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!

Feast of Saint Valentine of Rome

IMPORTANT FACTS:

During the 3rd century,Roman Emperor Claudius II reigned over the empire for 2 years and was known 

for being very strict in building up the military power.He made sure that none of his soldiers should be married because he wanted them to focus on work rather than be obligated to their wives.He made a

rule that none should be married and banned marriage.He persecuted the Catholic Church and was against the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

He did not have a proper understanding of love and his love was made out of lust.He started to teach 

many the wrong meaning about love.Soon many people were living in sin and was indulging in lustful behaviours which alerted Valentine who served as a priest during that time.

Father Valentine's preachings touched the hearts of many.People's life started to change and they started

to live in holiness and was aware of Emperor Claudius II evil rule.After Father Valentine was caught and imprisoned,miracles continued to flow from him.

Father Valentine took pity on Asterius daughter who was blind and decided to show her God's mercy

through his words and compassion. Asterius daughter was so impressed that she wanted Father Valentine

to intercede for her to be cured from being blindness.Her pure love of friendship grew stronger with Father Valentine and her visits became daily and Father Valentine taught her to pray.Each day,Asterius and his daughter came to Father Valentine's prison cell and prayed with him without the knowing of Claudius II.

One day,God answered their prayer because God saw how much they believed in His persecuted servant,

Father Valentine. Asterius daughter could see and she was thankful to God and this astonishing miracle

led her and Asterius to be converted to the Catholic Faith.

Then came a day,Emperor Claudius II came to know that many people were secretly entering into the 

prison where Father Valentine was locked up and they were found praying with Father Valentine.

Claudius II hated this outcome and made a decision to end the life of Father Valentine as quickly as 

possible.

Before dying,Father Valentine was not able to see his young friend,Asterius daughter,so he wrote her a 

letter and promised her that they shall meet in Heaven the Country of Pure Love where Love REIGNS because God is Love.At the end of his letter,he sign off by saying : From your Valentine. 

Before his soul left the body,he prayed that people will understand the true meaning of God's love and be blessed with an understanding of God's love that is unshakeable. 

In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his Martyrdom.

THE SKULL OF VALENTINE

The flower-adorned skull of St. Valentine is on display in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome.

 In the early 1800s, the excavation of a catacomb near Rome yielded skeletal remains and other 

relics now associated with St. Valentine.

                           

                                 The Story of Saint Valentine.A short film.

  

                                           
                                         
                   
                       

~ LOVE is the pathway of the CROSS

 that leads to the Country of Pure Love ~

                                       Statue of Saint Valentine of Rome.

This is the man who suffered so much for pure love but has been forgotten throughout generations
on 14 February the day he died for God's pure love.Many have made Valentine's day a sinful day 
and have banned this day because of all the sins done on this day due to the 
temptations of LUST.People have understood the meaning of Saint Valentine's day in a
wrong and sinful way..
Let us not be like that and take a moment to respect this day and remember how much torture
Saint Valentine went through for us so that we may able to love and know that marriage is built
on pure love and not on the lust of humankind.May we know that this day was not made for 
married couples but also for families and for everyone that you love,especially for God 
because the Almighty one is the ETERNAL LOVE and we should remember this verse
from the Bible, 1 John 4:10,

This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and

 sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

PRAYER TO SAINT VALENTINE OF ROME:
O Glorious Martyr of Love,Saint Valentine intercede for us poor sinners to know the true value of God's love.Teach our souls how patient,kind,and truthful love can be,so that we may bring it to this needful world which is lacking love.O Humble Saint,you prayed daily and taught many people about God's unfailing love;your teachings brought the love of God into the lives of married couples and encouraged their lives to be centred in God's pure love.You trusted in love and knew that love can crush the head of evil and triumph over the Devil and you proved it during the time of your martyrdom.Obtain for us the grace to grow deep in love for God each day until we arrive safely to join you and witness the love of God with all the Saints in Heaven for all eternity.Amen.

O Loveable Saint Valentine,Armor of the Love of Christ, pray for us!

Feast of Blessed Laura Del Carmen Vicuna Pino.

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Little Laura was a serious girl for those who did not know her but to those who knew her,she was their
little Guardian Angel.For she took care of them with love even through her own weakness the
LIGHT OF CHRIST was shining through her soul.
Laura learned to repay love with love for her classmates and the Nuns in her school.She helped the younger children with making their beds and combing their hair or mending their clothes.She was a peacemaker for the children's quarrels.

Age 11,Laura realised her call to religious life and asked her Bishop for approval to become a Salesian
sister but He replied:"Just wait a little longer child." When Laura told her confessor about her plan,he
advised her that if she made such an offer, God might accept it and would take her life quickly.The
words of her confessor made her more confident in offering her prayers.She offered this special prayer
of hers during her First  Holy Communion.

Laura often called the Blessed Sacrament,"Jesus' Little House".The nuns taught her about the true presence of Jesus is alive in the tabernacle and that all prayers offered up infront of the Blessed Sacrament
is always answered by Jesus.During her free time,she spent many hours infront of the Blessed Sacrament,
praying for her mother to leave Manuel Mora and to start living in a holy state.One of her constant prayers before the tabernacle became,"Jesus, I wish that Mama would know You better and be happy."

