2023年1月19日 星期四

Fifteen promises of rosary

 

Fifteen promises of rosary  ( from : Pieta prayer book)

The Blessed Virgin Mary promised to Saint Dominic and to all who follow that "Whatever you ask in the Rosary will be granted." She left for all Christians Fifteen Promises to those who recite the Holy Rosary.

Imparted to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan

1.Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2.I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3.The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4.The Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5.The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

6.Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7.Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8.Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenititude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9.I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10.The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.

11.You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12.All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13.I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14.All who recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of my only Son Jesus Christ.

15.Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

** Purchase of pieta prayer book and brown scapular can be obtained in catholic center ( 2/F , 18 Connaught Road C, Cental , HK) ( Tel:25221071)    MTR Station Central Exit A

Importance of meditating Jesus passion

 From “ The secret of the rosary by St Montfort”.

The whole book can be found on web site


http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Louis%20Marie%20de%20Montfort%20-%20The%20Secret%20of%20the%20Rosary.pdf


Page100

One day, our Lord said to Blessed Alan, “ If only these poor sinners would say my rosary often, they would share in the merits of my passion and I would be their advocate and appease the divine justice.”

 

Page102

St Augustine assures us that there is no spiritual exercise more fruitful or more useful for our salvation than to think frequently about the sufferings of our Lord.

 

St Albert the Great, who taught St. Thomas Aquinas, learned in a revelation that by simply thinking of or meditating on the Passion of Jesus Christ Christians can gain more merit than if they had fasted on bread and water every Friday for a whole year, or had beaten themselves with their discipline once a week till the blood flowed, or had said the whole book of psalms every day .

 

If such is the case, then how great must be the merit we can gain from the Rosary, which commemorates the whole life and Passion of our Lord.

 

One day , the holy Virgin revealed to blessed Alan that next to the Holy sacrifice of the mass, which is the most important and the living memorial of the passion of Jesus Christ , there is no devotion more excellent and more meritorious than the Rosary , which is like a second memorial of the life and Passion of Jesus Christ.

 

Father Dorland says that in 1481 the blessed Virgin appeared Venerable Dominic , a Carthusian devoted to the Holy Rosary , who lived at Treves, and said to him, “ whenever one of the faithful who is in the state of grace says the Rosary while mediating on the Life and Passion of Jesus Christ, he obtains the full remission of all his sins.”

 

She also said to Blessed Alan: “ Although there are numerous indulgences attached to my Rosary, I will add many more to every fifty Hail Mary’s ( each group of five decades) for people who say them in the state of grace and devoutly on their knees. And whoever perseveres in the devotion of the Holy Rosary , with its prayers and meditations, will be rewarded : I will obtain the full remission of the penalty and guilt for all his sins at the end of his life.

Do not be unbelieving, as though what I say is impossible. It is easy for me to do it because I am the mother of the King of Heaven . and he calls me full of grace. Being full of grace, I am able to dispense grace freely to my dear children”

 

Page120

The devil said:

“ We are forced to confess that not one soul that has persevered in her service has ever been damned with us. Just one sigh that the blessed Virgin Mary offers to the blessed Trinity is worth more than all the prayers, vows, and aspirations of all the saints.

We fear her more than all the other saints together and we have no success against her faithful servants. In fact, many Christians who call upon her when they are at the hour of death and who really deserve to be damned according to our ordinary standards are saved by her intercession.”

 

Page152

 

When the rosary is said in common, it is far more frightening to the devil than one said privately , because it constitutes an army that is attacking him. HE can easily overcome the prayer of an individual , but if this prayer is joined to that of other Christians, the devil finds it much more difficult to overcome. It is easy to break a single stick, but if you join it to others to make a bundle, it cannot be broken.

 

Page161

We must join perseverance in prayer to our confidence. Only those who persevere in asking, seeking, and knocking will receive, find, and enter. It is not enough to ask God for certain graces only for a month, a year, ten or even twenty years, we must never grow weary of asking.




2023年1月18日 星期三

Confraternity of penitent

  Confraternity of penitent rules and constitutions ( partly)

Confraternity of penitent 部份會規。

From

https://www.franciscanthirdorderpenitents.com/

Those who wish to live the CFP Rule, but who have impediments to full Membership, may become Associates of the Confraternity. Associates are nonmembers who are in formation, or have completed formation, with the CFP.

那些不能完全跟從會規的成員, 可作輔助成員( associate). 可完全跟從會規的, 是正式成員( member)

 CHAPTER I: DAILY LIFE

In keeping with section 1 of the Rule

1a. Those belonging to this Confraternity shall dress in humble and inexpensive cloth. Subdued, solid colors, as opposed to patterns and designs, should be chosen. Colors shall be neutral shades (black, white, cream, ivory, beige, tan, camel, brown, gray, charcoal, etc.) in conformity with the colors worn by the first penitents and blue in honor of the Blessed Mother who is the patron of the Confraternity of Penitents. The penitent should strive to have only the least expensive and minimum amount of clothing needed for comfort, employment, and utility. 

會員須穿着樸素簡單和不昂貴的衣服。衣服應該是顏色柔和及實色單色。 衣服不應該有圖案和花款。衣服的顏色應該純色單一淨色( 黑, 白,奶油淡黃色, 象牙乳白色,米色,棕褐色,暗棕色, 棕色, 灰色, 灰炭色等等)。成員衣服應相似早期成員的, 選用像瑪利亞常穿的藍色, 尊重聖母為本會的主保。成員應該因應他們的工作, 需要, 和舒適擁有最少可能數目的衣服, 及最可能便宜的衣服。

1b. The penitent should mix and match styles and colors so as appear indistinguishable from other seculars and to avoid the appearance of a wearing a habit. Thus penitents will do penance privately and inconspicuously. 

 成員應把衣服顏色配搭, 令人看不出他在做衣服上的補贖和犧牲

1c. For evident and necessary cause, a temporary dispensation on clothing colors and quality may be given. 

除非明顯的有需要的原因, 那麼該日這位成員所穿的衣服的顏色及質料規限可被取消。

2. In keeping with section 2 of the Rule:

2a. Visible undergarments such as socks or stockings may be of solid neutral colors or blue. Clothing that is not visible may be of any color or pattern. 

可見的内衣例如襪和長襪, 應是單色實色或藍色。 不可見到的內衣的顏色和花款都沒有規則

限制。

2b. Men's ties should be simple, conservative, and tasteful and may be patterned and of any color or color combination provided that the ties are subdued in appearance and not "flashy." 

男性的領帶應是簡單, 樸素,優雅, 色調不應浮華。

2c. Colorful ornamentation and fancy jewelry are not to be worn unless a dispensation is given. Engagement rings, wedding bands, watches, and any other similar adornments, and tasteful and unostentatious religious jewelry such as medals are permitted. Small pierced earring studs, in a simple and inexpensive style, may be allowed if needed to keep earring holes from closing. 

除非有特別准許, 顏色鮮艷和花巧的首飾裝飾品不可佩戴。 但是婚戒, 婚姻帶子, 手錶,或類似不浮華而優雅的宗教裝飾品例如聖牌是可以佩戴的。 一粒小而不昂貴的耳釘, 也可因為了使耳洞保存而佩戴的。

2d. For special events, a dispensation is given for the wearing of earrings, other jewelry, and clothing that falls outside the regular garb of the followers of this Rule. 

除特別場合, 成員可以被豁免而能在該場合戴某些耳環珠寶或是平日成員不會穿的較非樸素的衣服。

2e. The use of perfumes, after shave lotions, and so on should be avoided unless necessary. Wherever possible, unscented hair sprays, soaps, lotions, and so on should be chosen. 

香水, 鬚後乳液,應盡量避免。 若可能的話, 髪膠, 肥皂, 乳霜, 應盡可能沒香味。

2f. Female penitents may use cosmetics if necessary but should keep their makeup as conservative as possible so as not to draw attention to its use. The use of extensive makeup is discouraged. 

若果需要, 成員可以化妝, 但需妝容淡薄樸實, 不招引人注意。 過份的化妝是不適宜的。

2g. At all times in public, a simple cross or crucifix must be visibly worn either around the neck or in the form of a brooch or lapel pin. The style chosen should be in keeping with poverty, humility, and simplicity according to the penitent's state in life. If a penitent is already wearing a religious habit of a First, Second, or Third Order community, the habit of the Order will suffice. A penitent can be excused from the wearing of a cross, crucifix, or habit if to do so may endanger the penitent's life or impede the penitent's manner of earning a living.

在公眾場所, 除非戴十字架會它帶來危險或對成員的生計受影響, 成員平日在公眾前, 應戴一個可以見到的十字架。 可以是頸鏈,或胸針, 或扣針。 款式應是樸實便宜的。 若成員已有自己所屬的會院第一, 第二, 或第三會會服, 就不用佩戴十字架了。

In keeping with section 3 of the Rule:

3a. All clothing and accessories must be modest and chaste. They must also be simple and inexpensive unless a dispensation is given according to the estate or employment of the person and custom of the place. 

除非因成員的工作或當地風俗, 成員所有的衣服和裝飾品必須樸素和貞潔, 必須簡單和不昂貴的。

3b. Penitents should attempt to live as simply and inexpensively as possible according to their state in life. With the consent of their spouses and families, they are to have the minimum number of and least sophisticated appliances, furniture, furnishings, electronic aids, and vehicles as necessary. However, the following of this section of the Rule must not create more work or inconvenience for penitents or other family members.

成員根據他們的生活環境, 應該以最簡單和最便宜的物資生活。 他們應得到他們家中成員的支持, 以最少及最樸素的電器, 傢俬, 設備, 汽車來生活, 但並不因此影響他和他們的親人。

In keeping with section 4 of the Rule:

4a. Outer winter garments shall be either of lamb's wool, or a comparable imitation, only, or of any non-fur material. They shall be of either a solid neutral or blue color, simple and modest, and shall conform to the Constitutions under section 1.

冬天外套應是羊毛, 或類似物料, 而非皮草物料。外套應是單一實色或藍色, 簡單而樸實。

 4b. Purses should be of either a solid neutral or blue color. Suitcases and carry bags such as back packs should be of these colors if possible.

銀包應是單一實色。 手提箱和行李包, 背囊也應是單一實色。

In keeping with section 5 of the Rule

5a. Attendance at immodest functions or events at which immodest or immoral behavior is exhibited or fostered, except to condemn such behavior, is forbidden. This would include movies, parties, plays, and so on.

除非是在該場合指證這些影片是壞, 否則會員不應在以下場合出現:不正派, 淫穢的電影院 舞會舞台劇場等等。

 5b. The penitent should avoid the near occasions of sin in all circumstances and should strive always to give good example to others.

成員應盡可能避免犯罪的近機會和過一個聖善的生活, 立好榜樣給別人。

 CHAPTER II: ABSTINENCE

In keeping with section 6 of the Rule:

6a. For penitents, all Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are days of abstinence (that is, meatless days) unless directed otherwise by a physician. Meat is allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. 

所有週一, 三,五,六是守小齋的日子( 即不能吃肉), 除非醫生建議你不能守齋, 這可豁免。 星期二, 四, 日可以吃肉( 修女負責人説, 不能吃肉但可吃海鮮)

6b. Abstinence will follow current Church regulations which are listed in Appendix A of these Constitutions. 

守小齋則跟教會規定。

6c. Except for Sundays and Solemnities, penitents are to eat but two meals daily throughout the year unless advised otherwise by a physician. However, a third, small "bite to eat" of beverage and solid food may be taken if needed at one other time during the day. Beverages such as fruit juice, milk, coffee, and so on may be taken at any time between meals. 

除了星期日和慶日, 成員全年每天只吃二大餐, 除非醫生豁免。 第三餐也可以吃, 但只能吃很小口的食物。 飲品如果汁, 牛奶, 咖啡, 可以全日任喝。

6d. Except for Sundays and Solemnities, between meal snacks of solid food should be avoided. 

