Virgo Potens

2 of 2 5.—The Appearance of Jesus to St. Mary Magdalen 1. Of all the sinful children of men, Our Lord chose out St. Mary Magdalen for the special privilege of being the first to whom He should appear after His resurrection. What earned for her this privilege? It was one thing, and one only: it was her single-minded fidelity to Jesus Christ. This it is that He values; this it is that draws Him near to the faithful soul. 2. Had she always been faithful? No; in the past she had been a great sinner, given up to pride, luxury, impurity, so that it was literally true that seven devils had dwelt within her. But Jesus had called her, and she had listened to His voice; and speedily the seven devils were cast out, never more to return; and the place where they had dwelt was now occupied by the love of Jesus. O happy change! For me, too, sinner as I am, Jesus is ready to do the like. 3. But did He not shrink from such a sinner? Oh, no! He is the friend of sinners; their very sins draw Him to them; and the memory of all that He has done to save them from their misery is a link that binds Him to them in the bonds of close affection. What wonderful, what astonishing, mercy is this that Jesus shows to us poor sinners! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 24th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 5.—The Appearance of Jesus to St. Mary Magdalen Read St. Mark xvi. 9-12 But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they hearing that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country. (continued)

✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 5.—The Appearance of Jesus to St. Mary Magdalen Read St. Mark xvi. 9-12 But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they hearing that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country. (continued)

2 of 2 4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre 1. What must have been the joy of the holy women when they found that God had granted the desires of their heart, and rolled the huge stoneaway! It was one of those joyful surprises by which God delights to encourage faithful hearts. Just when all seems hopeless, He steps in, and every difficulty vanishes. If this is not my experience, it ought to be; and the oniy reason why it is not, is because I have been distrustful and despondent. Courage, faint heart! He is waiting to help thee. 2. But when they entered the tomb, what a surprise! Instead of the dead Body of Jesus, they found an angel, clothed in white, sitting at the right side of the tomb. They were utterly astonished. They had never understood the meaning of Our Lord's promise that He would rise again. What could have happened? Had His Body been carried away? Had God taken it up to heaven? If He had been restored to life, He was lost to them. Their hearts were filled with mingled hope and fear, joy and sorrow, astonishment and a bewildered sense of happiness. 3. The angel's words soon reassure them. "He is risen. He is not here. You shall soon see Him again. Go carry the joyful news to His disciples." Trembling with joy, they obey the command. No need of spices and ointment now. It is too good to be true,—He is risen! My Jesus delights to turn sorrow into joy. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 23rd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre Read St. Mark xvi. 4-7 And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you. (continued)

2 of 2 4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre 1. What must have been the joy of the holy women when they found that God had granted the desires of their heart, and rolled the huge stoneaway! It was one of those joyful surprises by which God delights to encourage faithful hearts. Just when all seems hopeless, He steps in, and every difficulty vanishes. If this is not my experience, it ought to be; and the oniy reason why it is not, is because I have been distrustful and despondent. Courage, faint heart! He is waiting to help thee. 2. But when they entered the tomb, what a surprise! Instead of the dead Body of Jesus, they found an angel, clothed in white, sitting at the right side of the tomb. They were utterly astonished. They had never understood the meaning of Our Lord's promise that He would rise again. What could have happened? Had His Body been carried away? Had God taken it up to heaven? If He had been restored to life, He was lost to them. Their hearts were filled with mingled hope and fear, joy and sorrow, astonishment and a bewildered sense of happiness. 3. The angel's words soon reassure them. "He is risen. He is not here. You shall soon see Him again. Go carry the joyful news to His disciples." Trembling with joy, they obey the command. No need of spices and ointment now. It is too good to be true,—He is risen! My Jesus delights to turn sorrow into joy. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 23rd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 4.—The Holy Women at the Sepulchre Read St. Mark xvi. 4-7 And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe: and they were astonished. Who saith to them: Be not affrighted; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you. (continued)

2 of 2 3.—The Holy Women on Their Way to the Sepulchre 1. All through the Sabbath day the holy women had been anxiously looking forward to the mournful pleasure of carrying to the sepulchre sweet spices and perfumes that they had prepared to embalm the Body of Jesus; and very early in the morning of the first day of the week they started on their pious errand. But,strange to say, it had never occurred to them that a huge stone closed the door of the tomb, sealed with an official seal and guarded by a picket of soldiers. This is one of the truest marks of love, it seems to forget all difficulties, to overleap all obstacles; it has a wonderful confidence that it will attain its object. Is this the character of my love to Christ? Am I confident that I shall overcome all those hindrances which now seem to bar my way to holiness? 2. On the road to the sepulchre, as the difficulty became close at hand, they were stricken with fear—"who shall roll us back the stone?" Yet on they went, nothing daunted, trusting God with implicit confidence, relying on His power to take away what seemed to be an insuperable obstacle. So, when dangers and difficulties threaten me, do I go straight on, trusting in the goodness of my God? 3. Their holy confidence was not disappointed: holy confidence never is disappointed. The more we trust God, the more marvels He will work for us. An angel had been sent to reward them for their persevering devotion by doing, with angelic hands, what was altogether beyond their power to perform. So now God will send an angel, if needful, to fulfil the desires of those who trust in Him. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 22nd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 3.—The Holy Women on Their Way to the Sepulchre Read St. Mark xvi. 1-4. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet spices, that coming, they might anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now risen. And they said one to another: Who shall roll us back the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great. (continued)

