Who prays serves for the good for his brother

Message of October 25, 2021: “Dear children! Return to prayer because who prays is not afraid of the future. Who prays is open to life and respects the life of others. Who prays, little children, feels the freedom of the children of God and in joy of heart serves for the good for his brother-man. Because God is love and freedom, therefore, little children, when they want to put you in bonds and to use you, it is not from God. Because God loves and gives His peace to every creature. And that is why He sent me to you to help you to grow in holiness. Thank you for having responded to my call.” 

 

(Message of Our Lady in Medjugorje)

Biography of Saint Clare of Assisi

Incorrupt body of Saint Clare of Assisi

The beautiful life of poverty of Saint Clare of Assisi: 

Birth: Saint Clare (born Chiara Offreduccio) was born on July 16, 1193. His father Favarone and his mother Ortolana were from a noble and very wealthy family. They owned a lot of property and lived in a big and luxurious house, but they were also Catholics and believed in God. When her mother was pregnant and prayed before a Crucifix in church for the child's birth, she heard a voice say, “Don't be afraid. You will give the world a light that will shine brighter than daylight. That's why the girl will be called Clare.” And Clare was born, a very pretty girl, with long blond hair. As a child, Clare loved to pray and listen attentively to all of her mother's Catholic teachings. She went to Holy Mass with great devotion and always prayed before the Crucifix, a devotion she will have for a lifetime. When Clare went out with the maids and little friends, she always took lots of coins, food and goodies from the house and gave it to the beggars and the poor with a beautiful smile that enchanted everyone. 

Vocation: During adolescence, Clare always prayed a lot every day in her room, until long hours, and decided to consecrate her virginity to God and go to a convent. But her father was thinking of marrying her off to some rich young man from a noble family. She was very beautiful and many young people serenaded her in front of her house, but she never showed any interest in getting married. His love and trust in God grew more and more. From the windows of her house, Clare saw the many poor and beggars in Italy at that time. She did not accept having that rich life while many were still poor. The house was very big, a real castle full of servants. Underneath the expensive clothes and jewelry that the family forced her to wear, Clare put on belts with sharp edges and thorns and offered them as penance in honor of the Passion of Jesus. Clare's father let her follow the vocation, but he died. The uncles still though of a wedding for her. 

Francis of Assisi: When Clare was 16 years old, the young Francis of Assisi was 28 years old. It was around this age that Francis was converted and began to preach in the city of Assisi about a life with more poverty and less luxury. Many thought he was exaggerated or crazy, but Clare didn't. She sensed that he was a young man of God and admired him. She came to Francis and said: "I want to live the same life, the same prayer and above all, the same poverty." She was drawn to leave her rich and luxurious home to live in the poverty and simplicity of a convent. 

Escape from home: On Palm Sunday, March 19, 1212, at night, when everyone was asleep, Clare ran away from her home and was received with great joy by Francis and his brothers in the small church Porciuncula. Francis cut his long blond hair as a sign of consecration to God and gave him a thick cloth tunic tied with the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Clare went to live for a few days at the Benedictine monastery in the nearby town of Panzo. The uncles where enraged. They search her and finds her in the chapel. Clare was clinging to the foot of the Altar. They pulled her so hard and tore off her veil and saw her shaved head. They decided to leave her and thought that she would come home someday, which never happened. Agnes, the Clare's sister, 15 years old, also fled. When relatives try to take her by force, Clare prays and she becomes heavy that they can't carry her and decide to leave her. 

Convent in San Damian: Clare went to the city of San Damian, near Assisi, to a poor house adjacent to the chapel. There it became her convent. Other young women arrived and became nuns. A few years later, also her sister Beatriz and her mother Ortolana after becoming a widow, all because of the teachings of Clare and Francis. They became known as “Poor Ladies”, now called “Poor Clare Nuns”. They were a comfort to the city. They attended the people and prayed for those who asked, giving words of comfort. 

Humility and love: Clare was appointed abbess of the convent by Francis. Despite holding this position of superior in the convent for 40 years, she was like a mother of all sisters and extremely humble. Clare always helped herself to the table last. Every day, she always helped with the simplest tasks like sweeping, cleaning the floor, bathing the sick, making bandages, washing clothes, and everything else necessary. Clare was once washing the feet of a sick sister and this sister accidentally tapped Clare's nose with her foot. Clare didn't get angry, but she gave a beautiful smile. She always liked to go into every room to see if all the nuns were warmly dressed. She was always willing to give up her coat for those who needed it. 

