Sermon by St. Leonard of Port Maurice

The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved

Thanks be to God, the number of the Redeemer's disciples is not so small that the wickedness of the Scribes and Pharisees is able to triumph over them. Although they strove to calumniate innocence and to deceive the crowd with their treacherous sophistries by discrediting the doctrine and character of Our Lord, finding spots even in the sun, many still recognized Him as the true Messiah, and, unafraid of either chastisements or threats, openly joined His cause. Did all those who followed Christ follow Him even unto glory? Oh, this is where I revere the profound mystery and silently adore the abysses of the divine decrees, rather than rashly deciding on such a great point! The subject I will be treating today is a very grave one; it has caused even the pillars of the Church to tremble, filled the greatest Saints with terror and populated the deserts with anchorites. The point of this instruction is to decide whether the number of Christians who are saved is greater or less than the number of Christians who are damned; it will, I hope, produce in you a salutary fear of the judgments of God.

Brothers, because of the love I have for you, I wish I were able to reassure you with the prospect of eternal happiness by saying to each of you: You are certain to go to paradise; the greater number of Christians is saved, so you also will be saved. But how can I give you this sweet assurance if you revolt against God's decrees as though you were your own worst enemies? I observe in God a sincere desire to save you, but I find in you a decided inclination to be damned. So what will I be doing today if I speak clearly? I will be displeasing to you. But if I do not speak, I will be displeasing to God.

Therefore, I will divide this subject into two points. In the first one, to fill you with dread, I will let the theologians and Fathers of the Church decide on the matter and declare that the greater number of Christian adults are damned; and, in silent adoration of that terrible mystery, I will keep my own sentiments to myself. In the second point I will attempt to defend the goodness of God versus the godless, by proving to you that those who are damned are damned by their own malice, because they wanted to be damned. So then, here are two very important truths. If the first truth frightens you, do not hold it against me, as though I wanted to make the road of heaven narrower for you, for I want to be neutral in this matter; rather, hold it against the theologians and Fathers of the Church who will engrave this truth in your heart by the force of reason. If you are disillusioned by the second truth, give thanks to God over it, for He wants only one thing: that you give your hearts totally to Him. Finally, if you oblige me to tell you clearly what I think, I will do so for your consolation.

Continued here:  http://olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml

Jesus To St. Gemma Galgani on Suffering

Jesus says to St. Gemma Galgani: "When I shall be a spouse of blood to you, I will love you, but you must be as one crucified. Prove your love for Me as I have proved My love for you; and do you know how? -By suffering pains and crosses without number. You must consider yourself honoured when I treat you thus, and when I lead you through thorny and sorrowful paths. It is with My permission that the Devil torments you, that the world fills you with disgust, that the persons dearest to you cause you affliction. ... And you, My daughter, must think of only one thing during this time, that is, of exercising great virtues. Keep on the path of the Divine will, and humble yourself, and be convinced that if I nail you to the Cross, I love you."

"My daughter "-Jesus said to her- "if you truly love Me, you will love Me even in darkness. Embrace the Cross, My daughter, and be certain that whilst you are satisfying your desire of suffering you are satisfying My heart; and remember, the more bitter the Cross seems to your heart, the more agreeable it is to Mine."

NOVENA FOR SANCTITY OF LIFE - NOV 30th TO DEC 8th

PRAYER 

PRAISE 

AND  PENANCE

IN  THANKSGIVING FOR 

THE  GIFT OF LIFE

AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF 

LIFE  FROM  CONCEPTION 

TO  NATURAL  DEATH

FROM  30th  NOVEMBER  

TO  DECEMBER 8TH.....

OR START TODAY....

Using the Novena to Immaculate Conception from  EWTN

PRAYER TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION O God,  who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession,  to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ,  Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

For Each Day perhaps you can try to do the following:

Prayer:  Daily Mass, Divine Office (Prayers of the Church - Morning and Evening prayer) each day, Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 o'clock Prayer, Examination of Conscience each evening, Night Prayer, a Holy Hour of Adoration whenever you can.  There is also Online Adoration (Savior.Org) for those who cannot get to a Church.  On the Friday - Stations of the Cross, Contemplate the Passion of Christ.  
             
Penance:  Confession during the week, one day of Fasting during the week where possible and where your health allows, other forms of penance such as giving up sweet things, giving up TV, giving up Facebook or whatever.

