Saint Bridget of Sweden -- Prophetess of Europe of the Middle Ages

Introduction :

Saint Bridget, daughter of Birgir -- Royal Blood Prince of Sweden was born about the year 1302 of highly pious parents.

Having lost her virtuous mother soon after birth, little Bridget was raised by one of her highly virtuous aunts.

She could not speak before the age of 3, but as soon as she spoke, she began praising God.

In early childhood, serious discourses on Religion pleased her and grace powerfully filled her heart so that only pious readings attracted her.

At the age of 10, she was particularly touched by a sermon she heard on the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The following night she, believed that she saw Our Lord nailed to the Cross and all covered with Blood and Wounds.

At the same time, she heard a voice saying : "Look upon Me, My daughter."

"O Dear Lord asked Saint Bridget, "Who has treated You so cruelly ??

Our Lord Jesus Christ replied :"Those who despise Me and are insensitive to My Love for them."

That Mysterious dream left so deep an impression on her, that from then on she continually meditated on the sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ which drove her to tears.

At the age of 15, through obedience she was married to Prince Ulf -- a very pious young man and they had eight children. One of her daughters became Saint Catherine of Sweden.

Conclusion :

Saint Bridget's example more than her instructions sanctified her large family. Her "Revelations" and other celestial favors made her all the more fervent and humble.

Saint Bridget died at Rome in 1373 after having returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Saint Bridget practiced "Mental Prayer" and meditated often on the Life and Sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the Year.

Saint Bridget founded the Brigittines.

Saint Bridget of Sweden canonized on October 7, 1391 by Pope Boniface the Ninth is particularly popular in Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, and Hungary.

The Feast of Saint Bridget of Sweden is celebrated on July 23.

Credits and References :

1) The Magnificent Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden
    based on the Passion and Death of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
   Page 6
  Taken from the Revelations of Saint Bridget
 Tan Books and Publishers Inc,
 P.O. Box 424
 Rockford, Illinois - 61105
U.S.A.

2) Saint Bridget of Sweden
    By the Monks of Saint Joseph
   De Clairval Abbey, France
   Page 14
  Don Bosco's Madonna, Mumbai
  July 2015 Vol - 17, N0-3

Note : The 15 prayers composed by Saint Bridget of Sweden on the Passion of Our Saviour Jesus Christ can move you to tears.

The 15 Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden.

 http://www.marypages.com/BrigittaEnglish.htm

On the Holy Rosary

Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary,

The Holy Rosary has a very special place in my "Spiritual Life".

Recitation of the Holy Rosary has helped me to cope with the ups and downs of life.

My Mother used to often tell me, that if you are troubled in any way ---- "Go to Jesus and Mary" by reciting the Holy Rosary. They will never let you down.

When I recite the Holy Rosary, I often think of the unique and special relationship between Jesus Christ and Mother Mary during their life on earth.

I have never stopped reciting the Holy Rosary when I learnt it at the age of 10.

I believe that the Holy Rosary is a Miraculous Prayer in itself and if said with faith and devotion it is a great help on a daily basis.

Here are two beautiful articles on the Holy Rosary.

1) The Seven Dolour Rosary.

 http://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-632.shtml#_Toc349936297


2)  Suggestions on saying the Holy Rosary

http://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-469.shtml#_Toc349936134
 

Two Amazing Articles on the Blessed Sacrament

Dear Friends in Jesus and Mary,

I have a solid devotion to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

This was nurtured in me by my Mother now deceased during my teenage years.

The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar continuously amazes me.

The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament strengthens me 24-7-365.

Here are 2 amazing articles on the Blessed Sacrament.

1) An Hour with Our Saviour

http://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-31.shtml#_Toc349935696

2) The True Apostle of the Sacred Heart

http://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-645.shtml#_Toc349936310

The Catholic Church in the United States

I love the Catholic Church in the United States inspite of its failings and mistakes.

There are Marian Shrines from New York to California.

The most famous ones being Holy Hill and Our Lady of Guadalupe in the State of Wisconsin and the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Massachusetts.

