DOCSLIB.ORG

Print Today's Meditation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Print Today's Meditation We celebrate the feast of Blessed Bartolo Longo on Oct 5, the same day as St. Faustyna…my friends share many things in common…Therefore we will reflect on Bartolo Longo today since St John Paul II called him the Apostle of the Rosary. ONE Bl. Bartolo Longo was born on Italy's Adriatic coast in 1841. At the age of ten his mother died and Bartolo began to lose his way. During his time in Law School at the University of Naples he completely gave up his faith. In his confusion and emptiness, without God to turn to, he began to visit some of Naples’ infamous mediums. That was his introduction into the occult. Soon, his thirst for the supernatural led him into outright Satanism, where after a period of intense study and rigorous fasting, he was consecrated a satanic priest and promised his soul to a demon. For the next year, he began to preside over satanic services and to preach more boldly against God and the Church — treating them as the real evils. Under the demonic influence the physical and psychological health of Bartolo began to decline rapidly. In his despair, he heard the voice of his deceased father urging him to "Return to God! Return to God!" A good friend and faithful Catholic professor, Vincent Pepe, persuaded Bartolo to meet with a Dominican Priest who was consecrated to Mary and dedicated to the Rosary. The Priest confronted him about his obvious declining mental and physical health - which both knew, in this particular situation, resulted from the demonic obsession. After three weeks of lengthy conversations, on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bartolo went to the sacrament of Reconciliation which drove the devil and demons out of His soul, flooding him once again with the life of the Most Holy Trinity. TWO Even though God had forgiven, Bl. Bartolo could not forgive himself. One evening, as he walked near the broken down Church at Pompeii, he had a profound mystical experience. He wrote: As I pondered over my condition, I experienced a deep sense of despair and almost committed suicide. Then I heard an echo in my head of the voice of the Dominican Priest, repeating the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary: "Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!” Falling to my knees, I exclaimed: ‘If your words are true that he who propagates your Rosary will be saved, I shall reach salvation because I shall not leave this earth without spreading your Rosary.'” From that moment until his death, Longo dedicated himself to leading people to Jesus through Mary by encouraging all to pray the Rosary daily, and to gather as families and friends, where he would teach them the Catechism and to meditate on the truths of our Faith in the Rosary. This he did alongside his wife, the Countess Mariana di Fusco. THREE Apparition of Our Lady, Queen of the Holy Rosary With the financial support of the Countess, Bartolo rebuilt Pompeii’s famous Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, In this church a miraculous event took place. The Blessed Mother appeared to a young girl, Fortuna Agrelli, who became ill with three separate incurable diseases. Her doctors gave up all hope. One day, Fortuna was praying in this Church with her family before the image of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, when she received a vision. · Sitting on a throne decorated with flowers with the Infant Jesus on her lap, Mary held a Rosary in her hand and was accompanied by St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena. · Fortuna cried out to Our Lady, "Queen of the Holy Rosary, be gracious to me, restore me to health." · The Blessed Virgin replied, "You have invoked me by various titles and have always obtained favors from me. Now, since you have called me by the title so pleasing to me, 'Queen of the Holy Rosary,' I can no longer refuse the favor that you petition; for this name is most precious and dear to me. Make three novenas, and you will obtain all." · May 8, 1884 Fortuna was cured. Afterwards, Our Lady appeared again. This time she said, "Whoever desires to obtain favors from me should make three novenas of the Rosary in petition and three novenas in thanksgiving. · Meaning - To pray the Rosary for 27 days in petition · Then 27 days in thanksgiving · This is the origin of the 54 Day Rosary Novena FOUR Bartolo Longo had the habit of meditating on the whole life of Jesus and His teachings, not limiting his meditation in the Rosary to the 15 mysteries…Hmm… sound familiar….And this practice of Bl. Bartolo inspired St. John Paul II to add the Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary. Regarding the influence of Bl. Bartolo, JPII, in his letter on the Rosary writes: In the spiritual journey of the Rosary, based on the constant contemplation – in Mary's company – of the face of Christ, this demanding ideal of being conformed to him is pursued through an