Praise:  To give thanks to God for everything in your daily life, the good and the bad things, during these nine days especially. This is also a sacrifice especially when your feelings are going against you...ultimately to thank God for the Gift of Life.  The Holy Mass is the ultimate Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving to God.  

From the Diary of St. Faustina (On Giving Thanks to God in everything)

I want to live in the spirit of faith. I accept everything that comes my way as given me by the loving will of God, who sincerely desires my happiness. And so I will accept with submission and gratitude everything that God sends me. I will pay no attention to the voice of nature and to the promptings of self-love. Before each important action, I will stop to consider for a moment what relationship it has to eternal life and what may be the reason for undertaking it: Is it for the glory of God or for the good of my own soul or for the good of the souls of others? If my heart says yes, then I will not swerve from carrying out the given action, unmindful of either obstacles or sacrifices. I will not be frightened into abandoning my intention. It is enough for me to know that it is pleasing to God (1549, and 1262).

Pray for Ireland to Uphold the Sanctity of Life

“Give us the grace... When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, to stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life.” 
Blessed John Paul II 

Please pray for Ireland at this time as it faces a battle against those who wish to bring in abortion.  The lies and falsehoods that are currently being spread so much all around the world are beyond belief.  The media seems unwilling to recognise the truth and does not wish to consider all those women who lost their lives through abortion, all those who are now suffering greatly because of abortion and all those little children who have died because of abortion and infanticide.  

Please support in any way you can with any donation of any amount no matter how small those who are fighting for the cause of Life in Ireland and Please pray for all of us that we may uphold the Sanctity of Life in our country.  But above all support us with Prayer and Penance.  

The replica of the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa is still in Ireland at this time. Family and Life organised this part  (around Ireland) of the worldwide pilgrimage of this beautiful image.  It is no coincidence that she came to us at this time.  Please check out more on their site:  Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage

PLEASE  SUPPORT  IF  YOU  CAN:  FAMILY AND LIFE WEBSITE

Facebook page:  FAMILY AND LIFE FACEBOOK

Helping Women with Unplanned Pregnancy

The Divine Mercy House is primarily for women over the age of 18 facing an unplanned pregnancy, with little or no help available to them. This age group is the most at risk of ending a crisis pregnancy in abortion due to lack of family and social support.

Generally, women who come to Divine Mercy House do not have other children in their care, but if the need should arise, the home has been designed to accommodate a mother with a child under five. An expectant mother may plan on raising the child or placing the baby for adoption. Adoptions will be facilitated through Catholic Charities.

Since its’ inception in 1999, Divine Mercy House has served over 75 women, averaging around six to ten per year. The staff of Divine Mercy House recognize that each woman who enters the house is unique, and each situation is different. We work hard to meet each individual need and tailor the program to fit each woman; therefore there is no hard and fast rule on length of stay. On average the women who complete the Divine Mercy House Program stay six to eight months after their babies are born, which ensures they will be well ready to care for themselves upon departure from the house.

The Divine Mercy House operates with a limited paid staff relying on a large core of volunteers for many support functions. Paid positions include an Executive Director, a Resident Director and three Assistant Resident Staff. They are responsible for the day-to-day function of the house, with support from the Board of Directors.

Above from Website:  Divine Mercy House

Diary of St. Faustina - Purgatory and the Holy Souls

Shortly after this, I fell ill [general exhaustion]. The dear Mother Superior sent me with two other sisters for a rest to Skolimow, not far from Warsaw. It was at that time that I asked the Lord for whom else should I pray for. Jesus said that on the following night He would let me know for whom I should pray. 

[The next night] I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid. The flames which were burning them did not touch me at all. My Guardian Angel did not leave me for an instant. I asked these souls what their greatest suffering was. They answered me in one voice that their greatest torment was longing for God. I saw Our Lady visiting the souls in PURGATORY. The souls call her “The Star of the Sea.” She brings them refreshment. I wanted to talk with them some more, but my Guardian Angel beckoned me to leave. We went out of that prison of suffering. [I heard an interior voice] which said, My mercy does not want this, but justice demands it. Since that time, I am in closer communion with the suffering souls. (Diary, 20)

All Saints and All Souls

Prayer Intentions

Let us pray to the Lord for all those who died in the storm Sandy in the Caribbean and for all who will be affected by the Super Storm in the United States.  Let us pray for all those who have died in the Typhoon Son-Tinh in the Philippines.

Let us pray also for all those who were killed in Nigeria after a suicide bomber attacked a Catholic Church killing at least seven people and injuring many others.