2 of 2 2.—The Appearance of Jesus to His Holy Mother 1. Our Lord's first visit was to His Holy Mother. It is not mentioned in Holy Scripture, because it stands to reason that He should first minister comfort to her who had before all else shared His sufferings. It would have been something quite unnatural if He had passed her over and given joy to some other heart before hers. Was He not united to her by a closer tie than any, save that alone of the Hypostatic Union? and had not her heart alone always beat in unison with His? The instinct of everyCatholic echoes the saying of Ignatius that those indeed must be without understanding who suppose that on Easter morn any creature could be preferred to her. 2. How shall we paint the happiness of that meeting? For Mary, it was Paradise begun. That one moment was more than enough to make her forget all her sorrows. As each pang of His sacred suffering had echoed in her heart, so much more each pulsation of joy, each note of triumph. From that day forth, the remembrance of that meeting was ever present to her, lighting up all the rest of her life with a boundless joy. 3. What earned that happiness for Mary? Her perfect obedience. There was none who imitated the obedience of Jesus as Mary; and therefore the joy of Jesus, in His triumph, flowed unchecked into her Immaculate Heart. It is my disobedience to grace which makes me gloomy and downcast. If I am obedient, I too shall be full of peace and joy. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 21st ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 2.—The Appearance of Jesus to His Holy Mother Read I. St. John iv. 15-19 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him. In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world. Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity. Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us. (continued)

2 of 2 1.—The Resurrection 1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the Sacred Soul of Jesus returned to quicken once more the body that lay lifeless in the tomb, and He rose again from the dead. It was but the commencement of the third day since His crucifixion; but His love for His sorrowing friends made Him abridge the time, that He might hasten to console them in their sorrow. He still has the same loving thoughtfulness for His friends. It is still His chief desire to make those happy who love Him. 2. His Sacred Body passed through the tomb noiselessly and without stirring the huge stone that had been placed there to make His resurrection impossible. Oh, foolish devices of men! how utterly futile against the will of God! In one moment He can burst every bond that human malice or human ingenuity can contrive! He that dwells in the heaven shall laugh at them, and the Lord shall deride them. 3. See Him glorious in His Divine Beauty, rising from the tomb! What unspeakable joy and happiness in that face, so lately marred by our sins, so lately pale, and sad, and sorrowful! Never was there joy on earth like that of Jesus when He rose again! I will rejoice withHim today, I will forget my own troubles and sorrows, and give myself to an unselfish joy in the Resurrection of my King and my God. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 20th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 1.—The Resurrection Read I. Cor. xv. 20-25 But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But every one in his own order: the firstfruits Christ, then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming. Afterwards the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when he shall have brought to nought all principality, and power, and virtue. For he must reign, until he hath put all his enemies under his feet. (continued)

✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ Short Meditations from Easter to the Ascension ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ PREFACE THESE Meditations are intended as a companion series to those already published on the Sacred Passion of Our Lord. The one subject, no less than the other, is full of consolation and encouragement — the Passion pointing us rather to the joy of being freed from the burden of sin, the Resurrection to the further happiness of being heirs to the glory of heaven. For,as Christ "died for our sins, so He rose again for our justification;" and His work was not complete until He had not only risen again, but ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us. It is the hope of the author of these short meditations that they may help those who read them to rejoice with Jesus Christ in His glorious Resurrection and Ascension into heaven. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

This is the day which the Lord hath made: Let us be glad and rejoice therein. The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment. Blessed and Happy Easter to you all!

This is the day which the Lord hath made: Let us be glad and rejoice therein. The earth trembled and was still, when God arose in judgment. Blessed and Happy Easter to you all! 💗 Virgo Potens

2 of 2 THE DESCENT OF JESUS TO LIMBUS Hymn (continued from above) 5. And Eve like Joseph's shadow hung About him wheresoever he went ; She lived on thoughts of Mary's child, Trembled with hope, and was content. 6. But see how hushed the crowd of souls ! Whence comes the light of upper day ? What glorious Form is this that finds Through central earth its ready way ? 7. 'Tis God ! 'tis Man ! the living Soul Of Jesus, beautiful and bright, The first-born of created things, Flushed with a pure resplendent light. 8. 'Twas Mary's child ! Eve saw Him come ; She flew from Joseph's haunted side, And worshipped, first of all that crowd, The Soul of Jesus Crucified. 9. So after four long thousand years, Faith reached her end, and Hope her aim, And from them, as they passed away, Love lit her everlasting flame ! ~ Frederick William Faber, D.D. Hymns (1861)

1 of 2 THE DESCENT OF JESUS TO LIMBUS 1. Thousands of years had come and gone, And slow the ages seemed to move To those expectant souls that filled That prison-house of patient love. 2. It was a weary watch of theirs, But onward still their hopes would press ; Captives they were, yet happy too, In their contented weariness. 3. As noiseless tides the ample depths Of some capacious harbor fill, So grew the calm of that dread place Each day with increase swift and still. 4. Sweet tidings there St. Joseph took ; The Saviour's work had then begun, And of His Three-and-Thirty Years But three alone were left to run. (continued below)