[Philippians 4:6-7] “Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.
“And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Zenit.org posted an official document from Vatican City, of October 23, 2010, that contained outstanding counsel that could easily be applied towards this work using the words of Cardinal-designate Velasio De Paolis in his letter entitled: “Reflections on the Path.”
“I invite everyone to reflection. Even if we are moved by the greatest goodwill, each one of us is generally limited in his outlook and the way we evaluate the facts and the demands of renewal. Therefore, instead of creating our counter-arguments to make our own view prevail, each one must also look at the others, and be open and ready to have their own ideas assessed by them.”
The Letter continues: “What matters above all is for each one to be moved by the desire for the good, and by the will to be converted ever more to the Lord, under the guidance of the Church, and so to be open to his will and to progress along the path of fidelity and holiness according to our own vocation. If we are united and respectful of each other as we move forward the journey will be swift and sure, but it will be certain shipwreck to let ourselves get caught up in the desire to win out and impose our own ideas.”
Cardinal-designate Velasio De Paolis makes a very important point in his letter for not only religious and priestly life but for all of the faithful Church members not to consider their own view more valid than that of Holy Mother Church. It is for this very reason that these meditations are described and introduced in this format, so that others may ponder and comment on their veracity and how they are effected, or hope others will, in reflection of the same. Also the reason for constant hope that any comments for theological discourse are not only welcome from Church members but are encouraged and necessary for these meditations to proceed for the benefit of all souls – in distrust of self, these meditations have been and will be submitted again after corrections are made under the review of ecclesiastical authority in order to receive a Nihil obstat (without error) and Imprimatur (license to print).
Even more recently, from Vatican City on Dec. 4, 2010 (Zenit.org), in an Advent reflection given for Pope Benedict XVI and members of the Roman Curia, the preacher of the Pontifical Household, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, addresses this same discussion under another topic “The Christian Answer to Atheist Scientistism” quoting Blessed John H. Newman saying:
“When a deluge of facts, ascertained or presumed, are showered on us, while an infinite number of others already begin to be delineated, all believers, whether or not Catholics, feel called to examine the meaning that such facts have.” [J. H. Newman, “Apologia pro vita sua,” Brescia, 1982, p. 277.] And again, “As the Creator rested on the seventh day after completing His work, and yet he still operates, so he communicated once and for all the Creed at the origin, yet still favors its development and provides for its development.” [J. H. Newman, “Lo sviluppo della dottrina cristiana,” Bologna, 1967, p. 95. 7]
With this in mind, this work encourages our asking for direction from Church Councils formed by Scriptures while continuously knocking on Wisdom’s doors, seeking Her guidance through open reasoning, as time progresses on in our longing…
[Philippians 4:8] “For the rest, brethren…”
Q. Why would we believe that Our Lord desires three additional mysteries on Mercy, Grace, and Faith because of the Luminous Mysteries? Do they offer additional and trustworthy support of the Holy Rosary without an apparition or locution from angels or the Mother of God?
“Whatsoever things are true…”
A. The Holy Spirit has already spoken on the genesis of our faith that are presented in these meditations and were confirmed by Holy Mother Church as within Mary by Our Lord. We were always taught that God is merciful, that God is gracious and that God is faithful.
“Whatsoever modest…”
Abraham and Moses believed this; Muslims do as well. Yet the difference of our belief in Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace redounds in God’s love when learning what Mary knew.
“Whatsoever just…”
Formally given this opportunity to contemplate meditations that outline and reinforce the major foundations of our Judeo-Christian faith seven days each week – beginning with the revelation of the inspiration of God for Creation of Heaven and Earth, of the predestined Immaculate Conception, and ending with the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth – renews our identity as one holy family of God with those who came before us in the same expectation of sharing a heavenly reward in recognition of Truth with Our Lord’s Blessed Mother as Queen because Jesus Christ “is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they that are with him are called, and elect, and faithful.” [Rev. 17:14]
“Whatsoever holy…”
In the Merciful Mysteries the meditations give a distinct perspective of the Old Testament Covenants that are recognized as fulfilled in the Glorious Mysteries; in the Gracious Mysteries the outlined merging of Prayers and Gifts of the Holy Spirit lead us to the Kingdom of Christ, and lastly; a unique perspective of the order of the New Testament Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for the salvation of souls within Christ’s Consecrated Church details the sections of the Mass given in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that after His death and Resurrection “I will be with you always” [Matthew 28:20] and reaffirmed this again saying: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” [Luke 21:33] – and of course, it is the perpetual fulfillment of His Holy Word: “I am the bread of Life” [John 6:35].