association which could be described in terms of friendship. We are thereby enabled to enter naturally into Christ's life and as it were to share his deepest feelings. In this regard Blessed Bartolo Longo has written: “Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits, so too, by holding conversation with Jesus and Mary, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, (that is, in friendship with them) we can become, to the extent of our openness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection”. Rosarium 15 FIVE Many people are sick of living in uncertainty. Fear and danger seem to lurk everywhere. The result is a heightened level of anxiety, worry, anger, frustration, sadness and isolation. Bl Bartolo was transformed from despair to hope by the words of Our Lady: "Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!” It would do every one of us good and it would do great good for others if we would take these words to heart and become Apostles of the Rosary by being Apostles of Friendship. The best way to help yourself out of a funk and the best way to help others is to ask the Holy Spirit who He wants you to reach out to in friendship and then help that person take on the habit of praying the Rosary Podcast daily. Sharing the podcast with someone is a good start – but for them to make it a habit will take your follow-up in genuine friendship. By being Apostles of Friendship we can be Apostles of the Rosary and we both win. This October, the month of the Rosary, I challenge you to help one other person make a habit of the daily Rosary. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Novena of Petition by Bl. Bartolo Longo.Indd
    Novena of Petition by Bl. Bartolo Longo Our Lady told Fortunatina, when she appeared to her in Naples in 1884, “whenever you wish to obtain graces from me, pray three Novenas of Petition and recite at the same time the fifteen decades of my Rosary and soon after, pray three Novenas of Thanksgiving”. Little Fortunatina did exactly as Our Lady asked and was miraculously cured.1 The novena of petition below should be prayed along with The Rosary for the first 27 days: Before starting the novena: receive graces, through your Rosary, could obtain them. And I, with your Rosary in my hands, dare to remind Put the miraculous image of the Virgin of Pompeii on you, O Mother of your Holy promises. You yourself still display and, if possible, light two candles as a symbol perform miracles in our times to call your children to of the faith which burns in your heart. Then take your honour you in the temple of Pompeii. You therefore long Rosary beads in your hands. Before beginning the to wipe our tears away and relieve our worries! Then I novena, pray to St. Catherine of Siena, that she may with my heart on my lips and with burning faith, call graciously deign to join you in prayer. upon you to invoke you: My Mother! Dear Mother! Novena of petition (day 1 -27) Beautiful Mother! Most Sweet Mother, help me! Mother and Queen of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, delay no O St. Catherine of Siena, my protectress and teacher, longer in stretching out your hand to me to save me: for who from heaven assists your devotees when they the delay, as you see me, would lead me to ruin.
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Joseph De Clairval Abbey Newsletter (Free of Charge), Contact the Abbey
    Saint Joseph de ClairvalLetter of January 1, 2019,Abbey Octave day of the Nativity Dear Friends, ODAY , what are the most important needs of the Church? Don’t “ be surprised by our answer, which you may find simplistic, maybe even superstitious or unreal: One of the greatest needs is Tto defend itself against this evil that we call the demon” (Paul VI, November 15, 1972). Indeed, the devil is not an invention of the Middle Ages, but a “living being, spiritual, perverted, and perverting those who refuse to recognize his existence deviate from the teaching of the Bible and of the Church” (ibid.). Among the numerous diabolical interventions told in the lives of the saints, here is one reported by Sulpicius Severus, a disci- ple of Saint Martin (Fourth Century). One day, the devil, brilliantly decked out, royally dressed, with a calm face, smiling such that nothing could betray his identity, stood next to the praying Blessed Bartolo Longo Saint Martin. The saint, dazzled by his attire, remained All rights reserved profoundly silent. The demon said, “Open your eyes, Martin, I am Christ; I have decided to come down to to love, and to serve Him, and so to come to Paradise” earth, and I wished to manifest myself to you.” The saint (Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC, 1721). said nothing. The devil went on, “Martin, why do you The first commandment prescribes: Thou shalt love the hesitate to believe what you see? I am Christ.” The saint, Lord thy God with thy whole heart, with thy whole soul and enlightened from on high, answered him: “JESUS never with thy whole mind.
