Saints and the Liturgical Year

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**“Unless the Grain of Wheat Falls to the Ground and Dies …” **- continued:

"The best part of us is often wrapped in a shell of ‘ordinariness’ and defects like wrong attachments to ourselves, other people or the material world; resentments, grudges, envy, lust, pride … These defects are like fetters that cripple us and hamper the development of our personality and spiritual life. If we really mean to attain a new life, or enjoy a fuller life, **we must rid ourselves of them with the help of God’s grace.

This will be possible only on one condition: that we be ready to die and be transformed like a seed.** The hard shell of selfishness must be opened wide and shattered to give way to a sincere concern for others. Layers of makeup and pretense have to be removed to reveal sincerity and truthfulness. Hotbeds of decay and moral corruption of all denominations have to be scraped in order to allow the roots of a new life to strike deep into our personalities and bear fruits of honesty, dedication, purity …

The ‘new life’ will flower in us only at the cost of the death of our lower, sinful ‘selves’. This is the meaning of Christ’s saying, ‘**The man who loves his life loses it, while the man who hates his life in this world preserves it to life eternal’ **(Jn 12:25).

Jesus did not just teach this as a striking, paradoxical theory. He lived it out, and paid the price which this principle entails. ‘Son though he was, Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered; and when perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him’ (Heb 5:8f).

That was a wonderful fruit indeed, sprouting from the seed of his life given for us. We can share in it only if we accept to share in his self-offering and death." (Euchalette, March 22, 2015, p. 4.)
 
March 25 - The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who willed that your Word
should take on the reality of human flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man,
may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-25

“At the Annunciation St. Gabriel the Archangel told the Blesssed Virgin Mary she would be the Mother of the Son of God. She gave her fiat (‘be it done’), upon which she conceived the Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christians find meaning in this dialogue in which the Mother of God appears so great because of her humility. Because of her consent to God’s Word, she participated in the redemptive work of her Son, Jesus Christ. She is the Mother of Christ and of each Christian.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the Annunciation, see link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/theannunciation.asp

Read about St. Dismas and St. Margaret Clitherow from:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-25

March 25, 2015 - Wednesday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Enlighten, O God of compassion,
the hearts of your children, sanctified by penance,
and in your kindness
grant those you stir to a sense of devotion
a gracious hearing when they cry out to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Lenten Season 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
 
March 26, 2015 - Thursday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Be near, O Lord, to those who plead before you,
and look kindly on those who place their hope in your mercy,
that, cleansed from the stain of their sins,
they may persevere in holy living
and be made full heirs of your promise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Read about St. Ludger from:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-26

Lenten Season 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
 
grateful_child said:
March 25 - The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who willed that your Word
should take on the reality of human flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man,
may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-25

“At the Annunciation St. Gabriel the Archangel told the Blesssed Virgin Mary she would be the Mother of the Son of God. She gave her fiat (‘be it done’), upon which she conceived the Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christians find meaning in this dialogue in which the Mother of God appears so great because of her humility. Because of her consent to God’s Word, she participated in the redemptive work of her Son, Jesus Christ. She is the Mother of Christ and of each Christian.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
Click to expand...
The above quote from the Daily Roman Missal, MTF briefly summarizes the significance of the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

The **narrative actually begins in Genesis 3 **where we are made aware of the tragic Fall which occurred in Paradise and which affected all of creation. To undo the Fall’s evil and deadly effects, God promised to send a Redeemer through a woman. The Book of Isaiah described this woman as a virgin who ‘shall conceive and bear a Son’. Then, Luke’s Gospel identified this woman as Mary of Nazareth, a poor, simple, unknown peasant. St. Luke further discloses through the Archangel’s greeting that the Holy Spirit has previously prepared Mary for this important mission through the grace of her Immaculate Conception.

'Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you’ (Lk 1:28), that is: Rejoice, be glad! O plenitude of grace! The Lord ‘dwells in you in an extraordinary way because he wants to accomplish a work in a totally extraordinary way.’ (MMTQ, p.34.)
(Read on for continuation of thought.)

Reference: MMTQ = More Mother than Queen, by Venerable Fr. Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus, OCD.
 
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord - continued:

And the Virgin Mary responds with her ‘fiat’. “She offers herself - this is the movement of her grace, the movement inspired by the Holy Spirit already dwelling in her …” (MMTQ, p. 35) And, as she has faithfully done during her whole life, she trustingly cooperates with the grace being offered by God!