“Whatsoever lovely…”
The keys to the Kingdom of Heaven that were entrusted to Peter from Christ have been propitiously loosed by the exposition on the Luminous Mysteries of God’s Holy Word now offered in harmonic unity with the Holy Rosary by the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in St. Pope John Paul II.
“Whatsoever of good fame…”
By dutiful repetition of meditations for every day of the week, a beautiful pedestal of faith, hope, and charity underpin the three original Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary to enhance the nurturing of our souls to blossom in concern for contemplation of Christ. Within this holy week of prayer we are drawn away from the tumultuous errors of the world and refocus our thanksgiving and praise of Jesus Christ through the Luminous Mysteries offered by Pope St. John Paul II.
“If there be any virtue…”
The combined mysteries renew our attention to the essential importance of remembrance that Jesus Christ is in fact God’s Son and that through Christ’s Church, Our Lord continues to proclaim His Holy Word and dispense His Sacraments to every generation beyond the Incarnation of God as the Son of Man, by the daily offering of His Body and Blood.
“If any praise of discipline…”
Following the advice of St. Bernard to: “Entrust to Mary any offering you wish to make to God. In this way, Grace will return to its source the same way it came to us. Certainly, God could give us Grace without going through Mary. But He chose not to do so.” For this reason these suggested meditations also become a wonderful tool in catechesis of our faith and sustain us outside of Mass with the necessary supporting graces to our sacramental life within the repetition of private prayers each and every day as many are want to do in remembrance of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ throughout every day of every week in every reflective and contemplative Rosary prayer we do.
“Think on these things.”
In holy wonder these meditations are also formed in highlighted mirror images of prayers said in daily masses of both the ordinary and extraordinary form throughout the four corners of the world and inform us why we should long to receive Christ with a greater desire for conversion from self. With fewer priests to offer Mass, these meditations assist our contemplation of religious life as one holy family in Christ to renew our reverence of Eucharist in unison with the Holy Ghost.
There are many other benefits from this Holy Week of Prayer that enumerate the Feast Days and Titles of Jesus and Mary that countless books have been written to explain in reflection of the following inclusions of…
1. The Old Testament Covenants that lead us to the Glorious Mysteries of God
2. The Three Theological Virtues infused by God
3. The Four Cardinal Virtues that form our conscience to do the Good
4. The Four Principle Human Passions necessary for dying to self in the example of Christ
5. The Five Forms of Prayer from the Five Books of the Psaltery fulfilled in Christ
6. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit exalted in Christ
7. The Seven Sacraments of Christ’s Church ordained by Christ
8. The Authority, Order and Value of the New Testament Mass of Christ’s Church
9. The Nine Choirs of Angels in our ascent to God through contemplation with Mary of Christ, and…
10. The Ten Steps of Perfection as nine while on earth and the tenth in death that delivers us to the Promise of Everlasting Life with the Triune God and Holy Family in Paradise.
And lastly, these meditations provide us a steadfast means to follow Our Lord Jesus Christ through recognition of the stable faith within the Immaculate Heart of the Mother of God.
[Philippians 4:9] “The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you.”
As promoted by Pope St. Pius X, “The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers, it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.”
I pray that from within these prayers we may find a greater love of God through His Blessed Mother to answer His call to holiness and learn His Holy Will in praise and thanksgiving, forevermore. Amen!
Copyright © 2002 by John of the fallen cross
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Each page is filled with wonderful information and outstanding writing with clearity and true understanding. A lot of heart and soul came from these pages that you can actually feel the love overflowing as if God himself was speaking to only me. Your colorful pages are inviting and makes you want to go from article to article to see the brilliance of color and dynamics and fulfillment within your words. Truly inspired from God to you. May others be inspired and learn. sh 🙂