Virgo Potens

2 of 2 Saturday after the Third Sunday in Lent— Judas' Repentance And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed: and went and hanged himself with an halter. But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood. And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for strangers. For this cause the field was called Haceldama, that is, The field of blood, even to this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel. And they gave them unto the potter's field, as the Lord appointed to me. And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it. And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing. Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee? And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly. Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would. And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Barabbas. 1. When Judas heard the unanimous voice of the chief priests and ancients declaring that Jesus was guilty of death, his soul was filled with a black remorse that made his life intolerable. How he hated the miserable pieces of silver for which he had sold his Master! How he hated the chief priests who had bribed him! How he hated himself! The sweetness and gentleness of Christ came vividly before him, and only added to his misery, as it will add to the misery of the lost at the day of judgment. How bitterly he repented his folly! At least he would rid himself of the accursed money and declare his guilt. But he had gone too far. He had refused so often to listen to the voice of Jesus that now his hardened heart refused to melt. What a warning to all who turn a deaf ear to the voice of conscience! 2. Yet he might have been forgiven even now if he had thrown himself at Jesus' feet and begged for pardon. But this he would not do. His repentance was a hopeless, black remorse— no element of hope or love or humble sorrow. It was the repentance of the lost in hell, who cry, "Fools that we were !" but yet will not, cannot, humble themselves to cry for mercy. 3. How miserable Judas had been from the first! Had those pilfered gains in early days brought him solid satisfaction? Had he been happy when he sacrificed his Master's interests to his own? Are we happy when we knowingly prefer our own selfish interests to those of Christ? Sin and misery are twin sisters. My God, may I never wilfully betray Thy interests to my own pleasure or gain! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

1 of 2 Month of St. Joseph ~ March 29th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Saturday after the Third Sunday in Lent— Judas' Repentance Read St. Matthew xxvii. 3-16 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look thou to it. (continued)

NOVENA in HONOR of the PASSION of OUR LORD This Novena may be said as a devotion during Lent, on all Fridays of the year, for 30 days, or for 33 days. It begins today and will continue through Good Friday at Christus Regnat https://t.me/RexUniversi

Month of St. Joseph ~ March 28th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Friday after the Third Sunday in Lent— Jesus is Dragged Before Pilate Read St. Luke xxii. 66-70 ; xxiii. 1 And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people, and the chief priests and scribes, came together; and they brought him into their council, saying: If thou be the Christ, tell us. And he saith to them: If I shall tell you, you will not believe me. And if I shall also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all: Art thou then the Son of God? Who said: You say that I am. . . . And the whole multitude of them rising up, led him to Pilate. 1. At daybreak the council assembled, and Jesus was again brought before them and questioned again. The sentence of death passed the night before was confirmed. The whole multitude then hastened to Pilate with their prisoner, that they might obtain from the Roman governor the ratification of the sentence which they could not carry out themselves. They were resolved to have His life— anything to be rid of Him Whom they dreaded and hated. How strange it seems that they should so hate Him without a cause! Yet it is ever so: men who are proud and covetous and selfish instinctively hate the truth. This is why there prevails all over the world such a deadly enmity to the Church of Christ. 2. To wreak their vengeance, the Pharisees and ancients were ready to rise with the sun. How active men are in promoting worldly interests and criminal designs! So much more active than in working for God and for heaven. Might I not do something more by rising a little earlier or more punctually, so as to do something to please Our Lord before I begin my ordinary work? At least I might think of Him and offer my heart and my life to Him. 3. The Jews actually delivered over one of their own sacred nation to their enemies and oppressors, the Romans. Nomens are too base to get rid of their enemy. How much unreasoning malice I have shown against those whom I disliked or who interfered with my selfish interests, perhaps against those who are not only brethren of Christ, but very dear to Him? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

FRUITS of MEDITATION on the PASSION of CHRIST ~ It Strengthens Us Against Temptation ~ “As often as I am tempted, I seek refuge in the wounds of Jesus, I fly into the heart of mercies of my Lord!” ~ Saint Augustine

