From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   John points to the Redeemer   
      
   "John did not baptize with the Spirit but with water, since he was   
   unable to take away the sins of those being baptized. He washed their   
   bodies with water but not their hearts with pardon. Why did one whose   
   baptism did not forgive sins baptize, except that he was observing his   
   vocation as forerunner? He whose birth foreshadowed greater birth, by   
   his baptizing foreshadowed the Lord who would truly baptize. He whose   
   preaching made him the forerunner of Christ, by baptizing also became   
   his forerunner, using a symbol of the future sacrament. With these   
   other mysteries he makes known the mystery of our Redeemer, declaring   
   that he has stood among people and not been known. The Lord appeared   
   in a human body: he came as God in flesh, visible in his body,   
   invisible in his majesty."   
    by Gregory the Great (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 4)   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   January 20: - Our Lady of Banneux, The Fourth Apparition   
      
   Today marks the anniversary of the fourth apparition of Our Blessed   
   Mother at Banneux, Belgium, to eleven year old Mariette Beco in 1933.   
   The first three apparitions occurred on January 15, January 18, and   
   January 19. During these encounters, Mariette saw a woman “made of   
   light” smiling at her through her kitchen window, eventually following   
   the Blessed Virgin, praying with her, and obeying her instructions to   
   claim a small stream of water for her. The Blessed Mother said to   
   Mariette, “I am the Virgin of the Poor” and “This spring is reserved   
   for all nations- to relieve the sick.”Eyewitnesses saw Mariette   
   speaking, but were unable to discern Our Holy Mother. Both her parents   
   and Church authorities were skeptical of her claims.   
      
   Following her last visitation with Our Lady, Mariette had become quite   
   ill, the many nights of praying the Rosary outside in the Belgian   
   winter taking their toll. On January 20, Mariette returned to the   
   garden, kneeling in the snow, and beginning the Rosary. Upon seeing   
   Mary, Mariette asked, “Beautiful Lady, what are Your wishes?” The   
   Virgin of the Poor requested a small chapel be built, and then blessed   
   Mariette with the Sign of the Cross to complete the task. Due to her   
   illness, Mariette lost consciousness and was carried inside where she   
   slept peacefully through the night.   
      
   Despite her illness and the freezing cold, Mariette continued to   
   return to the garden each night to pray the Rosary, but would not   
   again encounter our Blessed Mother until February 11, the feast day of   
   Our Lady of Lourdes. Despite adults, including her parents, having   
   been with her during the apparitions, none yet believed.   
      
   Our Lady of Banneux, the Virgin of the Poor, would appear to Mariette   
   four more times over the course of the next month. Her message each   
   time was to pray for the poor, for the sick, and for sinners.   
      
   by Jacob   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has   
   given us the means to find it easily. Would you like me to teach you   
   how to grow from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already   
   recollected at prayer, you can be even more attentive next time, and   
   so give God more pleasing worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a   
   tiny spark of God's love already burns within you, do not expose it to   
   the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so   
   that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid   
   distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend   
   your time in useless chatter.   
   -- Saint Charles Borromeo   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   A tree is identified by its fruit. A tree from a select variety   
   produces good fruit; poor varieties, don't.... A good man's speech   
   reveals the rich treasures within him. An evil-hearted man is filled   
   with venom, and his speech reveals it.  (Mt. 12:33, 35)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, lead us to Jesus, Source of grace.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, save all nations.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, relieve the sick.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, alleviate suffering.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, pray for each one of us.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we believe in you.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, believe in us.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, we will pray hard.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, bless us.   
   Blessed Virgin of the Poor, Mother of the Savior, Mother of God, we thank You.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)