PASSION OF CHRIST (GOOD FRIDAY)

                                                             THE CROSS OF JESUS

It is on this very day, God gave His only Son for us. Jesus suffered and died, so that we could have eternal life. He bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that through His wounds we may be healed.

The Cross is my friend,
The Cross is my comforter,
The Cross is my faith,
The Cross is the suffering that I bear,
The Cross is mine to care,
The Cross is my smile,
The Cross is my perseverance,
The Cross is what I hold each night I sleep,
The Cross is the reason that I breathe,
If I shall not awake,
The Lord will exchange my Cross for His glorious Crown.

Until today it is a difficult day to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory of the Crucified Christ, help comfort you tomorrow, knowing you can be saved! 

 

 

THE 15 SECRET TORTURES AND SUFFERINGS 

OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

Revealed to the pious, God-loving Sister Mary Magdalen of Sancta Clara Order, Franciscan, who lived, died and was beatified in Rome. Jesus fulfilled the wish of this Sister, who desired  to ardently know something about the secret sufferings which He endured the night before 

His death.  

This devotion is approved and recommended by 

His Holiness Clement XII, (1730-1740)
 

The Promise of Jesus:
Then, Jesus added,"My daughter, I desire that you let everybody know the 15 Secret Tortures in order that everyone of them be honored.Anyone who daily offers Me, 

with love, one of these sufferings and says with fervor the following prayer, will be rewarded with eternal glory on the day of judgement."
 

Jesus is pierced by the lance

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and 

forthwith came there out blood and water. 

 ~ John 19:34 ~

Jesus Christ: His Last Day

 

JESUS, THANK YOU FOR THE CROSS!

Maundy Thursday ( Holy Thursday)

The Reason Why the Last Supper is Special

       We might ask ourselves what is so special about Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday?
It was the day that Jesus wanted to let us know that we are all loved and that we should also love everyone the same way. That is what He taught us on the night of the Last Supper, He washed the feet of all His disciples as an act of humility and love.

Jesus said: “ I am giving you a New Commandment : LOVE Each Other. Just as I have LOVED you. You should LOVE each other for your LOVE will prove to the world that you are my disciples”.[John 12: 34-35] “I  have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should do. [John 13:15]
 
On that day Jesus also, instituted the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrifice of  Holy Mass and the priesthood.
 
Today in the world, everyone experiences a deep need for personal prayer. The burden of being a faithful Christian is becoming heavier in a non Christian world. To those who are heavily burdened and find life difficult, Jesus said, “Come to me and I will refresh you.” This hunger for prayer increases with the many trials and heart aches which many encounter in family life or in other situations. Jesus dwells with us in the Blessed Sacrament to fulfill His mission of  “Healing the broken hearted”.
 
It is on this day, Jesus chose to come to us under the appearance of bread because bread is made from wheat. Wheat is beaten, broken and crushed before it becomes bread. Jesus was willing to be beaten at the pillar, broken in the heart and crushed in humiliation that He may be for us, “the living bread came down from heaven.”
 
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is infinitely more powerful than all the armies that ever marched, or police forces gathered. The Eucharist is our Risen Lord with all the power of His Resurrection flowing out to all who comes into His Eucharistic Presence. His words to us today are the same forever. “ Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid!” [Mark 5:50]
 
The greatest gift Jesus left us is the gift of the Holy Eucharist…where He waits for us daily.

************

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they 

were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean 

me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me 

will betray me.  The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to 

that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not

been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

 

The Last Supper of Jesus with His Disciples

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it 
and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat;this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you.This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out
for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit 
of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my
Father’s kingdom.”

 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives......

Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane praying while the disciples fell asleep

"My soul is sorrowful even unto death.
 Remain here and watch." (St. Mark 14, 34)


PRAYER :

 

PRAYER OF THE LAST SUPPER:

O Beloved Jesus, during the Last Supper with Thy disciples Thou gave them the Most Holy Sacrament and that was the Eucharist which is commemorated every time during the Holy Mass. Jesus, Thou gave us this Holy Eucharist so that we will always be able to see Thy Holy Face presented in the Holy Eucharist. Lord Jesus, during Thy Last supper Thou enlighten the hearts of Thy disciples to take part with Thee; grant us that grace to be enlighten with Thy holy grace to be able to take part wholly during the Holy Eucharist so that by commemorating Thy Eucharistic face in the Holy Eucharist; we may come to see Thee face to face at the end of our lives. Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be partakers with Thee for all eternity in Heaven to enjoy with Thee and Thy disciples the Heavenly banquet prepared for those who love Thee and follow the Will of Thy Father. AMEN.

