Virgo Potens

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 23rd 127. If the humble man becomes aware that he has offended or injured his neighbour, he immediately humbles himself, apologizes and asks to be forgiven, manifesting sorrow for the offense he has given. The humble man always fears to be dictatorial when carried away by his zeal, and therefore proceeds with much circumspection, exercising his zeal more on himself than on others. He gives his opinion modestly, and submits it to that of others without obstinacy. But you? (continued) ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Mother of Mercy, pray for us. THE NOVENA of THREE HAIL MARY’s In Preparation for the Feast of the Visitation of Our Blessed Lady, July 2nd This Novena honors three special gifts given to Our Lady by God: her power, her wisdom, and her mercy. The traditional practice of praying three Hail Mary’s each day in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, requesting her assistance throughout the course of one’s daily life, is centuries old, and has been recommended by St. Anthony of Padua, St. Mechtilde (Matilda) and St. Alphonus Liguori.  It originated about the same time as the most Holy Rosary in the form in which we have it today. Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

2 of 2 The Sacred Heart at Gethsemane 2. Why was Our Lord at this time so shorn of His strength and courage? Because then He took upon Himself in detail the sins of the world. His Sacred Heart suffered for them the same blackness of desolation and distress as if they were His own. He voluntarily deprived Himself of every source of comfort, and allowed Himself to feel the effects of sin as none could feel them save one who saw the nature of sin as God sees it. 3. One of the lessons to be learned from the awful scene of Christ's Agony is the effect of sin wnen given its full scope, and its power to destroy the beauty and the strength even of God made Man. If it could work such havoc in the Son of God, what must it do in us? If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ The Sacred Heart at Gethsemane 1. During Our Lord's Sacred Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His mental desolation and distress seem to have been more intense, more crushing, than at any subsequent part of His Sacred Passion, saving only when on the Cross He cried: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" During the rest of the Passion He seemed almost to rejoice, but in the Garden He was beaten down, full of terror and sadness, scarce able to endure, pale and haggard and ghastly under the agony of soul that overwhelmed Him. In your desolation think of the utter desolation of the Sacred Heart, and claim its sympathy for you. (continued)

Sayings of the Saints “Dost thou wish God to draw near to thee? Humble thyself, for the more thou raisest thyself, the more will He be above thee.” [Enarr. in Ps. cxli] ~ St. Augustine of Hippo St. Augustine, pray for us.

2 of 2 Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 22nd Perhaps you may imagine that these things are points of perfection; but they are points of humility, which, as far as you are concerned, may be of precept. When it is a question of humility, I should not like you to imagine that you need only reach that point which is absolutely necessary for you, without going a single hair’s breadth beyond it. When you say to yourself, “I am not obliged to do this or that act of humility,” it may be that you are making a great mistake. However much your exterior humility must be directed by prudence, you certainly cannot dispense with the interior humility of the heart. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

“Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3, 9 (Douay-Rhiems) Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 22nd [126. continued] The humble man, when he is reproved, receives the correction in good part, and thanks him who has had the kindness and goodness to give it. He does not judge or speak evil of anyone, because he believes that everyone is better than he is, and because he knows he is capable of doing worse things still. He lives in peace with all and respects all and, without expecting to be honoured himself, he is the first to honour others, as the holy Apostles Peter and Paul have commanded: “Having peace with all men.” [Rom. xii, 18] “With honour preventing one another.”[Ibid. ii, 10] “Honour all men.” [1 Pet. ii, 17] And you–—what can you say of yourself? (continued)

NOVENA to the PRECIOUS BLOOD June 22nd ~ June 30th Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

NOVENA to the PRECIOUS BLOOD June 22nd ~ June 30th Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

2 of 2 The Sacred Heart of Jesus among His Enemies 2. Yet how gentle He is to all, how for bearing, how sweet and patient and winning in His demeanor. They must indeed have been hard and wicked not to have yielded to the fascination of His Divine attractiveness. Yet so it was: they hated Him just because of His meekness, His charity, His holiness. So it is now. The more clearly the beauty of the Church, the Spouse of Christ, shows forth, the more men seem to hate her. 3. The Sacred Heart, however, with all its divine gentleness, was very stern in dealing with one class of sinners. All who were leading others wrong were the object of the fierce wrath and indignation of Jesus. This wrath was the more terrible just because of His very gentleness. How He denounces those who give scandal and those who are the occasion of sin to others! If I have ever led others into sin, I have good cause to tremble before the wrath of the Lamb ! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 22nd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Sacred Heart of Jesus among His Enemies 1. There is nothing more painful to the tender heart of one who loves his fellows than to be surrounded with those who look coldly on him, misunderstand him, misinterpret his words, misconstrue his actions. Such a life is in itself a perpetual martyrdom. Such was the life of Jesus. What continual pain and anguish and desolation He must have endured from His youth up, from the hostility of His townsfolk, His own relations, the scribes and Pharisees, the ancients and the rulers. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 21st The humble man, when he hears that people are speaking ill of him, is not disturbed, but quietly learns to amend his ways, even though he may not have committed the faults of which he has been accused. He does not lament, as if he were persecuted: he does not say that those who speak thus of him are malignant and jealous rivals; but he believes that they know him better than he knows himself. Do you do this? (continued) ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

