MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE (U.S.A.) - (April 15th, 2013) - More than 100,000 Rosaries have been registered for the May 3rd - 5th ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event.   The registrations have come in from people who live in the following nations:               

Ireland, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Germany, Croatia, Nigeria, Canada,             Malaysia, South Africa, Philippines, Romania, France, England, Argentina,             Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, India, Venezuela, U.S.A.,               Guatemala, and Italy.  

VATICAN CITY - Yesterday, 27 March 2013, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the course of the audience the pontiff authorized the dicastery to promulgate the decrees concerning:

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God REGINA CHRISTINE WILHELMINE BONZEL  (in religion: MARIA THERESIA), founder of the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration; born on 17 September 1830 in Olpe, Arnsberg (Germany) and died there on 06 February 1905; declared venerable on 27 March 2010;

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God MANUEL BASULTO JIMÉNEZ, bishop of Jaén, and 5 COMPANIONS, from the clergy and  lay faithful of the diocese of Jaén; killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1937 in the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God JOSÉ MAXIMO MORO BRIZ and 4 COMPANIONS, from the clergy and  lay faithful of the diocese of Ávila; killed in odium fidei in 1936 in the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God vLADIMIR GHIKA, priest of the archdiocese of Bucharest; born on 13 May 1920 in 25 December 1873 in Istanbul (Turkey) and killed in odium fidei on 16 May 1954 in Bucharest (Croatia);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God JOAQUÍN JOVANÍ MARÍN and 14 COMPANIONS, priests from the Society of the Diocesan Laborer Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ; killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1938 in the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God MIGUEL FRANCISCO GONZÁLEZ-DÍEZ GONZÁLEZ-NÚÑEZ (in religion: ANDRÉS FROM PALAZUELO)and 31 COMPANIONS, professed priests and religious of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins; killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1937 in the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God GIUSEPPE GIROTTI, professed priest of Order of Preachers (Dominicans); born on 19 July 1905 in Alba, Cuneo (Italy) and killed in odium fidei on 01 April 1945 in Dachau, Oberbayern (Germany);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God  SÁNDOR ISTVÁN, professed religious of the Society of St. Francis de Sales  (Salesians of Don Bosco); born on 13 May 1920 in 26 October 1914 in Szolnok, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok (Hungary) and killed in odium fidei on  08 June 1953 in Budapest (Hungary);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God ROLANDO RIVI, seminarian of the diocese of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla ; born on 07 January 1931 in San Valentino Castellarano, Reggio Emilia (Italy) and killed in odium fidei on 13 April 1945 in Piani di Monchio, Modena (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God ELADIO MOZAS SANTAMERA, priest of the archdiocese of Madrid and founder of the Josephite Sisters of the Holy Trinity; born on 18 February 1837 in Miedes de Atienza, Guadalajara (Spain) and died on 18 March in Plasencia, Cáceres (Spain);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God MANUEL APARICI NAVARRO, priest of the archdiocese of Marid; born on 11 December 1902 in Madrid (Spain) in Madrid (Spain) and died there on 28 August 1964;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God MOISÉS LIRA SERAFIN, professed priest of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit; and founder of , Missionaries of Charity of Mary Immaculate; born on 16 September 1893 in Tlatempa, Zacatlán, Puebla (Mexico) and died on 25 June 1950 in Mexico City (Mexico);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God ANGELO FONTANAROSA (in religion, GENEROSO OF THE CRUCIFIED), professed priest of the Congregation of the Passion (Passionists); born on 06 November 1881 in Vetralla, Viterbo (Italy) and died on 09 January 1966 in Mascalucia, Catania (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God OLINTO MARELLA, priest of the archdiocese of Bologna; born on 14 June 1882 in Pallestrina, Venice (Italy) and died on 06 September 1969 in San Lazzaro di Savena, Bologna (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God ANTONI KOWALCZYK, professed religious of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate; born on 16 September 1893 in Dzierżanów, Krotoszyn (Poland) and died on 10 July 1947 in Saint-Albert, Alberta (Canada); and,

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God SÍLVIA CARDOSO FERREIRO DA SILVA, lay faith of the diocese of Porto; born on 26 July 1882 in Paços de Ferreira, Porto (Portugal) and died 02 November 1950 in Paços de Ferreira, Porto (Portugal).

 O Glorious Saint Joseph, you were chosen by God to be the foster father of Jesus, the most pure spouse of Mary, ever Virgin, and the head of the Holy Family. You have been chosen by Christ's Vicar as the heavenly Patron and Protector of the Church founded by Christ. Protect the Sovereign Pontiff and all bishops and priests united with him. Be the protector of all who labor for souls amid the trials and tribulations of this life; and grant that all peoples of the world may be docile to the Church without which there is no salvation.