除了星期日和慶日, 餐和餐之間不可吃固體食物。

6e. At all times, penitents should be temperate in eating and drinking. 

全年成員要常記住, 飲和食都要適量節制。

6f. In their own homes, penitents should attempt to prepare foods that other household members enjoy even if this means that penitents must sometimes prepare an individual dish for themselves in order to follow this Rule. 

成員守齋時, 也可為家中其他成員預備他們的食物。

6g. In order to be hospitable, penitents may eat small, between meal snacks if they are entertaining guests or if they are guests in the homes of others. 

為了熱情款客, 成員在招待客人到他的家時, 也可吃少量餐和餐之間的小吃。

6h. When eating with others in a group setting, the penitent should endeavor to allow others to choose their foods first as long as this penitential practice can be kept hidden and not call attention to the penitent. 

在成員守齋和招呼客人同時, 他應先尊重客人選擇吃的食物, 而自己守齋的意向不應暴露讓人知道,在需要時應和別人吃同樣的食物。

6i. Travelers while in transit to their destinations and those who are ill, weak, pregnant, or breastfeeding are exempt from following the fasting and abstinence provisions of this Rule.

成員若是在旅行中,或他是 身體不適者, 有病者, 懷孕者, 哺乳者, 也不適用於以上的守大小齋規則。

 In keeping with section 7 of the Rule:

7a. Before and after meals, let the penitents reverently say either their regular meal prayer, or the Lord's prayer once, and let all give thanks to God. If they forget or if they are fasting completely from food, they are to say three Our Father's. These prayers may be prayed out loud or silently with head bowed unless to do so would either be dangerous to the penitent or highly offensive to the company kept. 

在餐前和餐後, 成員應唸吃飯禱文, 或一篇天主經。 若他餐後忘記餐前要唸經, 或當天他守齋完全不吃東西, 他應唸三篇天主經。 成員可低頭細聲祈禱, 或大聲於他處所祈禱, 只要他不影響周圍的人或這樣做對他有害。

CHAPTER III: FASTING

In keeping with section 8 of the Rule:

8a. All Fridays are days of fast for penitents. From the Feast of All Saints until Easter, penitents are to fast on Wednesdays as well. Wednesdays and Fridays are also days of abstinence, following section 6 of the Rule. 

全年的週五要守大小齋( 即不可吃肉, 可吃海鮮, 一天只吃一餐大二餐小, 二餐小的加起來不大於該天的大餐) 。 由諸聖節直到復活期, 成員應在週三及五守大小齋。

8b. Fasting guidelines shall follow current Church law and are listed in Appendix A of these Constitutions. 

大小齋跟教會規定。

8c. The amount of food eaten on fast days will be particular to the individual penitent who should feel hungry but not debilitated, drowsy, or ill. The penitent should consult a spiritual director, confessor, or, if needed, a physician regarding the amount of food to be eaten.

在守大齋日, 成員應吃得少, 感到有少許餓, 但不致於病, 暈或不適。 成員不明白應諮詢神師, 告解神父,或醫生.

In keeping with section 9 of the Rule:

9a. Penitents are to observe a pre-Christmas fast from November 12, the day after the Feast of St. Martin, until Christmas and a pre-Easter fast from Ash Wednesday until Easter. 

由十一月十二日( St Martin 節日後起), 直到聖誕節;由聖灰星期三至復活節, 

兩段時間該守大小齋。

9b. Penitents who are guests in the homes of others, or who have been invited out to eat, are permitted to eat what is set before them so as not to embarrass the host unless that day is a day of fast and/or abstinence enjoined by the Church. Penitents might consider not accepting invitations to eat out on Church enjoined days of fast and abstinence. 

在教會大小齋期中( 聖灰星期三和聖週五), 成員應盡量不參加宴會而不能守齋。 在其他日子, 只要不是教會的大小齋期, 可以吃宴會中主人所預備的食物。

9c. Sundays are never days of fast or abstinence. 

全年星期日都不應守大小齋。

9d. Penitents should not fast or abstain on any of the Church Solemnities. These include the Octave of Christmas, the Feasts of New Year's, Epiphany, Annunciation, the Octave of Easter, the Feasts of the Ascension, Assumption, All Saints, Immaculate Conception, and all other Solemnities of the Church. With reference to the fasting and abstinence provisions of this Rule, those in the Confraternity of Penitents also observe as a Solemnity August 22, the Queenship of Mary, which is the date on which, in the year 2003, the Confraternity of Penitents was refounded.

在教會慶日, 成員不應守齋。 例如: 聖誕八日慶期, 新年, 主顯節, 天使報喜節, 復活期八日慶典, 耶穌升天節, 聖母升天節,諸聖節, 聖母無原罪節日等.。二零零三年八月二十二日, 聖母母后節, 是本會的慶日。

9e. Penitents are permitted to celebrate with between meal snacks birthday parties, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and other special occasions unless these would fall on a fast day enjoined by the Church. 

除非該日是教會所定的大小齋日( 聖灰星期三和聖週五) , 成員可以因應當日的生日會, 週年紀念, 領洗日, 堅振日, 婚姻紀念日或其他慶祝而可以吃餐和餐之間的小食。

9f. Additional exceptions to the fasting provisions of this Rule are listed under sections 6, 10, and 11 of the Rule and Constitutions and in Appendix A to these Constitutions.

In keeping with section 10 of the Rule:

10a. All pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are exempt from fasting and abstinence both by the Church and the Rule.

所有懷孕和哺乳的母親都不用守教會的大小齋。

In keeping with section 11 of the Rule:

11a. Fatiguing work may be either physical or mental. If a penitent is unsure whether his or her work classifies as fatiguing, a priest or spiritual director should be consulted. 

凡從事精神或體力上消耗大的工作的人, 而不確定是否屬於此類工作, 可請教神師。

11b. Those engaged in fatiguing work may eat three times daily on work days if necessary for strength. They are bound to follow, however, the days of fast and abstinence enjoined by the Church and, as a penitent, to observe Friday as a day of fast and abstinence, unless their parish priest, confessor, or spiritual director exempts them.

凡從事精神或體力上消耗大的人, 可以一天吃三餐。 他們需要跟隨教會的大小齋期, 及週五守大小齋, 除非他的告解神父或神師或堂區神父豁免他守齋的需要。

Note: This is the Original Rule. Penitents today live it via the Constitutions which follow.

Constitutions (How Penitents Live the Rule of 1221 Today)

Note: Following the format required by canon law, the juridical elements of the Constitutions come first. These are followed by specific applications of the Rule of 1221 [In keeping with Section __ of the Rule] Penitents live the Rule of 1221 in accord with these Constitutions.

CHAPTER IV: PRAYER

祈禱

In keeping with section 12 of the Rule:

12a. Prayer is the core of growth in a life with God. Penitents must be committed to a life of prayer as outlined in this Rule. More prayer than what is listed, including daily mental prayer, meditation, and contemplation, is encouraged. 

祈禱是靈修的中心。 成員必須活出祈禱的生活。 鼓勵成員作出比日常祈禱多出的其他類型祈禱, 例如心禱, 默想, 默觀。

12b. One must adjust one's schedule to make time to pray. Extraneous activities that do not foster prayer life should be dropped. However, prayer must not interfere with daily duties such as caring for family members, keeping house, or earning a living. Penitents may have to pray during the night, while driving, while doing house or yard work, and so on. Playing tapes of spiritual conferences or sacred music and hymns while working or driving may help. A pocket sized New Testament or Psalter may be carried so that the penitent can seize a few moments of prayer and meditation while waiting in line, waiting on hold on the phone, and so on. 

成員須調較每天的時間表作出祈禱。和祈禱無關的會影響祈禱生活的活動需要擱置。 但是, 祈禱不應阻礙日常生活例如照顧家人,照顧家庭, 或生計。 成員可以選擇在晚上祈禱, 或在駕駛車輛, 做家務時祈禱。在工作時, 或在駕駛時, 聽靈修錄音帶和聽靈修音樂是許可的。在等接聽電話, 或在排隊時, 成員可以有一本口袋式的新約聖經或聖詠集閱讀, 祈禱或作默想。

12c. While the Liturgy of the Hours is the preferred method of prayer, substitution of the rote prayers (Option Four below) is permissible especially for those times when it is impossible to sit down with a breviary. The penitent should, however, not rely totally on these other prayers as a substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours. 

聖教日課是最推薦的祈禱 ,最推薦的是日課, 建議不要用其他禱文代替。

12d. There will arise certain days on which a penitent finds it impossible to say all the required prayers in any form. On such days, the penitent is to raise his or her mind to God at the required prayer times and have the intention to pray even though the opportunity is not available. These days should be rare. If a penitent finds it impossible to pray the hours on most days, he or she must examine his or her life and make proper adjustments so that the prayers can be said. 

有時候成員不能有足夠時間唸每天唸的特定日課和禱文。 此時, 成員可以舉心向上, 只需有一個祈禱的意向就可。 但這應是罕有的。 若此情形常發生, 成員應好好查看每天的時間表有何可以調較改善。

12e. All should renew the consecration of themselves and the Confraternity to Our Lady. The recommended prayer of consecration of the Confraternity, The Marian Consecration Prayer, is in Appendix B of these Constitutions.

應常唸奉獻自己和本會給聖母的禱詞。

12f. All are to pray a daily formal prayer (office) of some kind. The preferred method is to use the Liturgy of the Hours (breviary). 

成員應每天有特定的每日誦禱, 最好是每日日課。

 12g. For those who have no breviary, other offices approved by the Church may be substituted. These include the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin or the Office of the Passion. 

 那些沒有每日日課的人, 唸聖母小日課或耶穌苦難日課是准許的。

12h. For those without breviaries or copies of other offices, certain Psalms may be substituted for each of the hours. These are listed in Appendix C of these Constitutions.

( 請詳看英文網站)

12i. If a penitent cannot read or has no Bible, breviary, or Office book, the penitent may pray Our Father's, Hail Mary's, and Glory Be's in place of each office as directed below under Option Four.

( 請詳看英文網站)

12j. All penitents are to pray daily Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer, preferably using the Liturgy of the Hours. Morning Prayer (Lauds, called Prime in the Primitive Rule) is to be prayed between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Evening Prayer (Vespers) is to be prayed between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Night Prayer (Compline) is to be prayed right before retiring for bed. 

成員需要唸每日日課的 晨禱日禱( 在6:00-11:00), 晚禱和夜禱( 在16:00-23:00)

12k. In addition, for Morning Prayer, all are to add the Apostles' Creed and Psalms 51 ("Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love," etc.) and 54 ("Save me, O God, by your name, and vindicate me by your might," etc.) and 119 ("Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord") up to verse 32. If a penitent cannot read, he or she should endeavor to memorize the psalms. If this is not possible, three additional Our Fathers may be said. 

每天早晨, 成員需唸以下禱文: 一篇信經, 聖詠51,54 及119 的第一至三十二節。 若成員不懂看字, 每天早上唸三篇天主經。

12l. For Night Prayer, right before retiring for bed, all are to add Psalm 51 and the Apostles' Creed. If the penitent cannot read Psalm 51, an Our Father may be substituted. 

每天晚上加唸: 一篇信經, 聖詠51. 。若成員不能唸聖詠51, 可以用一篇天主經代替。

12m. The Glory Be to the Father is to be prayed after each psalm.

每天所唸的每篇聖詠後應加上一篇光榮經

12n. In addition, penitents should, if possible, spend a minimum of fifteen minutes daily in meditative or contemplative prayer.

每天若可能, 成員需用至少十五分鐘作默想默觀祈禱。

​12o. If possible when penitents are together, they shall pray the CFP prayers and psalms and the Divine Office together in community at the appropriate times.  