Feast of St Joseph of Nazareth : Chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary

IMPORTANT FACTS :

Joseph of Nazareth was a very simple man and he was very quiet.He was humble and if people looked at him,there was no looks or richness to attract anyone but this did not mean that the Almighty God did not admire him.The Almighty God instead made him be such a way so that he may not attract wrong things towards him.Therefore he was always pleasing to the sight of God and that made the Almighty chose him 

as the foster father for His Beloved Son,Jesus.The Almighty knew that Joseph will be the perfect father to take His place here on earth and to mould Jesus into a proper human being. 

As we can see,Joseph brought Jesus up with the help of Mary,his chaste spouse and the Almighty was always directing Joseph's ways.Though Jospeh was only human,he was very blessed to be given the authority to take charge of the Child Jesus here on earth. He was given God's blessings to instruct Jesus
and Jesus obeyed His foster father and loved him dearly for Jesus knew how much of trouble Joseph went through to keep Him safe from all harm that came darting His way.

Joseph,Mary and the Child Jesus : Flight into Egypt 

On the other hand,Joseph never thought that one day he will be holding God's son in his own hands and be the protector of God's son.He never imagine it but when that day came,he embraced every moment of it even if he had many doubts because who would ever imagine the words of the Angel who proclaimed this words:"Do not be afraid, Joseph,son of David,to take to thee Mary thy wife, for that which is begotten of her is of the Holy Spirit.And she shall bring forth a son,and thou shall call his name Jesus;for he shall save the people from their sins." If anyone was in Joseph's situation would have doubt as much as he did because it was unbelievable for an Angel of the Lord to appear out of a sudden to a humble and poor man.Many if were in Joseph's place would have ran away in fear and doubt but Joseph was given the grace from God to not run but stay and see the end of this mystery which soon would transform his entire life.

The Angel appeared to Joseph

Joseph was a good foster father and he taught Jesus many secret things which only the Almighty God knows because Joseph was the hidden image of God to the Child Jesus.As the Child Jesus grew,then Joseph knew that this Child was truly from the Most High because Jesus taught Joseph many things he did not know and increase his faith in God.Especially the time when the boy Jesus was 12 years of age,went missing for 3 days without letting Joseph and Mary know where he was going.They searched every place and was so worried until the third day;they found him in the temple.When Joseph asked boy Jesus why did he go missing without them knowing,the boy Jesus replied :“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”Joseph did not understand what the boy Jesus was saying to him and Mary  but Joseph admired the brightness of his foster child's knowledge and praised God for His only Son, Jesus.

The boy Jesus in the Temple was finally found by Joseph and Mary 

Time came when Joseph knew that he became apart of God's family which many would have deeply desired to be chosen but only he was chosen to be the Foster Father of Jesus.He started to understand that he had many privileges from God to be by Jesus throughout the journey of  Jesus childhood and witness the birth and arrival of God into this poor and hopeless world.Joseph was amazed to think that he was able to be by Mary's side and the Child Jesus to witness the homage of the Magi that came from the East with valuable gifts for the Little Child Jesus laying in the manger.Which Joseph still did not understand who was really the Child and what was the purpose of the Child coming to this world because his soul was not enlightened
by the touch of God.

Arrival of the Magi to honour the Infant Jesus

But it was partly revealed in the presentation the Child Jesus in the temple when Simeon blessed them but then said to Mary, “A sword shall pierce your soul,for this child shall be rejected by many in Israel,and this to their undoing.But he will be the greatest joy of many others.And the deepest thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed.” Though Simeon's words made Joseph and Mary speechless,it did make their hearts open to the words of the Almighty speaking through Simeon.

The Simeon with the Child Jesus and the Prophecy given to Mary and Joseph

As Joseph grew older each day,his soul increased in faith,his mind increased with knowledge of Heavenly things and his heart increased in a deeper love for the Almighty God.His soul was stronger since the presence of Jesus and Mary was always with him and he grew in a holy surrounding which enabled his soul to flourish with many extraordinary graces from the Most High.As the days came by,Jesus and Mary knew the exact hour that Joseph was going and so Mary prayed seeking her Son's blessings upon Joseph's soul.

The exact words of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Venerable Mary of Jesus of Agreda :-

The Blessed Virgin asked her Son,Jesus on behalf of Joseph:

"Lord God Most High, Son of the eternal Father and Savior of the world, by thy divine light I see the hour approaching which thou hast decreed for the death of they servant Joseph. I beseech Thee, by thy ancient mercies and by thy infinite bounty, to assist him in that hour by thy almighty power.Let his death be as precious in the eyes, as the uprightness of his life was pleasing to Thee, so that he may depart in peace and in the certain hope of the eternal reward to be given to him on the day in which Thou shalt open the gates of heaven for all the faithful.Be mindful, my Son, of the humility and love of thy servant;of his exceeding great merits and virtues; of the fidelity and solicitude by which this just man has supported Thee and me, thy humble handmaid, in the sweat of his brow."

