2023年3月6日 星期一

everyday facebook 1

 Jesus repeatedly implores Luisa not to waste time. Luisa too , in her letters, implored their recipients to not waste time. In one diary entry, Jesus even sums up all the teachings He gave in it in one sentence to Luisa:


So , I recommend to you ---- do not waste time, because by wasting time you come to hamper my real life, which I am forming in you .


And the first line of one of Luisa's letters was simple :

 

I beg you not to waste time.


Most people,  tragically , have more or less deliberately filled their lives up with utterly vain time waster to the point that they 've decided they simply " don't have time" for more prayer, works of mercy , spiritual reading,". etc


......they have needlessly long exercise routines each day; having every single afternoon filled up with the kid's sports ; cheating pets like children; having daily makeup and hair routines ; incessant self-photographing ....shoppng for unneeded things, " window shopping" and having enormous amounts of time spent grocery shopping ....having countless hours researching product purchases, or " shopping around" when it at best saves a few dollars....

2023年2月28日 星期二

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.


缅甸和尚死里复活, 告訴你佛教是魔鬼的!


缅甸和尚死里复活

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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)。


St Peter of alcantara 3

 A meditation for Tuesday

( From St Peter of Alcantara)


This day you shall meditate upon the miseries of the life of man, out of which consideration, you will take notice of worldly vanities and learn how much glory of them ought to be despised, seeing they are built upon so weak a foundation as our fading life...


Therefore, consider the shortness of the life of man, being restrained within the limits of threescore and ten, or fourscore, years, whatsoever the overplus be, it is but labor and sorrow, as the prophet speaks: out of this time, if you subtract your infancy, which time you did live rather the life of a beast than a man; the time you spend in sleep, for then you are deprived of the use of reason, which only distinguishes man from other creatures, and you will find your life to be far shorter than ever you did imagine. This time if you do compare with the eternity of the world to come, you will find it to be less than a moment. Conjecture ,then, the foolish madness of the lovers of this world, who, that they might enjoy one only momentary pleasure of this transitory life, do not fear to expose themselves to the loss of eternity...


St peter of alcantara 2

 Life and death of St . Peter of Alcantara


His parents brought up their young son in the fear of God and sowed in him the seeds of virtue; they put him to school where , as he profited in learning , so his obedience toward his parents did likewise increase.Although he was a child, yet he withdrew himself from the common sports of children and sorted himself among men whom he saw inclined to devotion. In these, his tender years, he addicted himself to works of mercy: he applied himself seriously to learn the Christian doctrine; he often visited churches and holy places, he frequented the sacraments and continually employed himself in good works. He excelled his fellow students in science, so he knew that all science was ignorance without the right knowledge of God .

About that time, there was a famous and reformed monastery of Franciscans in the province of St. Gabriel, whither he addressed himself, there to bring his good desires to a joyful period.


He sequestered from the company of men and abstracted from all worldly tumults. 


The more you are sequestered from the pleasures of the flattering world, the more you enjoy the freedom of your spirit....   


Your soul is now sure not to be defiled with the pitch of evil conversation.....


You find here no snares to entangle you into worldly vanities, no flatterers to applaud you when you offend, or anything else to withdraw your affection from the cross of Christ....


Your beloved spouse has brought you now into this holy desert, to recreate your soul with his heavenly consolations, where , abstracted from all worldly tumults, it may attend only to divine wisdom, and the noise of all temporal cares being hushed and silent, it may be wholly employed in sacred contempation and ravished with eternal pleasures.....


The pleasure of this world is short, but the punishment for it perpetual... a little suffering here and infinite glory hereafter.....                                                                                                                                

St peter of alcantara

 From Life and death of St . Peter of Alcantara


Two virutes were chiefly eminent in him: simplicity and purity. He likewise had a perfect oblivion of all worldly things. He greedily desired and willingly accepted of the inferior and basest employments of the monastery. 


He was dexterous in his actions, modest in correcting , and a peacemaker, reconciling those who upon any occasion had been at jars. In his sermons he was hot, but moving; in hearing of confessions he was a helper, a counselor, and a comforter; in his ordinary speech he was not fawning nor biting, and his conversation without any pertinacity.