Dear Saint Joseph, accept the offering I make to you. Be my father, protector, and guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me purity of heart and a love for the spiritual life. After you example, let all my actions be directed to the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and your own paternal heart. Finally, pray for me that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death.

Amen.

GELTRUDE COMENSOLI was born in Bienno in Val Camonica, Brescia, on January 18, 1847, the fifth of ten children. On the same day of her birth, her parents, Carlo and Anna Maria Milesi, took her to the parish Church to be baptized and she was given the name of Caterina. During her childhood, Caterina experienced the joys of innocence and light-heartedness typical of that age. However, the Lord instilled within her the necessity of being intimately united to Him: she was often drawn by a strong desire to pray and meditate deeply. To those who asked her what she was doing she would answer: “I am thinking”.

At the age of seven, unable to resist any longer the pressing invitation of Jesus, one day, in the very early morning, she wrapped herself in her mother’s black shawl and went to the nearby Saint Mary’s Church. Standing at the balustrade, she secretely made her First Communion. Caterina experienced a “heavenly” feeling and swore eternal love to Jesus. The child became more serious, meditative and more absorbed in the thought of Jesus present in the Eucharist who, she realized, was often left alone for many days. While still young, she became an Apostle of the Eucharist: she would have liked to take Jesus present in the Holy Sacrament onto the top of a high mountain so that everyone could see and adore Him.

She chose some among the girls she knew to establish the Guard of Honour. Her ideal was Jesus. The motto: “Jesus, loving You and making others love You”, became the programme of her life. Attracted by a more perfect life, she left her family in 1862 and joined the convent of the Sisters of Charity, founded by St. Bartolomea Capitanio in Lovere, Brescia. Everyone had the highest hopes for her but the wonderful and mysterious ways of Providence were different. The Postulant became seriously ill and was dismissed from the Institute.

After her recovery, she left her village due to the financial situation of her family and, surely not by chance, entered into domestic service, first with Rev. G. B. Rota, parish priest of Chiari, who a few years later was to become the Bishop of Lodi, and afterwards with the Countess Fé-Vitali. These meetings and experiences were to be very important to Caterina. During the Christmas season of 1876 she reaffirmed her dedication to Jesus and wrote a very demanding way of conducting her life, to which she remained faithful.

On the Feast of Corpus Christi of 1878, with the permission of her confessor, she made the vow of chastity, which she had made on the morning of her secret Comunion, perpetual. Without neglecting her duties as a domestic servant, Caterina decided to educate the children of San Gervasio, Bergamo, guiding them towards an honest life of christian and social virtues.

By means of assiduous prayer, mortification, an intense interior life and the practice of the deeds of charity, Caterina prepared herself to accept the will of the Lord. Freed from family responsibilities after her parents’ death, the young woman sought a way to achieve her Eucharistic ideal.

She opened her heart to the Bishop of Bergamo Mgr Speranza, who was, at that time, in Bienno as a guest of the Fé-Vitali’s. He encouraged and assured her that her plans were the will of God.

In 1880, while in Rome with the Fé-Vitali’s, she succeeded in speaking with Pope Leo XIII about her plans to establish a religious institute devoted to the adoration of the Eucharist. The Pope changed them by inviting her to include the education of young female factory workers as well.

Supported by the new Bishop of Bergamo, Mgr Guindani, and by her “Father and Superior”, Rev. F. Spinelli, on December 15, 1882, Caterina, together with two of her friends began the Congregation of the Sacramentine Sisters of Bergamo with the first adoration hour of the Blessed Sacrament. On December 15, 1884 she took the name of Sister Geltrude of the Blessed Sacrament.

The new Congregation revealed itself to be God’s work. In fact, like all God’s work, it endured many adversities which sorely tried the “tender little plant”. However, this plant had already spread its deep roots into the rich soil of prayer, mortification and humility. It mattered little that Sister Geltrude and her Sisters, advised by the Bishop of Bergamo, Mgr Camillo Guindani, successor to Mgr Speranza, had to abandon their first “nest” in order to take refuge in Lodi. Mgr Rota, Bishop of Lodi, welcomed them and generously gave them a house in Lavagna di Comazzo, which temporarily became the Mother House of the Institute.

When innumerable difficulties had been overcome, Mgr Rota, with the Decree of September 8, 1891, gave canonical recognition to the Institute. On March 28, 1892, Mother Geltrude returned to Bergamo, the birthplace of the Congregation. There she gave it decisive and strong direction. God’s work was fulfilled!