( 詳見英文網站)

12o. To complete the daily prayer schedule, the penitent must then choose, with the guidance of a spiritual director, one of the following five options:

每天唸經可有以下五項選擇其中一種:

OPTION ONE: PRAY THE COMPLETE LITURGY OF THE HOURS AS PRESCRIBED IN THE CURRENT BREVIARY

第一選擇: 每日日課

The Office of Readings (formerly called Matins) was once said around midnight but may now be prayed at any time during the day. 每日日課晨禱可在半夜唸, 或在一日中其他時間。The little hours of Terce (Midmorning Prayer-about 9 a.m.), Sext (Midday Prayer-about noon), and None (Midafternoon Prayer-about 3 p.m.) are prayed at approximately the hours described.其餘日課應在9:00, 12:00, 15:00 唸。 Penitents may combine some of these prayers and say them at alternate hours if their personal schedules require it.若時間表要配合祈禱時間, 成員可在其他時間唸餘下的日課。 For example, the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer may both be said at dawn if need requires. 例如誦禱和日禱可一起唸。Midmorning, Midday, and Midafternoon Prayer may be combined at noon 中午和下午的禱文也可在中午一起唸。and Evening Prayer and Night Prayer combined prior to bedtime. 晚禱和夜禱一起唸。Clerics are to recite the Hours after the manner of the clergy. 神職人員應根據他們的方式唸經。

OPTION TWO: PRAY A FIFTEEN DECADE ROSARY.[1]

第二選擇: 玫瑰經

If possible the fifteen decades should be broken up so that the Rosary is prayed, in part, throughout the day to approximately correspond to the times of the minor hours.

若可能的話, 十五端玫瑰經可以分開在每天幾段時間分開唸。

 OPTION THREE: PRAY AN HOUR OF MENTAL PRAYER DAILY.

 選擇三:一小時的心禱( 即和耶穌心對心說話, 用自己的説話和耶穌傾談)

This may be broken up into two 30 minute segments or four 15 minute segments. An ideal place to pray would be before the Blessed Sacrament.

最好在聖體前, 一天分開二次, 每次三十分鐘心禱; 或一天分四次, 每次十五分鐘。

OPTION FOUR: PRAY OUR FATHER'S

第四選擇:唸天主經

Those who do not know how to read, who have no Bible or breviary, or who cannot read on a particular day, may say, for the Office of Readings, twelve Our Father's, twelve Hail Mary's, and twelve Glory Be's; for every other one of the hours, seven Our Father's, seven Hail Mary's, and seven Glory Be's. 

那些不識字, 或沒有每日日課, 以每天十二篇天主經, 十二聖母經, 十二光榮經取代每日日課。 另外在每一個小時, 每小時唸七篇又主經, 七篇聖母經, 七篇光榮經。

OPTION FIVE: OTHER SUBSTITUTIONS

選擇五:其他代替品

Those parenting small children or otherwise suffering continuous distractions or time constraints may, with the permission of their spiritual directors, substitute short pious ejaculations for the minor hours. These may be as simple as mentally lifting one's mind to God. Penitents should, however, endeavor to pray Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer unless dispensed from doing so by their spiritual directors. At the minimum, those who choose Option Five must review their prayer schedule at the first meeting of each year with their spiritual directors so that adjustments may be made.

那些要照顧小孩, 或工作時常要專注而在祈禱上會分心, 或受時間限制, 他們需先得神師准許, 每天在各小時用短誦向天主祈禱。 他們仍應保持晨禱, 日禱, 晚禱和夜禱, 除非神師豁免不用唸。 在每年第一次和神師見面時, 需和神師商討如何調較祈禱的數目。

In keeping with section 13 of the Rule:

13a. While the sick do not have to say an office, they may do so all or part of the time.

若成員有病, 他可選擇唸全部或部份日課。

In keeping with section 14 of the Rule:

14a. Since attendance at public recitation of Matins (the Office of Readings) is inaccessible to most penitents, the penitent should attend daily Mass unless there is an intervening conflict of obligations。 由於大部份成員不能公眾一起唸誦禱, 除非有自身的其他工作職務, 成員應參與每天彌撒。. Parenting small children, health concerns, getting children off to school, employment schedules, and so on constitute some of these conflicting obligations. If Mass attendance is impossible or is unwise, the penitent should prayerfully recite one decade of the Rosary at some time during the day. 

需要照顧小孩, 自身的健康需要, 接小孩上學放學, 工作上的時間表可能阻礙上每天彌撒, 那麼不能上每天彌撒的成員需在一天中唸一端玫瑰經( 1 天主經, 10 聖母經,1 光榮經,1 花地瑪禱文).

14b. All are to go to daily Mass in Advent and Lent unless serious inconvenience for persons, business, employment, or duties should threaten. Again, a decade of the Rosary is to be said if Mass is not attended. 

鼓勵成員在將臨期和四旬期上每天彌撒。 那些不能上每天彌撒者, 需在一天中唸一端玫瑰經

 ( 1 天主經, 10 聖母經,1 光榮經,1 花地瑪禱文).

14c. At Mass, signs of devotion and reverence before the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist should follow the parish priest's or the bishop's directives. Penitents' behavior and clothing should avoid drawing attention away from Christ's Presence in the Eucharist and from the words and ceremonies attendant to its celebration.

成員應在彌撒中有尊重聖體之心。 成員的舉動和衣著不應引起在場者太過的注意, 而應令人專心於聖體和神父講道。

CHAPTER V: THE SACRAMENTS, OTHER MATTERS

In keeping with section 15 of the Rule:

15a. Penitents should consider confessing their sins twice monthly unless an undue burden is involved with this frequency or unless advised by the spiritual director to confess at another time interval. At a minimum, penitents are to confess monthly and to receive the Eucharist weekly provided the penitent is in the state of grace.

 成員需一個月告解二次, 除非這行為令成員有過份重擔或告解神師對告解次數有其他安排。 成員需最少一個月告解一次, 及最少一週領聖體一次。

15b. All are to be reconciled in every way possible and to tithe ten percent of their income to their parish, the Catholic Church, or to charitable organizations whose goals are in keeping with the Church hierarchy and Magisterium. 成員需在收入中十分之一捐獻,可捐給天主教教會, 或幫助教會的慈善機構。The tithe must not be given to any organization that is working in opposition to the Church. 十一捐獻不應捐給反教會的團體( 例如佛教道教團體)If a ten percent tithe seems too high, the penitent should consult the spiritual director or a spiritual assistant of the Confraternity, about the appropriate amount of the tithe and then should follow the advice given.若十一捐獻太大負擔, 可請教神師, 另定一個捐獻數目。 Since the penitent is to financially support their home Chapter or Circle of the Confraternity of Penitents and the work of the international Confraternity, a portion of one's tithe may go to this cause. 成員也可捐給本會confraternity of penitent.

In keeping with section 16 of this Rule:

16a. They are not to take up or bear lethal weapons that would be used against other human beings with the exception of participation in a just war with the permission of the penitent's spiritual director, or as part of one's legitimate employment (police officers, for example). If a penitent is living in a dangerous environment in which a weapon may be necessary for self-defense, a spiritual director must approve the penitent's possession of any weapon. 

( 詳見英文網站, 不適用於香港)

16b. Hunting and fishing to provide meat for one's family is permitted. One is also permitted to kill animal, bird, or insect pests that may be destroying one's food supply or threatening one's life or goods.

打獵和捕魚為生是准許。 為保家園而殺某些動物或害蟲是准許。

In keeping with section 17 of this Rule:

17a. All are to refrain from formal oaths except where required by law.

除非合乎法律, 成員不應胡亂發誓.

In keeping with section 18 of this Rule:

18a. They are not to take oaths in ordinary conversations. 

在日常談話中成員不應亂發誓。

18b. They are to watch their speech and, should they sin by speaking, they are to say, by evening of that same day, three Our Father's. 

成員需小心言談, 若該天犯了口舌罪, 應在當晚唸三篇天主經。

18c. Let each member teach his or her household to love and serve God. 

成員應教導他的家庭成員愛慕侍奉上主。

18d. Let the members lovingly serve others outside their household by participating, as much as obligations, time, finances, and health permit, in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, following the guidance of God and their spiritual director. Let them serve all with the charity and mercy of Christ. The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are listed in Appendix D of these Constitutions. 

成員應在家庭以外行愛德,無論在時間機會金錢健康上許可, 履行愛德是需要的, 學習耶穌的慈悲。在行愛德上有問題可問神師。


Confraternity of Penitents


1702 Lumbard Street

 Fort Wayne IN USA 46803 

260-739-6882

copenitents@yahoo.com 

May God bless you and give you joy!


https://www.franciscanthirdorderpenitents.com/


 

Excellent passage about rosary 1

  THE ROSARY AND EXORCISM 



“The rosary is the scourge of the devil”

-Pope Adrian VI 

The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…


-Pope Pius XI 

"The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies." The Blessed Mother to Saint Dominic Guzman (the 15 promises of the Rosary)

an example was the 1948 story of the Possesed 10 years old boy, in Saint Louis Missouri that inspired the 1973 William Peter Blattys movie The Exorcist..where the family (who later all converted to the Catholic faith) sought the help of a protestant Pastor, a failure the protestant pastor was attacked by the demon and run out of the house in horror. Why? Because they the protestant have no authority coming from Christ and His church..in contrast with the effectiveness of Catholic exorcist priests in doing the task , a sign given by Heaven that the Catholic church is the true church that Jesus established where he authorized it to expel demons in His name. 

The Holy Rosary is an important weapon in the arsenal of an Exorcist in fighting demonic attacks, I've witnessed personally first hand how demon possesed invidiuals writhing squirming in pain once the Rosary was said or come into contact with these sacred objects . One example was when I was invited to attend an Exorcism seminar workshop conducted by Monsi Bandejo the Exorcist at the Archibishop Palace the former residence of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin and the place where Saint Pope John Paul II stayed during his 2 visits in the Philippines.




Excellent passage about rosary 4

 INSPIRING STORIES ABOUT THE HOLY ROSARY


THE HOLY ROSARY AGAINST DEMONIC INFLUENCE AND ATTACKS


The Rosary Converts Pompeii from Satanic Influence,

Bartolo Longo was born in 1841 to a devout Catholic family. When Bartolo grew up he decided to study law. Naples at that time was undergoing a tremendous spiritual crisis. Paganism and Satanism of all sorts were abounding. Bartolo was not immune to these influences and became a satanic priest, much to the chagrin of his family who tried their hardest to get him to convert. L

As Satanism began to torment his mind, his family convinced him to make a good confession. Alberto Radente, a saintly Dominican priest, helped lead him back to the catholic faith and encouraged his devotion to the rosary. Bartolo had a miraculous conversion and In 1870, he became a third order Dominican and chose to live a life in penance for all the terrible sins he had committed against the church.

One day, he nearly succumbed to the sin of despair, feeling that God could never forgive the tremendous sins he had committed against the church. At that moment he received divine inspiration and remembered The Blessed Virgin’s promise that she would help in all their necessities those who propagate her rosary.

He set out to restore the dilapidated chapel at Pompeii and promote the rosary to whoever would listen. Pamphlets about the rosary were distributed to help the people learn to pray this powerful devotion. He tried to find an image of Our Lady of the Rosary worthy of hanging in the chapel, but was only offered a worm-eaten painting with an image that he felt was coarse and not worthy of veneration, however he accepted it from the convent in which it was stored. 

As Bartolo continued his work of propagating the rosary, the chapel’s membership grew tremendously and many miracles began to be associated with Our Lady of Pompeii. Cures and spiritual conversions occurred due to the devotions through this new shrine. The people pledged their support to have a large church built that would properly honor Our Lady of the Rosary.