Who could but think his chaste child of St . Francis to have made a covenant with his eyes not to behold a virgin? And well he might be styled that son of a dove, whose eyes were washed with the milk of innocence. he kept such a continual guard over his eyes that he never knew any woman by her face.

2023年2月27日 星期一

St Charbel and desert fathers

  The desert fathers 



Gregory said: God asks three things of anyone who is baptized: to keep the true faith with all his soul and all his might; to control his tongue ; to be chase in his body.".


Pambo said to Antony, "what shall I do?" Antony said," do not trust in your righteousness . Do not go on sorrowing over a deed that is past . Keep your tongue and your belly under control. 


Evagrius said," Some of our predecessors used to say that a dry and regular diet combined with love will soon bring a monk to the harbour where the storms of passion do not enter."


Saint Charbel Makhlouf


As a hermit, father Charbel learned and followed the rules of his order to the letter, which include:

1. He must say mass and visit the chapel frequently night and day,( In my opinion, lay catholics cannot always visit the chapel. We can use youtube: perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist , to adore Jesus .)

2. He must pray, meditate , and read the Holy scriptures and bible.

3. He must do manual labor as a powerful remedy for many temptations , 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.



Father Charbel did penance alone and in silence, for the rule states:


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

2. He must never eat meat or drink wine. During Lent he can only have vegetables with a little oil.( P.S: St Teresa of Avila , same as St Charbel, were both incorruptible saints. St Teresa ate fish but no meat.)

3. He must not sleep more than five hours.

4. He must observe strict silence. In case of necessity, he must speak briefly and in subdued tones.

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


It was in this secluded sanctuary that Father Charbel spent the remaining 23 years of his life practicing severe mortification . It is recorded by his companions that he wore a hair shirt, practiced corporal punishment, chained himself , slept on the hard ground and ate only one meal a day---- the leftovers from his fellow monk's meals.


Father Charbel pillow was a piece of wood covered with an old cloth, a remnant from an old habit. His bed was made of goat hair and laid directly on the floor



Although a hermit, he was not exempt from the supervision and orders of his superiors . He was to follow strict religious practices and carry out a severe ascetic way of life.


Father Charbel had a certain amount of religious books for holy reading everyday.


Father Charbel day would start with adoration of the Eucharist , prayers and celebration of the Holy Mystery, followed by manual labor , fasting , penance, continous prayer, little sleep , mortification of the body, all of which Father Charbel practiced with utmost humility and love.



After his death , his body was found to be perfectly preserved , strange fluid continued to issue from its pores . The fluid could cure a lot of sick people .


Medjugorje mary advice

 Medjugorje Mary





Eating fish is not fasting. The best fast is bread and water. If you cannot fast with bread, fast on entertainments such as television. Avoid evil programmes, Mary says. Everyone should fast on bread and water on wed and fri, except the sick. The sick can fast on other things , such as TV . Mary always calls us to switch off the T.V, because it distracts our prayer lives. Fasting on T.V and unreasonable enjoyment of food are  good substitues .


Medjugorje :

"You will be happy if you do not judge yourselves according to your faults, but if you understand that in your faults even graces are offered to you." 4392


Our Blessed Mother has provided us with a living model of what a prayer group should be.  She provided Jelena Vasilj (locutionist) with these following instructions that were to be applied to the prayer group:


1.  Eliminate Fear


 They were to put away all fear from their hearts forever.  They should renounce all inordinate desires.  They were to avoid television, particularly evil programs, excessive sports where it would take away from their prayer life, the unreasonable enjoyment of food and drink, alcohol, tobacco and other habits.  


She urged them to eliminate all anguish and told them whoever abandons himself to God, without any restrictions, does not have room left in his heart for anguish.


2.  Fasting


She asked that they fast twice a week on bread and water.  Gospa says this is the Best fast.  Fasting can stop wars and suspend natural laws she also says.   Fasting one or two days a week is a form of oneness with the Lord.  Maria Lunetti the visionary stated that there were other forms of fasting too.  For those people with addictions, they were to fast from those addictions one day a week.  Television is another good form of fasting.  Giving up something you enjoy.  