Month of St. Joseph ~ March 27th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Thursday after the Third Sunday in Lent — Jesus in the Guard-room of Caiphas Read St. Luke xxii. 63-65 And the men that held him, mocked him, and struck him. And they blindfolded him, and smote his face. And they asked him, saying: Prophesy, who is it that struck thee? And blaspheming, many other things they said against him. 1. After Our Lord had been condemned to death, the Sanhedrin rose, and He was handed over for custody during the night to the soldiers and servants, who, taking the cue from their masters, treated their prisoner with every kind of brutal ill-usage. They tied a dirty rag over His face, and struck Him on the face, challenging Him at the same time to show His divine power by saying the name of the striker. When He was silent, they mocked and jeered at Him, and at last they spat their filthy spittle in His sacred face. O my Lord, King of heaven and earth, how couldst Thou suffer Thy Divine Majesty to be outraged by these wretches? 2. Yet Our Lord was never more glorious than in the midst of His degradation and contempt. If at His baptism He was the beloved Son of God in Whom He was well pleased, much more now. Each blow, each gibe, each insult added to the glory of His sacred humanity to all eternity. Truly then does St. Peter say: "If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed." Wisely did the apostles count it joy to suffer shame for His sake. My God, I know it is so; but do I act on this principle, and rejoice in the reproaches and contempt that fall to my lot? 3. What did Christ specially atone for in the guard-room? For all the filthy words men speak, for all the obscene jests, for all the mockery of holy things, for all the angry, cruel, uncharitable words. Alas! my Jesus, have I not taken part in these insults poured upon Thee? ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

FRUITS of MEDITATION on the PASSION of CHRIST ~ It Cleanses Us From Our Sins ~ “A soul who believes in the Passion of Jesus Christ, and frequently thinks thereon, will find it impossible to go on offending her Saviour.” ~ Saint Alphonsus

❁¸.•´*¨`*•❁ ❁•*`¨*`•.¸❁ On the Dignity of every human being Man has been created after all the rest because all the rest has been created for him.  Unlike other creatures, he was created in the image of God.  This can be gathered from the shape of his body, but still more from his soul, to which man owes his truly royal dignity.  Man is masterless; he does everything of his own accord;  he governs himself, so to speak, with supreme authority ; in short, he is a king.  Man is not a king unto himself only, but with respect to the whole world.  He is in the image of God, because he is a king as God is a king. The beauty that shines in God also shines in man, whose destiny it is to share in an ineffable beatitude through virtue, and thus to become still more similar to his Creator. ~ Etienne Gilson ~ History of Christian Philosophy in the Middle Ages ❁¸.•´*¨`*•❁ ❁•*`¨*`•.¸❁

❁¸.•´*¨`*•❁ ❁•*`¨*`•.¸❁ On the Dignity of every human being Man has been created after all the rest because all the rest has been created for him.  Unlike other creatures, he was created in the image of God.  This can be gathered from the shape of his body, but still more from his soul, to which man owes his truly royal dignity.  Man is masterless; he does everything of his own accord;  he governs himself, so to speak, with supreme authority ; in short, he is a king.  Man is not a king unto himself only, but with respect to the whole world.  He is in the image of God, because he is a king as God is a king. The beauty that shines in God also shines in man, whose destiny it is to share in an ineffable beatitude through virtue, and thus to become still more similar to his Creator. ~ Etienne Gilson ~ History of Christian Philosophy in the Middle Ages ❁¸.•´*¨`*•❁ ❁•*`¨*`•.¸❁