In 1894, Bartolo and his wife gave the church over to the care of the Vatican. The original image found in the convent was restored for the last time in 1965 and Pope Paul VI crowned the heads of Jesus and Mary with diadems given by the people of Pompeii. On October 26, 1980, Bartolo Longo was beatified by John Paul II who called him 'the man of the Madonna' and the 'Apostle of the Rosary'. 

THE ROSARY STOPS A SERIAL KILLER

At 3: 00 am on January 15 1978 Bundy entered the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University and murdered two girls before heading off to search for more victims. When he entered a third girl’s room with a bat for a weapon, he saw a rosary clutched in her hand, dropped the bat and fled. 

Later the girl told authorities that before she left for college she had promised her grandmother that she would pray the rosary every night for protection, even if she fell asleep in the process. This is what she had done that night, and she was still holding the rosary when the murderer entered her room. Bundy later confessed to over thirty murders.

Father Joseph M. Esper says in his book With Mary to Jesus, "Ironically, when Ted Bundy was on death row, awaiting execution for his crimes, he asked Monsignor Kerr to serve as a spiritual counselor, and the priest took the opportunity to ask about that terrible night. Bundy explained that when he entered the girl's room, he had fully intended on murdering her; some mysterious power was preventing him." confused and terrified of the mysterious power he fled.

Father Esper adds, "And not only does it (the rosary) aid our own spiritual growth -- it also undermines the kingdom of Satan. The famous Vatican exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth testified, 'One day a colleague of mine heard the devil say during an exorcism, "Every Hail Mary is like a blow on my head. If Christians knew how powerful the Rosary was, it would be my end."'


Pray the rosary daily for protection and to defeat the forces of Satan!








 

Excellent passage about rosary 3

 One story that Monsi shared to us was about an exorcism session in España Manila near UST or  University of Santo Tomas .. where a girl held by several people was possesed by a demon and was being exorcised by priests. According to Monsi after several hours in the exorcism session,  using the Latin exorcism rite and other forms of exorcism prayer, the demon  still refused to leave the possesed girl. Tired, exhausted and unsuccessful, plus it was already late in the evening,  they've decided to pack up and leave., but as a last resort, they've decided to used the Rosary . Once they took out their rosaries and prayed infront of the possesed girl ..the girl started grimacing in pain, and with each Hail Mary the devil was like being pummeled by a big hammer and started yelling" No no stop..not with that woman." Nooo!! .jerking and kicking,.then motionless and peace. the demon left the girl.


Father Gabriel Amorth, chief exorcist of the Vatican writes:

One day a colleague of mine heard the devil say during an exorcism: "Every Hail Mary is like a blow on my head. If Christians knew how powerful the Rosary was, it would be my end." The secret that makes this prayer so effective is that the Rosary is both prayer and meditation. It is addressed to the Father, to the Blessed Virgin, and to the Holy Trinity, and is a meditation centered on Christ..

Now as you pray the Rosary, or even just recite one Hail Mary, you receive your portion of these graces."He also said at this time, "Anyone who goes to Mary and prays the Rosary cannot be touched by Satan." Is it any wonder that anyone who prays the Rosary from the heart is so blessed and protected and powerful in their prayers for others?"  




Excellent passage about rosary 2

 In the book, The Secret of the Rosary, St. Louis de Montfort relates that Father Jean Amat, a Dominican, was giving a Lenten Mission in the Kingdom of Aragon, Spain, when a young girl possessed by the devil was brought to him.


Father Amat began the exorcism. After several unsuccessful attempts, the priest had an idea; taking his Rosary, he looped it around the girl’s neck. 

No sooner had he done this, the girl began to squirm and scream and the devil, shouting through her mouth shrieked, “Take if off, take off; these beads are tormenting me!”


At last, moved to pity for the girl, the priest lifted the Rosary beads off her neck.


The next night, while the good Dominican lay in bed, the same devils who possessed the young girl entered his room. Foaming with rage, they tried to seize him, but he had his Rosary clasped in his hand and no efforts from the infernal spirits could wrench the blessed beads from him.


Then, going on the offensive and using the Rosary as a physical weapon, Fr. Amat scourged the demons crying out, “Holy Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, help me, come to my aid!” at which the demons took flight.


The next day on his way to church, the priest met the poor girl, still possessed. One of the devils within her taunted him, “Well, brother, if you had been without your Rosary, we should have made short work of you…”


With renewed trust and vigor, the priest unlaced his Rosary from his belt, and flinging it around the girl’s neck commanded, “By the sacred names of Jesus and Mary His Holy Mother, and by the power of the holy Rosary, I command you, evil spirits, leave the body of this girl at once.”


The demons were immediately forced to obey him, and the young girl was freed.


 


“These stories,” concludes St. Louis de Montfort, “show the power of the holy Rosary in overcoming all sorts of temptations from the evil spirits and all sorts of sins because these blessed beads of the Rosary put devils to rout.

Purgatory , value of suffering

 From" the amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel"


Q:How is it that by suffering only three hours you have saved that soul from twenty years of purgatory? what more did your suffering have ?


A:

All suffering on this earth has a different value. when suffering on this earth one can grow in love , one can acquire merits. It is not the case with suffering in Purgatory which only helps to purify the soul from sin. On earth one can possess all graces, and one has the freedom to choose.


This is all very encouraging as it can give our suffering an extraordinary significance, because all suffering offered voluntarily or not, all sacrifice , even the smallest, such as illness, mourning, delusion, bitterness, all these, if we accept them patiently and with humility, can be an incredible force to help souls.


Maria Simma says tht the most important thing to do is to unite our sufferings to those of Jesus and to place them in the hands of the blessed Virgin Mary, who knows how to use them in the best way , because , often, we do not know the most urgent needs around us.

For all this, Our Lady ( Mary) will certainly recompense us at the hour of our death.

Therefore, we ought to say that we should take comfort in the midst of suffering, as we know that our sufferings , when offered , will be the most precious treasure for us in the other world.

Another effective way , Maria Simma told us  , are the stations of the cross . In contemplating the sufferings of Jesus, we begin little by little to hate sin and to desire the salvation of all men. This disposition of the heart gives great comfort to the souls in purgatory.

Purgatory, three hours of suffering

 From " The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel".


Q: Maria , you have been invited several times to suffer for the souls in Purgatory in order to free them . Can you tell us what you have experienced and felt in those moments?


A:

The first time a soul ( of a woman) asked me if I wanted to undergo bodily suffering for her for three hours. She added that afterwards I would have been able to take up my work again. I thought ," if it is only for three hours , I will accept." Those three hours seemed to last three days , the suffering was so terrible. But , at the end, I looked at my watch and noticed that only three hours had gone by. The soul then told me that, by having accepted to suffer with love for three hours I had saved her from twenty years in Purgatory.


2023年1月17日 星期二

Purgatory , value of mass

 From " The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel".


Maria simma continued:

" On the subject of the mass, I wish to refer to you a beautiful example that saint Cure d Ars gave his parishioners :


My children , A good priest unfortunately lost a good friend of his. Therefore, he prayed much for the peace of this soul.


One day , God informed him that his friend was in purgatory and suffering terribly . This saintly priest thought that he could not do any better than to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for his dear friend.At the moment of Consecration , he took the Host in his hands and said, :" Eternal and Holy Father, in your Holy Hands is the soul of my friend in purgatory and in the poor hands of your minister is the body of your Son Jesus . Well then, O good and merciful Father, free my friend while I offer your Son to you with all the merits of His glorious passion and death."


This request was granted. At the moment of the Elevation , he saw the soul of his friend go to Heaven shining with glory. God had accepted the offer.


" well then , dear children," concluded the saint Cure d Ars," when we wish to free our dear ones from purgatory, let us do the same. Let us offer, through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, His dear son , with all the merits of His passion and Death and He will not be able to refuse us anything."


Other very effective means to help the souls in purgatory are , the offering of our suffering, our penance, our voluntary suffering as fasting, privation , and so on..... and of course, involuntary suffering like illness, mourning and abandonment.....

 

Purgatory , how to help souls

 From " The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel".


Q: Maria , can you tell us the best way to help souls ( purgatory souls )?


A: The best means is the mass.


Q: Why the mass ?


A: Because it is Christ  offering himself for love of us. And the offering of Christ Himself to God is the most beautiful offering. The priest is representing God and it is God Himself offering and sacrificing Himself for us . The effectiveness of the mass for the dead is as great as the esteem they had for the mass during their lifetime. If at mass they had prayed with great devotion , and if they had attended mass during the week , whenever possible, they would receive great profit from the masses celebrated for them . In this context too , one reaps whtat has been sown.


Besides going ourselves , we do not fail to invite children and possibly the children of all schools to attend mass, if we want them to be better.


No father, mother, or catechist can put into the heart of a child the graces Our Lord Himself gives during the mass and the Holy Communion.


I would add that a soul in purgatory can see very well the day of its funeral and whether we really pray for its soul, or if we are present simply to show we are there  , namely just a presence. They say that tears are of no help to them.On the other handm prayer is very helpful. They often complain that people are present at their burial,  but do not say a single prayer to God : they shed many tears , but this is of no use.

Purgatory , how to go to heaven

 From " The amazing secret of souls in purgatory, by sister Emmanuel".


One day the soul of a woman appeared holding a bcket in her hand


" what are you doing with that bucket ?" (Maria simma) I asked .

" It is my key to paradise, " she replied beamingly. " I never prayed much during my life , I seldom went to the church, but once before Christmas, I cleaned the house of a poor old woman for nothing. This was my salvation ." 


This is proof that everything depends on charity


It is also important, when close to death, to abandon ourselves to God's will . Maria told me a beautiful storyof a mother of four children who was dying . Instead of rebelling against it by getting angry, she told the Lord,

" I accept my death since it is your will, and I entrust my life into your hands. I entrust my children to you and I know that you will take care of them. " 

Maria told me ( sister emmanuel) that , because of her deep trust in God, that woman went straight to paradise without passing through purgatory. We can truly say that love , humility and the abandonment to God are the three golden keys that allow us to enter directly into paradise.


2023年1月11日 星期三

St charbel lifestyle

 St charbel

1. He must say mass and visit the chapel frequently night and day.

2. He must pray, meditate, and read holy scriptures and bible.

3. He must do manual labor as a powerful remedy for many temptation, as a proof that he is not deserting his human obligations and in accordance with the stern injunction of st Paul: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

4. He must live a life of strict poverty.


He did penance alone and in silence:

1. The hermit can only eat one meal a day , which is sent by the monastery.

2. He must never eat meat ( and fish and seafood) or drink wine. During lent can have vegetables with a little oil.

3. Sleep no more than five hours

4. Observe strict silence. In case of necessity, speak briefly and in subdued tone 

5. Must not leave the hermitage without the express consent of his superior.


Follow strict religious practices and carry out a severe ascetic way of life.

Manual labor, fasting, penance,  continuous prayer, little sleep, mortification of body, practice in humility and love 

Chain himself, wear hairshirt, eat the leftovers . Spent 23 years practicing severe mortification. 

Through prayer and penance he offered himself as a sacrifice so that the world would return to God.

His pillow was a piece of wood covered with an old cloth.