3.  Prayer throughout your day


Gospa told Jelena they the group should devote three hours a day to prayer.  A half an hour should be in the morning, a half an hour in the evening.  Holy Mass and the Rosary are included in this time of prayer.  Set aside moments during the course of the day to pray.  Do not concern yourself with the things of this world but entrust all things in prayer to Our heavenly Father.


Gospa said that those who attend school or go to work must pray half an hour in the morning and in the evening and if possible, participate in the Eucharist because it is necessary to extend the spirit of prayer to daily work.


Gospa told them to be especially prudent in their prayers since the devil will tempt those who have resolved to consecrate themselves to God.  He will suggest to them that they are praying too much.  She wants us to listen to her voice and not to his.  When you are strengthened then the devil will no longer be able to seduce you.


4.  Confession


The prayer group members are to go to confession  at least once a month but when it is especially needed because of hardships then even more frequently.  With confession we not only free ourselves from sin but we also are able to perfect ourselves in holiness and be closer to Jesus.  "Confession is the remedy for the church in the West" Our Blessed mother has said.


5.  Strive for Holiness


Our Blessed Mother encourages us to desire to be holy and to help other members of our group to desire to be holy and to grow in holiness.  This is what we are called to do.


6.  Holy Objects in the home


Gospa says that we need to have holy blessed objects in our homes and also on ourselves.  Medals, Crucifixes and holy water to name a few.  She also wants us to have the Holy Bible placed in a prominent place at home and to read this daily.


"I invite you to place more blessed objects in your homes and that each one wear some blessed object on himself.  Let all the objects be blessed.  For then, Satan will not tempt you so much, because you will be armed against him." (July 18, 1985)

The above rules were given to Jelena's prayer group by Our Blessed Mother.  They might be difficult for others to follow, such as the elderly or the infirm.  Fasting on bread and water may not be prudent for some so substitute something else.  This is a basis to go on for our own prayer groups.   Although all prayer groups are different, it's good to stay as close to what we know Our Blessed Mother likes.


Other good substitues for penance:

1.  Read deeply

Neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf has been researching how the brain develops different skills when reading in print than reading online. Online readers cover more content but they skim rather than read deeply. What does it matter? The online reader doesn’t “have time to grasp complexity, to understand another’s feelings, to perceive beauty, and to create thoughts of the reader’s own.” Reading a printed book over Lent can improve your concentration, remind you to think critically, and develop your empathy for others, all of which can help you become a better disciple. 


2.Control desire for possessions

Marketing is all about psychology and the power of persuasion. In our social media age, sellers are called “influencers”. If you use social media, mute your favourite influencers and submit yourself to the influence of prayer instead. 


3.Control Desire for entertainment

Entertainment often provides a welcome rest but today’s streaming services make distraction available any time all the time. Suspend, limit, or schedule your streaming so that entertainment does not drown out uncomfortable feelings that you could bring to God in prayer.   


The flame of love:

Jesus said to Elizabeth Kindelmann:

From you , I need a greater acceptance of sacrifice. Renounce the reading of frivolous books , the hearing of your favorite music and your seeking to be among others. I want you to increase your fasts. Do not give yourself to any pleasure.Let your breakfast and your afternoon snack be bread and water. At your principal meal you can have other foods, but make them tasteless. Eat only to nourish your body. At your meals, stop eating what is tasty. Only in this way, will I be your guest. what is tasty for you is tasteless for me.

I permit you to feel alone so you gain merits.My heart suffers because of consecrated souls. I walk with them but they do not recognize me. They live in wasteful laziness,seeking only their own comfort. They act as if they were not my workers."


( For myself: I try to add less seasoning on one to two meals of everyday diet. 

 I fast with bread and coffee and tea two to three days a week , not restricting only on wed and fri. Sometimes , mon, fri , sun. I read news on apps . I do not have T.V at home.I also listen to some favourite music , but not too much. I also watch useful videos on youtube. I have very few friends. I always keep myself alone. I am very happy with only myself . I do not like friends.)