Month of St. Joseph ~ March 26th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Wednesday after the Third Sunday in Lent— St. Peter's Repentance Read St. Luke xxii. 55-62 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light, and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied him, saying: Woman, I know him not. And after a little while, another seeing him, said: Thou also art one of them. But Peter said: O man, I am not. And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man was also with him; for he is also a Galilean. And Peter said: Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter going out, wept bitterly. 1. St. Peter had thrice denied his Master, and the third time with oaths and curses. He was ashamed of Christ, afraid to own himself a servant of Christ, and all because of a woman's jeering tongue. As I look over my life, how many times there have been when I have been faithless as Peter was! I have not boldly spoken out as I ought. I have perhaps taken part in talk hateful to my Lord and Master. I have been ashamed to run counter to uncharitable or evil conversation, though I knew well enough that it was sinful. 2. After the third denial the cock crew, and at the same time Our Lord turned and looked on Peter. It was at the moment when He was being dragged from the tribunal to the servant's room, amid the jeers and mockery of the soldiers. All this time St. Peter had been present to His thoughts, amid all the outrages and insults; and not St. Peter alone, but all who, though not at heart disloyal, nevertheless fall through weakness into sin. Remember me, O Lord,when Iam in danger of falling, and when Satan desires to have me that he may riddle me as wheat. 3. That look pierced the heart of St. Peter with a keen pang of shame and sorrow and repentance. How could he have been faithless to the Lord Whom he loved and for Whom he had joyfully given up all! At once he made his way out of the hall, and with tears of anguish begged for pardon. Those tears were not unmixed with the sweet consolation of knowing that he was forgiven, and with a firm resolution not to let this fall discourage him. Here is a model for me when I have sinned. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of St. Joseph ~ March 25th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Tuesday after the Third Sunday in Lent — St. Peter's Denial of Jesus Read St. Luke xxii. 55-62 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light, and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied him, saying: Woman, I know him not. And after a little while, another seeing him, said: Thou also art one of them. But Peter said: O man, I am not. And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man was also with him; for he is also a Galilean. And Peter said: Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter going out, wept bitterly. 1. What was the secret of Peter's miserable fall? He was brave and generous, and loved Our Lord dearly. Yet, through human respect and fear, he denied all knowledge of Him. The season why he fell was that he trusted in himself and his natural qualities instead of in God. In the spiritual warfare natural courage and generosity avail not. He who does not rely upon God alone is sure to fall. When dangers are imminent he loses heart, and then all goes wrong. 2. St. Peter had not yet learned that natural impulse as a motive of action is sure to lead man astray. It never avails before God. Its excellence, whatever it may be, only avails in the things of this world, and even there it is a dangerous and untrustworthy motive. In things divine it is the road to ruin. We must exercise anti-impulsive effort if we are to be safe. We must do more; we must turn our thoughts to God, and seek a divine impulse, an inspiration from Heaven, if we are to remain faithful and avoid frequent faults. 3. St. Peter had neglected prayer. Our Lord had expressly warned him to watch and pray, and he had allowed himself to sleep while Christ was suffering His sacred Agony. True, he was weary and his eyes were heavy, but still he could have made the attempt. It might have seemed an unsatisfactory prayer, yet it would have saved Peter from his fall. He might have used vocal prayers and repeated the same words like Our Lord did. Learn from this that mere struggle against heaviness is very pleasing to God. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯ 2025 Blessed and Happy Feast of the Annunciation! ✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯

Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. (Lk 1:28)   Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (Lk 1:42) ANGELUS [℣.] Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae; [℟.] Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. [℣.] Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. [℟.] Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. [℣.] Ecce ancilla Domini. [℟.] Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Ave Maria. [℣.] Et Verbum caro factum est. (here bow reverently or genuflect) [℟.] Et habitavit in nobis. Ave Maria. [℣.] Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix. [℟.] Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. [℣.] Oremus. Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem Eius et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. [℟.] Amen.

Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. (Lk 1:28)   Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (Lk 1:42) The Angelus ℣ The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary ℟ And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary. ℣ Behold the handmaid of the Lord. ℟ Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary. ℣ And the Word was made flesh ℟ And dwelt amongst us. Hail Mary. ℣ Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God ℟ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ ℣ Let us pray Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

In former times, the Church bells would ring three times a day, calling all of the faithful to pray The Angelus at dawn, noon, and sunset, or 6:00 a.m., Noon and 6:00 p.m. Let us revive this powerful prayer, uniting all of Christendom in thanksgiving to our Good God for our salvation, three times a day.