The Foundress had guaranteed by then the continuation of the perpetual and public adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and had instilled her precious ideas into her Sisters. Hers was a spirit of prayer, sacrifice, mortification, obedience, humility and charity mainly towards the poor. Therefore, she could approach her godly Bridegroom. On February 18, 1903, at midday, Mother Geltrude, bowing her head towards the Church of Adoration, began her eternal adoration. The news of her death quickly spread. Those who had known her, especially the poor and the humble, who were her favourite people, declared her a saint. On August 9, 1926, her venerable remains were taken from the cemetery of Bergamo to the Mother House of the Institute which she had established. There she lies in a special chapel next to the Church of Adoration.

By request of numerous people, on February 18, 1928, the Ordinary Process on the reputation of Mother Geltrude’s sanctity, her virtuous life as well as miracles, granted by God through Mother Geltrude’s intercession, began. It ended in 1939.

In the same year, Pius XII authorized the preliminary investigation of the Apostolic Process in the Cause of Mother Geltrude.

On April 26, 1961, the General Congregation of the then Congregation of Sacred Rites was held in the presence of Pope John XXIII. His Holiness promulgated the Decree on the heroic virtuous life experienced by Mother Geltrude Comensoli, who was then given the title of “Venerable”.

On October 1, 1989, Pope John Paul II declared her a Blessed Soul.

On April 26, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI entered her on the register of Saints.

JANUARY

The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

FEBRUARY

Migrant Families. That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties.
Peace. That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in building a peaceful future.

MARCH

Respect for Nature. That respect for nature may grow with the awareness that all creation is God's work entrusted to human responsibility.
Clergy. That bishops, priests, and deacons may be tireless messengers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

APRIL

Liturgy, Source of Life. That the public, prayerful celebration of faith may give life to the faithful.
Mission Churches. That mission churches may be signs and instruments of hope and resurrection.

MAY

Administrators of Justice. That administrators of justice may act always with integrity and right conscience.
Seminaries. That seminaries, especially those of mission churches, may form pastors after the Heart of Christ, fully dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel.

JUNE

Mutual Respect. That a culture of dialogue, listening, and mutual respect may prevail among peoples.
New Evangelization. That where secularization is strongest, Christian communities may effectively promote a new evangelization.

JULY

World Youth Day. That World Youth Day in Brazil may encourage all young Christians to become disciples and missionaries of the Gospel.
Asia. That throughout Asia doors may be open to messengers of the Gospel.

AUGUST

Parents and Teachers. That parents and teachers may help the new generation to grow in upright conscience and life.
The Church in Africa. That the local Church in Africa, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, may promote peace and justice.

SEPTEMBER

Value of Silence. That people today, often overwhelmed by noise, may rediscover the value of silence and listen to the voice of God and their brothers and sisters.
Persecuted Christians. That Christians suffering persecution in many parts of the world may by their witness be prophets of Christ's love.

OCTOBER

People in Despair. That those feeling so crushed by life that they wish to end it may sense the nearness of God's love.
World Mission Day. That the celebration of World Mission Day may help all Christians realize that we are not only receivers but proclaimers of God's word.

NOVEMBER

Suffering Priests. That priests who experience difficulties may find comfort in their suffering, support in their doubts, and confirmation in their fidelity.
Latin American Churches. That as fruit of the continental mission, Latin American Churches may send missionaries to other Churches.

DECEMBER

Victimized Children. That children who are victims of abandonment or violence may find the love and protection they need.
Prepare the Savior's Coming. That Christians, enlightened by the Word incarnate, may prepare humanity for the Savior's coming.


                                                                                          ...  From the Vatican

VATICAN CITY - Today, 20 December 2012, Pope Benedict XVI received in a private audience Angelo Cardinal Amato, sdb, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation of the Causes of Saints to promulgate the following twenty-four decrees regarding:

