Virgo Potens

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 22nd Their remorse is vain, because it is the remorse of despair. Therefore while there is still time let us consider the matter seriously, and say: “What advantage have I derived from all my pride? It makes me hateful to Heaven and earth, and if I do not insist upon mortifying it, it will make me odious to myself for all eternity in Hell.” Let us lift up our eyes to Heaven, and, contemplating the Saints, exclaim: “Behold how their humility has profited them! Oh, how much glory have they gained by their humility!” Now, humility is looked upon as madness by the worldly, worthy only of scorn and derision; but a time will come when they will be obliged to recognize its virtue, and to exclaim, in seeing the glory of the humble: “Behold how they are numbered among the children of God.” [Wisd. v, 5] If I am humble, I shall be exalted with that glory to which God exalts the humble. O my God, humble this mad pride which predominates within me. “Thou shalt multiply strength in my soul,” [Ps. cxxxvii, 3] for, “my strength hath left me.” Ps. xxxvii, 11] And I will not and cannot do anything without Thy help. In Thee I place all my trust, and beseech Thee to help me. “But I am needy and poor; O God, help me. Thou art my helper and my deliverer: O Lord, make no delay.” [Ps. lxix, 6] ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 22nd 78. Let us listen at the gates of Hell and hear the lamentations of the eternally damned. They exclaim: “What hath pride profited us?” [Wisd. v, 8] What use or advantage was our pride to us? Everything passes and vanishes like a shadow, and of all those past evils nothing remains to us but the eternal shame of having been proud. (continued)

UNFAILING NOVENA to ST. JOSEPH Feast, May 1st This prayer, it is said, “has never been known to fail, provided that the request is for one’s spiritual benefit or for those whom we are praying.” Day 1 - April 22 O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in thee all my interest and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by thy powerful intercession, and obtain for me from thy divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below thy heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating thee, and Jesus asleep in thine arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near thy heart. Press Him close in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.

2 of 2 18.—The First Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. 1. It was late when Jesus appeared to the apostles. Not in the early morning as to St. Mary Magdalen, not in the midday as to St. Peter, but in the evening. Why was this? It was because the apostles had forsaken Him in the hour of need. They all fled in the Garden of Gethsemani. Only St. Peter and St. John had followed to the house of Caiphas; all the rest had been timorous and faint-hearted. They had forfeited the privilege that the faithful company of the holy women had secured of beholding their Master early in the day. Jesus treats us as we treat Him; love begets love. Every act of love done for Him earns a generous reward in this life, and also in the next. If we neglect Him, we must expect Him to neglect us. 2. Yet they had not forgotten Him. Their hearts were full of love to Him, and it was for Him that they were now suffering; it was on account of Him that they had been sad during this mournful triduum spent in the solitude of the guest-chamber. He therefore would not let the sun go down without coming to console them. He is so grateful for every thought of Him, and so ready to forget every unkindness. 3. At first they did not recognize Him. It could not be a human body which had thus passed through the closed doors. They supposed that they saw a spirit, or a phantom of their Master. Me will not believe in the wonders that the love of Jesus is ready to work for those who loveHim. He is ready to do for us far greater wonders than He wrought for His apostles. He is ready to break down all the barriers that sloth and idleness and sin have raised in our souls. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

THE RESURRECTION and ASCENSION of JESUS CHRIST April 22nd, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 18.—The First Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-39 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 21st We need not be astonished nor sad when we feel these instincts within us. They belong to the wickedness of our corrupt nature and are remnants of the temptation of our first parents by the serpent, when he said to them: “And you shall be as gods.” [Gen. iii, 5] Therefore I repeat that these desires which arise from the weakness and depravity of our human nature must be borne with patience. If these desires gain the mastery over us, it is because we have encouraged and given way to them; and a bad habit which we have formed ourselves can only be cured by ourselves, and therefore the mortification of the same also lies with us. This mortification of the senses, inspired by humility, is taught by Christ in the self-denial which He imposed upon us when He said: “If any man will follow Me) let him deny himself.” [Matt. xvi, 24] And therefore I must draw this conclusion, that if I will not mortify myself with humility–—that is to say, crush my self-love and craving for esteem–—I shall be excluded as a follower of Jesus Christ, and by such an exclusion I shall also forfeit His grace and be eternally exiled from participating in His glory. But in order to practice it, it is necessary for me to do violence to myself, as it is written: “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.” [Matt. xi, 12] Who can obtain salvation except by doing violence to himself? ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 21st 77. We may say with St. Thomas, [12, qu. iv, art. 2] that this craving of ours to be esteemed, respected and honoured is an effect of Original Sin, like concupiscence which remains to us even after our Baptism; but God has ordained that these appetites and desires should remain in us in order that we might have occasion of mortifying ourselves and that by such means we might gain the kingdom of Heaven. (continued)

2 of 2 17.—The Appearance of Jesus to the Assembled Apostles 1. When the two disciples arrived at Jerusalem they found the doors of the house where the apostles were, barred and bolted for fear of the Jews. When they have gained admission they see a very different state of things from the sorrow and despondency of the morning. All are full of a trembling excitement: Christ has appeared, not merely to the women, but to Peter himself. Yet most of them scarcely dare to hope for such joy; and in spite of this confirmation by the new-comers, some are still incredulous. Some are naturally incredulous of some great happiness; and for this reason men of good will are naturally the slowest to believe untii some light from heaven enlightens them, or facts afford evidence that cannot be disputed. 2. While the assembled apostles are discussing the news, suddenly Jesus Himself appears in their midst. The doors are still fastened; but now He has broken the bonds of earth, and stands before them in the glorious beauty of His risen Body. So He comes suddenly and unexpectedly to those who love Him and long for Him: no obstacles can keep Him away; no intervening ties can separate Jesus from the souls that are dear to Him and He to them. 3. Jesus came to His apostles when the doors were shut. The cares, and troubles, and dangers of the world were shut out. This is the only means of drawing Christ to us. He does not make His voice heard amid the world's din. We must shut the doors of our senses if Christ is to come and be our Guest. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

