On our last days  (V)

Do not rely on friends and neighbours, and do not delay the salvation
of your soul to some future date, for men will forget you sooner than
you think. It is better to make timely provision and to acquire merit
in this life, than to depend on the help of others. And if you have no
care for your own soul, who will have care for you in time to come?
The present time is most precious; now is the accepted time, now is
the day of salvation.(2Cor.6:2) It is sad that you do not employ your
time better, when you may win eternal life hereafter. The time will
come when you will long for one day or one hour in which to amend; and
who knows whether it will be granted?
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 23

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March 2: - Our Lady of Banneux: The Final Apparition

“The poor today – and there are many ways of being poor! – feel at
home in Banneux. They come here to find comfort, courage, hope, union
with God in their affliction. I encourage the pilgrims who come here
to pray to her, who, always and everywhere in the Church, reflects the
face of the Mercy of God.”

Pope John Paul II proclaimed these words during his visit to Banneux,
in reference to Our Blessed Mother, the Virgin of the Poor. Today,
March 2, marks the anniversary of the eighth and final apparition of
Mary at Banneux, Belgium, to 11 year old Mariette Beco in 1933. The
first 7 apparitions occurred on January 15, January 18, January 19,
January 20, February 11, February 15, and February 20. 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 leading her to a small stream, “This spring is reserved for all nations- to relieve the sick.” The Virgin of the Poor requested that a small chapel be built. She further told Mariette, “I
have come to relieve suffering.” Following Mariette’s request for a
sign as to who she was, Our Blessed Mother replied, “Believe in me-
and I will believe in you.” Finally, in the seventh visitation, the
Blessed Virgin implored Marriette to “Pray hard.”

Ten days after the seventh apparition, Mariette was visited by the
Virgin of the Poor for the last time. Despite pouring rain, Mariette
knelt to pray in her garden as dusk was falling. She was praying her
third Rosary when the rain stopped without warning. Mariette was
observed to remain silent, but stretched out her arms, stood up, took
a single step forward, and then knelt back down.

The Blessed Virgin spoke to her, saying, “I am the Mother of the
Savior, Mother of God. Pray much." Mariette said, “yes, yes,” and
bowed her head. The Virgin of the Poor laid her hands upon her head,
blessing her, and said, "Adieu" (Good bye). Mariette wept, knowing
this was her last visit, as on all previous occasions, Mary had ended
their time together by saying “Au revoir” (Until we meet again).

Our Lady of Banneux, the Virgin of the Poor, blessed the world by
appearing to a humble girl. Her message was simple, and of few words:
Pray diligently, have faith, and through her intercession, worldly
suffering would be relieved. We humbly implore the Blessed Virgin of
the Poor to watch over us, intercede for us with the Lord, and relieve
our suffering on earth.

The apparitions at Banneux were investigated by an Episcopal
delegation from 1935 to 1937, with their findings submitted to the
Vatican for approval. Preliminary approval of the veracity of the
apparitions was granted in 1947, with the visitation of Mary ruled as definitive in 1949. By that time, Mariette Beco had married and had
several children. Despite being sought out by the thousands of
pilgrims visiting Banneux, she remained humble and quiet, content to
have the attention of visitors focused on the “Lady made of light,”
rather than herself.
by Jacob


Saint Quote:
"A soul truly resigned to God has no affection for any created thing,
for it sees clearly that all its possessions, except God, are vain and
nullity. So its single object and aim is to die to itself, and resign
itself actually and always in all things."
--Bl. Henry Suso

Bible Quote:
Without wood the fire dies out;
without a talebearer strife subsides.
Charcoal for coals, wood for fire—
such are the quarrelsome, enkindling strife.  [Prv 26:20–21.]


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James 3:14-15 what does James characterize as
human or "fleshly" wisdom?

St. James' list of fleshly wisdom:
1. Bitter jealousy
2. ambition
3. boastfulness
4. deceit

St. Paul's list of works of the flesh:
1. sexual immorality
2. impurity
3. sexuality (licentiousness/ immodesty)
4. idolatry
5. sorcery
6. hatreds
7. rivalry
8. jealousy
9. outbursts of anger
10. quarrels
11. disagreements/ acts of selfishness
12. factions
13. malice/envy
14. drunkenness
15. orgies
16. and the like
St. Paul concludes his list with the dire warning: "people who behave
in these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God

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