    [Show full text]
  • Join the Archdiocese of Denver on a Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage
    Religious Travel International, LLC Join the Archdiocese of Denver on a Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage Join Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver & Msgr. J. Anthony McDaid, J.C.D., Pastor Risen Christ Catholic Parish September 16 - 26, 2016 $ 4,275 (Including Air from Denver) Single Supplement - $393 Answering the call of Pope Francis for a Jubilee Year of Mercy, join Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Msgr. J. Anthony McDaid and Religious Travel members of the Archdiocese on this Year of Mercy Pilgrimage to International, LLC Italy. Be inspired as you pray for your loved ones at the sites as- 650 South Cherry Street sociated with St. Pio of Pietrelcina, St. Joseph Moscati, St. Bene- Suite 200 Denver, Colorado 80246 dict, St. Scholastica and St. John Paul II. Gaze upon the face of Phone: 303-563-6255 Christ at Manoppello, meditate before the Eucharistic Miracle in or 303-563-6261 Lanciano, and receive jubilee graces when crossing the threshold E-mail: of the Jubilee Doors in Rome. This pilgrimage is limited in space. [email protected] Please call us today! Don’t miss these graces of the Jubilee Year. Register at: www.rtijourneys.com Iconography by Vivian Imbruglia JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE OF MERCY ITINERARY DAY 1 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16/ UNITED 495 DEPARTS DENVER AT 10:25AM; THEN UNITED 42 DEPARTS WASHING- TON D.C. AT 5:20PM , ARRIVES INTO ROME AT 8:10AM ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 DAY 2 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 ROME / NAPLES / POMPEII On arrival into Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Rome, we will claim our luggage and exit the baggage claim to be welcomed to Italy by our tour guide and bus driver.
    [Show full text]
  • Rosarium Virginis Mariae Outline
    ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter On The Most Holy Rosary Promulgated 16 October 2002 I. Introduction A. The Rosary took form in the 2nd millennium under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. B. Loved by saints C. Encouraged by the magisterium D. With the rosary we sit at the feet of Christ in the school of Mary. Mary is our teacher. E. From the rosary, the faithful receive abundant graces. II. The Popes and the Rosary A. Leo XIII- Supremi Apostolatus Officio- Proposed rosary as an effective spiritual weapon against the evils afflicting society. B. Blessed John XXIII- Prayed all 15 decades daily once he became pope. C. John Paul II says rosary has had an important part in his spiritual life III. OCTOBER 2002- OCTOBER 2003: THE YEAR OF THE ROSARY A. To recite the Rosary is contemplation of the face of Christ in the school of Mary. B. The Rosary provides spiritual and educational opportunities for: 1. personal contemplation 2. formation of People of God 3. the New Evangelization IV. Objections to the Rosary A. One objection is that the Rosary detracts from the centrality of the Sacred Liturgy. 1. Pope Paul VI said not only does Rosary not conflict w/ the Liturgy, it sustains it. a. Helps us fully and interiorly participate in the Liturgy. b. Helps us reap the fruit of the Liturgy in our daily lives. B. Another objection is that the Rosary is not ecumenical b/c of Marian character of it. 1. Answer to this is that Rosary is Christ-centered.
    [Show full text]
  • The Holy See
    The Holy See PASTORAL VISIT TO THE PONTIFICAL SHRINE OF POMPEII HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI Square outside the Pontifical Shrine of Pompeii Sunday, 19 October 2008 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Following in the footsteps of the Servant of God John Paul II, today I have come on pilgrimage to Pompeii to venerate the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, together with you. I have come in particular to entrust to the Mother of God, in whose womb the Word was made flesh, the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which is under way at the Vatican on the theme of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church. My Visit also coincides with World Mission Sunday; contemplating in Mary she who accepted within her the Word of God and gave him to the world, we shall pray at this Mass for all those in the Church who spend their energy in the service of proclaiming the Gospel to all the nations. Thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for your welcome! I embrace you all with fatherly affection, and I am grateful to you for the prayers you raise ceaselessly to Heaven for the Successor of Peter and for the needs of the universal Church. I address a cordial greeting in the first place to Archbishop Carlo Liberati, Prelate of Pompeii and Pontifical Delegate for this Shrine, and I thank him for his words expressing your sentiments. I extend my greeting to the civil and military Authorities present here, and in a special way to the government Representative, the Minister for Cultural Assets and Activities and the Mayor of Pompeii, who, on my arrival, addressed words of reverent welcome to me on behalf of all the townspeople.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Catholic!
    Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church Pastor Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Iglesia Iglesia Director of Religious Malagreca Education Sainte Sainte Parochial Vicar Mrs. Catherine Hayes Rev. Bony Monastère la 347-406-6333 Católica Parish Deacon Baptism Francis Cuffie Celebrated once a month in Parish Secretaries English, Spanish or Creole Cruz Uris Boxhill Romana Reconciliation Confessions: Saturday 9 AM Beatrice Rousseau Croix & 4 PM or by appointment Yessenia Hernández ique Romaine de Marriages Pearl Larnage de de Arrangements should be made Director of Music at least 6 months in advance. la Patrick David call Rectory for appointment. Spanish Mass Santa Sandra Roper St. Gregory the Great Haitian Mass Cathol Eglise Catholic Academy 2520 Church Avenue Frélior Charles Brooklyn, NY 11226 Souls in Harmony 718 774-3330/282-2770 Junie Leblanc Rudolph Cyrus. Principal 2530 Church Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226 718-469-5900; Fax 718-469-5901 e-mail: [email protected] Web Site: holycrossrcchurch.org Sunday Masses: 5:00 PM Saturday; 8:30 AM & 11:30 AM Sunday – in English 10:00 AM domingo en español; 11h30 AM dimanche en créole – à la chapelle th 26 Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sept. 29, 2019 ``Jesus Christ,...the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality, Who dwells in unapproachable light,.. to Him be honor and glory and eternal power.'' [1 Tim. 6.16] In Luke 16.19-31, today's Gospel, the parable of Lazarus Abraham says: ``My child, remember that you received what was good in your lifetime, while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; now he is comforted whereas you are tormented.'' Do you see those who are needy and are at your very doorstep? th Masses and Services for the Week of Sept.
