From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Seeing that essential Beauty   
      
   "The man who has purified all the powers of his soul from every form   
   of sin will be able to see that essential Beauty which is the source   
   of everything else that is beautiful and good. The eye that has been   
   cleansed of rheum is able to see heavenly phenomena that may be far   
   distant. So too, the soul, by her incorruptibility, receives the power   
   of seeing that Light; and true virginity and her longing for   
   incorruptibility come to rest in her final goal; for by this she is   
   enabled to see God. For no one could be so blind as not to realize   
   that the God of all things is the first, supreme and unique Goodness,   
   Beauty and Purity."   
   --Excerpt from a sermon by St. Gregory of Nyssa   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   February 24th - Our Lady of Lourdes: The 8th Apparition   
      
       Today marks the anniversary of the 8th apparition of Our Blessed   
   Mother to Saint Bernadette Soubirous at the grotto in Lourdes.   
   Beginning on February 11, 1858, The Blessed Virgin appeared to   
   Bernadette Soubirous a total of 18 times bringing a message of prayer,   
   penance, poverty, and participation. Through these posts, we continue   
   our journey with Saint Bernadette as we encounter Our Blessed Mother   
   through her eyes, memories, and words. The previous seven visitations   
   (February 11, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 23) were prelude to what was to   
   begin during the 8th blessed message of Mary. During these first days,   
   despite being doubted by her family and friends, and despite being   
   mercilessly tricked and questioned by the police, Bernadette held fast   
   to her faith and never wavered from her story. She refused to   
   discontinue her trips to the grotto at Massabielle, as she had made a   
   promise to aquero.  The Blessed Virgin made a promise to Bernadette,   
   to make her happy in the next world.   
      
   Whereas the first 7 apparitions were times filled with incredible joy   
   for Bernadette, the 8th visitation of Our Lady of Lourdes marks a   
   change in her experience. Her face, previously radiant with joy,   
   becomes sorrowful and sad as Our Lady speaks with her and shares the   
   crux of the message of Lourdes.   
      
   On February 24, 1858, Bernadette returned to the grotto, accompanied   
   by her mother and a large crowd. It was the season of Lent, and the   
   local bishop had instructed the people to live with particular   
   intensity in prayer, fasting, and penance. Bernadette embraced this   
   instruction. As was her custom, blessed candle burning, she knelt and   
   prayed the Rosary, and was graced again by the appearance of aquero,   
   the beautiful lady in the recess on the rock face. At the conclusion   
   of the Rosary, the Blessed Mother spoke to Bernadette, which she   
   repeated aloud. “Penance. Penance. Penance. Pray to God for sinners.”   
   Bernadette would later report that Our Lady did not smile, but rather,   
   appeared concerned. She wrote in her journal, “This merciful Queen   
   looked sad when she told me to pray for sinners. She repeated the same   
   words to me several times.”   
      
   Our Lady of Lourdes then asked Bernadette to kiss the ground. She   
   said, “Kiss the ground as an act of penance for sinners.” To those   
   observing, it was unclear what Bernadette was doing, and some took her   
   actions as proof of a weak mind. The following day, during the ninth   
   visitation of the Blessed Mother, her message, despite the strange   
   behaviors of Bernadette, begins to take focus. We see, through the   
   requests of Our Lady of Lourdes, the sufferings of her Son, Jesus   
   Christ, and the redemption of mankind. The visions at Lourdes, through   
   the messenger of the Blessed Virgin, communicate the Lord’s deep love   
   and sacrifice for each of us, and place us at the center of the   
   message of Lourdes.   
   --by Jacob   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Every Saint belongs to the court of the Queen of All Saints.   
   --St. John Eudes   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that   
   which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth   
   that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth   
   speaketh.  [Lk 6:45] DRB   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Bernadette, you intensely desired the Eucharist.   
   You have done everything to finally receive   
   communion in the Body of Christ.   
   You loved to adore the Blessed Sacrament.   
   You united your life living in the offering, that of Christ at the altar.   
      
   Like Mary, the Woman of the Eucharist,   
   Bernadette, inspire me the same hunger for the Eucharist,   
    the food, presence, and sacrifice.   
   Lord, you have given us your Son, the living and eternal bread.   
    Let the Eucharist transform my life to be a   
   perpetual act of thanksgiving. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)