The desert fathers:

1.Arsenius when he was still in the palace, prayed to God, saying: Lord  show me the way of salvation. 

A voice came to him saying : Arsenius, flee from men, and you will be saved. 


As he left for the monastic life, he prayed again, saying the same words; and he heard a voice saying to him: Arsenius , flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the roots of sinlessness.


2. Moses said, One who avoids others is like a ripe grape. One who stays in company is like a sour grape.


3. Nilus said, the arrows of the enemy cannot touch someone who loves quiet .But those who wander about among crowds will often be wounded by them.


4. Matrona said, Many solitaries living the desert have been lost because they lived like people in the world . It is better to live in a crowd and want to live a solitary life than to live in solitude and be longing all the time for company.


St Padre Pio:

You must have good spiritual books and read them everyday. 


Saint quotes:

It is not suitable to say we need to be spiritually poor and donate all the holy books to others, including the Bible.Bible as well as the good holy books are very important for our spiritual lives. 


Padre Pio and St Teresa of Avila:

You must read spiritual books as well as the Bible everyday for nourishment and for your sanctity.




2023年2月26日 星期日

St bridget revelations chapter 128

 





St bridget revelation:

The  virgin Mary mother speaks: 

Speak to that priest and hermit who is my friend, the one who, against his own desires and the peace of his own soul, moved by faith and his devotion to his neighbour, leaving his solitary cell and quiet contemplation behind, from time to time comes down from his place of hermitage in order to be with people and give them spiritual counsels, whose example and saving counsel bring about the conversion of many souls and the advancement in virtue of the already converted......


Tell him then, from me that it is altogether more pleasing to God, as has been said, that he should sometimes come down from his place of hermitage and go to carry out such works of charity among his neighbours, sharing with them the virtues and graces that he receives from God, in order that by this work they may be converted and attach themselves to greater fervor to God and become sharers of his glory,than that he should enjoy spiritual consolation alone in his solitary cell in the hermitage.


Tell him , too , that he will earn a greater reward in heaven for such charitable work, provided that he always carries it out in accordance with the advice and permission of a senior spiritual father.


From chapter 128 of St. Bridget revelations.


St bridget revelations chapter 127

 



From the revelations of st bridget

The son of God said "

I told you earlier, that my servant benedict regarded his body as a sack.


He had five garments. The first was a rough shirt with which he tamed the flesh and his disorderly impulses in order that they might not run riot and exceed their bounds. The second garment was a simple cowl, neither elaborate nor full of folds , which was to cover , adorn, and warm the flesh, so as not to scare anyone seeing him.The third was a scapular by which he would be found more prompt and ready for manual labor. The fourth garment was protective covering for the feet so that he might be more agile and humble in walking the path of God. The fifth was the belt of humility, girded with which he would cut down on superfluous items and carry out more expeditiously the customary work enjoined upon him.


Nowadays , however , his monks want luxurious clothes....


A monk who wants to be saved must ,therefore observe that my Benedict's rule allows him to have moderate amount of necessities, useful , not superfluous items,honest and suitable possessions, all of it in humility and not in pride....


The permission is valid only when it prudently allows for necessities but condemns superfluities even in small things."


chapter 127

2023年2月19日 星期日

Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory.



Q: Maria Simma, I want to thank you also, on behalf of the readers, for these beautiful testimonies.....In order to know you better could you, in a few words, tell us something of your life?


A: when I was a little girl I wanted to become a nun. My mother told me to wait until I was twenty. I did not want to get married. My mother used to speak to me about the souls in purgatory and , already at school, these souls used to help me. Therefore I thought I ought to do everything for them.


After I left school, I thought of becoming a nun. I entered the convent of the sisters of the heart of Jesus, but they told me that due to my poor health I could not stay with them. In fact when I was a child I had suffered from pneumonia an pleurisy. The mother superior confirmed that I had a religious vocation, but she suggested that I enter a less strict order and to wait a few more years. But instead I wanted an enclosed order and at once.


After trying again twice, the verdict was the same; my health was not good enough. So I came to the conclusion that it was not God's will for me to enter a convent. I greatly suffered morally and said to myself: " The Lord has not shown me what He wants of me." I had to wait until I was 25, namely , until the moment when God entrusted me with this task of praying for the souls in purgatory. He had kept me waiting for 8 Years!....