Poverty of the convent: The convent in which they lived was extremely simple and poor. Clare did not allow any luxury. They made towels and other objects, and received donations from people. Sometimes they received hard breads and old foods, but Clare always thanked God. Despite being poor, they always helped the poor who knocked on the convent door. Invite the poor and the marginalized. It was Clara's invitation. Throughout her life, miracles always happened with the bread, oil and other foods that yielded and inexplicably appeared at the time of distribution. A young woman told Clare that she had chests full of jewels and pearls. She said: “This is all fleeting. There is a Husband who loves you so much more. His name is Jesus Christ, who died for us on the Cross.” 

Devotion to the Word of God: Clare confessed with much regret and tears. She received the Eucharist so fervently that her body seemed to tremble. She was full of delicacy, sweetness, calm and patience. All who knew her claimed to perceive in her a “heavenly peace”. She listened to all the priests and preachers of God's Word with extreme devotion, no matter who she was. Throughout her life, Clare was concerned with practicing the Word of God in every moment, in every second, in all the smallest and greatest acts. 

Clare secures the Monstrance: In 1240, enemies invaded the city and placed ladders on the walls to invade Clare's convent. The sisters were terrified, but Clare prayed, took the Monstrance with the Consecrated Host and the stairs used by the enemies to invade the convent fell inexplicably and they fled. 

Writings of Saint Clare of Assisi: She wrote: “Jesus is the bridge between the One who can do everything and the creatures who need everything. Be a bridge that connects those who have plenty to those who lack so much. Our fatigue here is brief. Eternal is the prize. Do not be misled by the rumors of the world that pass by like a shadow. Don't lose your mind with the empty images of the deceiving world. Cover your ears to the whistles of hell and, strong, break its assaults. Strive to acquire that perfection for which the Spirit of God has destined you. Entrust yourself to poor Christ. As He made Himself an object of contempt, so will you become an object of contempt in the eyes of the world to follow His example. Ignite your heart with the desire to imitate him. If you suffer with Him, with Him you will reign. If you cry with Him, you will rejoice with Him. If you die with Him on the Cross of the tribulation, you will find Him a heavenly mansion in the splendors of the Saints. And your name, glorious among men, will be inscribed in the Book of Life. Don't let bitterness and discouragement envelop you.” 

Miracles: Clare gave the entire huge fortune of her father's inheritance to the poor. She kept nothing for herself or even for the convent. She prayed with such union with God that sometimes the sisters saw a light near her. On another occasion, Sister Agnes saw the Child Jesus in Clare's lap. Another day, Sister Francisca saw the Child Jesus resting his head on Clare's shoulders. A demon-possessed woman said, "The prayers of this saint burn us." Francis died at the age of 44, when Clare was 32, and she accepted his Canonization. 

Diseases and crosses: Clare lived until the age of 60, always with many illnesses, but enduring everything with patience and uniting with her illnesses to the Crucified One. Once, when she was bedridden and unable to go to Mass, she saw all Holy Mass on the wall and described it to her sisters, which is why she is the Patron of television. At the end of life, she was extremely weak and suffered a lot before she died. Saint Clare passed away on August 11, 1253. She gave the sisters the last advices especially for the life of poverty and to pray in honor of the Wounds of Jesus. Sister Benvinda had a vision of Our Lady and many Saints and Angels entering the room where Saint Clare died. 

Canonization: Saint Clare of Assisi was canonized in 1255, just 2 years after her death, as her brother Francis. Her body is found incorrupt (Photo) to this day. Many convents of the Poor Clare Nuns were founded all over the world and still radiate his light and holiness today. The sister of Saint Clare, Agnes, helped found other convents. She died a few months after Clare and was canonized like her, today Saint Agnes of Assisi. 

 

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Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners

"A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. But for this cause have I obtained mercy: that in me first Christ Jesus might shew forth all patience, for the information of them that shall believe in him unto life everlasting. Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 

 

(1 Timothy 1, 15-17)

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh

"For there is no good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit; nor an evil tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns; nor from a bramble bush do they gather the grape. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." 

 

(Luke 6, 43-45)

Psalm 112

"Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens. Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth? Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill: That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people. Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children." 

 

(Psalm 112)

Biography of Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Life and details of Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the girl who saw Our Lady in Lourdes. 