The Catholic Church in the United States has embraced all ethnic groups that have embraced Catholicism.

This is evident from the Spanish Language Masses in a number of States in America specially in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida to mention a few.

IMHO, Young Adult American Catholics seem to be more active in their faith specially in Parishes that have Eucharistic Adoration than say Young Adult Catholics in Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada, or Australia.

My Favourite American Catholic Cardinal is Cardinal Raymond Burke.

Australia's Forgotten Patroness

Our Lady Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia.

However, She was forgotten about for numerous decades.

Recently, while surfing the web for a suitable Marian Shrine related web site I came across a Beautiful Web Site about a Shrine dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians in Canungra, Queensland on the Gold Coast in Australia.

I believe it is in the Brisbane Area.

Here is a wonderful and amazing article on Our Lady Help of Christians.

http://www.ecatholic2000.com/cts/untitled-53.shtml#_Toc349935718

Here is the Shrine Web Site in Australia.

http://www.marianvalley.org/

Becoming an Apostle of Divine Mercy

Apostles of Divine Mercy :

What is an Apostle of Divine Mercy ??

APOSTLE -- is derived from the Greek meaning one who is sent or MESSENGER.

OF DIVINE -- meaning of course of God.

MERCY -- or misericordia  in Latin which is made up of 3 smaller words.

MISERIS -- miserable.

COR -- heart or love.

DARE -- to give.

So, an Apostle of Divine Mercy is one who brings the message of God's Love to the miserable. For, no one that is aware of God's existence and love could ever be miserable. Unfortunately, the world is full of miserable people.

The Message of Merciful Love :

Formerly, in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit spoke through the Prophets, today he speaks continuously. Jesus Christ to the Mystic Carmela Carabelli, Milan, May 1968.

The Messages are in the words of "Jesus" himself in the form of conversations with Mamma Carmela profound words of wisdom, words of counsel, and tremendous comfort and answers to questions we never ask because we don't know who to ask.

"I ask your help, as a beggar asks alms, will you help me ?? Jesus Christ Milan, 1969".

Jesus Christ asks for New Apostles :

My beloved daughter, I wish you to find new apostles to make a wide distribution of my message. I want to enter into each family to convert the hardest hearts. Take my Image to Hospitals, Hospices, Schools, Homes, and to the ends of the earth if you can.

Speak now to the whole world of my message of "Merciful Love". I will help you find new apostles. They will be my new elect and the beloved ones of my Heart and they will have a special place therein.

I will bless their families and I will deputise for them in directing their affairs if they give time to me. I will carry out in full that which I have told you in the Gospel. To him who seeks first the Kingdom of God and His Justice all the rest will be given in abundance.

And I say to you : " To anyone who propagates confidence and love towards my Mercy, I will give a hundred fold in this life and the next."

From the message of Merciful Love, Milan 27th April 1969.

History behind the message of Merciful Love :

The Message of Merciful Love, was received by Carmela Carabelli during a period which lasted some ten years from 1968 to 1978. It began in the Year that Rome had at last accepted new information on the "Revelations to the servant of God" Sister Helena Faustina  Kowalska and issued the first of two Decrees by which the Process of Beatification was formally opened on her behalf. The date was 31st January 1968. This was thirty years after the death of Sister Faustina.

In this same year in the north of Italy in the City of Milan, a widow with a large family who had given her whole life to works of mercy and charity in her city was praying one evening when she heard a voice, it said "You will be another witness to my Divine Mercy, I will bless you and give you special graces.

I ask your help as a beggar asks alms, Will you help me ?? I want you to find new Apostles, and once again spread my message of "Merciful Love" to the ends of this Earth."

Mankind keeps losing sight of the meaning of life. On the 12th of April 1969, the eve of Low Sunday, Jesus Christ spoke to her of the Feast of Mercy "a day of great forgiveness and reconciliation".