.... I worked at home and on the farm since I was 15. After that I went to Germany to work as a maid for a farmer, and then I worked here on the farm of Sonntag.


From the age of 25, when the souls started visiting me, I had to suffer greatly for them. Now I am better physically . And that is it....



Here her story ends.



Sister Emmanuel writes:


Maria simma's life:


In the account of the parish priest, we read that " she devoted her virginity to the Virgin Mary and she consecrated herself to Mary above all in favour of the deceased",she offered herself to God, by taking the vow of " victim soul, victim of love and of expiation:The parish priest tells us that several times on different occasions, she offerd herself as a victim in order to help the deceased, through spontaneous and sometimes terrible sufferings, by which she has shortened the pains of many souls.


Besides the sufferings, she continuously offered to God prayers, masses and penances.


Since the death of her father in 1947, she has lived alone in her paternal house and, in order to provide for the needs of life, she continues, despite her old age, to work in her little garden. She lives in poverty and she is helped by charitable people. She asks for nothing , she does everything spontaneously and, if anybody leaves alms, she sends everything to the Curia, for the celebration of the masses, for merciful works and , above all , for missions.


.....in the pages of her diary, she has always pointd out , with insistence, the means of help , asked also by the souls themselves: masses, rosaries, offering of sufferings, the way of the cross, charitable works, and above all , among these help to missions which, according the souls, are very effective for the deceased.


The burning of candles helps souls: first of all because this attention of love gives them a moral help, moreover because the candles are blessed and enlighten the darkness in which souls find themselves. A child of eleven from Kaiser asked Maria Simma to pray for him. He was in purgatory because on All Souls ' Day in a cemetery he had put out the candles which were burning on the graves and he had stolen their wax for fun . The blessed candles are of much value for souls. On the day of candlemas, Maria Simma had to light two candles for a soul for which she was bearing for them expiation sufferings."


" Sprinkling blessed water mitigates the sufferings of the deceased. One day, while passing by Maria Simma threw some blessed water for souls. One voice said to her:" Some more!".


" Not all means help souls in the same way. If somebody during his life does not hold the Holy Mass in high esteem, he will not benefit from it when he is in Purgatory. If someone has not been charitable during his life, he will receive little help . Those who sin of slander, have harshly to expiate their sin. But anyone who was generous during his life, receives much help."


" A soul who had not attended Mass, was able to ask for eight masses to be celebrated for his relief, because during his mortal life he had eight masses celebrated for a soul in purgatory."


The parish priest refers that Maria Simma insists a lot that everyone should PRAY FOR THE DYING.


" According to what the souls in purgatory say , many people go to hell because we pray too little for them,.... once Maria simma saw many souls on the brink between hell and purgatory.".


Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory


Maria Simma:



One day a doctor came to me complaining that he had to suffer because he had shortened the life of some patient by giving them injections so that they would not suffer any longer. He said that suffering, if endured with patience, is of tremendous value for the soul; one has the duty to relieve deep suffering, but one has no right to shorten life through chemical means.


Another time, a woman came. She said," I have had to suffer for thirty years in purgatory for not having allowed my daughter to enter a convent."


Q: Jesus said that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Have you , yourself, ever seen such a case?


A: Yes, but if they do good works, works of charity, if they exercise love, they can get to Heaven as the poor can.



Q: When the devil appears, does Holy water always make him flee?


A: It greatly upsets him and he often runs away.


2023年2月18日 星期六

Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


Sister Emmanuel:

Yes, it is extraordinary to see how only a thought , an outburst of feeling from the heart, a simple prayer for someone, can prevent him from going to Hell, because it is pride that sends one to Hell. Hell is this : it is this stubborness in always saying NO to God. Our prayers can provoke an act of humility in someone who is dying ; and one small impulse of humility , however small it may be , has such power that it prevents us from going to Hell.