2023年1月9日 星期一

Divine office breviary and its power

 

The Saints on the Power of the Divine Office

The day when I came to know and love the Breviary I count as a turning point in my life” Blessed Cardinal Newman [1] 

“St Joseph of Cupertino was once asked by a bishop how the latter might best succeed in promoting the sanctity of his clergy, and the saint replied ‘Let your Lordship see to it that your priests celebrate the Mass and recite the Breviary devoutly’” [2]

My Breviary is my faithful companion; I would not go anywhere without it”  St John Vianney [2]

“One day during the chant of Matins, St Mechtilde saw in  vision St John the Evangelist passing through the choir from stall to stall.  In his hand he bore a chalice, and approaching it to the lips of each one of the nuns, he gathered their fervor and their purity of intention in the chant of the psalms, and he offered this precious cup to Jesus who drained it with gladness”  [3]

"What terrible punishments God reserves for those who, obliged to recite the Office, abstain from saying it either through wearisomeness or in order to give themselves to worldly amusements" Saint Alphonsus Liguori [4]

“When one recites the office with attention, what merit and profit does one derive from it.  What lights are then obtained from the divine words!  With what holy maxims is the soul penetrated! How many acts of love, of confidence, of humility, of contrition, may one not make by merely paying attention to the verses which one recites"  Saint Alphonsus Ligouri [4]

"The saints found more pleasure in reciting the Office than worldings find in the midst of pastimes and amusements" Saint Alphonsus Liguori [4]

"One single Office recited with devotion may gain for us many degrees of glory in heaven.  What treasures of merit will not they then amass after they have recited the breviary for thirty or forty years with the required devotion and piety!" Saint Alphonsus Liguori  [4]

“After the Bible, I know of no grander work than the Roman Breviary” Saint Francis De Sales [5] 

“Oh, What graces may we not draw from the Divine Office when we recite it properly” Saint Vincent de Paul [5] 

“The Divine Office which gives so much glory to the Lord becomes for each of us an extremely fruitful source of sanctification.” Blessed Columba Marmion [6]

There is no work that comes anywhere near the Divine Office. All other works are opera hominum. This is truly "the Work of God" pre-eminently, because it is a work of praise that comes from God through the Word Incarnate and is offered by the Church, in Christ's Name. Blessed Columba Marmion[6]

“ I am certain that a monk who gives himself up to it with devotion cannot fail to obtain from it an abundance of divine help for every circumstance of his life.”  Blessed Columba Marmion [6]

“Religion has no purer manifestation than the Divine Office gravitating around the Eucharistic Sacrifice which is its crown.”  Blessed Columba Marmion [6]

"I know that the angels visit the canonical hours and the assemblies of the brethern.  What if they do not find me in the congregation? Would not thy have to say, Where is Bede? Why has he not come with his brethern to the appointed prayers?"  Venerable Bede. [7]


Sources
[1]Letters and Correspondence, Vol II, pg 58
[2] Hoornaert, Rodolphe, and William Busch. The Breviary and the Laity,. Reprint ed. Vol. 1. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 1936. Print. Ser. 2007. pg 83-100
[3]L’anne liturgique d’apres St Gertrude et St. Mechtilde coll. Pax, t. 1. pg 29
[4]Liguori, Alfonso Maria De', and Eugene Grimm. The Complete Works of Saint Alphonsus De Liguori: The Ascetical Works. Vol. 14. New York: Benziger Brothers, 1886. pg 26-30
[5]Bacuez, L., and Ethelred L. Taunton. The Divine Office, Considered from a Devotional Point of View:. London: Burns and Oates, 1885. pg 277-302 
[6] Marmion, Columba. Christ the Ideal of the Monk; Spiritual Conferences on the Monastic and Religious Life,. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder, 1926.
[7]  Browne, Forrest.  The Venerable Bede: His Life and Writings.  Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1919

The only one I know of is St Alphonsus De Liguori, who put it quite aptly:

"Many private prayers do not equal in value only one prayer of the divine Office, as being offered to God in the name of the whole Church and in his own appointed words. Hence St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi says that, in comparison with the Divine Office, all other prayers and devotions are but of little merit and efficacy with God. Let us be convinced, then, that after the holy Sacrifice of the Mass the Church possesses no source, no treasure, so abundant as the Office, from which we may draw such daily streams of grace."

Rosary of Mary and demons

 Beelzebub (demon) confesses in pain to Exorcist, Fr. Don Ambrogrio Villa on October 7, 2019 at the Diocese of Milan, Italy:


"You should pray this prayer (Rosary) with children.  Teach then this prayer before I start to disturb them because, I steal their purity later. And the mothers should then pray the Rosary for these children, because I want to destroy the family and the young ones. Those who pray the Rosary receive so many graces, and I can't stand it!"


It is a good and holy practice to invite the Angels and Saints, or if one has a Patron Saint, to join in praying the Rosary with us. This method of praying the Rosary is grounded on the Blessed Virgin's promise that devotees of the Rosary will have for their Intercessors the entire heavenly court.

"What are you doing? Pray! Pray a great deal! The hearts of Jesus and Mary have merciful designs for you. Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High.”


~ The Angel of Peace to the Fatima Children, 1916


“The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses,” that is to say that every time people say the Rosary devoutly, they place a crown of one hundred and fifty three white roses and sixteen red roses upon the head of Jesus and Mary. Being heavenly flowers, these roses will never fade or lose their exquisite beauty.”

~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort's


"And he who prays it (Rosary) in the family has a special protection from Her (Virgin Mary). I can't go into that house. I have not been given permission. Because the power of the Holy Rosary in the family crushes me." 


~ Beelzebub (demon) confesses in pain to Exorcist Fr. Don Ambrogio Villa on October 7, 2019 (Diocese of Milan)


“It is scarcely possible for me to put into words how our Lady esteems the Rosary and how She prefers it to all other devotions. Nor can I sufficiently express how wonderfully She rewards those who work to make known the devotion, to establish it and spread it nor, on the other hand, how strictly She punishes those who work against it.”


~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort“It is scarcely possible for me to put into words how our Lady esteems the Rosary and how She prefers it to all other devotions. Nor can I sufficiently express how wonderfully She rewards those who work to make known the devotion, to establish it and spread it nor, on the other hand, how strictly She punishes those who work against it.”


~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort

“I come from Heaven. I am the Lady of the Rosary. I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and to ask pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of man. People must say the Rosary. If people do as I ask, many souls will be converted and there will be peace.”


~ Our Lady to Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco at Fatima, Portugal in 1917

The Hail Mary as explained by Our Lady to Saint Mechtilde of Helfta (1241-1298):


“My daughter, I want you to know that no one can please me more than by saying the Rosary.


The salutation which the Most Adorable Trinity sent to me, and by which He raised me to the dignity of Mother of God.


By the word 'Ave' (which is the name Eve, Eva), I learned that in His infinite power God had preserved me from all sin and its misery, which the first woman had brought upon herself.


The name ‘Mary’ which means ‘Lady of Light’ shows that God has filled me with wisdom and light, like a shining star, to light up Heaven and Earth.


The words ‘full of grace’ remind me that the Holy Spirit has showered so many graces upon me that I am able to give these graces in abundance to those who ask for them through me as Mediatrix.


When people say the ‘Lord is with thee,’ they give to me again the indescribable joy that I received when the Eternal Word became incarnate in my womb.


When you say to me ‘blessed art thou among women,’ I praise Almighty God’s Divine mercy which raised me to this exalted level of happiness.


And at the words, ‘blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus,’ the whole of Heaven rejoices with me to see my Son Jesus Christ adored and glorified for having saved mankind.”


12 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHENEVER YOU HOLD THE ROSARY IN YOUR HAND IN PRAYER.


1 When you hold the Rosary in your hand in prayer, you are destined to win all your battles. (Remember the battle of Lepanto of Pope Pius V).


2. When you hold the Rosary in your hand in prayer, Mary the dispenser of God’s grace will make the grace of God to come to you cheaply.


3. With the Rosary in your hand in Prayer, you will be amaze how you will overcome tough trials, temptations and tribulations.


4. With the Rosary is  in your hand in prayer, you will gravitate towards the path of holiness.


5. The peace of family life is hidden in the Rosary in your hand.


6. The Rosary in your hand in prayer will establish you in genuine spiritual life and enable you to practice virtues.


7. The life of meditation and contemplation is made easy with the Rosary in your hand in prayer.


8. Whenever you hold the Rosary in your hand in prayer, you are holding a priceless treasure Inspired by God.


9. The Rosary in your hand in prayer makes you a spiritual pilgrim. You will be able to follow Jesus from his Incarnation to his death and glorious resurrection.


10. The Rosary in your hand in prayer, makes you the delight of the Blessed Virgin Mary.


11. When you hold the Rosary in your hand in prayer, you are holding the most concise summary of all that Catholic theology teaches about the Blessed Virgin Mary.


12. The Rosary in your hand in prayer is a divine summary of the mysteries of the life, passion, death and the glory of JESUS and MARY.


Rev. Fr. Alfred Agbonlahor, Spiritual Director:

1. Friends of St. Padre Pio, the Saint for Healing and Miracles.


2. The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is my weapon.


3. Catholic Intercessory Prayer Ministry International.


























2023年1月8日 星期日

Lectio divina

1. Visio Divina — “sacred seeing” — is an ancient form of Christian prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to enter into a sacred image, in silence, to see what God might have to say to us.

 2.Lectio divina: 即慢慢讀出聲( 不是默唸, 是讀出聲)二至三頁聖書, 之後閉上眼默想其意思。 每天10-15 分鐘已很好

 

準備默想前閉上眼時慢慢吸氣呼氣, 唸短誦, 例如

聖神降臨

我要成聖


等等

感受天主進入身體


然後讀聖書


閉上眼

默想

吸氣

呼氣

聽聖神在心裏說什麼

五至十分鐘夠了

然後繼續閉上眼

吸氣

呼氣

( 慢慢)

感受聖神進入身體各部份

唸短誦

例如

治好我這身體部位的病

我要我的腦/ 心很聖潔


等等



之後停止吸呼氣

慢慢張開眼睛


Lectio divina


取錄自幾本書

包括meditation, 冥想( 天主教)

讀聖書不是讀, 是慢慢唸出聲

2023年1月3日 星期二

緬甸和尙死裏復活

 


缅甸和尚死里复活

https://youtu.be/_TrNZaJ430E

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=t01266ajkg1&width=500&height=375&auto=0

个人简介:我的名字叫“亚帝·潘·新陶·保罗”,我是缅甸人,我愿意向你见证一个关于发生在我身上的真实故事。首先,让我大概讲述一些我个人的成长背景。我于1958年出生于缅甸南部三角州的波加市,我的父母,如同许多的缅甸人那样,都是虔诚的佛教徒,他们给我取名“帝兵”,意思是“树木”。当我18的时候,我被父母送往当地的一间佛教寺院,出家当和尚。在缅甸,这是许多父母的愿意作的事,最少让他们的孩子有一段出家的时间,他们总认为这是一件光荣的事,在我们的国家,已经有几百年这样的传统。当我19岁零三个月时(1977年),我正式成为一名出家的和尚。我所在的寺院的主持人名叫“尤查帝拉”,他可以说是当时全缅甸最出名的一位和尚大师,几乎全国人人都听过他的大名。他被许多人所尊重,也被视为一位极有深度的高僧教师。可惜他在1983年时,在一次的交通意外中死亡,他忽然的去世,叫许多人感到意外,当时我在该寺庙中已出家6年。 


   当年,我立志要作一名好和尚,并且尽心尽力追随一切我认为是纯正佛教的教义。为了攻克己身,叫身服我,我甚至住在坟场中,以便能更专心于默想。许多诚心追求正果的和尚,都会做我所作的事,他们甚至远离人间,住进深山、树林中,好舍弃自我,好操练自己成为一个无私无欲的人。我也照样一心想要藉着操练,舍弃一切的人间私欲、自我、病痛,希望有一天能脱离这世界的轮回。当我在坟场修练时,我并不惧怕什么魔鬼怪,我为了希望能得到内心真正的平安、无私的地步,甚至我看见蚊子在吸我的血,也不去伤害牠。有几年的时间,我尽力使自己做到一个真正虔诚的好和尚,做到不杀生,不伤害任何一个生灵,也努力地去读懂先师们留下的各种各样的佛教经典。我尽力使自己成为一个真正的僧人,由于不顾惜身体,使我后来开始生病,当时我已回到寺庙中,他们把我送进医院治病医生为我进行了各种检查,最后告诉我得到两种病:黄热病和虐疾。我在医院住了一个多月,病情没有好转,反而加重。医生告诉我没有可能好过来,并且要我出院,回去预备死亡的后事,以上是我个人的一些经历。下面我要告诉你一个我从医院回去后,所遇见的一个非常奇妙的经历。