Let us pray for all those whose lives are destroyed by the grave evils of abortion and euthanasia throughout the world.  Let us pray for Gods Mercy in these times when the lives of the innocent are taken in the name of 'choice'.

Let us pray also for Catherine Gowing and for April Jones in Wales.  Let us pray for them and for all families who suffer the painful loss of a missing loved one.

O BLOOD AND WATER WHICH GUSHED FORTH FROM THE HEART OF JESUS AS A FOUNT OF MERCY FOR US,  I TRUST IN YOU.  

Bl John Paul II - Feast Day 22nd October

St. Faustina's Prayer to be Merciful

Is a great help to making a good examination of conscience also before Confession.

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand times do I want to glorify your mercy.

I want to be completely transformed into your mercy and to be Your living reflection O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of your unfathomable mercy pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me O Lord that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors souls and come to their rescue.

Help me O Lord that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me O Lord that my tongue may be merciful so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me O Lord that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon my self the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me O Lord that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me O Lord that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May your mercy O Lord rest upon me.

You yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first; the act of mercy of whatever kind. The second; the word of mercy – if I cannot carry our a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third; prayer – if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically. O my Jesus, transform me into yourself, for you can do all things.

Humility to Turn back to God's Mercy

Julian of Norwich: The Humility of a Sinful Soul is a Lovely Thing

Our good Lord showed me the enmity of the fiend, from which I gathered that everything opposed to love and peace comes from the fiend and his set.

Inevitably we fall because of our weakness and stupidity – and just as surely we get up with even greater joy because of the mercy and grace of the Holy Spirit.

Even if our enemy gains something from us when we fall (this is what he likes!), he loses very much more because of our love and humility when we get up again.

This glorious rising up gives him such sorrow and pain (he hates our soul so much) that he burns and burns with envy.

[...] The remedy is to be aware of our wretchedness, and to fly to our Lord. The greater our need, the more important it is to draw near to him.

Let our meaning be, ‘I am well aware that my suffering is deserved. Our Lord is almighty, and may punish me mightily; he is all-wise, and can punish me wisely; and he is all-good, and loves me most tenderly.’

And with the sight of this we have got to stay. The humility of a sinful soul is a lovely thing, and is a work of the Spirit’s mercy and grace, when we consciously and gladly accept the scourge and punishment given by our Lord himself.

It even becomes gentle and bearable when we are really content with him and with what he does.

[...] This was shown, with particular and loving emphasis, that we are to accept and endure humbly whatever penance God himself gives us, with his blessed passion ever in mind.

[...] Our Lord is with us, protecting us and leading us into fullness of joy. For it is an unending source of joy to us that our Lord should intend that he, our protector here, is to be our bliss there – our way and our heaven is true love and sure trust!

This is the message of all the revelations, and particularly in that of his passion where he made me wholeheartedly choose him to be my heaven.

Flee to our Lord, and we shall be strengthened. Touch him, and we shall be cleansed. Cling to him, and we shall be safe and sound from every danger.

For it is the will of our courteous Lord that we should be as much at home with him as heart may think or soul desire.

But we must be careful not to accept this privilege so casually that we forget our own courtesy.

For our Lord himself is supremely friendly, and he is as courteous as he is friendly: he is very courteous.

Julian of Norwich (1342-1416): Showings, 77, 6); from the Monastic Office of Vigils, Friday of Week 28 in Ordinary Time, Year 2

St. John Chrysostom on Gods Infinite Mercy

"Suppose that a believer who once was pleasing to God becomes full of wickedness and commits grievous sins that exclude him from the kingdom. I will not allow even a person like that to despair, although he may have grown old practicing his unspeakable wickedness.

"Now if the wrath of God were a passion, a person might well despair of quenching the flame that his many sins kindled. However, because the divine nature is passionless, God never punishes nor takes vengeance with wrath, but with tender care and much lovingkindness. So we must be of much good courage and trust in the power of repentance.

God does not punish for his own sake even those who have sinned against him, for nothing can harm that divine nature. Rather, to our advantage he acts to prevent our perverseness from worsening by our habitually neglecting him. Even a person who places himself outside the light inflicts no loss on the light. But shut up in darkness, he suffers the greatest loss himself. Similarly, he who habitually despises that almighty power, does no injury to the power, but inflicts the greatest possible injury on himself. And for this reason God threatens us with punishments—and often inflicts them—not as avenging himself, but by way of drawing us to himself."

The Reality of Hell.......Do you Believe it exists ?

St. Faustina - May Become a Doctor of the Church