From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Personal Humility [l]   
      
   Everyone naturally desires knowledge, (Aristotle, Metaphysics I,1.)   
   but of what use is knowledge itself without the fear of God? A humble   
   countryman who serves God is more pleasing to Him than a conceited   
   intellectual who knows the course of the stars, but neglects his own   
   soul (Ecclus.19:22). A man who truly knows himself realizes his own   
   worthlessness, and takes no pleasure in the praises of men. Did I   
   possess all knowledge in the world, but had no love, how would this   
   help me before God, who will judge me by my deeds?   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Chapter 2   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   January 4: Our Lady of Akita: Weeping Statue   
      
   Beginning on June 12, 1973, the Blessed Mother gave three Messages to   
   Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa in Akita, Japan through a carved wooden   
   statue of Mary. The statue, bathed in a brilliant light, would “come   
   alive” and speak with a “voice of indescribable beauty.” I’ll talk   
   about these messages in June, on the anniversary of their delivery.   
      
   Beginning thirty-five years ago today, January 4, 1975, the statue of   
   the Blessed Virgin from which this indescribable voice came from, wept   
   101 times over the course of several years (last recorded occurrence   
   was September 15, 1981 on the Feast of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows). The   
   status was also observed to “perspire abundantly” with the   
   perspiration sending out a sweet perfume, witnessed by hundreds of   
   people. Lastly, the right palm of the statue bled from a wound that   
   had the form of a cross--an identical wound that developed on Sister   
   Agnes’ right hand.   
      
   These miraculous events were witnessed by hundreds and scientific   
   analysis revealed the blood, tears, and perspiration from the statue   
   were human. Several miraculous cures are on record, including recovery   
   from terminal brain cancer and the complete cure of Sister Agnes’   
   total deafness.   
    by Jacob   
      
   Saint Quote:   
    As the reading of bad books fills the mind with worldly and poisonous   
   sentiments; so, on the other hand, the reading of pious works fills   
   the soul with holy thoughts and good desires.   
   --St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori   
      
   Bible Quote:   
    Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!  that   
   the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD,   
   strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O   
   gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors!  that the King of glory may   
   come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the   
   King of glory!  [Psalm 24:7-10]   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   ACT OF CONSECRATION TO JESUS   
      
       Lord Jesus Christ,   
       I consecrate myself today anew   
       and without reserve to Your Divine Heart.   
       I consecrate to You my body with all its senses,   
       my soul with all its faculties,   
       my entire being.   
       I consecrate to You all my thoughts,   
       words and deeds,   
       all my sufferings and labours,   
       all my hopes, consolations and joys.   
       In particular I consecrate to You   
       this poor heart of mine   
       so that it may love only You   
       and may be consumed as a victim   
       in the fire of your love.   
      
       I place my trust in You without reserve   
       and I hope for the remission of my sins   
       through Your infinite mercy.   
       I place within Your hands all my cares and anxieties.   
       I promise to love You and to honour You   
       till the last moment of my life,   
       and to spread, as much as I can,   
       devotion to Your most Sacred Heart.   
      
       Do with me what You will, my Jesus.   
       I deserve no other reward except   
       Your greater glory and Your holy love.   
       Take this offering of myself   
       and give me a place within Your Divine Heart forever.   
      
       Amen.    
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)