December 12, 2008
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of the Americas!
Dear Children of Medjugorje, praised be Jesus and Mary!
1 – On December 2nd, Mirjana Soldo received her monthly apparition at the Cenacle. After the apparition she gave us the following message, “Dear children! In this holy time of joyful expectation, God has chosen you, the little ones, to realize His great intentions. My children, be humble. Through your humility, with His wisdom, God will make of your souls a chosen home. You will illuminate it with good works and thus, with an open heart, you will welcome the birth of my Son in all of His generous love. Thank you, dear children.”
2 – I Am Waiting For the Child Jesus!
Fr Svetozar Kralijevic, OFM
(Photo Courtesy of Bernard Gallagher: crownofstars.blogspot.com)
Father Svetozar, from the Medjugorje Parish, recently recounted this significant anecdote. A short time ago he was in the US and entered a clothes shop. He saw many T-shirts with images of demons, monsters, and inscriptions like “To Hell with Satan.” With his usual gentleness, he asked to see other t-shirts: “I am looking for a T-Shirt with a picture of Jesus,” he said to the clerk.
“No sir, we don’t have one!” The clerk replied.
“Do you have one with the Blessed Mother?”
“No!”
“Well, maybe then you have one with the Name of Jesus on it?”
“No sir! We don’t have that either!” The clerk was beginning to lose her patience.
“Well, then maybe you would have one with the word ‘Peace’ or the word ‘Beauty’?” As always, Father remained calm and poised.
“No sir, we don’t have those shirts here. We have nothing of that sort! And now, excuse me, but we have work to do, so get out!” And with that, father was thrown out of the shop.
Christmas is getting nearer, and the Child Jesus may suffer the same treatment. Maybe He suffers this treatment even in our own family! The large majority of people no longer have any idea whose birthday we are celebrating. It is Jesus the Christ. Even the word ‘Christmas’ has been removed from most of our calendars, replaced by ‘winter holidays’ or other pathetic commercial vocabulary, to ensure that Christ is excluded from our society.
It is up to us to welcome the Child Jesus! Instead of saying to Him, “Get out of here, I have work to do!” Let’s bestow upon him the most precious gift we have – the largest, the most beautiful, the most secret place in our hearts and in our lives! During these days before Christmas, let us call Him with force, let us demand Him with the violence of the Saints so He will come into our hearts and he will find there a warm and loving home! He is not asking for much, He is so small and so discreet! He will fall asleep and we will be surprised at the peace that radiates from this sleepy little one. His divine peace will burn away our anxieties, our bitterness. From His peace will spring forth a tenderness that heals, and joy that gives power to win. Through us, the God Child will be able to push away all darkness and will penetrate the hearts of our loved ones who are also seeking Him without knowing it, (see PS for prayers before Christmas).
3 – In Luxemburg, Infant Jesus, Prince of Life, is Threatened!
Among the reports reaching us, here is one on euthanasia and assisted suicide (strong temptation for teenagers in a fit crisis): On December 1st, Henri, the Grand Duke of Luxemburg, announced that he would not sign any law allowing euthanasia. Now a bill of law decriminalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide, is to be discussed at the Parliament in spite of the much opposition expressed. To thwart Grand Duke Henri, the Government has modified the Constitution to take away his power to sanction the law. By taking this courageous position in favor of life, the Grand Duke follows the line adopted by King Baudouin of Belgium during the vote for the law allowing abortion. Let us support him with our two powerful arms: prayer and fasting! The Rwanda slaughter could have been avoided by these two arms, as the Gospa had said; but where were we? We can also take concrete action to defend life, (see PS 1).
4 – My Children Who Are Hungry!
Magnus is one of many children in a family that has been familiar with Medjugorje since the war in Bosnia Herzegovina. In 1992, in response to a call he received in Medjugorje, he created Help For War Victims. This apostolate, well supported by the wonderful small community of Craig Lodge (Scotland), developed quickly bringing food and support to Bosnia and Croatia, Romania and Latin America. In 2002, this once small community, born out of a Medjugorje initiative, created Mary’s Meals (see PS 2).
Mary’s Meals offers a meal to children whose impoverishment prevents them from attending school! Their meal is given at the school itself, or another place of education, so that it compels the children to get there! Besides the meal, children also receive an education and in this way, many are able to escape poverty. The miracles at Mary’s Meals are plentiful, with a daily “clientele” of 350 to 1000 children! Most who witness the success of the project comment that this is certainly “Mary’s work.”
In 2006, while visiting Medjugorje, Magnus spoke with Anca, a local guide. Anca had recently visited Haiti where a great famine had taken over the land. She was especially moved by the tremendous suffering endured by the children there. When she heard about Mary’s Meals she asked Magnus to create a similar project in Haiti. “We’d love to do that.” He said, “but at this moment, we don’t have the necessary funds. So, let’s pray together for that and we’ll see what happens.”