一个完全改变我生命的异象


当我从医院回到寺庙,由一些同门僧侣看顾我,我越来越弱,最后进入昏迷状态,不省人事。我的心跳停止,身体开始腐烂,发出恶臭。我的身体被他们进行宗教洗净,并且预备进行火化。虽然我身体死亡并且开始腐烂,但我的灵魂和知觉却是十分清醒的。我的灵经过一个很强大的风暴,我看见一大风暴把所有的树木花草破坏,只留下一个空无一物的平原。我在这平原快速地走了好一段时间,我看不见任何的东西,只有我一人在那里走。最后我走过一条河流,在河流的这边,我看见一个非常恐怖可怕的火湖,在佛教教义中并没有这样一个地方。起初我有点迷糊,不知道自己来到什么地方?到我看见了好像阎罗(地狱的王),我才知道自己来到了地狱。牠的面孔与身体看起来像野兽,脚看起来像妖精的脚。在牠的头上长有很多的角,牠的脸孔看起来非常可怕,我看见牠时被吓得全身发抖,我问牠是谁如何称呼?牠回答我说:牠是地狱的王,是破坏者。


非常非常可怕的地狱


那地狱的王要我仔细地往地狱里观看,我看见里面有一个穿着橘黄色衣袍的人,这种橘黄色衣袍是我们缅甸和尚僧侣平时常穿的衣服,而这人是一个剃光头的人。当我再仔细观看这人是谁,我非常惊讶看见,这人就是我从前寺庙里的主持,就是缅甸那位名叫“尤查帝拉”于1983年死于交通意外的佛教大师。我问那阎罗王,为什么我以前的这位老师,会进入这地狱火湖里受苦呢?他是一位受尊重的教师。那地狱的王回答:“不错,他曾经是一位好教师,但因为他没有信耶稣基督,他的结局就是来到这里。”


后来我又被指示要去观看在火湖中的另外一个人.我看见这人只在左边的头上卷着很长的头发,他是穿着僧侣传统的衣袍。我问阎罗王,这人是谁?牠狂笑地回答说:“这人就是你们信徒所敬拜的人,被你们称为佛祖的释迦牟尼。”我被这事所惊吓,我当时不能完全接受释迦牟尼也进入地狱不得超生的事实。我高声抗议:“释迦牟尼是个有良好道德修养的人,他为什么也会进入地狱?”地狱的王回答说:“不论一个人看起来多么好,只要他弃绝承认相信全能的上帝,就会来到这个地方。他是因为不相信上帝而来到这个地方。”

 


接着我又看见另一个穿着军人服装的人,在他膛上有一巨大的伤痕,我问:这是谁?地狱的王回答说:“这就是翁山,缅甸人伟大的改革领袖。” 牠告诉我,翁山会来这里是由于他生前杀死了不少的基督徒,而最重要的原因是由于他完全不肯信拯救他的耶稣基督。在缅甸流传着一句话:“军人永远不死,但他们会继续活到永远。”这地狱的王告诉我,这句话应该改为:“军人永远不死,但他们会永远进入地狱。”


接下来我看见另一个在地狱火湖的人,他长得非常的高大,身上穿着作战的盔甲,手拿着盾牌长刀,他前额头上带着一个死伤,这人的高度是我从来没有看见过的,单是他手腕的长度,就比一般人长出五、六倍,手指的长度是一般人的两倍以上。地狱的王告诉我,这人名叫哥利亚,他来到地狱是因为他亵渎永生上帝的名和祂的仆人大卫。在我印象中,我完全不认识这个巨人,也不懂他所说的大卫是谁。地狱的王告诉我:“有关这位哥利亚的事件,有记载在基督所念的圣经里面。你现在不认识他,但当你成为一名基督徒,你就会认识他是谁了。”


这时候,我看见另一个地狱的王,向我走了过来。我同时看见另有一个活物,牠的工作是掌管地狱火湖的燃烧,为它加热。这个活物问我:“你是不是也要来到这地狱里面?”我急忙的回答:“不,我只是来这里观看而已。”这个掌管地狱之火的活物,牠的样子看起来也十分恐怖,牠的头上长有十个角,手上拿着一支前头分出七个利刃的长矛。那活物对我说:“你说得对,你是被许可来这里观看的人,因为我这里没有你的名字,不过你现在最好从刚才来的路回去。”说完就指向我最初还没有踏进地狱火湖之前所站的平原。


作决定的路口


我往这平原走去,走了好一段时间,感觉到我身体发热,脚也走到破皮流血,疼痛非常,感觉我已经走了三、四个小时,来到了一条大宽路。我再顺着这条大路走去,最后来到路的岔口,往左边的大路,是给没有信耶稣基督的人走的:往右边的小路,是给信耶稣基督的人走的。我对大路比较有兴趣,而且自认还没有信耶稣,所以就选择往大路走去。在我前面大约300米远有两个人在走,我想过去和他们同行。但不论我走多快都没法跟上他们。我不知道这条路要走向那里,想了一想,我又回到刚才的路口。从这里我又可以看见在我前面走的两个人,只见他们走到大路前面的尾端,忽然被什么东西刺伤,他们显得非常的痛苦而高声哀嚎喊叫。我看见他们忽然受伤哀嚎的情形,不由自主地也跟着喊叫起来,我忽然意识到走这条大路的人必会遭遇到生命的危险。


看见天堂的进口


我转而走向基督徒所走的窄路,差不多走了大约一个小时,这小路的路面开始转为像是用纯洁黄金所造成的一般,它纯洁清净的颜色,使我如同站在镜子前,可以看见自己的反射。接着我就看见一个人站在我面前,他身穿白袍,同时我也听见有人在唱美妙的歌声。这些诗歌的美妙,实在不是地上最好的歌声能比较的。这身穿白袍的人叫我跟着他走,我问他叫什么名,他微笑而不回答我,一直等我问到第六次时,他才回答说:“我是那掌管天堂锁匙的人。天堂是一个非常美丽的地方。现在你还不能进去这地方,如果你归信了耶稣基督,将来当你离开世界的时候,就可以进去。”他告诉我,他的名字叫彼得。接着彼得叫我坐下来,并且朝北指着一个地方,然后对我说:“请往北方看,上帝是如何造人类的。”接着我从远处看见全能的上帝在对天使说:“让我们按照我们的形象造人。”天使在求上帝说:“请不要造人,他们会让祢伤心和亏欠祢的荣耀(丢脸)。”但上帝仍然乐意将人创造出来,然后将祂的(灵)气吹在人的里面,而成为有灵的活人。祂称这个人叫“亚当”(佛教不信世界及其一所有的万物,都是被创造出来的。)


被赐新名后返回人间


接着彼得对我说:“现在起来,往你来的地方回去,去告诉那些敬拜释迦牟尼和偶像的人说话。告诉他们,他们如果不改变,继续如此敬拜,最后他们都要死在罪中,灭亡于地狱。那些不肯相信耶稣基督是救世主的人,就再没有得救的机会,最后都会下到地狱。”彼得告诉我,要我回去世界以后,去告诉那些人,把我所看见,所经历的一切都告诉他们。他还告诉我,你要用你的新名字,新身份来说话。从今以后你要叫“保罗”(意思是从死里复活的保罗。)


我起初不想回来,我当时就想进入天堂,有二位天使走过来,他们打开一本书,他们起初按我小时候的名“帝兵”,查我的名字是否在那本书里面,他们找不到我的名字。他们接着查我加入佛教僧侣时所用的名字“尤拿达巴尼达亚幸度利亚”,也没有发现它被记载在书上。然后彼得说:“看,你的名字目前还没有记载在这生命册上,你必须先回去,归向基督,并向你的族人分享见证耶稣基督是救主。”我只好依依不舍地从原来的路上回去,而在我的耳中继续听见从来都未曾听过那么美妙的诗歌。那称为彼得的,一路都伴随着我,直到我回到地上为止。在回来的路上彼得指给我看一样东西,我看见在天堂与天空之间,悬挂着一个天梯,这梯子只挂在半空而没有达到地上。在这天梯上,我看见有许多的天使藉著这天梯上去下来。他们看起来很忙,我问彼得:“他们是谁?”彼得回答说:“他们是上帝的使者,他们向天堂报告有那些人已经信靠耶稣基督,有那些还没有”。这时候彼得提醒我,现在你一定要回去了。


亲友被惊吓


接下来我所意识到的,是听见有人在哭。我听见我母亲在大哭:“我儿啊,我儿,为什么你现在就离开我们?”我同时也听见有其他的人在痛哭。当我完全醒来时,我觉得我竟然躺在棺木里。我开始在棺木中蠕动,最先发觉我活过来的是我的父母,他们高喊:“他活过来了,他还活著!”那些坐在比较远的人,不信我父母的话,这时我把手伸出棺木外面,抓著棺木两边,坐了起来。许多人看见死了三天的我,竟能坐起来,他们不是高兴,而是被这一幕情景吓坏了。他们高喊:有鬼啊!然后大部分的人都站起来逃跑,那些没有走的人都站在那里发抖,老半天说不出话来。同时,我发觉我是坐在一些非常恶臭的汗水里,这些水是原先从我腐烂的身体流出来的汗水,大约有三、四杯那么多。这也就是为什么在现场,凡看见过从我身体内流出汗水的人都相信我曾经真的死掉了。在棺木的内部,通常都有会放置一层的塑料布,这块胶布的目的是防止从尸体流出的汗水,不致流出棺木外。因为有许多病死的人,从他们的身上都会像我那样,会流出汗水。


后来他们告诉我,只差一两个小时,我的棺木就会被带去火化。在缅甸,火化前,棺木才会把盖子钉上,然后送去火化。就在我活过来的那一刻,正是我父母走前来,要看我最后一眼的时候。看过以后,棺木就会被钉上盖子,然后送去火化。我活过来时,马上告诉他们我死了曾经去了什么地方,听见什么,看见什么,一五一十地告诉他们。我告诉了他们在地狱的火湖中,我亲眼看见了什么人在那里。我告诉在场的所有人,过去我们所信的都是虚假的,只有相信耶稣,他们才能得到永生。唉哉,我们的祖先们被我们所信的道理,欺骗了千年之久。我告诉他们,我们过去所信的一切都是虚假和欺骗人的道理。他们看见我死里复活,又知道我过去是一个为佛教的教义认真委身,大发热心的和尚,如今看见我毫无保留的在高喊:佛教教义是个大欺骗,他们对我所做的见证感到非常的惊讶、震惊与恐慌。


结语:


自“死里复活的保罗”,经历了以上奇妙的经历,他一直忠心的为主耶稣基督作见证。在缅甸已经带了几百名和尚归信耶稣基督,他奇特的死里复活见证,是一件不可否认的事实。也因为如此,当他传出只有耶稣基督,才是上帝给人类唯一救法的事实时,叫很多听见他这个不容妥协的信息的人,感到不容易接受。虽然他自己曾经是一个为佛教教义毫无保留的相信和委身于这些道理多年的和尚,复活后的他,也是立刻毫无保留地丢弃过去所信奉的,视为族人的大欺骗。如今他是一心一意,竭力的支帮助许多僧侣放弃佛教,转向信靠和 跟随耶稣基督。而在他生前、死后,经历前往地狱、天堂之事,那三天里他所经历、所听见关于上帝的创造,耶稣基督是救主,圣经中的一些人物等事,都是他死前完全不曾听说过,在记忆中也未曾想过这些事情。这一切对他来说全是新事。