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of Blesseds Antonio Primaldo and Companions, laypersons of the diocese of Otranto, killed in odium fidei on 13 August 1480 in Otranto (Italy); cult confirmed on 14 December 1771; martyrdom recognized on 06 July 2007;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed MarÍa Laura DE JESÚS Montoya Upegui (in religion, Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena), founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and Saint Catherine of Siena; born on 26 May 1874 in Jericó, Antioquía (Colombia) and died on 21 October 1949 in Belencito, Medellín, Antioquía (Colombia); beatified on 25 April 2004;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Anastasia Guadalupe García Zavala (in religion,  María Guadalupe), cofounder of the Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and of the Poor; born on 27 April 1878 in Zapopan, Jalisco (Mexico) and died on 24 June 1963 in Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico);  beatified on 25 April 2004;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God ANTONIO FRANCO, ordinary of the territorial prelature of Santa Lucia del Mela; born on 26 September 1585 in Naples (Italy) and died on 02 September 1626 in Santa Lucia del Mela, Messina (Italy); declared venerable on 14 January 2011;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, priest of the diocese of Córdoba; born on 16 March 1840 in Santa Rosa de Río Primero, Córdoba (Argentina) and died on 26 January 1914 in Villa del Tránsito, Córdoba (Argentina);  declared venerable on 19 April 2004;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God CRISTÓBAL LÓPEZ DE VALLADOLID OREA (in religion: CRISTÓBAL OF SAINT CATHERINE), professed priest, Third Order Regular of Saint Francis and founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Jesus the Nazarene; born on 25 July 1638 in Mérida, Badajoz (Spain) and 21 July 1690 in Córdoba (Spain); declared venerable on 28 June 2012;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God ZOFIA CZESKA-MACIEJOWSKA, founder the Congregation of the Virgins of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; born in 1584 in Budziszowice, Kazimierski (Poland)  and died in Kraków (Poland) on 01 April 1650; declared venerable on 27 June 2011;

- a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God MAŁGORZATA SZEWCZYK (in religion: ŁUCJA), founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sorrowful Mother of God ‒ Seraphic Sisters; born ca. 1828 in Shepetivka (a.k.a. Szepetówka), Khmelnytskyi (Ukraine) and died on 05 June 1905 in Nieszawa, Aleksandrów (Poland); declared venerable on 19 December 2011;

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God Miroslav Bulešić, priest of the diocese of Poreč i Pula; born on 13 May 1920 in Čabrunići, Svetvinčenat, Istarska (Croatia) and killed in odium fidei on 24 August 1947 in Lanišće, Istarska (Croatia);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God JOSÉ XAVIER GOROSTERRATZU JAUNARENA and 5 COMPANIONS, professed priests and religious of the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists); killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1938 in  the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God Ricardo Gil Barcelón, professed priest of the Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence, born on 27 October 1873 in Manzanera, Teruel (Spain), and Antonio Arrué Peiró, layperson of the archdiocese of Valencia and postulant of the Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence, born on 04 April 1908 in Calatayud, Zaragoza (Spain), both killed in odium fidei on 03 August 1936 in El Saler, Valencia (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servant of God MANUEL Sanz Domínguez (in religion,  Manuel of the Holy Family), professed priest of the Order of Saint Jerome, restorer; born on 31 December 1887 in Sotodosos, Guadalajara (Spain) and killed in odium fidei between 06 and 08 November 1936 in Paracuellos de Jarama, Madrid (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God Josefa Pilar García Solanas (in religion,  María  Montserrat) and 8 COMPANIONS, professed religious of the Order of Minim Nuns, along with LUCRECIA GARCÍA SOLANAS, layperson of the archdiocese of Barcelona, killed in odium fidei  on 23 July 1936 at the Sant Genís dels Agudells highway, Horta, Barcelona (Spain);

- the martyrdom of the Servants of God MELCHORA ADORACIÓN CORTÉS BUENO and 14 COMPANIONS , from the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul; killed in odium fidei between 1936 and 1937 in  the religious persecution during the Spanish Civil War;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God PaUL VI (Giovanni Battista Montini), supreme pontiff; born on 26 September 1897 in Concesio, Brescia (Italy) and died on 06 August 1978 in Castelgandolfo, Rome (Italy) ;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Francesco Saverio Petagna, bishop of Castellamare di Stabia, founder of the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of the Sacred Hearts; born on 13 December 1812 in Naples (Italy) and died on 18 December 1878 in Castellamare di Stabia, Naples (Italy);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God JUAN JOSÉ JAIME Bonal Cortada, priest of the archdiocese of Zaragoza, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Anne; born on 24 August 1769 in Terrades, Girona (Spain) and died on 19 August 1829 in Zaragoza (Spain);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God LOUIS-MARIE BAUDOUIN, priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Immaculate and of the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Jesus of Chavagnes; born on 02 August 1765 in Montaigu, Vendée (France) and died on 12 February 1835 in Chavagnes, Vendée (France);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Giovannina Franchi, founder of the Nursing Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows; born on 24 June 1807 in Como (Italy) and died there on 23 February 1872;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Luisa Aveledo y AVELEDO (in religion, Marcelina of Saint Joseph), founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Peter Claver; born on 18 June 1874 in Caracas (Venezuela) and died on 16 November 1959 in Barranquilla, Atlantico (Colombia);

