The King Rests - Holy Saturday

The Liturgy of the Hours reads an "Ancient Homily" from the Easter Vigil. It reads:

"What is happening? Today there is a great silence upon the Earth, indeed a great silence and a following solace, a great silence, because the King sleeps..."

Today, following the Passion and Death of Our Lord we consider the Lord who has been laid to rest in the Tomb.

"The King Sleeps"
The Lamentation of Christ
(Andrea Mantegna)

What happened?

God offered His Son and His Son offered Himself for us. That's what happened. Holy Saturday is a day of convergences. Historically it is a day in which we stay close to Mary, His Mother, contemplating the deep solace and great silence, which She alone would have endured.

Endurance. It is the truest test of faith and hope. If you don't believe in it you won't wait it out. This here is what happened. Mary believed. Mary hoped. This Act of Faith and Hope, given her by Her Son and Lord was a catalyst for the greatest miracle ever to happen. The Resurrection of our Lord.

It is true in biblical exegesis that Mary, His Mother, doesn't appear after the Crucifixion. She seems to disappear until Pentecost. If there was a person that intuitively believed as was accredited to her by Elizabeth in Luke 1, it would be her. She knew - within the dimensions of faith and hope - that He was "the Resurrection and the Life" (John 12) and that all would be made whole.

Holy Sepulchre (The Tomb of Jesus)
Jerusalem

The way Mary lived Holy Saturday is the way we should live our Holy Saturday as well as the rest of our lives: in hope. Hope is the sign of endurance.

May you be blessed with a Beautiful Easter and may your lives be blessed with this Hope.

Alleluia!

Day 9: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Gudalupe
Rome, Italy

"He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever"

(Lk 2:55-56)

"My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace."

Mary Immaculate, pray for us.

Day 8: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

La Pietà 
Church of Trinità dei Monti
Rome, Italy 

"...The hungry he has filled with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty..."

(Lk 2:54)

"There is a Marian “style” to the Church’s work of evangelization. Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness. In her we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong who need not treat others poorly in order to feel important themselves. Contemplating Mary, we realize that she who praised God for “bringing down the mighty from their thrones” and “sending the rich away empty” (Lk 1:52-53) is also the one who brings a homely warmth to our pursuit of justice. She is also the one who carefully keeps “all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Mary is able to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small." (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 288)

Mary, Virgin and Mother,

you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,

welcomed the word of life

in the depths of your humble faith:

as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,

help us to say our own “yes”

to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,

to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

...

Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.

Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us.

Amen. Alleluia!

(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 288)

Day 7: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

The Column of the Virgin with Child
Ara Coeli, Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy

"...He has thrown down the rulers from their thronesbut lifted up the lowly..."

(Lk 2:53)

If you would have heard it said at the time of Our Lord that a Christian Church would stand above the ruins of Jupiter's Temple upon the  Capitoline I'm sure he would have been laughed at. But that is the Truth. Up above the long set of steps which lead to the bare facade stands the Ara Coeli Church, the Altar of the Heaven. It stands in the highest part of Rome, thus the most sacred. With a heart desirous of a New Evangelization let us shout up to Mary and ask her for her assistance as we face the difficulties day-by-day to bring Her Son's Beautiful Good News to all those we encounter.

Ave Maris Stella

Hail bright star of ocean,

God's own Mother blest,

Ever sinless Virgin,

Gate of heavenly rest

Taking that sweet Ave

Which from Gabriel came,

Peace confirm within us,

Changing Eva's name.

Break the captives' fetters,

Light on blindness pour,

All our ills expelling,

Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;

May the Word Divine,

Born for us thy Infant,

Hear our prayers through thine

Virgin all excelling,

Mildest of the mild,

Freed from guilt, preserve us,

Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,

Make our way secure,

Till we find in Jesus

Joy for evermore

Through the highest heaven

To the Almighty Three

Father, Son, and Sprit

One same glory be,

Amen.

Group of Legion of Christ Brothers on a Church-a-thon
(www.churchathon.org)

Day 6: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Virgin and Child
Chapel of the Eucharistiner
Meran, South Tyrol, Italy

"He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit."

(Lk 2:51)

"May these days bring you all close to her who—throughout her life in communion with her Son, not only by ties of blood but especially by love—is the most perfect Teacher of that love which enables us to be united in the deepest way with Christ in the mystery of his Eucharistic presence. Let Mary lead us to the Eucharist!" (Bl. John Paul II - for full text)

 

Sub Tuum Praesidium prayer (300 AD)

We turn to you for protection,
Holy Mother of God.
Listen to our prayers
and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.

Day 5: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Maestà - Virgin with Child
Baptistery of St. John Lateran Cathedral-Basilica
Rome, Italy

This image hangs above the altar where I would like to celebrate my first Mass. Jesus holds Our Lady's mouth and they both look towards us. We can look to Mary with the same intimacy. "Blessed are the Pure of Heart for they shall see God". By "Immaculate" we recall that Mary is pure, the purest among women. Mary, grant me the grace to have a pure heart like your own.

"His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him"

(Lk 2:50)

Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians

Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, Help of Christians, we place ourselves under your motherly protection. Throughout the Church's history you have helped Christians in times of trial, temptation and danger. Time and time again, you have proven to be the Refuge of sinners, the Hope of the hopeless, the Consoler of the afflicted, and the Comforter of the dying. We promise to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, your Son, to proclaim His Good News of God's love for all people, and to work for peace and justice in our world. With faith in your intercession, we pray for the Church, for our family and friends, for the poor and abandoned, and all the dying. Grant, O Mary, Help of Christians, the graces of which we stand in need. (Mention your intentions.) May we serve Jesus with fidelity and love until death. Help us and our loved ones to attain the boundless joy of being forever with our Father in heaven. Amen.