On the 22nd of March 1970, Sister Faustina herself gave a message to Carmela and her Prayer Group. (The Mother of Divine Love Prayer Group), she said it is not the first time that I come among you but it is the first time that I wish to speak, I am Sister Faustina and I ask you to make with particular devotion the Novena of Divine Mercy, so that all Men will begin to believe in the mystery of salvation, which is contained in the Devotion to the Divine Mercy.

Credits and References :

Divine Mercy Publications
P.O. Box 2005
Dublin 13, Ireland

Apostles Prayer :

Merciful Jesus Christ, We believe in thee and we trust in thee. Come to the aid of our weakness and our incapacity. Grant that we may be able to make thee known and loved by all men, and that confident in the immensity of thy love we may be able to combat the evil which is in us and in all the world, for thy Glory and our salvation Amen.

Nihil Obstat

Pietro Santoro

Bishop of Termoli

This beautiful prayer was inspired by Jesus Christ himself to Mamma Carmela on 22nd of April 1969 in Milan.

The Shroud of Turin

The Mystery of Holy Saturday

Its Spiritual Significance

Introduction :

One could say that the "Shroud" is the Icon of this mystery, the Icon of Holy Saturday. Indeed, it is a winding - sheet that was wrapped round the body of a man who was crucified, corresponding in every way to what the Gospels tell us of Jesus Christ who was crucified at about noon, died at about 3.00 in the afternoon.

At nightfall, since it was "Parasceve" that is the eve of Holy Saturday, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and authoritative member of the Sanhedrin, courageously asked Pontius Pilate for permission to bury Jesus Christ in his new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock not far from Golgotha.

From that moment, Jesus Christ remained in the tomb until dawn of the day after the Sabbath was chronologically brief ( about a day and a half) but immense, infinite in its value and in its significance.

No Man's Land :

Holy Saturday is a "No Man's Land" between the death and the resurrection but this "No Man's Land" was entered by One, "the Only One" who passed through it with the signs of his Passion for man's sake :

PASSIO CHRISTI. PASSIO HOMINIS.

And the Shroud speaks to us precisely about this moment -- testifying exactly to that unique and unrepeatable interval in the history of humanity and the universe in which God in Jesus Christ not only shared our dying but also our remaining in death -- the most radical solidarity.

In this "time -beyond- time", Jesus Christ "descended to the dead".

What does this mean ??

This means that God having made himself Man, reached the point of entering man's most extreme and absolute solitude, where not a ray of love enters, where total abandonment reigns without any word of comfort -- "HELL".

This is exactly what happened on Holy Saturday : The Voice of God resounded in the realm of death.

The unimaginable occurred : namely "Love Penetrated Hell".

"PASSIO CHRISTI". "PASSIO HOMINIS". ( The Suffering of Christ is the suffering of Humanity).

This is the Mystery of Holy Saturday !!

This is the power of the Shroud: From the face of this "Man of Sorrows", who carries with him the passion of man of every time and every place, our passions too, our sufferings, our difficulties and our sins -- "PASSIO CHRISTI".

PASSIO HOMINIS :

From this face a solemn majesty shines, a paradoxical lordship. This face, these hands, and these feet, this side, this whole body speaks.

How does the Shroud speak ?? It speaks with blood and blood is Life !!

The Shroud is an Icon written in Blood; the Blood of a Man who was scourged, crowned with thorns, crucified and whose right side was pierced.

The Image impressed upon the Shroud is that of a dead man, but the blood speaks of his life. Every trace of Blood speaks of Love and of Life -- specially that huge stain near the rib, made by the blood and water that flowed copiously from a great wound inflicted by the tip of a Roman Spear.

That Blood and that Water speak of Life. It is like a spring that murmurs in the silence, and we can hear it, we can listen to it in the silence of Holy Saturday.

Note :

On Sunday Evening, May 2, 2010 Emeritus Pope Benedict 16, went to the Cathedral of Turin and before the solemnly exposed Shroud gave this meditation.

Credits and References :

The Image of God that ripped us from the hands of death by his
Holiness Emeritus Pope Benedict 16
Pages 18-19
September 2010, Volume -12 N0-5
Don Bosco's Madonna, Mumbai