“And **the Holy Spirit descends upon the Virgin Mary **in order to prepare her soul for the work that He is about to accomplish, a work in which the Virgin is called to cooperate.” (MMTQ, p. 35.)

“…**the power of God … with the Virgin Mary’s collaboration, her Fiat, brings abut the **incarnation of the Word of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity … **At this moment, the work of building the humanity of Christ begins. But greater still than that is … the union of the divinity with the humanity of Christ Jesus taken from the Virgin Mary. ** This union forms the Incarnate Word, Jesus … the same Jesus whom we know. This is the mystery that is fulfilled in the Annunciation.” (MMTQ, p. 36.)

As we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation, let us greet the Blessed Virgin for having been given the dignity and role of Mother of God. Let us thank her for her awesome cooperation with every grace the Lord willed to give her! It was her faithful cooperation with the Lord’s will that allowed her Divine Maternity to be a reality, followed by her maternity of grace, whereby we all become her children in the order of grace.

“She has given us Jesus; she has fashioned the humanity of Jesus, the Word Incarnate. Now she acts and works to build … the Mystical body of Christ.”(MMTQ, p.36.)

Today, “Let us ask for the grace to give her our constant and total filial trust. If we entrust to her our spiritual life, its growth will be faster and smoother.” (MMTQ, p. 23.)

What lessons can we draw from the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord?
(Read on for continuation of thought.)

Reference: MMTQ = More Mother than Queen, by Venerable Fr. Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus, OCD.
 
The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord - continued:

What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord?
  1. St. Augustine observes that the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived the Word in her heart even before she conceived the Word in her womb. It was through her faithful response to every offer of grace by the Lord which allowed her to be fruitful, enabling her to conceive the Word in her heart, which in turn, prepared her to conceive the Word in her womb.
We can start imitating Our Lady today. Be fruitful after her example, by cooperating with every grace the Lord offers us each moment. We can start by consciously conceiving the Word in our heart, and letting the process continue until we, too, are ready for the mission in life God has chosen for us - whatever it be at the different stages of our life.

Spiritual writers comment that the Virgin Mary’s 'fullness of grace was only a preparation for her maternity’. Our Lady accepted and treasured ALL the graces and opportunities for fruitfulness offered her by God through the ordinary demands of life as well as through the extraordinary. None was wasted; and so, she was always full of grace, and in the fullness of time, was ready to be the Mother of God.

What about ourselves? Baptism adorned and beautified our souls with Sanctifying Grace. Do we carelessly expose ourselves to losing it, or degrees of it, by giving way to fleeting pleasures? What about the actual graces that God constantly gives us each moment to help us remain faithful to Him? Are we even aware of them? Or are we too busy to notice? Do we use them - or do we waste them?

We know we can never be as faithful as our Blessed Mother was, to all the offers of grace we constantly receive from God; but we can surely try our level best to be faithful.
(Read on for continuation of thought.)
 
What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord? - continued:
  1. The Lord is almighty. He can do all things by Himself without depending on our cooperation to do His will. However, He wills to use our cooperation.
This was the case with the Incarnation. It was only after Mary gave her consent - her fiat - that God proceeded with His work of redemption to give the world a much-needed Saviour.

Likewise in our life, the Lord will not impose His will upon us to save us. He will however give us the grace, the light and the strength to cooperate with His will. If, like the Virgin Mary, we choose to trust in the Lord and give Him our fiat, then He can do wonders in the world with us as His instruments, and we can grow from grace to grace in our spiritual life. It is our untiring fiat that enables us to participate in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
(Read on for continuation of thought.)
 
What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord? - continued:
  1. The Archangel Gabriel greeted the Virgin Mary and said: 'The Lord is with you.’ (Lk 1:28). It expressed the reality of God’s indwelling within Mary’s soul.
In his book, A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, Ed Sri points out that the words **‘The Lord be with you’ are words that were addressed to ‘biblical heroes’ to whom God assigned "a mission that stretched the individual beyond his ‘comfort zone’ and forced him to rely on God as never before…" (p. 24.)