Back in Scotland Magnus received an email about a priest who had heard of Mary’s Meals. The priest, quite overwhelmed, explained that he had a foundation that sought to aid the poorest children in Haiti. Convinced that Mary’s Meals would be the most appropriate project for Haiti, he promised to fully finance the endeavor and invited Magnus to meet the leaders of his foundation. After meeting with Magnus they agreed to finance a meal every day for 5000 children
While explaining the providential story of Mary’s Meals to the group that had funded the project in Haiti, Magnus pointed out that aid for Haiti came exactly on the day of Mother Teresa’s death. He noticed that this announcement elicited from them a very intense emotional response. Surprised, he asked them why they were so moved. They responded: “All the money we gave to you was provided by a single donor, a very rich Canadian woman. She gave this money because several years ago she had a dream that deeply moved her. Mother Teresa appeared to her in a dream and begged her saying, ‘Help my children in Haiti who are dying of hunger!’ She was so struck by this dream that she strongly pushed us to act, and it’s thanks to her that we put together that financial aid! Then, look! Mary’s Meals of Haiti is the first fruit of that dream with Mother Teresa!”
“What you do for the littlest of my children, you do for me!” Jesus, the poor Child of the manger in Bethlehem, told us.
Merry and Holy Christmas to you all!
Dearest Gospa, what is your secret?
What were you saying to Child Jesus when He was in your womb? What were you whispering to Him while holding Him tight in your embrace and warming Him with your tenderness?
Sr Emmanuel +
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Nota Bene: Do not forget your saint for 2009! It is very profitable to draw a Saint as your companion for the New Year. Who would not need this Heavenly presence by their side, always available for help? We are offering a list of Saints for you to prepare for your friends and close ones. (Names are cut up and offered in a basket so that every one can draw the Saint who will be their companion). This list will be ready on December 20th at www.childrenofmedjugorje.com.
It is also in the book Triumph of the heart in the chapter labeled October 1994. Use it for your Christmas and New Year family gatherings! The drawing of Saints for the New Year was already a tradition at St. Faustina’s Convent! (See Paragraph 359 of her Diary).
PS 1- Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg On December 18th, the Parliament is to vote on an extremely serious modification of the Constitution which would take away the signature of the laws from the sovereign. A lot more than just the Grand Duchy is at stake since it is about Life, our lives, to save and protect. This heroic act – he has risked his crown for the love of Truth – should awaken our benumbed consciences. Each one of us may send him a word of support (at the link below) as a huge campaign has been launched to support him. Your word will make a difference. All the signatures will be given to him on December 17, the day before the last vote. Thank you!
http://www.liberte-politique.com/soutien_au_Grand_Duc_du_Luxembourg/php/appel.php
PS 2 - Documentation on Mary’s Meals at www.marysmeals.org
PS 3 – SHOP COM FOR CHRISTMAS! Christmas is near, give presents that help love and joy grow! Read and offer “The Hidden Child of Medjugorje” by Sr Emmanuel. You won’t regret giving this book to a friend as a New Year’s gift, a wedding gift, or as a Christmas stocking stuffer! In the US go to our COM store: www.childrenofmedjugorje.com then click “Shop COM”. $19 + postage. (Use coupon code “Bethlehem” in checkout for a 15% discount on all orders until December 24!)
In UK, 7£, Tel +44 2920 460 189. In Ireland, Veritas, Dublin, Tel: +353 1878 8177 – sales@veritas.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it In South Africa, Tel: +27 393 172 825. In Medjugorje at the Parish bookstore, at “Devotions” and Catholic bookstore, 9€.
In French, 17,50€ www.editions-beatitudes.fr. Spanish, 7€, “Hijos de Medjugorje”, Barcelona, Spain – +34 629 79 28 49 – gsba15@yahoo.es.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it In Portuguese (holding an Imprimatur!) at Diel, Lisboa, 13€, www.dielnet.com. German, 22€, Parvis Verlag, Swizerland. Tel: +41 269 159 399 – www.parvis.ch Polish, 8€, Wyd. Marianow, Warsaw – Tel: +48 22 642-5082 – www.wydawnictwo.pl Italian, Editrice Shalom, Ancona, 9€ – Tel: +39 071 745 0440 – www.editriceshalom.it Dutch, 15€, n.imkamp@tele2.nlThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or veys.stefaan@skynet.beThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it – Tel: +32 56 777373. Lettonien, tél: +371 29544267 – info@dzivibasstraumes.lv.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Bookstores may contact us at pray@childrenofmedjugorje.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
PS 4 – Prayers to the Infant Jesus
“Infant Jesus, God Child, you came, so small, so vulnerable, so poor, so weak for us. I offer you the fears of my weakness, of my vulnerability, of my smallness, of my poverty. I put down all I am into you Innocent and pure Heart. Yes, I consecrate myself to Your innocence, to your purity. Yes, you are true Love, true beauty, you are The One who does not suspect anything. The innocence of your eyes will save us! Infant Jesus, save me by your innocence!” (Jean-Marc Hammel, France)
Invocation: “Infant Jesus, King of Love, I trust in your merciful bounty.”