    [Show full text]
  • Novena of Thanksgiving by Bl. Bartolo Longo
    Novena of Thanksgiving by Bl. Bartolo Longo The Basilica of the Virgin of Pompei, Our Lady Queen of The Rosary, recommends praying the novena of thanksgiving written by Bl. Bartolo Longo each day, along with the 27 days of thanksgiving of the 54 day rosary novena. These prayers were not requested by Our Lady when she appeared to Fortunatina, in Naples, in 1884; they were written some years later by Bl. Bartolo Longo. Only the three novenas of petition were requested by Our Lady to Fortunatina to receive the grace of healing. However, the Basilica of Pompei currently recommends praying the novena of thanksgiving along with 20 decades of The Rosary daily from Day 28 to Day 54.1 Novena of Thanksgiving (Day 28-54) transplanted in the valley of tears to soften the worries of us, the banished children of Eve; red rose of charity, more V: O God come to my assistance fragrant than all perfumes of Lebanon, who in your valley, by R: O Lord, make haste to help me the fragrance of your heavenly gentleness, draws the hearts of Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy sinners to the hearts of God. You are the rose of everlasting Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall freshness who, nourished by the streams of heavenly waters, be, world without end. Amen. planted your roots in the soil scorched by a rain of fire; Rose of unblemished beauty, who in the land of desolation planted the I Here I am at your feet, O Immaculate Mother of Garden of the Lord’s delights.
    [Show full text]
  • Terror of Demons Have You Heard of Blessed Bartolo Longo, Who Lived During the Late 19Th and Early 20Th O Glorious St
    3/9/2021 Kindle Cloud Reader Library C O N S E C R A T I O N T O S T . J O S E P H : T H E W O N D E R S O F O U R S P I R I T U A L F A TSearchH E R Terror of Demons Have you heard of Blessed Bartolo Longo, who lived during the late 19th and early 20th O glorious St. Joseph, pray for me, assist me, and defend me from Satan.1 century? He was born in Latiano, Italy, to a — St. Anthony Mary Claret devout Catholic family. As a young man, he studied law at the University of Naples. After fter the Virgin Mary, demons fear St. Joseph A being swept away by various political ideologies, more than any other saint. The devil fears St. he became anti-Catholic, radically opposed to Joseph more than he fears the pope. How is this what he believed were the “old wives’ tales” of possible? Isn’t the pope the Vicar of Christ? Yes, Catholicism. Within a short period of time, he but the pope is only the Vicar of Christ; he is not went from adhering to nationalistic ideologies to the father of Christ. The Vicar of Christ has becoming involved in spiritualism. This led him authority over the Mystical Body of Christ (the to attend séances and become an ordained Church), but St. Joseph has the extraordinary priest of Satan. gift and power of paternal intercession in Bartolo’s involvement with the occult and heaven.
    [Show full text]
  • The Order's Jubilee Pilgrimage to Pompeii
    The Order’s Jubilee pilgrimage to Pompeii By decision of the Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, October 15 next the Italian Liutenances will make a Jubilee pilgrimage to the Shrine of Pompeii. Many are expected to participate, not only the Italian members of the Order, but also all the Knights and Dames of the world who wish to attend, knowing that the various Lieutenancies will have to organize travel and accommodation for their members. Blessed Bartolo Longo, who until now was the only lay member of the Order to be beatified, was defined by St. John Paul II as a “man of the Virgin”. In his homily at the beatification, October 26, 1980, the Pope said of him that “for the sake of Mary, he became a writer, an apostle of the Gospel, a speaker of the Rosary, founder of the famous sanctuary in spite of the enormous difficulties; for love of Mary he created charities, he became a beggar for the children of the poor, he turned Pompeii into a living citadel of human and Christian goodness; for love of Mary, he endured tribulations and slander in silence, he underwent a long Gethsemane, trusting in Providence, ever obedient to the Pope and the Church”. His human and spiritual path, which is in itself a message of love, shows us how great the mercy of God is and how profound the conversion of a heart can be. Every day, in Pompeii, pilgrims experience the triumph of grace over the ruins of sin, according to Bartolo Longo.