To name a few of these ‘biblical heroes’: Recall Moses who felt inadequate to lead God’s people out of Egypt. God assured him ‘I will be with you’ (Exo 3:12; 4:12). Recall, too, **Joshua **who had been given the mission of leading God’s people into the Promised Land. To give him courage, he was assured that 'the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ (Jos 1:5, 9). And now, we have Our Lady, who was chosen to become the Mother of the God-Man Jesus! The Archangel Gabriel assured her: ‘The Lord is with you’.

During the Holy Mass, these very words are addressed to us when we begin the Liturgy; and it is repeated throughout the Eucharistic Celebration. We are being assured, among other things, that if our life’s mission seems overwhelming, if we feel inadequate to handle the demands of our state in life, we are to take heart because we are not alone. Divine assistance is available because ‘the Lord is with us!’ And very shortly, we will encounter Him intimately in the Eucharist!
(Read on for continuation of thought.)
 
What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord? - continued:
  1. Luke’s Gospel tells us that the Virgin Mary was troubled at the words of the angel. (Lk 1:29). She was disturbed at the praises being given to her. Why? Because truly humble souls are deeply aware of their weakness and insufficiency. They are aware that all glory belongs solely to God; aware, too, how dangerous flattery is to humility.
**Are these our sentiments, too? **Or do we sometimes speak of ourselves to our advantage? Do we sometimes artfully praise ourselves? In our culture where praising self may be considered necessary if we are to go up our career ladder, we need to pray for guidance to find the happy balance of behaviour that will not endanger our spiritual life.
(Read on for continuation of thought.)
 
What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord? - continued:
  1. The foundation of a healthy spiritual life is humility. It was by the Virgin Mary’s humility that she was enriched by the extraordinary graces and virtues that prepared her for the role of Mother of God. It was her humility that attracted God to her.
“Why would God be so attracted to humility? Humility disposes us to the grace of God as does nothing else. Humility creates a space that God can inhabit with his self, healing and perfecting our self.” (MVM, p. 39.)

“Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, says, 'perfect humility consists in constantly making oneself small, not for the sake of some personal need or benefit, but for the sake of love, to elevate others.’ It was that humility radiating in the soul of Mary that propelled God’s love from heaven in the form of an espousal.” (MVM, p. 40.)

“**All of this is meant to be an encouragement for us, **who, seeing how undeserving we are of God’s goodness, agonize because we have nothing to offer him but our own indigent nothingness. Monsignor Giussani consoles us: 'Approaching the Mystery requires only one thing: the awareness of our ineptitude, which is more than nothingness; of our basic incapacity and our continuous betrayal; of our culpable poverty; of our conniving incapacity; of our being nothing.’ Mary sings in her Magnificat, ‘[The Lord] has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden’ (Lk 1:48). This historical fact gives us confidence that God will look upon us similarly in our lowliness.” (MVM, p.41; emphasis added).
(Read on for continuation of thought.)
Reference: MVM = Mysteries of the Virgin Mary, by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P.
 
What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord? - continued:

“Through the mystery of the Annunciation, 'God has placed, in the midst of barren, despairing mankind, a new beginning which is not a product of human history but a gift from above,’ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger [now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI] wrote. It is a new beginning in human flesh, **for if Christ is not real in our lives in a fleshly way, then, Fr. Julian Carron explains, 'he becomes more and more something in our imagination. Remembrance is not enough; we need a presence made of flesh, historical, irreducible, that goes on seizing hold of me and drawing me on … Only someone who is happening now can draw along my whole life, my whole heart, all my love towards himself.’ The Annunciation is the inauguration of this new and permanent method by which God ordains to draw all people to himself.” (MVM, p.43.) (Emphasis added.)

“The Annunciation teaches us that, no matter how great may be our weakness, God asks only that we surrender to our heart’s desire for the Infinite and yield to the Infinite’s presence when he comes to meet us in the flesh. At the Annunciation, God asked Mary to be his mother. And at the crucifixion, he asked Mary to be a mother again, now in a new way: 'Behold, your son.’” (John 19:26) (MVM, p. 47.)

In obedience to the Lord’s command, let us accept the Virgin Mary as our Mother. She will help us live a fruitful life!

We see what a fiat can accomplish through this quote from St. Thomas of Villanova (+1555):

“With a fiat, God created light, heaven, earth; but with Mary’s fiat, God became Man.” (Quoted in MVM, p.42.)

What will our ‘fiat’ accomplish? It depends … !!!
Reference: MVM = Mysteries of the Virgin Mary, by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P.​

O most loving Jesus,
I am all Thine and all I have is Thine,
through Mary, Thy most holy Mother. Amen.
(Short Form - Montfort Consecration.)
 
