December 2018: ADVENT: - the Little Flower P
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Bulletin of the Eucharistic Crusade for Children in Great Britain Read inside: December 2018: ADVENT: - The Little Flower p. 4 Month of the Holy Child Jesus - Eucharistic devotion p. 6 - The life of the Blessed Virgin Mary p. 8 - English and Welsh Martyrs: Blessed William Howard p. 10 - Kindness: the Bloom of Charity p. 12 - Holy Souls Corner p. 13 - My Catholic Faith - The Nativity p. 14 2 Hostia December 2018 The Saint Saint Bibiana of Virgin and Martyr the month († 363) aint Bibiana was a native her sister's side; she is inscribed of Rome, born in the in the Roman martyrology on S st fourth century, the 21 June. daughter and sister of martyrs. Flavian, her Christian father, was The officer gave orders that Bib- apprehended during the reign of iana be placed in the custody of Julian the Apostate, branded on a woman named Rufina, who the face as a slave, and banished was commanded to corrupt her to Tuscany, where he died of his or mistreat her. But the martyr wounds a few days later. Her made prayer her shield and mother, Dafrosa, was beheaded remained invincible. Enraged at two weeks later. Their two the courage and perseverance of daughters, Bibiana and Demetria, the young virgin, the persecutor after the death of their parents ordered her to be tied to a pillar were stripped of all they had in and whipped until she expired, the world, and then imprisoned with scourges tipped with leaden with orders to give them no food. plummets. The Saint underwent The Roman praetorian offered this punishment cheerfully, and them rewards if they would died at the hands of the abandon their faith, and executioners. She was buried by threatened a cruel death if they a holy priest at a site where would not conform, but they afterwards a chapel and then a replied courageously that the church were built above her goods and advantages of this tomb. In 1628 the church was world had no attraction for them, splendidly rebuilt by Pope and that they would endure a Urban VIII, and in it he placed thousand deaths rather than the relics of the two sisters and betray their faith and their of Saint Dafrosa, their mother. Saviour. Demetria, after having Saint Bibiana’s feastday pronounced this ardent defense, is on 2nd December fell to the ground and expired at December 2018 Hostia 3 FROM THE CHAPLAIN Father for the graces we need constantly. It is also a normal part of our daily lives that we remember to thank and praise our Dear Crusaders and Friends, Creator. This is not always easy because t the beginning of this month of God is pure spirit and this is why the crib, December we enter a new season which shows us God taking a body like A ours, should help us pray to our dear Lord. of Advent. These weeks before Christmas are important for us to prepare to The Baby Jesus is God who comes to bring receive the fruits of the birth of Our Lord us the most beautiful gifts we may receive at Jesus Christ, namely a real joy and peace in Christmastide. The greatest gift of our hearts. Christmas is, of course, Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Advent is a time of penance, but certainly not as severe as Lent. Advent is more a time Thus, during Advent when we must put some order into our lives we must try to pray before worthily receiving the Divine Guest with more fervour. into our souls by a good and fervent Holy Just look at the crib Communion on Christmas Day. Yes, when and see who is there, we receive someone important at home, we why they are there certainly don’t want that person to see surrounding the crib, untidiness. This would not show a great what they may say to mark of respect for the one we receive. This one another. Try to is why we need to put some order into our see the supernatural souls before the feast of Christmas. joy at the sight of this baby amongst us and Ideally we should be orderly at all times ask God to fill your souls with the same because God likes order. He has put order sentiments of simplicity, humility, joy and into all that He has created; for we will peace that we find in the crib. always detect order in nature, if we look for it. God is perfect order and He expects us to To have peace, there is another means I strive to be the same. Just after the Creation, should like you to take before Christmas. It everything was perfectly ordered by God. is a good confession. Sin is what puts But, unfortunately, since the fault of original spiritual disorder into our souls. So, make a sin introduced disorder into the world, it has good confession. Try to accuse yourselves been a real struggle for us to keep order. of all that displeases God, all that is not This difficulty does not mean that we are done according to His Holy Will. Then, at allowed to leave things in disorder. We have Christmas, you may receive many blessings to do something about it. God wants us to and have a peaceful time with those who are work towards putting order in all things, living around you. with the help of His grace, and this all the This is a bit early, but I wish you all a most time. This is actually the condition for Blessed and Holy Christmas. I will securing the salvation of our souls. remember you all at Mass on Christmas Day What should we put in order during and confide all your intentions to the Divine Advent? As we already mentioned our souls Child who wants to live in our souls, free need this order which consists of caring for from any other concern of this life. our spiritual life. Prayer is essential, for we Father Vianney Vandendaele + should never tire of asking our heavenly Chaplain of EC in Great Britain 4 Hostia December 2018 THE LITTLE FLOWER The story of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus By Mary Fabyan Windeatt PRECIOUS CROSSES his was a dreadful cross, one full of Because the will of the Prioress was for each of us T suffering and humiliation. Their beloved the Will of God, she made no comment on this father was no longer himself! From now on change of tasks. Indeed, some might have thought he would have to be cared for by strangers! she had been given a real favour, for now she Immediately, Thérèse thought of the words Papa could spend many hours every day with her “Little had spoken only recently, the words that had told Mother.” Alas! The new duties brought an them he had offered himself as a victim for unexpected sorrow. Carmelites may speak with sinners. She thought of something else, too—of one another only twice a day, at recreation, and that far-off day when she was six years old and now it became very difficult for her not to break had seen the old man walking in the garden with a this rule. How her heart ached for the chance to heavy veil over his head. Had the time finally talk with Pauline, particularly about Papa! Had she come for her to understand this strange vision? heard any news? Did she think he would be well Yes, she told herself. Papa had joined them in the again some day? Was she still interested in her? Carmelite vocation, and therefore they should not Was she doing well as a novice? grieve over his holiness. Rather, they should pray But Thérèse said nothing. Although the Prioress for an increase in faith, so that they might would readily have granted permission for the two welcome this cross for the great treasure it was. of them to speak, she did not ask for the privilege. Thérèse tried to express these feelings in a letter to Wasn’t perpetual sacrifice the mark of life in Céline: Carmel? Wasn’t it the coin with which sinners could be ransomed? Yes—and she had no desire to “Far from making any complaint to Our let this wonderful coin slip through her fingers. Saviour of the cross He has sent us, I cannot comprehend the infinite love that has urged There was another sacrifice which fell to her lot, Him to deal thus with us. Our father must be one of a totally different nature. It concerned an greatly loved by God, since he has so much old nun, Sister Saint Peter, who was badly crippled to suffer. What a delight to share in his and needed help to arrive at the refectory. Each humiliation!” evening as they knelt in prayer in the chapel, Thé- rèse would watch for a sign that Sister Saint Peter was ready to be taken to supper. As soon as she saw her shake her hour glass, she would hurry to her side. She needed a great deal of courage for this task. Sister Saint Peter suffered from rheumatism, which made her cross and irritable, and she was not at all sure that Thérèse could lead her safely to the refectory. Shortly after her Clothing Day she was given some “You’re too young,” she would mumble. “Sixteen new duties. No longer was she to work in the linen years… a mere child! You’ll walk too fast and I’ll room with the Novice Mistress.