Peace of Soul

     Consolations offered by secular media are fleeting. Food, fashions and fantasy line the sinuous path to "nowhere". Empty promises of tranquility are merely fragile moments of complacency. Disappointment leaves us feeling spiritually ill.

     The Sacraments, "instituted by Christ to give grace", are impervious shields for the souls of those who persevere. Archbishop Fulton Sheen's classic work, Peace of Soul is elegant and deeply thought provoking. This collection of humble answers eclipses any tower of spurious panaceas. Fulton Sheen's classic work, Peace of Soul, can be purchased @ Catholic Company.

"Jesus~my rest and tranquility

Jesus~my peace my sweetness..."

from the Prayer of Saint Bonaventure

holy transformation

Jesus takes us on His journey of love

Mary shows us how

to love Him with all that we are

to transform us from a simple structure

into messengers of His immeasurable love

to be with all of the angels and saints

living Eternal life with Him

      33 Days to Morning Glory  is so simply and beautifully presented by Father Michael Gaitley ,of the  Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Following the prescription of Saint Louis de Montfort, this glorious 33 day retreat is a path to Holy Transformation, into the heart of Jesus through Mary.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 13

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Throughout her religious life, Saint Therese made little acts of sacrificial love, not to store up the merits for herself, but for the eternal benefit of other souls. Self  offering was a remarkable characteristic of her spiritual life. Not concerned about her own possible entry into Purgatory, she selflessly, freely, and lovingly, concerned herself with the salvation of other souls. 

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, which so lovingly teaches us about the last four things-death, judgment, heaven and hell. We are gently reminded that the God we fear compassionately takes into account our weaknesses when judging us. God is justice itself. We are responsible to ardently seek out what God desires of us. With this knowledge, it is our duty to elect to obey God. Our failures during this struggle, increase our humility. We must be confident in His forgiveness. The Holy Spirit helps us to differentiate between hope in His mercy and the presumption of His forgiveness. Prayers and sacrifices on behalf of souls dear to us who have passed from this life are of great importance. What a gift it is to trust in His will regarding the eternity of our loved ones. 

   I am grateful to have experienced the past thirteen weeks with this candid and beautifully written book. I look forward to sharing this, and reading more of Connie Rossini's writings.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 12

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Like so many poor souls of her time, Saint Therese was afflicted with tuberculosis at a young age. Her short life was characterized by widely contrasting events ofen resulting in darkness, disappointment, aggravations,distractions and physical pain. Yet her hope in the love and mercy of Our Blessed Lord never waned. Her fervent prayers lead to the conversion of a hardened murderer, as just moments before his execution, he kissed a crucifix.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, in which we learn how disappointmets and times of spiritual dryness can actually be oportunities for a deeper attachment and affection for Jesus. At these times, whenever we trust in Him without reservation, we will be recipients of an abundance of Gods's miraculous blessings, graces and peace.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 11

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     How spiritually crippling it can be to compare ourseves to others! Saint Therese utilized a holy sense of humor, combined with a humble wisdom to guide her novices. She taught them to embrace their weaknesses and to be willing to let God work within their souls to strengthen them. This task required much patience on her part. Imagine the patient understanding and love God has for us! He loves us exactly as He created us. He knows that we are imperfect. But part of loving God is loving what he has given to us as a means to achieving eternity with Him. He knows and loves us exactly as we are. God has a unique and perfect plan for each of us, weaknesses and all. Engaging in spiritual envy distracts us from reaping the benefits of God's unconditional love for us.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, which highlights the importance of accepting ourselves as we are, and accepting each thing that happens to us as part of our Heavenly Father's perfect plan for us, which He designed to lead us to Heaven.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 10

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Saint Therese faced the darkness and sorrow of her father's impending death. Our own Catholic Parish, as a family united in our Eucharistic Savior, is facing the deteriorating illness of a dear Sister. Throughout this ordeal, her face shines with a Divine and brilliant surrender to God's perfect and holy will. Even in her sufferings, she is showing us the joy and beauty of trusting in God, with absolute surrender. This holy woman continues to inspire within us daily an ever growing love for Jesus.

     I know that my own decision to study Mrs. Rossini's beautiful work at this specific time in my life was no coincidence. Praises be to the Holy Spirit!

     It is no coincidence that part of Mrs. Rossini's account of Therese's spiritual journey has to do with the writing of notes as a means of communicating. Our own beloved Sister must communicate at this time, by the writing of notes.