THE RESURRECTION and ASCENSION of JESUS CHRIST April 21st, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 17.—The Appearance of Jesus to the Assembled Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 33-36 And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. (continued)

THE RESURRECTION and ASCENSION of JESUS CHRIST April 20th, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 17.—The Appearance of Jesus to the Assembled Apostles Read St. Luke xxiv. 33-36 And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 20th Now, if these animals could discourse among themselves, do you think that the one laden with gold would boast of his riches, and the one laden with books of his knowledge, and that in the same way the others would boast of bravery or of holiness according to the nature of their loads? Would not such pretensions be vain and ridiculous? Most certainly; for the rich and precious burdens borne by these animals belong to the master and not to the beast. For the master might have laden with dung the one he loaded with gold or other precious things, and being their owner he could unload each animal whenever he pleased, so that each one would appear before him as he is, namely, a vile beast of burden. Or, with St. Augustine, let us picture to ourselves the ass on which Jesus Christ sat when He was met by the multitude with their branches of palms, acclaiming Him with cries of: “Hosanna to the Son of David, Hosanna! [Matt. xxi, 9] Who would be so foolish as to imagine that these honours were given to the beast? These praises were not given to the ass, but to Christ who was seated on the ass. “Was that ass to be praised? That ass was carrying someone, but He who was being carried was the one who was being praised.” [Enarr. in Ps. xxxiii] Let us apply the simile to ourselves, saying, with David: “I am become as a beast before Thee.” [Ps. lxxii, 22] and whatever may be the object of our pride let us use this simile to exercise ourselves in humility. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 20th 76. Let us imagine a man who possesses many beasts of burden which he has bought for the purpose of carrying such loads as he requires. The beasts are loaded, one with gold, one with books of philosophy, mathematics, theology and law, another with weapons, another with sacred vessels and vestments belonging to the Church, and another with reliquaries in which are precious relics of the Saints, and so on. (continued)

2 of 2 16.—The Divine Guest 1. Jesus, unable to resist the importunity of these two faithful hearts, deigns to be their guest; after He has shared their meal He provides for them a heavenly banquet. For the second time He consecrates the Eucharistic Bread, and feeds His entertainers with the sacred food of His own Body and Blood. Then at length their eyes are opened, and in the reception of the Divine mysteries they recognize that He who worked the marvel is none else than the Lamb that had been slain; the Great Prophet whom they had loved, but had not known: Christ, their Lord, their Creator, and their King. 2. To open the eyes is one of the effects of a good Communion. When I receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ I should make use of the happy moment to ask His advice, to consult Him on my difficulties, to pray for more light, to beg that self-love and obstinacy of will and pertinacity of judgment may not blind my eyes. Why do I not make more of the brief time during which He is my guest, and is therefore bound to listen to me? 3. No sooner had the two disciples received holy Communion and made an act of faith in the Divinity of Jesus than He vanishes from their sight. How their hearts burn with joy,and peace, and gratitude, and love, and devotion! How could they have ever doubted! Oh, what happiness is theirs as they hasten back to Jerusalem to communicate the joyful news to those whom they had left in sorrow and distress! ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

THE RESURRECTION and ASCENSION of JESUS CHRIST April 20th, 2026 ✧❁❁✧✿✿✧❁❁✧ 16.—The Divine Guest Read St. Luke xxiv. 30-35 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. (continued)

2 of 2 Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 19th Therefore in what can we pride ourselves, since God can take anything away from us the moment that we begin to glory in it? For he who glories in his wealth may soon become poor; he who glories in his health may suddenly become infirm; he who glories in his knowledge may suddenly become insane; he who glories in his holiness may suddenly fall into some great sin. What vanity, what folly, then, to glory in that which is not our own, nor even in our power to keep! “What hast thou that thou hast not received?” [1 Cor. iv, 7] This reflection alone should suffice to make us humble, and it may be said that all true humility depends upon our persevering seriously in this thought. Oh, my soul, thou shalt be humbled when, as God says by the prophet, He will “separate the precious from the vile.” [Jer. xv, 19] Thus the essence of humility consists in knowing how to discern rightly that which is mine, and that which belongs to God. All the good I do comes from God, and nothing belongs to me but my own nothingness. What was I in the abyss of eternity? A mere nothing. And what did I do of myself to emerge from that nothingness? Nothing. If God had not created me, where should I be? In nothingness. If God did not uphold me at every turn, whither should I return? Into nothingness. Therefore it is clear that I possess nothing of myself but nothingness. Even in my moral being I possess nothing but my own wickedness. When I do evil it is entirely my own work, when I do good it belongs to God alone. Evil is a work of my own wickedness; good is a work of God’s mercy. In this way we separate the precious from the vile; this is the art of all arts, the science of sciences, and the wisdom of the Saints. ~ Fr. Cajetan Mary da Bergamo (1660-1753), Humility of Heart. Tr. Herbert Cardinal Vaughan (1903).

Month of the Holy Eucharist ~ April 19th [75.] If we wish to discern what belongs to God and that which is our own, it is sufficient for us to reflect that by rendering to God all that is His, nothing is left to ourselves but nothingness. So that we can truly say with the prophet: “I am brought to nothing.” [Ps. lxxii, 21] This is a true saying, that all that is within us that is more than nothingness belongs to God, and He can take away what is His when He chooses without doing us any wrong. (continued)