    [Show full text]
  • The Satanist Priest Apostle of the Rosary
    the Satanist Priest Apostle of the Rosary As a law student at the University of Naples Bartolo Longo found himself under the influence of the latest anticlerical patriotic ideas, imbued with apostasy and freemasonry. Slowly he withdrew from the sacraments and found himself experimenting with witchcraft and magic. Being an all-or-nothing kind of person, he threw himself into spiritualism. Still not satisfied he consecrated himself to Satan as ‘priest’. Following this pact with the devil, his life disintegrated in multiple ways. Bartolo was sad but not in a usual way, it was an ever-present oppressive sadness. He became confused, his ‘spirit companions’, whom he called ‘angels’, gave inconsistent contradictory answers to questions that were important to him. Bartolo’s physical and mental health deteriorated, his appearance was wild and haunting, unrecognizable by those who had known him before. His failing health and anxiety did not escape the notice of a ‘good angel’, one of his old professors, one of the few remaining loyal Catholics, who without Bartolo’s knowledge, waged a spiritual war on his behalf. On the evening of May 27th 1865 Bartolo went to confession to Father Radente, a Dominican priest renowned for his spiritual counsels. After three days of fasting, corporal works of mercy, and recourse to the prayers of contemplative nuns, absolution was granted him. He did his ‘first holy communion’ the following month, on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During a trip in the nearby valley of Pompeii, Bartolo was shocked by the physical, intellectual and spiritual misery of the local peasants.
    [Show full text]
  • HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH Serving the People of Virginia and Mountain Iron 306 2 Nd Street South Virginia, Minnesota 55792
    WELCOME TO HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH Serving the People of Virginia and Mountain Iron 306 2 nd Street South Virginia, Minnesota 55792 www.holyspiritvirginia.com 218.741.6344 May 5th, 2019 Sunday Mass Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM Daily Mass Monday -Thursday 8:30 AM Wednesday 5:15 PM Confessions Saturday 3:00 PM Wednesday 4:30 PM Parish Office Mon. -Fri. 8:00 AM -3:00 PM Fr. Bran don Moravitz Pastor Dan Schultz Deacon Hannah Milani Evangelization & Catechesis Ben Frost & Tisha Frost Adult Evangelization Jodi Phelps Business Manager Marquette Catholic School www.marquettecatholicschool.com 741 -6811 Jean Virant , Principal Julie Kingsley , Secretary . Fr. Brandon’s Babblings Sacraments Greetings Holy Spirit Parish! Marriage Contact parish office as soon as possible I recently read about an incredible conversion story of a man that is on his way to be and at least 6 months prior to desired canonized a Saint! I was deep inspired by it. SO much so that I want to share it wedding date. with you this weekend. Please take a moment to read this story and let it inspire you Baptism to remember to NEVER lose HOPE! God can do great things even in the darkest places and times. Give this a read… Infant baptism during Mass or privately. Call parish to arrange pre -baptism parent Satanic Priest Turned Saint session or request information. Forms available on the parish website. Sometimes reading the lives of the saints is discouraging. They may have been im- perfect, as we all are, but it can seem that none of them ever really sinned the way RCIA people today do.
    [Show full text]
  • Rosarium Virginis Mariae of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul Ii to the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful on the Most Holy Rosary
    The Holy See APOSTOLIC LETTER ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF JOHN PAUL II TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY AND FAITHFUL ON THE MOST HOLY ROSARY INTRODUCTION 1. The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, which gradually took form in the second millennium under the guidance of the Spirit of God, is a prayer loved by countless Saints and encouraged by the Magisterium. Simple yet profound, it still remains, at the dawn of this third millennium, a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness. It blends easily into the spiritual journey of the Christian life, which, after two thousand years, has lost none of the freshness of its beginnings and feels drawn by the Spirit of God to “set out into the deep” (duc in altum!) in order once more to proclaim, and even cry out, before the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour, “the way, and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6), “the goal of human history and the point on which the desires of history and civilization turn”.(1) The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium.(2) It is an echo of the prayerof Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love.
    [Show full text]