The Lord Jesus answered: "My Mother, thy request is pleasing to me, and the merits of Joseph are acceptable in my eyes.  I will now assist him and will assign him a place among the princes of my people
(Ps. 115, 15),so high that he will be the admiration of the Angels and will cause them and all men to break forth in highest praise.With none of the human born shall I do as with thy spouse."

For nine days and nights before the death of Joseph he uninterruptedly enjoyed the company 
and attendance of Mary or her divine Son. By command of the Lord the holy angels,
three times on each f the nine days, furnished celestial music, mixing their hymns of praise with the benedictions of the sick man.Moreover, their humble but most precious dwelling
 was filled with the sweetest fragrance and odors so wonderful that they comforted not only Joseph,but invigorated all the numerous persons who happened to come near the house.

The exact words of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Venerable Mary of Jesus of Agreda :-

The last words which Joseph spoke to his Spouse were:

"Blessed art Thou among all women and elect of all the creatures.  Let angels and men praise Thee; 

let all the generations know, praise and exalt thy dignity; and may in Thee be known, adored and exalted 

the name of the Most High through all the coming ages; may He be eternally praised for having 

created Thee so pleasing in his eyes and in the sight of all the blessed spirits.I hope to enjoy thy 

sight in the heavenly fatherland."

As we can see,Joseph was the first one to once to the Holy Ones in limbo the Good News that soon Jesus,

the Redeemer of the World shall rescue them from the dark limbo and conducted them to Heaven.Joseph was given the news from Jesus that conformably to the will and mandate of the Lord, Joseph's arrival spread unutterable joy in this countless gathering of the saints by the announcement of their speedy rescue.

The moment of Joseph's death was given to Venerable Mother Mary of Jesus of Agreda (1602-1665) by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself and is very inspiring and shows why the Church has acclaimed St. Joseph as the Patron of a Happy Death.

The video of the Life of Saint Joseph

That is why Joseph was crowned Saint in Heaven and was raised above all the other Saints in Heaven because his life was worth Glorifying.The Almighty was pleased with the life of Joseph and has given him much grace that whoever seek his intercession shall never be disappointed for his prayers are never declined by the Almighty God.  

PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH OF NAZARETH :

Feast of Saint Patrick of Ireland

IMPORTANT FACTS :

Patrick was ignorant and confused most of the time but when he found Jesus;his life changed.
Patrick knew well that the Lord had mercy on his youth and ignorance, and afforded him the opportunity
to be forgiven of his sins and converted to Christianity.During captivity,Saint Patrick worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through prayer eventually leading him to convert to Christianity.

When he was in Ireland,he converted wealthy women,some of whom became nuns in the face of family opposition.He also dealt with the sons of kings,converting them to the faith.
There was a time when Patrick recalled that he had a vision a few years after returning home and he wrote
in his book:

"I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them.I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". 

As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice 

of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside 

the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: 

"We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us."

Patrick was very well known for the Shamrock, which St. Patrick used to explain the Holy Trinity, is a symbol that has become synonymous with Irish Catholic culture.He was very creative in teaching the faith
that many were amazed with him and some were very jealous.

He died on March 17, 461 at Saul, where he had built the first Irish church.He was buried in Down Cathedral, Downpatrick. His grave was marked in 1990 with a granite stone.
When he died many missed his creative teachings but they never forgot what he taught them and that
is why until today we can still use the Shamrock to teach people about the Holy Trinity in such a easy
way and that is thanks to Saint Patrick.

Saint Patrick was not officially canonized by the Pope but many called him a Saint and the Catholic Church

has accepted him as a Saint in Heaven and therefore we are lucky to have him as a Saint.The people in
Ireland really loves him and they have placed a statue of him over the mountain which was very well known
to be Saint Patrick's favourite place during his time here on earth.

 Statue of St Patrick, at the foot of Croagh Patrick Holy Mountain,

 Westport, County Mayo, Ireland 

Quotes of Saint Patrick of Ireland:

• If I be worthy, I live for my God to teach the heathen,even though they may despise me.
• Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
• I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many.
• The Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins.

The colour Green has been the symbol of nature due to the teachings of Saint Patrick 

who always taught the people of Ireland by using the Gift of Nature.

PRAYER TO SAINT PATRICK OF IRELAND:
O Saint Patrick,Lover of Nature,you who treasured the gift of nature and desired to bring God through His wonderful gift of nature to the people of Ireland;intercede for us.Grant us grace to find ways to spread
the Good News of the Lord in a creative way.Teach us to seek the Most Holy Trinity daily in our lives that we like you may be transform each day into beautiful shamrock of Christ.Amen.
Saint Patrick of Ireland,Beautiful Shamrock of the Most Holy Trinity,pray for us!