Birth: Marie Bernarde Soubirous, better known by Bernadette, was born on January 7, 1844 at the Boly mill, near Lourdes. She was the daughter of François Soubirous and Louise Castérot. They had 9 children and Bernadette was the oldest. When Bernadette was 10 years old, the family was thrown out of the mill and had to live in a damp, musty dungeon that was the old jail in the place. They were very hungry. Sometimes they only had old loaves for a day's food for everyone, or not a loaf of bread at all. They made watery soups by cooking bones and meats collected from the garbage or received from friends. Despite this, parents and children very happy. The neighbor who lived upstairs in the house said he never heard any complaints from them about their lives. He heard the family pray together every day and the parents never argued. 

Bernadette's faith: Bernadette was illiterate at the time of Our Lady's apparitions in Lourdes, she didn't even speak French, but only a dialect of that region. Afterwards she had little study, but we see that she had great wisdom in the words she said. In 1857, Bernadette went to live for a few months in her wet nurse's house to eat better. She worked there as a shepherd of the sheep. Bernadette only knew how to pray the Rosary and the invocation: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” She had returned to Lourdes in January 1858 to take First Communion at 14 years old. She hadn't done it before because of the jobs. She had difficulty memorizing the Catechism and the I believe. She didn't understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity, but she had great faith and love for the things of God. 

Apparitions of Our Lady: The following month, from February 11th to July 16th, 1858, she had the 18 apparitions of Our Lady and she said: “If you only knew what I saw so beautiful there in that cave... If you only knew how Our Lady Lady is good... So beautiful! I cannot find any image of Our Lady beautiful after having seen the original. I will only go to Heaven if I am good and behave correctly. I will see Our Lady again in Heaven. It will be more beautiful.” 

Bernadette with the people: After the apparitions, Bernadette's life changed completely. Thousands of people began to look for her in her home or wherever she was. She continued in the same way as always: very humble, simple and kind, but at the same time, very normal like all girls. She was very frank, sincere and transparent. She was much sought after by the poor, rich, religious, authorities, beggars and the sick. Despite this, she treated everyone in the same way, never differentiated or exalted anyone. She always attended everyone with good will and said: "I will pray for you." She never lost patience with so many visits and many reached graces with her prayers. To those who called her a saint, she said: “You are mistaken. I'm not a saint.” Although her family was poor, she never accepted money and asked for it to be given to the parish or sisters. Some treated her like a celebrity on the streets of Lourdes, but she didn't like that. Some people take photos of Bernadette and sell them for a franc each. She laughed and joked: "They sell the photos for more than I'm worth!" 

Persecutions by authorities: Bernadette suffered many persecutions from the mayor and authorities of Lourdes because of the apparitions. He told her, "You here, you impudent?" She replied, "Yes sir, I'm here." He said, "We're going to put you in jail." She replied: "And let it be well locked, or I'll run away." 

Bernadette as religious in Nevers: In 1866, at the age of 22, Bernadette left Lourdes and became a religious in the city of Nevers, France. She missed Lourdes and the grotto, but said: “We have little time in the world. We should use it well.” There were nuns who didn't like his natural, frank and sincere way and didn't realize his great holiness. Bernadette said: "I don't want to live a moment here without loving." The superior sisters did her several and suffered humiliations. Another sister said: “I had been at Nevers for three days, and I was amazed that I still didn't recognize who Bernadette was. The superior said: ‘Bernadette? Look at her by your side!’ I exclaimed, ‘That's it?’ Bernadette replied jokingly: 'It's true! I'm just it!’ And after that, we became very good friends.” Despite suffering so much, she was the most humorous and playful of all. She took care of the sick and the sacristy with great love and patience. After prayer, she counseled: “Anytime, sing:‘ With my Mother I will be.” She always asked the sisters to pray for her: "Pray for me, poor sinner, especially at the time of death." On the sisters correcting their faults: “But how? To receive the Bread of the strong so often and not be more courageous?” 

Parental Death: When her mother died, she said, “My God, You wanted it! I accept the cup you give me. Blessed be her Name!" In her father's death, she told us: "I have always had a great devotion to the Agony of Our Savior. On Saturday afternoon, I prayed to Jesus in the Agony for all those who were going to die at that time, and it was precisely at the same moment that my father entered eternity. What a joy for me if I helped him!” 

Phrases of Saint Bernadette: Some phrases of her great wisdom: 

- I will always have enough health, but never enough love. 

- The first movement does not belong to us, but the second belongs to us. 

- Only Jesus as master. Only Jesus as wealth. Only Jesus as a friend. 

- God speaks to the heart without any sound of words. 