During her holidays,Laura will go back to her home but could never find peace at there due to Manuel Mora's evil attitude.She wanted to pray as a family but was never given that chance.Manuel Mora on the other hand,hated anyone praying at home so it made difficult for Laura to pray.Her mother warned her not
to let Manuel Mora know about her praying.She had no place to pray at home so she was forced to pray
in between the bushes outside her house.Her sister use to join her during her pray time among the bushes.
Though it was difficult,she offered all her sufferings to Jesus for her mother's conversion.Laura used to invite her mother to join her and her sister for prayers but her mother gave her a lot of excuses.Laura's heart grew sad each time her mother rejected prayers but made her will stronger to offer up her life for her mother.

There was once Manuel Mora asked her to dance with him but she refused and hid herself outside in the dark while praying and holding on to her Miraculous Medal of Our Lady for protection because she knew she could not depend on her mother for help so she turn to her Heavenly Mother in Heaven.Manuel Mora could not find her and he was in fury that he lashed his anger on her mother.He whipped Laura's mother
until she was badly bruised for not persuading Laura to dance with him.He took revenge by not paying the tuition fees at school but the nuns heard about the incident and offered to accept Laura and sister for free
but her mother was too embarrassed to accept the charitable offer so she sent only Laura back to school and kept Julia with her at home.

Soon Laura's prayers was slowing being answered that her health started to decrease rapidly.In the year 1903,Laura became ill during the winter.Her mother begged her to come home with her,and the superior
told Laura, "Your mother needs you more than you need her. You must go." Laura was scared to go home because of Manuel Mora but obeyed her superiors advise.

Manuel Mora was excited to see Laura back and weak.He thought it was a good time to get her for his evil needs.Laura knew his evil intention and continued holding on to the Miraculous Medal and praying the Hail Mary's frequently.Manuel Mora tried to catch her but she tried to escape.He was furious that Laura rejected him.Due to that,Laura was beaten unconscious by her mother's lover.He never bother about her being ill.

She was alive for a week,as her mother and the Nuns kept watch over her.Father Crestanello, her confessor, came and heard Laura's confession and gave her absolution. He had questions,but Laura told him that she forgave Manuel Mora and bore him no ill will.Deep down in her heart,she hoped that he would change and find God.

On January 21, Laura and her younger sister were alone. Laura asked her sister Julia Amanda to promise her something and Julia Amanda  wrote down the memory of the words Laura said to her.This was what Laura told her: "Be good to Mama, don't give her trouble; respect her always.Don't ever leave
her, even if later on you will have a family of your own. Don't look down upon the poor, but be kind to them. Love Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. Pray every day to your Guardian Angel to keep you from sin.Don't forget, Julia, we will be together in Heaven."

After Laura's death at about 6pm in the evening of January 22, 1904, Laura's mother went to the chapel to make her confession.Through all the sacrifices done by Laura her courageous daughter,she finally returned to the practice of the Catholic Faith and thanked Laura each day for her conversion.Laura's mother knew that even after her death,Laura is still praying and looking after her from Heaven.Laura's mother could still feel Laura's love and gentle presence around her.

Soon the story of Little Laura was known,thanks to the help of her Religious brothers and sisters who took
a lot of time in explaining her life story to many.Laura's life story grew and became well known and her name
was soon known in Vatican but Laura could not be considered a martyr, and because of her young age, there was not much hopes for her beatification.It seemed hopeless for sometime but God wanted her to
be known and in 1981, the last requirement was filled out by the congregation and on June 5, 1986, she
was declared Venerable.

Original image of Blessed Laura Vicuna

Process of BEATIFICATION for Laura Vicuna : A miracle attributed to her by the nun Ofelia del Carmen Lobos Arellano. In August 1955, doctors told Sister Ofelia that she would die of lung cancer in
a few months, but she turned in faith to pray,seeking the intercession of Little Laura,the disease disappeared. September 3, 1988 saw Laura's beatification by Pope John Paul II. 
Her feast day is celebrated on January 22.

Laura was beatified by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1988, on the 100th Anniversary of the death of
St John Bosco, founder of the Salesian Order, for whom Laura was a testimony of these words:
“One can only have happiness in life if one is with peace with God and in His Grace.There is nothing more important in life than being in God’s Grace. And there is nothing more virtuous than bringing those who are living in sin back to His Grace”.

Painting of Blessed Laura Vicuna in Paradise,walking with the Heavenly Virgins.

She is holding a lily given to her by Mother Mary.

When Pope John Paul II beatified Laura on September 3, 1988, he called Blessed Laura the

 "Eucharistic flower of Junin de Los Andes, whose life was 

a poem of purity, sacrifice,

 and filial love."

Quotes of Blessed Laura Vicuna:

• I offer my life for my mother
• I want to do all I can to make God known and loved
• Oh my God,I want to love you and serve you all my life.I give 
• you my soul,my heart,my whole self.

