From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Resisting Temptation  [7]   
      
      Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion,   
   and some in the end. And some there are who are much troubled in a   
   manner all their life time. Some are but lightly tempted, according to   
   the wisdom and equity of the ordinance of God, who weighs the state   
   and merits of men, and pre-ordains all for the salvation of his elect.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 13   
      
   ================   
   November 19: - Mary, Mother of Divine Providence   
      
   This title celebrates the role that the Lord entrusted to Mary, whose   
   “loving providence is always wise and unfailing.” Established by Pope   
   Benedict XIV in 1744, and granted to the Congregation of Clerks   
   Regular of Saint Paul (also known as the Barnabites), devotion to Mary   
   as Mother of Divine Providence celebrates the wisdom of the loving   
   mother of Christ.   
      
   Pope Benedict XIV declared this feast in honor of our mother, who   
   cares for each of her children “entrusted to her by Christ Jesus while   
   He hung upon the cross.” He further proclaimed her the “handmaid of   
   God’s love who interceded with her Son at Cana of Galilee for the   
   bridegroom and bride.” Lastly, Pope Benedict XIV stated what all   
   Catholics believe, that Mary, “now enthroned as Queen at her Son’s   
   right hand, provides for all the needs of the Church.” We trust in the   
   divine Providence of Our Lord, who chose Mary to bring forth the   
   Savior of the World.   
      
   The devotion to Our Lady, Mother of Divine Providence is intimately   
   connected to the history of the first Barnabite house in Rome, where   
   it began. Since that time, devotion to Our Lady under this title has   
   spread throughout the Church, as we recognize that Mary is the perfect   
   teacher of what Providence should mean in our lives. Through the life   
   of Mary, we learn not only about the Providence of Our Lord, but also   
   to trust in that Providence, even when we are scared, the journey is   
   difficult, or the moments we find ourselves in are more painful than   
   we can tolerate. In those moments, in examining the life of Our   
   Blessed Mother, we see her complete trust, and her cooperation with   
   that which the Lord put before her.   
      
   In 1611, during the construction of the first Barnabite church in   
   Rome, the Church of Saint Charles ai Catinari, money was sparse, and   
   the pastor, Father Blaise Palma, was forced to halt construction. Not   
   willing to give up on the completion of the project, however, Father   
   Palma made a pilgrimage to Loreto to beg the aid of Our Lady who he   
   was certain would hear his plea. Miraculously, upon his return to   
   Rome, the order received the necessary financial means to continue   
   building the church, and in 1650, construction was completed. Wishing   
   to document the role of the Blessed Virgin in completion of the   
   church, Father Palma wrote a lengthy and factual account and placed it   
   in the parish archives. He recommended that everyone appeal to Mary   
   with the greatest confidence whenever difficulties presented   
   themselves.   
      
   Years later, the Barnabites were forced to abandon their home in Rome,   
   and while fleeing, wished to remove a portion of the wall of the house   
   on which was painted a miraculous image of Mary. Sadly, when they   
   attempted to hang the secured mural over the altar in their new home,   
   it shattered. The architect responsible for the destruction of the   
   priceless image offered a remarkable painting of Our Blessed Mother   
   holding the Infant Jesus in her arms.    
   This painting, completed by Raphael’s disciple Gaetan,   
   depicts Jesus confidently clasping the hands of his mother, Our   
   Mother. The Barnabites interpret this pose to be a symbol of the   
   sacred source of the power of the Mother of God. The Child seems to be   
   saying: "Mother, I place in your hands the authority to act in my   
   name. From my infinite treasure, you are to provide good things to all   
   those who implore your aid."   
      
   This beautiful painting was placed on the altar of a chapel on the   
   first floor of the Saint Charles rectory behind the main altar. The   
   Barnabites used to gather there daily for the recitation of the Divine   
   Office and their spiritual exercises. Upon discovery of the writings   
   of Father Palma in the archives, the community came to be devoted to   
   Our Lady of Divine Providence, as evidenced in the confident love of   
   Father Palma and the confidence of Christ in Gaetan’s portrait.   
      
   When we consider Mary, Mother of Divine Providence, we are reminded   
   that Our Lord does not make mistakes. Nothing happens by accident, but   
   rather everything has it’s divine purpose. That purpose is always to   
   bring us closer to the Lord who created us, through the intercession   
   and grace bestowed upon us through His Mother. We are reminded that,   
   like Mary, every event of our lives, every person we encounter, every   
   mistake we make, can lead us even closer to God—if we trust in Him and   
   cooperate with Him. Humbly, obediently, and patiently, we must place   
   ourselves at the Lord’s disposal, trusting in His goodness, His   
   wisdom, and His plan—however incomprehensible it may be!   
   -- by Jacob   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   "I fear the good opinion which my friends have formed of me: they will   
   believe me in Heaven and leave me to suffer."   
   --St. Francis de Sales   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   "Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a   
   fool."  (Proverbs 17:10)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   PRAYER TO MARY, MOTHER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE   
      
   Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of Divine Providence, protect our life   
   and sanctify us with the gift of grace. Obtain for us from the Father   
   of mercy and the God of consolation pardon for our sins,   
   reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, and comfort in the midst   
   of afflictions. Renew our hearts that they may be come worthy dwelling   
   places of your Divine Son, Jesus. Help us in our struggles against   
   mediocrity, self-seeking, and pride so we can generously serve our   
   neighbor. We entrust ourselves to you, 0 Mary, in our pilgrimage in   
   this world. We invoke you as our guide and our defense against   
   dangers. In the present tribulations, give us secure refuge. 0 sweet   
   Mother of Divine Providence, turn your eyes to ward us, you who are   
   our hope on earth. Grant that we may have you as our Mother in the   
   glory of heaven. Amen.   
      
   See Pictures   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Providence   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)