From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The Annunciation   
      
     Today's feast, recalling the extraordinary way in which the Virgin   
   conceived, celebrates the beginning of our reconciliation and   
   proclaims the unerring disposition of God's mercy and power. There is   
   a profound and wonderful mystery hidden in this conception by which   
   the bond of our transgression is canceled, the divine is joined to the   
   human, and two, that is Christ and the Church, become one body. The   
   Virgin's womb was the bridal chamber for this union, and at the end of   
   the normal period for carrying a child, Christ together with his   
   spouse, our flesh, like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, placed his   
   dwelling, the body he had assumed, in the sun; for he made his body   
   through which he was to vanquish the foe visible to all.   
     Let us ponder all this with care and with deep longing savor the   
   graciousness of God, considering how wonderful are the rewards   
   promised us in heaven. Let us model ourselves on the one who gave his   
   life on earth as a pattern of Christian living.   
   --Ivo of Chartres (1040-1116 a.d.)   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   March 25th - St. Lucy Filippini.   
      
   Born in Corneto or Tarquinia, Tuscany, Italy, January 13, 1672; died   
   at Montefiascone, Italy, on March 25, 1732; canonized in 1930.   
      
   Marc'Antonio Cardinal Barbarigo discovered the pedagogical genius of   
   Lucia Filippini, who had been orphaned while still quite young. In her   
   native town of Corneto, he saw young and old gathered about a little   
   girl in the market place, listening to the child as she explained the   
   catechism. He took the little girl with him on the very same day to   
   the episcopal city of Montefiascone, and had her instructed by the   
   Poor Clares.   
      
   She joined Blessed Rosa Venerini in training school mistresses at   
   Montefiascone. Although Rose began the work, she died before it   
   matured into the flourishing Italian institute of the Maestre Pie, or   
   Filippine, of which Saint Lucy is venerated as the co-foundress. Lucy   
   devoted the rest of her life to improving the status of women, and   
   founding schools and educational centers for girls and women   
   throughout Italy. In 1707, she was called to Rome by Pope Clement XI   
   to establish the first school of the institute there. Lucy endeared   
   herself to the people of Rome during her tenure.   
      
   In a parchment laid in her grave at the Cathedral of Montefiascone,   
   the saint is lovingly described: "After she had lost both her parents,   
   Cardinal Marc'Antonio Barbarigo of blessed memory took her into his   
   care. He later availed himself of her services in the founding of   
   schools of Christian doctrine for young girls. Active with the   
   greatest ardor for this foundation and its propagation, she fully   
   realized the importance of this work for the glory of God, the saving   
   of souls, and the Christian education of women.   
      
   "Her ability and experience made her work flourish and spread to our   
   diocese and to many others. Her endeavors earned her the name of una   
   donna forte--a strong woman. Though she lived wholly for her   
   foundation, she never ceased praying at the feet of the Lord, thus   
   uniting, in admirable fashion, the virtues of Martha and Mary.   
      
   "To set her up also as a model of invincible patience, God put her to   
   the severest tests. She died on the Feast of the Annunciation, March   
   25, 1732, at the age of 60, of cancer, in terrible pain, which she   
   endured with supreme patience."   
      
   A portrait reveals that she was a very pretty woman (Attwater2,   
   Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia, Schamoni).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Gaze upon the Lord,   
   Gaze upon his face;   
   Gaze upon the One who holds you in his embrace.   
   Gaze upon his life;   
   Gaze upon his love;   
   Gaze upon his coming poor from heaven above.   
   --Saint Clare of Assisi   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit   
   within me." [Psalm 51:10]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   My Most Sorrowful Lady   
   By St Anselm (1033-1109) Marian Doctor   
      
   My most sorrowful Lady,   
   what can I say about the fountains,   
   that flowed from your most pure eyes,   
   when you saw your only Son before you,   
   bound, beaten and suffering?   
   What do I know of the flood,   
   that drenched your matchless face,   
   when you beheld your Son,   
   your Lord and your God,   
   stretched on the cross without guilt,   
   when the flesh of your flesh,   
   was cruelly butchered by wicked me?   
   How can I judge   
   what sobs troubled your most pure breast   
   when you heard,   
   “Woman, behold your son,”   
   and the disciple,   
   “Behold, your Mother,”   
   when you received, as a son,   
   the disciple, in place of the Master,   
   the servant, for the Lord?   
   Amen   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)