     Does Jesus call us to silence so that we, by virtue of a holy detachment from all that is worldly, can be free to be drawn ever closer to Him? Yes, He does! 

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, which delves into the miraculous presence of God during times of darkness and suffering. He uses these times to fix us more securely within is heart. Especially valuable was your personal account, which cautions us against seeking emotional gratification from our relationship with Jesus. When we depend upon "feelings" as a sign of our faith, we are vulnerable to deceptions which can actually draw us away from the True Presence of Christ in our lives as Catholics.

     As does our dear Sister throughout her illness, Saint Therese had a peace in the center of her soul throughout her time of darkness.

     Blessed be God forever!

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 9

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Saint Therese's trust in God was heavily tested during her father's illness and death. How do we, as Catholics, bear up under the crushing loss of a loved one? How do we deal with our greatest fears? How do we remain free of despair at the death of a loved one? Facing our fears does not mean that we will, at the moment of loss, be immune to pain. Dispelling this unrealistic expectation of ourselves, we accept the pain of sorrow trusting that God will be present to us at every moment.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, which helps us to be willing to accept Gods plan, as did Therese, even when life's events invite us to despair. We need not accept this invitation. We need only to be fully willing to live in the present, knowing that Jesus always protects our souls within His tender embrace.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 8

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Failure to be "perfect" is often a point of discouragement in our Christian walk. Our sins may lead us to believe that we are no longer loved by God.  How easily we forget about His mercy and love for us. The humility of Saint Therese is a joyous reminder of how deeply God loves His children.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which encourages us to persevere, trusting in His love, even when we fail. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift from our Heavenly Father which never fails to heal the deepest lacerations of our hearts. We needn't punish ourselves with despair. Only God is perfect. Jesus' love for us is unconditional. His mercy and forgiveness are available to us at all times, no matter how we fall. All we need to do is trust Him, especially when we are at our worst. May we always be filled with the courage given to us by the Holy Spirit, to lift our hearts above the depths of our sinfulness, and receive the love that Our Blessed Lord abundantly pours into our souls us at every moment of our lives.    

  

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 7

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

    Anger, a virulent and corrosive passion, can instantaneously sweep our souls seemingly out of the reach of Christ's loving embrace. It is tempting to allow the mind to ruminate upon distracting petty annoyances, rather than to meditate upon the immeasurable mercy and love of Jesus. Saint Therese was confronted with the acerbic sentiment of fellow members of her order. She fought the temptation to descend into the emotional mire presented to her so frequently. This dear and lovely Saint consciously chose to love anyone who opposed her, for the love of Jesus. It took immense spiritual discipline to achieve the peace of Christ within her heart and to share the gentle ripples of His unconditional love.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which teaches us great lessons about being missionaries in our own homes, schools or places of work. Saint Therese often said that her ceaseless work of prayer would continue even when she was in Heaven. Her holy example of the beautiful forgiveness and love Jesus tells us to have for our enemies as well as our companions, flows gloriously from Eucharistic Adoration. If we love His Holy Face, as did Saint Therese, how can anger be directed at any of His children, in whose faces can so clearly be seen His?

  

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 6

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

    Waiting is perhaps the most challenging aspect of trusting in God. A true willingness to understand and obey His will involves waiting, which requires humility, courage and patience.  Saint Therese demonstrated these three virtues as she sought permission to enter a Carmelite Community at a very young age. Her determination was motivated by her immense love of Jesus

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter and the beautiful account of Saint Therese's valiant yet meek union with the Carmelites. Whenever God is asked for His direction regarding any decision, He orchestrates a series of events to reveal His will, with astounding clarity,

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 5

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Connie Rossini's reflections on marriage, childbirth and parenting are refreshing. Her humble sense of humor eases the reader into self acceptance, and an acceptance of God's timing in our own lives. A childlike trust in God is actually a sign of spiritual maturity. This is contrasted with "childish" efforts to measure one's worthiness by the counting of "good deeds" to gain favor with our Heavenly Father. Saint Therese's experiences as she matured spiritually are not foreign those of most aspiring saints.  

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which so clearly examines true motives in prayers, devotions and acts of mercy. I have often presented God with my own plans only to find that His will, though quite different from mine, has always drawn me closer to Him. For this I am eternally grateful! 

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 4

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     In this chapter, Connie Rossini explores how our reltionships with our fathers influence our peception of God. Saint Therese and her father Louis lived through the death of his wife, her mother, supported greatly by a strong foundation of faith. That same Catholic faith was the thread that upheld the Rossini family as their father suffered injuries and a difficult recovery from an automobile accident. Gods's love always transcends human imperfection. 