Maria Simma:

A soul told me:" by not having obeyed the traffic laws, I was instantly killed on my motorbike in Vienna." I asked her:" were you ready for eternity?" She answered," No I was not ready , but God gives two or three minutes for repentence to those who do not sin against Him with insolence or conceit. Only those who refuse are damned."


This soul carried on with her interesting and instructive comment:" when someone dies in an accident , people say that his hour had come."


" This is not true; this can only be said of a person who dies when it is not his fault. But according to God's design , I could have lived a further thirty years; and so I would have lived my entire life span." Therefore , man should not expose himself to the danger of death except in case of need.

Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


Q: Maria, with regard to this, have you anything to tell us?

A One day when travelling by train, there was a man in my compartment who was continually criticising the Church , the priests, and offending God. He would not stop cursing and so I told him: " You have no right to talk like that , it is not nice!"


When I got to my destination and was getting off the train, I just said to God, " Lord may this soul not be lost!..."


A few years later, this man's soul visited me and told me that he had been on the brink of Hell and that he was only saved through the prayer I had said in that moment

Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel 


Q: I believe that some of them have come to see you . You were telling us the story of that little girl...the youngest one you have ever seen; she was four years old. Why was she in purgatory?


A: Why ? This girl received a doll from her parents for Christmas. She had a twin sister who had also received a doll. And it happened that this little four- year old had broken her doll, and so , secretly and knowing that nobody was looking, she put her broken doll in the place of that of her sister's . She knew very well in her little heart that this would have caused great sorrow to her sister; she was aware that this was deceitful and unjust . Because of this she has been in purgatory.


Yes, children often have a more active conscience than grownups and it is necessary above all to fight against the telling of lies; they are very sensitive.


Q: Maria, how can parents help their children in forming their conscience?


A: First of all with good example, this is the most important thing, then by prayer. Parents must bless their children and teach them well the values of God.


Q: This is very important! Have souls who practised certain perversions on this earth visited you ? For example , I am thinking of those in the dominion of sexuality.


A: The souls I have known( all souls in purgatory) are not lost, but they have to suffer much to be purified . In all perversions, the evil one is present, especially in homosexuality.


Q: what advice would you give to all those who are tempted by homosexuality and who have these tendencies?


A: I would advise them to pray, to pray much in order to acquire the strength to overcome these tendencies. It is necessary to pray especially to Saint Michael the Archangel as he has the greatest power to fight the Devil!


Q: Oh, yes, saint Michael the Archangel! what are the inclinations of the heart which can lead us to the loss of our souls , namely Hell?


A: It is when we do not want to go to God, when we resolutely say: " I do not want !...."

2023年2月17日 星期五

Purgatory

 From The Amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


Q: Maria , are there any priests in Purgatory ?


A: Yes, there are many. They have not helped people to have due respect for the Eucharist, and therefore all faith suffers. They are often in Purgatory for having neglected prayer, which has caused their faith to diminish, but it is also true that many of them have gone directly to Paradise.


I cannot forget a priest who right hand was black. I asked him the reason of that:" I should have blessed more times."he answered me. " Tell all priests you meet , they should bless more: they can give many blessings and drive out the powers of evil."


Q: Good . What would you tell a priest who is truly desirous to live according to the heart of God?


A: I would recommend that he pray much to the Holy spirit and that he say the Rosary everyday.


Q: Maria, are there any children in Purgatory?


A: Yes, but for them purgatory is not too long nor painful, because they do not possess total discernment.


Purgatory

From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel

Q: what can  do for people who say, " I am suffering too much in my heart and in my body; it is too much for me, I want to die"...

A: Yes, this often happens. I used to say ... I would say:" My God , I can offer my suffering for the salvation of souls."This brings back faith and courage. But alas, there are very few who say this today. One can also tell these people that by doing so, the souls acquire a great joy for Heaven. In Heaven there are thousands of different beatitudes , and each one of them is perfect bliss. Every desire is totally fulfilled in Heaven; each one is truly aware that they could not have deserved more!

Q: Well, Maria, I would like to ask you if souls of people of other religions, for example, Jews, have visited you .

A: Yes, and they are blissfully happy. He who lives his faith well is at peace. But it is through the Catholic faith that one can earn more for Heaven.