MON DIEU, que demandez-vous de Moi? La Douceur de l’Agneau MY GOD, what do you ask of Me? The Sweetness of the Lamb Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 21st 126. In order to know to what extent you are lacking in humility, examine yourself from this point of view. The humble man not only is not angry with those who offend him, but loves them and gives them back good for evil. Yes, it is indeed so, because he looks upon them as instruments of the mercy and justice of God, and he is also persuaded that his sins and ingratitude towards the Divine Goodness deserve far worse punishment. And you? (continued)

Adoration of the Sacred Heart O SACRED HEART! WITH BURNING LOVE Hymn 1 O Sacred Heart! with burning love, On Thee encaptured Angels gaze; To Thee triumphant saints above Forever sing their grateful praise. Chorus: O Sacred Heart! may we adore, And love Thee ever more and more. 2 Thou, Heart of Jesus! art the throne Of mercy—Thou the fount of grace; Our hope of Heav'n from Thee alone, Sole refuge of our fallen race. [Chorus] 3 O Lamb of God! meek victim, slain For us, let not the stream that flowed From Thy pierced Heart have flowed in vain. Oh! cleanse us with Thy precious blood. [Chorus] 4 God's Mother! Virgin ever blest! Thy heart and His are always one; Plead thou our cause; thy sweet request Is never slighted by thy Son. [Chorus] ~ Laudis Corona (1880)

2 of 2 The Sorrows of the Sacred Heart 2. What caused Him the greatest sorrow of all? The ingratitude of man. There is nothing that wounds so deeply as love rejected; and this is what Jesus felt every moment of His life. There was never love such as His, and therefore never such sorrow as when it was rejected. O my Jesus! I, too, have returned Thee unkindness, coldness,neglect. Forgive me the sorrow I have caused Thee, and make me love Thee more and more. 3. Was it only here and there that the Sacred Heart of Jesus met with this cause for sorrow? Alas! it was an universal sorrow, not a single child of Adam but added to this sorrow. Even the greatest saints did not return love for love as they ought; all caused Christ to sorrow. All save one; the peerless one, the immaculate, the ever faithful Mother of God. O Mary, pray for me, that I may never again cause sorrow to the Sacred Heart. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ The Sorrows of the Sacred Heart 1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is nothing else than a history of continual sorrow. He is termed in Holy Scripture "the Man of sorrows." Sorrowful He came into the world : in sorrow He grew up to manhood. In sorrow He gazed into the hearts of men, and saw there what He hated most. In sorrow He witnessed their refusal to listen to His divine call. In sorrow—bitter sorrow— He watched the falling away of one of the chosen twelve. In sorrow He heard of the denial of St. Peter. In sorrow He was betrayed, mocked, scourged, crucified. Was there ever sorrow like His? (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 20th Are you suspicious, easily offended, and punctilious about all things that concern your honour and dignity? I am not speaking now of that honour which is founded on virtue, but of that despicable honour which depends on the opinion of the world. What value do you set upon this honour? Do you take offence easily, considering yourself injured by every little adverse word, every slight that you receive from others, becoming angry and irritated, nourishing aversion and rancour, demanding humble apologies and satisfaction, and showing yourself unforgiving, irreconcilable towards them: fearing to lose your dignity, if you consented to make peace like a good Christian? If such be the case, where is your humility, either of knowledge or affection, which is necessary for your salvation? ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

“He that feareth man, shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.” Proverbs 29:25 Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 20th 125. It is this humility of affection, this humility of the heart taught us by Jesus Christ, which makes us as little children, and enables us to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. But what shame for you if, when you examine yourself, you find you have not even the shadow of such humility! If you happen to hear that others have spoken uncharitably of you, and maligned you, are you not perturbed, disquieted, grieved, displeased, distressed? How you resent it when you think some one has wronged you or not treated you with proper respect! (continued)

2 of 2 The Disappointments of the Sacred Heart 2. Yet how often the brilliant promise comes to nothing, or next to nothing. The soul which might have risen to a high degree of sanctity and enjoying continual peace and joy, is still battling with passion, anger, sloth, impatience, self-indulgence, vanity, distastes for the things of God, jealousy and ill-feeling, uncharitableness in thought and word. How is it that so little progress has been made? How is it that the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been disappointed of His desire for a complete possession of the heart that He loved? 3. Alas! it is the old story. Unfaithfulness to grace in little things. He spoke plainly enough, asking for some little sacrifice, and was refused. He asked again and another refusal. At length He ceased to ask, or the unfaithful soul ceased to hear His voice. What a sad disappointment for Him! What an irreparable loss for the soul that was thus ungrateful to the invitations of her Divine Spouse! Is not this my case? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)