posts, we continue our
    journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother
    through her eyes, memories, and words. During the previous nine
    visitations (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 27) the
    Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, communicated the message of
    Lourdes to all mankind, through Saint Bernadette. She implored us,
    saying, “Penance, Penance, Penance. Pray to God for sinners.” Our
    Blessed Mother further invited Bernadette to drink and bathe in the
    muddy water of the grotto, after which a clear flowing spring came
    forth where none had existed before. Our Lady of Lourdes commanded,
    “Go drink in the spring and wash yourself there,”something that
    faithful pilgrims continue to do each day. (For personal reflections
    on my experience at Lourdes, see here and here).

    During the tenth visitation, the Blessed Mother appeared again to
    Bernadette, but remained quiet. Bernadette was relieved, as Our Lady
    of Lourdes had not appeared the day before, and she had been afraid
    that somehow she had offended the beautiful lady. While Bernadette had
    been graced with a visitation, aquero had remained silent, smiled at Bernadette’s acts of penance, and prayed the Rosary with her.

    During the 11th visitation, Our Blessed Mother repeated her
    instructions to pray for sinners, and to offer acts of penance to God
    for their salvation. As typical, Bernadette carried a lighted blessed
    candle with her, knelt in prayer before a crowd nearing 1,000 curious onlookers, and repeated her seemingly bizarre (to those observing)
    acts of penance. The spring, which had only appeared days before,
    continued to flow strong and pure and clear.

    Our Blessed Mother would appear to Bernadette seven more times at the
    grotto at Massabielle, each time more and more people accompanying
    Bernadette, hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful lady she
    referred to. Given the crowds, the local priests and religious would
    soon be forced to get involved, whereas previously they had observed
    hoping to have the apparitions discredited. Our Lady would also soon
    make a request of the community, one which would ensure continued
    devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, and continued propagation of the
    message of Lourdes.
    by Jacob


    Reflection.
    A soul without discipline is like a ship without a helm: it must
    inevitably strike unawares upon the rocks, founder on the shoals, or
    float unawares into the harbor of the enemy.


    Bible Quote:
     ... "Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you; Moses gave
    you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread
    from heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down from
    heaven and giveth life to the world. They said therefore unto him:
    Lord, give us always this bread. And Jesus said to them: I am the
    bread of life. He that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that
    believeth in me shall never thirst. But I said unto you that you also
    have seen me, and you believe not."  [John 6:32-36]  DRB


    <><><><>
    Saint Bernadette, you always enjoyed serving others.
    In February 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared to you when you were
    gathering wood.
    Among your sisters, you have learned to treat the sick and those in need. Later, in Nevers, you were an excellent nurse, offering an attentive
    and intelligent charity.

    Saint Bernadette, Like Mary, who saw the family’s needs in Cana,
    inspire in me the same generosity and the same faith that you see in
    Christ.

    Lord, you have given us brothers and sisters to love. We pray that our
    eyes, our hands, and our hearts are open to all those that you put in
    our way. Amen.

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