A statue of Laura Vicuna at the Catholic Church

PRAYER TO BLESSED LAURA VICUNA:
O Eucharistic Flower of Jesus,you who follow the words of Jesus,"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends".Teach us to be patient during times of trials and to pray for our friends and family members just like you did.Grant us the grace to keep faithful in constant prayers to Jesus that we may one day see the fruits of our prayers.Blessed Laura,intercede fervently for us and obtain for us a peaceful and trusting heart in Our Lord Jesus Christ.Amen.
Blessed Laura Vicuna whose life was a poem of purity,sacrifice and filial love, pray for us!

Feast of Blessed Devasahayam Pillai

IMPORTANT FACTS:

He was rich and possessed rich wealth in terms of landed properties.He was very friendly with people

and it was during their influential roles under the King of Travancore that Devasahayam Pillai and 

De Lannoy became good friends.De Lannoy’s Catholic Faith interested Devasahayam and De Lannoy enlightened him on the faith,leading to his conversion in 1745. 

For 9 months, Devasahayam travelled to Vadakkankulam and learned the truths of Catholic faith

and visited the community of Christians in the neighbourhood.His God-Father at baptism,

Chithambram Pillai,was with him briefly in Travancore and he also helped him to see Catholic 

communities for himself. This enabled him to get to know the customs and the life of the ordinary

Catholics of those times.It seemed that the baptismal transformation was already in him because he

could not be stopped any more.He wanted to be baptized out of a deep personal conviction.

He once again assured the priest:

“Father, no one compels me to become a Catholic.If I have come to you, 

it is because I have such a strong Faith, that nothing could tear it out of my heart,

 and I am ready to sacrifice for it, all that still remains of my former wealth,

 my position, my family and even my life.”

At baptism he received the name "Devasahayam" which is a Tamil rendering of the biblical name Lazarus,which means "God has helped".After baptism,he made it a habit to go for daily Mass,to receive Holy Communion and went often for Confession.He prayed the Rosary daily which made him draw closer to Mother Mary.His great desire was after baptism was to bring others to the Catholic Faith.His preaching on the Catholic Faith was so strong that his wife who was against his baptism soon was baptized and given the name "Gnanapoo" which meant "Theresa".

He thanked God daily for the grace of his conversion to the Catholic Faith.He read the Catholic books 

and followed the practice of virtues and faith properly and mainly with full of love.He read aloud books
of piety, especially the lives of saints, for the benefit of the bystanders, too. In addition to the fast
prescribed by the church,Blessed Devasahayam fasted on all Fridays and Saturdays in homage to the
dying Christ and to the Mother of God.

Once he was arrested,a priest brought him communion secretly and listen to his confession (during the day). Blessed Devasahayam received it with great love and devotion.He treasured Jesus like a precious pearl
in his heart.He desired to receive this Sacraments often,but it was not possible.Sadly,access to him was difficult for priests but Jesus continued to pour down special graces upon Blessed Devasahayam each
time he had the chance to receive Jesus because when Blessed Devasahayam had the chance to receive,
his heart was wide open to receive the Lord Jesus.

At Puliyoorkurichy :
Blessed Devasahayam was brought to a small place called Puliyoorkurichy where he was placed on
a rock. He was overcome by thirst and asked for water but they gave him sewage water.Being
refused water to drink he prayed to God weeping in deep sadness,and hit the rock with his elbow,
which gave forth water in a miraculous way he could drink.The miraculous rock fountain at
Puliyoorkurichy is a constant reminder of this kind of torture(and God’s grace of miraculous water 
from the rock).  

Preview : The Sound of the Bell Rock

This rock continues even today to give water and even 

now people visit this fountain in large numbers. 

The Bone Relics of Blessed Devasahayam :

Some people believe that the soldiers went up the forested hills and tried to shoot Devasahayam,but 

were unable to fire; after which he took the gun in his hands, blessed it and gave it back to the soldiers 

to shoot him to death, if they wished to. The soldiers took the gun back and fired at him five times.

His body was then carelessly thrown out near the foothills at Kattadimalai.

Venerable:

June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes 

of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues" – a major step towards beatification – and Pillai

was then referred to as "Venerable".

During The Beatification: 

The STATUE of Blessed Devasahayam 

Pillai being blessed with incense by Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Beatification and declaration as a martyr:

Devasahayam Pillai was declared a Martyr and Blessed on 2 December 2012, at a solemn ceremony 

held in the Diocese of Kottar.

PRAYER TO BLESSED DEVASAHAYAM:
O Glorious Martyr,Blessed Devasahayam pray for those hardened sinners who have gone astray and
for those who do not know Christ.May their hearts be soften with thy powerful prayers and grant them
the grace to experience the joy of knowing the love of Jesus and Mary like how thou experienced it
during thy lifetime.Guide poor sinners to the light of Christ and may they be converted to the Catholic
Faith through thy intercession.Amen.
Blessed Devasahayam,Martyr of the Prince of Peace,intercede for poor sinners to be converted to the Catholic Faith!