Nine Month Novena for Impossible Requests Begins tomorrow, March 25th, at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

Month of St. Joseph ~ March 24th ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ Monday after the Third Sunday in Lent — The Condemnation of Christ Read St. Mark xiv. 60-64 And the high priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: Answerest thou nothing to the things that are laid to thy charge by these men? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him: Art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed God? And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What think you? Who all condemned him to be guilty of death. 1. In the midst of the false witnesses and their lying testimony Jesus remains silent. The high-priest, angry and impatient, urges Him to reply: "Answerest Thou nothing to the things which these witness against Thee?" Still Jesus answers not a word. How different from our eager anxiety to answer every accusation and everyword of blame! How much better if we could hold our peace afterthe example of Jesus! 2. At length the high-priest rises and asks a direct question; nay, he summons Christ in the name of God to declare the truth: "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us if Thou be the Christ, the Son of God." Ordered by authority, Jesus at once says: "I am; and one day I shall come in all the power of God that is now entrusted to you as the high-priest of God." Another lesson for us. We must obey authority even where he who carries it shamefully abuses it; for those in authority, like Caiphas, speak in their official capacity as in the place of God. 3. When Christ declares Himself to be the Son of God, the high-priest and the council rise indignantly to protest against such blasphemy. In this they are the type of modern heretics who accuse the Church of God and the Vicar of Christ of blasphemously usurping divine prerogatives. Pride and jealousy and self-love so blinded the eyes of the Sanhedrim that they called good evil, and evil good; condemned the Son of God to death because He told them the truth. My God, preserve me from ever being thus blinded by sin! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

❁¸.•´*¨`*•❁ ❁•*`¨*`•.¸❁ Gustáte et vidéte, quóniam suávis est Dóminus: beátus vir, qui sperat in eo. Taste and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopes in Him. ~ Psalm 33:9 ❁¸.•´*¨`*•❁ ❁•*`¨*`•.¸❁

2 of 2 The Third Sunday in Lent — In the Palace of Caiphas And the high priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: Answerest thou nothing to the things that are laid to thy charge by these men? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him: Art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed God? And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What think you? Who all condemned him to be guilty of death. 1. From the house of Annas Jesus was dragged to the palace of Caiphas the high-priest. Notice the bustle and activity that prevails: the chief priests and council searching everywhere for a show of evidence; messengers sent to and fro; bribes offered; all the most worthless summoned to testify against Him. This is always the way: the wicked so much more active in fighting against God than the good in fighting in His behalf; Our Lord's disciples and friends are doing nothing, while His enemies are seeking to destroy Him. When I look at myself, how little I have done, how little I do now, for the interests of Jesus! 2. The false witnesses who came forward had a certain show of truth. The words they quoted against Him were really spoken. They had learned the ways of their master the devil; Satan, when he deceives, always mixes up a large element of truth with his deceits. This is why we should never argue with him, for he can represent what is false and unlawful as true and right, if once we listen, by bringing into prominence the element of truth it contains. 3. These false witnesses, in spite of their cunning, could not agree together, but contradicted one another. It is one of the certain tests of error, that it is inconsistent and self-contradictory; the city of confusion and the home of strife always thus betrays its imposture. Jarring discord is the mark of the foes of Christ; peace and concord are the privilege of those who are on His side. How I should thank God that He has caused me to dwell in the City of Truth, the Church of the Living God ! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of St. Joseph ~ March 23rd ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ The Third Sunday in Lent — In the Palace of Caiphas Read St. Mark xiv. 55-64 And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, that they might put him to death, and found none. For many bore false witness against him, and their evidences were not agreeing. And some rising up, bore false witness against him, saying: We heard him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another not made with hands. And their witness did not agree. (continued)