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which reminded me of how fortunate I am to have had a compassionate, down to earth father, whose solid faith overarched every challenge our family ever faced. The blessing of a loving Papi, helped form within me the relationship with our Heavenly Father I have today.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 3

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

  Among the tragic upheavals in her life, the worst was the death of young Saint Therese's mother. It took years of physical and psycholgical anguish, followed by tremendous holy fortitude and devotion to Jesus, for Saint Therese to achieve her well known spiritually mature response to suffering. In this chapter, Connie Rossini shares the story of her own childhood tragedy, the death if her sister in an automobile accident. The struggle to retain trust in God during times of loss and pain seems insurmountable. How can our souls be at peace when our lives are falling apart? I was recently in awe of the complete serenity of a holy woman I know who had received news of a "hopeless" circumstance in her life.

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for sharing such deep spiritual truths in a way that can be easily understood.  Thank you for the following lessons I have learned from your writing and the life of St. Therese: 1) To ask "why" when faced with adversity distances us from a loving trust in God. 2) Suffering and pain do not disprove the power and omnipotence of God. 3) There is a clear relationship between free will and the love of God.

    I look forward to reading more of this lovely book as I continue to learn how life's suffering actually strengthens a holy trust in God.

      

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 2

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Holy Scripture, accounts of the early years of Therese of the Child Jesus, teachings from child psychology (those compatible with Catholic moral teaching), words of wisdom from Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and Catholic moral teaching are gently woven and presented in this chapter.  Healthy child rearing advice is a sweet parallel to the love our Heavenly Father bestows upon us.

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for sharing so bravely about your own childhood. Thank you for the following lessons I have learned from your writing and the life of St. Therese: 1) Through suffering, trust in God is strengthened. 2) Distrust in God is at the root of all sin. 3) Forgiveness, which is spiritually and psychologically healthy, is a necessary element in establishing a firm trust in God.

      

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 1

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     A superficial overview of Connie Rossini's contemplation igniting work would not do justice to the supernatural value of her book. From the first pages, the reader is drawn into the innocence and humility with which Saint Therese grasped the salvific trials given to her by Our Blessed Lord. We are quickly challenged to view our personal sorrows through the Divine lense of the eternal joy that has been promised to us by our Heavenly Father. Commonly, the emotional outcome of tragedy and disappointment are experienced as in a measuring cup calibrated by worldly stanards. Followers of Jesus are called to a higher standard of measure.  That measure is trust. The joy in our souls, no longer dependent upon circumstances beyond our control, is directly related to our trust in God. Focusing on the love of God and neighbor instead of ourselves enhances our trust in God. Recognizing the signs and outcomes of trust and distrust in God help us to stay on the path to holiness.

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for Sharing so candidly about your decision to become a secular Carmelite. Thank you for the first new (new to me)lesson I have learned from St. Therese- "nothing but trust will lead us to God."

Impossible

     Saint Rita of Cascia  was a woman who accepted, with Divinely motivated love, the many crosses brought to her by a life of suffering. This prepared her for her joyful eternity with Jesus.           Married at an early age to an abusive husband, she endured her suffering with trust and grace. After the death of her husband and children, she became an Augustinian nun. 

     Known for severe penances and a life of constant prayer she bore the stigmata of Jesus.        

     The movie, Saint Rita (Ignatius Press), a dramatic portrayal of her holy life is an inspiration to all women in every state of life. Saint Rita drew supernatural strength from her faithful devotion and holy obedience.  Known as the Patroness of the Impossible, her example and intercession are a great help to all Christians who aspire to follow Jesus to the fullest.

Glimpses Along the Way

       Listening to Glimpses Along the Way of the Cross, so compassionately shared by Monsignor James P. Shea, I could not help but wonder if  I were being blessed by experiencing some aspects of Our Blessed Mother's view of the Passion of our Savior. Monsignor Shea's eloquent portrayal of the Way of the Cross is unique and relevant.  

     The supernatural benefits of meditation on the Way of the Cross are summarized by Saint Bonaventure, who said that "He who desires to go on advancing from virtue to virtue, from grace to grace, should constantly meditate upon the Passion of Christ. There is no exercise more profitable for the soul than the frequent meditation on the sufferings of Our Lord." 