To the Infant Jesus of Prague. “O Most loving and blessed Infant Jesus! Great God and Lord of heaven and earth, You have hidden Your Divine Majesty under the lovable semblance of a child before whom the powers of the heavens tremble, the mighty kings of the earth bow, and the evil spirits under the earth must bend. Though You are the Almighty God, for love of us You became a little Child, so that we might love You more ardently, serve You more faithfully, and humbly follow Your example in childlike purity and love.
I, a poor sinner, bow down humbly before the great God concealed in this lovable Child and adore You. I love You as the highest and most loving God. I entrust myself to Your infinite Goodness. Oh teach me after Your example to love humility and crush pride, to desire to grow in virtue and childlike trust. Direct and rule me and make me virtuous, that I may please You and be little in this world and great in the next. Amen.”
Children’s Consecration Prayer to the Infant of Prague
“Miraculous Infant Jesus, I acknowledge You as my beloved Little King and adore You. Establish your reign in my heart and in the hearts of all men. Thank You for the countless graces and blessings bestowed upon the whole world. Forgive the many offenses committed against Your Divine Majesty, and accept this act of homage and love, which I offer You in reparation for my sins and the sins of others.
Teach me to be meek and humble of heart, to be docile and subject to all those who exercise authority over me in Your name, that I may grow in wisdom, age, and grace before God and men. Instill in my heart those childlike virtues of simplicity and candor, humility and trust, so necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Make me strong in the face of temptation, and pure in my thoughts, desires, words, and actions.”
Consecration to the Holy Child of Prague
“O Divine Child Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Father, You are the true light that enlightens everyone coming into this world. It is through You that I am, it is through You that all thing have been made, and without You nothing would be. It is therefore just that I devote myself to You without reserve.
In gratitude for all the love with which You love me, I devote to You all the love my heart is capable of. I ardently desire to love you still more, to offer You a heart less unworthy of you. Accept this ardent desire, O amiable Child-God, and kindly bless it.
You have suffered for us and have borne Your infirmities, in order that we might one day deserve to be associated with Your eternal happiness. I want to unite my sufferings to Yours, so that You may give them merit and they may be sanctified. As You have been weeping for me, because of my sins, help me by Your grace to weep for them myself.
I also devote to You all my joys. I only have the ambition and the will to seek those pleasing to Your service, by the practice of the virtues taught in the mysteries of Your Divine Childhood. I beg You to help me by Your grace to acquire the gentleness, the humility, the childlike simplicity, the filial confidence and the perfect obedience, of which You gave me such a splendid example.
May I progress in holiness and one day possess the rewards promised in heaven to those who practice the lessons of Your Holy Childhood. Amen.”
(Source: Children of Medjugorje)
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 1:1-17
往神父講道目錄
亞巴郎之子，達味之子耶穌基督的族譜：亞巴郎生依撒格，依撒格生雅各伯，雅各伯生猶大和他的兄弟們；猶大由塔瑪爾生培勒茲和則辣黑，培勒茲生赫茲龍，赫茲龍生阿蘭，阿蘭生阿米納達布，阿米納達布生納赫雄，納赫雄生撒爾孟，撒爾孟由辣哈布生波阿次，波阿次由盧德生敖貝得，敖貝得生葉瑟，葉瑟生達味王。達味由烏黎雅的妻子生撒羅滿，撒羅滿生勒哈貝罕，勒哈貝罕生阿彼雅，阿彼雅生阿撒，阿撒生約沙法特，約沙法特生約蘭，約蘭生烏齊雅，烏齊雅生約堂，約堂生阿哈次，阿哈次生希則克雅，希則克雅生默納舍，默納舍生阿孟，阿孟生約史雅，約史雅在巴比倫流徙期間生耶苛尼雅和他的兄弟們。流徙巴比倫以後，耶苛尼雅生沙耳提耳，沙耳提耳生則魯巴貝耳，則魯巴貝耳生阿彼烏得，阿彼烏得生厄里雅金，厄里雅金生阿左爾。阿左爾生匝多克，匝多克生阿歆，阿歆生厄里烏得，厄里烏得生厄肋阿匝爾，厄肋阿匝爾生瑪堂，瑪堂生雅各伯，雅各伯生若瑟，瑪利亞的丈夫，瑪利亞生耶穌，他稱為基督。所以從亞巴郎到達味共十四代，從達味到流徙巴比倫共十四代，從流徙巴比倫到基督共十四代。
恭讀聖瑪竇福音 21:28-32