为了要让他的故事,见证传得更快更远,他开始把他的见证故事录成录影带和卡带。在缅甸的官方和佛教徒则开始不满,尽力要把这些卡带、影带收回并加以毁坏。你现在所读到有关他死里复活的见证,是取自于其中一个这样的卡带。我们被告知,现在任何一个缅甸人拥有这样的卡带,是一件会使他遇见麻烦的事。“从死里复活的保罗”毫不惧怕为主耶稣作见证,最少曾被捉进监牢一次,但是政府当局并没有办法使他闭口不传。他被释放以后,继续去传他死后所看见、所听见的事。


 


《圣经》上说:“除祂(耶稣)以外,别无拯救,因为在天下人间没有赐下别的名,我们可以靠着得救。”(使徒行传四:12节)。


“你若口里认耶稣为主,心里信神叫祂从死里复活,就必得救。因为为心里相信,就可以称义;口里承认,就可以得救。”(罗马书十章9-10节)


人因为罪的隔绝不见神的面:“你不能见我的面,因为人见我的面不能存活。”耶和华说。(出埃及记三十三章20节)


“神的事情,人所能知道的,原显明在人的心里,因为神已经给他们显明。自从造天地以来,神的永能性和神性是明明可知的,虽是肉眼看不见的,但籍着所造之物就可以晓得,叫人无可推诿。”(罗马书一章19、20节)


“创造宇宙和其中万物的神,既是天地的主,就不住在人手所造的殿,也不用人手服侍,好像缺少什么;自己倒将生命、气息、万物,赐给万人。” (使徒行传十七章24、25节)


“我们既是神所生的,就不当以为神的神性像人用手艺、心思所雕刻的金、银、石。世人蒙昧无知的时候,神并不监察,如今却吩咐各处的人都要悔改。因为祂已定了日子,要藉着祂所设立的人按公义审判天下,并且叫祂从死里复活,给万人作可信的凭证。”(使徒行传十七章29-31节)


亲爱的朋友们,“你们要尝尝主恩的滋味,便知道祂是美善,投靠祂的人有福了。”新生命正等着你们,现在就作一个决定,“查考圣经,要晓得这道是与不是,”得着美好的福音,便是得着人生的至宝。请你要切切明白何为福音、与你何关?


愿耶稣的爱与你们众人同在,愿恩惠、平安归于你们!


2022年12月29日 星期四

purgatory, charity

 From The wonderful secrets of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


p.26


Q; well, Maria, I am now thinking of the good thief , the one who was on the cross beside Jesus. I would really like to know what he did, for Jesus to have promised that he would be with him that same day in Paradise.


He accepted with humility his suffering, saying that it was just . He encouraged the other thief to accept it too. He had the fear of God. That is to say , he had humility.


Another beautiful example , Maria simma told us , show how a good deed can redeem a sinful life in a very short time. Let us listen to her own words.


" I knew a young man about 20 years old. He lived in a village near mine. This village had been severely hit and devastated by several avalanches which killed many people. It was in 1954.


One evening this young man was at his parents' home, when a terrible avalanche fell near the house. He heard shrill cries, agonizing shouts asking:" help us ! save us ! come to save us! ... we have been swept away by the avalanches!..."

Immediately the young man got up and rushed down to help those people . But his mother , who had heard the cries, stopped him from going by shutting the door and saying :" No , let other people help them but not us! It is too dangerous, I do not want another dead person. " But the young man who had been impressed by those cries and really wanted to help those people. pushed his mother aside and said," Yes, I am going. I cannot let them die like this!" and he went out. But then he too got swept away by an avalanche and was killed....

Two days later , he visited me ( Maria simma) during the night and told me, " Have three masses said for me and I will be free from purgatory. " I went to infor his family and friends. They were very astonished to hear that he would be freed from purgatory after only three masses. One of his friends said ," I would not have wanted to be in his place at the moment of death , if you had seen all the depravities he had commited...!"


Later that young man told me ( Maria simma) , I did an act of pure love by risking my life and giving it up for those people. and it is precisely for this, that the Lord welcomed me so quickly into Heaven. Yes, it is true, charity covers a multitude of sins."


In this story we can see that a single act of unselfish love was sufficient to purify that young man from a life of depravity , and the Lord, taking advantage of this sudden act of love called him to Himself. In fact, Maria said that maybe this young man would never have had another opportunity in his life to do such a great act of love, and that he might have become a wicked man. The Lord, in His mercy , called Him just at the very best moment , the purest moment because of that act of love . 

purgatory, go straight to heaven

 From The wonderful secrets of souls in purgatory by sister emmanuel


p.22


Q: Well, Maria, can you tell us who are those who have a better chance to go to paradise straightway?


Those who have a good heart , good towards all. Love covers a multitude of sins.


Q: Yes, it is st. Paul saying this. What can we do on earth to avoid Purgatory and to go directly to Paradise?


We have to do much for the souls in purgatory. Because they also help us . It is necessary to have great humility. This is the greatest weapon against the evil one. Humility eliminates evil.


At this point I cannot resist the desire to quote a very beautiful story oof Fr. Berlioux( who wrote a good book on the souls in purgatory), regarding the help offered by these souls to all those people who help them with prayers and intercessions.


" It is said that a person particularly friendly with the souls in purgatory had consecrated her life to interceding for them.


When she came to the hour of her death, she was attacked furiously by the devil who saw that she was on the point of eluding him. It looked as if the entire abyss , allied against her , was surrounding her with its infernal troops.


The dying person had been fighting for some time with the most terrible effort, when suddenly she saw unknown people resplendent with beauty entering her flat. They put the devil to flight and , coming closer to her bed, addressed her with celestial words of encouragement and consolation. Filled with joy, and with a deep breath she shouted , " who are you ?" " who is doing me so much good ?"


Those good visitors replied," we are residents of Heaven, who through your help have been conducted to celestial bliss, and who in turn come now with gratitude to help you from this place of anguish in order to introduce you to the joys of the Holy City."


With these words the face of the dying woman became enlightened by a smile, her eyes closed and she fell asleep peacefully in the Lord. Her soul , pure as a dove, when she presented herself to the Lord of Lords, found many protectors and advocators among the souls she had helped to free. Being recognised worthy of glory , she entered triumphantly amidst a burst of applause and blessings from all those she had helped to free from purgatory."


May we one day have the same good fortune! It is necessary to say , then , that the souls we have helped to free through our prayers are extremely grateful. I warmly recommend that you experience this, they help us, they know our needs and obtain many graces for us.



2022年12月28日 星期三

Purgatory , role of Mary

 From: The wonderful secrets of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel.

p.21-22



Q: Maria , can you tell me what is the role of Our Lady regarding the souls in Purgatory?


Yes, she often visits them to console them , by telling them that they have been good in many ways and to encourage them.


Q: Are there any special days in which she liberates them ?


Yes, especially on christmas day. All saints and on Good Friday, as well as on the day of the Assumption and of the Ascension of Jesus.


Q: Maria , why do we go to Purgatory? What sins send souls more frequently to Purgatory?


They are sins against charity, against love for our neighbour, hardness of heart , hostility, slanderm yes, all those I know that slander and defamation are among the gravest sins and require a long time of purification.


On this subject Mary offers us an example which had greatly struck her and which I wish to share with you .


It has to do with a man and a woman about she had been asked or information on whether they were in purgatory.


Much to the surprise of those who had asked her , the woman was already in paradise and the man in purgatory. As a matter of fact , the woman had died after having an abortion , while the man had gone to church very often and apparently had led a life of much dignity and piety.


Maria then enquired again, thinking she had been mistaken, But not at all , it was exactly like that : they had practically died at the same time, but the woman had sincerely repented of what she had done and she had been very humble; while the man , although religious had always been complaining , running down people criticising . This is why his purgatory had been so long. Maria concluded by saying: One must not judege according to appearances.


Other sins against charity are certainly all our rejections of people we do not love , our refusal to forgive and to be at peace with others, and all the grudges we keep in our heart .


On this subject too , Maria told a sotry to ponder upon, It is the story of someone she had known very well. This person died . It was a woman and she was in purgatory, suffering terribly .


When this woman came, Maria asked her the reason why; and the reason was that she had a friend for whom she had felt deep hostility; and although this had been provoked by herself , she had kept this grudge of hers for years and years. Whenever her friend, on several occasions, had come asking her to make friends again, she had always refused, when she became very ill, she still carried on keeping her heart closed and refusing to make peace with her friend as she was asked to do . Even on her deathbed, her friend had come beseeching her to make peace; but even on her deathbed she had refused to do so ; This is the reason why she was now suffering tremendously in purgatory and asking for Maria's help .


This is a very significant example of the grievousness of keeping a grudge, With regard to our words, one could never say sufficiently enough how criticism , a spiteful word, could truly kill a person; and on the other handm how a good word could heal a person.


Purgatory , what is purgatory

 From The wonderful secret of the souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel.

p.17-18



At this point we ask the fundamental question : what precisely is purgatory?


I would sat that it is a clever invention of God . Here I would like to suggest something of my own.


Try to imagine that one day a door opens and a being of extraordinary beauty appears , as such beauty as you have never yet seen on this earth . You are fascinated, even perturbed by this BEING  of light and beauty , especially as He is showing such immense love for you ( something you could never have imagined ) ; you will also notice that He has a great desire to attract you to Himself and to embrace you . The fire of love , already  burning in your heart , certainly urges you to throw yourself into his arms. But , at this precise moment , you become aware that you have not washed yourself for a long time; that you smell ; that you are very ugly , that your nose is dripping ; your hair is greasy and sticky , and your clothes covered with stains.... and so on. At this point you , yourself , say: NO  , it is not possible that I present myself like this! First of all , it is necessary that I go and wash myself , take a shower, and then I will immediately come back to Him ...


But then this love born in your heart is so intense , so strong , so burning that the delay in having to take a shower is totally unbearable. The pain due to his absence is a strong burning of the heart , although it may last only a few moments. The terrible burning in your heart is certainly in proportion to the intensity of the revelation of love; it is a flame of love....



Well, this is purgatory . It is a delay due to our impurities; a delay before God's embrace; a flame of love which makes us suffer terribly ; a waiting , a longing for love. It is precisely this flame, this burning longing that purifies us from all our impurities. Purgatory, I dare say , is a place of desire, of a mad desire for God. For that Go we have already met and seen , but to whom our soul is not yet united.


The souls in purgatory speak frequently to Mary of this great desire, this thirst for God that they experience , and of how this desire is profoundly painful, it is a real agony.


Practically, Purgatory is a deep crisis, a crisis due to God's absence.


