Virgo Potens

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS May 26th, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 14.— Wednesday after Pentecost The Effects of Pentecost : the Gift of Languages 1. As Our Lord, when He became incarnate, brought down heaven to earth in His own sacred Person, so, after He returned to heaven, the Holy Ghost came to plant on earth a tree, the fruits of which were not only designed for the healing of the nations, but were to be a sort of commencement of the glory of the saints in paradise. Jesus Christ had fought the battle and won the victory, and now He sent the Holy Spirit to make the kingdoms of this world the kingdom of God. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 26th “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy great mercy”; [Ps. l, 1] now as a miserable needy beggar who humbles himself and asks alms to help him in his necessity: “Give us this day our daily bread”; now as the sick man near the Pool of Bethsaida, who humbled himself before the Saviour to be healed of his incurable disease: “Sir, I have no man . . .”; [John v7] now as that blind man who humbled himself that his darkness might be illuminated: “Lord, that I may see”; now as the Canaanite woman who humbled herself and exclaimed: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, help me,” [Matt. xv, 22, 25] and who was not ashamed to liken herself to the dogs who are unworthy to eat their master’s bread, but are content to eat the crumbs that fall from his table. Humility of heart is ingenuous, and in the same manner as our heart loves without needing to be taught to love, it humbles itself without needing to be taught humility. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 26th 103. But how are we to make these practical acts of humility before God? I will give you some examples. You can imagine yourself in the presence of God now as a convicted felon who humbles himself and implores mercy for the forgiveness of his sins: (continued)

•❃°•°❀°•°❃•❃°•°❀°•°❃• REMEMBER . . . Beginning tomorrow! Summer Ember Days ~ the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after Pentecost Special days of Prayer, Penance and Fasting •❃°•°❀°•°❃•❃°•°❀°•°❃•

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine. NOVENA for CORPUS CHRISTI Begins the Tuesday after Pentecost and ends on the eve of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

2 of 2 ~ 13.— Whit-tuesday 2. This new fire was a purifying fire, driving out all sin, cleansing the soul of its dross. The fire of divine love has a power to consume the gnawing rust of selfishness, and indolence, and jealousy of the success of others. When its work is done, it leaves nothing of spiteful words and hard thoughts and unkind actions; nothing but the love of God remains behind. Purify me, O God, by the fire of Thy love. 3. This fire was also exceedingly bright. It was to communicate its attractive brilliancy to those on whom it descended, both collectively and individually. It is this bright fire of Pentecost that illuminates the Church, and makes it draw men of good will into it. How thankful should I be in that I dwell where the fire of Pentecost ever brightly burns! Around the priest there is a halo belonging to his sacred office; around each individual Catholic there is a light of faith which burns not outside the fold. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS May 26th, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 13.— Whit-tuesday The Tongues of Fire The tongues which came down from heaven and rested upon the disciples were tongues of fire. The fire had its own meaning. 1. It was a fulfilment of Our Lord's words, "I am come to send fire upon earth," a fire of charity such as had never been kindled before. He brought to man and taught to man a charity without bounds, ready to sacrifice itself even to the death; a charity which loved the sinner and the fallen because they were sinners and fallen; a charity which esteemed it a joy to suffer for others for Christ's sake. Is my charity of this kind? Is it a self-denying charity? Is it a charity which extends even to those whom I dislike? (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 25th Christ Himself taught humility of heart, and the heart must not remain idle, nor fail to produce the necessary acts–—and what acts of humility do you make before God? How often do you make them? When have you made them? How long is it since you made them? It would be absurd to hope for the reward which is promised to the humble without being humble, or at least without the desire to be humble; and without making acts of humility; humility of heart without the heart humbling itself–—what folly! And are you foolish enough to believe that this can be done? Sometimes you give utterance to certain words which seem to tend to your own humiliation; you say you are a contemptible wretch, and good for nothing, but do you say such things sincerely from your heart? If you are afraid of lying to yourself by confirming them in your own mind, listen to what St. Thomas [Loc. cit. art. 6 ad 1] tells us for our instruction, that everyone can truthfully say and believe of himself that he is a contemptible wretch, referring all his ability and talent to God. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 25th [102.] The Angelic Doctor teaches that the reason why humility tends principally to render the soul subject to God is because this virtue is nearest to the theological virtues, and as it does not suffice only to know what things we must believe or hope, but it is also necessary for us to make acts of faith and hope, so in the same way we must make like acts of humility. (continued)