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Claudia Russo, founder of the Congregation of the Poor Daughters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; born on 18 November 1889 in Naples (Italy), and died there on 11 March 1964;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Rosa Elena Cornejo PAZMIÑO (in religion, MarÍa Francisca of the WounDs), founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculata; born on 11 December 1874 in Quito (Ecuador) and died there on 24 October 1964;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God KLARA SZCZĘSNA (in religion LUDWIKA), cofounder of the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; born on 18 July 1863 in Cieszki, Lubowidz, Żuromin (Poland) and died on 07 February 1916 in Kraków (Poland); and,

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Joaquina María Mercedes Barceló Pagés (in religion, Consuelo), cofounder of the Congregation of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation; born on 24 July 1857 in Sarrià, Barcelona (Spain) and died on 04 August 1940 in Manila (Philippines).

ANNOUNCEMENT

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherdmy people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Escape to Egypt13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
    wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

Taken from the N.R.S.V. Bible

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THE EVIL ONE INFLICTED PHYSICAL HARM

In another period when Satan was trying to gain entry to the superior part of the soul the very effort to make an act of faith seemed impossible: “The devil roars and shouts continuously around my poor will, which does and says nothing else with firm resolution than: ‘Long live Jesus…I believe.’ But who could tell you how I pronounce these words? With timidity, without strength and without courage, and I must do myself violence” (Epistolario, 08.11.1916).

In the monthly bulletin, “I Fratini” of the Capuchins in Foggia, a former seminary student who had Padre Pio as his Spiritual Director and confessor, writes about how the devil manhandled the sickly friar. One night he and his fellow students heard the frightening noise of iron bars banging together in Padre Pio’s room, as well as a sound like a train traveling at high speed through a tunnel. In the morning they found their director worn out from his curtain were twisted by hands of enormous strength. Padre Pio was in no condition to talk about what happened at the moment, but a few days later he related how the devil had beaten him because he could not bring about a sin of impurity in one of the Fratini due to the prayers of Padre Pio.

Numerous were the cases of physical assaults by the devil on Padre Pio throughout his long life. Even as late 1964, Padre Pio was so bruised from an attack of the Devil that he could not say Mass. On occasion the visible black and blue marks remained for weeks. Such cases of physical assault by the devil are nothing new in the Lives of Saints. St. Catherine of Siena, St. Theresa of Avila, St. Nicholas of Tolentino and in our own times the Holy Cure of Ars, all experienced the same fury  of the evil one.

To our very scientific age where everything has to be proven in a controlled laboratory setting in order to be credible, these constant direct interventions of the devil in the life of Padre Pio may seem simply impossible to take seriously. For who of us has seen or who knows of anyone who has seen the devil? Yet, we have the above evidence in a man who practiced the Christian virtues in a heroic degree, was very human, had a keen sense of humour and displayed none of the tell-tale signs of a neurotic. Then too, we have the evidence of the many miracles he performed.

The church does not base its doctrine on the devil upon such awesome instances as we find in the life of Padre Pio. On the contrary, Padre Pio’s experiences are explained and rendered intelligible by the Church’s doctrine. The ordinary Christian would be foolish indeed to ignore the testimony of Padre Pio’s experience with the evil one. It is a powerful and existential dramatization of the traditional Catholic teaching that the devil is indeed working through our imagination and senses to bring about our downfall. Though he is clever and a master of deceit, he can never directly move a person’s intellect or will. He is relentless in his attempts to destroy the Church and human souls, but our victory is sure if we follow the example of the Stigmatic Franciscan of Pietrelcina.

Padre Pio speaks to us today by his life and his words. “Temptations, discouragement and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the devil makes noise it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord with the human soul… The soul must give free access to the Lord so that it be fortified by him in every respect and with all kinds of weapons; that his light may enlighten it to combat the darkness of error; that it be clothed with Jesus Christ, with his justice, truth, the shield of faith, the word of God, in order to conquer such powerful enemies. To be clothed with Jesus Christ it is necessary to die to oneself…The Cross is the standard of  the elect. Let us always keep close to it and we will succeed in conquering in everything and over everyone.”

Taken from the Knights of the Immaculata Magazine (July to August 1989 pp. 28 and 35)

Come and join us for the Novena Mass in honor of St. Gerard Majella today (Oct. 7, 2012 - Oct. 15, 2012 at around 05:30 P.M.) at The Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Gogon, Legazpi City PH