     This  Lighthouse Catholic Media CD is a certain powerful in doing just that.
     Our Heavenly Father treasures us so much that He gives us innumerable ways of understanding the depth of His love for us. Thank you Monsignor Shea and Lighthouse Catholic Media for all of the inspiration provided to us through beautiful Catholic presentations. Thank you Jesus and Mary for always accompanying us throughout our journey home to You.

Serious

     In this energetically presented CD, Jeff Cavins teaches us how to free ourselves from the spiritually corrosive potency of unforgiveness. We learn here about the folly of insisting that everyone live up to our expectations. Mr. Cavins explains that the infinite gravity of hatred and guarding resentment cannot be underestimated. We are reminded, through the parable of the debtor, how seriously Jesus regards forgivenss.

     The emotional and spiritual torment of mentally replaying offenses is contrasted with the life giving holy beauty of reconciliation. Christ's forgiveness of His persecutors remains the hallmark of Christian forgiveness. It is this act of forgiveness that all Christians must practice in our daily lives. This presentation is outstanding in its relevance for all Christians, Catholic and non-Catholic, as we aspire to walk ever faithfully with Jesus.

Jesus Loves and Forgives

     The  collection Blessed Catherine Emmerich's visions about Mary Magdalene portrays one aspect of how Jesus loves and forgives all of us. These excerpts from Blessed Catherine Emmerich's divinely inspired writings: The Life of Jesus Christ, reveal the enduring patience and compassion of Our Blessed Lord for all of us sinners. We are also reminded in these writings of the immense supernatural power of intercessory prayer. 

     Our loved one's, and our own, conversion and reversion to the fullness of our Catholic faith are miraculous events which are cause for great hope and rejoicing. Even in the face of apparent hopelessness, there is never a reason to give up praying for our loved one's return to the glorious embrace of Our Eucharistic Savior, Jesus Christ.  After all, Our Blessed Mother Mary intercedes for ALL of her children without ceasing. Her powerful intercession guards and protects all of us as we daily strive to walk faithfully with her Son. His love and  forgiveness for Mary Magdele, as depicted in theses beautiful writings are gifts we receive daily. What a tremendous cause for gratitude ~ Praises be to Jesus forever!

Remedy for the "Blues"

     Presented by a Catholic Psychiatrist Deacon, the "Anger and Forgiveness CD published by Lighthouse Catholic Media" is filled with compassionate admonitions and spiritual enlightenment. Within a Scriptural context, the spiritual nature of anger and its sinful characteristics are explained. Dr. Bob McDonald does a wonderful job of measuring the current secular treatment of anger with Jesus' perfect and holy teachings.

     The listener is also offered a proven method of dealing with "blue" feelings which emerge from recurrent negative and angry thoughts. Dr. McDonald suggests that at these "low" times, an effective remedy is to go to a quiet place and for fifteen minutes praise God, with gratitude and love, It works!     

Rosary Promises

           This was originally posted @ mommynovenas.org 

on October 7, 2013

     Our Blessed Mother's powerful intercession for us is clearly demonstrated in her fifteen promises to Christians who pray the Rosary. The first of these promises is that whoever prays the Rosary faithfully will receive Signal Graces. Signal Graces are those little clues from the Holy Spirit that tell us we are on the right path, or unexplained nudges from our Guardian Angels that keep us out of danger. They may seem to be "coincidences". It is most pleasing to think of these Signal Graces in the former category.  There are events which serve to advance our achievement of something we desire. 

        But what about the times we don't "get what we want?" It's much more difficult to accept the job we didn't get or the lost relationship as a blessing. Yet, if we take a close look at the life of our Blessed Mother, we can see that our Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. Mary suffered many trials and sorrows. She did not enjoy material wealth or social popularity. Yet, her sacrificial, loving acceptance of God's will is the perfect example of how we are to live as Christians. Following Mary's example can only lead us directly into the heart of Jesus. Following His will, no matter how difficult, can only lead to eternal life in Heaven with Him. 

     Many signal graces, sent so mercifully to us by Our Blessed Lord, remain unnoticed. We are so busy trying to solve our problems on our own that we are not listening to Him. Reciting the beautiful Rosary prayer in a state of peaceful surrender to Our Lord opens our hearts to His perfect guidance.

     Faithful Catholics have written much about Mary's Rosary and signal graces. 

     Saint Louis de Montfort's writings, which come from his devotion to Our Lady, explain Mary's supernatural maternal influence in our lives. The Secret of the Rosary, and more of de Monfort's works can be found here: 

The Secret of the Rosary

True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Secret of Mary

15th Promise~To Jesus through Mary~2nd Promise