2022年11月16日 星期三

什麼是全大赦和部份大赦

 

如何得全大赦或部份大赦?

http://catholic-dlc.org.hk/reconcil_9.pdf

 

分為全 (indulgentiae plenariae) (indulgentiae

partiales),全大赦免除罪過應得的全部暫罰,有限大赦免除罪過應受的部分暫罰。

(《法典》993 條)

獲得大赦的條件 ( 2)

 為獲得任何大赦,領受者必須已領洗、有獲得大赦的意向、沒有受到絕罰、

至少在完成規定的善工的時刻處於恩寵狀況,以及履行規定的善工。為獲得全大赦,

信友亦必須棄絕對罪惡——包括小罪——的任何依戀,並必須符合以下三個條件:

() 妥當告解:信友必須個別地辦告解,並完整地告明罪過 (參照《法典》960 )

() 善領聖體:在聖祭禮儀中領聖體較佳,但為獲得大赦,單單善領聖體已足夠。

() 為教宗的意向祈禱:信友可以按教宗的意向誦念 天主經及聖母經各一遍,

亦可自行選擇誦念任何其他經文 (為不便「誦念」的殘障人士,「默禱」已足

)

如信友對罪惡仍有所依戀,或未完全符合以上三個條件,或未完全履行規定 的善工,則僅能獲得有限大赦。

2

備註:

(1) 妥當告解,尤其是領聖體及為教宗的意向祈禱,較適宜於履行善工的當日滿全,

但這些條件亦可在履行規定的善工之前或之後數日 (即大約二十日) 內滿全。

(2) 為獲取數個全大赦,一次告解已足夠,惟領聖體及為教宗意向祈禱的條件,必

須在每次獲取全大赦時滿全。

(3) 如非明文規定,按本份應當履行的善工,不得用以獲取大赦;惟修和聖事所指

定的補贖,如適逢為可獲取大赦的善工,則可同時視為修和聖事的補贖及大赦 善工。

(4) 若按教會規定,信友藉著履行某項善工可獲有限大赦,則他們若起碼以懺悔精 神履行該項善工,不但可相稱地獲得罪過的暫罰的赦免,亦可藉著教會的幫助,

另獲得等同的暫罰的赦免。

(5) 信友可獲得有限大赦或全大赦,以幫助自己或亡者 (defunctis applicare ad

modum suffragii),但不可用以幫助其他在世的信友。(比照《天主教法典》994 )

(6) 信友每日只可獲得全大赦一次 (然而臨終的信友,即使已於當日領受全大赦,

仍可領受臨終全大赦),但可同日內獲得多次有限大赦,除非另有明文規定。

(7) 聽告解司鐸,得為那些合法受阻的信友,「改換 (commutare)」為得大赦所規定 的善工和所要求的條件。

(8) 教區教長 (Ordinarii loci) 得批准那些隸屬他們,並因實際環境不可能或極困難

才能辦告解和領聖體的信友,在真心痛悔罪過和願意盡快領上述兩件聖事的條

件下,獲得全大赦。

(9) 為獲得「公共誦禱」所給予的大赦,聾或啞的信友只須在其他在場信友公開誦

念有關禱文時,將心神和愛主之情轉向天主,便已足夠。如大赦善工為「私人

祈禱」,則聾啞者可採用默禱或手語祈禱,或把有關禱文虔敬地看一遍,便已足

夠。

可獲得大赦的善工 ( 3)

 

可獲得大赦的善工 ( 3)

全大赦

(1) 閱讀聖經:如有充分理由 (例如,為知識水平較低者),可由他人誦讀出來或借助

視聽工具。須至少持續半小時,否則只可獲有限大赦。(n. 30 §§1-2)

(2) 誦念玫瑰經 (n. 17 §1, 1°-2° ):須連續而不間斷地誦念及默想其中五端奧蹟,即歡

喜、光明、痛苦或榮福五端。誦念方式可分為–

(i) 個別地或集體地在教堂 (ecclesia) 或小堂 (oratorium) 內誦念;

(ii) 與家人、修會團體、善會一起誦念,或在一般信友聚會時誦念;

(iii) 以視聽工具,遙距並虔誠地伴隨教宗公念玫瑰經。

(3) 朝拜聖體(須至少半小時,否則只可獲有限大赦)。(n. 7 §1, 1°)

(4) 聖體出遊 (n. 7 §1, 2°-3°)

(i) 於聖週四,參與「主的晚餐」彌撒後的「恭移聖體」隆重禮儀,並虔誠地詠唱 或誦念「皇皇聖體」頌;

(ii) 於基督聖體聖血節,在聖堂內或外面,參與聖體遊行。

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(5) 參與慣常在聖體大會 (Eucharisticus Conventus) 終結前舉行的隆重聖祭禮儀。(n. 7

§1, 4°)

(6) 初領聖體,或參與初領聖體的禮儀。(n. 8 §1, 1°)

(7) 司鐸於晉鐸後主持首祭,或信友虔誠地參與該項首祭。(n. 27 §1, 1°-2°)

(8) 司鐸在晉鐸二十五、五十、六十及七十週年當日;或主教在晉牧二十五、四十及五

十週年當日,在主前重新承諾忠於鐸職或牧職;或信友虔誠地參與上述其中一項週

年慶典的聖祭禮儀。(n. 27 §2, 1°-3°)

(9) 於下列日期虔誠地前往有關聖堂或朝聖地點,並誦念天主經及信經各一遍 (n. 33 §1,

3°-7°)

(i) 在某教堂或其祭台的祝聖週年前往該教堂

(ii) 到一個由教區主教指定的朝聖地點朝聖:日期可以是 () 上述地點的主保節

日; () 個別信友任選的日期 (各教友每年只限一次) () 每次到上述地

點參加集體朝聖活動當日。

(iii) 在某堂區教堂的主保節日前往該教堂

(iv) 在八月二日到主教座堂或某堂區教堂

(v) 在主教座堂的主保節日、建立聖伯多祿宗座慶日 (二月二十二日) 或聖伯多祿

聖保祿節日 (六月二十九日) 前往主教座堂

(vi) 在某修會或傳教會已列聖品的會祖的節日,前往該會轄下教堂或小堂

(註:信友到教堂或小堂祈禱的時間,可在上述指定日期前一天正午,至指定日期

當晚子時之間的任何時刻。)

(10) 於聖週五參與「紀念救主苦難」的禮儀,並虔誠地朝拜苦像。(n. 13, 1°)

(11) 苦路善工 (n. 13, 2°)

方式如下

(i) 個別地或集體地,在正式設有苦路十四處的地點履行這善工。參與者 (如為全 體參與者有所不便,則至少主禮者) 應由一處移步至另一處。默想救主的苦難 聖死已足夠,但不必就苦路每一處作專題默想。

(ii) 採用視聽工具,以遙距方式,虔誠地伴隨教宗參與苦路善工。

(iii) 不便親身參與苦路善工的信友,可至少用一段充份時間(例如十五分鐘),虔

誠地默想有關主耶穌的受難始末,以代替苦路善工。

(iv) 教區主教可批准等同於拜苦路的其他默想救主苦難的方式 (但仍須依法在場

設有十四處苦路)

(12) 於聖週星期六復活節夜間禮儀或紀念領洗週年,以教會認可的任何經文,重宣聖洗

誓詞。(n. 28 §1)

(13) 參與為期至少三整天的退省。(n. 10 §1)

(14) 虔誠地參與普世教會為某特定信仰主題(例如,為推廣司鐸及修會聖召、為病人及

長者的牧靈服務、為加深青少年的信仰及幫助他們度聖善的生活等)而舉行的慶祝 活動。(為上述意向祈禱者可獲有限大赦。)(n. 5)

(15) 在耶穌聖心或聖家的聖相或聖像前,採用認可的經文,虔誠地誦念(若可能,由司 鐸或執事主禮)「奉獻家庭於耶穌聖心」禱文或「奉獻家庭於聖家」禱文。(若該項 奉獻為首次,可獲全大赦,若為奉獻週年,則可獲有限大赦。)(n. 1)

(16) 於基督普世君王節,公開誦念「奉獻人類於基督君王」禱文。(在其他場合誦念,

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可獲有限大赦。)(n. 2)

(17) 於耶穌聖心節,公開誦念「向耶穌聖心補辱誦」(Actus Reparationis)。(在其他場

合誦念,可獲有限大赦。)(n. 3)

(18) 宗座遐福 (Benedictio Papalis) (n. 4; 比照《大赦手冊》22 , N. 7, 2°)

信友可在下列場合,獲得附有全大赦的宗座遐福

(i) 教宗每年降福羅馬及全球信友的場合 (Benedictionem impertitam Urbi et

Orbi)

(ii) 教區主教及依法與他們享有等同身份者,得按照「主教儀節」 (Caeremonialis

Episcoporum) 規定之方式,每年三次,在他任選的慶典中 (不論由他主禮或只

在場參禮),在彌撒結束前,向參禮的轄下信友頒賜附有全大赦的宗座遐福 (

儀式取代彌撒結束前的降福禮)

(iii) 那些因合理原因,未克親身參與上述 (i) (ii) 項所提及的活動者,如在活

動進行時,採用視聽工具,以遙距方式,虔敬地以心神參禮,同樣可獲得宗座 遐福所賦予的全大赦。

(19) 為臨終 (in articulo mortis) 的信友 (n. 12 §§1-4)

(i) 司鐸為臨終信友聽告解、傅油及送聖體時,應同時給予該等信友附有全大赦的 宗座遐福。

(ii) 如信友臨終時沒有司鐸在場,只要他們生平慣常祈禱,並在臨終時有適當準

備,則仍可獲得臨終全大赦。在這情況下,為領受全大赦的三個例行條件由慈

母教會補足。

(iii) 信友領受臨終全大赦時如能持着苦像或十字架,則值得嘉許。

(iv) 臨終的信友縱使在同日已藉履行某善工獲得全大赦,仍可獲得臨終全大赦。

(20) 為已亡信友代禱 (n. 29 §1, 1°-2°)

以下各項大赦只可讓出為救助煉靈

(i) 每年十一月一日至八日任何一日,虔誠地前往某墳場,並至少以默禱方式為所

有亡者祈禱。(在其他日期,履行同一善工的信友可為煉靈獲得有限大赦。)

(ii) 每年十一月二日追思亡者日 (或按教長指定,在十一月一日諸聖節,或該節日

之前或之後的主日),虔誠地前往某間教堂或小堂,並誦念天主經及信經各一

遍。

部份有限大赦

(1) 四項一般頒賜 (Quattuor Concessiones Generaliores) [見《大赦手冊》31-44 ]

履行以下其中一項善工者,可獲有限大赦

(i) 在履行本份及承擔日常生活的辛勞時,舉心向上,謙誠地信賴天主,並起碼以

默禱方式作熱心短誦。

(ii) 懷著信德和憐憫的心,幫助或賙濟有需要的兄弟姊妹。

(iii) 懷著克己補贖精神,自願放棄可取用的、合乎心意的事物。

(iv) 在日常生活環境中,自願地在他人前公開為信仰作證。

(2) 虔誠地默禱片刻。(n. 15)

(3) 參與每月退省。(n. 10 §2)

(4) 省察己罪(尤其在告解前的省察)並決意定改,或誦念任何認可經文以表達痛悔己

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罪。(n. 9, 1°-2°)

(5) 按照任何熱心經文,神領聖體或在領聖體後感謝聖體。(n. 8 §2, 1°-2°)

(6) 虔誠地參與公開舉行的九日敬禮,如聖誕節、聖神降臨節或聖母無原罪慶節之前。

(n. 22, 1°)

(7) 按禮儀日曆,在某位聖人或真福的紀念日或節日,誦念敬禮他(她)的禱文;禱文

可選自彌撒經書或教會當局認可的其他版本。(n. 21 §1)

(8) 虔誠地採用經司鐸或執事祝福的聖物 [即苦像、十字架、聖環 (corona:如玫瑰經

)、聖母聖衣、聖牌]。如聖物是教宗或一位主教所祝福,虔誠地採用該聖物的信

友亦可於聖伯多祿及聖保祿節日,在以教會認可的方式作信德宣言 (Professio Fidei) 後,獲得全大赦。(n. 14; 比照《大赦手冊》24 , N. 15; 113 , N. 17; 114 )

(9) 協助講授要理或學習要理。(n. 6)

(10) 虔誠專注地聆聽聖言宣講 (n. 16 §2)

(11) 信德宣言 (Professio Fidei) 及表達信、望、愛三德 (n. 28 §2, 1°-3°)(i) 以教會認

可的任何方式,個別地重宣聖洗誓詞;或 (ii) 虔誠地劃十字聖號,同時念:「因父

及子及聖神之名,亞孟。」;或 (iii) 虔誠地誦念「宗徒信經」或「尼西信經」;或 (iv) 以教會認可的任何方式,表達信、望、愛三德。

(12) 教區主教可給予的有限大赦:教區主教及依法與他們享有等同身份者,由上任之日

起,得頒賜有限大赦予轄區內所有信友,並在轄區外頒賜有限大赦予其轄下信友。

(n. 4; 比照《大赦手冊》22 , N. 7, 1°)

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