Prayers made by St. Bernadette: “Oh Jesus, please give me the bread of humility, the bread of obedience, the bread of charity, the bread of strength to break my will and melt it into yours. Give me the bread of patience to bear the pains my heart suffers. Give me the bread to see only You in everything and always." “I waited on you, Lord. Be my house of refuge, for you are my strength." 

Illnesses and crosses: Bernadette suffered from asthma since childhood and offered everything for the conversion of sinners. She said: “The Virgin wants me to suffer. I need. Healing is not for me. The Good Lord knows why. I have to be a victim. I will bravely and generously carry the cross hidden in my heart. My weapons are prayer and sacrifice, which I will preserve until my last breath. Only then will the weapon of sacrifice fall, but the weapon of prayer will accompany me to Heaven, where it will be far more powerful than in this Land of exile.” In the convent, she will suffer from bone tuberculosis and a tumor in her knees that will cause her great pain. One sister related: “Bernadette had asthma attacks, coughing attacks that nearly broke her chest. Even vomiting blood and choking, she never let out any regrets, any complaints. She would just look at the Crucifix and say, ‘My Jesus.’ ”She was so sick that she received the Anointing of the Sick three times, surviving them all. After one of them, she joked: “I'm better, the Lord didn't want me. I went to His Door and He told me: ‘Go back! It's still too early!’” When she spent days in bed, she would say, “My occupation is to be sick. This bed and its white curtain is my white chapel." The sisters said, "It's not good to be Bernadette." On another occasion: "When the emotion is very strong, I remember the words of our Lord: 'It is I, do not be afraid.'” 

Sign of the Cross with devotion: One day, Bernadette showed a sister that she was wrong with the 

Sign of the Cross: “We must be careful, because doing the Sign of the Cross well means a lot.” The sisters said: “The way she did it the Sign of the Cross impressed us deeply. We tried several times to do the same, but we couldn't. She did it well because Our Lady made the Sign of the Cross at the first apparition. That stayed with Bernadette all her life.” 

Last years: Her illnesses got worse in 1878 with a strong otitis that caused her a temporary deafness that caused her a lot of discomfort and the tumor in her bones that hurt a lot. She continued patiently. She prayed: "Oh Jesus! Oh Mary! Let all my comfort in this world consist in loving you and suffering for sinners. Oh Jesus, keep me under the banner of your Cross. May this Crucifix not only be in my eyes and in my chest, but in my heart, living in me. May I be a living Crucified One, transformed into him by union with the Eucharist, by meditation on your life and the deepest feelings of your Heart. I call souls, no for me, but for You, from the height of the Cross, where life and love unite me forever." 

Death and canonization: In March 1879, Bernadette received the Anointing of the Sick for the fourth time and said: "I ask forgiveness for all the faults of Mother and all my sisters." In Holy Week, April 6-13, he said: “I'm all skinned up. I don't even have the strength to breathe." On April 16, 1879, she asked only for the Crucifix in her room: "This is enough for me." She looked at it and held it the entire time. But her strength was few and she drops the Crucifix. She asked them to tie the Crucifix to her chest and said: "My Jesus, how much I love you!" A sister told him, "You are on the Cross." Another sister present asked Our Lady to comfort her. Bernadette replied: “No, comfort, no, but strength and patience.” She was covered in sores on her back that she couldn't even lie down. She had to sleep sitting in an armchair and had immense pain throughout her body. It said: “I am being ground like a grain of wheat. My passion will last until death.” At three o'clock in the afternoon she gave a great cry: "My God!" The sisters began to pray the Rosary. Bernadette replied in a strong voice: "Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for me a sinner, poor sinner!" At 3 pm, like Jesus on Calvary, she said, "I am thirsty." She made a great Sign of the Cross, drank a few drops of water and bowed her head. She surrendered sweetly her soul at 35 and after 13 years in the convent. 

Canonization: Saint Bernadette Soubirous was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI. Her body remains uncorrupted to this day. She is one of the most beautiful and as many say, she seems to be sleeping. 

 

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Seek the things that are above

"Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the Earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the Earth. Fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols. For which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief." 

 

(Colossians 3, 1-6)

My God I will bless thy name for ever

"I will extol thee, O God my king: and I will bless thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever. Every day I will bless thee: and I will praise thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: and of his greatness there is no end. Generation and generation shall praise thy works: and they shall declare thy power. They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of thy holiness: and shall tell thy wondrous works." 

 

(Psalm 144, 1-5)