Amiciel said:
What lessons can we draw from the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord? - continued:

“Through the mystery of the Annunciation, 'God has placed, in the midst of barren, despairing mankind, a new beginning which is not a product of human history but a gift from above,’ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger [now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI] wrote. It is a new beginning in human flesh, **for if Christ is not real in our lives in a fleshly way, then, Fr. Julian Carron explains, ‘*he becomes more and more something in our imagination. Remembrance is not enough; we need a presence made of flesh, historical, irreducible, that goes on seizing hold of me and drawing me on ***… Only someone who is happening now can draw along my whole life, my whole heart, all my love towards himself.’ The Annunciation is the inauguration of this new and permanent method by which God ordains to draw all people to himself.” (MVM, p.43.) (Emphasis added.)

“The Annunciation teaches us that, no matter how great may be our weakness, God asks only that we surrender to our heart’s desire for the Infinite and yield to the Infinite’s presence when he comes to meet us in the flesh. At the Annunciation, God asked Mary to be his mother. And at the crucifixion, he asked Mary to be a mother again, now in a new way: 'Behold, your son.’” (John 19:26) (MVM, p. 47.)

In obedience to the Lord’s command, let us accept the Virgin Mary as our Mother. She will help us live a fruitful life!

We see what a fiat can accomplish through this quote from St. Thomas of Villanova (+1555):

“With a fiat, God created light, heaven, earth; but with Mary’s fiat, God became Man.” (Quoted in MVM, p.42.)

What will our 'fiat’ accomplish? It depends … !!!
Reference: MVM = Mysteries of the Virgin Mary, by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P.​

O most loving Jesus,
I am all Thine and all I have is Thine,
through Mary, Thy most holy Mother. Amen.
(Short Form - Montfort Consecration.)
Click to expand...
Amiciel, Thank you for posting this beautiful reflection on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Very practical and very helpful!
 
March 27, 2015 - Friday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Pardon the offenses of your peoples, we pray, O Lord,
and in your goodness set us free
from the bonds of the sins
we have committed in our weakness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-27

Lenten Season 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
 
March 28, 2015 - Saturday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who have made all those reborn in Christ
a chosen race and a royal priesthood,
grant us, we pray, the grace to will and to do what you command,
that the people called to eternal life
may be one in the faith of their hearts
and the homage of their deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-28

Lenten Season 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
 
March 29, 2015 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord:

Collect (Opening Prayer of Simple Entrance):

“Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-29

“On this day the Church recalls the entrance of Christ the Lord into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Accordingly, the memorial of this entrance of the Lord takes place at all Masses, by means of the Procession or the Solemn entrance before the principal Mass or the Simple Entrance before other Masses.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
 
HOLY WEEK:

"In Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his earthly life, from his messianic entry into Jerusalem, until his blessed Passion and glorious Resurrection. Lent continues until Maundy Thursday.

With the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday of Holy Week begins the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which includes Friday of the Passion of the Lord and Holy Saturday, centers on the Easter Vigil, and concludes with vespers on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.

The weekdays of this week are dedicated to the celebration of penance, abstaining from celebration of the sacraments of baptism (except in emergency) and confirmation, since these have their natural place in the Easter Vigil." (Ordo)
 
grateful_child said:
March 29, 2015 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord:

Collect (Opening Prayer of Simple Entrance):

“Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-29

“On this day the Church recalls the entrance of Christ the Lord into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Accordingly, the memorial of this entrance of the Lord takes place at all Masses, by means of the Procession or the Solemn entrance before the principal Mass or the Simple Entrance before other Masses.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
Click to expand...
Lenten Season 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
March 30, 2015 - Monday of Holy Week:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, though in our weakness we fail,
we may be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-30

Lenten Season, 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
March 31, 2015 - Tuesday of Holy Week:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
grant us so to celebrate
the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion
that we may merit to receive your pardon.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-31

Lenten Season 2015 EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
April 1, 2015 - Wednesday of Holy Week:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who willed your Son to submit for our sake
to the yoke of the Cross,
so that you might drive from us the power of the enemy,
grant us, your servants, to attain the grace of the resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

**“The Sacrament of Penance and the Easter Duty” **
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-04-01

Lenten Season 2015 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
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