Q: Are there any religions which are not good for the soul?
A: No, but there are many religions on earth! The nearest to the Catholic faith are the Orthodox and the Protestants. There are many Protestants who recite the Rosary. BUT SECTS ARE EXTREMELY EVIL. It is necessary to do everything possible to leave them.

https://lovejesusandmary.blogspot.com/?m=1

Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanel


Q: What happens to people who commit suicide ? Have any of their souls ever visited you ?


A: The souls who visit me are only those in Purgatory. However , up to now I have never come across the case of the soul of a person who committed suicide who has been lost, but this does not mean that there are none. Some souls tell me that often the people who have been close to them are more guilty, because they have been indifferently for having spread defamations.


Sister Emmanel writes:

At this point I asked if the souls repent for having committed suicide . Maria said yes, but added that very often the people committing suicide is a sick person. In any case the souls repent because , as soon as they see everything in the light of God, they become aware instantly of all the graces that would have been given to them during the time they could have had left to live. They see all the remaining time( months or years), and all the souls they could have helped by offering the rest of their life to God. What gives them greater suffering with regard to their past is the awareness of the amount of good they could have done if they had not shortened their life on this earth. But if the cause is an illness, the Lord will certainly take this into account.




2023年2月7日 星期二

Purgatory

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


Q: what are the angels doing in purgatory?


A: They alleviate and console. The souls can see them.


Q:Another question : You know that many people today believe in reincarnation. What do the souls say about this?


A: The souls say that God gives us only one life.


Q: But some people maintain that only one life is not sufficient to get to know God and to have enough time to be truly converted, and they also think that this is not right. What answer would you give them?


A: All souls possess an interior faith; even if they are not practising it, they can recognise God. There in no one who is totally an unbeliever. Every man possesses a conscience to recognise good from evil, a conscience given by God, and an interior knowledge , certainly of varying degrees, nevertheless he is capable of distinguishing between good and evil. With this conscience every human being can reach celestial bliss.


Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


Q: Maria, I would like to ask you now; at the moment of death is there some time during which the soul can turn to God before entering eternity; a time between apparent death and real death?


A: Yes , the Lord gives each soul a few minutes to repent of its sins and to decide whether or not to acept to go to God. During this short time one sees one's life again as in a film.


I know a man who believed in the precepts of the Church , but not in eternal life. One day he became seriously ill and entered into a coma.


Then he saw himself in a room with a blackboard on which all his actions were witten, the good ones and the bad ones; then the blackboard disappeared , as well as the walls of that room, and everything was infinitely beautiful. He then woke up from the coma and decided to change his life.


This episode is similar to many others reported in the book " Life beyond Life"; the short -lived experience of the supernatural light is such , that afterwards people can no longer live as before.

Purgatory

 From The amazing secret of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


Q: Maria, do the souls in purgatory experience a feeling of rebellion for their suffering?


A: No, they want to be purified and understand that suffering is necessary.


Q: What is the importance of contrition and of repentance at the moment of death?


A: Contrition is very important.Sins are in any case forgiven, but there remains the consequence of sin. To obtain a plenary indulgence at the moment of death in order to go directly to Heaven, it is necessary that the soul be free from all attachments.

 

Now I would like to refer to a very significant story that Maria told us. She was asked to inquire about a woman who her relatives had thought lost because she had lived a very wicked life and was up to her neck in sin. She had been the victim of an accident; she had fallen from a train which had run over her and killed her.


A soul told Maria that this woman escaped Hell because , at the moment of her death, she had said to God:" You do well to take back my soul, as in this way I will not be able to offend You any longer." This cancelled all her sins. This is very significant, because it shows how a single act of humility, of repentance at the moment of death, saves us. This does not mean that this woman has not gone to purgatory; but she was saved from going to Hell which she should have deserved because of her conduct.


2023年2月3日 星期五

purgatory

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


Q: But what can be done to accept suffering as a gift and not, as is often done, as a punishment?


A It is necessary to offer everything to the Blessed Virgin , because she knows best who is in need of this or that offering in order to be saved.



Sister Emmanuel:

At this point, with regard to suffering, I would like to tell you a story that Maria Simma told us .


