Subj : August 15th -The Feast of the Assumption To : All From : rich Date : Mon Aug 14 2017 10:07:20 From: rich August 15th -The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother of Our Lord by Father Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876 Three things are today recalled to our memory: the happy departure of Mary, the mother of Jesus, from this world, her glorious entrance into heaven, and her coronation in heaven. Christ, our Lord, did not take His mother with Him when He ascended to heaven, as He had the power to do, but preferred that she should remain on earth a few more years, to be a consolation and an example of virtue to the Christians. The holy mother passed this time, which, according to the opinion of many, lasted twenty-three years, in great holiness, occupied in prayer, meditation on the heavenly mysteries and joys; in the remembrance of all that her beloved Son had done for thirty-three years for the salvation of mankind, and in instructing and encouraging the Christians. She had the great joy of seeing and hearing how the faith in her Divine Son was spreading everywhere among the Jews and the heathens. Her desire to be called away from earth to be re-united to her Son daily increased. God at length heeded her prayer and sent an Angel to announce to her the day of her departure. O! how rejoiced was the heart of Mary at this message! When the day arrived, on which her soul was to go to heaven, not only those Christians who were related to her, and those who knew her were there, but all the apostles, excepting St. Thomas, who were preaching all over the world, were present.... See More at http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/Assumption%20Weninger%20Sermons.html <><><><> PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 1. Mary's death was caused by her love of God. Who can be surprised at this? She had continually lived in the love of God. All that she did or suffered, she did or suffered for the love of God. How will your death be? If you live without the love of God, or if you live under the displeasure of the Almighty, you have reason to fear that you will die in His displeasure. You have been told before now that you will probably die as you have lived. "Their end will be according to their works," says the holy apostle (II. Corinth, xi. 15). And the prophet Isaias wrote, long before: "Say to the just man that it is well; for, he shall eat the fruit of his doings. Woe to the wicked unto evil; for, the reward of his hands shall be given him (Isaias iii. 11)," that is to say, he will be punished as he deserves, according to his works. He has lived in sin; he shall die in sin and go to destruction. It is a miracle of divine mercy when anyone who has lived long in sin, dies happily. This may happen to one in a hundred. If you desire to die in the love and grace of God, endeavor to live in the love and grace of God. Keep your conscience free from sin. If you should have committed sin, either from weakness or wickedness, cleanse your soul immediately by the means which Christ has ordained, in order to be reinstated in the grace of the Almighty. Take care, also that you cultivate the love of God, as so many saints have done, in order that you may die in His love. 2. Mary was exalted in Heaven above all saints, because she had not only surpassed them in dignity, but also in merits and virtues. If you cannot surpass others in virtue and piety, endeavor, at least, to imitate them. Today resolve to imitate the divine mother in that virtue of which we have just spoken; fervent love for God. All that you say or do, say or do it for the love of God. Mary is called the mother of beautiful love. Beautiful love is to love God for Himself and our neighbor for His sake. Mary is the mother of beautiful, divine love. As such, invoke her today with great confidence. Beg her to obtain for you powerful graces that you too may die with burning love for the Giver of All Life. Oh! if you were so happy as to die from intense love for God! Pray for this with especial devotion this day and henceforth. Say in the Angelus, "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen." The custom of saying the Angelus is very ancient and has been practiced by the most zealous servants of God. The following prayer is by St. Ephrem: "Protect me now and forevermore, O, divine mother! thou mother of mercy ! Save me, O holy and unspotted Virgin! from all harm and from the temptations of the Evil One. Be my intercessor at the hour of death, and guard me from the unquenchable fire. Deign, oh! most merciful mother, to receive me to contemplate the glory of thy Son." Bible Quote: Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [James 1: 21] RSVCE Bible Quote: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 15:4-6] RSVCE <><><><> ("A Year with the Saints" August: Diligence) 17. Even little actions are great when they are done well; so that a little action done with desire to please God is more acceptable to Him, and gives Him more glory, than a great work done with less fervor. We must, then, give particular attention to perform well the little works, which are easiest, and are constantly within our reach, if we wish to advance in friendship with God. --St. Francis de Sales St. Ignatius said of a lay-brother who was a mason that he wrought for himself in Heaven as many crowns as he laid bricks or gave strokes of the hammer, on account of the pure and upright intention with which he animated these works. It is told of St. Francis Xavier that he was very careful to do little things well, and that he used to say: "We must not deceive ourselves, for he who does not take pains to excel in little things, will never do so in great." --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 # Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) * Origin: Region 15 HQ (1:15/0) .