Day 4: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

Shrine of Our Lady
Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
Rome, 

I pass by this statue every day I have classes. Mary is the Wisest Woman the World has ever known. When in need of light in the midst of life's darkness, whom else can we go to?

"...The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name..."

(Lk 2:49)

Memorare prayer
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Day 3: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

8th Century Icon - Dominican Convent
Monte Mario, Rome, Italy
(Of the images used in this Novena this is the only one not taken by me)

Mary looks us in the eye and tells us that she loves us as only a Mother can. That is why we say "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, Sweetness and Hope". Where else can you turn in this cold world but towards a smiling face full of love?

"...for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed..." (Lk 1:48)

Hail, Holy Queen + Glory Be for Peace in the World - especially in our own families.

Day 2: Immaculate Conception Novena

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

"Sanctus Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies)
"Scala Sancta" (Holy Stairs)
Rome, Italy

Only a woman could love our Lord as much as a Mother can. What was the reason that God decided to take on a Mother? Does God heart require a Mother's Love too? How else could he have made it as a man upon this Earth if it were not for a Mother's Love?

"...my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Lk 1:47)

1 Hail Mary + Glory Be for our Moms

Day 1: Novena of the Immaculate Conception

I would like to invite you throughout these next days to join in a Novena of the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the greatest woman in history. We can find in her the Mother we are most in need of day by day.

13th Station - Seminary Chapel
Pontifical College Maria Mater Ecclesiae - Rome

I Just could not understand how people could think that God would not love Women, that if a God existed that women would be second class...I asked, "What kind of God would create himself a Mother?"

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord," (Lk 1:46)

1 Hail Mary + Glory Be for the poor and the forgotten.

14th Station - Seminary Chapel
Pontifical College Maria Mater Ecclesiae - Rome

There and Back Again: Part 2 (Medjugorje)

The Titanic

I've never slept on a boat before. We crossed the Adriatic to Croatia to the Ancient City of Split...pronounced just as you would in gymnastics. Summer home of Diocletian...etc.

We were soon on our way to Medjugorje. The views were spectacular...they're up there with the Amalfi Coast, but in this case it was a bit cloudy...

Croatian Coastline

The Shire

Medjugorje is a special town. First we crossed into Bosnia-Herzegovina (we were in the Herzegovina side of the country) which contrasted so much from the more-or-less wealthy Croatia. With a population of around 4 - 5,000 people the Shire-like town receives 1,000,000 pilgrims yearly. Obviously that means that there are too many hotels for its own good and what may seem like an apartment is most evidently and most frequently a Hotel, Hostel (Pansion), or B&B. To add to that the quantity of street vendors of religious articles is...best left aside...as it is in just about every well visited pilgrimage site I've ever been to (Assisi, Rome, Knock...what I've heard of Fatima and Lourdes).

In the life of a Christian what matters most is not what happens "on the outside" or "what others say" but what "The Other" says, God. There is no way to know for certain if the apparitions in Medjugorje are for certain or true but what matters (and this I did witness) is the right attitude many many pilgrims had on going on this pilgrimage.

The White Cross

Mom and Dad

We began with a fast and while there we decided the first thing we would attend would be Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration. In the days successive we climbed both Hills (Apparition and the Cross). What I felt most in prayer was a desire to give thanks to Our Lord and Our Lady for all they had done in my life...too much. I brought some 5 pages of prayer intentions-causes with me and I left them under a rock on Cross Hill remembering to pray for all those who sent me the intentions.


I don't know if I'll return to Medjugorje but I can say that it left a footprint in my heart. 

PS: Finally, I'd like to thank my uncle and aunt for so graciously inviting me along on this pilgrimage.

Me - Split, Croatia

A Journey to the feet of a Mother

There is a small shrine in the Vatican Gardens unknown to many dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in which an sculpture of St. Juan Diego holds the tilma with Our Lady before the Franciscan Bishop of Mexico City. Mary can do great things through small people. If you would like to see what God can do with an 'insignificant' young girl from a remote corner of civilization, please see exhibit A: Mary, Our Mother.

 

View of St Peter's Basilica from Pope Benedict's new residence

 

In a few days I will be going on a journey, a pilgrimage, to Medjugorje. A few family members are coming to Rome on a pilgrimage and have graciously invited me to accompany them in their Marian Pilgrimage. Personally I don't really have a personal devotion to a geographic Madonna but I can say with great satisfaction that I have always loved Our Lady and, better yet, Our Lady has always loved me.



Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Vatican Gardens

Just like my trip up Gran Sasso (click here to see how that went) I would like to invite you to come along spiritually. I'm leaving on Thursday and I'll be back on Tuesday of the following week. I would love to collect your prayer intentions to bring with me so that I can remember all of you in my prayers and offer them to Our Lady.

 

Here are a few that come to mind:

 

1. For a cousin who will be defending her doctorate in Theology soon.

2. For all seminarians that they persevere despite the hardships they endure.

3. For all those soon to marry, but especially Vanessa L. and Ray D. as well as Simone R. and Alessandra

4. For Life, from the womb to the tomb.

 

I would be honored if you sent me an intention, please send it to brotherjohnlc@gmail.com

 

Thank you!

God bless, Brother John LC