2 of 2 ~ 12.— Whit-monday 2. The tongues indicated that the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, either by His holy inspirations or by the voice of those who have authority to teach us. If I wish to speak and act prudently, I must take Him for my guide. Do I listen attentively to His voice, and obey most faithfully its holy utterances ? 3. The tongues were also to remind us that it is our words which will obtain for us justification or condemnation at the day of judgment. Our Lord warns us that "by our words we shall be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned." He does not say by our actions or our good intentions, but by our words. How often I forget this when I let loose my tongue in foolish and uncharitable words! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS May 25th, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 12.— Whit-monday The Parted Tongues At the same time that the sound of the mighty wind filled the whole house, there appeared something more wondrous still. Parted tongues of fire appeared, and descended on the head of each of the disciples who were present. Why did the Holy Spirit's presence manifest itself under the form of tongues ? 1. Because they signified that to each would be given the office of speaking of the things of God, of communicating to others the truth that they had themselves learned. This was the sacred duty to which their whole lives were to be given. So now, on all priests, the same obligation rests, and, in their own degree, on all parents, teachers, all in authority, nay, on every one of the faithful. I, too, in Baptism, and still more in Confirmation, have received this obligation of communicating to those around me the sacred truths of the Gospel. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 24th This is of faith. “No man can say the Lord Jesus but by the Holy Ghost.” [1 Cor. xii, 3] “Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God.” [2 Cor. iii, 5] “For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to accomplish according to His good will.” [Phil. ii, 13] It is not enough only to say I know all these things, but it is necessary to realize them to become really humble. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

2 of 2 Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 23rd This is of faith. “No man can say the Lord Jesus but by the Holy Ghost.” [1 Cor. xii, 3] “Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God.” [2 Cor. iii, 5] “For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to accomplish according to His good will.” [Phil. ii, 13] It is not enough only to say I know all these things, but it is necessary to realize them to become really humble. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

2 of 2 This is of faith. “No man can say the Lord Jesus but by the Holy Ghost.” [1 Cor. xii, 3] “Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God.” [2 Cor. iii, 5] “For it is God Who worketh in you both to will and to accomplish according to His good will.” [Phil. ii, 13] It is not enough only to say I know all these things, but it is necessary to realize them to become really humble. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 24th Examen on Humility Towards God [101.] THE first act of humility, says St. Thomas, [2a 2æ, qu. clxi, art. 2 ad 3 ; et qu. clxii, art. 5] consists in rendering ourselves entirely subject to God with the greatest reverence for His infinite Majesty, before which we are as nothing: “All nations are before Him as if they had no being at all.” [Isai. vl, 17] But do you ever consider your nothingness before God?–—and that all the being you have, you have from God?–—and that through intrinsic necessity you depend so entirely upon God that without Him you cannot do anything good–—“for without Me you can do nothing” [John xv, 5] –—that without God you neither think nor say nor do anything that is good? (continued)

2 of 2 ~ 11.— Whit-sunday 2. The Holy Spirit came like a mighty wind, but yet perceived by each and all. Unsearchable like the wind in no one being able to trace whence He comes and whither He goes, sweeping away all the miasmas of earth, purifying, refreshing, invigorating. Has He produced these effects in my soul? Have I asked Him to make me more pure and courageous and strong? Have I co-operated with His grace, or have I hindered His holy influences? 3. The Holy Spirit in coming filled the whole house where they had met together. So His presence extends to the whole Church. He speaks first through the Vicar of Christ, then through bishops and priests, and in subordination to their authority, to the individual soul. It is this universal gift that makes the Church of Christ no mere collection of individuals, but the living body of Christ, her divine Spouse. Thank God for the happiness of being a member of it. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS May 24th, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ ~ 11.— Whit-sunday The Descent of the Holy Ghost 1. At length the retreat of the apostles was over, and they all assembled together to receive the gift that Our Lord had promised to send them after His departure from them. He had promised to ask the Eternal Father to send the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, in His name, to remain with them forever. The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity was to come in His seven fold power, to dwell in the Church of God, and in the hearts of all its faithful members. What a wondrous gift! What a proof of the love of Jesus! He gave the best gift that heaven itself had to bestow. He gave them the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son. (continued)

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost : Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of God. Blessed Feast of Pentecost! May the Holy Ghost shower you with His gifts and may He dwell eternally in your soul.

2 of 2 Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 23rd You must be solicitous in your wish and desire to acquire humility, and you should have diligence and care not to omit those means which would lead you to gain it, and then recommending yourself to God continue to make this examen according to the inspiration of God and the dictates of your own conscience. As humility may be considered under three different aspects, in relation to God, our neighbour and ourselves, and practiced in two ways, that is to say interiorly and exteriorly, it therefore follows that we can sin in these several ways, as we sin against the laws of any other virtue, either by our thoughts, words, deeds or omissions. Let us therefore proceed now to the examen of our faults. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ May 23rd Practical Examen on the Virtue of Humility (continued) Many things considered in themselves are only of counsel; but in respect to such and such circumstances they can nevertheless be of obligation, and are necessary also so that we may not transgress the precept, according to the teaching of St. Thomas. [2a 2æ, qu. lxxii, art. 3; et qu. clxxxvi, art. 2] In conclusion, you must not make this examen with scruples or much anxiety, as if every imperfection were a sin and as if you had the presumption to will to be humble all at once, nor must you reject with contempt all that does not seem to you positively of precept. (continued)