It happened in 1954 . Several disastrous avalanches had swept over a village near the one where Maria Simma lived causing great damage. Other avalanches had fallen in the direction of Maria's village. But it happened that here the avalanches stopped in a truly miraculous way , in front of the village, without causing any damage.


The souls( of purgatory ) told Maria Simma that in that village there had lived and died a woman who had been ill for thirty years and who had been very badly treated; she had suffered terribly for 30 years and she had offered all her sufferings for the sake of her village.


The souls told Maria that the village had been saved thanks to the offering of that woman.


She had therefore offered her sufferings for 30 years and had endured them patiently. Maria says that if that woman had been in good health, she would not have been able to protect her village; she adds also that with sufferings endured with patience it is possible to save more souls than with prayer .


We should not always look at suffering as a punishment . It can be accepted in expiation not only for ourselves, but also for others. Jesus Christ was innocent and yet He suffered more than anybody else for our sins.


Only in Heaven shall we know fully what we have obtained through our suffering accepted patiently in unity with Christ's suffering.


purgatory

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

Q: Maria ( Simma) , do the souls in purgatory experience a feeling of rebellion for their suffering?


A: No, they want to be purified and understand that suffering is necessary.


purgatory

 From The amazing secrets of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel


Q: Well then, how should suffering be lived in order to bear fruit?


A: Suffering is the greatest proof of God's love and if offered well, it can win many souls.

purgatory

 From The amazing secrets of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel.


Q: Maria, why is it impossible to acquire any merits once in purgatory, while when still on earth it is always possible to obtain them?


A: Because at the moment of death all merits are at an end, while when still on earth it is possible to make amends for the wrong done previously. The souls in purgatory have a " holy " envy of this possibility of ours. Even the Angels are jealous of us, because we have the opportunity to " grow" while on this earth. But often the appearance of suffering in our life makes us rebel and makes it difficult for us to accept it and live it well.

purgatory

From The amazing secrets of souls in purgatory by sister Emmanuel

Sister Emmanuel the author writes:

The stations of the cross can rouse in us the contrition for our sins.

A further and highly recommended help for the souls in purgatory is the recitation of the  Rosary, and precisely the rosary for the departed. Through the Rosary many souls of the dead are freed every year from Purgatory. At this point we should say that it is the mother of God herself who comes to purgatory to free the souls ; this is why the souls in purgatory call the virgin Mary," Mother of Mercy ". This is all very beautiful.

The souls tell Maria Simma that indulgences too possess inestimable value, not only for their liberation , but for us ; and sometimes it is sheer cruelty not to use these treasures offered by the church for the benefit of the souls.

It can be certainly be said that a most effective help for the souls in purgatory is prayer in general, any form of prayer.

I also suggest the prayers of St. Bridget , which are highly recommended by the souls in Purgatory. These prayers can also be easily found in religious bookshops, but they are also reported in full in the book " pray pray pray ", Ed . Shalom  page 412-421

At this point, I would add an important statement : the souls in Purgatory cannot do anything to help themselves. They are totally incapable and  , unless the living pray for them, are completely abandoned. This is why it is important to use this immense and incredible power that each one of us possesses in order to help and to free the suffering souls.

If we saw a child fall from a tree and remain badly hurt, would anybody think of not helping it? Surely everything would be done for it.

Equally we ought to take to heart these souls that are awaiting our help and depending entirely on our offering and prayers in order to receive relief from their sufferings. This is, perhaps, the best way to practise charity.

For example, I an thinking of the good Samaritan in the Gospel when faced with the man on the side of the road who was half dead and who without a doubt lay bleeding badly. That man totally depended on the good heart of a passerby.

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!








 

聖神七恩在俗會會規

聖神七恩會規:( 暫訂) 每天必須唸玫瑰經至少四串, 用5 分鐘默想玫瑰經奧跡, 用聖經和聖書默想 每天必須唸 st bridget 15 prayers聖婦碧瑾十五篇禱文, 苦路經 十四處, 用十分鐘默想耶穌苦難。 每天看聖書和聖經共不可少於十五分鐘, 每天必須看 吃飯前唸經,...